Category: accessories
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.
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:
Green&Chic: Creative Calendars For 2012 (And Beyond)
| January 11, 2012 | Posted by Elissa C. under accessories, Business, Create, do-it-yourself, etsy, gifts, Guest Bloggers, Have Fun, Home, Inspiration, interiors, organization, Projects, Seasonal, Sustainable Living, travel |
- “Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress. ” – Charles Kettering
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I must confess. I have a thing for calendars. Even at a young age when the culmination of my social life boiled down to birthday parties and school holidays, I always enjoyed the visual representation of life that a calendar provided. The first one I remember owning was a little free one that my grandmother had gotten from a bank. In junior high, I graduated to kittens and unicorns, and in high school I coveted the purple erasable white board calendar that I kept in my locker.
When I started college I bought a datebook with vintage Cadillac advertisements inside and faithfully recorded every class, exam and my work schedule. I recently found it while cleaning out a closet and I found it very interesting to look back at my “hectic” life of tests, studying and part-time work. How simple things were back then!
Since it is the beginning of a brand new year, I thought it would be fun to share some DIY ideas for calendars that span the class of crafting, from the hardcore (sewing!) to the easy-to-assemble kit. I am always looking for a way to reuse or re-purpose something, so I focused on perpetual calendars that can be customized year after year. These projects and kits are perfect for home, work, or anywhere that needs a touch of fun and excitement.
Happy Crafting!
-E
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Vintage Postcard Calendar Journal
- This is probably one of my favorite DIYs of all time. The simplicity of the materials really put the focus on the content (which just so happens to be your life)! Each note card is stamped with the date and encourages you to fill up the empty space with appointments, thoughts, ideas or sketches. You could also substitute the post cards for pictures of special moments in your life that you have shared with friends or family, or trade up to real post cards that you have collected from world travels.
(Vintage Postcard Calendar Journal Instructions)
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Button Perpetual Calendar
- This cute button calendar is a great visual representation of the month at hand. Depending on the materials used, it can be very sweet and demure, or very bold and punchy. The best thing about it is the versatility! With a little creative planning it also makes a good teaching tool for parents of small children. You could make special buttons for birthdays or holidays or just change out the background fabric to flow with the seasons. The options (just like this perpetual calendar) are virtually endless.
(Button Perpetual Calendar Instructions)
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Tea Towel Calendar Embroidery Kit
- In October of last year I found a gorgeous antique store that sold vintage tea towels. There were so many beautiful and quirky choices, and quite a few of them were these amazing these tea towel calendars. I didn’t find one that matched my decor, but I have been on the lookout ever since. When I ran across this DIY tea towel calendar kit on Etsy, I knew immediately that I had to have it! It is made of 100% natural linen and inspired by traditional 19th century European Redwork embroidery. Not only is it simple enough to match almost any decor, but after the year has ended it can earn it’s keep by drying my dishes. If only it had hands!
(Tea Towel Calendar Embroidery Kit)
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Doodle Calendar Kit
- If you like to doodle, stamp, paint or collage, then this is the calendar you’ve been waiting for. The kit contains 12 offset printed calendar grids on recycled paper and a clear base on which to display them. Each month is meant to be like a piece of art work but that doesn’t mean that this kit is all serious business. Fantabulous Gift Idea: Distribute each blank grid to various friends and have them design the month’s theme, then collect them and you have a very unique, very personal present. You could also let children do the designing and gift them to a parent or grandparent. That beats their crummy old desk calendar any day.
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Chalkboard Decal Wall Calendar Kit
- Finally, a chalkboard wall calendar that won’t ruin your walls! I have looked at so many DIY wall chalkboard projects but I never committed. The taping and painting just seemed like so much trouble, and the cost always seemed to be higher than what I wanted to spend. And then there’s always the realization that (despite how awesome it seems today) I may not want a billboard-sized permanent chalkboard on my wall. Not only is this decal kit a practical solution to chalkboard paint, but it comes in a variety of colors from teal blue to citrus yellow. The size ensures a great visual impact to whatever space it inhabits and gives you the freedom to put it anywhere you darn well please.
(Chalkboard Decal Wall Calendar Kit)
Green&Chic DIY: Come On Baby, Light My (Recycled) Fire
| December 28, 2011 | Posted by Elissa C. under accessories, Create, do-it-yourself, Earth, gifts, Guest Bloggers, Home, Inspiration, living room, Nurture, Outdoors, Projects, Seasonal, Sustainable Living |
I have many fond childhood memories of sitting by the fire on a cold winter’s night. We had a fantastically huge fireplace that took up the whole wall and it had a stone hearth that I loved sitting on to watch the embers glow. I remember one year my parents bought pine cone fire starters that turned the flames different colors. They would toss one in and my sisters and I would watch in amazement as the orange flames turned green, red and blue.
"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. " Benjamin Franklin
Winters with a fireplace just seem magical to me and the smell of burning wood always makes me feel cozy and warm inside. I can think of no better way to spend an evening than by the fire with a good book, a good friend, or a good (and boozy) drink. Possibly the only way to top it off would be to listen to this on surround sound while the crackling fire laps at my toes and I lap my drink.
I haven’t had a wood burning fireplace in a number of years, and thanks to a friend, I have recently had the pleasure of reacquainting myself with the art of indoor fire making. Let me begin by saying that fires, while beautiful in their amber majesty, are not always an easy thing to conjure up. I have spent hours trying to get one going, and even with the help of other people I still cannot manage to keep it burning for more than a few minutes. I decided that expensive store-bought fire starters are out of the question so I took a cue from my childhood days and decided to look into making my own fire starters made from materials easily found around the house.
There are a range of ideas and materials to use, but I chose to stick with the ones that included things I have in abundance: pine cones, shredded paper, and wax. Just these three things alone will reward you with a roaring fire and a lovely smelling house that just begs for guests to entertain. To keep things even greener (and cheaper) recycle your candle stubs and leftover wax rather than buying new. Jar candles can be placed in the freezer for a few hours to harden the wax. With just a gentle nudge, it should come loose without much of a problem. Votive and taper nubs can be tossed into a old metal pot or crock pot and melted down (just be sure to remove any debris, metal or old wicks before using).
These cute and practical fire starters are easy to assemble and pack quite a punch, using cedar chips, recycled wax, and paper cupcake tin liners. Native Americans have used cedar in ceremonies and sweat lodges for centuries for it's protective and purification properties, and to banish bad dreams.
(Cupcake Fire Starters Instructions)
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These natural pine cone fire starters are beautiful in their simplicity. Using a white wax helps further enforce the connection to the stark and monochrome palette of winter. Adding essential oils to the wax creates a beautiful scent that will not offend even the most sensitive nose.
(Pine Cone Fire Starter Instructions)
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Pine needles can be found almost anywhere and they make a great kindling for starting fires. Simply collect a grocery bag of dry (but still green) needles, round up some non-styrofoam egg cartons and melt down some left over wax and you have all of the supplies necessary to make these 100% recycled fire starters. They're compact enough to be packed for a camping trip and give off the cheery aroma of pine when burned.
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These DIY fire starters make great hostess and housewarming gifts. I recently read a wedding blog post where the bride and groom gave them as favors in place of the usual candy box or other traditional trinket. They also make a stunning table centerpiece and can be handed out to guests as they depart for the evening.
You can also DIY your own colored fire starters. Easy to find substances such as allum (used for making canned pickles), borax, and table salt give your flames a hint of color and brings everyone around the fire to see the show. This is particularly fun for kids and those who have a penchant for science or chemistry. You can separate them based on their colors or just throw a few different varieties into the fireplace and see what happens.
As always, practice safety first and never leave children around a fire unsupervised. Nothing ruins a party quite like spilled milk a trip to the emergency room.
Happy Crafting!
E
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