Thursday, July 29, 2010

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!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

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!




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?

Thursday, July 15, 2010

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!


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!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

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!