Cute Stationary: Tall Cow

Back in early spring, I happened upon a unique stationary and gift store just a few blocks from our apartment, and I highlight it today because it's definitely worth your attention. It's called Tall Cow, and it offers the most witty and original screenprinted cards that could double as artwork in your home. 

Check out some of their designs:

Cute, right?

Here's one I picked out for our bedroom, which is about  5" x 5" and is currently being framed:

(all via Tall Cow)

I hope I've piqued your interest in this great little independent shop. If you're ever in the neighborhood, be sure to check out Tall Cow. Here are all the important details:

Tall Cow Cards

616 S. 3rd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

My Math is a Little Weak

Mathematical minds out there, tell me:

Does this

plus this

 equal this?

 I think I've mentioned this before, but I'll mention it again: I am cheap. 

But before I proceed, check my math and tell me if it all adds up.

If I Were Hosting a July 4th Party...

...I'd make some fun 4th-themed menu flags, like Chelsea of frolic!

(via frolic!)

...I'd nibble my way through Martha's Star-Spangled Shortcake

 (via Martha Stewart)

...I'd sport my new MYMU espadrilles

(via Gilt)

...I'd don an iconic sailor stripe shirt from Chance Co.

(via Chance Co.)

...and I might take a minute or two to celebrate the significance of this

 (via The Library of Congress)

What would your perfect July 4th party look like?

Sacrificing for a Piece of Architectural History

(via Wikipedia)

In today's Philadelphia Inquirer, there was an interesting article that highlighted the Suntop Homes, a set of residences designed by  Frank Lloyd Wright in the nearby Mainline suburb of Ardmore. The Suntop Homes were built during the '30s as an experiement in the vein of "minimum houses" (which, trust me, stands in stark contrast to the grand palaces in the area).

The cause for the newspaper article? 

One of the current owners have put their unit on the market for around $430,000, hoping that modern buyers will appreciate the architectural pedigree...and overlook some of the apparent practicality issues of living in the space (i.e., low ceilings, narrow staircases, small bedrooms, a historically leaky roof).

Take a look:

My question is: would you be willing to sacrifice space or practicality for a piece of architectural history?

TGIF, 6/24/11 Edition

(via Virginia Johnson)

Here we are at yet another Friday, though it's the first of the summer.

I wish I was able to escape the city this weekend, searching for flowers like the ones Virginia Johnson illustrated above; however I'll be using the next two days to construct 4 new pillowcases for my guest bedroom.

However you're spending your weekend, I hope you enjoy it.

Tah-tah 'til Monday.

Rack 'Em Up

Lately, I've been spotting a lot of whimsical coat racks across the interwebs. I don't know about you, but I love when mundane household items get the designer treatment. The three coat racks above embody the perfect balance of utility and wit. 

Currently, I'm "hooked" on

1. "You Make It Happen" coat rack, available here

2. "Welcome" coat rack, available here

 3. "It's Beautiful Here" coat rack by Heath Nash, available here

You may remember Jordan Ferney has the Heath Nash rack in her sons' bedroom. 

That means the rack has instant cool cred.

(via Oh Happy Day!)

Would you consider hanging one in your space?

...Maybe, just maybe, you'll see the "Welcome" coat rack appear in one of my spaces soon...

Guest Bedroom "Look"

In the past week, my brain's been humming with ideas for my guest bedroom, so much so that I think I'm ready to share the "look" I'm trying to put together.

I'm also trying my hand at a "mood board" for the first time. Be gentle.

This is what I've come up with thus far:

Sources:
Cream/red medallion fabric: Quilts -R- Jewels
Headboard: West Elm
Suzani pillow: Etsy
Rug: My own rug, purchased in Mykonos
Side Table: CSN Stores
Lamp: My own lamp, thrifted for $3
Curtains: Anthropologie
Sculpture: Etsy

Much of this room is going to be D.I.Y. 

Here's the plan:

1. Using the cream/red fabric to create pillow cases based on this easy-to-follow tutorial.
2. Recreating the waaaaay expensive Anthropologie "Toorie" curtains for less.
3. Jazzing up my thrifty $3 lamp with a lucite base! Just try and contain your excitement...
4. Finding a less expensive option for the side tables (I'd like 2!) and the headboard.

This is where I call upon your genius, friends. 

Can you find a reasonable alternative (read: less pricey!) for my desired side table, headboard and suzani pillow?

I'm very excited to roll out these changes, and I'll be sure to chronicle the process here.

I Love Lamp

(Primrose Lamp from Anthropologie)

...so much so that I bought it, but not for retail.

I scored this lamp for $50 on account of a tiny hairline scratch.

To quote Brick Tamland, "I love lamp."

Do you?

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A Trip to Impact

For the second week in a row, Adam and I stopped by one of the local Impact thrift stores (this time in Montgomeryville) and I saw so many pieces that were worthy of sharing.

Some pieces were good, some were bad, and some were downright ugly...but that's what you get in any secondhand shop, right?
First, the Good:

This misty blue velveteen parsons chair with casters (!) was $15:

With a little imagination, this chest (for $25, I think) could be so chic. Very Palm Beach:

Look past the gross pillows. The shape of this settee screamed 'island retreat'. It was in like-new condition and was $125:

This handsome and sturdy antique dresser ($250) looks like it would last well into the next century:

These shapely cream chairs were already sold when I arrived and I fumed with jealousy. Imagine adding casters to the re-stained legs...

$15 tufted moire mint headboard:

A bite-size desk and chair ($30, I recall) just made for the 6 year-old scholar in your life:

Brass candlestick vignette, anyone? 

Each piece was 95 cents!

A copy of "The World of Interiors" from 1983 (for $1). After a brief scan inside I can confirm that the interiors are, in fact, wordly and not terribly outdated 20 years later.

There were a lot of 'goods' at the Montgomeryville Impact, but the story can't just end there. Onto the Bad...

Anyone care to explain the subject of this 3' x 5' painting to me? Seriously, what is happening here?

And last, but certainly not least, the ugly. I hope you'll agree with me that this piece of art should be burned publicly to prevent any copycats. 

This:

I shudder. Promise me you will never buy this, even if it's only $4.

What did I buy? Nothing exciting enough to share, but gathering the inspiration for this roundup was worth the trip!

TGIF, 6/17/11 Edition

This weekend is all about the Dads, isn't it friends?

Now that I'm a married woman, I am lucky enough to say that I have two wonderful Dads in my life. 

(My father when he was only 18 years old)

(Adam and his dad enjoying one of their favorite pasttimes, fishing)

Dads are a wonderful gift and I hope that you have a fun, family-filled weekend with yours!

Sale at Kathryn M. Ireland!

Have you been watching Bravo's "Million Dollar Decorators"? Admittedly, I have not, but I have been enjoying other bloggers' recaps of past episodes, including the wacky happenings of designer Kathryn M. Ireland.

If you're a fan of Kathryn M. Ireland's worldly aesthetic, be sure to check out her online shop, which is now featuring an extensive selection of summer sale products. 

Check out some of my favorite picks:

("Papoose Sanibel Red on White" fabric, marked down to $25/yard)

("Papoose Sanibel Green on White" pillow, now $90)

("Sanibel Green Stripe" fabric, now $25/yard)

("Toile Silvertree" fabric, on sale for $45)

For more sale options, scoot over to Ireland's online shop here.

And, before you jump all over me, sure, these prices aren't bargain basement prices, but they are better than the original prices! 

Happy shopping, friends.

Barrie Benson in Charlotte Home & Garden

In case you missed it, the ladies of Matters of Style shared with their readers photos of Barrie Benson's latest project last week, a home that was featured in the April issue of Charlotte Home & Design.

I was practically giddy when I saw these images! I've been waiting for more of Benson's designs since her work appeared in Domino.

Designer Barrie Benson, along with her architect husband Matt Benson, worked together to revive the homeowner's aging '50's ranch that they described as 'granny ranch'.

As you can see by the photos, this home is anything but granny. 

Color and style is bursting at the seams in this home, wouldn't you agree?

 I'm digging the deep navy wallcolor when its balanced by fresh white trip and a chartreuse sofa.

 The kitchen is both functional and beautiful, and touches of whimsy (i.e., the coral red chandelier) add personality to the space.

(all images via Charlotte Home & Design)

This space is making me want to see more of Barrie Benson's work!

Would you hire Benson if you could?

Some Thoughts on My Guest Bedroom

'Member waaaay back when I solicited good ideas on my lackluster guest bedroom? Everyone was so nice and helpful with their suggestions, but the wedding/honeymoon/general busyness of life got in the way. As a result, I'm only beginning to address this room now.

It took my thrifting this weekend to finally get my mental wheels turning, and I think I've devised a general "feel" based on this gorgeous room by Tilton Fenwick (featured in Trad Home):

(via Trad Home)

What resonated with me with this room was the pitch-perfect balance of brightness and moody, rusty colors. 

So, imagine my surprise when I discovered my $3 ceramic lamp this past Saturday:

...and stumbled upon this [sale!] fabric from Purl Soho:

(Globalweave Embroidered Stripe in red with pink stripe, via Purl Soho)

The last source of inspiration is my new wool rug that I purchased in Mykonos:

Not all my ideas are fully "cooked" but I'm liking this new, moody red direction for the guest bedroom. 

What do you think?

Weekend Thrifted Finds (and a Congrats!)

This past weekend, Adam and I managed to squeeze in a little thrift shopping while we were out and about in the Philly suburbs. As you can see, I scored a black and white photograph of cherry blossoms, an awesome burgundy ceramic lamp, and a floral painting (which I freed from a hideous frame).

Here are some details:

From a consignment store: Floral painting, $9

Love the colors and slightly abstract feel.

And from Impact (you know I love Impact), we picked up this black-and-white cherry blossom picture for $7.50:

and this shapely burgundy lamp for $3!

All fun new additions to our apartment.

More than thrifting, we spent our weekend celebrating my sister-in-law Jenna's high school graduation (which is tonight!). Adam and I can take absolutely no credit for this accomplishment, but are so, so proud of her. 

Congratulations, Jenna!