The Pomegranate as a Design Element

I like pomegranates a lot. 

They are tasty and healthy, and very rarely do I introduce foods into my diet that are both healthy and tasty. But more than just a 'superfood,' pomegranates are also a recurrent element in design across ages and cultures. Did you know that? No, you didn't? Well, sit yourself right down for a lesson on the pomegranate.

The pomegranate is a fruit native to Asia and, as a result, it figures prominently in many Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian cultures. In Greek mythology, the pomegranate was used by Hades to trick Persephone to remain in the underworld as his wife after he kidnapped her from her mother, Demeter, goddess of the harvest. The symbolism of the pomegranate extends to the early Christian and Jewish religion as well, with the fruit representing fertility and 'the promised land'. Additionally, Old Testament Hebrew priests wore robes decorated with embroidered pomegranates along the hem (that I remember from Sunday School!). In Hinduism, pomegranates likewise represent fertility and prosperity.

With such a rich meaning in the culture and religion of many people across the world, it is not surprising that the pomegranate is integrated into design repeatedly. The organic shape is one that appears often in suzanis.

The saturated color in this antique piece, from Ebay, makes it for me:

(via Ebay)

How about a pretty and affordable pomegranate printed fabric?

(via Fashion Fabrics Club)

Here's a subtle use of the fruit on a vintage tray:

(via Etsy)

This handmade vase that mimics the pomegranate:

(via Etsy)

Of course, Martha Stewart and her team crafted a clever seating card project out of pomegranates:

(via Martha Stewart)

...though, given the market price of pomegranates, I hope guests would be allowed to take these home after the wedding.

And, if you are financially inclined, you can find many high-end pieces that utilize the pomegranate, such as this pair of sconces on 1st Dibs:

(via 1st Dibs)

or this iron bar cart, perfect for enjoying drinks on your Palm Beach veranda:

(via 1st Dibs)

So, what say you: do you see the beauty in the pomegranate or just its sheer yumminess?

Barenaked Windows

Could you go naked?
I'm referring to your windows, of course.

It's slightly unorthodox to approach decorating a room without considering some set of great draperies, but I've recently found myself admiring curtainless windows. Here are some really fabulous, well-executed interiors that do not rely on window treatments.

(an Albert Hadley-designed room from House Beautiful)

(via Design Manifest)

(via Simplified Bee)

(via Abbey Goes Design Scouting)

(via Canadian House & Home)

(Jill Brinson's bedroom from House Beautiful)

(via House Beautiful)

(via Brabourne Farm)

(Donna Karan's apartment via Apartments I Like)
As a city dweller, I'm not about to throw caution to the wind, remove the curtains in our bedroom and living room, and expose our apartment fully to the world. But, maybe someday...

Curtains function like an accessory to a great view and, as many of the inspiration images above show, a contrasting window molding can serve as a frame for a the view.

So, what do you think: would you go barenaked with your windows?

What a Difference a Quart of Paint Makes

Adam and I have spent much of yesterday painting, and it always makes me happy to see just how a new well-chosen paint color can have on a piece of furniture and a whole room. Wouldn't you agree?

Last week, I shared the skirted table project that Mom sewed for me. The skirted table covers a two-door mid-century oak cabinet that Adam and I inherited from his grandparents. The cabinet is actually in two pieces, with the base (now skirted) in the guest bedroom and an upper piece that serves as a small bookcase behind the loveseat in our den.

The bookcase is light oak, which is not my favorite wood tone. Someday, we'll reunite the upper and lower cabinets and have them refinished into a deeper tone. Until that day arrives, I wanted to rework both pieces to work for our space now. No need to live with something you don't love, am I right?

The before:

A closer look:

 Clearly, this piece needed help.

My Katie Ridder 'Seaweed' print pillow served as color inspiration.

I decided to go with "Lagoon" from Martha Stewart's line from Home Depot in a high gloss. I really liked the finish of the Martha paint that I used on my sideboard, so I thought it was worth using it again. 

(Martha Stewart for Home Depot)

It looks more like a 'Tiffany blue' in pictures than in person, where it reads more like a blue-green.

 Now newly painted, the bookcase brightens the space and adds some much-need color. 

 The side chair also found a new home under the stairs, as did the second papier mache table I made (in from the guest bedroom), to create a cozy little conversation area in the den. 

What a difference a can of paint makes!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

TGIF, 8/5/11 Edition

(Brigette Singh's "Poppy on Cream" fabric via Aleta Online)

Before we all go our separate ways for the weekend, I wanted to say a hearty thank-you for all of the sweet comments in reply to my very open post on Wednesday. You are all just the kindest and most thoughtful people, and I appreciate the words of support you've showered upon me. Strangely enough, I feel closer to you all already, and I hope you feel the same.

Now, onto the agenda for the weekend, which will include: 

celebrating matrimony,
enjoying family time,
goldleafing,
spraypainting, and
thrifting.

There are exciting things happening for me and for the blog in the next few weeks.
I can't wait to share...(I'm such a tease, aren't I?)

A Dare-to-Be-Great Situation

Everything happens for a reason, right? That's what I keep telling myself lately, and I know that there's a lesson to be learned amidst the changes I've been experiencing this year.

Let me back up and say that today's post is a bit more about me, and less about decor. I hope you'll humor me and read this, especially because I want to offer a more comprehensive view of my life that extends far beyond my decorating choices...so, hopefully you're all game to hear more about Ashley, the whole person.

Now, back to the matter at hand. I am convinced that there is a purpose and season for everything. As I mentioned in July, I confronted the career dissatisfaction I was experiencing by quitting my job; it was a tough but good decision for me in the short and long term. Having peace about my decision is a great thing, but it doesn't mean that I'm not a wee bit anxious about the limited job prospects out there.

Like many people of my generation, we went to college (and perhaps even graduate school) with the assumption that the pricey student loans we were obtaining would somehow guarantee a fulfilling, high paying job. Such is not the case, or certainly not the guarantee. I can tell you that my job was not fulfilling nor was it particularly lucrative. I won't divulge exact numbers, but approximately 50 percent (!) of my monthly income is spent repaying student loans. I am fortunate, however, to have no other consumer debt. But let me tell you, a few special letters after my name name cost quite the pretty penny.

So, it's perfectly logical for you to question my sanity when I announce that I've quit my job without securing a new one first.

Before you jump all over me and say, "Quit your bitching. You did this to yourself," just know that I'm not complaining. I don't have the audacity to sit here and complain because I know so many more people have it much worse--having to scrimp and save for necessities rather than the frivolities that I'm concerned with (i.e., Sister Parish fabrics). Instead, what I'm acknowledging is that this transition, this crossroads, has the makings of a dare-to-be-great situation.

Leaving a job, making difficult budget decisions, deciding on a path for one's career--these are all complicated issues when taken individually. Here I am challenging myself by experiencing all of these issues simultaneously.

All that said, I hope you'll support me in this new territory...it's a bit shaky and uncertain. I'm not 100 percent sure that I'll be gainfully employed when I exit my current job in October. I'm using this as an opportunity, as a challenge, as a dare-to-be-great situation where I consume less and create more; where I rely less on material comforts and rely more on the comforts of family and friends (blog friends included!). I'm putting all of this out there publicly because, regardless of whether or not you know me in 'real life', I want to be accountable for the direction my life takes from here on out.

What does this mean for the blog? Well, you'll see more posts related to me improving what I've already got and fewer posts where I pine for expensive new items. Sound good?

Thank you for reading all of this. These kinds of personal reflections don't make for exciting design fodder, I know, but this is my life. And, most sincerely, I appreciate your support and kind words.

P.S. I've included one of my all time favorite movie clips (from "Say Anything..."), which nicely captures how I feel right now. I suppose I could have easily included the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony video for "Crossroads," but I'll leave you to find that one. 

A Leontine Linens Look for Less

An old-fashioned prep at heart, I've been crazy about having custom monogrammed shams made for our bed ever since Adam and I became engaged last year. Well, as many of you probably know, custom monograms are very expensive, especially if you go the Leontine Linens route.

Leontine Linens, the couture linen company based in New Orleans, has single-handedly revived the monogrammed look. The quality craftsmanship of a Leontine Linen piece may justify the price, but not to me, the newlywed looking to sock aside some money for a home.

Are my priorities right? 

A home instead of a custom monogrammed bed sham?

You decide.

(Laura Vinroot Poole's home from Domino via Orange Beautiful)

(Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer's home in House Beautiful via Elements of Style)

(a special take on guest towels via Lonny)

(Tori Mellott's loveseat from Domino via Everything LEB)

They sure are pretty, aren't they? Instead of forgoing a house fund, I managed to find a nice alternative for a lot less on, where else, Ebay. I present the new-to-me "Mr. & Mrs." red embroidered pillowcases with scalloped edges.
Aren't they fab?

So what if they're not custom. I already have the custom knit pillow that Mom made us.

These vintage "Mr. and Mrs" shams were seemingly brand new, and were all of $16! 

Looks like I can have the Leontine Linens look and a house (someday, at least). 

One Chic Table and Two To-Become-Chic Tables

This weekend, Adam and I headed to Connecticut to spend some time with my parents and, like many weekends before this one, Mom and I took the time to work together on a project. I queried my mom a few weeks ago if she thought she could whip up a tailored skirted table for a credenza in our guest bedroom and, boy, did she ever!

Take a look:

Tres chic, no? 

The credenza is a piece we inherited from Adam's grandparents when they passed away. We love it, but we'd eventually like to have its oak finish refinished to a darker hue. Until we're able to chock up the cash to do so, I thought a clean skirted table would be an easy solution.

Here's a close-up shot of the neutral fabric we used:

 Could you guess that it was drop cloth? 

Mom picked up 2 6'x9' drop cloths at Home Depot for $9, significantly less than price-per-yard cost of similar cotton duck.  For reference, the credenza we were covering was about 41" long, 33" tall and 21" deep. 

With the drop cloth washed (to remove stiffness) and ironed, we began cutting our pieces. We planned to use 2 pieces (one panel to wrap around the back and two sides and one panel to cover the top and front).

 Mom began the sewing. We cut the two panels so that we could reuse the hemmed edge of the drop cloth (also an advantage over other cut fabric). She proceeded to hem any unfinished edge and then sewed together the 2 panels. 

 And, voila! Done.

I'll probably be adding a ribbon trim to the front and side panels for a pop of color.

Some of the items taking up residence here:

Now, the title of this post refers to two to-become-chic tables. This weekend was a good one for secondhand finds in CT. 

I finally solved the bedside table quandry in my guest bedroom with these nesting tables, which will be receiving a spruce-up this week:

 And, for free (yes, free!) I found this barcart on Craigslist in CT. Clearly, it has seen much better days. 

It's going to be fantastic when it's done, just you wait....

 "Picture me rolling..."

What do you think of my chic and to-become-chic tables?

P.S. Happy August, everyone! Where has the time gone??