Emily: The perfect Powder Room

I am a closet minimalist....even though I love a cozy and cluttered English interior, when I design I always stop short of that look, and whenever I move out of an apartment and half of my stuff is packed away I always have this moment of "wow, this place is awesome under all of that stuff!".

I have been saving this image as inspiration, and thought that instead I would share. I love the casualness of the "propped" antiqued mirror, the wall mounted faucet and basin, the clean and spacious room around it.

Le Owner: Update on Library Living Room

It's fun to see how projects grow and change...

The Library Living room went from this:



To this!!


For Liz. by SITE

Most everything in the picture above has been ordered and is on the way for installation. I've even found a great Alegra Hicks for Lee Jofa tribal print/fabric for some throw pillows, but more on that soon...

Le Owner: holidays!

Ah, it's that time of year again. I'm knee deep in new arrivals at SITE and looking high and low for the perfect presents for all my loved ones. First up...

For my sister:




For my neice:




Beautiful items galore at LAMA, Latin America In The Modern Age...a great new-ish webshop with a lot of class.

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