gathering spriggs

What is Dutch Design?

After stumbling upon a few Dutch sites this week with an uneducated North American vantage point on The Netherlands, (I had a layover in Amsterdam once but that's it!) I began to ask myself, "What exactly defines Dutch design?" 

-I loved this home tour of Haarlem resident Eline Pellinkhof over on Bloesem this week! That cross-stitch rose wall mural is the best!! 

-Then found a sweet little Amsterdam shop around the corner, Het Grote Avontuur, chock full of whimsical design for home and body. I especially loved these.

-On a quest for a definition to Dutch design, I lighted upon this article written by Heather a Canadian who spent some time living in Amsterdam and wrote an informative post geared toward unknowing North Americans on the major characteristics she noticed of Dutch interiors. 

     Here are her top 5:

        1. Large harvest dining room tables

        2. Hardwood floors!

        3. White. White. White.

        4. Mismatched and modern.

        5. Juxtaposition of old and new items.

So what would you add? What do you know of Dutch design? Is it considered Scandinavian? (Im a little confused on that one) 

Maybe I can't define it exactly but I do know one thing for sure... I'm smitten. I'm imagining the flowers blooming this time of year, and people bustling in the canals, and buildings with more history than I know what to do with. Maybe I should put a trip to Holland on my to do list. Yes! 

images: life abroad, lille lykke, and bloesem

What Does Your Blog Say About You?

Good Morning glories! I'm having a bit of a late start today but I"ve been thinking about the state of affairs here at Gathering Spriggs. With the anticipation of a new site on its way, I feel as though I have never been more ready for a change. A new look, a new outlook. 

Maybe it is also this time of year with seasons changing, Spring dawning slowly. My world seemingly caught between two places. Waiting. Waiting for a diagnosis. Waiting for and seeing change come at its own leisurely pace. 

Over the past few months, I have debated over how much to reveal here on GS about my personal life or my private thoughts. Some blogs are used as an open journal, or a place to collect images of inspiring design, or even to share new creations, ideas or creative processes. And it is here I feel in between as well. I have been struggling with focus my whole life. Trying to write a business plan for a couple of years now with every intention of being goal oriented this year. Until I began having some health problems that kinda threw a wrench in those plans and have caused me to come to terms with my limitations. 

And so.. I hang here with you in the balance. Sharing a little of myself and a little of that which inspires me. And I am so very grateful that you stop by and offer a bit about yourself too, in this little corner of the world called Gathering Spriggs. From the beginning I longed for this blog to be a place to gather friends, hearts, and inspirations. Thanks for being a part of my journey. I am daily blessed by YOU!!

And so I ask you the same thing I have been asking myself... What does your Blog say about you??

images: teacup: sanne van winden, we are in this together: lorena siminovich

Havin' Fun with House of Dots

With fashion on the mind this week, stumbling upon the Dutch company, House of Dots, has me wanting to click my heels and burst into a Sound of Music song! How fun! I love their vintage inspired design poised in a modern, cheeky setting. That blue polka dot number has me excited about vacuuming. Not many things inspire me to do housework. Maybe I need some Kelly green shoes to complete my dish washing today!

How about you? What sort of great design gets you inspired to do great things?

images:house of dots

 

Tea party in Wonderland

 

Hello dearests! How was your weekend? Busy? Relaxing?

Mine was a wonderful mix of both. Staying in on a raining Saturday and Sunday I was out all day at a Alice in Wonderland inspired fashion shoot where I was invited to provide table styling and props. Here are a few snaps of the day I took whilst the real photographer was busy doing his job. Of course those images will be stellar, but wanted to share with you right away my vantage point of the day. Although overcast and very cold, we trudged through (not minding the mud on our boots or in this case 4-inch stilletos) all for the sake of art. In between takes the models would throw on their coats and run to the heated cars waiting nearby. 

The shoot was the vision of fashion designer Jennie of Vicious Threads who contacted me a week ago to see if I could join the team along with fellow local Etsian Meran of The Sai-Sai Shoppe who created the mini hats for the models. 

Collaborating and trudging through an isolated landscape with plastic totes in hand reminded me of the years in art school schlepping around large art installations and costumes for performance pieces ... all in the name of art. and a shared experience. Priceless moments.

Hopefully I will have the professional images to share soon. I've given up trying to edit mine to perfection. They all seemed to come out kinda grainy today. So thanks for sharing this moment with me even if it is a bit rough around the edges. 

That's why I love you so much! 

ps. Also a huge thanks to my dear friend Eve Peach for loaning out some of her beloved teacups and butterfly teapot for the shoot.

Happy Pinning + A Photo Shoot

A few of my favorite pretty pins this week on Pinterest + I am excited about my very first styling gig!! On Sunday I have been invited by a fellow Etsy seller.. a local fashion designer who has worked diligently to put together an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party photo shoot. Complete with her custom fashion creations, hats, and a long table in the grass. Yours truly has been invited to provide the tea sets, tea pots, vintage linens and be the table stylist on this shoot!!! Squeal!! 

It is a huge dream of mine and I am simply over the moon!

Thank you dear friends for your love and support here at GS... I promise to share photos next week. Until then, hope your weekend is filled with sunshine and plentiful rest!

images: artwork, vintage hats, books, kitchen 

Blog of the Week: Citrus and Orange

When Susana contacted me via Etsy with an interest in some of my vintage items, I knew right away that she was a kindred spirit.  Then I clicked over on her beautiful blog and was instantly smitten!! Susana is an economist by day, mother of two lovely girls and has a passion for all things pretty. Citrus and Orange is where she shares the beauty in her life, decor, design and party tables.  

Her event design is so gorgeous... It is an honor to have one of my Gathering Vintage tablecloths and that Blue Coffee pot(shown above) as some of her props. They are like paints in the hands of a master. (She was featured on the Amy Atlas blog too!) 

Thanks Susana for brightening my day... with your sunshine and delightful styling! 

ps... check out my vintage shop stocked full with all of my latest finds destined for your table, creative projects, tea time or garden! 

all images: citrus and orange

Mottos to Myself

Little reminders... 

After a long awaited dr.'s appt this week I am now entering into a month long  battery of tests to determine what my root health problem is. There is much still unknown. 

Tears came, sleeplessness came and went and now I am facing a new day. With sunshine at my helm today I have committed to go forth... one step at a time. 

Thanks to Kim Smith at Art=Happy for some blessed and beautiful reminders to keep me going.

And thank you for being such dear, supportive friends with me on this journey. You inspire me daily, so... tell me... 

What mottos do you live by ??

Welcome March: Mint + Magenta

March: a season between.  Seems like we have collectively been craving the freshness of mint in our palette this month. Its such a beautiful crisp, careful color... not quite green and not quite ready for the pulsing shades of summertime aqua.  Just a beautiful between. 

Looking forward and looking back. How do you celebrate March?

images: shoes- lemon ring, collage- bedroom- decor8 ;bathroom- decorpad, chair- dress design decor, zinnia- joanie harrison,  skates- urban outfitters

The Art of Embracing You

 

When you breathe in, inhale, deep ... down, 

pause

then listen.....

Come on now, try it. Really. Close your eyes.... and.... I-N-H-A-L-E

Now, what do you hear?  Hush. Its so quite. 

I did this little exercise this weekend and heard a little voice say:

"im....  afraid"

To which I responded, "Oh... about what, hunny?" and it replied meekly, " the doctor's appointment on Monday". 

"Really, don't be afraid. It is a good thing. It will help you find answers to your questions and this problem we have had for over a year." I reasoned with her.

She was silent.

Then, release. E-X-H-A-L-E....

The grip of fear released, shifted. blew out into the wind.  An internal shift occurred. The control lifted. Meeting it face to face brought freedom. 

I am no expert but I would like to believe this little exercise opened the door to experiencing one of the most joyous weekends out exploring my city, in the sunshine with my sweetheart. 

And now without the little fearful voice I can hear hope flourishing, desire flickering, and creativity pulsing. 

What do you hear, now?

How do you embrace your self and reason with the voices of fear?

images: a beautiful mess and emily o photography

Rooms in Bloom

 

 

What a better way to start a dreary rainy day than with rooms full of blooms? So to continue on with my floral themed posts this week, I sought out spaces which felt like the world flourishing. Can you do floral infused rooms in your home? Or do you have other ways of bringing the outdoors in especially when its gloomy out?  I love the idea (and know people who buy themselves fresh flowers to adorn their homes) but have never done it myself. Do you? Or do you have other simple ways to love yourself each day?

 the decorista.com via lovely clusters pinboard; holliewood style, yvestown blog, light locations