30 December 2012

Design Books

Two lovely books by designers were under my tree this year.  Charlotte Moss' A Visual Life and Creativity At Work by Heather Clawson.
A Visual Life is a feast for the eyes, full of the collages for which Ms. Moss has become known. Moss brings together her own scrapbooks along with those of notable women, both contemporary and historical, whose flair for style inspires us. Organized by theme—home, garden, travel, entertaining, and fashion—each chapter includes examples of Moss’s signature style mingled with excerpts from the scrapbooks of these great women.  Creativity at Work gives us a look at the work spaces of designers, artists and other creative types~inspiring for sure. 

21 December 2012

I'm dreaming of a tartan Christmas . . .

 a dinner party I'd like to attend


all above photos Lauren Johnson Interiors
 Rue Magazine 2010 Tartans and Toddies






No one does tartan better than Ralph Lauren
vintage J. Crew
 Tartan looks good on anything.

 love a bowtie and mixing plaids


 yes, please
Happy Christmas to all!

13 December 2012

Decorating The White House for Christmas

Every year I enjoy watching the special covering the preparations of The White House for Christmas.  The fact that volunteers from around the country get to do the actual decorating makes it extra special.  I have a soft spot for Washington, DC after living and working there for so many years in my previous life.  It's exciting to see all that goes into the decor/menus/gingerbread house and I love that so many visitors are hosted each year to enjoy it as well.



 The "Gingerbread" House was made of a bread dough that looks like the stone of which the White House is really made.
 Adore the mini garden!
and how they incorporate Bo everywhere.
 The White House Christmas card was painted by Larassa Kabel of Iowa.

06 December 2012

favorite book with which to decorate

Certain elements pop up over and over in design.  One of those has become a favorite of mine.  The book I Married Adventure can be seen in design publications and blogs repeatedly~it never gets old.  A few of my favorite images . . . 
image from how I met your father
image from decor arts now
image from Paris Hotel Boutique
image from lisa dreissig
image from mindy laven
image from tumblr
Pembroke Hall Interiors
jane mcculloch library
I included it in an elevation from my final project too ;D
Every room needs a touch of animal print.