I Guess You're Just What I Needed

'Member yesterday when I mentioned the "lonely corner" in my living room? Here it is again, in case you have a very limited short term memory:

Aside from the revamped frame, this corner needs something else to liven it up and to give the room some height.

So I've decided that I'm suddenly in desperate need of a fiddle leaf fig, perhaps in a chic little basket planter, like this one spotted over at Oliveaux:
(via Oliveaux)

Trouble is, my living room gets natural light for about .10 minutes a day, hardly great conditions for a plant like this.

Can anyone offer a reasonable alternative that would love low light?
Or, could the fiddle leaf fig live with limited sunshine?

P.S. If you're in the Philly area tonight, come join me at the Race Street Cafe tonight at 5:30 for a Happy Hour to support the Race Street Pier revitalization! See you all there!

Revitalizing Framed Artwork

When Adam and I first moved to Philadelphia, we were young, in love, and surrounded by a lot of empty space in an apartment we couldn't properly furnish. That resulted in furniture and decor purchased in haste. Recently, with my purging and organizing at the start of 2011, I've taken to reflecting on what I have, what I love, and what I don't.

Over the weekend, I gathered some supplies to make a small, but impactful revitalization on a framed print that I've always loved, even if I haven't loved the frame it was in.

This Bret Harper print hangs in a lonely corner of our living room, and the black Ikea Ribba 17" x 21" frame wasn't enough punch for this lovely print:

I had an old, larger (21" x 25") frame and mat on hand. I painted the dreary frame a fresh cream (Martha Stewart Living paint in "Pip"), which only highlighted the aged, yellowed mat.

Pretty bad, huh?

Then, a flash of brilliance: why couldn't I use some natural linen to cover the matting?

And that's exactly what I did. I used Aleene's Tacky Spray and pulled the fabric taut.

With the fabric secured, I began wrapping the edge around the frame.

Certainly not professional quality, I used clear packaging tape, which held up quite nicely.

I carefully snipped the fabric on the inside of the frame and repeated taping the fabric along inside edge.

And here it is!
The amaryllis has a mat and frame appropriate for its loveliness. It feels more substantial now, and I'm so, so happy with this quick revitalization.

Happy Monday, everyone!

TGIF, 1/14/11 Edition

(The Guardian UK)

Considering that 49 of 50 U.S. states had snow on the ground this week, I'll just go ahead and assume that wherever you are, you're surrounded by snow. That's January for you.

As per usual, I'll share with you what's on my agenda this weekend:

• More organization, culminating in an exciting trip to The Container Store

• A quick and cheapo framing project

• Some wedding preparation...I'm the worst, most ill-prepared bride-to-be!

Before we head into the weekend, I wanted to share an incredibly flattering blog shout out that I received today via a kindred spirit with Philly/CT connections like me, Fran from Green Street. She awarded me one of her Stylish Blogger Awards! Thank you, Fran!

So, as is customary, I will share 7 things about myself:

1. My fiance, Adam, and I were born 8 days apart, and if I was a boy, my name would have been Adam.
2. I once appeared on the Vogue.com homepage during NY Fashion Week as part The Sartorialist feature.
   
3. I have never developed wisdom teeth.
4. Aside from my interest in design, I am committed to improving the educational opportunities for the neediest Americans, and work to improve the Head Start Program here in Philadelphia.
   
5. I hate to fly.
6. The books in my bookcase are alphabetized.
7. In high school, I was voted "Most Artistic" and "Most Original" but was required to choose only one superlative. Naturally, I chose "Most Original" because my male counterpart was a real hunk...

Now, I'd like to highlight 7 blogs that inspire me with every post they produce, and pass along to them the Stylish Blogger Award:

1. Fresh Basil (a life-long friend!)
2. Design Manifest
3. Armas Design
   
4. say YES! to hoboken
   
5. My Interior Life
   
6. The Neo-Traditionalist
7. elsie marley
   

Finally, I wanted to share info on an upcoming event here in Philadelphia to raise awareness about the Delaware River waterfront revitalization initiatives, many of which are spearheaded by the Penn School of Design.

On Tuesday, January 18th, there will be a Happy Hour beginning at 5:30PM at the Race Street Cafe to support the development of the Race Street Pier.
Please come out and join. Adam and I will be there!
Details below:

(Thanks, Bridget!)

Well, you've heard enough from me today.
Happy Weekend, everyone!

My Dream House

(via Trulia)

Isn't she gorgeous? This, beloved readers, is my dream home.

Sometimes I find myself compelled to search real estate listings, even though Adam and I aren't yet in the market to buy. Searching can be fun in and of itself, but nothing compares to actually finding "the one". This home, located in the quaint hills of Litchfield, Connecticut, is exactly where I want to settle down...even if we're still a few years away from that.

I'll allow you to peek inside, but be sure to take off your shoes. We have rules in this house.

Imagine restoring this home (which boasts over 5,000 sq. ft!) to its original 19th century glory...

Those vintage cabinets? I die.

A glorious entryway to greet guests:

A scenic view of the side yard (1.12 acres total):

Last but not least, a potting shed in need of some TLC:

If we were ready to settle down, this is just the place I'd like to do it. Coming upon this house on Trulia made my imagination run wild with visions of children, holiday gatherings, and a long-but-worthwhile restoration process.

Thank you for indulging me today...this house was too beautiful not to share. What does your dream house look like?

David Hicks's Herbert's Carnation

Earlier this week, Paula posted this image and it really got me thinking about whimsical print combinations for my soon-to-be reupholstered living room chair.

(via two ellie)

The pillow print is one we all know and love, David Hicks's La Fiorentina; but what really got my imagination going was the neutral ikat upholstered wingback it was combined with.

So, I got to thinking: wouldn't this:
(Sister Parish's Tucker, my chosen chair fabric)

look fab with this?:

(David Hicks's Herbert's Carnation fabric)

After seeing a few uses of Herbert's Carnation, I'm sold.

(Angie Hranowski revitalizes an x-bench, both via House Beautiful)

(A Timothy Whealon design, featured in House Beautiful)
(A lighter colorway via Beachbungalow8)

Just yesterday afternoon (when I should have been hard at work), I scooped up a remnant of Herbert's Carnation on Ebay, enough for my own little lumbar pillow.

The print combination might be wee bit wacko, but I like it.

Irreverent Art in Lonny

(via Lonny)

The January/February issue of Lonny came out yesterday and, with all the eye candy inside, I couldn't seem to get past the collection of irreverent art throughout this edition. I love when walls are decorated with not-so-serious artwork mash-ups.*
*Yes, I know the term 'mash-ups' usually refers to music...I'm using it anyway!

Here are some of my fave images of playful collections of art in the latest Lonny:

Every playroom deserves a inexplicably strange photo like this:

Anything looks like art against an ever-chic grasscloth backdrop:

Whose day wouldn't be better with a fun pug painting on the wall? No one, I tell you.

(all via Lonny)

Tell me, do you like your art esoteric, silly, or a little of both?

What was your favorite element of the latest Lonny?

Updates to Casa Ashley

(What I've been missing: a giant brass alligator! Suddenly, all is right with the world)

I thought it would be fun to begin the week by sharing some of the recent changes around my apartment, since there have been many since the holidays.

This weekend, we set out to remove our Christmas tree, so naturally we set up our own little Christmas tree "kill room". Dexter reference, anyone?

This Restoration Hardware brass telescopic floor lamp recently followed me home from the outlet, and I can't imagine my living room without it:

And don't worry, I'm still planning on reupholstering my living room chair in Sister Parish's "Tucker" print.

Here's a very special Christmas present I received: a vintage papercut landscape that Mom found in an antique shop in Maine. It's so spectacular, I had to rush right home to hang it up.

Up close:

Now for the downstairs "den": Mom was kind enough to sew a pair of spotted panels to cover our stacked washer and dryer from extra fabric I had on hand.
I'm still looking for a fun throw pillow for the loveseat.
Can anyone offer a recommendation?

While in CT, Mom and I stopped by Three Ladies Antiques in West Hartford. I walked away with this pair of matching end tables for $40! When I saw their shapely legs and sophisticated handles, I was smitten.

Too bad the tabletops are hideous. You better believe an update/project is forthcoming!

Just a few small changes to share on a wintery Monday morning!