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Sunday, February 28, 2010

color scheming

So, I am beginning to think of a color palette for my graduation party. 
I tend to take planning events very seriously (I think I'd make a good party/wedding planner). I am obsessed with details (its what makes a party unique with lots of personality!) I want it to be perfect down to the smallest little things...like cupcake wrappers. Which I found here. I love these colors: turquoise and pink. So cheerful and happy. I do have other color palettes in mind too.... gray and yellow  maybe?!? But this one struck my eye tonight. I am thinking this grad party will be big because it's only happening once..well in less I decide to go back to school for a graduate degree or something and I am 98% sure that will never happen.

And of course...Whitney English invitations are a must!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

its the little details...

I would love to decorate  the table or counter top during holidays, celebration meal and parties with these fun ceramic dry erase tiles or...they would be perfect placeholders too. I can imagine them at a dessert party with the names of all the different desserts written on them. :) fun!
Oh, i think these are the ones I want to get. 


oh, i love the circle shape..maybe these are the ones?!?
this isn't "the one" but I found them for a whopping 2.99 here
not too bad...


What are your favorite party and hosting necessities?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

i've got design on my mind

This is what my week looks like. All day everyday.  :) Love it but it makes my brain very tired. Anyone have any suggestions on how to quickly recharge my creative battery? :)




On another note...
This image is beautiful. Have I mentioned I love decorating with multiples of an item?! Well, I love this. 

Monday, February 22, 2010

drawing inspiration from anywhere

I love visual arts. I love them all. I believe inspiration can drawn from any kind of design and can be translated through another type of design. Ex: finding inspiration from fashion and using it to decorate a room based on a piece of clothing OR finding a fun wallpaper and using its style or pattern for inspiration in designing a fabulous piece of stationary. 


I've been told there are 5 kinds of design: I am deeply fascinated by them all.
Graphic...check!
Fashion...love it..so, check!
Architecture......eh...not so much. But, my future architect husband sure loves it. 
Interior...oh I love it...check!
Product....its a growing love.


What is your favorite kind of design? Do you see your strengths in any of these types of design?


Here are a few tid bits of beautiful creative inspiration for the evening: 




Sunday, February 21, 2010

mirror mirror on the wall



I am LOVING the look of layering mirrors. I don't love the huge frameless mirror in my guest bath. I was planning on getting rid of it until I saw the top image via Little Green Notebook. I love the extra visual element that is created by layering these mirrors! Let's add this one to my list of projects around my little home :)


How to layer mirrors from Apartment Therapy:
Screw an I-hook in the ceiling very close to the wall above your vanity area. If need be, paint it to match the ceiling color. Attach a piece of fishing wire or any type of strong, translucent wire to the back of your mirror. String it through the eyehook and loop it back through the picture wire of the decorative mirror, so you don’t see any loose ends. Add felt bumpers to the back of your mirror if there aren’t any. The wire will be virtually invisible and the mirror should rest against the wall mirror.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

oh i can't wait

I can't wait for the Liberty of London line at Target to be in stores March 14. It makes me want to throw tons of little garden tea parties. (my birthday present is a new garden) images via Oh Joy 

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

art installations

Ever thought of decorating your walls and space with an art installation? This idea runs along the same concept as using multiples in decorating. You DON'T have to use repetition when designing an installation but its an idea. 
First off, lets cover what exactly an installation is. An installation is: the action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed, a large piece of equipment installed for use, an art exhibit constructed within a gallery (definition from my handy dandy mac dictionary). Art installations are often commissioned or bought as public art for parks and around cities. With this in mind, lets look at some super neat installations (i tend to gravitate towards installations that use multiples of the same item, my eyes can't help it...they're just so neat to look at!!!!)






buttons!!!!!!!

yellow pencils cut into hundreds..no thousands of pieces!
made from toothpicks! By Tara Donovan

Here are some not so conceptual installations that can be translated into ideas for your home
Have fun and go for it! I would love to know what you come up with!!!
A wall full of vases! This could look very cool if done right
Don't forget about using lighting as a material! 

Simple frame installation

globes on the ceiling!
small chairs on the walls. So unique and interesting. This is definitely not everyones style but I appreciate the boldness.
Yes, even a collection of photos can be an installation. Be creative and crazy when arranging them!

And I couldn't forget our very own installation! Designed by me and produced by Nathan and our hard working friends. I loved the visual statement it made.


                        

Monday, February 15, 2010

incorporating typography into your home













I love typography. It is extremely interesting to me. Not just the design itself but the typographer who created it as well. I've taken several type classes and love each one. I am intrigued at the idea of adding type to home decor. We have several big "H"'s in our home. Using type would work in a variety of different styles of spaces. It is a modern look but who's to say some wood block letters wouldn't look good in a french country style room? This concept is so interesting in that it's an unexpected addition to a space. Spelling out the word "EAT" in a kitchen is not something you expect to see. But, its a statement maker and its fun to see.  


My good friend Diana and her husband painted a big "T" in their dining room to stand for their last name. Its fun and acts as a piece of art.


What do you think of this "accessory"? Would you incorporate this into your space?

instant/ spaces

I found some great home design tips in this months issue of Lonny. And, discovered a new designer that I love. Betsy Burnham. Her style is very minimal in her portfolio which is not at all like what she design for Lonny. Then, I looked at her Instant/ Spaces branch of her design business and saw her fun side. I really enjoy her fun style of design. Clean and beautiful design using pops of color plus new furniture and accessories mixed in with vintage pieces. *at the very bottom is Betsy's design tips. One of my favorite tips of hers is "Combine thrift and couture, we love designer labels as well as flea market finds" This is my favorite way to design a room. Though I am not as experienced as Betsy, I do believe this tip can give a room a sense of visual strength more so than many other decor style out there because it tells such a story about the past and present (think how size, shape, color, texture, fabric has changed over decades and what happens visually when you begin combining pieces from different time periods together...interesting things begins to happen!!!!!!) Don't be afraid to experiment and play around with these ideas!





hello playful!








All images via LonnyMag

Sunday, February 14, 2010

crafty show

So, I went to A Fair of the Heart with my mom yesterday. I had never been. It's a huge (5 massive buildings) full of gift and craft vendors from all over the country. I am sure they have these kind of events in other states. Boy was it packed yesterday. I don't know what we were thinking going on a saturday when everyones off work. I didn't think I would like it very much because I don't like buying crafts (over priced) when I can try and make it myself. But, I like supporting independent businesses and I found a few things I liked! Here are my finds and I love them:
$10 crocheted head wrap. I got one in light pink too. 

$5 Spring/ Summer wreath. Have you ever seen a wreath priced $5? I haven't.  I love wreaths a little too much, I think buts it's perfect door decor for the those warmer weather months.

happy celebrate love day


Happy Valentines Day! 
Hope you can send a little reminder to someone today that they're loved.

Friday, February 12, 2010

big lovely portraits







Oh wow! I am in love. Someday, I will show off our little babies around our home with statement pieces like these. (This post requires BAS {big a$$ type} because I love the images so much) My design teachers would not be enthused.  

Thursday, February 11, 2010

oooooooohhh ahhhhh

In December, I started reading an amazing online magazine, Lonny. No mag will ever replace Domino in my heart but Lonny does a fabulous job of feeding my design obsessed brain. 



go check out page after page of eye candy here
hope you enjoy this great piece of inspiration as much as I do!

creamy sausage tomato rotini


I made this dish last week and it was great and made perfect leftovers for lunch. This recipe via Rachael's Recipes
Creamy Sausage-Tomato Rotini
1 lb. mild italian sausage
1/2C. finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
28 oz. italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 1/2 C. half and half or light cream
12 oz. rotini pasta
fresh chopped basil and grated romano cheese for garnish

Crumble and cook sausage with onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes over med. heat until sausage is done. Drain.
Stir in undrained tomatoes. Boil gently uncovered 5-7 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Add half and half. Simmer 4 minutes.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to saucepan.
Pour sauce over pasta. Stir to combine. Serve immediately with grated cheese and basil.
Variation: This can also be made with chicken for a milder taste. Pan fry bite-size pieces of chicken in the skillet. Use penne pasta instead of rotini.

 

design + development by kelly christine studio