June swoon - finally, the new magazines

were at Wegman's. The grocery store. Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and Traditional Home. Not Barnes & Noble the book store - hopefully they'll be stocking the foreign issues soon enough. I don't rest until I've bought every rag with house, home, decor, decoration, interiors, living, casa, and cote in the title. And then what?

In spite of a dry spell in the inspiration atmosphere I'm hoping to spy a bit or a piece or two that just vibrates me. So far, there's a lot for me to like about the Michael DePerno spread in Elle Decor. A midcentury-modern house with soft neutrals, vintage pieces, organic warmth, Asian elements, and deftly layered accessories. Refined simplicity with no foofaraw (dictionary.com word of the day - just wanted to throw that out there).

 

 

 

 

 

OK, so do these digs cause my heart to race and my tongue to swell? No, but the living room makes me smile. I look at it, and I smile and get a warm feeling inside. That may just have to be good enough right now.

Where has all the inspiration gone?

I honestly don't know what has happened to my verve. My blogging attempts have been lackluster and I need to run into a kick in the ass to move me past this dry spell. I had a fun visit with an energetic blogger yesterday and was inspired to get cranking on some projects I've been casting aside. Working out of the funk - probably just what I need.

That, and a quick dose of the dashing James.

One of my long time favorite blogs, What is James Wearing, never fails to delight.

 

 

 

All the white, blue, and pink reminds me of a lot of things I've got going on over at Casa Blanca. There's inspiration in that gay man in a Speedo, I tell ya.

Stay snazzy my friends.

The shizz going on in my bedroom

Piece, by little piece, my bedroom is making moves toward being finished. And, it's really the strangest room in the house for me because I had zero vision for it from the beginning, and still don't totally get it. The way things have come together is not completely unfortunate looking, and generally I find it pleasant, but the final moves could be crucial in making or breaking it for me. Sure, I share the room with my housie, Mr. Man, so I did keep his comfort in mind whilst making decisions, and he's happy. And I'm not bummed, but there's one important aspect to be decided - art for a huge white wall... here's a huge idea from Black Crow Studios. Oh, hells yea! Custom wallcovering by artist Karla Davison. Framed for my bare wall. I could get with this

And here's the wall (presented in crappy phone camera shots)

And what else?

some orange pillows

these carved wooden things

The pieces bedside are the artifacts (makes them sound way more important than they are) that I want to mount on brass rods into a plexi base.

2 chairs that need wee pillows

table that needs something

big vases that are now lamps with black shades

the rug

 And a review of the ceiling

Are you seeing it? I've got bedding squared away. The lamps are ready to be picked up. I need a floor lamp. I've been planning on this one

flos glo-ball floor lamp

Just one. Behind this chair (and not a word about my temporary paper blinds - drapery in progress)

Then, there's the manly armoire with TV. And baskets. I don't want to like baskets. I'm afraid they're too BH&G. I'm just not sure what to put in that space. I need art on that wall, so maybe with that, I wouldn't feel the need to fill the void. How about some of you design junkies weighing in on baskets? Hmmm..? Have a go - please!

the question of basketry

Finally, here's a peek into the en suite bath

i want an antique rug

the vintage fixture over the tub

I know it's disjointed, especially looking at crappy images, but I guess I could be feeling it once the final details are in place.What am I missing?

black crow images via vt via nkp

There's just something about you that I like

It's popping out at me and there's an attraction. Maybe I'd want to take you home, if I could. Maybe a wink and a nod and we part ways. But I'm looking.

pink!

table & chairs!

shiny, shiny... green!

black & white & stripes

junked up wall

wow! look at that floor

pattern on pattern on and on

beautiful textile wall hanging

via peacock feathers, m.design interiors, house beautiful, luxe, 
everythingleb, desire to inspire, martyn lawrence-bullard

Oh, I like a little bit of everything and a lot of some things, but never will I ever like branches in vases. Get off of that pink..

Raiding the Secret Warehouse

I haven't visited my hoard in quite some time, but I had to go fish out a piece that a friend may be using for her project - what a fun trip! Nothing I really can use right now, but you never know.

My mission was to grab this bamboo-ish daybed to take measurements. One idea in the mix is to refinish with a darker stain, use black 'leather' for the cushion and black wool boucle for two bolsters across the back. I'd say that'd be snazzy. LLUVIT! Robin may be luving it too!

I've had these two wittle stacking ottos for forever. I really want to do something fun with them. Paint and upholstery. But for where? For what? For who? Hmmm..., what could they be?

This tile picture. I'd like to be able to think of another way to frame it. Or use it. Or something. Any ideas?

I like the colors in my library.

Some kind of carved wood things that I have no ideas for. I don't see them anywhere in my house right now. Mount one on a brass rod and plexi and stand it somewhere? Actually, they may be pretty beside my bed mounted that way.

And in other developments, these found their way to me from Sarasota via Twin Daughter 2 who picked them up for me at the Women's Exchange there.

I know. Pretty, right? But don't confuse them with these

Cuz those are 500 bucks each on 1stdibs. Mine were 75ea at one of the best thrifties ever!

And then. And then...

The dining room chairs! Scouted and secured by ATL bestie Donna, and watched over at the refinishers by ATL bestie Robin. They've been stripped and finished and they'll be on their way to the upholsterers, where they'll get some new cushions in a shiny black 'leather'!

Look at that pretty polished finial! And, SURPRISE, for me - that burl wood inset! Really motivating me to get crackin on that dining table that's in my head just crying to be fabricated and brought home to Casa Blanca!

Also, thanks to the industrious-ness of Miss Robin, and her many trips to the fabric emporiums, I have fabrics for a guest bedroom coverlet, lumbar pillows for the blue velvet chairs, and the vinyl for those dining chair cushions. OH, I am on a roll - with Robin driving the locomotive! You know what they say, if you want to get something done, ask a busy person to do it!

What in the world

HAPPENED TO ME?!

Busy-ness is all I can say. I have found myself, peculiarly, a tad numb to the siren call of designishness bits of all sorts. I think I need to find time to get my hands dirty. To work a project, find my inspiration from within. No books, no magazines, no clever design blogs are stirring my soul right now. Maybe they're just too abstract. I have 2 chairs in my Florida garage that I can get at when I'm there next week. Make something of them. Like better chairs.

Meanwhile, here's some work from these blokes. Collette-Zarzycki. But it doesn't pertain to me.

What is your favorite lip balm? Please leave a comment. Thank you. mm