gathering spriggs

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

A View from YOUR Room

 

 

Happy Tuesday friends! After days of rambling on about my own affairs, I took a stroll through the Gathering Spriggs Flickr group and found a profusion of inspiring images. In particular the images of hearth and home ignited joy in me. Its fascinating to discover small corners of home from those I know and love through blogging or facebook. These personal images fill this post for me like fresh cut blooms added to a favorite vase. 

I hope you too will join the group and share your favorite images from corners of your world.

It going to be an infusion of florals this week here at GS. I just can't get enough of all things blooming. So if you have a favorite image of florals or a favorite flower please share here in the comments and I will make mention of it this week!!

1. Zee Longenecker 2. Missginy and Souvenirs du Passe Recent 3. Twiggs  4. Nest Pretty Things and Machteld M 5.Traveling Mama 6.  Alice M. Wingerden 

Good Reads Never Fade

Do you have favorite books lining your shelves that you enjoy keeping around for good company? Curling up in a chair with one of these dear friends is a perfect way to spend the afternoon in winter. Over the weekend I perused the shelves of a local used bookstore and found these two treasures (for less than $2). Flipping through their fragrant pages, I stopped at the copyright page with astonishment to find these books were published ten years ago! Fascinated by this strange attraction (I rarely can stand to look at decorating books more than 2 old), I began musing over what makes a good design book have staying power through trends and fads.  Well, for me, in this case,its Atlanta Bartlett  one of my current design icons, and Ryland Peters & Small the publisher of both these books:  The Comforts of Home and Floral House. 

Its compelling that each book is filled with light, pastel hues, white washed flooring which seem to put these ahead of their time. Or maybe its my fascination with simple, modern romance and touches of feminine florals that feeds my attraction for these timeless treasures. 

What is your take? Can you read past issues of magazines or design books past their prime? What is your attraction to good reads that never fade? 

images: heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs

Its the Little Things...

 



"Details create the big picture" (Sanford I. Weill) 

Long a lover of the simple, hidden, miniature and minute, I've been creating vignettes or pieces of a story from the beginning of making a decision to live a successful creative life. It's sometimes so easy to be sucked into the belief in a sort of "Instant Karma" or microwave success. But maybe just maybe its about plugging away day to day in the small things in life, which can lead to a bigger purpose (picture). Sometimes I fantasize about overnight success with visions of camera bulbs and interns at my side, but lately (and maybe this is coming with age) I am happy with where I am now. In the process. Sure, maybe, I have made some mistakes along the way or maybe haven't been wise with my finances, but you better believe I learned from them and chose new paths because of them. So, it has been a "live and learn" process. For example, I began this blog in March 2008, which starts to feel like ions ago in this land of Google Chrome and Tweet Decks. I was pretty clueless and as I am slow learner (well all around slow person), I think I will let myself say "I have come a long way". 

Maybe it was purchasing my very first iPhone this weekend and hearing myself tell the salesman that I need the 16GB for my "online business" ( ... it kinda took me by surprise because it felt so official) that led me to think about progress. Yeah, maybe I haven't been featured in a shelter magazine or had 100,000 site hits in a day, but looking back helps me look forward. Besides, it took Martha Stewart 7 years from the start of her catering business before she had a book deal! 

"It's the little details that are vital.

Little things make big things happen." (John Wooden)

 

The festivities have settled and a new month has dawned.

How do you see yourself today after looking back at where you have come?

What is one little thing you can do today to work toward your larger pursuits? 

images: FRYD + DESIGN, Lobster and Swan via Unicorn Dreams Magazine, Quietland, Kootut Murut, Yvestown

Pretty Pictures for a Girl Under the Weather

Dear , dear friends. Hope you are enjoying some sunshine in your life today!  I really hate to be "Debbie Downer" but I realized yesterday after writing about writer's block, that the reason I felt like I had nothing to give was because I was actually ill. (Wiping my brow with the back of my hand in relief + Hacking cough. I think Robert and I have the onset of Whooping Cough--- ive heard its going around... have you? )So, I can give myself a break. Thank you for your love and patience with me as I try to nurse myself back to health with some homemade Vegetarian Tortilla Soup. It turned out pretty good for a sickie. So enjoy some beauty today with these images from Silke Zander. I hope to be back on Monday. In the meantime, I better go get back in bed, right after I finish painting a shelf for a client. (oops!, don't tell)

ps. Happy Halloween!!!! :)

Shop Around the Corner: BlueBellGray

Its Friday friends!! Can you believe another week is behind us?? I feel like my life has been in fast forward for the past month and I am in the process of catching my breath to keep up. So on that note, I plan to take this weekend to truly rest, get caught up on house work, unpack all my new vintage treasures (soon to be listed) and spend a bit of much needed time with the Mr. (in between his wedding gigs of course). So what are your plans? Do you have any exciting activities planned or squeezing in some R&R? 

If you need a little visual treat or if you are doing some online holiday shopping this weekend, here are some of my favorite links! 

First of all.... I love this Scottish shop Bluebellgray featuring brilliant watercolors for your home. Each design is handpainted in the Bluebellgray studios. Original paintings are also available! So light and dreamy! This is one of those companies that is doing my dream job, creating lovely homewares from original works of art. Ahhh , Sigh!

A quirky California boutique

Rustic, earthy home goods for body and home

My best resource for Japanese Washi tape

An etsy shop to warm you this winter

An most importantly... Pink Pig's Breast Cancer Awareness Soap for the Cure   (your purchase can help cancer research)

Happy Labor Day Weekend + Whites

 

 

 

     

 

Happy Weekend dear friends! Do you have any exciting plans?? I sure do.. Do you want to hear ? Today I have a very special house guest coming to Nashville to stay the weekend with us and tour Music City, USA. Her name is Brigitte of Covet Chicago!  She and her husband are coming down for a football game at Vanderbilt and will be staying with us here. This is the first time I have had a blogging buddy come stay with me and I couldn't be any more thrilled. I met Brigitte in Chicago this summer and we hit it off right away. She is such a fun, spunky person with a ton of creative ideas, so I am looking forward to a time of creative inspiration and taking some time to show her my city. 

I am taking Monday off too since it is Labor Day here in the US and will resume daily posts on Tuesday. But in the interim here's some link love for your weekend reading:

A Gathering Vintage Special Offer on Paper N Stitch

More whites

A simple way to sell

Creative Modern Crafts

Lovely Artist

Pretty Weddings

images: 1.Mia LInnman 2.This is Glamorous 3.Apartment Therapy 4. Ivy Style 5. Seesaw Designs

If only....

 

 
 

i lived near paris

i could attend the maison & objet show sept 3-7

i had a french woman's body and metabolism

image: les invasions ephemeres

 

Blog of the Week: Zimmer Kueche Kabinett

Dear friends, Hello. How is your day today?  Honestly I am at a loss for words today. I was up late last night pondering some message of inspiration and greatness but I feel a little disconnected today so I will leave you with these poetic images from Zimmer Kuche Kabinett. This blog is a little allusive to me even with Google tranlate. Do you know anything about the author and their beautiful photography? Maybe sometimes things are better left unsaid and mysterious. What do you think? Is it better to tell all online or keep a few things private? Or is there a balance in between somewhere.. How do you know what to share and what not to share on your blog?

images : zimmerkuechekabinett

Photographer Maree Homer

 

Hello dears! Happy Tuesday! Hope you are well. I am happy to have my mother and sister here this week. So I can't stay long with you, but know you are always in my thoughts. Here is a lovely photographer based out of Australia, Maree Homer, whose portfolio includes Interiors, Food Lifestyle and beauty products. I discovered Maree from my dear friend Marie Nichols of Whole Lotta Lovely. Check out her most recent styling/photo shoot with Maree.. so beautiful

images: maree homer