Friday, April 29, 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sweet Home Alabama
















Last night was a scary night to live in Alabama.  I'm grateful that myself and loved ones are safe, but many in my home state are without homes and basic needs.  My friend, Jonathan Purvis took this shot last night of downtown Birmingham.  Click HERE to see how you can help Alabama with relief efforts.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Accessory: Planters



I want these planters in table top and hanging versions.  That is all.  (via terri planty)


Interior: Leo Burnett Office



Leo Burnett Office by HASSELL.  I love the large scale murals and the mixture of industrial and recycled materials.  The break out spaces look so comfortable and inviting.  I can see how easy it would be to be creative in this environment.  (via contemporist)























(images Brett Winstone)

Friday, April 22, 2011

DIY: Mailing Envelope Tote Bag

















I always loved DIY projects that recycle.  This awesome DIY (via the etsy blog) uses a mailing envelope that is letterpressed and recycled into a tote bag.  See the step by step instructions HERE.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Finish: Lava Stone



I've been eyeing a certain lava stone flooring sample that I ordered last year as an option for when I decide to redo my kitchen floor.  I know I'm dreaming based on the $15 sq/ft price, but I get a discount and the kitchen isn't terribly large!  Yea right, I'll keep dreaming.  In the meantime I'll settle for drooling over these amazing lava stone sinks from made a mano.  They are the most dreamy for sure.


(thanks for the link monica!)

Etsy Lunch Hour: Garden Markers



I've been on the hunt for cool garden markers and these guys made the cut...so far. 

















Interior: Renovated Brownstone



I'm pretty crazy about this renovated brownstone by fernlun + logan architects.  A 15 foot deep steel and glass extension was added on to the rear of the brownstone and what resulted is absolutely badass.  I would sit in that music room for hours.















































photos by Christopher Sturman and Keetja Allard

Monday, April 18, 2011

Furniture: Beaugars


I love the combination of metal poles and wooden benches in this Beaugars by Meike Langer.  I would love something like this as my catchall when I walk in the front door.  (via notcot)


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Before & After: Side Lot



(before)

Sorry for the negligence.  I've been insanely busy with presentations for work, recording music, and working on the garden.   I did get to snap a few photos the other morning of our efforts over the weekend.  When we moved into the house (almost) 3 years ago, there was a vacant lot next door that was not maintained and belonged to the city.  After a little investigation and a very small sum of money, the lot now belongs to us.  We've done a garden on it the last two years and this year will be the first year we have neighbors that want to get their hands dirty in the garden too.  I'm so thankful for the help and it's a great motivator to get work done. Not only have we been working on tilling the garden and getting the soil ready for planting, but the boys built a fence last week...complete with an arbor (that the girls assembled).  I'm going to plant some jasmine in pots on either side of the arbor and let it grow up and over.  The street appeal is much more pleasing.  Don't you agree?  We have tons of more plans for the side lot, but this is a good start.




















(after)  I didn't even know there were concrete steps and a railing beneath all that brush.



(I love that old railing that's kicked in and rusted.  We painted it bright red two years ago.  I think I'll plant something to grow on it too)

























(better after shot of the arbor)

Friday, April 08, 2011

DIY: Cloud Rugs

















These faux sheepsking cloud-shaped rugs are pretty fantastic.  I could see them as a bathmat or in a nursery or just a little soft area for the pups to lay on.  See the step by step instructions here.  (via lifeflix)

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Artist: Paul Simon, Jimmy Fallon, & Stomp



This week seems to be my week to be overly emotional and proud of my amazing friends.  My childhood friend Brad, who is a performer with Stomp, was on Jimmy Fallon last night performing with Paul Simon.  I teared up, maybe cried a little bit as they played "Cecilia", one of my favorite songs ever.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Inspiration: Outdoor Seating


I keep a folder on my computer titled "inspiration".  It's filled with interiors I like, paint colors I want to use, tile patterns, and most recently, tattoo designs.  I just realized I've been collecting quite a few outdoor seating inspiration images over the last few years too and thought this would be the perfect combination with my picnic table post this morning.
















dominey pavilion 















I have a sweet little Mediterranean house and was trying to convince my husband that I need a pool with this inspiration photo.

Before & After: Redwood Stain


We've been hitting the garden hard the last few weekends and it's getting bigger and badder than ever.  It's 32' x 52' this year!  Since this is the first year we have neighbors to share the garden with, we thought it might be nice to make the area around the garden more friendly by adding a picnic table.  We got the picnic table at Lowe's for less than $100.  I got some Valspar Redwood Stain and stained that bad boy up and had just enough left over to give the piece of fencing, that I just don't have the heart to get rid of, a coat as well.  I like that the redwood stain matches the trim on my house.  Now I just need to get to that darn garage back there and get it looking good.


Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Green Content: Legotron Mark I






















My friend, Cary Norton, built this amazing "Legotron Mark I" camera from lego blocks.  I've been smiling about this camera for two weeks now after seeing it come to completion on his Tumblr page.  I just read the article HERE that Inhabitat did on the camera and so should you.  Congrats, Cary!

Interior: Fabricville








Monday, April 04, 2011

Lighting: Max. Mover




I love the adjustability, telescoping, and rotating ability of this Max. Mover light.  Plus, it just looks cool.