{roped in}

These Thomas Paul plates are just inspired! Found on the site Daytrip Society and at Mystic Seaport gift shop in Mystic, CT.

{whimsy in the home}

While surfing the web looking for beatuiful things which make me smile, one has go to bookmark the pretty table linens from Kathy Mellor in South Africa. I love the purple flower designs-the flower reminds me of the beautiful protea flowers I fell in love with in South Africa, or even the whimsical purple flower of the much closer to home chive plant. Kathy has some really nice designs with illustrated silverware that I love, too- those would make really great everyday napkins.



If you’re looking for some new table linens, click here to check out Kathy’s collection online.

{Saturday Sleep-in}

Spending much of my youth in Germany, I am drawn to very European decorating styles, so much so that one part of me loves the fresh minimalism of Scandinavian design as seen in this beautiful bedroom and the other loves the antique filled French Country look. The silver lining is that I can feather my virtual nest any way I like it!

{gold plated}

A wedding is coming up the first of May, of which I am a guest, and this creative and elegant alternative to a guest book featured on Martha Stewart caught my eye. Elevate the guest book to an art form by having guests write on plates to later be mounted on your wall.

{case in point}

What may appear at first glance to be an unconventional armoire is actually a set of bookcases attached along one side. Opened, it's a compact, self-contained innovative crafts or office nook. Closed, it's far more decorative than any tidied-up desk, without the slightest hint of its contents.

Martha Stewart gives us the directions for this clever storage option. Enjoy!

{organized to boot}

I've been out for a while helping take care of my mom, so when I arrived at home, there was a mountain of mail. Inside was one of my favorite catalogs-Restoration Hardware! This piece really caught my eye-imagine it filled with scrapbook papers, material, rubber stamps, trimmings, and whatever else comes to mind. It would be classy in a hallway or guest room if no craft room is available to you.

{to dry for}

I hate cooking and cleaning. I mean really, the only reason I have a kitchen is because it came with my townhouse. However, I will concede that I do enjoy decorating it. So, when I saw these tea towels, I just had to share.

{Saturday Sleep-in}

This beautiful bedroom is by painter Rosetta Santucci, who lives with her husband, their two boys and labradoodle, Banjo in this home in Footscray, (just outside of Melbourne) Australia. Rosetta’s background in costume for film and television along with her passion for textiles has deeply influenced her painting style.

{Saturday sleep in}

This beautiful bedroom is photographed by Jennifer Anatola. I love the cozy feeling that the dark colors create, yet it is not overbearing because the freshness of the crisp white sheets. The celestial motif is whimsical and fun. What a lovely space to spend time in...

{living in a Bright Star}

Design*Sponge put together this beautiful collection of home accessories and fashion inspired by a beautiful movie called Bright Star, so I just had to share it with you. Bright Star follows the bittersweet romance between famed poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, the girl next door. Words are not enough to describe the beautiful homes, dresses and devastatingly handsome poets.

Here is a list of the items featured in the roundup photos:

rose jacquard ribbon $39/yd, linen fabric, trumeau mirror $449, antique correspondence, antique paste & pearl ring $225, candlestick, book boxes $49, embroidery scissors $20, directoire chest $1300, intermission heels $348, gold thimble $2, fireplace tools $79, tussentaal cabinet $2498, butterflies $39+, tufted leather sofa $2900, quill and ink set $15, butterfly net $6.75, demijohn bottle $125, vintage scandinavian books $40, bluebell wild flower seeds $2, antique lyre brooch $85.

{prickley pear}

Orange and Pear features decoupage artist John Derian. I really enjoy his creations.

Here's what they say about him: John Derian has taken the art of decoupage to new heights. Decoupage is simply the art of cutting and gluing paper to surfaces. His designs are anything but simple. They are beautiful and elegant, yet fresh and witty. He has been collecting vintage images of fruit, flowers, animals, and shells for decades. He also hand paints borders over ledgers and letters that are over 100 years old. He uses his art to decoupage plates, trays, coasters, paper weights and table top items. His designs make very special gifts that can be used as a holders for letters, stamps and coins or beautifully displayed on a wall or bookshelf. At Orange and Pear, they love designers that transcend trends. John Derian's designs are timeless and look fabulous in modern and old homes.

We think this porcupine tray is sweet and fun. Don't you love the lavender dot detail in the background? It is such a unique piece and sure to be loved as a gift for anyone!

{rain, rain, go away}

Oh, rain, rain, go away! Here's a way to add some light to a gloomy Eeyore-kind-of-day! This whimsical lamp is made by Ali Siavoshi. His site: www.alialiali.com

he has many other really delightful creations. Ali has become very interested in working with objects of everyday use and transforming them into lighting fixtures. This has led to designs involving umbrellas, cutlery and even coat hangers which represent design not in the expected form of stylishness but with a sense of humour which brings these objects closer to the audience.

{sleeping in paisley splendor}

Saturday sleep-in featured bedroom is by Michael Smith, the White House decorator, who designed this bedroom with mix and match paisley's as featured in Domino. I like the black and white graphic, as well as, the canopy bed. I just love a four-poster!

{inspired living in SOHO}

This is just one of the many pieces that I fell in love with at Clio in SOHO part of NYC. There were so many wonderful finds that it was hard to pick one to feature. I liked the inspired design of this piece. It is a traditional teapot, with even a traditional vine and floral shape but matched together in such an unconventional way that is, well, inspired. Ohh, I have to tell you about another teaset, called Sterling Tea Set, it is an exact replica in porcelin of the artist's grandmother's silver tea set, however the modern twist is a silver spoon transfer on the white ceramic tea tray.

Visit this well-appointed store at www.clio-home.com or at 92 Thompson St. in SOHO.

{I love Paris...}

Cat Studios offers a whole line of products devoted to the states and cities we love. I love Paris in the Springtime, summer, fall, heck, even Winter. So, now I can curl up with my Paris pillow and have nothing but sweet dreams! http://www.catstudio.com/

{a hint of possibility}

These fantastical and whimsical trays from ibrides just envelope the viewer into a world of imagination with a hint of possibility.

Ibride, pronounced "e-breed," is created by 3 members of the same French family. The artistic inspiration for each item is combined and inspired from both their local environment as well as their and travels around the world. The word 'ibride' itself is a play on words in French meaning 'hybrid', and many of the pieces can be used for several different functionalities and purposes but definitely conversational pieces.

These are just a few of the intricate trays they design. They are constructed of high-pressure laminate with a pre-recycled wood core.

First spied these on the website NestedInteriors.com, but the trays and other wonderful ojects are at http://www.ibride.fr/ibride_en.htm Please enjoy!

{fun and funky glam}

Carousel Letters are a fun and funky way to glam up a wall. Pick your initial and make it yours. I just love the quirkyness.

Available at www.hazelnutneworleans.com

{delictable home accessories}

Pierre Frey offers an array of delictable home accessories, like these gourmet dessert pillows. Yum-don't you just want to eat them up! One in every color please...

Available at www.pierrefrey.com