HAPPY FRIDAY!

I had to grab a few shots of these gorgeous peonies this morning. They're definitely one of my favorite flowers of summer.

I'm headed off to the beach this afternoon to grab some much needed sun (fingers crossed) and hopefully a BBQ or two. Have a great weekend!

LIVING ROOM INSPIRATION

Pulling some inspiration for my new living room. Thinking bright white walls with blues and yellows and maybe a bit of pink thrown in...

Maybe a graphic wallpaper for one wall...

Lonny Mag May/Jun 2011: Interior Design by Lisa Sherry

Gold and brass accents...  

 Lonny Mag Mar/Apr 2011: Interior Design by Daniel Pafford

Maybe a navy rug... 

 Rue Mag

Can't get enough of this fun striped couch. Feels so girly and fun...

Lonny Mag Jun/Jul 2010: Interior Design by Elizabeth Bauer

Thinking about trading in the all-white for wood...

Lonny Mag Apr/May 2010: Interior Design by Laurann Claridge

This was my original inspiration for reupholstering my wingback chair...

Lonny Mag: Apr/May 2010 Interior Design by Ashley Wick

I'd love to bring in some more mid-century pieces.

 Rue Magazine

Colorful curtains are definitely needed... 

Lonny Mag Jun/Jul 2010: Interior Design by Ellie Somerville

OUT WITH THE OLD...

I'm finally ready to reupholster a vintage wingback chair I've had since I moved from San Francisco. I bought it for steal at Antiques by the Bay, but removing the individual nailheads, painting and recovering it always seemed a little intimidating. Now that I have some free time, I'm ready.

Right now my living room is orange, pinks and browns with light gray walls but, I think I'm ready to migrate to fresh white walls, navy and pink/ yellow accents for summer.

Given the new color inspiration, here are some of the fabric options I'm considering. I'd love to hear what you think...

I've been obsessed with this geometric David Hicks fabric since it graced the cover of the first issue of Domino.

 But at almost $100/ yd it's a little out of my price range.

STREET FAIR TIME

I love street festivals. There's something about being outside on a city street, eating grilled food and listening to music that signals summer for me.

For a few hours on Saturday, the clouds and rain disappeared and the Ye Olde Village Street Fair transformed my street into a huge block party.

I couldn't get over this women in her glasses...

This kid had a style all his own...

I can't resist free samples of kettle korn, ever...

How did you spend your weekend? 

SUMMER FABRICS

I'm getting ready to reupholster a vintage wing chair and asked my very stylish friend, Henriette about some of her favorite fabrics. Lucky for me (and you), she agreed to share some Scandinavian fabric finds, as well as some truly inspirational danish design sites. (Definitely worth checking these out!) Without further adieu, Henriette...

The lil bee

I grew up around fabric. My mom had an atelier [workshop/ studio] filled from floor to ceiling with textiles from all over the world; here she would spend hours a day making quilts and other beautiful things to fill our home. It was so inspiring to peruse the endless drawers of her color blocked fabric bundles. Unfortunately I never quite picked up the knack for quilt making but I remain fascinated by prints and patterns to this day. 

 Design*Sponge 

With the recent opening of the Marimekko shop inside Crate and Barrel in SOHO, I couldn’t be more excited! It feels like a piece of home right here in the Big Apple! I just love the freshness and simplicity of Scandinavian textile design, and being Danish myself I am often drawn to my fellow Vikings whenever I am on the hunt for new furniture or a fun new print or pattern. Right now, I have got my eyes on these bright pillows by Marimekko.  They would look great thrown onto a black vintage leather couch or on a freshly made bed.

 

IKEA is also a great place to buy textiles, at amazing prices too. I think this yellow print would make a fun table cloth for summer.

Slightly more up market, but a million times more inspiring than a trip to IKEA is the Purl Soho Fabric store, where one can easily spend an entire afternoon pulling out fabrics. If you’re not exactly sure what fabric to pick I love their pre-made bundles that you can pick up for about $30. 

I couldn’t resist this versatile blue and white printed rug from Sweden (It’s plastic!) How perfect would this be in a kitchen or kids room?

Here are a few of my favorite Scandinavian websites & blogs that I often browse for inspiration: 

FryDog Design

 

50 DANSKA KVADRAT

Skona hem

RUM

WATERCOLORS...

I love watercolor prints that don't take themselves so seriously...

 She wears many glasses print by lullula

iconic fashion - set of three note cards by lullula

  Vintage Sofa (original watercolor) by Plink Design Studio

CUSTOM - WATERCOLOR portrait of your PET by FairySomnia

THRIFTING, CINNAMON ROLLS AND CAPE COD

First things first. Big apologies. I've been neglecting my blog a little recently.  It's just that I've been on the road a lot. Last week I was in Cape Cod helping my Mom open our house for the summer rental season. It involved a lot of cleaning, gardening and raking leaves. We also took down a 25ft (dead) tree in the backyard.

 *My mom took this pic of me. She was thrown off a bit by my new camera and didn't quite capture the entire leaf pile. Who knows what I was doing?

Luckily, with rainy skies halting some of the outside work, we were able to visit many of the fantastic community/ church thrift shops and estate sales on Cape Cod. You've definitely heard me talk about them here. I managed to pick up 22 sets of glassware, some great milk glass, brass candlestick holders and Mad Men-like martini sets. These will all be coming to Octavia & Brown as soon as I can get them photographed. I might also need to throw a fantastic retro party too!

While I was in Chatham, I did manage to sneak in a cinnamon roll (or two) from Marion's Pie Shop. They are the size of your hand, but so soft and doughy.  Marion's also makes the most delicious chichen pot pies, but you have to get there early, because they sell out everyday...

Now that I'm back in NYC, I have a friend staying with me from San Francisco. She's a fellow foodie, we've been eating our way around NYC. More on that later this week...