Rush, Rush

[Yep, that's a Paula Abdul reference; you're welcome.]

For Christmas, I received Ben Pentreath's book English Decoration and promptly began studying it. What appealed to me about the book was the English approach to interior design that Pentreath presents: imperfect, collected, aged, loved, layered. 

Aren't those adjectives we'd all like to use about our own homes?

Examining the pictures inside, I noticed a running theme, a recurrent element appearing in many of the homes featured in the book: the use of rush matting as a rug or rug underpinning. Traditional rush matting or baskets, like grasscloth or linen, is a staple in decorating with texture (and a decorating staple in England, in particular). So why not learn a little more about it?

New Textile Obsession: Gypsya

(1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)

If you've been reading this blog for any time, you may recognize that I love all kinds of textiles...especially when they are printed and aren't ubiquitous. Yesterday, I stumbled upon Gypsya, a shop on Etsy that specializes in "handmade treasures" that are surprisingly affordable and one-of-a-kind.

Mid-Week Miscellany

Here are a couple of miscellaneous, unrelated items that are floating around my brain mid-week. Enjoy.

For one, I discovered this plaster sculpture of David at Dick Blick yesterday. He's cheap, real cheap ($18).

(via Dick Blick)

Wouldn't you like to bring David home and decorate your bookshelf or etagere with him?

I saw this painting on One Kings Lane (now sold) for, like, the equivalent of several student loan payments.

(via One Kings Lane)

Am I bold enough to copy it for my living room? Hmmm. Stay tuned.

Speaking of living room walls, these framed intaglios from Ben Pentreath would add a worldy and historical touch to mine.  Add this to the list of things I want but probably will never buy. 

(via Ben Pentreath)

Mandi of Interior Design Musings has a genius tutorial for framed intaglios, so I might be looking to her project for assistance in recreating this piece.

Oh, and I brought home this sad little umbrella stand yesterday. 

My friends at Montana Gold (specifically, "Blue Note") will help me transform this pathetic wire thing.

If the weather warms up, I'll be spray painting this puppy before the week is out.

And lastly, I've been thoroughly enjoying the all-music channels we have, especially the channel called "Throwback Jamz," because they play things like this:

What ever happened to Arrested Development (the band, not the show, which I also loved)?

I told you, just some random thoughts for Wednesday.

Newest Obsession: Moroccan Side Tables

Betcha you were starting to wonder what to get me for Christmas, am I right?*

Lately, I've become obsessed with hunting down a small Moroccan-like side table for my living room.

It all started when my dear blog friend Kate highlighted Wisteria's take on the Moroccan table.

(via Wisteria)

This style feels like the best combination of a round and square table, and certainly adds a worldly charm to any room in which they appear. Like any small piece of furniture, these tables offer more surface area for lamps, books, or knick-knacks without consuming too much precious floor space. 

I've noticed this style of table popping up in many well-designed spaces, and almost always stealing the show. 

These six- or eight-sided tables can be...

Painted a solid color with limited decorative detail:

(Domino via Decorpad)

(Mona Ross Berman's beach house features 2 of these tables via House Beautiful)

(Katie Denham's revitalized table)

(via Casapinka)

or the Moroccan-style table can be

Decorated with engraved or inlaid accents:

(via Pinterest)

(via Habitually Chic)

(via Pinterest)
Which do you prefer: clean and unadored or flourished with detail?

For my living room, I'd like to keep the detail and color subtle, so that the table does not compete with the other elements in the space. During my quest for affordable options, I came across several tutorials to build your own Moroccan table (see here and here). This DIY option from Fresh Home Ideas seems doable and fits the "subtle" requirement. 

(via Fresh Home Ideas)

What do you make of this style: classic worldly design or passing trend?
Would you try your hand at constructing your own?

*Remember, only 59 days 'til Christmas. Start constructing this table now if you want it wrapped under my Christmas tree!*

Through the Looking Glass

Having finished my goldleafed barcart (thank you for all of your uber-kind comments, btw!), I see that there is a gaping hole in my living room. The wall space directly above the cart is between two windows and also is the location of a poorly-placed dimmer switch. I'd like to find a mirror to a) open up the space (currently I have 0 mirrors in the space) and b) cover up said switch.

But...I'm at a loss about what type of mirror to choose, so naturally I turn to you geniuses for guidance. I've begun gathering some inspiring mirror-related images that make my heart go pitter-patter. Clearly, I can go in a number of different directions with this, so please chime in with your suggestions and favorites!

Option 1: White with a hint of detail
Ballard Design's Atoll mirror has been popular for awhile, and I like the contrast it would offer to the gold tones of the barcart.

(via Lonny)
Wisteria recently started offering a similar looking mirror that I also really like. Check it out here.

Option 2: Sleek and brass
I'm really drawn to the soft curves and warm brass finish of this mirror, from designer Philip Gorrivan's own home:

(via NY Social Diary)
Anyone know what type of mirror this is?
I don't think my generalist "curvy, brassy mirror" search is going to turn up much on Ebay or elsewhere.

Option 3: Oversized and convex
Convex mirrors: suddenly all the rage but not very practical unless you want to look like you came out of a Busta Rhymes video (fish-eye lens, anyone)? Nonetheless, the impracticality can be overlooked. Also, I like the rounded shape of the convex mirror to balance out the square lines of the barcart.

(via Pinterest)

Option 4: Some bamboo action
Tobi Fairley used a mirror with a bamboo accent in this year's Traditional Home showhouse in the Hamptons, and I'm digging it. This option has a subtle Asian influence without screaming it.

If I could swing it, I'd love to find an antique that fits the dimension of the space, the look of my living room, and my budget (can't forget that! So, no 1stDibs for me).

So there you have it, 4 options for my over-the-barcart mirror.
What option would you recommend?
Any great sources for mirrors you can share?

Weekend Excursion to Impact Thrift Store

It was a sad weekend 'round Philadelphia, friends, on account of a majorly depressing loss by the Phillies late Friday evening. I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that a somber sort of mood hung over the city the next morning, and certainly we all needed some kind of pick-me-up.

What's a better cure-all than a trip to a great thrift store?

I was overdue for a trip to the local Norristown branch of the Impact Thrift Store chain. I've written about this particular store before and usually find many, many secondhand finds that I have to share with blog friends far and wide. So, without further ado...

These chairs would look as cool on your lanai as in your living room. 

Reminiscent of Anthropologie's "Banda" armchair (at a much more spendy price), no?

Sturdy and in excellent shape. $50/each.

 This large dining room table, $35, was unfortunately covered in a pea green finish. 

Wouldn't it look great refinished and paired with Ghost chairs? 

Yeah, I thought so, too.

 This brass etagere was only $50 and in great condition. 

Apply a little Brasso and it would be a perfect foundation for your collection of books and vignettes.

 This small chest, only about 3 feet tall, caught my eye. 

At $35, it would have come home with me, too, had I the space for it. 

 This mid-century armoire was around $65 and it was fantastic looking. 

Shiny and pristine. 

Flamestitch sofa, anyone?

I'd tear off the skirt and never look back.

 Okay, go with me on this one. 

Get rid of the millions of separate cushions, and replace them with a single one and a bolster on each arm.

What you really need to notice is the shapely detail at the legs. 

I recall this might have been ~$100.

All in all, lots of good finds. No, none of these items came home with me, but I did walk away with a $4 lamp shade for my demijohn lamp (still to come). 

Can't beat a weekend afternoon visiting a great thrift store.

Home Decorators Collection

Pardon my ignorance for a second, folks, but it appears that Home Decorators Collection has...dare I say it?...some chic offerings. I came to this revelation while tooling around the interwebs recently in an exhaustive search for the perfect guest bedroom side table [Editor's Note: this perfect table still eludes me].

Despite the fact that I made no headway on purchasing an ideal nightstand, I did manage to find many other kinda cool things at Home Decorators Collection. Check 'em out:

 (Crackled Table Lamp, $200)

(Julia Tray Coffee Table, $130) 

 (Gold Leaf Convex Mirrors, $150)

(Industrial Console Table, $450)

(Parsons End Table, $90)

Sure, you may have to sift through some crap, but Home Decorators Collection pleasantly surprised me.

Have you ever purchased anything from HDC?

P.S. Thank you for your kind words about my a) job and b) wedding pictures. 

You all are too sweet for words. Consider this an internet hug from me to you all!

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...

How Do You Know if You're Ready for a Fixer-Upper?

Calling all homeowners/experienced renovators!

Today, I'd like to borrow from the wealth of readers' collective knowledge and ask some questions of the homeowners out there.

If you don't know, Adam and I rent our charming little 2-bedroom apartment here in Philadelphia. We are getting married in about a month and, as is the case with any lifelong commitment, we're contemplating maybe buying a house in the next year or two. Apparently, big life changes come in pairs.

We're really keen on the idea of buying an older home that 'needs work,' but of course that phrase can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. There seems to be a significant range of houses currently on the market that are labeled "fixer-uppers".

Take a look:

(images from a variety of homes currently available via Trulia)

I mean, are we up to the challenge of a home that "needs work"? 

Do I have the patience to handle a full-scale reno?

So, now I'd like to ask the audience:

• Were you willing to buy a "fixer-upper"? How did you know it (fixer-upper vs. brand-spankin' new)  was right for you?
• How do you determine your total project budget?
• When is it a good idea to involve an architect?
• How do you determine the order of projects you tackle?
• When should you bring in professional help?
• How do you keep the peace in a household that looks like a warzone?

Your guidance, warnings, advice, blessings, horror stories, etc. are all welcome and greatly appreciated!

Re-Trouve for Less

Who'd like a fun "look for less" on this Wednesday morning?

The bargain I've found is a nod to spring and the sunshine to come! 

I'm going share with you a few budget-conscious options for recreating the look of the Re-Trouve chairs and ottomans designed by Patricia Urquiola for Emu; but before I do, drink in the deliciousness of the original:

(via Steelcase)

(via Design Icons)

(via Liever)

They invoke life on the French Rivera in the '60's or something (because, yeah, I have lots of experience with that)...I can imagine Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney recalling better times while sitting at this table in "Two For the Road".

If you don't have the $1,000+ it takes to purchase one of these spectacular designs, let me offer you a few options. For one,  Anthropologie offered their own version of the Re-Trouve chairs (for $248), which appears to be out of stock:

(via Elle Decor)

Don't get discouraged, though.
Here are some still-available pieces that offer a similiar look to the Re-Trouve chairs and ottomans at a wallet friendly price:

($149 via PB Teen)

and its matching side table/ottoman:

($99 via PB Teen)

(approximately $90 via Ebay...minus the fur)

(94GBP via Furnishing Homes)

(50GBP via Furnishing Homes)

With a little imagination, a can of spray paint, and a lot less cash, you could have the Re-Trouve style in your garden this spring.
Now, if only I had a garden...