gathering spriggs

Anatomy of a Slipcover

 

 

 

 

So, here is my big news from yesterday!! I finally had my new slipcover made! And I am giddy with delight over the work and fine craftsmanship of Christiana of Ruffled Linens. After seeing her work on a home tour this spring it was love at first sight and I have dreaming since May of a shabby chic covering for our poor vintage sofa. I love its lines and shape but since this is our living room's main attraction and where we all hang out, I knew its days of pristine original upholstery were coming to a near end. You can see its amazing transformation.. Not having a sewing knack whatsoever, I was eager to see how she whipped this up in only a few short hours. It was a miraculous metamorphosis. So if you are in the Tennessee or Alabama area and need a revitalized room Christiana is your gal. She sews ruffled tablecloths, draperies, shower curtains.. you name it .. all in her signature Shabby Chic style.  And for those of you not in this area keep checking her Etsy shop for new arrivals this fall. :)

ps. see if you can guess what kind of fabric this is.

images: me 

Summer Water

 

You know there are few things I enjoy hearing about more than this but collaboration between women is a favourite topic of mine. And so when I received this email update from Caitlin of Nice-etc.. I felt a wash of wonder flow over me. What a beautiful collaboration... Summer Water

A graceful new company from  Anabela Carneiro of fieldguided and Caitlin Holcomb of nice-etc. Summer Water is influenced by vintage textiles, the beach, road trips, good vibes, lakesides, campfires, pretty things, ghosts, lace, pastel colours. The name comes from a beautiful song of the same name by Colleen.

All textile designs are original by Caitlin Holcomb and custom printed. 

These creative ladies started a blog for updates and pretty posts, www.summerwatershop.blogspot.com

How about you?? Do you enjoy collaboration in your life? Maybe with a friend or a spouse or family member? 

 

Folly and Glee

 

 

How about a little punch of color to get you going today?? Im scurrying around trying to tie up loose ends before heading out the door for a trip to see family in Texas tomorrow, so I just want to leave you with some fun quirky colorful finds for home from Folly and Glee. This swell shop offers upcycled vintage finds , unique handmades like those fab-tab lamp shades and light fixtures made from vintage wallpaper and fabrics. The shade is actually a vintage Grandma Moses print! How divine!

For more find F &G on Flickr, Etsy and blog.

Gathering Inspiration: The art of Leah Duncan

 

Happy Monday! How was your weekend?? Are you ready to start a new week??

Well, my weekend was restful yet slightly productive. And I am beginning to feel inspired again (especially as we plan our weekend trip to Chicago where we will be taking my mom and sister for the first time). Other than traveling, I gather inspiration from talented artists and designers whose work and style feel like an extension of my soul.  Leah Duncan is that person for me this week. She has built a mini style empire under her boots in Austin, TX. (my very own homeland). So maybe its feeling a little homesick for the subtle hues of red clay dirt and cactus but I am sure I am smitten with all Leah touches. She recently showed her work at the Renegade Handmade in Austin, writes a blog, keeps an etsy shop, and if that isn't enough also has a custom stationary business!! 

What are your favorites from Leah? prints, patterns, art, design, cards, or fabric?

images: all leah duncan

Shop Around the Corner: Obi and Moo

 

 

Greetings dearests. Its a been a long morning trying to get this post to you... but I think I am ready for the weekend now. How about you?? Any big plans this weekend. Here in the US it is Memorial Day weekend , traditionally a long weekend of relaxing, vacationing, backyard barbecue and welcoming in summer. Do you have any exciting plans ?  I plan to stay at home and enjoy my outdoor patio with my family. It is an unfinished space that I would love to furnish with all natural items like those from Obi and Moo, an online home furnishings shop specializing in natural materials and the casual look of the French countryside. 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Blessings,

images: obi and moo

Shop Around the Corner: Ashes and Milk

 

Good Morning and Happy Friday!! Do you have big weekend plans?? Unfortunately I will be working to get caught up some jobs before my family arrives next week and then I will have some much needed time off.

Maybe it is the reality that hits after a devastating flood which hit our city a couple of weeks ago, that has caused me to become more acutely aware of the small things that can be done to take care of our local environment. And from a design standpoint I am craving simplicity, neutral palettes and all natural materials. 

So meet Ashes and Milk: an incredibly curated online gallery/marketplace for all things simply stated and uniquely crafted for individual use. I love the bird pieces... Which ones are your favorites?? 

Happy Weekend and many Blessings to you,

Sustainably Chic

Are you still hunting for good eco- design options? I never knew a nursery could be so eco-chic until I was introduced to Marsh & Clark's  recently transformed third-floor attic bedroom into a tranquil and sustainable nursery for the 2010 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Its devine!! Such a sophisticated nursery option showcasing three matching, hand-crafted cribs, created by local craftsman Rob Taboada,  with toxin-free materials, sustainable hardwoods and a zero-VOC glossy finish.  These are so stylish I think I want one now!  The blue powder room was Marsh & Clark's first Decorator showcase home in 2009.  I've seen some images from other designers in the showcase and this is by far my favorite space!!

What do you think?? Do you have any eco-chic decorating tips or tricks??

Au Naturel

 

 

Happy Tuesday dear friends!!! And Hello to all Decor8 readers. Holly so graciously asked me to submit my favorite etsy shops for her Etsy Take Five Tuesday column and I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of all of her loveliness while she is away! They are such wonderful colorful shops, so today I thought I would stick to neutrals here inspired by my latest international magazine find, Campagne Decoration, it appears to be a French Country Living of sorts in my opinion. Enjoy your day!!!

images: 1,3 vintage rose brocante 2, 5, 7 scanned by me from Campagne Decoration 4 Alice's Looking Glass  6 Styled Spaces

Match Made in Heaven: Hatchett Home Tour

 

Happy Wednesday!! How are you doing today?? Are you going to make thru this week?  How about a dose of fun color from the home of a dear friend of mine?

A couple of months ago I went to visit Sam and Elizabeth in their newly renovated Cincinnati, Ohio home. I was awe struck not only at how much they did to revive this forclosure but also how the couple drew on their talents to pull together a showcase style on a shoestring. Sam is an environmental engineer with a knack for remodeling and electrical. Combine that with the creative spirit of Elizabeth (a graphic designer and fine artist) and you get not only cool eco- function but warm, whimsical and well edited spaces from an artist's eye. This creative duo (who met on eharmony) definitely found their soul mates in each other and in the their beautiful home - the product of a perfect match!

ps. notice the aqua blue tile behind the orange chair left from a former 1950s bathroom turned cozy reading corner on the top of the landing. clever!

images: heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs

Earth Day: Supporting Upcycled Handmades

 

Good Morning dears! Shwoo. Its been a busy week this week and Im catching my breath a little bit here. I've been pondering what to write about for Earth day and with literally hundreds of submissions for Earth day I ending up going with the things that are most important to me- a call to support upcycled handmades and the artists who are struggling to make beautiful creations. (maybe cause thats me too)

Anway, here is a new etsy shop called Bee Vintage Redux whom i discovered via the Gathering Spriggs flickr group.

Hope you enjoy too!

images: bee vintage redux