the quilted giraffe

Tory Burch at Home

2010-04-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

(Tory Burch in her Upper East Side residence.)

I know absolutely everyone and their grandmother owns a pair of Tory Burch's Reva ballet flats (well, I don't, actually!), but I still love Tory Burch. Her designs are classic Americana--bright and colorful, but not extreme--and she's an incredible designer and business woman, super stylish, and a blogger. Plus, she has an amazing Upper East Side apartment, which I think reflects her design sensibility very well. Tina Barney shot some ads for Tory Burch's Spring 2010 line in her apartment, and look how well the decor and clothes go together!

I love the wallpaper and upholstery by Quadrille.

I love the floral print here, though I think I'd go for the dress, rather than the jumpsuit! And look how well it coordinates with the wallpaper and velvet upholstery.

You can't see much of it here, but Tory's apartment has been featured in Vogue and ELLE, and the entry is very striking, with a shiny black floor and hand-painted Gracie chinoiserie wallpaper.

Drama!

Top photo from ELLE, all others from Tory Burch.

Milkglass

2010-04-08T10:19:00.000-04:00

Recently, I've developed quite a thing for milk glass, especially Fenton hobnail milk glass, with ruffled edges. I was obsessed with sterling silver julep cups, the real ones from the Kentucky Derby, but those go for over $300, easily. Fortunately, milk glass is a lot more affordable! (Colored milk glass is harder to find, and thus more expensive, but I prefer the white kind.) Look at all these cute options, currently on ebay for under $10.

This little sugar bowl is currently at $4.99!

I love these tall, ruffled dishes. Wouldn't this be great with a big ice cream sundae inside? Get it now for just $0.99!

Here's another, and you can buy this one now for just $4.70!

I've never seen anything quite like these--they're footed bowels, but they have candleholders built in along the inside edges. They would make a great centerpiece at a dinner party!

And while we're on the subject of dinner parties, this ruffled bon bon dish would look great filled with nuts, or a dip and crudites.

Is there anything you like collecting?

A Progression

2010-03-31T17:29:00.000-04:00

There was a really neat feature in ELLE Interiör, the Swedish version of ELLE Decor, showing the progression of a table from minimalist to maximalist (maybe).

Minimalist:

In between:

Almost there:

Voila! Maximalist!

(I love the giant scrabble tile on the floating shelf here!)

I normally think of Swedish or Scandinavian style as tending towards minimalism, with lots of neutral colors, clean lines, and light walls and floors, but even the last (maximalist?) picture strikes me as unmistakably Scandinavian. There's a lot of stuff on the table there, but it's not jam-packed or visually heavy. This isn't English country maximalism, with large-scale chintzy prints and overstuffed Chesterfield sofas! (Which I do like.) I think it helps that the colors of all the accessories are in the same pallet-- you'll notice that almost everything is black or white, with small pops of yellow.

So what do you think: is that last photo really "maximalist", or does it just look that way in comparison to the first photo? And which do you like best?

(All photos from www.elleinterior.se)

Urban Wed, part 2

2010-03-25T10:22:00.001-04:00

Urban Wed was fun! It was nice meeting some of the vendors, especially those who have blogs I follow. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but Jen Huang was there snapping away, so I've posted a few of her lovely photos.

To be honest, I don't think I really learned anything at the event that I couldn't have learned from a vendor's website, but the event space was very nicely decorated, and it was fun seeing people's portfolios in real life.

I did say hello to Bryn of Paper Finger, and she said she might start teaching a calligraphy class. I'd be first in line to sign up if she did! She also let me play with some of her rubber stamps, which was fun.

Hatch Creative Studio did a lot of the styling, including this gorgeous table:

The stamped books on the mantle are cute:

I loved seeing Paper+Cup in person. Very impressive-- they have a huge portfolio, with lots of different styles. There's a Paper+Cup book coming out soon, styled by Randi Brookman Harris, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Sam Beasley of Samuelle Couture was there with a few of her beautiful dresses. She also had a bunch of sketches on her table, complete with fabric swatches, and those were really fun to look through. (I'd frame one if they were for sale!)

There was a photo booth, with props courtesy of Paper Finger. I guess the hipster mustache trend isn't over yet!

And there were adorable little cupcakes by Nine Cakes. The frosting-to-cake ratio was a little much for me, but they were so cute!

All and all, a very fun evening. And now I really want to learn calligraphy! Paper Finger, are you reading this?

(This is not a complete list of the vendors present. I couldn't find photos for all of them. All photos by Jen Huang Photography.)

Urban Wed

2010-03-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

If you live in the NYC area and like to read wedding blogs (guilty as charged!), you probably know that the lovely Vané of Brooklyn Bride and ten other fabulous vendors are hosting an event called Urban Wed tonight and tomorrow. But did you know you can score free tickets with the code urbanwedMSW? I'm going tonight, and really looking forward to meeting some of my favorite designers and bloggers, especially Bryn of Paperfinger! (Have you seen her work? It's incredible!)

So go on, it's not too late to get a ticket!

Sailor Girl

2010-03-23T10:52:00.000-04:00

Happy spring, everyone!

Isn't this little clothespeg sailor girl doll by Jill Bent just the sweetest? Since it is spring now, I wish I could start wearing striped tees (with no jacket!), but unfortunately the only thing nautical about the weather today is all the rain coming down! This little sailor girl looks pretty comfortable in the rain though, doesn't she?

In addition to clothespeg dolls, Jill Bent makes bags and pillows. She also blogs, and posts really lovely photos.

(all photos by Jill Bent)

Clipper Teas

2010-03-05T11:58:00.000-05:00

I recently came across the British tea company Clipper, and I'm smitten with their packaging. It's sweet and whimsical and completely charming. And they've been bitten by the Alice in Wonderland bug too-- fortunately in a very understated way. If only Clipper teas were available in the US!

Are you going to watch Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland this weekend? (Did you know it was first made into a movie in 1903? I just learned that yesterday!)

Molly Carey Jewelry

2010-03-03T11:53:00.000-05:00

I recently came across the work of Molly Carey. She has a dream job as the designer of J. Crew's wedding collection, and she also designs these breathtaking necklaces. Each necklace is handmade and one-of-a-kind, created from vintage pieces. These showstopping statement necklaces would look stunning worn with a neutral black or grey dress.

You can read a great interview with Molly here.

I can't wait to see more of this designer's work!

Linda and Harriett

2010-03-02T15:30:00.000-05:00

There are lots of really good letterpress stationers around these days, but if I had to pick I think Linda and Harriett would be my favorite. And they're having a (really good) sale. Run, don't walk!!

I have these....

and these.

And I'm going to get this:

And this:

And maybe even this. If you really twist my arm.

An Alternative Dress

2010-03-01T13:51:00.000-05:00

I don't usually post photos directly from other blogs, but I couldn't resist this gorgeous wedding dress. It's Matthew Williamson, and it's utterly fabulous! I don't know if I could pull off a multicolored maxi dress, but I really like alternative wedding dresses.

Beautiful, right? This dress is no longer available, but I found a couple of other dresses that would be great outside-the-box wedding dresses.

More Matthew Williamson!

Do you love stripes (and Thread Social!) as much as I do?

This lovely Grecian gown is modeled by New York City Ballet dancer Ellen Bar.

So tell me: would you wear a non-traditional wedding dress?

The Working Proof

2010-02-23T14:55:00.000-05:00

(Photo from Lonny, vol. 3.)

I'm a firm believer in affordable art-- I don't think something needs to be exclusive or expensive to be beautiful or to be called artwork.

I think everyone reading this blog knows about 20x200. Every Tuesday (that means today!) and Wednesday at 2pm, limited-edition art and photographs are put up for sale at only $20. I love 20x200 because it showcases so many different styles of art.

Cotton Field, Mississippi, by Shuli Hallak, available at 20x200.

Contact High, by Jeff Bridges. Available at 20x200. This looks like swirly lollipops to me! It's in the kitchen photo I posted at the top of this post.

Another new-to-me source for affordable artwork is The Working Proof. It's not as large as 20x200, but it has some very nice pieces. Plus, the proceeds from the sale of artwork go to charity, so it's all for a good cause. I really like this mixed media piece by Susan Schwake.

On the Rocks, by Susan Schwake.

The blackbirds look so nice again the peachy-pink rocks.

What are your favorite sources for affordable artwork?

Tea, please.

2010-02-22T12:21:00.000-05:00

Are you a tea person? I know I am! I've really gotten into loose-leaf tea in the past couple of years. It really does taste infinitely better that teabags, and there are so many fun varieties to try. I've only scratched the surface! I'm in the market for a new teapot, so I thought I'd do a little teapot roundup today. There are so many really beautiful pots, and a teapot is an easy and affordable way to bring a little beauty to the everyday.

How fun is the pointy gold top of this Magic Flute Sarasto Teapot? At $460, I'll be admiring this one from afar, though!

I love this "New/Old" tea set by Christine Misniak. It's handmade out of brass and copper, and is an incredibly reasonable £50. This one will be going on my Christmas list!

Glass teapots like this Simone Teapot ($48) are fun because you get to watch the tealeaves slowly unfurl and the colors change.

The classic shape, updated in a perky yellow color. Citizen Teapot, $27.

Classic Japanese teapots, like this Iwachu Nailhead Teapot ($220) are made out of cast iron and are incredibly solid. There's no danger of breaking this pot, so it will last a lifetime!

The new Alice in Wonderland movie is coming out next month, and I can't wait to see it. How fun would it be to throw a post-viewing Mad Hatter teaparty?

Happy tea drinking!

Vintage Accessories

2010-02-17T15:20:00.002-05:00

(It's all about the details here.)

Vintage. Antique. Thrifted. There's something so charming about the idea of combing through boxes (or racks) at a thrift or vintage store, and coming across that perfect accessory, lamp, painting, or dress. Some people really excel at it, but it takes time and dedication. And I seem to lack that. Plus, thrift stores really do smell strange.

That's why I'm so excited about some fabulous, well-edited online vintage shops that I've come across recently. I could never do a room in full-on vintage, but little accents here and there--a lamp, a vintage letter opener, a silverplate dish--really add a touch of unique charm and whimsey.

Three vintage stores that I'm really loving right now are High Street Market, The Sunday Times Market, and the newly-opened Katie Armour Home. I really like brass and marble animal-shaped accessories-- they're charming without being too cutesy. Here are some of my faves from these etsy sellers:

(Bonus: these are all under $50.)

Dashing marble horse head bookends, $34.

This adorable little brass piglet paperweight ($26) would make even the most daunting pile of papers more manageable!

These brass planters ($26) are very unique, and would look great on a windowsill, with some greenery trailing out. Our you could use them as bookends.

How adorable is this owl milk glass dish ($38)? It would look great on a little girl's dresser, or even on an entryway console table.

If you're going for a more masculine touch, I think this brass penguin ($45) would fit the bill. At nearly a foot tall, it would look great on a bar table (they're all the rage now!) or on a side table in a gentleman's study.

Happy shopping! And tell me: what are your favorite sources for vintage home accessories?

(Top image: source unknown.)

178 Square Foot Studio

2010-02-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

How inspiring is this 178 sq. foot studio featured in the New York Times yesterday? This is the Brooklyn studio of Zach Motl, a young up-and-coming interior designer. He's clearly a maximalist, and it totally works in this space--the carefully curated objects make the studio look complex and layered, not claustrophobic. I live in a tiny NYC studio too, and I really liked seeing what he did to dress up the (unrenovated) kitchen and bathroom. He painted the bathroom an inky midnight blue, and put green paneling on the kitchen backsplash. These are great ideas for renters, because they're cheap, easy to install, and--this is important--easy to remove when you move out.

I really like the wooden tennis rackets on the walls. In the article, Zach says he sees them on the street all the time. I guess I should look more carefully, because I've never seen any!

The kitchen definitely makes the most of very limited space--notice the wine rack on the wall to the right of the sink. Genius!

I really want to paint my bathroom now! And little details like the potted orchid really jazz up an otherwise very utilitarian space.

All photos: Robert Wright for The New York Times

Lonny, vol. 3

2010-02-10T12:10:00.000-05:00

I'm sure this is going to be all over every design blog, but make sure to check out the third issue of Lonny, Michelle Adams' fabulous online decor mag.

As someone with an old, unrenovated bathroom featuring a Pepto Bismol pink floor, I'm loving this shot of Lizzie Bailey's bathroom. The wallpaper looks fantastic against the pink tile.

And isn't this teal headboard with nail head trim fantastic? Maybe that will be my next diy project. It actually reminds me a lot of this headboard from High Street Market, so I know it can be done!

Read the entire issue here-- there's nothing like curling up with a great magazine on a cold, snowy day!

Pretty Paper

2010-02-09T10:10:00.000-05:00

Don't you love paper and stationary? I know I do! There are so many gorgeous designs out there, and stationary is (relatively) affordable, and an easy way to brighten up the ordinary. If only I could stop hoarding it...

Anyway, for my very first post on this blog I thought I'd highlight some new designs that I'm absolutely loving.

I recently discovered MaeMae by Megan Gonzalez, and I'm in love with her bright, whimsical designs. And they're affordable, too!

Dempsey and Carroll, a venerable stationary company, recently released envelopes lined with reproductions of popular Schumacher textiles. I'm loving the Chiang Mai dragon print (and I'm sure Little Green Notebook is too!)

If I had to pick a favorite, I think I'd go with Erin Jang. She's a graphic designer who designs for Esquire, and creates the most amazing, thought-out custom invitations. Isn't this wedding menu delightful?

I'm loving all the details in this custom wedding suite.