June 15, 2012 7

Wedding Crafts

By in DIY, Wedding

The wedding is in just three months and the crafts have begun. We’re making all the decorations ourselves for the same reasons most people do that sort of thing: we’re on a tight budget, we’re crafty, and we’re adorably ambitious. We’re crafting for those reasons but I’m in it for the CONTROL. There will be no surprises.

I’ve been putting most of my energy into figuring out the centerpieces. They’ll be made mostly of peach and pink watercolor paper flowers with real flowers, vases, and other fun stuff mixed in. I’m using Rachel from Heart of Light‘s tutorial to make these amazing flowers. They’re labor intensive because you’re doing everything short of making your own paper out of pulp. They’re worth it.



I’m also making little double tetrahedrons to break up the sea of paper flowers. For these, I used the printable template and instructions for double tetrahedrons (and other awesome 3D shapes) right here. I made some quick edits to remove the color and resize the template to make a traceable stencil for my double tetrahedrons. It just so happens they’re perfect for the way too heavy 140 lb watercolor paper I originally bought for the paper flowers before I read the instructions. Paper flowers work best with 90 lb or lighter paper; double tetrahedrons think the extra weight is pretty hot, actually.

I’m using cheap craft acrylic paint and my favorite gold striped washi tape to decorate the shapes’ faces’. A metal cuticle pusher is great for scoring the paper for crisp folds. Paint/washi tape before you fold and glue for the best results!




See that? Three trends (watercolor, color blocking, geometric shapes) in one centerpiece. And four if you throw in the gold dipped vase! My centerpieces do it all.

In non-wedding news, I’ll be in San Francisco next week for something new and exciting that I can’t wait to tell you about!

June 7, 2012 3

This Week’s Nails

By in Nails

This Week's Nails

This week my nails are wearing:
Essie – Da Bush | Sally Hansen – Mellow Yellow | Essie – Tart Deco | Essie – Who is the Boss | Essie – Lilacism | Essie – Blanc

May 23, 2012 0

ICFF 2012

By in Furniture, Roundup, Trends, Want

The ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) and the NSS (National Stationery Show) are my favorite trade-shows/fairs. I had the opportunity to attend the show again this year (see last year’s post) and really enjoyed it. Although ICFF is typically a showcase for new and upcoming trends, I was really happy to see existing trends like bright colors, geometric shapes, walnut, and brass still growing strong; I am not even close to being tired of any of them. Copper made a strong showing this year on everything from table bases to tiffins. Get ready to see tons of it popping up everywhere in the next year.

I snapped a few pictures of my show favorites to share with you, take a look!


[Debra Folz Design Studio | Søren Rose Studio]


[Jonathan Adler]


[Bend]


[Areaware]


[Slade Architecture]



[Blu Dot]


[Lindsey Adelman Studio]

I want all of these things in my home, don’t you?

May 15, 2012 8

Dining Room

By in Apartment, Furniture

For a long time, our dining room went largely unused. It was an empty room with only one little boring rug. We ate our meals in the living room on the coffee table in front of the television like true Americans.

But we wanted to be better. I hunted Craiglist and all the usual thrift and consignment stores, searching for that elusive Danish Modern set I was sure I would find. And really, the selection out there is pretty good if you’ve got an extra $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket. Anyone? Anyone?

Then I found this:

For $80. I know. So it isn’t Danish and it’s not that Kent Coffey set it might pretend to be at a distance. And the table isn’t great, it has a laminate top and the legs are uggo. But c’mon. It looks good.

You may have noticed that gorgeous kilim hanging out under the table. In fact, you may not have been able to look at the dining set, completely distracted by Turkish woven beauty.

It was my first eBay purchase in a long time and I couldn’t be happier. I had hoped to find something wider but am perfectly happy with how well it works in the room. I love the border most of all – bright triangles on black, like colorful farfalle dancing around us while we eat.

The dining room has become my favorite place in the apartment. Andy and I feel like real grown-ups now, sitting down to dinner at our table, talking about how our days went with Penelope curled up at our feet.

May 1, 2012 2

Patience and Coats

By in Apartment

I don’t really like coat racks. There’s something about coats hanging out in the open in an entryway that makes me uncomfortable. It’s a type of clutter I don’t know how to deal with, unlike books or vases or vintage knick-knackery. I have, however, remained open to the idea of open-air coat hanging, pending the selection of the perfect rack.

And so, for the nearly three years I’ve lived in this apartment, coats have been hung in closets (occasionally) or piled on chairs (all of the time.) When Marne lived here with me, she begged for a coat rack. When Andy moved in, he begged for a coat rack. But I said no. No, because I hadn’t found the perfect one yet. You may wonder how a mess of coats piled on a chair was acceptable to someone so concerned with coat clutter or maybe how such a person could find such patient roommates: denial and charm.

What I’ve really wanted all along was the limited edition Eames Hang-it-All. I love the classic design, all grown up with black metal and walnut. But at around $250, it was always just too much.
And then, like magic, after years of waiting, Morgan of The Brick House saved the day. I read her post about her Hang-it-All knock-off and immediately clicked over to Simply Benches and ordered one of my very own for $99.

It’s here and it’s fabulous and I don’t even feel bad about buying a knock-off because Morgan did it first. I’m such a fan girl.

April 28, 2012 11

It’s a Hit

By in Trends, Vanity

This month, my little Dipped SVALBO table became super popular on Pinterest (so many pins!). Thanks to everyone who pinned and repinned and repinned!

And this week, my table was featured on Apartment Therapy (!!!) in a post about the dipped furniture trend. This brings me one step closer to my one of my life goals: having my very own house tour on Apartment Therapy.

I’m extremely honored that my table has also been featured on Centsational Girl, Miss Moss, and The Huffington Post’s Stylelist Home. I’m 100% living the ‘new phonebook’ scene from The Jerk.

So to everyone who has stumbled upon my little blog one way or another, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.

April 16, 2012 7

Nails: Facets, Colorblock, & Clouds

By in Nails, Trends

My nail art abilities have progressed since my last nails post. If you follow me on Instagram (you do, don’t you?) then you see me showin’ off my manis all the time. I’m in the habit of painting my nails at least once a week, usually twice, and sometimes thrice. And yes, it takes forever. But like all things meticulous, it soothes me.

My favorite nail blog is Nailside. I can’t get over her Abstract 80s nails, frequently repeat her Freehand Clouds look, and am still perfecting her Explosion Mani.

Do you have a favorite nail blog? Please share!

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