a sensational collaboration

I just read about the super talented stylist/curator/creator Emma Freemantle in the Nov. issue of World of Interiors (they've got a sweet story about her charming London houseboat.)  Her sense of style is so totally up my alley that I was compelled to visit her website, where there are lots more gorgeous images like the ones below.  These were published in (the now defunct?) Trace, and are a collaboration with another super talent, photographer Gisela Torres.  I mean, just, wow:

a little spring in my step

I know that winter hasn't even officially begun, but I'm already dreaming of warm weather again.  My current fantasy is a boating and sunbathing vacation someplace with crystal clear water.  And hats, under which to wear sparkly earrings.

Here are two iterations of a new simple style, colors inspired by the light hitting turquoise sea water... more to come soon!

...to live by

The famous Immaculate Heart College Art Dept Rules, by Sister Corita Kent.  Words of wisdom for anyone making anything:

when life gives you corks

I guess I've been living under a rock, to never have heard about the Champagne Chair contest that's apparently been going on for years.  The minute I heard about it, I rushed home to look for images of these miniature delights.  (I have a soft spot for the Veuve ones; when I was 18 and interning at Betsey Johnson in NY, I used to make rings out of that Grande Dame's discarded cork wrappers.  She wore one of them home from the studio one day, and I was indescribably proud.  Silly, I know.)

Anyhow, there are some very skillful seating creatives out there--feast your eyes:

 

 

think pink!

I'm feeling pink lately...

Walks past Pershing Square remind me of the "Think Pink!" scene from Funny Face:

Also, since I'm considering slipcovers for a fabulous vintage sofa, I can't get these out of my mind (at the Villa Medici, no less):

(from The Way we Live: An Ultimate Guide for Global Design Inspiration -- my new favorite decor/environment book, seriously.  Don't judge by the boring cover;  it has incredible images from around the world--spaces humble to opulent--unlike anything I've seen recently!)

Also, it's the best season for fruit (to my mind, anyway):

So, I'm making new pinkish red jewels for your ears this coming season!

Dip dyed

This is my favorite tree on my jog--I think it had a bad encounter with some lightning, but I just imagine it dipping its branch like an arm into a pot of india ink.

 

These shoes kinda remind me of it, like I just kicked my toe into a can of red paint:

Home as art

What an inventive living sculpture by the artist Paula Hayes.  She calls it a  "Living Room Necklace".

She makes beautiful terrariums too, check them out on her site.

zen ted

I love this shot of Ted Muehling in his studio.  His creations are always gorgeous, but right now I'm crushing on his calm workspace.  Sometimes I feel like the theme of my desk/bench is "entropy happens".

I'm a maximalist through and through but I am so impressed when I see artists who work this way....

From Vogue Living Australia (photo: Ditte Isager)

allora, flora

Speaking of flowers, these beautiful images are from a very old (Issue 02) copy of Bloom:

All photos credited to Cora, except third from bottom: Marcel van der Vlugt and

last two: Thomas Straub

just playing around

This is something new I started working on this weekend--it's a little Buccellati-inspired, I was just playing around with a scrap and a flower emerged. It's sort of an Iceland poppy, maybe a few different flowers would be nice, as stacking rings?

Gold Buccellati leaf cuff, sold to some lucky so-and-so a couple of years ago at Christie's:

realismo magico

I love these portraits by Christian Tagliavini. Maybe he found some 2.5th dimension between 2011 and the Renaissance? To me they are absolutely transcendent.

Dame di Cartone

1503

More art to add to my wish list!

a new find

In doing a bit of "research" I stumbled across the site for a must-visit store in Philadelphia called Material Culture. They sell special hand-made things from around the world...most of which I am now coveting:

Love this indigo:

C'est chic, l'Afrique....mud cloth:

To add to my vessel collection: how pretty are these Syrian copper pots? I'd fill them with water and float candles or gardenias by the front door...

I'm making neutral slipcovers right now, but I always like bright colors against muted ones. I also love the fringe-y elements on these:

And finally, for the garden!

Such a celebration of art & craft...I hope I can make a trip out to visit in person sometime.

fiat lux

I've had these white "Greek" agate beads for almost a year now, feeling like I really need to use them, actually just start using beads in general...a new direction coming on.

These are huge (like 3") and so kind of unwieldy, but the shape and feel of these is so good. Agate has been used in jewelry since the ancient Greeks and is supposed to have protective/healing properties for the wearer.

rock 'n' roll

I know I'm kinda projecting here, but I love the way the jewelry in this image lends itself to the weaponry--the belts and necklaces look like amulets, or even ammunition....

Below, some of my personal (vintage) Navajo finery.

(From The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair)

summer teal

Just a little party inspiration, before I head away to a festive weekend:

(top: Natorium Undine, 1927 and bottom: Music, 1920, both by Florine Stettheimer. From Florine Stettheimer: Manhattan Fantastica)

My new favorite polish color, I'm calling it summer teal--just like the pretty greens in Florine's paintings: