Addicted to Vignettes ...and Filters

One of my favorite things to do is putter about my apartment. I especially love rearranging my vases. I dream of having my own little boutique where I could putter to my heart's content. I was particularly pleased with the vignette I created today with two of my favorites: my moon lamp from CB2 and a graceful vintage Japanese vase.

Of course, upon completing a successful vignette, I feel the need to document it. Odd, right? But the technology allows us to take part in photographic experiments we never thought possible. So many filters are available, it's hard to choose. And these days, everyone's a photographer.

This filter is called Faded Glow on the Snapseed app. It's my current favorite. It creates moody pictures, and is perfect for rainy day shots (see a couple examples here).  What about you, dear readers? What's your favorite filter?

And speaking of the blues....

As you know, I've been thinking about blue a lot lately. If you're like me (addicted to design) then you love movie sets too.  I recently watched the movie The Big Empty.  I was stunned by the beauty of this shot!

The gorgeous girl is dressed in blue and her apartment is blue. Even the phone is blue.  And will you look at that lamp!  I love it.  I would love to decorate a place in monotone.

If you love blue, you can also see a lot of blue inspiration on my board called The Blues at pinterest.  Sorry, I've been blogging on my Android and I don't know how to link yet.  It seems I'm always on a learning curve. ;)

A Surprising New Outfit for My Apartment

I admit it, I have design ADD.  I suppose that's obvious, you have to have a little OCD to be a blogger. My new incarnation of my apartment was an act of sublimation. I recently went clothes shopping - which I hate! Honestly, clothes shopping - which should be fun - just makes me feel ugly.  But this time was different, I was feeling optimistic since I recently lost a few pounds.  I wanted a pair of jeans I could dress up for a party. It was not to be. I was exhausted after trying on about a zillion pairs.  Instead of getting upset, I decided to check out a few local shops and came home - by accident - with a new outfit for my apartment. I am selective about what I bring into my home, and I only bring items in after I've made some room by donating some things I no longer use.  I love beautiful objects, but not clutter!  The best part is that whatever I buy for my apartment always fits - because I can make it fit!

Here are my new - and rather surprising - items from The Bomb Shelter and J. Paris Designs (see posts below about these fab shops).

I think it's a little crazy and selfish to buy things for me at the holiday season.  But, honestly I always feel a little guilty when I buy something for myself.  Maybe that's why I'm so cheap!  (Hmm, I need to examine this, maybe I think I don't deserve nice things, surely that's not the case.  Maybe I'll examine this in a subsequent post.)

Most surprising is that I went crazy with pattern.  Perhaps it's because I had just read the new Domino magazine (review of this magazine coming in a future post).  Or perhaps it's because I read Emily Henderson's blog too much.  I love Emily, her blog and her show, but not her style so much.  It always looks to OTT for me, but I do find it interesting, charming and always happy.  It's just not for me.  Too much clutter and pattern makes me anxious.

In fact, I was telling Jessica of J Paris Designs that I never use pattern in my decor.  Then I promptly bought a houndstooth pillow.  Actually, houndstooth is kinda of a neutral, right?  In any event, it has always been my favorite pattern.  (See previous apartment where I experimented with houndstooth fabric.)  I was asking Jessica to watch for an over sized lamp for me.  I've been wanting one forever.  Then I turned to leave and saw this lamp.  I am sure I gasped audibly.  Okay, it's red.  A color I never use.  Okay, the shade is an Ikat pattern.  But just look at that genie shape.  And it's tall so it will look oversized.  I had to have it.  Now I had bought two patterns, not just one.  Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone.  As I drove home, I wondered if I had gone crazy. Could I really layer this much pattern in my place?  Yes, since I don't have wallpaper, clutter or chevron.

Here's a breakdown of my new items: (1)  Lamp from J Paris Designs, $45.00!  What a deal!  Ya'll know how expensive lamps can get, and this one is most likely vintage and unique.  Also, shades can cost more than lamps.  Jessica actually handmade this shade!  A handmade shade and a vintage lamp for $45! Unheard of.  Score!  (2)  Tall faux cement vase in simple shape - Goodwill $4.00.  (3) Teal flower pot - Home Depot $6.99. Been craving teal and turquoise lately.  (4) I shouldn't have done it - but I walked past the paint section at Home Depot.  Very dangerous for me.  I've been telling you forever that I want to paint a gray accent wall - I finally did it!  I'll be showing it to you in my next post.  I chose Behr 780-F5, Anonymous, in a flat finish.  A quart of paint cost $8.99.  (5)  So excited about my new vintage marquee letter!  I've been wanting one for a long time!  And I found one in hot pink - hot damn!  $12.00 from the Bomb Shelter.  (6) Handmade houndstooth pillow from J Paris Designs made by an artist named Kristin, the owner of Pillowtalkk.

For approximately $80.00 I have a new surprising look in my apartment. It takes a long while for a new place to feel like home.  I feel like my humble little apartment has finally found its voice, and that it finally has some Akron flavor. Stay tuned, I will do a reveal in my next post.

Window Shopping, Vol. I

I mentioned in my post below that I shopped at Sweet Lorain in Cleveland yesterday.  I just had to show you a couple of sofas that I fell in love with.

Dig this two piece orange sofa!  Gorgeous!  I love that corner.  I love mid century modern.  This would look so fab in my place.  At $750 it's reasonably priced, it's sturdy and well made.  They just don't make them like that any more.  But it's not in my budget.  Oh well.  I'm sure it will sell quickly.

Look at this deco sofa and chair.  So cute!  Love the shape.  Love the low sale.  I can imagine stretching out on this to watch a movie.  Of course, I'd fill it with lots of pillows.  Also dig that coffee table and that standing lamp.  I might have to go back for that lamp.

Vignettes around my apartment

Good day dear readers!  It's a beautiful day in Akron, Ohio.  It's gentle, gray and misty.  Quiet.  The kind of day where you take things slow and enjoy the smell of a pumpkin spice latte.  As you know, I've been working hard at making my humble, little apartment into an efficient and beautiful work/live space.  And, I am addicted to photography.  So today's post features a bunch of lovely vignettes around my apartment - at least they are lovely to me!  I love styling and rearranging.  All in an effort to achieve Nirvana.  Once the perfect balance between beauty and simplicity is achieved, I will stop (I hope).  For now I am in love with my apartment.

My little outdoor space has become an extension of my living room.  The three ceramic vases were made in Vietnam and purchased at the Goodwill for a song.  Lighted faux branches were from Big Lots.  Also, for a song.  But you know me, I'm cheap.

Remember my little installation of broken and ugly vases?  (See previous post here.)  Since I've been embracing imperfection, I've been embracing broken vases.  And why not?  I adore little orphaned pieces and get them on the cheap, so why not honor them when they are broken?

Here is a new vase that I got at Home Goods.  I love gray.  Especially with pink.  The vintage pink bowl - probably my current favorite - is from Etsy seller JunkHouse.

A little sake bottle and vintage Japanese tea cups in my kitchen.  The cups were a gift from my uncle.  This little corner sort of explains my color scheme.

I often make vignettes, and then dismantle them as soon as they are photographed.  I am fascinated by the idea of impermanence, like the Tibetan Monk Healing Mandalas.  (Styling my apartment makes me so happy, it's certainly healing for me. Fixing up your place is the perfect remedy for a broken heart.)  I am also fascinated by rendering the impermanent permanent by photographing it.  Meta-photography, if you will.

You already know I can't stop making shit.  And that includes jewelry.  Yep.  That's right.  I am now a jewelry designer too.  I am creating edgy pieces from detritus.  This piece is actually a bracelet, but I love it so much I have it sitting on a plate displayed as sculpture.  Everything looks like sculpture to me.

My spiked hat is hanging with my favorite purse and scarves.  I love its edginess.  A reminder to me to be the warrior with the iron fist in a velvet glove.

New little lamp from Family Dollar!  I almost shit when I saw it!  The shade is made of wallpaper like foil and is perfect for fall.  Only $5.00.  Yep.  You read that right.  $5.00.  Venturing into the hood sure can be fruitful.  Also displayed on the table is part of my rock collection.  Everyone brings me rocks when they travel, especially my sister-in-law.  This little collection includes rocks from Aruba, Alaska, Hawaii, Cleveland and Akron.

Isn't this the sweetest little Buddha statute?  Got him for $3.00 at CitiTrends.  I like that my home is edgy and a bit of homage to the hood.

All images by Peggy

A teaser for your humpday...

Happy hump day, dear readers!   Hope you're not working too hard on this beautiful Autumn day!  I received a couple of emails asking for pictures of my apartment.  No problem!  As you know, I dearly love my humble, little apartment.  It's where I experiment with color and texture.  I've been doing a lot of work making this 450 square foot one bedroom into the perfect edgy, girly space.  Not only must it be beautiful, but it must be simple and functional, since it also functions as my work space.  I have designed the perfect work/live space and I am finally feeling at home.  I intend to do a full blown reveal in the next few days. But for now, here's a little teaser....some vignettes, some new stuff and lots of pretty colors!  Hope you enjoy.

Gray is new my favorite color, it looks fabulous with pink!  The gray vase is a cheapy from Home Goods. The pink bowl is vintage, from JunkHouse.

I love this vignette so much, I couldn't decide which color process to use.  Photo editing software is addicting!

As are vases!  I'm obsessed with their simple, geometric forms.  I also love them because I believe every object should not only be beautiful, but it should also be functional.  Form and function.  My little bookcase has a new coat of paint.  It is white again!

Most of these vases are from the Goodwill, and cheap.  A thing of beauty doesn't need to cost a lot.  I don't even mind if a piece is damaged.  I love hunting for unloved, orphaned pieces, then bringing them home, giving them a bath and a new life!  The exception to this is the tiny dish from from up in the air some where.  I wish it were bigger, but it is divine.  It's kind of expensive for such a small piece, but it is hand made.  It's even hand stamped on the bottom.  I love her work so much, I'd like to have a whole collection of it.

Here's an example of using what you have.  I love changing items to suit my needs, for a purpose other than intended.  I had this gold votive holder in the cupboard.  I love it, but really don't feel like gold in my place right now.  I kept wishing it were white.  So I painted it.  Voila!

The inside is still gold, so it casts the most beautiful candle light.  The square piece is depression glass from the Goodwill, the small white candle holder is also from the Goodwill.

I also love deconstruction.  I am in love with teal.  It looks great with gray.  I got this lamp for super cheap at the Goodwill and made it into a vase.  The small vase is a gift from a friend.  It's an inexpensive, mass produced piece that is heavily influenced by Celadon.  Its shape is perfect and adds the perfect Asian touch. I wish it were mint green, a color I am falling in love with all over again.   (I did a ton of mint green in the 80s.)  I am loving mint green with sage, with olive and chartreuse.  I thought I'd never use green in my decor. When it comes to color, I've learned - never say never.

Got a couple of new side tables and ottomans on sale at Target.  Perfect in keeping with my low scale motif. Heavily influenced by Asian design.  Perfect occasional pieces too for those times when my nephews visit.  A simple and effective way to provide enough seating for company, and take up very little space.  Important in a small space.

In keeping with low scale, I arranged some of my favorite books under the kitchen island.  I dearly love books, but this makes me so much happier than keeping them in my eye line.  I just don't care for the cacophony of colors.  I prefer things neat, simple and sparse.  That's what inspires me.  Clutter just won't do.
New cake plate from Home Goods.  White vases:  clockwise, ASA Selection, Z Gallerie, TJ Maxx and Donna Karan Buddha cup.  Architectural remnant from Goodwill.  Painting is one of my own.  It's one of my favorites.  I've given away a lot of paintings recently and am down to my favorites.

A trio of vases in my kitchen.  Green vase and white bottle are from Big Lots.  The Big Lots near me is moving so are having ridiculous sales!  The pink bud vase is a gift from my sister-in-law and is from Ikea.

Another trio in my kitchen.  Love the simplicity of this one.  Have been wanting to add light wood, helps with my desire to add more organic touches to my apartment.  The white flower pot is from the Goodwill.  Large serving bowl from CB2.  BTW - have you seen CB2's Fall catalog?  Oh gosh - it's the best ever!  If you haven't had time to check it out, you can check out my CB2 pinterest board.  Of course you will be looking at my favorites.  :)

Here's another little vignette in my kitchen.  I really like this one.  When I am arranging a vignette, I keep a close eye on balance, and try to maintain simplicity.  I like to display objects on plates or bowls to corral clutter.  This arrangement is sentimental to me, because it's all gifts from people I love.  The black river rocks and cute little fish are from my sister-in-law's trip to Japan.  The vintage Japanese paint brush is from my uncle.

Close up on the cute little fish.  Love it!  Tried to get a close up on the calligraphy on the paint brush, but wasn't patient enough.  Oh well, another day.

Oval shaped bowl from Target is coraling part of my rock collection.  On my window ledge in my bedroom. I'm pleased to say I've been working hard on my bedroom.  It's been very challenging because the closets in this place are the size of a pea.  Hyperbole, yes.  But only slight.

Got these cute little ottomans from Target.  A perfect place to charge my cell phone and rest my glasses at night.  Also provide needed storage for blankets and pillows.

Another fine gift from my sister-in-law.  Kimmidolls on my dresser.  Butterfly barrette honors who mother, who we lost too soon.  I miss you, Nora.  And, yes, I do wear the barrette.  I'm really five years old stuck in a 52 year old body.

I hate making my bed!  So this is how I roll.  I embrace imperfection!  I love that the bed is low scale.  I have a lot of sexy pillows and am obsessed with bedding.  I just throw the stuff around upon awakening. There's no wrong way to make this bed.

I got a couple of new comforters from Home Goods.  I bought both the pink and the gray.  They were a crazy insane price.  Something like $39 for two queen sized!  I paid more for that for sheets at Target, which were pretty but not very pleasing on the skin.  Can we talk sheets for a second?  Can someone please tell me about thread count and such?  I have very sensitive skin.  Cannot bear microfiber, flannel or jersey.  I need very soft, very cool feeling sheets, but also don't care for satin.  Any ideas?

I hope you enjoyed this mini-tour of my place.  Stay tuned for a full reveal in the next couple of days.  Hope you have a great day!  And, as always, thanks for reading!  xo

lamp tramp and orange crush!

hello dear readers!  i have a very special edition of lamp tramp today!  as you know, the term "lamp tramp" was coined by the fabulous kim.  (kim coined another of my favorite terms:  "chair porn.")  as you know, i have been following kim since the early days of blogging - actually since before i even knew what a blog was. i discovered kim's love of design/decor on apartment therapy's color contest and followed her on flickr.  kim and i have always shared a love of vintage objects, art, color and, ahem - lamps!  kim had a lamp in her home that i coveted.

then

i mean look at it. drool.  i believe i first noticed this lovely when she painted the entry way in her first home orange.  man, that's why i love blogs!  i love watching how styles evolve.  kim's style has always been and still is - fabulous.  i teased kim over the years that i needed that lamp.  and guess what?  the lamp is now sitting pretty in my humble abode!  that's right - this lovely traveled from ottawa, ontario to akron, ohio. thoughtfully packaged, it arrived in perfect condition.  thank you so much kim!  it's so my style.  in fact, kim told me she always knew the lamp would be mine when she tired of it.  in my humble opinion, kim has one of the most fascinating collections of lamps on the web.

now

you know how it goes, when something new comes in. i had to rearrange with the new lovely addition.  here is the lamp in my humble abode!  i love it!  i adore its scale.  i've been wanting a lamp with a tall shade for quite some time.  i dearly love that the base resembles pottery.  it's perfect.  (for previous incarnation of my living room, click here, that lamp is now in my bedroom.)

since the shade is such a fabulous pattern, i decided to get a little crazy with patterns.  that's the great thing about throw pillows they can be changed on a whim.  man, i am missing my big orange pillow.  i feel like this spot needs a hit of orange.  i sold the big orange pillow at a yard sale.  oh well.  have you ever done that?  sold something and then wish you had it later?  (if interested in seeing my big orange pillow, click here).

i do have a cute new pop of orange, though.  this vase was a mothers' day present.  it's from home goods, and i love its luster.

sandiv999

speaking of orange, i'd love to do an accent wall.  i love the orange accent wall in this room.  i could also use that chair, that coffee table and ottoman.  groovy.  that pretty much sums up how i feel about my new lamp, it inspires me. and it's totally groovy.  kim, thanks for always being an inspiration! 

Fabulous Color Scheme: Pink and Gold!

if you are a long time reader, you already know of my love of metallics.  especially silver. and, it goes without saying that it looks great with pink.  everything looks great with pink.  lately, i've taken a second look at gold. i've been seeing it every where, and i must admit i love it!  pink and gold are a great combination, can be masculine or feminine.  gold provides just the right amount of edge to calm down the sweetness of pink.

this pillow is what started the obsession.  isn't it fabulous!  it's soft and sophisticated, but graphic too.  i think i need this pillow in my life. (i can't remember where i got this image, maybe etsy? my bad. i will experiment with google images to see if i can find this.)  the room below is very feminine, maybe a tad too sweet.  this pillow would look great in this room by providing just the right amount of graphic punch.

as you know, i'm not usually a wallpaper fan, but I do love the softness of this room.  and the gold lamp - well - fabulous.  just what this - almost too frilly - room needed.  image via house to home.

i've showed you this apartment many times.  it is still one of my favs.  love the use of outdoor furniture.  soft simple, not too girly.  dig that saarinen coffee table.  and those pillows.  i need them.  if i were to do wallpaper, this is how i would do it - a panel.  hmm.  i have an idea......this is the apartment of the fabulous caroline quartermaine.  see previous posts of ms. quartermaine's apartment here.

oh man.  drool.  gold sofa.  check.  pink and purple pillows.  check.  hanging bubble chair.  double check.  a fab sitting/waiting room out side a fab home office.  image  angelita bonetti via desire to inspire.

i've shown this gorgeous image before.  dig that painting.  dig that hanging light.  i think i need those (in addition to the pillow above).  this room is, of course, designed by the fabulous Kelly Wearstler.

not wallpaper - but painted!  how fabulous is that?  i'd never have the patience.  love the modern white desk juxtaposed with the chair.  a lovely, modern glam office.  it'd be great fun to watch how the wall looks with the changing sunlight.  really dig that chandelier too.  having severe office envy!  image shalyn's paint it gold workspace via apartment therapy.

some people are just so darn skillful at vignetting.  i'm a little worried - i am becoming attracted to kitschy items, like the glove mold above. as you know, it's a constant balance. a love of objects, and a love of sparseness.  i had an opportunity recently to buy some over sized, vintage glove molds - the kind they used to make outdoor and fishing gloves. on the cheap.  i am kicking myself now.  i wish i had bought one.  i love it used as sculpture. oh well, i'm trying to keep my hoard to a manageable level, and i'm still a lover of simplicity.

that's what i love so about the room above.  it's simple, got vintage elements, graphic elements - dig the big 16.  simple touch of pink and gold in the candle.  and look at those pillows.  hot damn.  i need those.  can you believe this talented girl made them out of insulation!  she needs to open an etsy shop.  image my attic (a fabulous blog, if you haven't done so, do check it out).

i love this room!  this is another home i've showed you a number of times, but different rooms (i'm going to try to contact fab lady to see if she will do home tour for me, i believe she is a curator from the UK, i will update when i find out).  just how fabulous does this sofa look with those pink walls?  too fabulous, that's how.  metallic sheen from the pillows.  check.  and lovely lady in royal blue dress and shoes, check. yeah, you know what it is.  image via house to home.

don't worry if you are afraid to add a little pink and gold bling to your home.  you can always experiment with one small piece.  here's a great example.  cute tiny bowl from upintheairsomewhere.

remember to always have fun with your decor.  there's no such thing as a mistake. and, as always, please contact me if you make an etsy purchase due to reading this post.  i love to make sure artists are properly credited.  thanks for reading!  have a fabulous day. xo

My Apartment for Today

I have a confession to make.  I feel like shopping.  But I have no money to spend.  Oh, what to do?  I know - I'll rearrange a few things in my apartment.  Truthfully, I don't need anything new - except a new lamp...and an ottoman.... I know it's an obsession.  My apartment's small and humble, but I love it.  I love living simply.  I want my place to flirt with minimalism.  I also want it to be clean and modern and girly with an edge.  Oh yeah, and cozy and Bohemian.  Quite a tall order for a modest place.  Moving a few things around always helps with the desire to shop.  I have plenty of pretty things.

I've been craving blue and turquoise.  I love the hot pink sofa cover, but decided to see what would happen if I lightened up things a bit with the white cover.  I wish I could paint the walls bright white.  Right now they are kind of beige.

This is the counter separating the living room and open kitchen.  The canvas is actually in process.  I am currently working on an experiment in color and texture.  I love gray and turquoise together.

Of course, I had to change the art in the hallway and rearrange the pottery.  I have several projects in mind and can't wait to get started.  Look at this super sexy lamp I saw at Etsy!  I think it would look great in my living room.  

I think this lamp would look fab with a tall lamp shade.   Lamp available at retroenvy.

Here's another idea I really love.  I adore this tension shelving!  Such a great idea for a small space.  In a small place it's important to go vertical with display.  I'm not allowed to make permanent changes to my apartment.  But I think I could use something like this on the counter separating my kitchen and living area.  I could display pottery there, and it would still appear open.  I love it.  This design is by Kris Swift, who is one of the designers who will be competing in the new season of Design Star on HGTV.  The new season will be starting May 29.  I can't wait!