Monthly Archives: January 2012
Inspired Week 1.20.12
| January 20, 2012 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, Design, Explore, Inspiration, interiors, Nurture, Places, See and Do, so-cal local |
Has this week been crazy for you?
Last weekend was so busy, and so was Monday and Tuesday – I’ve been all mixed up on my days and I’m pretty sure I skipped a week entirely because there’s really only 1 week of January left…what???
Anyway, now that I realize it is Friday I am pretty excited for the weekend. I’ll be attending a fun event on Saturday in Costa Mesa to celebrate the Grand Opening of Phase II at one of my favorite local spots – the OC Mart Mix. This place was built for small businesses and I’m thrilled to see how it’s grown in just a year. I applaud the companies who took a risk in moving in when it was empty and had the faith (and the means, obviously) to see it through. Hurrah for expansion!
A couple things I loved about this week:
1. I totally changed the blog. Did you notice? I’ve tried to rework the layout a few times before and it always ended up looking pretty much the same. But this time it’s just different enough to be exactly what I was hoping for…with a few kinks that I’ll figure out eventually. What do you think?
2. These freshy fun pillows from Erin Flett – featured on Design Sponge
3. I’d like to think that if my recipes were organized here I would use them more often, simply because I would want to look at the book everyday – from Poppytalk
4. I made my first video. Well, that’s a lie, because I used to make Spice Girls videos with my girlfriends every time a new song came out. Guess which Spice I was? And at the cultured age of 5 I would write, direct and perform in plays with my cousin. So really, this gift has been culminating practically since birth – and this video might be disappointing to you. But I’m pretty excited. So, will you watch it anyway, puhleez?
5. This isn’t really inspired so much as baffled/afraid/proud of the voice of social media but I have to mention the SOPA Blackout Day because it happened. And that was interesting. Google’s foot stomping was my favorite. I don’t think there’s a chance in hell of that insanity passing…but then again, what do I know? The older I get the more things I am dead wrong about. Let’s hope this isn’t one of those things. (BTW, if this does pass I will be in super big trouble for using that Spice Girls poster…see the risks I take for you?)
Like I said, I’ve been a busy lady this week. I just have one last thing to mention, or plug, if you will. I’ve been doing this blogging/social media thing for my own business for over 3 years now…and I tend to talk a lot about the business side of it during offline discussions with friends and acquaintances. Through a series of recent kismetic conversations and events, I have somehow stumbled into now doing this stuff for other people’s businesses. And I like it! What started out as a few quick tutorials, or setting up a Facebook page, has turned into a business opportunity.
I am not one to overlook opportunity.
So, do me a favor and think of me if anyone you know has a business that needs some help with their social media marketing. And I would love to work with you too, cuz we’re friends and all.
Peace, yo. Have a great weekend.
Design: 3 affordable accessories your living room can’t live without
| January 18, 2012 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, Design, interiors, living room |
I’m a sucker for home accessories, but there is a fine line between decorated and just plain cluttered. Focus on these 3 pieces to make the biggest impact for the smallest dollar.
image from Better Homes & Gardens September 2010
1. Trays
Trays are stylish – which is why you see them in every living room in every home magazine. But the reason I love them is that they are so versatile! In a living room they can serve snacks, corral magazines, create an instant centerpiece or add texture and depth to a bare wall.
They come in a variety of styles, finishes and price points.
Seriously, no home should be without several.
Lacquered trays from West Elm
2. A Decorative Box
So what do you keep in there? Everything. Remotes, coasters, notepad & pen.
Yep. Anything that fits. Where do you put it?
Smack in the center of your coffee table.
Mirrored Box from Z Gallery
3. Oversized Basket
Keep a large basket next to your sofa, stocked with a couple throws and a pillow or two.
This keeps your sofa from looking sloppy, but having extra blankets on hand is ideal for a comfy living space.
Oval Wire Basket from Redefine Home. Contact me for details.
Wear This Now – DIY Colorblocking
| January 17, 2012 | Posted by Nicole L. under accessories, clothing, color story, Create, do-it-yourself, fashion, Inspiration, textiles |
Last Fall, the colorblocking trend took over. Because it was a relatively-new trend, bloggers and fashionistas were gleefully putting together dazzling combinations of bright and bold colors – mostly in ways which would have been major faux-pas in preceding years.
The colorblocking trend has returned for the Spring, but this time it’s embracing a more neutral color scheme – which makes it more wearable for non-fashion-bloggers and those who can’t show up to work wearing hot pink and electric blue with a straight face.
This is a good thing, because for far too long, we’ve been clinging to safe beige in our wardrobes and avoiding fun accents of color. Because most ready-to-wear retailers are slow to catch on, DIY might be the only way to wear colorblocking. Below are some of my favorite colorblocking projects.
Credits: dress, shoes, clutch, pants, earrings, necklace, J. Crew skirt, fabric paint.
Inspired By: California Mid-Century Decorative Arts Exhibit
| January 16, 2012 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, art, Design, design history, Explore, furniture, Inspiration, interiors, lighting, Places, See and Do, so-cal local, textiles, vintage |
“I definitely need to get out more.”
That’s what I said the moment I stepped foot inside LACMA – The LA County Museum of Art. The realization that I hadn’t been there in 3 years (or any museum, for that matter) surprised and disappointed me. Isn’t the point of being a designer/creative person to be able to go on these “work” excursions regularly?
Yes. For all the headaches, heartaches and lost sleep you get when you’re a passionate person, you deserve to be able to waste a few days a month wandering stores and museums in the name of research.
So with a big slap across my own face, I promised that this was the beginning of a new phase where I get dressed and leave my home more days than not. By the time I got done berating myself, we had arrived at the front door of the exhibit we drove up to see. California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way.
As a designer in Southern California, I developed an interest in Mid-Century design early in design school. But also, as with many designers, I’ve tired of the look since it’s so prevalent around here – not to mention that the term “Mid-Century Modern” is highly overused AND the sheer number of knockoffs is exhausting.
So it was really nice to get a little crash course reminder of why this period is so significant in art and design history and to see some iconic (and impressive) pieces up close and personal. It certainly re-ignited some passion.
Here are some of my favorite pieces from the show.
I love the typography of these college course books.
This stereo sideboard is “the bees knees” (is that period appropriate?).
I was surprised and excited to see that this exhibit included the living room of the Eames Case Study house. The Eames house has been closed to the public since Ray Eames died in 1988 but they do allow people on the grounds of the home – a couple years ago I took a trip up there and, thanks to their liberal use of glass, was able to get a pretty good tour from the exterior. So it was strangely familiar to see all of their interior furnishings had been transported and accurately placed (inch by inch) in a reproduction home.
I’m digging this multi-functional dining/coffee table. So simple and yet so effective.
Creepy and cool, the Rib Chair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
I was most fascinated with the story behind why and how this form of design began. The biggest reason was the rapid boom in population – people moving west from hardship and artist emigres escaping their war-torn countries. I really tried to get a good photo of this, but the glare was too tough a contender. Still, it’s a powerful shot.
These are the cross-streets of Fairfax and Robertson, the location of LACMA. They were taken just 7 years apart.
Whoa, right?
This exhibit is awesome, and you should go see it. BUT it’s only 1 of 60 museums in Southern California with exhibits dedicated to this historic time. The collective is called Pacific Standard Time - whether you want to see the complete Eames collection or printmaking and graphic design, there is an exhibit for that. Check it out.
More cool stuff:
Inspired Week 1.13.12
| January 13, 2012 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under inspired life series, Nurture |
It’s Friday the 13th (insert creepy organ soundbyte here).
Source: en.wikipedia.org via Amburglar on Pinterest
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a ‘thing’ for odd numbers. 7, 13, 29…I personally find them to be lucky.
Not really applicable to this post though.
What I wanted to share today are a couple of things that have inspired me this week.
1. The Bloggess’s crusade for kindness. Yeah, I know you already know about The Red Dress movement, but it doesn’t make it any less awesome (kindness to strangers is so 2010…). On a semi-side note, Check out these awesome Paper Dolls her friend made for her.
2. My friend Nicole’s new website The Wardrobe Code. Not simply because I love her, but because I know what went into pulling this all together and it inspires me to keep working harder, believing in myself and not letting fear knock me down. The website is beautiful. It will inspire you…go there.
3. Another friend (I guess it’s a good week for friends), architectural genius Lauren Moss of MYD Studio was named one of the Top 20 Architects Under 40 by ENR Magazine. It’s not biased, they think she’s awesome too. I think it’s a really big deal for young, female entrepreneurs to be recognized for their achievements. Especially in a field that is traditionally dominated by men. Congrats Lauren, you inspire me.
4. My own business, Redefine Home store, closed down this week. It’s not something I’m totally ready to talk about – but mostly because I don’t know what happens next. Every cheesy phrase about doors opening and closing rings true when you are in transition. I am inspired by what’s coming next and proud of what I created, what I learned and what I am now capable of…ANYTHING.
5. Whew, made it to an odd number (lovin’ these tie-ins aren’t you?). This week I was really grateful for all the support from my vendors when they learned I was closing the shoppe. We have built great relationships and will definitely find opportunities to continue working together moving forward. I love working with artisans and small businesses because you get so much more than just a product, you get a personality and a friend. Thank you all.
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