polka dots & moonbeams

it’s incredible to watch your children grow up to be semi-clones of yourself, sometimes for good and others times not so much.  i often wonder why each child seemed to pick and choose what kinds of behaviors and tendencies that i displayed over the years and then stray at times from my more redeeming traits.  i am grateful for their differences and individuality, and am happy to say each of my children has a very big heart.

this post is focused on the matters of the heart, especially with the recent engagement of my daughter Kirsten.  when we speak of the heart we think about love and romance. sometimes love for our families and relationships, but today i am not writing about people, this is the polka-dot kind of love in which kirsten and i share the same genetic chromosome .  when we were recently discussing her thoughts on her wedding she recited that she would like the theme of her wedding to be polka-dots.  after my long and exhausting happy dance upon hearing this news, i quickly set to work to determine how we can neatly fit this super cute theme into the most perfect wedding design concept so no “dot” or “i” was left unmarked.  they say when an idea is destined for it’s course, the magic begins and this was no exception.  yes, we had the graphic, but we needed the substance, the glue, the one main idea that would always turn us back to where we should be, and as if my nuptial prayer was answered, there it was, a gift from the internet heavens in the form of the song “polka dots and moonbeams” sung and recorded by Frank Sinatra in Los Angeles in May of 1961.

perrrrrfection!

Polka dots and Moonbeams – by Frank Sinatra

[Recorded May 2, 1961, Los Angeles]

A country dance was being held in a garden
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream

The music started and was I the perplexed one
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream

There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more

Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream

enjoy the style sheet and stay tuned for more updates…dot, dot, dot!

happy seeing [@][@]!!

i’m just seeing: winning windsors

i remember the purchase of my first dining set (in the 1980’s buying a furniture “set” was the norm), it was an oak table and a set of 6 sturdy windsor styled chairs, heavy to move and thick parts and pieces.  i loved that set especially when country décor took over the nation by storm.  being a youngling then my taste was right there in the thick of everything country.  it seemed that this set, in all of it’s oakey glory, would be something I would pass down to my children and it of course was forever to be in my family.  but alas, there finally came a time to let the set go to another owner who hopefully had the same zeal for it’s chunky character and english heritage.  it’s been quite sometime since the passing of the country craze and my dining room set and now that my tastes are much more refined, less trendy and definitely more contemporary, i am intrigued by my new fascination for this iconic chair.  i admit i am drawn to furniture that is historical in nature and spun in a new way, it’s the saying “what old is new again” that makes me do a double take!  and as this chair takes on a newer modern aesthetic, the roots are clearly visible. i am so happy to report that windsor chairs are making a comeback and more stylish than ever.

1. New country by ethan allen burton arm chair – talk about a whole new attitude, this furniture company has defintely reinvented itself, I would take one of these chairs in a heartbeat.

2. Windsor Love Chair by anthropologie – I love, love, love the gradated painted finish, so tie dye like, hippie meets modern country!

3. and if you weren’t yet convinced, look at how amazing these red windsor like chairs look in this very hip and contemporary restaurant!

4. Smile Chair by Lievore Altherr Molina by Andreu World – one of my favorite examples of this new modern classic, I think the red is perfection!

5. Wegner PP550 Peacock chair by Hans Wegner from the Danish Design Store – there’s something to be said for iconic never goes out of style, like this masterpiece designed by Hans Wegner in 1947, so current, simply stunning in it’s scale and proportion.

6. Pair of Blue Windsor Chairs offered by Huniford from 1stdibs – the blue paint instantly updates the look of the chairs that are actually quite old, yet they are slim and uniquely interesting enough to showcase. This pair mixed with a group of simple clean wood chairs is definitely a “do”!

7. Modern Windsor Accent Chair from West Elm – I loved it when I first saw it and I still do.

8. Straight Backed Chair by George Nakashima for Knoll from DWR - another timeless classic that will endure all the trendiness of design.

9. Windsor Chair by Chris Specce from materialicious – a fun twist and super cute windsor chair design

Well there you have it, windsor chairs are no longer old fashioned or countrified, and hopefully will be around for a long time to come! Happy seeing {6}{6}!

see so good: dining ala serengeti style

in a world of imagination and love of design, i embark on an anthropologie (www.anthropologie.com) wonderland, with the first of my stops to be the african serengeti plains.  a subtle promise, to be sure you will not be left high and dry on this excursion, oh no, a dining setting that sets the scene of watercolor like grasses, parched and rustic weathered wood, exotic fanciful animal imagery layered among tribal inspired handiwork, please join me as we safari to the serengeti…

{all from anthropologie}

1. Constaninople Chandelier – candlelit beaded dining heaven, 3 of these centered over the table in various heights keep the look relaxed.
2. Sculptor’s dinnerware – handmade dinnerware that is so rustically refined.
3. Bright Morning Teacups, Blue – sipping just became more intentional, no hurry to go, savoring the moment and keeping it real with no handles.
4. Menlo Lamp – a randomly placed small grouping give instant ambience without being pretentious, can you say very romantic and inviting.
5. Brushstroke Branches Mural – this paper is so modernly beautiful I want to frame it, i think i can see the zebras and gazelles just beyond the tall grasses yonder.
6. Ettore Console – who could have known something so rustic could be so hip and simple, the perfect piece for trays of tiny little cakes!
7. Springkbok Benches – the inspiration for this post and i gotta have these benches or else, i mean how fun are they…you can split them apart or cuddle them together, placed on one side of the table with some soft cushions, you’ll want to camp with the animals.
8. Idling Iguana Pillow – a couple more animal friends to share the night…
9. Lucid Outline Pillow – and a pillow or two for extra comfort.
10. Lever and Lumber Table – a solid table for a backdrop to the magical moments and stories to be shared.
11. Grafton Chair – a homespun chair with a sophisticated frame equals sitting pretty.  a pair of these on the short ends break up the animals from the natives.
12. Dutch Wax Ottoman, Green Diamonds – 3 or 4 of the colorful fabric wrapped ottomans look like the dresses of the native land.
13. Grass Striped Rug – what’s better than a field of grass to soak your toes into after a long day on safari or to lay on and soak in the beautiful sunset?

Thanks for traveling with me, stay tuned for more dining experiences and happy seeing <0><0>!