Archive for the ‘Nest/Interior+Home’ Category

Three years in the making, The Rug Company’s collaborative effort with the late Alexander McQueen has resulted in four rugs. The four-piece series includes a cashmere Feathers rug [shown above] featuring a pattern based on a hawk’s feather; the wool and silk Skull rug, which comes with the designer’s most famous motif; Hummingbird [shown] depicting birds in flight against a black background. Originally used in a McQueen 2009 collection, the hummingbird pattern was based on a stop-motion wildlife photograph. The last design, Military Brocade, which reportedly was McQueen’s personal favorite, features golden oak leaves border and serpent. Said to be among Alexander McQueen’s last designs, they may be his swan song.

|| Sources: 1, 2 & 3||

Delicate porcelain and papier mache vessels from Ochre Store.

With designs coming up roses, here’s a pick of the bunch 1. Utility meets pretty in designer Nika Zupac’s 5 O’Clock chair for Moooi. The Slovenian designer says she was inspired by “a supreme commander of an army [who] owns a teahouse” // 3. British designer and reigning queen of punk Vivienne Westood collaborated with wallpaper company, Cole & Sons, on a line based on signature designs from her fashion collections. Her Absence of Rose artwork appeared in a collection of knitwear and is highlighted with a crystal effect // 4. Alexander McQueen’s S/S 2010 Eyewear adverts make use of the designer’s love of patterns and fascination with skulls // 2, 6&7. Paul Smith’s F/W 2010 collection presented a 50’s inspired, come undone, post-punk English Rose.

While I’m working on pulling together photos of the actual party, here are a few process photos of my sis-in-law’s baby shower held at my place two weeks ago.

I love Japanese masking tape. I bought a stack in shades of blue and green, which I used to customize clothespins, vases, and from which I made little cupcake flag toppers // Tags for a wishing tree // At the local craft store, I picked up $1 boat model kits, which we painted in the same color theme // Wooden utensils // Parlor game medals // Blue & green, stripes & polka dots for handmade pennant garlands.

|| Photos are my own ||

I’m not being cute when I say I love beetles. In fact, I’ve loved them since I was young. Or maybe I learned to love them when I was too young to know better.

When I was growing up, we had a fruit tree that attracted big, purple, pretty scarabs. They were a peculiarly friendly kind of beetle, letting me take them off the tree branches to play. I’m not so into playing with them anymore but I do still find certain ones fascinating. I’m especially attracted to the iridescent kind. Cockroaches, however? Not so much.

1. Surface View’s wall mural from the UK National History Museum // 2&3. Bottega Veneta scarab bangle and ring // 4. J.K. Cushman resin cuffs, Vivre // 5. Joanne Bittle, A Royal Family (Jewel Beetle), oil and wax on canvas, 2007, at PS1 // 6. I want this small mosaic of beetles by Pheromone, Barneys // 7. Leather wrapped beetle necklace by Natalia Brilli at Chariots on Fire.

Homemade ceviche // Sicilian pistachio gelato & olive oil cake // Flowers picked from the garden // Nautical theme at the Chance trunk show held in San Francisco last week // Wally is a live teddy bear // Walks in the park.

|| Photos by Tish ||

After months of planning, my sister-in-law’s baby shower is happening this weekend. Ever since I volunteered to host the party, I’ve been neck-deep in cute. My husband says I’ve been losing my mind and claims it’s evident in my blog entries. We’ll see whether I go back to my usual gloom and doom once I’m out of cuteness land!

The theme for this weekend’s party is sailboat-meets-birds nests-meets-party pennants… Fun!

Have a great weekend! I’ll be back sometime next week.

____________

Some credits for the inspiration pulls: TS Cookies, Seaside paper lantens at Favors & Flowers, garland by This Neck Of The Woods, Iacolli & McAllister cake stands, origami paper boats by Jurianne Matter.

Inspired by classic English deckchairs, Gallant & Jones offer handmade chairs using eco friendly materials. The chairs are finished in walnut and the appealing, modern-patterned fabric slings are interchangeable. With every chair purchase $5 is donated to Love Trees.

A daybed so perfect in its simplicity. Daybed 710 designed by Alvar Aalto, available at Matter Matters.

Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches are love // Two weeks ago, I made a tangerine chiffon pie to bring to a friend’s dinner party. The secret of the crust is in the agave shortbread cookies I used (not the amount of butter, as I claimed at the party. I’m sneaky like that) // After two long months, construction on our home deck is done and we can enjoy dining alfresco. Yay for great weather, food and company.

I’m taking a little break from my blog but will most likely be back the week of the 12th. Have a fun-filled 4th of July. Go outside and enjoy!

|| Top two photos are mine, dinner photos on our deck are my husband’s ||

________

Pear Sangria Recipe

Pinot Grigio + cranberry juice [preferably white, however, I used regular] + thinly sliced pears + berries + freshly squeezed lime juice.