Lighting Dilemma and Arco Lamps

I have been trying to solve a lighting dilemma in my living room. There is no over head, hard wired lighting and the two lamps are just not cutting it. On one of those rainy summer days last week, I was thumbing through my old Domino magazines and came across this image... EUREKA! An Arco lamp!

Image via Domino.

The Arco lamp is one of those classic designs where form and function meet and live happily ever after. Designed in 1962 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, it is so practical and functional — It's a floor lamp and an overhead light! The Castiglionis' functionalism makes this design complex in its simplicity. (Whoa...That was pretty profound, huh?!)

Image via Apartment Therapy.

Image via Houzz.

Achille Castiglioni in his Milan studio in the late '60s, reading under the Arco lamp he designed with his brother.

Image via Apartment Therapy.

Image via Cote Maison.

Image via Houzz.

Image via Houzz.

Image via London Homes.

I know that I'll never be able to afford a real Arco but there are some great copies out there... What do you think of these lamps? Are they over used and and cliche or do you think they are timeless classics?

P.S. Project Runway starts tonight at 9:00, so excited!

Master Bedroom Make-Over. The Plan.

Hello, Hello, Hello... out there! {echo sound effect} I'm back and totally dying to blog! I've really missed all of you! It has been quite a CrAzY couple of weeks around here. Vacations, birthdays, funerals, graduation parties, more birthdays, nursing school girlfriends in town, going from working part time days to full time days all while trying to squeeze doctors appointments in... I have a whole new admiration for all of the working Moms out there, I really do not know how you manage it!

Many props and much respect!!!

Well, I'm finally starting the master bedroom make-over and while thumbing through my Anthropologie and Pottery Barn catalogues I got really inspired by the quilts. My only hesitation comes from my fear and loathing of all things "shabby chic". I think there is a fine line that you don't want to cross! The PB room below is on the good side of using quilts in bedroom design.

Image via Pottery Barn.

The room below has gone horrifically wrong... hence my long standing and totally justifiable fear!

Image via Ugliest House Photos.

Then, I saw the name of one of the Anthro quilt designers. Her name is Denyse Schmidt and she is awesome! She grew up in an old textile factory in Massacheusetts with a Father who built furniture and a Mother who was a seamstress. So naturally, she started sewing at a very early age. Later, she studied graphic design at the Rhode Island School of Design, and had several different careers over the years. She finally patched together (pun intended!) her many eclectic experiences and created her business ten years ago.

Here are a few of my favorite designs....

"What a Dish" nursery quilt. Image via Denyse Schmidt.

"Drunk Love in a Log Cabin" Image via Denyse Schmidt.

"String Theory" Image via Denyse Schmidt.

"Big Zig" Via Denyse Schmidt.

"Four Crosses" Image via Denyse Schmidt.

So here's my plan. I'm going to try to make a modern, colorful quilt as part of my bedroom make-over design. The thing is that the only quilts I've ever made have been nothing more complicated than sewing straight lines. This ought to some kinda interesting project!

This is a super simple patch work type quilt that I made for my adorable baby nephew. I sewed ric-rac around squares to hide the less-than-perfect corners and to serve as the actual quilting.

And this is one of the quilts I put together for the "Linus Project."

My Mom (who is a fantastic teacher) and I found these fabrics while in the lower level of their house during a tornado warning, in the dark, without electricity, by candle light. I'm not sure what I'll use or which design I'll try but as soon as I figure it all out I'll do a follow-up post.

What do you think of designing around a quilt?

Green Street Giveaway!

My girl, Fran is having her first giveaway... a very lovely giveaway from CSN! Swing on over to Green Street and check out her beautiful blog full of great design ideas and DIY projects! Fran is super talented, with great style and taste. She never ceases to amaze with her budget friendly finds!

Green Street.

Fran and her sweet little Luke.

I'll be back with a proper post soon. The last couple of weeks have been interesting, to say the least! I'll fill you all in tomorrow! Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Happy 4th of July!!!

THOSE WHO EXPECT TO REAP THE BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM, MUST… UNDERGO THE FATIGUE OF SUPPORTING IT.

Thomas Paine

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

See You Back Here on Tuesday!

Musical Inspiration & Gig Posters

"I've got the music in me, sweet music in me; I've got the muuuuu-sic in MEEEEE!" Ok, enough of that...

These words could very well be my life's theme, as I have always loved or been involved with music in one way or another. From the ear-splitting screeches of violin in grade school, to the constant banging on the piano through middle school and the musicals through out high school. I have been attempting to play or sing since I was a youngster.

So naturally you ask yourself, "Why haven't I heard of her on Broadway, or seen her name on the Billboard charts?" Well, let's just say that while the music may be IN me, what comes OUT of me doesn't even remotely resemble music. Heaven knows it's not something you'd ever pay to hear! I can remember Sister Corinne (our grade school music teacher) saying to us "God asks us to make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord." Thankfully, He doesn't say anything about it being in tune, on tempo, or in perfect harmony.

That is why I pay to hear others who are in tune, that play magnificently, or can actually dance while singing brilliantly. Concerts are a huge source of joy for me. Whether it be rock, classical or anything in between, I have always ponied up to hear musical acts that inspire me.

So here's where I'm going with all of this. Over the years I've amassed an extraordinary collection of concert t-shirts and gig posters. The shirts haven't fared so well over time but a few of the gig posters have. Here are some of my favorites...

Designed by Nate Duval and Jen Skelley.

Also, Nate Duval.

Designed by Jason Munn.

Again, Jason Munn.

Designed by The Heads of State.

Dan Stiles.

Mikey Burton.

Jaimes Cervantes.

Designed by, The Small Stakes.

Designed by, Strawberry Luna.

Robert Lee.

So, what do you think... should I resurrect a couple of my besties, frame them and make them a part of a gallery wall?

Update

I just returned from the Gastroenterologist and this latest Crohn's flare-up seems to be improving. He advanced my diet from liquids only to a low fiber/soft diet. HURRAY, no more soup and Jello! The CT Enterography is tomorrow. That should tell us definitively whether surgery needs to be scheduled ASAP or if we can hold off for a while and really prepare properly for it. I am so relieved.

Thank you all for the prayers, well wishes, and encouraging

e-mails! It really means the world to me! xo!

My 5 Summer Must Haves

Rene, over at Cottage and Vine is having a linky party! She wants us to share our five "must haves" for a weekend at the beach. And being a girl who loves spending a lot of time at the beach, this one is pretty fun and easy for me. Here are my 5 must haves...

1. Givenchy Mascara. I love this applicator. It sort of grabs your lashes and applies the product from the roots to the ends. It's waterproof and it does a great job of separating and curling your lashes. It doesn't get clumpy or cakey. Totally worth the price!

2. Frederic Fekkai Wave Spray. Don't you love the nice curl/wave that your hair gets after a day on the beach? This product is great because it encourages the "pretty waves" and subdues the "frizz bomb". Which is huge for me and my ginormous head of un-ruly hair. (Bonus: it smells great too!)

3. Outlast Lipstain. I am such a fan of this stuff. It really does last for a long time and the "Nude Kiss" and "Everbloom Kiss" are my favorite summer shades. My only complaint is that it's not really moisturizing. So I put the lipstain on in the morning and apply a little Burt's Bees Lip Balm throughout the day. Perfect!

4. Essie Nail Polish. I really think Essie makes a great nail polish. And if you haven't seen the 2010 Resort Collection, you should... here. This color is called "Turquoise & Caicos" and it looks great with sun kissed skin.

5. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock. This sunscreen, with Helioplex technology... blah, blah, blah! I have no idea what that means, all I know for sure is that it's super sheer and drys almost instantly. There's nothing I hate more than sticky or greasy lotions. Blech!!!

What are the 5 things you can't leave home without?