Emily: They're here........

The labels for my pillows have finally arrived! Thanks again, Le Owner for the tip!

Emily: Little Leather Library

My most recent antiquing score: a set of 20 leather books measuring 2" wide x 3" high. I love their varying greens!

Emily: Songs from the wood

I have been looking for a reasonable set of flatware, as I am planning a Holiday Brunch where I will use my Great Grandmother Marie's wedding china. It was given to me by my Grandma Isabel, who was my great conspirator and who carried on the tradition of French cuisine she had learned from her mother.

While I admit I do not have the talent to fill the plates that they had I at least want to do them justice. Everything that I have found (and can afford) is either too fancy to go with my everyday plates (plain white porcelain) or too plain to belong alongside china. That is, everything but cheap-o Naturewood from Pfaltzgraff, which I will rock this brunch, baby!

Fancy: A touch of architecture

I came across these images online today and thought I'd share with you a little bit of why I love architecture and why I especially love Europe. The railing is so organic in form its like a plant vine or blade of grass spiraling up.

"Stairs take an important place in Paris buildings. These are in the Galerie Vivienne, a passage built in 1823. The neo-classical style is inspired by the roman antic. The glass roof is elegant, the wall decorated with paintings and sculptures and the ground is covered with mosaic. A former convict prisoner who became chief of Police, lived in 1840 at number 13, on the other end of this passage."

More images to drool over avail at the below site

http://www.spirit-of-paris.com/2006/03/26/stairs-galerie-vivienne.html

Emily: Quick Books :(

Learning Quick Books makes me feel slow. Sorry for the lack of posts...I am trying to get current for year's end!

Le Owner: Inspiration

This year was the year of animals as humas, and I totally bought into it. First, I saw this just about everywhere this year on the internet (and loved it):



Then there were these, lovely but not cheap:



And now, behold! The cornerstone to SITE's holiday this year, these amazing little guys, all dressed up for the party. (In fact, some look like they might have already been' pre-partyin' if you know what I mean!)

Emily: The spirit of the season

I have started decorating for the holidays. :)

Le Owner: Why I love Jayson Home and Garden for the holidays

I can't remember the exact moment that I discovered Jayson Home and Garden, but I can tell you once you discover them, you'll never ever forget how amazing they really can be. Natives of my 'hometown', Chicago, I've on more than one occasion dragged various family members to their exquisite Lincoln Park digs. If you ever have the good fortune to find yourself near their store, run, don't walk....and don't forget the sale basement. Just sayin'.....

Holiday favorites:

Emily: New sofa at Urban

I ADORE this new sofa from Urban Outfitters...both in line and in price!

Emily: Rivers and Tides

This is my Netflix pic for the weekend. I have seen it before but can hardly wait to watch it again!

Emily: life as a clover

Emily: Happy Birthday Lady and I miss you btw

Emily: The most perfect cupcake wrappers in the world

Laser cut lovliness from Paper Orchid.

Emily: Jessica Rust

I am in love, and I mean in love with Jessica Rust's line of personalized dinnerware. The delicate patterning would be charming even if not eponymous , but in a world where Things Remembered dominates the "your name here" market her lovely items are a breath of (mine! all mine!) fresh air.

Emily: Home

I just finished this wonderful book "HOME A Short History of an Idea" by Witold Rybczynski. It is a non fictional account of how the ideas that we come to associate with home (ie: privacy, comfort, and well being) developed in the western world. Worth reading for anyone who's job involves critical thinking regarding space.

I was especially taken with his argument against Traditional Decor:

"We would feel as odd in a Model T as we would in plus fours or a hooped skirt, yet although we would not think of dressing in period clothes, we find nothing strange in dressing our homes in period decor."

As a staunch traditionalist, I had to admit that he made an interesting and valid point.

Emily: Fort Ross

When I pay attention I find inspiration in unexpected places. Such was the case yesterday when we spent the day visiting and hiking around Fort Ross. The Fort was established in 1812 by Russian traders and was purchased by the State of California in 1908. The oldest original structure dates back to 1836. It was such a treat to explore some of California's history with the hypnotic sound of breaking waves in the distance.

View from the tower.

The hikes in the area are beautiful even in winter.

One example of door hardware at the fort.

Um...yes! Apothecary jars and natural specimen!

Give me a cabinet of curiosities any day.

A charming painted bed in one of the homes.

Detail of one of the benches.

The interiors had a "Jack and Jill"/Axel Vervoordt feel.

My favorite of the door handles on display there.

Emily: Is there anything worse than a staunch woman?

If only I were more and less like Little Edie.

Emily: Affinity

The topic of performance comes up again and again when low v.o.c. paints are mentioned, and despite what some people are saying I find them to be great to work with, personally and professionally.


Benjamin Moore came out with the Aura Collection last year, and have recently added exterior paints to the line. It coats really well, has wonderful color saturation and gives off little to no odor.


The chips below are some of the colors I have used in my own home...the bedroom color is the prettiest gray/blue....

And I have yet to try Natura...the zero V.O.C. base!

Le Owner: Tiny Showcase

I've always been sorta torn on the print front: affordable art for all! vs. same 'ol thing you see everywhere.

I'm really into Tiny Showcase these days, a new print every week, and part of the proceeds donated to the charity of choice by the artist. Also appealing? Each run is printed on archival Hahnemühle German Printmaking Paper. The archival ink is specially treated and sprayed, giving it an archival lifespan of over 60 years. None too shabby.

Way more to enjoy here.

Emily: Friends over

Last night my dear friend came over to sup with his new fiance. She is a wonderful addition to both his and my life, and I am so happy that they have found one another.

So happy, in fact, that I got all excited and set the table with my very best linens, which were gifts from Mackenzie of Site Design and Alberto and Mercedes from Etos way back when we were all studying at NYSID and napkin rings made for me by my little sister, who is now an art student at Tyler.

Using the beautiful things we own not only connects us to the time and place when we acquired them, but creates a sense of meaningfulness for the present moment. Setting the table for much anticipated guests is not about displaying what you own but instead creating a space worth lingering in. These beautiful things tell them "you are special, enjoy yourself."