Signing off

So this is my last post for this year. Next week I'll have some guest posts for you and I'll be back as soon as I unpack the computer in the new place!

It's been a great year. Thanks to all of you who take the time to read this little blog. If you miss me you can find me on Facebook and Twitter where I'll be complaining about air mattresses and eating dinner on the floor.

Happy New Year!

Things We Love- December Recap

Vanessa's Portraits 12/9/10

Elizabeth's Kitchenware-12/16/10

If you would like a treasured item featured on a "Things We Love" post. Email me or submit your photo to the flickr group.

Giveaway Winner!

The winners are:

Left-Yulia

Right-Sudha

Shoot me an email with your addresses and I'll get these on there way to you!

House Tour -December Recap

Elizabeth-12/6/10

Karlee-12/13/10

Ana-12/20/10

all photos courtesy of homeowner. If you would like to have your home featured please send me an email or submit pictures of your home to the flickr group.

My Christmakuh present to you.

This is my favorite Christmas song of all time. Such an incredible duet (Bowie is also part of my other all time favorite duet).

Bob's Office, Finally.

I've been calling my Husband "B" in an attempt to give him some privacy, turns out he doesn't care and also I already outed his name two years ago on the blog.

So his name is Bob.

Bob's office has never been photographed. Why? Because he's a messy boy. He works from home and generally has a ton of boxes and cds all over the place and it makes it impossible for me to take a presentable photograph. So with our days numbered here I finally got one.

There it is, underwhelming right? You can forget about seeing the wall on your right. It's a disaster area.

Giveaway!

So a couple readers asked for this and who am I to deny it? A made by me pottery giveaway!

There will be two winners in this giveaway.

I'm going to give away the two pots on the left one made by me and one made by Bob and  the two on the right are both made by Bob.

To win:

 Comment below which set you'd like (Left or Right) 

and 

What has been your favorite blog post here in the past year and what you'd like to see more of.

I'll announce the winner on Tuesday the 28th.

House Tour-Ana (2010)

Since my time in this house is almost over I thought I'd do a House Tour. It was interesting to compare my answers to the last time I did my own House Tour.

Name: Ana, Bob, Bruce and Lola
Location: Seattle, WA
Square Footage: 1,640 (for those keeping track that's almost 3x the size of the last place)
Years Lived in: 1
Rent or own: rent
Describe your style: evolving
Blog/Website/Twitter: um...Rearranged Design

What's your favorite free/found item?
 I think it's the bench at the end of the bed. It's a tough call though I've had some great curb finds.


What's your favorite purchased item?
I think at this moment it's the $15 dresser in my bedroom.

What has been your biggest obstacle in decorating/design?
Being a renter, we can't paint or put up wallpaper or do radical changes. So I have to work around it.


Is your design style organic or planned?
Totally organic. I find stuff all the time that I want to fit into the design and usually something old goes out to make room.

What is your favorite spot in the house?
The lounge area upstairs. I love to hear the rain on the roof while I listen to 70's soul records.


How has your style changed in the past 5 years?
Five years ago I was living in South Florida and New York. We still hand some hand-me down furniture and lots from Ikea. We were pretty much style-less. Since then I've found my style groove and know definitely what will work and what won't.

What is your favorite resource or store?
Thrift stores. Seattle has some of the best I've ever seen.


What is your biggest decorating/design pet peeve?
When you see a room that could be a page in a catalog, or worse, doesn't even look lived in. Perfection is impossible to maintain.

What has been your favorite design trend?
DIY. There's been an upsurge of rehabbing furniture and I love it. You end up with an original piece that no one else will have.


What is the biggest influence on your design/decorating style?
Blogs. I wish I could say Domino magazine...sigh.

What in your home dictates how you design/decorate?
The layout. It's small in some rooms and then weird nooks and crannies upstairs. The house is 1,640 but a majority of that is the basement.


What is the simplest thing you have done that has made the biggest impact?
I think that's a tie between the green fabric I hung in the stairwell and the wall of Pearl Jam posters. Both really brought boldness to the spaces and made them seem much larger.

Hey

Starting this week I'll be in full on moving mode and with the Holidays coming up it's pretty hectic around here so from now until I get settled I'll be doing some "best of" posts and guest posts.

If you miss me you can always catch me of Facebook or Twitter.

oops!

I totally forgot to do a post today. My brain is all over the place and focused on moving.

In lieu of a Handmade Friday post I'll just let you know that I'm having a 35% sale at my etsy shop. Vintage goodies and Ornaments all on sale!

Things We Love-Elizabeth's Kitchenware

It’s hard to choose just one favorite, but I would have to say it’s my collection of vintage kitchenware. The colors and designs are so cheerful - just looking at it makes me happy. I began collecting Cathrineholm enamelware over 10 years ago when it was more affordable than it is now. The Corelle “Spring Blossom”/“Crazy Daisy” pattern is still easy to find, cheap, and perfect for everyday use. Both of these patterns spark memories from my childhood and I think that is why I was initially drawn to them. The collection is dynamic and I regularly add new pieces as I find them in thrift stores, antique malls and flea markets. Other items in the collection that are not pictured include teak-handle silverware, Spring Blossom dinnerware and Pyrex bowls, metal recipe boxes, and a set of green Lincoln BeautyWare kitchen canisters from my Grandmother’s house. The irony of this collection is that I do not cook.

-Elizabeth

www.cafepress.com/hexedsince1975

Check out Elizabeth's House Tour.

If you would like a treasured item featured on a "Things We Love" post. Email me or submit your photo to the flickr group.

Repeat Offender

I had this (what I thought was cute) idea to do this as a mugshot but since my graphic design skillz aren't as awesome as I thought the execution was lame. So you're just going to have to deal.

I tend to be a collector. My husband wants to use the word "Hoarder" but I'm not there, yet. 

I'm pretty sure this began in my teen years. I would see ponchos and Mexican blankets and really like them but I had no need for them at the time. Of course now that I'm adult living in a cold climate I need all the blankets I can get. My blood was thinned out by California and I have no memory how I survived when I used to live here.

It started with the two in my car, I picked them up cheap thrifting. You can always use a blanket in your car; emergencies, moving furniture, wet dogs, picnic blanket. It's just a good idea. I found a few more and they crept into the house. When they're the real kind of  Mexican blanket, also known as a Falsa blanket, they are thick, warm and soft (not to be confused with Serapes which are thinner and have bolder colors).

I've got one on the couch and two upstairs. Since Bruce was a kitten he's been drawn to the sheepskin we keep on the mismatched ottoman. He likes to attack it and eat it. So we have to keep it in the closet, which he runs into to attack it anytime it's opened.

So I plopped on of the blankets there to hide the mismatched shame and right on cue Bruce attacked it thinking it was a sheepskin.

Here's a Bruce-less shot.

I put another on the bench at the end of the bed of course a sheepskin would look rad there but that's a pipe dream thanks to Bruce.

Check out some other applications for the blankets. This guy used his as a bicycle seat cover, This guy used Serapes as car seat covers and the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs has a van decked out in them.

Wanted: Guest Bloggers

I'll need some help while I'm moving. If anyone is interested shoot me an email.

Bruce

We are at six months with Bruce and he's about nine months old. We weighed him yesterday and he's at eleven pounds. Eleven! Lola tops out at nine and she's just about five years old.

This is the last set of photos I'll take in this house. I'll try to recreate them at the new place.

(click for a larger image)

For a startling comparasion, this is Bruce the day we got him next to today's Bruce.

House Tour-Karlee

Name: Karlee Hoffart
Location: Portland, Oregon
Square Footage: 1560
Years Lived in: Five
Rent or own: Own
Describe your style: A mix of vintage, clean lines and comfy- I guess this means a little eclectic!
Blog/Website/Twitter: BohemianMama on Flickr

What's your favorite free/found item? 
I found some Dansk pots at a run down antique mall at the beach for $10


What's your favorite purchased item? 
I would have to say my couch that sits in my craft room- I have been gravitating more toward mid-century design as I get older and this fits perfectly!

What has been your biggest obstacle in decorating/design? 
Trying to find items that are kid friendly, comfy for my husband, and yet fits my style esthetic


Is your design style organic or planned? 
I think it is a mix of both- I tend to have an image of what I want in my head but then I can also be out and about and run into something that changes my mind... unfortunately this can happen alot!

What is your favorite spot in the house? 
Definitely my new craft room- I accumulate things that need a home so I dedicated a space that is suppose to be just for me-now I just have to find the time to do all those half finished projects!


How has your style changed in the past 5 years? 
Oh boy, it is constantly evolving. I think your twenties can be a time of experimenting and copying how you think you want to live. I used to think that a house made from Pottery Barn would be great. Now that I am in my thirties I find that I am developing my own sense of style that works for my family. I am also getting much more interested in vintage pieces and mixing them with more modern items. I have my eye on a crate and barrel big sur wood dining table with white mid centrury chairs that I could top with some of my thrifted dishware.

What is your favorite resource or store? 
The Red, White, and Blue Thrift Store in Portland is always an adventure as well as ReRun in North Portland. Finding treasures there is like winning a small lottery. I also like looking at Urban Outfitters, West Elm, Etsy, Ikea, Apartment Therapy, and other blogs for ideas as well, like yours!


What is your biggest decorating/design pet peeve? 
That I don't have enough money to throw out some of my original items to purchase new items that fits my design sense nowadays-I would love a new living room couch, a new bed, etc etc... plus my husband would kill me

What has been your favorite design trend? 
Hmmmm.... I love the idea of green decorating, which living in Portland Oregon is huge.


What is the biggest influence on your design/decorating style? 
I really like looking at the past for ideas. The fifties, sixties and seventies had such definite styles that can be fun to explore and find what I gravitate towards. If I can find a certain piece and make it my own, I feel a sense of satisfaction in that.

What in your home dictates how you design/decorate? 
In the craft room we painted the fireplace from brick to grey to keep the space looking more fresh and I wanted something yellow to pick up the colors of the accent pillows. I found the perfect mirror at Ikea but it was black so I spray painted it yellow. The accent pillows are made from a doily sewed on a plain grey pillow and the other one is from a vintage pillowcase. It's really a hodge podge of new, old, and crafted.


What is the simplest thing you have done that has made the biggest impact? 
Paint can make a world of difference- I think if you have neutral paint colors on your walls but bring in colorful art and accents make a room last through the trends because it's easier to switch out items than paint your whole house again, and trust me I have done that, or should I say my husband did it, and not so quietly.....

all photos courtesy of homeowner. If you would like to have your home featured please send me an email or submit pictures of your home to the flickr group.

Handmade Friday.

This print is all sorts of awesome. Made by Inaluxe, who has a ton of amazing prints in their shop. I think I'm going to need this for the new place.

Have a great weekend! 

Things We Love-Vanessa's Portraits

My favorite thing is my collection of portraits that look like our family in our front hall.

The ones of my husband and son are vintage pictures and the one of my oldest daughter is her self portrait, made in art class at school. The small one of my youngest daughter I bought at a craft show from fellow etsy artist Tim's Sally. It is called "Spice" and just fits her. I am still looking for a portrait that represents me and it is really fun to still be in the hunt.

-Vanessa 

www.vintagebutterfly94.etsy.com

Check out Vanessa's House Tour.

If you would like a treasured item featured on a "Things We Love" post. Email me or submit your photo to the flickr group.

Retail Therapy

It's that time of year. The malls are packed, people are elbowing one another for the best deal and Brotherly love seems in short supply. It's present time!


I've compiled a list, a little something for everyone. Ironically my gifts to my friends and family this year are all vintage or I handmade but that doesn't stop me from ogling the following:


First the unattainable, why? Well because it's pretty and we can dream can't we?
Orla Kiely has a new kitchen line out. Of course it's gorgeous and of course it's not available in the U.S.

Didn't the Target experience teach her that we are crazy for her stuff? If you're lucky enough be in the U.K. Check out the line here.

Let's dig in to stuff we can actually hope for shall we?

Both these items are from bee things on etsy. The shirt is Uni-Sex ($20) and the print ($25) is actually a calendar with a detachable print so when next year is over you've got a super cute print.

For the past few years I've been recommending the calendar from Industries Stationary. I love them but I found out they are no longer in production. 

Animal lovers rejoice, Jonathan Adler has you covered.

Cat or Dog ($18), Allergy free and no messes to clean up. 

Know an iPhone or iPad owner? Of course you do unless you're Amish. In which case, what the hell are you doing on the internet?

Wood cases for both gadgets take it from ubiquitous to unique. iPad ($50), iPhone ($30)

Got a doodler in your life? No, that's not a euphemism.

This watch is pretty cool for all ages. It's all white and made of a strong canvas that you can paint, draw or doodle on. This would be pretty useful for that person you know who still writes reminders on their palms. Doodle Watch ($14)

Images courtesy of Illustrated Living, bee things, Jonathan Adler, Think Geek and Geek Alerts.

Pottery!

I'm almost positive I told you that B got me a pottery class for my Birthday, I just can't seem to find the original post.

So, um, B got me a pottery class for my Birthday! I've wanted to take a class for as long as I can remember. Whenever I've looked into it, It's always been really expensive and like ten weeks long. B found a local artist who does two sessions for a very reasonable price.

The first day is four hours on the wheel or hand molding clay and the next session is an hour or so waxing and glazing what you made. That's all you really need right? What if you pay for the ten week session and hate it?

So we went, had a blast, made twenty nine pieces of pottery. Waited, came back and glazed then a few days later we had this:

It's quite a bit of stuff isn't it? I spent the entire time on the wheel. I instantly fell in love and much to the dismay of B I'm trying to figure out where I can fit my own wheel and kiln. B spent half the time on the wheel and half making molded bowls.

I went for figural and shapely and used every tool the teacher put in front of me, B made twenty small bowls. I think he was happy that he mastered that shape and went with it.

Here's the greatest hits:

We are SET for Holiday gift giving.

If you're in the Seattle area I highly recommend contacting Mutablefire Studios.

House Tour- Elizabeth

Name: Elizabeth Reilly
Location: Chicago, IL
Square Footage: approx. 700
Years Lived in: 2
Rent or own: Rent
Describe your style: Patchwork vintage
Blog/Website/Twitter: www.cafepress.com/hexedsince1975

What's your favorite free/found item?
The small card catalog in my living room. I work at a museum and called dibs on it the minute I saw it in a storage space that I knew we would eventually be clearing out. A year later and it was all mine for the taking. I attached some casters and now it’s the perfect movable container for my plethora of tiny collections that’s also sturdy enough to sit on.


What's your favorite purchased item?
My vintage bedroom dresser that I purchased off craigslist for only $50. I had to rent an I-Go car and drive 2 hours in traffic to pick it up, but it was well worth it.

What has been your biggest obstacle in decorating/design?
Color. Bold color decisions frighten me, so for now I stick with white walls and neutral colors for larger items. Slowly I’m learning to use accent colors through accessories.


Is your design style organic or planned?
A little of both. Sometimes I have a very specific idea of what I want for a piece of furniture or décor and other times I stumble across something that I want to integrate into my space.

What is your favorite spot in the house?
Sitting on the couch in the living room. From there I get to gaze at the things I love, from the artwork on the walls, the plants on the window sill, to the various items I’ve collected over the years.


How has your style changed in the past 5 years?
In the past 5 years I have lived in 6 different places in 5 cities and 2 countries - that’s what grad school will do to a person. My style hasn’t changed much since then, only that I have finally been in one place long enough to start decorating for the “long term”.

What is your favorite resource or store?
Definitely Craigslist. I've had the most fun scouring Craigslist for great deals on vintage furniture and acquired nearly all of my furniture in the 2 years since I moved to Chicago (aside from the George Nelson chair that my father "borrowed" from his college campus in the 60s). Through Craigslist Chicago I found the coffee table for $20, the dresser for $50, the glass cabinet for $30 and the bookcase for $25. It has taken a lot of patience to find the right pieces, and I'm still looking for cushions for a chair in the living room, but I love the thrill of the hunt. Persistence is the key.


What is your biggest decorating/design pet peeve?
Pre-packaged design. I find it boring when a space is decorated with too many things from one source that were designed to go together.

What has been your favorite design trend?
The resurgence of Mid-century modern, even though it means I can no longer afford most of the things that I want. The challenge is that much greater - I have to search harder for a good deal.


What is the biggest influence on your design/decorating style?
That’s hard to say. Perhaps my childhood. I love many of the remnants of my family’s décor from the 60s and 70s and I’ve been so happy to incorporate actual pieces that were from our house or my grandparent’s house into my current space. I also seek out items that I remember and enjoy hunting down replacements for my very own.

What in your home dictates how you design/decorate?
Space & a roommate. The small space often limits my decorating options. I'm a bit of a collector and pack-rat, so the limited storage space in my apartment has proved a big challenge. I try to keep the clutter of my collections at bay with glass cabinets (essential for keeping the dust away), but I still have boxes of photo albums, CDs, vintage board games, art supplies, etc. in a small self-storage space. Also, I have a roommate that I must consider every time I bring something new into the common areas.


What is the simplest thing you have done that has made the biggest impact?
Bulletin Boards. When I was a little younger I used to cover my walls with all of the artwork, flyers, posters, photographs, etc. that I loved to look at. The overall effect of this salon style presentation was cluttered to say the least. Since then I’ve downsized and now I use a large bulletin board to contain my visual collage. I still get to look at things that inspire me, but in a much more clean and organized way.

all photos courtesy of homeowner. If you would like to have your home featured please send me an email or submit pictures of your home to the flickr group.