SIMPLY A GREAT WEEKEND...

Okay, I've been basically shouting this from the rooftops since Friday, but Octavia & Brown was featured as a top vintage shop on Etsy in the April issue of Lonny Magazine! A owe a huge thank you to Michelle and Ellie, who I met at the fantastic P.S. I Made This event at Kate Spade back in the Fall. Check out the feature here (as well as some other very cool vintage shops)...

On Saturday, I ventured over the Pier Art & Antiques Show at Pier 94 in NYC. I'd never been before and wasn't sure what to expect. Lucky for me, it was a mix of mid-century modern, art deco, 50s kitsch, as well as more traditional dealers. I ended up with some fantastic finds including a silver plate humidor, a bright yellow enamel bowl and three gorgeous sets of glasses. All will be coming to Octavia & Brown this week! Be sure to check back...

Some other finds from the show...

FAUX BOIS LIVING

My fascination with wood continues... Yesterday, I played hooky and visited the Picasso Guitars exhibit at the MoMA. (If you live in or around NYC it's a must see). I was fascinated by Picasso's use of faux bois (or fake/false wood) paper in his work. When you think of faux bois today, it might conjure up images of the kind of stuff you see covering cheap particle board furniture, but in the form of wallpaper it definitely peaked my interest.

 Image courtesy of MoMA

Image courtesy of MoMA

Last night I started looking around for "fake wood" pieces done in an interesting way. Here are a few of my favs...

I stumbled across this Soft Wood Sofa by Front at Moss. It closely resembles a solid wood bench, but instead it's photo printed fabric over foam. So soft and comfy. I want one!

This Woody Table Lamp combines real wood and faux bois in a modern way. 

Faux Bois Placemats at BLTD

 OMFB (Oh my faux bois!) screen printed pint glasses by Vital

 Love these! Wish they had more at Something's Hiding in There

This has been posted everywhere, but I love these faux bois floors featured in Coastal Living.

 Faux Bois Vase by Jadeflower

Faux Bois Rug by Horchow

Last, but not least cool packaging found on Pinterest by Viva Bailey via sfgirlbybay

 

SIMPLE WOOD, GREAT DESIGN

This weekend, I was down in DC spending some quality time with my sister and her family. Between rain showers, we were able to take a number of walks outside. Living in NYC, I forget how nice it is to walk through neighborhoods with tree-lined streets. It got me thinking about how much I love wood as a material. It's so simple yet has such great texture, color and shape. 

While rustic tables and chairs are great and I've written about reclaimed wood (here), recently I've been fascinated by modern designs, all made from wood. Here are a few of my favs. 

Kart Chair by HarBenger2

Jenny Tables by Maria Bjørlykke (The tops flip over to make trays) found via Design Boom

Maple Clock Studio by Off Cut Studio

Wishbone Chair at Design Within Reach

 Desk organizer by Less and More

Modern Child Chair by Jessedirk

White AT Symbol by Edie's Lab

 Abstract Wall Art by Paint Square

Media Cabinet by Wüd Furniture Design

 

GRAPHIC FRIDAY

Yesterday I had every intention of posting about these lovely geometric prints I'd seen at {Black. White. Yellow} Totally graphic, colorful and right up my alley.

However,  NYC had different plans for me. As I was packing to DC, my rental car got towed. Apparently I was just a little too close to a fire hydrant. After a few hours and some hefty fees, my car was free and I was on my way to DC.

Today, I hope to get down to some of the fantastic antique and thrift stores on the Eastern Shore. Last trip, I came home with a ton of glassware and cool finds. If there's anything you're looking for, let me know.

Here are a few more geometric items, inspired by these prints. Happy Friday!

Diagonal Abstract Print by Twoems

Geometric Ring by No Milk Today

 LUC - Prototyp, 2010

 Geometric Print by Daddy-Studio.com via Pinterest

Japanese Washi Tape at Pretty Tape

City in Pink Print by In a Luxe

 Vintage Swissair Print from the 70s via Pinterest

Decorative Pillow Cover by Kyoozi

PRETTY IN PAINT

After dyeing Easter eggs, I love dumping the mugs of dye into the sink to see what new colors form.  NY artist Holton Rower has created a psychedelic version of this by pouring layers of bright paint over large blocks.

 Image courtesy of Holton Rower

Check out the video below to see how it's done. How fun would this be?


* Via Poppytalk and Honestly WTF

GRAY SKIES, COOL INTERIORS

To me, gray is the ultimate neutral. A gray wall or couch can transform with a single pop of color, while at the same time can appear so sleek and elegant with metallic and blush tone accents.

 Canadian House and Home

Apartment Therapy

House Beautiful

Source Unknown

Elle Decor

Lonny Magazine

Source Unknown

Elle Decor

 Source Unknown

Image courtesy of P.S. I Made This

Lonny Magazine

AND THE WINNERS ARE... THE MEN

I'm not a huge awards show person, but I found myself eagerly watching the Oscars last night among friends. While most people focus on the stunning dresses (and there were many last night), I'd like to turn our attention to the guys for a moment.

I'd like to give a huge round of applause to the men, like Justin Timberlake who shunned the hipster skinny black tie and instead donned a well tailored tux with wide lapels and a perfectly hand-tied bow tie, staples of the old Hollywood glamour of the 1930s. The late, great Cary Grant would have been proud. Well done, Justin. Jesse Eisenberg and Zach Levi please take note.

Other standouts included... The ever elegant Colin Firth in Tom Ford. Perfect for his Best Actor win.

Jeremy Renner traded his track suit for a well-tailored tux with a midnight blue lapel. Interesting twist.

Kevin Spacey and Josh Brolin both look perfectly polished, one opting for a classic single button tux, the other looking smart in a 3-piece tux.

And Hugh Jackman shined in his double-breasted Ferragamo tux. His wife, eh not sure what that was...

Well done, guys. I'd like to see more men opting for this timeless look in the future...