gathering spriggs

Masquerade

 

 

 

 

Masquerade!

Paper faces on parade.

Masquerade!

Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade.
Masquerade!
Look around -
here's another
mask behind you!
~ The Phantom of the Opera

Do you have a Masquerade Ball to attend? I have been hankering for a good dress up party. Oh, my favorite thing is to play dress up and don a costume that provides an alter ego (like this- can you guess who?)  How about you? What were your favorite costumes over the years?? Do share.....

Images: All from  Masquerade Gallery except last image String Magazine

Opposites Attract

 

 

 

 

 

Hello dears! How is your week going so far? I've missed you. Its been a busy week around here. I guess its that time of year! Here are a few images I have collected over the past few months to share with you based on an orange and blue color scheme. Very chic and inviting, don't you think? Happy Thursday and I will see you back tomorrow - I have some exciting things coming up!

Images: DecorPad, Unknown, DecorPad, Katie Ridder Textiles, Cote De Texas, White Webb, Room Lust

Guest Writer Vitania of Verdigris Vie

 

Autumn Accents

 

Nature’s palette has long been a guide to beautiful, inviting and natural interiors.  No exceptions in thisConnecticut home which has taken cues from the warmth of a yellow sun , energy from a turning leaf, and the strength of hard woods.   A dining room kissed with golden hues, and  chestnut flooring and ceiling beams, are some of the incredible features of this home.

 

 

In the kitchen, cream cabinetry is paired with wicker and wood drawers.   The owner owns an organizing store, so everything has been thoughtfully placed.  Notice in the niche above the cook top, there is a swing out faucet for filling pots.   How brilliant!  A rustic Breakfast room, includes a wonderful step back cupboard, and plenty of collectible pitchers filled with fabulous  flowers.

One thing is certain,  the mixing of wood tones has a beautiful effect.  I often get people asking me if they could finish their new furniture to match existing pieces.   Here is a perfect example of why you don’t have to.   A different tone allows the unit to stand out on its own where you can really admire it’s craftsmanship.

   

Each room offers a sense of tranquility and enticement, through continuity and artistic objections.  A Beautiful collection of mercury glass, an inviting place to read under a window, even a fringed armchair with a cozy throw.   It’s the little details that layer to create luxury.

 

All photos and full story from Country Living .

 

Heather, thank you so much for inviting me to post on your beautiful blog today.  It’s been an absolute pleasure.  Also, I’d like to invite your readers to check back on my blog shortly for a wonderful giveaway,  that is very reminiscent of this post.  It’ll be coming in the next week or two..:-)   Hope you are all having a wonderful Day

 

Your Friend,

Vitania

 

Thank you Vitania. Loved having you here to share all your wisdom and design secrets!! 

Technical Difficulties

If you can see the above (frown face) image please let me know. I am experiencing technical difficulties of the worst kind! :( so sorry Alek!  From my computer I can see Alek's lovely images. I will keep trying to get her pics posted but might need your help to see if my efforts are working since from my side of this cyber world everything "looks" fine.

(image: .Nicole takes pictures)

Getting to Know...Alek of From the Right Bank to the Left Coast

Good Morning and allow me to introduce one of my favorite fellow bloggers and avid traveller, Alek of From the Right Bank to the Left Coast . She is recently a Parisian transplant to Seattle and is now a featured editor on Apartment Therapy too! Congrats Alek! Here are her five favorite things!

1. Ecojot Sketch Books

 

I always keep a sketchbook for drawings, magazine clippings, lists, ideas and notes of whatever pops into my head. Being an artist, I'm picky about my paper so I'm always on the lookout for just the right books. Right now my favorite are these sketch books with Kraft paper covers from Ecojot in Canada. The pages are just the right weight, tooth and are acid free. I love them so much I buy them in bulk.

2. Mariage Frères Teas

I think I must have been English in a prior life because afternoon tea is a must for me.  I love the whole ritual of high tea but until the day I have a butler to serve me a proper cream tea, I'll settle for a really nice cup of Mariage Frères.

3. Antica Farmacista "Pompelmo" Reed Diffuser

 

I declare the Antica Farmacista "Pompelmo" Reed Diffuser *the* most wonderful smelling thing in the entire world. I never knew a scent could make me so happy.

4. iphone

 

I honestly can't remember what my life was like before the iphone. I use it for *everything*. It is without a doubt the single greatest invention of our time. I have the original model and even though the new version is faster and better (aren't they always?) I'm sticking with my old skool one because my husband got up early and waited in line to buy it the day it came out. (It was my birthday gift.) He's swell like that. 

5. Heavenly Bed

 

I'm an utter wreck if I don't get a good night's sleep and I admit to being a bit of a princess because I can't (or more truthfully, won't) sleep in just any bed. The Westin Heavenly Bed is the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in and so we got one for our home. The Heavenly Bed + really good bedding = happy me. 

(images: alek ,from the right bank to the left coast)

Woodland Wedding

 

Ahh, young love in the woods! My dear friend, Quinn was married yesterday in a simply elegant outdoor ceremony. Quinn and I attended Watkins College of Art and Design and made art  together several years ago.  Her wedding was not unlike her performance pieces- careful, thoughtful, beautiful and in harmony with nature. Hope you enjoy these pics I took. They do not do it justice. It was crisp autumn day in the Tennessee hills- blue skies and warm sunlight. Perfect for a wedding! All the best to you Quinn and Keller! (ps. she made her dress!)

Blog of the Week: Liebemarlene Vintage Look Book

 

 

 

Good Morning Glories?? How ever was your weekend? I was busy catching up on projects, and attending a beautiful wedding of one of my friends from art school (more on that later). So I pondered what to wear to this artful wedding for weeks and started doing some online research for inspiration. I'm feeling a bit fashiony, maybe because it is Halloween week and I love the idea of costumes and creating an alter ego character. But all of that aside, I discovered the talented Rhiannon Leifheit of Liebemarlene Vintage. I am smitten with her gracious feminine wardrobe and creative styling in her photo shoots for her vintage clothing shop. And she is the perfect model. Her blog, Liebemarlene Vintage Look Book offers a peak into all that inspires her creativity. Love. Hope you do too!

Temperley

 

 

Alice Temperley's collections have long held my affection. With her historical references and delicate handling of fabric and detailing, Temperley of London has quickly become a premier label. Now you too can enjoy the Temperley collection at affordable price points (although I'm sure not nearly as much as the Target collection from a couple of years ago.) 

Alice by Temperley is set to launch in January in boutiques and Neiman Marcus locations nationwide!! We will have to keep our eyes out! I adore her bridal collection (top) and if I didn't already have a smashing vintage dress I would have wanted her to design for me.

Shop Around the Corner: French General

 

 

Happy Friday folks. Its pretty rainy and dreary here today so how about a dose of warm friendly color, pattern and a host of things french inspired. Thanks to dear Daniella for suggesting today's "Shop Around the Corner" pick.This is one you may have read about or even seen publications lining the shelves of your local Borders bookstore. It is the creative workings of Kaari Meng who set up a little shop named French General in Los Angeles, California. From that sweet meager store grew a creative empire specializing in vintage fabric and notions and expanding into diy books. Her latest book, Handmade Soirees can be previewed here.

Hope you are inspired today and have a fun filled, beautiful weekend!

Hunting and Gathering: Plaid

 

 

 

Happy Thursday friends! Are you as ready as I am to snuggle into some cozy plaid this fall? I love the idea of plaid blankets and throws along with cute vintage plaid accessories. And as I was flipping through the current issue of Vogue last night at the grocery store, I melted over their dreamy country plaid editorial. So I decided to put together my own vintage version from fellow etsy shops. What do you think of plaid? Do you have any favorite pieces?

Images: top: (left-Vera Vague, right-Vintage Jane) second: (1.toast, 2.boiled egg,3. shop good grace) third: Vera Vague, forth: (purple plaid dress: Small Earth Vintage, toast) fifth: Solstice Home