Emily: Hospitality

There are three main reasons that I love the interiors of restaurants: the first is that I love food, and believe that taking pleasure in food is the most natural pleasure in life. The second is that I love the drama - you can get away with things for a space where people spend a few hours that would be awful in residential design. And lastly, these spaces are highly functioning and carfully organized. Here are some that have been living on my inspiration board.
I love how "club-ey" this one is...tufted leather, salon style art grouping, and the mirrored ceiling is a surprise.

This space is so warm and Moderne, with a little bit of farmhouse thrown in the mix. And it is a daring use of furnishings...we would have been discouraged to plan something like this in school, "a slum of legs."
A Parisian / Chinoiserie fantasy in buttercream and dark brown, this space reminds me of this room by Tom Scheerer. And is that an absinthe jar in the foreground?

Wedding Love

For someone who talks a big talk about never getting married, I seem to be posting the most wedding themed things...

This amazing photograph by super talented Raya Carlisle is exactly how I'd want my wedding to feel...the sweater vests are the cutest thing! I sent this picture to my sister immediately- ya never know.

More beautiful and inspiring work by Raya of the Paper Pony here.

Le Owner: Madison!

The town that first stole my heart, Madison, is the featured design guide on d*s today. Trixie & I first formed our design sensibilities in this town- Trixie even workin' at one of the recomended places! Check it out!

Emily: Chew Chew Cutie Cutie

Emily: J Shatz

There is something both modern and earthy about these Luna Sphere lamps from J. Schatz, a company that produces lovely ceramics in upstate New York, and whose owner often answers the phone when you call. I have spent the last few days pouring over lighting for my father's green building project, and could not resist sharing these.

Le Owner: Semi-Precious

I just got done reading my new Traditional Home*, and there is a fantastic article on jewelry for your home. I know Emily and I have discussed this many times- just ask her about her fictional but very appealing wood table with ribbons of turquoise running through the cracks and warped areas of the planks. Hot.

While that table isn't going into production anytime soon, some of these great natural, earthy, beautiful items are.

Honeycomb Calcite Lamp by Jan Showers (I know, I know. Jan Showers? Not really a designer I can often get behind, but they all have a winner sometime!)



Um, Ruzzetti and Gow stunner bowls, anyone?? Yes, please!



Or the ever popular rock crystal+candle light=magic combo



*(yes, yes, I, Le Owner, read Traditional Home. I even have a year subscription.)

Le Owner: Cool Kids Stuff

Now that I'm an aunt, I actually pay attention to the plethora of children's things that before meant nothing to me. And! As Astoria becomes more and more stroller mommies territory, I also have to source some great gifts for the wee ones for the store. It's hard.

I'm lovin' these onsies, though. T-shirts lovingly recycled into custom onsies.....oh, the possibilities!

Le Owner: Taxidermy

If I had to decorate a boy's room, I'd buy this for certain...



Adorable feltidermy!

Le Owner: These Times...

Is it just me, or is anyone else having a hard time concentrating these days? WaMu seized by the FDIC! Bye bye investment banks! Government bailouts! Yippie!

So, I'm havin' a hard time focusing, blogging, etc. I'll leave you with one of my new favorite items @ SITE, from my favorite (favorite!!) design team Brookadelphia. At least we still have this....

Emily: Greetings from Central PA

I am now in Central Pennsylvania with my family working with them on the house they are building to retire in. It is such an unusual experience for me (as a design professional) to go through this process with family. There are many advantages, for example, meetings conducted while wearing pajamas and there are disadvantages as we try and act professional with people that we love.

It is a learning experience for me to work with folks who would never, ever, ever, ever, ever seek out the help of an interior designer. Poor things, they have one built into the family who insists on doing a job they were not hired for. I suspect that when all is said and done they will be glad for it. Wish me luck!

The Pattern of Amiee Wilder

Fab, poppy, and totally mactastic patterns from the very talented Amiee Wilder.

Bemz

I love Bemz. Its true.

Bemz is the brainchild a busy Swedish designer who wanted to change up her uh-so-typical IKEA furniture. These fantastically designed slipcovers are not only made of great materials (cottons, linens, and other beautiful and deserving fibers!) but they are also totally removable, washable, and easy to install.

When I needed a slipcover to cover my ugly KLIPPAN sofa, I went straight to Bemz, do not pass go. I was able to order free swatches and found the ticking stripe of my dream almost right away. If you have to buy IKEA upholstery, you absolutely MUST check out Bemz!!! Simply find your IKEA item and then choose from the 100s of fabrics and preview it on your item in real time. So good.

Le Owner: People for Obama

There's something graphic and fun about these nearly-something-for-everyone Obama pins.





(ok, ok....I found Stumble. I'll admit it. I've been spending WAY too much time doing so...and thus, found these!)

Emily: Lilly McElroy

While it is not uncommon for performance artists to use their own body to explore taboos, it is rare that they use their body to explore their connectedness with others. Lilly McElroy's work explores boundaries by using her body as vehicle for communication. She will walk up to and hug complete strangers, or throw herself at man at bars as seen above, to draw attention to the conflict between our physical proximity and psychological isolation to and from others. As a woman I cannot help but be moved by her vulnerability.

Emily: Art Nouveau Tiles

Art Nouveau is one of my favorite artistic movements because it marries modernity, nature and ornament. The popularity of the style means that there were (and still are) many objects made in the style, from furniture and lighting to hand mirrors, clocks and trinket boxes. I collect tiles. Below are some that I spotted on Ebay.

Click here.

Click here.

Click here.