Just Say It

A lot of times design and art are left to be interpreted. I say it's time we just put it out there. Just say what we want to say.

Love a certain place? Let people know it! This is a fun little Acapulco pillow... 

"Gypset" room at Space519

Maybe you don't have one specific thing to say... that's okay, this Letterpress Rug from cb2 lets you get away with that...

www.cb2.com

Throw your Peace Sign up JA style, right when guests walk into your entry...

image via Jonathan Adler

The dining room was designed for one purpose... eating. Let your guests know they wont go home hungry...

Image via Design Sponge

I need this pillow to get me to the gym everyday.... :)

Check out more of Jonathan Adler's verbal pillows! 

Get your kiddos started early in the game of scrabble...

Image via Posh Tots

Put a Rug Under It...

Today I stopped by my friends rug shop Al-Sahara Oriental Rugs down on Grand & Franklin, I love stopping by there to see what new treasures he has piled up and I always leave feeling inspired. Many times I feel like people don't see the value in a good rug. A rug is something that can last decades and decades, you can pass it down for generations. When people are doing complete redesigns on their space, I always emphasize starting with a beautiful rug and stemming out from there.

Image via: One Kings Lane

The above image and below image are both images of beautiful Kilim Rugs, Kilim's are my favorite of all types of rugs. I love the beautiful colors and rawness of the rugs materials. 

^^This Kilim is mine, I love the variety of colors, and it's about 40 years old or so! :)

Look at all of the stunning colors that stemmed from the area rug, Martyn Lawrence Bullard does it again, piling on colors and patterns and making it look beautiful!

Image via One Kings Lane, Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Here are some rugs that I left feeling inspired by, maybe it will inspire you too!

Love the deep pigments in this Sarok:

I find this geometric pattern very interesting in this Shiraz rug:

This Gabbih rug reminds me of mens suiting. I think it would look amazing in a masculine setting...

The Temps Are Dropping!

The temps are dropping outside, time to cuddle up with your favorite throw, light a fire and sip some hot tea! Here in Chicago it has been one heck of an Indian Summer, but now that Fall has decided to make it's presence, she sure hasn't been shy! All of these chilly winds and rainy days has me thinking of throw blankets, pillows, good smelling candles and yummy teas. Here are a few of my top picks that have me ready to switch my decor up for the long season ahead of us!

I love this throw from Serena & Lilly, this Cape Blanket is made from cotton but very warm and weighty:

Serena & Lilly: Cape Blanket

You can't go wrong with a classic zig zag pattern, here Jonathan Adler does it right with hand loomed baby alpaca wool:

Jonathan Adler: Zig-Zag throw

I love the two following throws from cb2:

Such a clever name, I love the Linus throw. It instantly takes me back to m childhood watching the peanuts. Hopefully it does that for you, minus the actual smell of Linus. :)

cb2: Linus throw

Love the graphic lines on this Ludhyana Throw, it looks like someone just took charcoal and drew them on:

cb2: Ludhyana Throw

I am all about chunky things, (as long as it's not on my hips!) The next throw from West Elm has an awesome "chunky" factor:

West Elm: Chunky Tassel Throw

I am usually not a fan of monograms, but for some reason this one I just LOVE. Maybe because the monogrammed letter isn't in your typical "monogrammed" font, it has a hand written essence to it, and the body of the throw is a menswear herringbone, which is also one of my favorite things! (love the gray colorway!) I want to put this one on my wedding registry for the fiance and I, I can just picture cuddling up with a nice hot tea or glass of wine on a cold night! 

West Elm: Herringbone Throw

My morning with the Million Dollar Decorator!

In the past I have heard of the show Million Dollar Decorators, my co-worker spoke highly of it, I always meant to watch it, but never seemed to catch it on TV. Recently I saw an ad for Schumacher Fabrics and it was jaw dropping good. Every pixel on the paper dripped my style. COLOR, COLOR, COLOR mixed with PATTERN, PATTERN, PATTERN!

Loving this fabric they were promoting still not knowing who one of the "Million Dollar Decorator" really was. A month or so later, all the lovely keynote speakers were announced for Design Week at the Merchandise Mart, one was going to talk about how to get a license for a fabric. I am always looking for new ways to learn how to build my design future, so this definitely struck my fancy....

This morning it all clicked together, "How to get a licensed fabric" + beautiful Schumacher ad + Martyn Lawrence-Bullard = "Ooooh, that's the guy from the show Million Dollar Decorators?!?"

Boy, was I wowed. Not only is Martyn's talent and taste stunning and full of beautiful textiles that make you giddy, but he is an all around funny guy! His presentation was interesting and delightful. He seems to be a very humble person grateful for all the amazing design avenues he has been given.

So today, I left the presentation bursting at the seems of my emerald green blazer with nothing but loads and loads of inspiration. Oh and I also got to leave with a signed copy of his book "Live, Love & Decorate" of course, signed with "a delicious kiss" I can't wait to crack it open tonight and read through his design journeys!

Here are some images of Martyn Lawrence-Bullard's work, and if you are like me, and really didn't know the show or who he was before, I encourage you to take a look. I hope you feel as inspired as myself. :)

Thank you Martyn and Schumacher Fabrics for such a great presentation today!

*All images via Martyn Lawrence-Bullard Design and/or Schumacher Fabrics

Color me ORANGE!

Fall is whispering though my windows, the crisp air brushing my hair. This time of year always has a lovely feeling. Adding the layers to your wardrobe, drinking hot tea and burning autumn scented candles. Bringing to mine the color orange. Oh, how I love the color orange, in the fall time the color orange washes over everything...

Yesterday, I went to Treasure Island to get a few groceries, and I passed this bin full of fall goodies, it made me feel instantly inspired by the fresh season coming our way...

 

...Look at all these beautiful fall veggies and how their natural colors mingle so well together. 

The siting of this beautiful tree as it transitions to fall makes my heart happy!

Orange is a beautiful color that I love to infuse everywhere, take a look at this peacefully orange bedroom, I would love to cuddle up with a good design book and yummy mint tea...

Image via: Living Etc. 

I love Jonathan Adler's happy personal Dining Room filled with this trademark whimsy...

Image via: Elle Decor

Even a little pop of orange can be fun, like this orange kitchen door...

Image via: Elle Decor

I love orange so much I used it as a main color on this awesome highboy dresser that I handpainted...

So whatever your inspiration, maybe the fall weather, pumpkins or that old orange car you drove as a teenager, let that drive your inspiration for your interior spaces, wardrobe or even hair color. (like myself!)