What goes up...

I've had this picture in my files for a long time...
It's from Dwell, June 2006. If I'm ever remodeling a two-story home and need a spiral staircase (unlikely, but who knows), I will DEFINITELY whip this image out as inspiration.

I've held onto it for a long time, hoping to find a friend-image to pair it with. Finally! It came last week in the Dec 08 Metropolitan Home. It's friend has arrived.


Even more than the stairs, I love the glass separating the entry foyer from the staircase, the concrete wall and the cuckoo clock I blogged about a few weeks ago...

A new favourite . . .

I found this image in the December edition of Elle Decor magazine and fell in love with this library from a beautiful apartment in Paris. I love the drama of the space, the dark colours, and the spectacular textile used for the seating. Just the perfect place to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book.

Well done,
tartanscot


ps. I start decorating my house for holiday this week.
I'll keep you posted with some progress shots.
Yay! You know how I love Christmas!

Restyled Home

http://www.restyledhome.blogspot.com/

daily musings about all things decorative, family and life. Home of the perfectly imperfect and happily bringing pretty back into our homes.

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Hudson Valley Travel Guide

http://visithudsonvalley.blogspot.com/

Local Dining, Wineries, Events, Accommodations, Activities

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Green Travels

http://greentravels.blogspot.com/

Environmentally friendly destinations and fuel efficient cars. Eco tips and tools for smarter travel

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B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy Art Class

http://www.brightartclass.blogspot.com/

A blog site that showcases individual artwork, teach art lessons, and feature anything about art; Aims to encourage the students of B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy to express his ideas and feelings creatively, individually, and freely.

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"and warm woolen mittens ... "

With Thanksgiving practically upon us, it brings one's mind to those things for which we are most grateful for in our day to day lives. This isn't about celebrating one's good health or family (both of which I'm sincerely grateful for) . . but, instead, I'm thinking of those items that bring me a quiet, simple joy. The everyday objects, memories, and experiences that make my everyday life sublime.

Here are some of my favourites things . . . . .

1. Tartan in any form. Period.
2. Velvet Slippers from Crockett & Jones. There's a wonderful little shop on Jermyn Street in London that makes the most amazing shoes. It's one of the ways that I treat myself.
3. Dirty Jeep Wranglers
4. Fresh scones from Sarabeth’s in NY. A good friend introduced me to this marvelous little place on Madison Ave. on the upper East side. Yummy.
5. Singing in harmony.
6. Avalache Roses. They are the most amazing shade of white-green-celedon-ivory.
7. Scottish Breakfast Tea.
8. The Portobello Antique Market. My favourite place to spend a sunny Saturday morning when I'm visiting in England. And if you shop your way through, there's a great little place for lunch on the far end.
9. Flickering candlelight. It is the first element whenever I design for any event.
10. An evening of conversation with good friends.
11. Cashmere sweaters
12. My antique china collection. Just in case a hundred people drop by for afternoon tea. lol.

What makes you happy ?

Happy Thanksgiving,
from tartanscot

It's Showtime!

Metropolitan Home and Showtime recently paired up to design a home with interiors inspired by some of their TV shows. LOVE these rooms. Makes me wonder how my favorite scripted TV shows (Lost and Gossip Girl) would translate as interiors...


The Dexter Dining Room. Designed by Amy Lau, photographer: Peter Murdock
A little gory for a real dining room (like the blood smeared plates!), but shows how white and a splash of a daring color make an amazing statement.


The United States of Tara Master Bedroom. Designed by Tori Golub, photographer: Aaron Fedor
Love the eclectic pieces - especially that wall mirror and chandelier.



Also from United States of Tara. Designed by Tori Golub, photographer: Peter Murdock
I would love love love this closet. Looks like it could be a chic retail space. That hanging rod? Awesome.


The Lounge/Cafe. Designed by Kirsten Brant, photographer: Adam Chinitz
This would be my dream little girls' room. My daughter will probably rebel and want forest green. Ick.

The Briar Rose Gate

http://artwolfs-briar-rose-gate.blogspot.com/

I am artist, who enjoys painting horses, dogs , cats, pets, wildlife and fantasy subjects , quite an eclectic mixture, but lots of fun.Poppy is my Labrador Technical Director, who Loves sleeping, eating,walks. She has her own website.

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I'm a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock n' roll

As you have probably already noticed, I have quite eclectic taste - modern: love it, Moroccan: love it, minimalist: love it, maximalist: love it.

Here are some beautiful, and traditional, shots from this month's Elle Decor that I dig...
LOOOOVE that light fixture.

And here are two shops they mentioned that I would love to visit

This one, Coleen & Company, is here in LA!

This one is for all of you in Chicago - Susan Fredman

Grosgrain Lane

http://www.grosgrainlane.blogspot.com/

The adventures of a city-dwelling, cupcake eating, headband wearing, Volvo driving, self-proclaimed foodie.

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Tagged!

I was tagged by I'm all Agog (if you haven't checked out her blog, you should, it's really fantastic) this week to reveal 6 quirky but boring details. She and I are always commenting on each other's posts, giving some blogger support to each other - thanks for thinking of me!

1. I am hosting my first Thanksgiving this year. It's not just any Thanksgiving, it's Thanksgiving for 21 people. Crazy, I know, but I'm incredibly excited to spend this weekend getting all prepared for it. Little known fact: I love Stuffing. I hate Turkey. It takes like dry, cheap chicken to me. And I don't even like chicken.

2. I have the greatest dog in the world.

3. I love to cook. Following a recipe isn't that difficult. Baking though, that's a whole other ballgame. Baking should be left up to Mensa scholars, physicists, and bakers.

4. I am left handed. And proud.

5. I am a pen thief. If you hand me a pen to write something down, I will inadvertently walk away with it. My husband will stock the desk with pens, they will all end up in my purse within days. Again, I never mean to. I must have some sort of magnetic force with pens.

6. I am an NPR junkie.

Ok..my turn to tag:

CM Illustration
Neatloaf
A Pretty Pill (who recently celebrated her 101st post, just like me!)
Always More to Hear

Here are the rules:
* Mention the rules on your blog.
* Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
* Tag six other
* Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they are tagged.

a tad bit prudish

http://atadbitprudish.blogspot.com/

Description: Sylvia is a freelance & children's writer who blogs about crafting, baking, shopping and all things mommy-like! She's also been known to be a tad bit prudish...

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WOW

Does that image make you say "Wow!" Yeah, me too.

I saw this chair, yes it's a chair, while searching on Unica Home for furniture for a client. I went to the designer's website to find more of her amazing work. Her name is Louise Campbell, but in my house I call her Genius. I'd like to borrow her brain for a few hours. I promise I'll return it ;)

FYI, all info/descriptions below are excerpts taken directly from Campbell's website. I encourage you to check out her website for more information - I particularly like her descriptions/inspirations...

Veryround
Year: 2006
Manufacturer: Zanotta
Product status: In production

This is simply a very round chair.



Honesty

Year: 1999
Made by: Jacob Trolle
Owned by: Private collector
Materials: Ash
Photo: Erik Brahl
Product status: One-off

Inspiration a
A fine straight plank. A talented cabinetmaker. Together we are to walk the plank. In my ears, this sounds like an opportunity to make something very complicated.
Inspiration b
The fascination of a birds nest. The delicate structure, often placed far above the ground, housing both small and large creatures. The urge to lie quietly curled up and protected does not always disappear just because the body outgrows the cradle, but the facilities for doing so become more and more scarce with age.



Bille goes Zen

Design: Louise Campbell
Year: 2003, to be launched in 2006
Made by: Cabinet maker Lars Bille Christensen
Materials: Ash
Product status: One-off

One off chair designed for Walk the Plank 2003.
Owned by private collector.
Rocks sideways.

Why not?
168 joints
224 dowels
70 slats
Processed with millimeter-precision
To sit in
Rocks sideways
May be tipped backwards, so that one sits like a Banana in a fruit bowl.


Retreat
Design: Louise Campbell
Year: 1998
Materials: 4mm steel thread wrapped in 4km of white angora wool
Photo: Erik Brahl
Product status: One off

Lazy greedy chair

The house spider prefers to hang out in corners.
Here it constructs its web, which exists to catch prey – for survival.
The spider itself, however, prefers to curl up in a silk funnel at the rear of the web nearest the corner.
The funnel is the spiders retreat.



‘Blah, Blah, Blah’


Design: Louise Campbell
Year: 2008
Product status: One off

‘Blah, Blah, Blah’ at Kunstforeningen Gammel Strand /

A site specific installation has just been completed in this lovely museum in the heart of Copenhagen. The installation is a large fully functioning meeting room, which seats up to 20 people. Focus is on the enormous amount of words used during meetings, of which only a fraction are truly useful.


Couldn't have said it better myself, Louisa.

Please note, I will accept the Veryround in lieu of other birthday gifts.

and tartanscot said . . . "It was good."

Another greeting from another slightly wee hour.

Today has been amazing. I've had nothing but great feedback on my Dining by Design installation, and may even have a few nibbles on some extended press and print . . . I'll keep you informed.

I'm always so inspired by seeing other creative minds at work. Just walking through the "D by D" event this evening makes me so proud to be in the design trade. I love seeing how one can take such a simple charge . . . "Go forth and create a dining room" . . . and see the unending variations on that one idea.

Some of my favourites; Ken Fulk's whimsical (and theatrical) take on the Sleeping Beauty myth, Candace Barnes' Chinoiserie garden, and Jo Malone's simple elegance . . .

A big (and unending) 'thank you' to Leslie and the whole staff from Wroolie & co., Cathy Post from Ralph Lauren, and Stacy (*kisses*) for helping me survive the hell-that-was-yesterday.

I'm moments from crashing in the bed for a gentle night's slumber.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
tartanscot

I'm so Bourgeois!

After yesterday's post on Bourgeois Boheme, the great shop here in LA, I decided to check out their website. I am officially in love.



Polished steel desk





Parchment console table




Palais Royale chandelier





Pair of steel tank consoles




Minecart coffee table



Louis XVI armchair and ottoman




Courrones chandelier




Curio cabinet




Blanche chandelier

I think I need to buy a second home to have a spot for all their gorgeous things.

Another favorite local spot of mine is Blackman Cruz - their furniture always surprises me.

They are famous for their skull lamp...

But their octopus lamp is also stunning
Look at those tentacles...
And I LOVE the Mantis chair. Very different. Hmmmm, so for my birthday, I now want everything Jonathan Adler stocks, a skull lamp, the contents of the Bourgeois Boheme shop...

Since the economy is a bit rocky these days, I'll be happy to just have my sister's homemade jam :)

Cars Are For Girls

http://carsareforgirls.blogspot.com/

Just a blog by a girl who believes that while the world of cars is dominated by men, cars are for girls too...

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Mike's Show-N-Shine

http://mikes-show-n-shine.blogspot.com/

I love cars and enjoy going to car shows, show-n-shines-(thus the name of the blog!) and doing garage tours with Luther's Cruisers Car Club or the West Michigan Mustang Club. Make a comment if you would like. I will email you back if requested.

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If it weren't for the last minute . . . .

Greetings from the wee hours,

Yesterday was one of those days when you have to laugh, because laughing was the only option. As I've been writing about, the 2008 Dining by Design installation project has been going on this week. Monday was set aside for the "national sponsor tables" to install . . . and Tuesday morning is when the "rank and file" local designers get access to our spaces. The good news was . . . the contractor was arriving at 9:30 am to install the marvelous set that I'd designed, the wallpaper installer was scheduled for 2:00 pm, lighting tech was on for 3:30, and furniture was moving in at 4:00 pm. Sounds like a good plan, huh?

Well, the contractor was delayed and wouldn't be in until around noon. (Not what I'd hoped for, but clearly, I could work around it.) So headed to lunch and to run a few other errands.

12:30 pm, no contractor. 1:00 pm, no contractor. 1:45, no contractor and his cell phone went straight to voice mail. 2:00, I called and delayed wallpaper install, and still no contractor.

Well, around 3:00pm, the panic began to set in. What if the contractor wasn't coming? What if there had been some sort of accident? What was the grand, elegant space going to look like without the grand, elegant set to surround it? What the "f" was I going to do?

So, I started planning another version of the design that DIDN'T have a set around it. I could always go and buy ten or fifteen trees to make some kinda "enchanted forest" for the space. So, we started moving furniture in. I let the lighting tech guys install the huge light fixture. I canceled the wallpaper (since, clearly, there were no walls to install it on . . . lol)

THEN, my contractor arrive. (He explained the he had been delayed and forgot to turn his phone on. This was followed by several moment of swearing) But, now we were able to work around the placed furniture. We were able to work around the installed lighting fixtures. We were able to re-schedule the wallpaper install for 8:00 am the following morning. We were able to keep my heart from exploding from the stress of the day.

So today was a full, dead sprint to the finish line. Instead to the 12 to 15 hours, over two days, the I had planned to install this huge project . . . we had 5.5 hours to whip together before the photographer arrived to shoot for a national magazine. Luckily, I had great friends to help out. Luckily, there were few if any problems to overcome as the project evolved before my eyes.

More later . . . . first there must be sleep.


Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
tartanscot

Let's Go Shopping!!!

I know I've said it about 500 times, but I really think LA is the greatest city. It's warm all the time. We have amazing restaurants, shopping, beach, mountains... Having grown up here I might be biased.

La Brea is a great street, with very eclectic shopping. Vintage, new, modern, traditional, Balinese, they have it all.

Cisco Home is a great shop. Very classic furniture, all done with the environment in mind. FSC certified woods, green fabrics, and it's good looking!


This is a sofa I love...


Craig Olsen is another great shop - filled with goodies

This hot pink desk chair would be great in my office!


Bourgeois Boheme is another La Brea great. They have vintage, custom, old, new, borrowed, blue...

Love this lambs wool stool


And this industrial side table


But I think my favorite part of their store is their shop dog.

Viva Los Angeles!