neon in nature
good morning and happy tuesday. i hope your week is off to a good start! it’s officially almost summer! the weather’s been a little crazy with lots of rain and humidity over here.
it’s brutal but actually has been creating pretty random prisms everywhere from the oil on the street to rainbows in unexpected places.
then again i guess rainbows are always unexpected!
anyway i took the opportunity to use it for another color post.
candy and i were contemplating the incomprehensibility of the vibrant neon in a peacock feather the other day.
we wondered where else you’d see so much brilliant color (let alone tones that are basically fluorescent), in mother nature’s palette.
i’ve been kind of a minimalist for the past few years, really loving the serenity of whites on whites.
but these color posts have challenged me to look at things in a different way. it was hard at first to find decor that was inspired by the neon-ness of rainbows without being gaudy.
but it’s everywhere from casa mexicana
to boho chic
to a rococo room!
humans never cease to amaze me with their creativity and homage to everything from flowers to birds to fish.
so does man imitate nature? it certainly isn’t the reverse!
and boy do we love a riot of color!
of course once i started looking for neon was absolutely everywhere
the combos are magnificent
and even when they’re subtle
they’re strong
kind of wild when an entire town or village comes together to show their love for color
maybe there’s something magic in it
a bridge to another dimension?
the best part of working on the post was the realization that the neon in the feather or the flower was just a microcosm for the really big neon rainbows
in the sky
in the cosmos
daily galaxy- The Unbearable Beauty of the Nebula
throughout the entire universe
ahhh well, i could have gone on and on with this post, i fell deep into a vortex that was far from a black hole.
i was just about to push publish when i stumbled onto fractals. don’t get me started!
and that’s the beauty of the both the world and the web i guess. there’s always another layer do discover.
but we have to save something for tomorrow after all! for now, have a beautiful, colorful day!
what goes with chartreuse
) hello and happy friday! i don’t know about you but i’m not sure where the week went. it whizzed by at lightning speed. one of the good things about blogging is that it helps keep track of the days like a log. one of the bad things is that it shows what an obsessive compulsive personality looks like!
(173599760607893452) i fell into the trap again today, spending more time playing than working so far this morning. but what i’ve come to realize is that it will all get done no matter how you arrange the hours.
(23925441742692309) so my little indulgence was again a challenge for me, taking a color i normally shy away from in decor and checking out how it’s used creatively indoors and out: chartreuse
(38702878020666976) a little touch goes a long way
(38702878020666959) and if you can take it, it’s a lot of fun. but it’s a weird color to pinpoint. it straddles between green and yellow, natural and neon
(23925441743110695) below is coco chanel’s apartment where she used an apple tone on her pillows
(228205906090555498) sometimes it can lean toward garish
(38702878020666955) the vanity in this bath is what i believe is true chartreuse
(228205906089582174) or maybe it’s this ceiling trim…
(58054282666090380) but of course there’s artistic interpretation
(38702878020666910) it’s a very bold choice in decorating but for those who take the plunge the reward is great!
(228205906088210722) this little pillow is enough for some!
(58054282666087060) but i see how accents can brighten up the place
(58054282666087056) another great choice for a DIY as an entry chest color
(173599760606803219) or again, in a piece of art
(183662491025747124) maybe take it outdoors
(23925441742943529) it works with almost every color from red to turquoise
(58054282666087073) and we’re certainly not the first ones to love it!
and if there’s ever any doubt of it’s timeless chicness, we can always turn to the french who apparently have been using it for years. below at versailles. go figure!
well i hope you enjoyed today’s colorburst. now off to work for real! have a great friday!
have you never been mellow
why do i love this ridiculous pic?
hi dear friends, i’m sorry to have dropped out of sight for a while. it was a true case of overload, burnout and over stimulation all at once. i’m not the multi-tasker i used to be, but at least now when it’s time rest, i go down and stay down. there is of course, always so much going on, trips in the works, clients, unpacking, collaborating…sometimes it’s a little overwhelming and i need to just space out.
i was starting to feel like the house above! now a little more like it below. (not sure which is before and after). anyway, this post is for no other reason than to just say hi. it feels like years since i’ve been able to blog and visit and just hang out with you.
i was with my bud liz looking up a web designer, bill livingston. i started finding these pics shown here was saving them on my desktop. creating more stuff to do and why? there are so many images on my hard drive that i can’t even go there to look through them these days!
but well, they got me here today, so guess there was a reason after all. i thank you guys for being here and promise to get back in the game, i’m feeling re-charged already just being here. hope you have a beautiful, mellow, summer sunday!
over and out
afk
hi again everyone! well the show’s officially over. what a grueling 10 days! shows are so intense. anyway i wanted to upload a few more pics of the show cause i have a feeling tomorrow will bring something completely new and these will seem foreign and far away. i promise to link the sites but i have so much info and literature that doing it all tonite is too much for lil ol me. i’ll do what i can…
worlds away
the booth below was incredible. design legacy
i always loved the script on fabric. carolyn quartermaine does a gorgeous line. i hope to be carrying it by the yard soon.
ooh their details…they’re iron clad for retailers only and are magnifique!
seda (you can make your own private label candles)
sferra
outdoor aluminum
camilla
ok well that will do it for tonite. funny how you’re so involved in something then it’s over in a flash. i have a couple days to enjoy ny so i’ll keep you posted on what’s fun in the sun! bonne nuit!
it’s a really big show
hey everybody! i’m gonna get in trouble if i don’t come back and fatten the credits on this post up tomorrow. but tonite it’s all i can do just to post it. four days into the show and still one more tomorrow. it’s a real portal to infinity. i skimmed the surface but still hit each area and have about an hour tomorrow to fill in what i missed. in the meantime, just wanted to share some of the eye candy that’s had me running all over this joint the past few days. above and below is kumi kookoon. she makes indescribably gorgeous pillows, blankets and now nighties. below you can see her lusciousness in sets for gossip girl. the first is a pajama party and the second is blair’s dorm room.
i could have shot her booth all day, each piece was more delicate and beautiful than the last.
her middle name is detail.
i started at the pier. shine is the very first booth you see. i liked their vibe this year. it was fun and bold. they used silk charmeuse too but tye dyed it. it was super soft and vibrant.
and since i’m into turquoise this sofa was hard to resist.
and i’ll add more pics to this post later but wanted to get it underway cause as i’m going thru them, it’s infinite. the anakasa booth was mind boggling, both with the quality of their fabrics but also the quantity. this is the epitome of something for everyone.
ohh their smocking! it was one of the things i’m always drawn to.
oh and their loro piana cashmere, hand embroidered blankets were divine.
of course i was happy to find my girls from avignon! this year they painted linen and hung it around their booth again but this time, they’re printing and selling the panel below.
i love that they embroidered their logo
and everything they do is simple but so pretty.
ok this is where i’m trailing off, i have to go thru my bag and put the names with the pics but it’s getting late and i still have to get up early cause it’s over tomorrow (i thought it was today)!
so that gives me some time to get it together tomorrow and the rest of the nite to rest. i hope if these are your booths you don’t get mad. i just love your stuff and promise to link a demain.
if you could have seen this booth!
and i got seduced by more smocking, in silk charmeuse at that at afk, this time in a baby set. guess i’m getting pretty predictable! well there’s lots more and it’s on the way, good night for now and sweet dreams!
this is it
ok are you guys over it yet? i still have a full show day and a half tomorrow when we breakdown. i don’t want to rush it but at the same time, well, you know….the show’s incredible. i’ve walked 4 hours each day and still haven’t seen it all. i haven’t taken pics cause a lot of vendors think you’re stealing ideas and i don’t feel like freaking anyone out or giving a whole spiel every time. truth is there are tons of great designs here from kelly wearstler for sferra, john robshaw, jonathan adler, and hundreds more.
i’m sure it’s been enough already about this show and is my this final post (ok maybe later tonite i’ll do one more about the pier since it’s still virgin territory and i’ll go in as a blog reporter). it’s just a recap of what’s in the booth for sale to those who have been coming by. even though i didn’t decorate it, i still brought ton of stuff as far as furniture and tomorrow’s breakdown is something i’m not looking forward to! so with that in mind, i’m selling the show stuff and figured this was as good a venue as any to showcase it! sorry for those who have just had it by now :P
armoire by hilary at liv-chic
below are gorgeous rugs that bowron sponsored. they’re in perfect condition. this one is huge and oh so soft and they want $450. (these prices are about half retail).
this chevron is magnificently cozy too and is also $400 and measures 4 x 6.
more by paper nosh, these are little canvas artworks for $95 each.
ok well i’m off, got to find something to wear! thanks for putting up with this mes amis! if you’re interested in any of our show pieces let me know!
on with the show
bon evening everyone! hope you’re enjoying a warm summer night. here in manhattan it’s just beautiful. most of the day was spent in the convention center cause the ny gift show started today and it’s a world unto itself. what a world! full of stunning new designs, smalls, textiles, jewelry, gifts, novelties and clothes. and that’s just one floor! as you may know, leigh from papillon linens invited me to join her in her booth and in exchange for using my chandeliers and lucite furniture. the booth was designed by jessica and virgina of id810, two very creative and devoted young nyc designers.
they used leigh’s bold linens to decorate the walls with big bright squares. something i would never have thought of but really like. On the side walls they used her swatches in small frames. people think the frames are for sale! i’m using the in between spaces to show my blog friends’ work. above are lisa golightly’s pieces which got a lot of attention with their sparkle panache.
my lucite desk has a glass top which is perfect to showcase paulette and heather’s fabulous work. of course everyone loved their designs!
and the chandi chandeliers are hung and this is the first time i’ve seen them in person. (these were custom made for the show). they’re even prettier than i imagined and filled with stones like cherry quartz, turquoise and aquamarine.
yum!
well i just wanted to drop in and say hey. i have a ton to do before hitting the hay. these pics aren’t great but my camera gives me a lot of trouble indoors. anyone have one that’s fab inside? more tomorrow! glad you stopped over!
new york’s minutes
hi guys! sorry i’ve been so out of touch lately! a few days at my parents’ proved relaxing as always although mom and i worked most of the time on a great scrap quilt. i hit the ground running and have been prepping for the show in nyc. it’s been nonstop since the moment i got back. and i actually only have about 3 more minutes before i have to get back to round two! of course, ny is the ultimate playground and it hasn’t been all drudgery. above are stone samples for the semi precious chandeliers. can i tell you how much fun picking those up was.
there’s tons of home work from excel sheets to price lists and more manual labor. i got a drill and made my knob board just now.
i started to stress at times. i don’t know where the images of overwhelming fear come in but mine of lines and bureaucracy were greatly exaggerated. we shelppped a little this afternoon but got to the javits before anyone else so had an easy load in. there was nothing to fear but my own mind!
so these are the first stages of the booth. it’s amazing how much work goes into it. i’m bringing mostly furniture and accessories so this part is out of my hands. whew!
i’ll be back in the morning but in the meantime, my blogger collaborations have started coming in. this one was like getting a box of delicious eye candies!
it came from paulette of papernosh.com. since we discovered each other a couple weeks ago, it’s been a mutual admiration society.
i guess i’m not the only one cause a few days before I contacted her, she received a letter from the Chateau de Versailles about her work; they loved it and wanted it for their catalog! i’m thrilled to be representing her stationery and art. she made some really special packages for the show. (i’ll get pics tomorrow).
i swoon for her details.
she sent these little canvas artworks
and has a dark side and good sense of humor too.
now i’m waiting for heather’s package from realcardstudio.com. i can’t wait to see her very green line (even the inks are organic).
we created two sets together for tpa and i can’t wait to see them in the flesh.
ok well it’s that time, i’m so sorry i have to run but will have lots more mañana.
buona notte!
quelle difference a day makes
vicki of frenchessence.blogspot.com
do you die for this vanity by vicki archer? ohh la la it makes my heart sing!
hello everybody! sorry i’ve been out of the loop for a few days. truth is i had a health scare that’s not so scary now but got me into a bizarre frame of mind where i shut off the phones and shut down the laptop. it’s funny to think how life can change in an instant, even if it’s just your frame of mind. anyway i’m nyc now, headed out to see my family tomorrow, then back to prep for the ny show.
i’ve been getting a some great vanity shots and wanted to share them, check in and say hey.
i love getting these, they’re like presents in the mail. this one is from jennifer of the old painted cottage. she really lives a glam life, this is her boudoir!
jennifer of theoldpaintedcottage.com
these old dolls are so sweet and they’re all so different.
bonnie of loveyourplace.blogspot.com
bonnie’s been helping me with this whole vanity for humanity project. (you’re still invited to send in your vanity shots to theparisapartment@yahoo.com for the book of blogger’s vanities we’re compiling for a book. all the proceeds will go to habitat for humanity so please do send them).
paisley of myflightsofwhimsy.blogspot.com
she found this post of paisley’s and passed it on to me along with tons of great pics on flickr i’ll be posting soon.
oh and if you’re looking for something to wear while you’re at your vanity getting ready, check out
ifferslittlenest.blogspot.com for ridiculously beautiful eye candy.
i can’t wait to get more shots and hope yours is in the next batch! for now, i’m back to work, fattening up the website and answering emails i let pile up. i guess scares are good for one thing. they make you think about things you normally wouldn’t and maybe that’s what they’re designed to do. well, bon nuit to you with love from me!
if not now, then when
photo by meredith mullins
hi guys! it’s morning but i’m trying something different today, blogging first instead of waiting til i’m burnt out and so much happened that i can’t remember it all. so i’ll back track before anything happens today. i haven’t even checked my email.
photo by linda donahue
yesterday was a busy and wonderful day. i met kindred spirit linda donahue who happens to live right across the bay. she started a site called parisien salon. i’ve been obsessed with salons for years and probably romanticize them but hers is a thoroughly moderne platform with writers, guest bloggers, stories, photos and, well anything she wants to explore in order to make it a completely comprehensive site on all things parisian. i love her concept and will do my first guest blog on the maison et objet in september. in the meantime i thought i’d share her photos fantastique de paris.
photo by meredith mullins
well there are more on her site. many more. but i better get crackin’ or at least have breakfast. i’m leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks in nyc…quitting miami is so hard and now i have to get into city mode. thinking of paris seems so far out this time of year. i’m obsessed with the beach. the top photo is giving me inspiration to segue into it all.
the good news is i’ll see the family. my goddaughter has been a counselor in training at horse camp this summer. i sent her letters and goodies and just discovered their spruceland.blogspot.com. if you have a horse lover teen, check out this camp. it’s a beautiful place. i wish i went!
ok, à plus tard!
Hey again, i’m back with an afternoon update: i got a couple new vanity shots and wanted to get them up. it’s kind of nice being able to add throughout the day instead of rushing at the end of a hard one. enjoy these!
these beauties are in from catherine golden of mill valley.
and thank you mary kaiser of www.marykaiserltd.com for sending this one in below:
und last mais not least is tiffany nichols from tifftastic.wordpress.com. she’s also promoting the cause and i love her header!
ok last bit then back to work. more fun stuff came in for the show, these cashmere samples from nepal. they feel like you’re wrapped up in a cocoon! i’m a cashmere lover and it’s so amazing how many weaves, colors and weights there are.
it’s all i can do not to throw this on my bed even though it’s july, they nailed the edges, finishing them with silk charmeuse and mitering the edges with extreme precision. ok this time i mean it. glad you stopped by and i’ll be over to visit too.
