some blog love and lots of inspiration

I have some more rooms that I'd like to add to my inspiration file before I reveal my latest incarnation of my apartment. I discovered a fabulous blog entitled Solid Frog. The original language of the blog appears to be Swedish, so I am unclear on some of the links. However, Solid Frog is a gorgeous blog. Mia Linnman, the author of the blog, also shares her fab paintings.

This lovely picture was part of a post on Lindsey Adelman lighting. I love her lighting, but it is the modified recliner/tulip chair and ottoman that fascinates me. I am in love with the color of the fabric as well. Love the pale gray walls, and the blue glass vases. If you know the designer of this room, or any of the resources, please contact me.

Love the look of a loft with a clothes rack as art. Love the mundane and functional as art. I think I could pull this off in a loft space because my clothes are mostly black, and some white blouses. See my previous post on clothes racks, here.

Love, love, love this room! I'm always admiring accent walls, but this takes the accent wall to a whole new level. Love the asymmetry of the accent painted around the window. Also completely in love with that night stand. Not sure who the artist is, but desperately want to know. Karim Rashid, perhaps? That would be my first guess, or maybe Jaime Hayon. All above images from Solid Frog.

The table reminds me of the work of Hilda DeSchutter. Hilda makes amazing upcycled sculptural pieces with vases. I adore her structures, and have been meaning to do a post about her. I know she makes lamps, I'm going to contact her to see if she does tables. I'll be sure to keep you posted. In the mean time she's got a fabulous blog, entitled Art Design Kitsch, which I will be adding to my link list.

Pottery Jones

For today's episode of Pottery Jones, I have a selection of black and white pottery that is as diverse as it is beautiful.  Some Asian modern pieces, vintage German and even contemporary hand made.  Hope you enjoy!

Very beautiful plaster vase designed by Nobuhiro Sato available at Emmo Home.

 Ikebana vase from the 1970s formerly available at Etsy shop of Mascara Jones.

Another beautiful Ikebana vase.  This one is from the 1950s and was formerly available at Etsy shop of Austin Modern.

Totally fab studio ashtray from the 1960s.  I've never seen anything like this piece.  Of course, I would use it for purely decorative purposes.  Available at Etsy shop of Linea72.  This piece has been tempting me, but I'm not sure it would fit in my decor.

West German porcelain always makes me swoon.  Love the matte finish.  This Kaiser piece is from Etsy shop Kibster.

Another gorgeous piece of West German op art.   Etsy user GoGoBerlinette.

It is a skilled craftsman who made this wheel thrown bowl.  Love the delicate balance, love its simplicity.  A truly elegant piece.  As you know, admiring a fine piece of pottery is a tactile experience.  This bowl just begs to be touched.  Bowl was made by Etsy user LeiliDesign.  Well, what do you think dear readers, are you feeling tempted?

Thrift Thursday!

Do you ever find yourself hoarding money?  I do.  When I get fearful.  I really haven't been spending money lately.  Luckily, I like to keep my place simple and clutter free.  But sometimes you have to spend a little to keep the flow going.  Such was my justification when I went to a couple of garage sales recently.  I've been doing a little Spring cleaning lately, so there was definitely room for a couple of new vases.  And I like to support the neighbors, so I think of it as tithing.  Oh gosh, there I go trying to justify treating myself.  We all deserve a treat now and then.  Here's some of my new loot.

 A couple of vintage toys.  I believe the pig is German.  The girl is from the Avon It's a Small World collection.  I think they are adorable.  As you know, that's my thing.  Toys.  And - oh yeah - vases.

I spotted this horribly neglected and very dusty canvas, and at first thought it was a painting.  Turns out it's fabric.  There is label on the back which says "Cherry Blossom designed by Sue Titcher."  My intent was to add paint to the fabric.  I've always wanted to do that, kind of build up a pattern on fabric by adding texture.  However, it looks like I have a buyer for the print.

Red candle holder and two matte green vases from the McCoy Floraline collection.  I may have a buyer for the two pieces of McCoy.

I don't smoke, but I love the atomic shape of vintage ashtrays.  This one is especially interesting as it has a place to store a pack of cigarettes.  I will probably keep a cute lighter in the compartment, I love candles and my lighter never seems to be handy.  It has an interesting mark on the bottom.  It doesn't appear to be the maker, but rather signed by the owner, which I find charming.  All this loot cost $20.00 and I will probably make a profit on the print and the two vases.  Not bad.  What about you dear readers?  Have you found anything interesting at your local garage sales?

Outdoor Spaces

I admit it.  I haven't been motivated to do anything with my deck (one of the reasons I got this apartment).  Nothing.  Nada. Zilch.  I haven't even put a plant out there.  The poor thing is pathetic.  So today I did a little day dreaming, perusing the web for some inspiration.  First were the lovely fantasies that are only dreams.  It's fun to dream.

My favorite.  Love the white floor, love the built-ins.  My deck doesn't have a roof, or any protection from the sun.  What an elegant solution this is.  And this may surprise you - but I love the colors, lol.  What a lovely dream.  Image via Living Etc.

Another gorgeous fantasy.  Image via Domino.

I adore this zen garden.  I love the idea of a home where the outdoor and indoor merge.  Not sure where I got this image, probably Apartment Therapy.  Okay, now to get my head out of the clouds and look at some sensible solutions.

Below I mentioned that I love pallet coffee tables.  Here's a clever solution for outdoor furniture!  A pallet bed/bench.  Great idea.  Image Michael's Outdoor Banquette via Apartment Therapy.  Now in Ohio it's pretty hard to grow outdoor plants.  It's always either too hot or too cold.  What to do with plants when the weather gets bad?

I love this solution from Victoria of sfgirbybay.  A rolling cart for plants!  When the weather is bad, you can just wheel the plants inside!  I also love the idea of having two shelves so you can keep your watering can and potting supplies handy.  I'm going to watch the curb and garage sales for a bar cart.

 

Here's another solution, not quite as elegant or as expedient as the cart, which allows you to move just one thing.  Cute, though.  Would look good with the pallet bench, you could go for an industrial, urban vibe.  Designed by Brian Patrick Flynn via HGTV blog.  For now, I'll probably just start with some cute lanterns and the absolutely necessary citronella candles.

I like the shape, color and price of these from Z Gallerie.

Shipping Pallets Make a Funky Coffee Table

I love a funky, unexpected coffee table.  I also love the juxtaposition of primitive with pristine.  The other day I saw this in a parking lot and swooned.  I think it would make a great coffee table in a modern, industrial loft.

I mentioned this to my friends and they agreed.  That's the great part about having artist friends.  They don't think you are crazy when you say something like that.  They simply wondered if I would paint it hot pink.  A quick web search revealed that I'm not alone with my love of shipping pallets as coffee tables.  The same search confirmed my belief that people are incredibly creative.  I found a number of inspirational photos.

 

 Love the rustic table with the white sofa.  Cute styling on the table.  Image source unknown.

Two pallets combined side by side.  Awesome.  @thingsofrandom twit pic.

This one has two pallets stacked on top of each other and a white wash.  Love it.  Image via Make it Lovely.

HGTV.

Probably my favorite.  This prototype chair made of recycled materials is designed by BCK Design.

Lamp Tramp

Thank goodness for knock-offs.  I know, I know ... I've heard all the arguments for buying authentic products from designers.  And I do want to support designers, I love design.  But... if it weren't for knock-offs I wouldn't have pretty things.  Some things are just not in my budget.  Like this.  My fantasy lamp.

 

Vintage Murano.  What a tease.  Image from Apartment Therapy.  You can see more vintage Murano at Swank Lighting.  But if you are a lamp addict, like I am, be warned.  The site is addicting and so expensive they don't even post their prices.   You can also see more of this gorgeous lamp at a previous post about Benjamin-Noriega Ortiz, here.

 

Here's another one that might do.  It's a beautiful blue glass.  For some reason, I like blue lamps.  It's the Paulette lamp from Anteriors Home.   Again, if you are a lamp addict, their catalog is heaven.  But must be expensive, because again no prices listed.  I'll have to wait for TJ Maxx to make a knock-off.

Turquoise and Aqua

Hello dear readers!  Today I've got an itch.  I want to paint an accent wall.  In a lovely turquoise.  Turquoise is an obsession for me.  It's my second favorite color.  I love the dark, more teal turquoise as well as the light, more aqua turquoise.  Today the obsession started because of this totally fab vase!

It's simple and it's mod.  It's a painting and a vase all in one.  I love it!  I want it!  Etsy shop Paulova.  Do check out her shop, her ceramics are gorgeous!  Here are some pictures from my inspiration file, hope you enjoy!

The mixture of patterns and the aqua wall works well with the neutral sofa.  This room is so fresh looking.  Image via CasaSugar.

Darker turquoise makes for a more dramatic room.  Love it with the pops of white.  Not sure about the paint treatment near the ceiling.  Is this intentional or are they not done painting?  What do you think of it?  Image via House to Home.

I love turquoise with orange.  I believe those vases are from Crate and Barrel.  Image via Inspire*Inspire.

Dig these stairs.  Love the white floors.  Michelle Mason Sneak Peak via Design Sponge.

Fab canisters from Z Gallerie. 

Just for fun - and because I can't get enough of her - Doe Deere looking ultra glam in blue hair and fuchsia lips.  Need more turquoise?  You can see my previous posts here.  Or you can go to House of Turquoise - a wonderful blog devoted entirely to turquoise!  Excuse me, a canvas is calling.

Yoskay Yamamoto

I've previously defined Chick Art on this blog.  It's a subject - and a genre - I am quite find of.  Initially, I defined Chick Art as being by chicks for chicks.  But since I discovered that the fab Yoshitomo Nara is indeed male, I need to revise my definition.  So here's my definition of Chick Art - art that is decidedly feminine, but with an edge.  It often features young women who at once possess innocence and wisdom beyond their years.  It is sweet, but with a little edge of creepiness to it.  It's romantic and mysterious. It attracts as well as compels at the same time.  The women in these works are incredibly complex, and very  alluring - just like a woman.  If you'd like to see more on my Chick Art series, please click Chick Art under Regular Features on the side bar.

Today it is my pleasure to add another very fine male artist to the series.  Yoskay Yamamoto.  Here is a small sample of his work, I am sure you will agree that it is fab!

I love that Yoskay includes sketches on his blog.  I like having a peek into into artists' creative process.

Aren't these flower pots that he designed awesome?  I usually don't like flowers growing out of head vases.  But these work for me.  The cacti look like the elaborate sculpted hair of a Geisha.

I want the pillow he designed.  To see more of Yokay's work, his website is here.  His blog is here.  Pillow and fab tea cup available at My Plastic Heart.

Perfect Pink Sofa

 

I saw this perfect sofa today in my favorite vintage store.  I will be revealing my source in an upcoming post so stay tuned.  This sofa would be perfect in my apartment.  It wouldn't even need to be reupholstered, and its structurally sound and so comfy.  Dig the back of this sofa, it only looks like loose backed pillows - they are actually secure which makes it even more sturdy.  I'm not a fan of loose back sofas.  Unfortunately the sofa was $849.  Out of my budget, but actually a good price.  This sucker will last for years.  If you are in the market for a sofa you really should go vintage, they just don't make 'em like they used to.  I think this would be a great sofa for Emily Henderson's show Secrets from a Stylist don't you?  She always finds the most rad sofas.  Emily, I adore your show.  Let me know if you want this sofa, okay?  It can be arranged, but you'll have to come to Cleveland to get it.  Kidding on that last part - but I would love it if you came to Cleveland and brought Antonio with you.  xo 

P.S.  You know how it is during a long weekend when all the blogs go quiet.  It can be a little lonely.  Not to worry, the editors here at Creative Influences plan to continue posting during the long weekend, and have some great posts lined up so stay tuned.

I could live here

Image Architizer via Apartment Therapy.