Ben Pentreath {A Favorite from Across the Pond}

Have you ever come across an interior designer whose entire body of work speaks to you? I have and his name is Ben Pentreath. Pentreath, if you aren't already familiar, is a British designer, architect and shopowner with a traditional English sensibilities that translate to this American Yankee.

Ben Pentreath, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Ashley Shops Internet

(mirror / alarm clock / peony print / x-stool / horn bowl / pitcher)

One of my favorite things to do is shop, though I've definitely tempered my shopping lately thanks to budgets and all..you know, the un-fun but very necessary requirement of adult life. Even though I might not be whipping out my credit card every time I see something I like, I still love window shopping the internet. In the meantime, I'm sure to gather all my finds in my Ashley Goes Shopping board on Pinterest.

These six pieces are calling my name and I'd be super-grateful if anyone wanted to splurge and buy one (or all of these) for me. Bon shopping!

What have you found lately while browsing the internet? Help a recovering shopaholic out!

New Inventory in My Etsy Shop!

I'm happy to announce that I've added new handmade and vintage items to my Etsy shop!

Take a look at my brand new stock of handmade pillow covers, cocktail napkins and dinner napkins after the jump.

The Appeal of a Brick Floor

Pinterest has a way of enabling any fleeting design obsession, am I right? For me, it's all about worn brick floors in utility spaces like laundry rooms, mudrooms and kitchens right now.

Do you like this look? I promise to convince you of the awesomeness of a brick floor application with the super chic examples I've gathered.

Totally Tortoise

(Mark Sikes's tortoise shell coffee table via Habitually Chic)

There are always a few design elements or finishes that, despite a resurgence every few years, never actually go out of style. They remain chic regardless of the way they are used and defy the word "trend". Today's post is dedicated to one such design element: tortoise shell. Are you a fan?

A New Design Crush: Meg Lonergan of LeSueur Interiors

This weekend, I was flipping through the November issue of Better Homes and Gardens when I discovered a new-to-me interior designer that, if you don't already know, you should know: Meg Lonergan of LeSueur Interiors. A self-described believer in "floor to ceiling bookshelves, anything with a monogram, and tomato red, olive green, navy blue, turquoise, mustard yellow, and eggplant," this designer is a Southern lady with global tastes. Lonergan shares her inspiration on her blog, LeSueur Interiors Blog, and I've already pored over the older posts.

All Things Multifaceted

Have you noticed the facet trend that has crept into the world of home design? 

At every turn, in nearly every online shop, it's easy to find furniture, lighting, fabric and accessories that feature items that are multifaceted. The simple geometry of these pieces make them classically beautiful, albeit modern in their approach. I rounded up lots of pieces (17 in all!) that could add a multifaceted touch to your home.

(1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)

(6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12)

(13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17)

So, like it or hate it?

Would you consider adding a faceted piece to your home for a little extra dimension?

Final Thoughts on Scandinavia...and What I Bought!

Have you enjoyed vicariously traveling to Norway, Sweden and Denmark this week, friends?

I sure hope you have.  Before we head into the weekend, I wanted to share a few remaining observations I had about our time in Scandinavia. 

1. Well-designed candy was everywhere in Norway. I loved the retro look of Cuba & Hobby bars.

2. Converse hi-tops were on nearly every foot in Scandinavia. Classics like these never go "out".

3. Rarely did I spot a grocery store without an abundant option of flowers. This gal's envious.

4. Almost every Dane was on bike. Mimic their style with this adorable ride from Beloved Cycles.

Now, do you want to see what I bought?
I snapped a few photos of the treasures I found during our Nordic adventure.

(all images via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

There will be a touch of Scandinavia in my home for years to come.

And, if I can once more, I have to encourage every reader to visit this region at least once in your life. 
Happy weekend, all!

Meet the Artist: Eva Wylie

Recently, I stopped into the Philadelphia Art Alliance to enjoy an after-work gathering with friends and, while there, I couldn't help but notice the current exhibit from artist Eva Wylie. Her work captures the detail of small items within large-scale silkscreen installations, requiring its audience to stop and ponder each piece slowly and deliberately.

This piece, "Embedded Threads" can be appreciated from the closest to the farthest vantage points.

("Embedded Threads")

("Earthturf")

("Overlaps")

("Side Splits")

("Close to (Near Berserk)")

I am glad to have discovered Ms. Wylie's unique talent and am sure I'm not the only who would love to spend more time admiring the detail in each of these pieces.

Plate Preference: Simple or Embellished?

Is it Wednesday already, friends?

Jeez, sorry for being M.I.A. on the blog this week. Work has been more than a wee bit hectic.

But back to the subject at hand: plates, dishes, china, whatever you call it...

do you prefer a simple or more embellished option for your table?

(1/2/3/4)

(1/2/3/4)

When Adam and I became engaged, I knew immediately that I'd opt for simple dishes. I registered for a set from of Heath Ceramics in both a soft gray and off-white. Our tableware is clean but refined and, though I'm no master chef, it allows the beauty of a dinner to speak for itself.

Haven't had enough of this conversation on china? Check out these unique takes on the tabletop:

(via House Beautiful)

(via Martha Stewart)

(via Houzz)

(via Brooklyn Bride)

(via House Beautiful)

So what's your take? 

Do you prefer a sparely-designed plate or one flourished with detail?

Irving Penn's "Flowers"

Recently I discovered a series of photographs that master photographer Irving Penn produced in the late sixties, which were part of a now-out-of-print book that I'd die to own, called Flowers. 

If I could track down a copy for less than $300, I'd study every delicate details Mr. Penn captured from each flower in large scale. Feast your eyes on a few of these floral delights:

(all via Google and Hamiltons Gallery)

How fantastic would one of these floral prints be blown up to a dramatic scale?

As it turns out, I'm not the only one who loves the artistry evident in Irving Penn's flower photography. For one, Mr. Penn's fuschia peony photo figures prominently in the offices of Aerin Lauder's new lifestyle brand, Aerin.

(via Architectural Digest)

Yasmin Le Bon, model/wife of Duran-Duran's Simon Le Bon, has her own Penn poppy to display.

(via The Telegraph UK)

Isn't Irving Penn's collection of floral photography simply gorgeous? 

Anyone own a copy of Flowers that they'd like to let me keep on long-term loan? :)

Trip to Terrain

On Saturday, the weather was temperate and clear. I was dying to get out of the city for a little natural inspiration, and where better to find some environmental ingenuity than at Terrain, which is about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.

If you haven't yet heard of Terrain, it is a beautifully operated garden center/store/restaurant/event space that is owned by Urban Outfitters Inc., which also owns Anthropologie, and you can see a similar attention to detail throughout the store. The use of wooden pallets and a rusty mailbox are all intentional styling choices that add up to a rustic and highly-inventive spot for plant- and idea-gathering.

I'd been to Terrain several times before, but this was the first time I really stopped to admire the clever ways plants were paired and presented. I have to note that, someday, I hope to have a patio where large-scale ferns can grow and provide shade.

 These red wire garden chairs and companion bench were such an irreverent pop against all of the green.

 After perusing the plantings outside of the main store, we headed in to see the beautifully styled vignettes that invite shoppers to stop and consider each and every item (and, hopefully purchase them!).

 A large room known as "the conservatory" sits at the very center of the Terrain shop, which was decorated with punched metal lanterns and draped linen panels.

 Can't you just imagine dining al fresco in a spot just like this?

 Terrariums were featured all over the store.
I loved this collection, which was set up as you walk into the main shop.

 Aside from being a fabulous place to get ideas for interior and exterior plantings, Terrain stocks a host of plants that I'd never seen before. For example, these tiny plants resembled a creeper that would grow lush and soft between flagstone pavers. Their blooms were soft bulbs of color.
Anyone know what these plants are called?

 This bromeliad caught my attention with its technicolor appearance.

 And my heart went all a-flutter when I saw several pots of mountain laurel, the state flower of Connecticut and a plant that grows in abundance in my home town.

Are you curious what I walked away with?

I bought a fern and a Carriere Freres Industrie 'lily of the valley' candle, which I wish I could share with you because its scent is heavenly.

If this post wasn't convincing enough, let me explicitly state that I think a day spent at Terrain is not a misspent day. I walked away inspired and wanting to have my own garden sooner than later.