SPOTTED IT...

Just spied these awesome vintage-inspired menswear plates from West Elm. So cool, I want all of them...

WEST ELM + GREAT DESIGNERS

I know I talk about West Elm... um a lot. But I can't get enough of their collaborations with David Stark and Stray Dog. Here are a few of the purchases I'll be making before summer starts.

How cool are these patterned frames?

 

I'm a nerd for anything as simple as this wire cube lamp.

This David Stark Rope Bowl is perfect for summer. What would you fill this with?

Love the simplicity of David Stark's Soup Can vases.

 I would love to have a matching set of these Stray Dog Table Lamps for my bedside tables.
 

This trellis shower curtain reminds me of Greece in the summer.

How adorable are these seersucker placemats?

I love the swirl patterns on these terracotta cylinder planters.

GOING GRAPHIC WITH WEST ELM

I'm back after a few very long, busy days in NYC.  I've been knee deep taking photos for O&B, edits, taxes (ugh!) and working on some upcoming projects and so my blogging has suffered just a bit, but I promise to be better friends.

I received this via email from West Elm this morning. Couldn't you imagine these patterns sew together as an amazing coverlet?

 I dove into the collection and there are definitely some fantastic new graphics. Here are a few of my favs...

 Mediterranean Lacquer Trays

 Sunshine Tea Towel (I'd love a dress made from this print!)

Modernist Bowls

Moroccan Canape Plates

Aegean-printed cotton mat

Do you have any favorites from West Elm's new collection?

STENCILING WITH LOTTA...

Has anyone been to West Elm recently? I stopped in with a friend on Saturday to attend a stenciling class given by the lovely Lotta Jansdotter.

Lotta was there promoting her new book, Handmade Living. With the patience of a saint, she gave instruction and feedback on stenciling napkins, plates, cups, etc.  I created my napkins in about hour with fabric paint and stencils. Super easy and fun to create! 

While waiting for our napkins to dry, I was delighted to find that West Elm is chock full of cool gift items for the Holidays. Here are a few that I'd love to receive in my stocking...

Origami coin banks

A pair of ceramic owls would make perfect bookends.

These lacquered nut bowls would be perfect for stashing jewelry on a nightstand.

A great alternative to traditional Holiday notecards.

Great stackable wooden boxes

And for entertaining... 

 Nature plates would be perfect on a console or buffet.

These Mad Men-inspired glasses would be perfect for cocktails

Silhouettes on the Couch...

Yesterday, I ventured out to West Elm to purchase the white Parson's desk for my office. Unfortunately, without a car the $99 delivery fee in Manhattan was a little steep, so I still need to figure out a creative way to get this home. I'm hoping I can find a kind taxi driver, who will let me shove it in their trunk. Wish me luck!

While I was there, I fell in love with these fabulous silhouette pillows, prints and trays from artist Mike Miller. I am a sucker for anything done in silhouette form, especially animals. 

I love it when large companies invite independent artists in to do guest collaborations. The results are usually stunning and these framed silhouette prints are no exception.

While researching for this post, I also found out that West Elm has collaborated with Benjamin Moore to  create a line of paints called Ben. All the perfect fall colors used in the new West Elm catalog (like the gorgeous blue above) are now featured on West Elm's site. Check it out here.