Tuesday, January 25, 2011

see so good – black and white

…you either love it or not, and I love, love, love it, in fact I’ve been living in a world of black and white for a couple of years now.  Why?  Perhaps I see it as safe, easy, controlled, peaceful, bold, authentic, beautiful, striking, and the contrast is so “hey look at me world”!  I guess you could say this color combo sums up where my psyche has been, and for me, it’s been black and white bliss.  But alas, color has not completely escaped me and “see so good” means to see more completely how in design the world of color can be limitless and beautiful no matter what colors speak to you.  So just for a moment give black and white the stage and enjoy the beautiful images and my tips on how to get the look!

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Photo courtesy of Rue Magazine: www.ruemag.com

I love this image from Rue Magazine and love their website too!  What can I say, an Ikea Klippan sofa/loveseat (I own one of these numbers and it has been in an office, in a living room and even outside - still looking good!)  never looked so glamorous with this eclectic mix of furniture.  The sisal rug and variety of wood, glass, mirror and fabrics say “I wanna show you off, you cute bundle of joy”.  Personalize with some great black and white photos (or buy some from www.art.com) and viola white with-a-little-black accents perfection.

Here’s how to get the look…(and the sources)

Untitled-1

  1. West Elm - new glazed pillow cover (and down insert)
  2. West Elm - faux suede/linen pillow – 24” square in Steel and Stone White
  3. Ikea -  Klippan loveseat in white vinyl
  4. West Elm - hanover slipcovered armchair in stone white
  5. Ikea - Vejen rug (jute/wool)
  6. Wisteria – Venetian bamboo leg table #W2513
  7. Pottery Barn – Emmett Coffee Table
  8. Anthropolgie – Society Taper Holders
  9. ZGallerie – Bergmann Mirror, Antique Silver 54” diameter
  10. Ikea – Ribba frames in black and white for various black and white photos
  11. Frazee Paint “Forgetmenot”white  painted walls and trim
  12. West Elm – chunky tassel throw in Gold Metallic

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Photo by Patric Johansson for Elle Interior:  Courtesy of Molly Scott and Flickr

This next image is all-kind-of-daring without being scary, I mean who really paints their walls black/charcoal?  But this room proves that it’s a down right “I gotta have it” look with beautiful wall sconces, an eexxxttrraaa long sofa which can be achieved by using a left and a right sectional sofa combo, animal inspired throw and rug, cozy slip covered chair/ottomans, white shelving and wood trunks.  Whether you are a girl or guy this space is a black and white bold beauty.

Here’s how to get the look…

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  1. Ikea’s Koldby black and white cowhide rug
  2. Ikea – Ribba frames in black and white for various prints and art 
  3. Frazee Paint “Forgetmenot”white  painted walls and trim and “Racoon” charcoal accent wall
  4. West Elm - faux suede/linen pillow – 24” square in Steel
  5. ZGallerie – Graham Slipcovered Chair and Ottoman
  6. Room & Board – Ellipse End Table
  7. Restoration Hardware – Lorraine Architectural Railing Sconce
  8. Restoration Hardware – Coyote Faux Fur Throw
  9. Pottery Barn – Metropolitan Side Table
  10. West Elm – chunky tassel throw in Gold Metallic
  11. Tres Amigos - Rustic Pine Chest
  12. Crate & Barrel – Ascend Bookcases that can be stacked and configured in many different ways or Ikea – Expedit series
  13. Ikea – Kivik right and left arm sofas in Tullinge Gray Brown

Friday, January 14, 2011

the things we do for love.

What do you do for love?  It's my very first post, and I am embarking on a journey of doing what I love, I’ve got a bow and arrow in my hand and armed to share my passion.

We’ve all heard the song by 10CC - the things we do for love:

Too many broken hearts have fallen down the river
Too many lonely souls have drifted out to sea
You lay your bets and then you pay the price
The things we do for love
(the things we do for love)

Communication is the problem to the answer
You’ve got her number and your hand is on the phone
The weather’s turned and all the lines our down [shouldn’t “our” be “are”, just wondering?]
The things we do for love
(the things we do for love)

Like walking in the rain and snow
When there’s nowhere to go
And you’re feeling like a part of you is dying
And you’re looking for the answer in her eyes
You think you’re gonna break up
Then she says she wants to make up

Ooh, you make me love you
Ooh, you’ve got a way [you get the drift…]
[10CC - The Things We Do For Love:  thanks to lyricsdomain.com for the lyrics]

Stay with me, you can go to itunes and download the song in a few minutes…
Let’s dissect the words for a moment, this post is not speaking of a courtship between two people,  but more contemplates a love affair with life.
I won’t do crazy things for love any more and I’m done with paying the price, paying the price for not doing what I truly want to do for the benefit of myself and others.  I’m not calling you on the phone baby, I AM SHOWING UP and forget about wondering, it’s all about COMMUNICATE-COMMUNICATE-COMMUNICATE...the things I do for love, ooooh yeahhh.
Rain, the snow, adversity or a bad economy can be good for you because just when you think you can’t be any more thrifty, you figure out how to keep the bottom line even lower or after digging through the sludge, there is a surprise of some kind; the garden hose you’ve been looking for to water all your dead plants, or the cute chalk drawing that is preserved perfectly from your little ones’ last fall soiree with the sidewalk, who knows, it’s different for everyone, but if you open your eyes and heart you will see it...the things I do for love, the things I DO for LOVE, ooooh baby, yeahhhh.

Ooh I hope you love me, love me for sharing some insight, design ideas and doing what I love!

Lists of the things that I love that I can’t wait to write about/to inspire you with.
1.            Using ordinary products in a new way
2.            Revamping inexpensive furniture (this is going to be a good one!)
3.            Color of the month
4.            $100 room (bathroom, living room, dining room, bedroom, etc…)
5.            Design briefs on tons of things.
6.            The list goes on and on, I can’t give it all away right now…

So what do you do for love?  I hope you’re doing it right now.  But if you’re not, what’s keeping you?  Fear, money, waiting for things to be perfectly aligned (you know they never will be) or just can’t find the gumption to take the first step, I SAY GO FOR IT.  If you don’t like your career, your relationships, your economic situation, then do something to change it so that each new step you take points like cupid’s flying arrow right smack where you want to be. If you wait, you’ll miss out, don’t be afraid, remember  just like a true love relationship find the romance in what you are doing moment by moment to get there.  Savor the small things, plan for the now, for the future and BELIEVE!  If you can’t get motivated check out Danielle Laporte's http://www.whitehottruth.com/.

This is the first of many see-be-do posts, check out my next post on the Color of the Month with design ideas and cool images.