A MOTHER IS SOMEONE...

...who checks "yes," no matter what. :)  Happy Mother's Day!

Pack of cards from The Great Lakes Goods.

POM POM FRENZY

It's not enough that we have trendy shoes, trendy hair styles, trendy decor colors (Pantone says it's turquoise!), and trendy hem lines. There are trendy party decorations too. Last year, it was the chinese lantern. Weddings had them, anniversaries had them, parties for one-year-olds with helicopter mommies had them. But 2010 is the year of the pom-pom. They're everywhere, hovering over baby showers like so many miracle-grow fed cherry blossoms, or turning up at weddings, dangling off pews like over-sized coconut balls. But they're popular for good reason:  inexpensive, adaptable, and they come in every size! What could be better? Here's your inspiration -

             

Want to learn how to make your own? It's easy! Visit HERE.

P.S. TODAY is the last day for THE HOUSE IN MY HEAD book give-away! Click HERE to enter!

{Images: gift: http://hellosandwich.blogspot.com/2009/03/wrapping.html. On sticks: http://media.photobucket.com/image/tissue%20pom%20poms/ljprincess/Picture232.jpg. white: http://sarahlambersky.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/tissue-paper-pom-poms/. black and white tree: http://heavenlybloomsflorist.blogspot.com/2010/01/kates-minnie-mouse-birthday-party.html. polka dot: http://www.weloveindie.com/topic/listview/15/for-the-home/page/106.html. Green: http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/2009/05/fun-tissue-pom-poms.html. hung on chandelier: http://aubreyroad.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html. black and gray: http://designismine.blogspot.com/2008/10/martha-stewart-halloween-pom-poms.html. In trees: http://pinkbyecho.wordpress.com/2008/08/. With chinese lantersn: http://chekdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/07/lanterns-and-pom-poms.html. Around napkin: http://the6chicks.com/2009/07/10/inspirational-boardflamenco-pink-yellow. mini ones: http://www.favorsandflowers.com/martha-stewart-wedding-favors.htm.}

Saturday Sale: Iomoi

On the looooooong list of my aesthetic addictions is an entry titled "Notebooks, All Kinds." I've managed to reduce my piles of notebooks over the last year, through a combination of ruthless purging and attempting to run through the Barnes and Noble check-out section with eyes closed (not recommended. It's like an obstacle course with all those darn rotating bookmark kiosks). But... my heart still goes pitter patter when I see little paper books on sale. Click on over to Iomoi and check out their lovely selection of notebooks, most marked down to $5 - if you dare!

Image, iomoi.com.

Giddy About Gadabout

Awww... thanks!  One of the things I love about blogging is the element of surprise:  I never know when I'll stumble across beautiful photography, exquisite fashion, or an inspiring artist. I mentioned Hanna's stationary from Gadabout Papers a few weeks ago - a paper card is a rather limiting shape, but Hanna's designs breathe fresh life into the medium.  Proof in the pudding:  this very sweet (and stunning) thank you note for my post. Thanks Hanna! Stationary never looked so good.

Writing Papers: It's a Pleasure

Stylecourt is one of my favorite blog reads (and a fellow Southerner!) and this week I was so excited to see stationers Gadabout Papers featured. Beautiful, personalized papers are such an encouragement to writing, and I would pepper my friends with notes if I owned a set of these (coming soon - look out friends!). The monogram placement is just so clever. Be sure to visit the website to see more of Hanna Brooks Nation's designs.

All images, www.gadaboutpaper.blogspot.com.

Dempsey and Carroll

After being so disappointed in the (literally) overnight disappearance of Mrs. John L. Strong, I was delighted to hear from Jonathan Arnold, the General Manager of Dempsey and Carroll stationers. Jonathan wrote to let me know that D&C is starting a special program to duplicate your personal Mrs. John L. Strong stationary. And, for a limited time, they're offering it at a significantly reduced cost. Send them your existing engraving plates, or a sample of your stationary, and D&C will work to duplicate your typestyle, ink color, stock thickness, etc. If you don't live in NY to drop by in person, mail your plates or samples to 1049 Lexington Avenue, NYC 10021. So Happy Monday - your favorite stationary may not be gone for good!

A few examples.

Classic Italian Papers

This Florentine Tray, an Annie Modica decoupage design at Gracious Home, caught my eye. I love beautiful Italian papers, and thought, why not do something like this yourself?  There are so many wonderful patterns to chose from.

Italy is famous for her exquisite papers, a tradition that dates back to Arab introduction in 625 B.C. The earliest recorded paper document in Italy is a deed from King Roger of Sicily, in 1102. 

Beautiful papers like these by Paper Mojo are based on traditional Renaissance designs from Florence. The first paper mills were built in the 11th century in Italy (in the Fabriano area) and Spain. Linen and hemp rags were used to make the paper; wood pulp wouldn't come into use until sometime later. 

Tuscan Prints:  these are also inspired from traditional designs. Up until the 1950s papers such as these were hand printed, but now a days, they're done by machine. It's still a highly refined process, however, since offset printing techniques can use up to six colors.  These prints often have gold accents that give them a wonderful shimmer in the light, and no surprise:  real gold powder is added for its luster. 

Modern trends have changed the look of Florentine papers, but this new print carries the same tradition and quality as its ancestors.

A fun take on a traditional style.

Asian inspiration makes its way into a traditional Italian medium (fitting, considering the Chinese are generally credited with inventing paper).

These patterns would be fun done as Modica's decoupage trash can and tissue box too. 

For more inspiring ideas on how to use lovely papers, check out the Paper Mojo blog.

Image 1 and 9, gracioushome.com. Images 2-5, papermojo.com. Images 6-8, Hollanders.com.

Redesign: The Green and White Chinoiserie Desk

I have a quaint little fold-top desk that has been with me since childhood. A writer must have a desk, however small, and this one has followed me like a devoted little dog through a series of apartments and houses, frequently squeezed into awkward corners, dragged up stairs, or stuffed in the back of my SUV. My faithful desk needs a face lift, and I've decided to do it in green and white chinoiserie. 

It may look average now - but wait till we're through!

THE PROJECT

1. Replace the handles and knob with brushed brass bamboo hardware.

2. Decoupage the interior of the desktop in a green and white trellis paper.

3. Paint the foot and crown of the desk in a green matching the paper.

4. Fill it with beautiful things!

THE PIECES

A few favorite items I'd like to use in my re-design (clockwise):  

1. Thomas Paul crysanthymum pillow. 

2. Iomoi personalized paperweight. 

3. Brushed brass faux bamboo hardware. 

4. and 6. Iomoi pencils. 

5. Jasper Conran for Wedgwood china (for paper clips and odds and ends). 

6. Lucite green and white chinoiserie tray, by Iomoi. 

A Jonathan Adler chippendale style faux bamboo chair, accented with a Thomas Paul pillow. While I'm concentrating on renovating the desk right now, a new coordinating chair is in the future. I may get a green version instead of white - Adler makes both!

A bamboo trellis pattern wallpaper I'm planning to order for the interior decoupage. I'd love to do Wearstler's Imperial Trellis (see below), but it's a bit pricy for an amateur project. I need an affordable paper available in less than a single roll, in a green and white trellis pattern. Do you have a great suggestion? Send it on!!!

THE RESULTS...  stay tuned! 

In the meantime, here's a little of my inspiration. ANY mention of chinoiserie can't overlook the stunning blog Chinoiserie Chic, the authority for this subject in the blogosphere. Check out Beth's recent post on the Blanc de Chine Office, as well as a detailed how-to on chinoiserie decoupage, with stunning results like this:
Maybe I should do filing cabinets next?

And while we're at it, here's an example of Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis used in decoupage and the green Jonathan Adler chair. I'd already thought up this scheme when I stumbled on the picture, and it was nice to see how well it could come off. Here's hoping for a happy ending!

Movie Credits:  All "pieces" as listed above.  File Cabinet Photo, originally Domino via StyleCourt, via Chinoiserie Chic. Trellis Decoupage Cabinet Photo, an unknown, online find. If this is your picture, please email me so that I may give credit where credit is due!

The Coral Desk

I haven't posted on coral in a little while, and lest everyone think I'm slipping, here's a fresh dose. In the Summer spirit, I'm loving the idea of a matching desk set in coral branch patterns of orange and blue. My inspiration for this color combination is blogging friend Anne Harwell, of Annechovie, and her wonderful depiction of an antique French chair, available on Etsy. Anne is a gifted artist and does beautiful prints of homes and objets d'art. 

It's unfortunate that often we spend so much of our lives in the office, and so little thought on how that space affects us. Wonderful store, Iomoi, has the most beautiful office accessories (my thanks to Beth at Chinoiserie Chic for bringing Iomoi to my attention!).

Iomoi Shipping Labels

Business Cards

A Stylish Lucite Tray

A Personalized Paperweight

Stationary

And a Thomas Paul floor rug - just the thing to tie it all together!
Credits:  Chair artwork, courtesy of Anne Harwell. Office products, Iomoi. Rug, Thomas Paul.

The Examined Life

Do you journal? What sort of journal personality are you?

Plane Jane basic, frills-free. Your thoughts don't need embellishment.

No - you're an astute fashionista, a trendsetter. In your hands, an LV Agenda's pages are replaced with lined sheets. You linger at the cafe over crepes and record your chic life. 

BUT... today you're also an intellectual - with flair. The journal of choice for Van Gogh and Hemingway is your ideal. But the modern version in pink (or green) is your style. 

Or... perhaps today is just a day for play - and jotting down a few jokes. Kate Spade's papers are perfect.

Hmmm... but what have YOU been up to? Life is an adventure, after all. 

Especially when you're traveling the world!  Today, Venice.  Tomorrow, Fiji.  Your daily life could fill a book - or be a book.  The publisher just called. 
Or maybe you'd just like to have a journal for one trip - to the beach, perhaps, and your sunny friend Lilly Pulitzer would love to tag along.

At the end of the day though, you just want to go home. Cozy, modern, or daring, your nest is YOU, and beautiful Italian marbled journals reflect your taste for quality.  A perfect design. 
Who will you be today?
Journal 1, mead.com. Journal 2, louisvuitton.com. Journal 3, moleskin.com. Journal 4, katespade.com. Journal 5-6, jennibick.com.  Journal 7-8 katespaperie.com.  Book, amazon.com.