Monthly Archives: June 2010

ROOM MUSE 1970′s Babs and Kris

06.30.2010

I have a new game and it’s called Room Muse. The idea is that I take a picture, person, historical moment… (whatever vintage something I want) and create a room design (using salvaged and repurposed products, of course.)

Take this picture of Kris and Babs. I hadn’t seen A Star Is Born when I found this. Nor I seen the whole movie when I came across this clip of Evergreen. I would advise that you click play, then keep reading as it plays.

Watching this clip, I could totally imagine the room for this couple. It would be a sunporch, maybe on a farm, a dot in a countryside someplace totally unexpected. This porch would have a rickety old ceiling fan turning the hot air around a daybed.

But this would be no ordinary daybed; instead a swinging carriage backed pallet daybed, covered with vibrant orange, deep purple and aubergine patterned fabrics. Probably they’d spend hours laying around, listening to old albums and reading aloud to one another.

Aside from the daybed and two punchy rattan stools (Modish Vintage), the only other chairs in the room would swinging chairs likes the black ones (1st Dibs) above, which would be filled with a hefty pillow or two. All the seats are soaring – just like their love… oh, and her voice.

There would be natural elements like a  salvaged wood coffee table (J.Rusten Furniture) and driftwood table lamp (TestofTime). And a spot of decadence provided by an antique bone inlay Indian side table (Mogul Interior) and a stunning salvaged wood shield shaped mirror (DwellwithDifference). All grounded on an antique kilim rug (Nazmiyal Antique Rugs).

On either side of the weathered, creaking door which leads back into the old farmhouse, would sit these two shutter doors repurposed as shelves (Repop NY), and filled with bits of the couple’s lives… their record player (AllUnique), a vintage Charades game (TestofTime) for Sunday night gatherings, collections of vintage vases (TheBarnofMiddleburg) and decanters (MondayPie), an old elephant foot umbrella stand (TopsyDesigns) brought back from an adventure abroad, and maybe an old copy of their favorite movies and other odds and ends.

So when I started actually watching A Star Is Born, I thought I was totally off. No, no, no they aren’t farmhouse, they’re glitzy mansion. Drugs, rock ‘n roll, and high-waisted fire red pants with suspenders.

After a short while though, John Norman and Esther got married and moved into their desert ranch house.

You can't tell, but she's wearing this amazingly fabulous get up; a hoop skirt and a shirt that first buttons about halfway down her belly.

It would seem my instincts may have been not too far off  after all. Kris and Babs are just a little more ranch than farm. But then, I’m only halfway through the movie!

(Update: Finished the movie. I may or may not have dissolved into a puddle of tears on the floor.)

I have some ideas for inspiration for new Room Muse designs, but I’d love to hear from you… any requests?

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ABOUT DecouDermy

06.29.2010

I feel that taxidermy may be a somewhat controversial blog topic.

On one hand, like anything that involves handwork, precision, and is an homage to something else – it’s an art. On the other… it’s just a little disturbing to think about.

That said, I err on the side of “I don’t want to think about what had to happen to create this, but it is quite beautiful.”

Luckily, here is a alternative to taxidermy that I think we can all get on board with.

Boris.

the Melancholy Sea Lion.

and The Metamorphous.

Three amazingly beautiful faux taxidermy creations by DecouDermy. Their skin is made of decoupaged antique illustrations and prints. Breathtaking, isn’t it?

You have to check out The Metamophous’ elegant neck.

Images via DecouDermy.

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MEET Emmy

06.28.2010

This past Saturday, minus twenty-nine years, a child was born. Her name is Emily, but as far as I’m concerned she’s Em, Emmy, Emaline, Oh Wise Em One… my identical cousin.

via Little Brown Pen

Emmy has throughout her life been an animal lover. Though her dog Liberty was her constant companion. I’ll never forget the summer we both got hamsters, hers was named Teddy Bear, mine was called Babyface. We had 50′s pop theme songs for each.

Robot dog made of recycled materials via Reclaim to Fame's Etsy shop

My cousin has smarts. After attending Carolina and a post graduate writing school, she started her career in NY in publishing as a book editor.  Now she’s a writer, creating book jacket copy…

Antique ilustration on Vintage paper by Black Baroque

One of my favorite things about Em is that she’s curious about EVERYTHING and is always open to trying new things. We went to trapeze school for my birthday one year and she’s promised to take an upholstery class with me.

A hobby that stuck for good is capoeira, the art of brazilian dance fighting.

Vintage Atabaque drums

Emmy is probably one of the best bakers I know. She and one of her friends get together once a month to try new cookie recipes. I try to drop by around those days…

Old pan as a magnetic board, Source unknown

Emmy is a world traveler; Brazil, Israel, backpacking through Europe, driving cross-country.. she is always plotting her next adventure.

Recycled Illustration on Vintage Map by Apfelstrudel's Etsy shop

I’m very excited about giving Em her birthday present. It will go along nicely with her new bike, as would this basket.

Bicycle Basket via Fernswood Pixie

I don’t have any sisters. But then, I never really needed one. We joke that we have to be friends since we’re related and would have to endure each other’s presence at family gatherings regardless.

But the truth is… I don’t know want to know what my life would be without her in it.

Happy birthday Em.

Em riding a repurposed horse in Soho, NY

READ Wary Meyers’ Tossed and Found

06.25.2010

BC scolded me this morning for not delivering my scheduled 6am post, as I normally do. Apparently, I provide his morning commute reading and have failed him. But, I have a good excuse… I’m taking a summer Friday!

(Kinda, I’m actually working at home all day but still, it’s summer and it’s Friday. There are worse things in life.)

On with the show…

If there is such a thing as royalty in the world of designing with salvage, then we would all be the subjects of the husband-wife design team, Wary Meyers.

In 2006 Wary Meyers became considered for the throne when their New York salvage creations were featured in an article by Time Out New York magazine. The couple scoured the streets of New York for cast-offs, then remade them into usable, not to mention artistic, beautiful pieces of furniture and home accessories. Their article became a bi-weekly column, and thus they secured their place in the hearts of salvagers everywhere.

Queen Linda and King John now reside in Maine, where they wrote the amazing trash to treasure design read, Wary Meyers Tossed and Found.

I became enamored with the images of their  yard sale and junk yard rehabilitated designs. And even better, they provided detailed instructions for each project.

Plastic planters become Lights

I think sometimes the Wary Meyers remake of a piece, is actually more interesting than the original use. Take this for instance.

Basketball goal turned table

Who needs a basketball goal anyways?

Fabric painted Eames shell chair

In the book, Wary Meyers also remarks that their projects are not necessarily to be recreated exactly, but to serve as a jumping point for one’s own creativity. See, now that’s a fine example of royals motivating the masses towards greatness. Empowering, really.

My only objection, and I beg your forgiveness your majesties, was the remark that “…the projects are designed so that anyone can make them, usually with just the tools you have around the house.”

Sadly, I do not have the table saw, hand saw, and chop saw needed to make this salvaged plank table that my heart so desires.

If you are working today, and I’m sincerely sorry if you are, just keep chanting… It’s Summer. And it’s Friday. Bon week-end, my friends!

All images via Wary Meyers.

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KNOW Mike Miller

06.24.2010

I received the Fall Preview catalog from West Elm this week. And I liked it. A lot.

Dark moody walls, antique touches (like an amazing bedside wall sconce that I wanted to jump into the catalog to grab), and perfectly un-styled rooms. It just all felt really comfortable and good.

One of the spotlights of the Fall Preview is their collaboration with the artist and antique dealer, Mike Miller.

via West Elm

Mr. Miller creates these by taking vintage photos and cutting out the silhouette. I agree with Design*Sponge; what I wouldn’t give to see the original print!

But then I turned my eye towards Mr. Miller’s antique shop, Lo and Behold. And talk about an eye… this guy is my hero. Take a look at some of his finds (most of these are all sold, probably because they’re unbelievable rad):

A board of hotel guest keys…

The sign that I want to put in BC’s living room, because it’s hi-larious.

Animal candy molds, no idea what one does with this but the possibilities seem endless.

Crying child mannequin – seriously? Weird, creepy… and intriguing.

Antique arithmetic boards…

I absolutely love this gal’s somber face. She’s pretty much thinking “Darn my parents for making me take violin lessons”

A real sign with bullet holes – COOL!

Mannequin legs, add a table top and make a side table. Ode to A Christmas Story?

This is an old car cushion but I wonder if it would work as the headboard of a child’s bed?

These colors are just so fresh and I like that this guy has well manicured hands.

And finally… are we all aboard that Mike Miller is pretty much awesome?

You know… I realized that what I like about Mike’s selection at Lo and Behold Antiques is his ability to gather pieces that either are exciting, make me think or with which I’d need to apply a little creativity.

And just when you think Mike Miller couldn’t possibly do anything more interesting…

via housebrokenart.com

another project,  Housebroken, dog faces on vintage portraits.

*Wags tail.*

Amy images via Lo and Behold Antiques unless otherwise noted.

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ADVENTURES IN REPURPOSING storage for cords

06.23.2010

One fundamental aspect of BC and my relationship is that I provide interior design consulting on a regular basis. My biggest achievement to date was helping him buy a kitchen island and cabinet so that he I actually have a surface space to prepare meals on. BC’s been slowly (but steadily, to his credit) going through his stuff and purging the unnecessary items. Each time he does, he comes back with the same question…

“What should I store this in?” and the disclaimer “I need a box or something that doesn’t look like crap.”

A few weeks ago, BC narrowed down his massive collection of random cords into one box, the box shown here to be precise. So he challenged me to find some alternatives to the plastic storage box to keep these in. (Note that if you click on the pictures, the shop will open in a separate window)

1. DRAWERS. Use smaller drawers to separate the different types of cords in different drawers then stack them all together.

Vintage sewing drawers via Three Potato Four, similar available

2. BINS. Metal sure beats plastic. I like a good military vibe.

Vintage Stacking Metal Bins via The Loveley's Etsy store, similar available

And look how cool metal bins look stacked.

Antique 1920's safety deposit boxes via LacklusterCo's Etsy shop

3. BOX. Like a Caboodle for cords. Only more manly. And it’s portable!

Metal Military Box via Hindsvik's Etsy store

Rusted Tacklebox via Two Art Director's Etsy, similar available

Just think how awesome you’d feel if you had this ammo box sitting casually on your desk. (And how geeky you’d feel when you reveal that it’s filled with cords.)

Ammunition Box via Modish Vintage's Etsy shop

4. TRAY. Best if there’s a shelf that this can  be slid in. Or perhaps it would fit inside a drawer like a pencil tray.  I can tell you right now, BC will not like it if you can see his cords. Even if they are nicely organized in a letterpress tray.

Letterpress Print Tray via Three Potato Four

5. BAG. Why not just an interesting looking old bag? Especially if it’s one that harks back to yesteryear.

Doctor's Bag via Woodland_Sentry's Ebay Shop, item no longer avail

The train case is a similar idea.

Vintage traincase via ModishVintage's Etsy shop

As you may guess, these storage options are not exclusive to cords.

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SHOP Pickett Furniture

06.22.2010

Last week I attended an offline blogger meet-up called Blog Out Loud. Organized by the lovely ladies of Loving Living Small and Beach Bungalow 8, it was a really great evening with delicious treats* and great panelists**. Since I follow many of the panelists on Twitter, I was really excited to meet and hear them speak in person. I believe that my online world is beginning to collide with my offline world. (It’s like on Lost, when the sideways world began connecting with the real world… kinda.)

Anyway, at Blog Out Loud, I had the pleasure of sitting beside Jeremy Pickett, a furniture designer out of Red Hook in Brooklyn. (You may know that I immediately adore anyone from Red Hook.)

Jeremy told me about the work he’s been doing with reclaimed wood and vintage textiles. It all sounded really exciting, but I had no idea how much talent was sitting beside me until viewing his product gallery.

Ond Bench

Forbannelse Chair

I think it’s just magical when wood finds it’s way into the right hands. The way it gleams, it’s truly stunning.

Reclaimed Yellow Pine Door

In a recent blog post Jeremy writes about his green philosophy and his connection to the ancient religion of Shintoism.”Shintoism is founded on the belief that one must pay respects to ancestors and objects that have come before it.”

Vintage Finnish Textiles

Jeremy writes: “There is a relatively new term being applied to a certain core of furniture maker in the green movement as ‘heirloom design’. Quite simply, this concept maintains that sustainability is best created when a piece of furniture is designed with the durability to last generations; therefore the need to produce replacements is decreased.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

* Blog Out Loud featured amazing desserts (of which I had admittedly more than my share) from Fanny and Jane and a great little goodie bag (was especially grateful for cool, black taper candles from Creative Candles and the Gilding Lillies card that came in handy when I needed to write a Thank you note the next day!)

** The panel was made-up of five enthusiastic, successful bloggers:

Panelists and Organizers of BOL6, Image via Blog Out Loud

Amy from ABCD Designs (who is currently living my dream of renovating a home upstate! I’d be jealous if she weren’t kind of enough tweet all about it so I can live vicariously!)
Images via Pickett Furniture.

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INSPIRATION vintage lawn games

06.21.2010

I have a dream. A dream that one day I’ll own a house in upstate New York. And every weekend I’ll invite my city friends to escape up to the country. And I’ll wear long, flowy dresses and greet my weary travelers with welcome cocktails and a full spread of delicious locally prepared food.

We’ll spend nights playing guitar, roasting marshmallows and singing around a fire.  And days swimming, hiking, and… playing vintage lawn games.

 

Image via Once Wed

 

May I interest you in a game of croquet?

 

Available in Bridget372's Ebay shop

 

 

Or perhaps you prefer bocce?

 

Available in Hannawg2x43's Ebay shop

 

 

Maybe badminton or tennis on the lawn?

 

Image via Ethan Ollie's Etsy shop, product no longer available

 

In July, I’d throw a Bastille Day celebration, complete with a petanque tournament and a never-ending supply of Lillet.

 

Vintage petanque set available at My Petite Maison

I’d have these on hand for anyone wishing to play an impromptu game of horseshoes.

 

Image via Olde Good Things

 

Perhaps in the woods just over a hill, there’s be a tree with an old darts board hung on it’s trunk. I may have to institute a sobriety test before my guests would be allowed to handle darts.

 

Image via American Styled Arts

 

It will be a while before my country house dream comes true.

In the meantime, with Prospect Park close by and the Governor’s Island Jazz Age Lawn Party right around the corner… there will still be a place for vintage lawn games.

Oh yes there will.

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ABOUT Telephone wire baskets

06.18.2010

I hate talking on the phone. If mine still had a wire I would snip it right off and gladly send it to South Africa’s talented Zulu people to make this colorful wire basket.

image via Indigo Arts

It’s called the imbenge basket woven entirely of recycled telephone wires.

image via Indigo Arts

And telephone wire adorns other objects created by the Zulus and available in the Indigo Arts store.

via Amazon

These baskets have been featured around Santa Fe, the hometown of David Arment. Mr. Arment has collected over 1000 pieces and wrote a book Wired: Contemporary Zulu Telephone Wire Baskets with South African shop owner, Marisa Fick-Jordaan.

What a lovely application of modern technology to a ages old folk craft!

Hope your weekend is as colorful as these beautiful patterns!

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INSPIRATION repurpose grain sacks

06.17.2010

via Remodelista

I LOVE this sun porch. It’s pulled together without being pretentious. Relaxed without seeming sloppy. And in my opinion, the grain sack pillow (at the back of the bench) takes center stage.

Everyone seems to be making everything out of grain (or rice, or coffee)  sacks these days. It makes sense – durable fabric, cute/ironic graphics (when the sack isn’t used for it’s intended purpose anyway), and they’re relatively neutral. Yes, a grain sack (or something made with it’s sister fabric, burlap) can work just about anywhere.

On walls…

prints on burlap, by Modern Chic Home

maya*made sack hack, via designsponge

grain sack message board by A Remark You Made, Etsy

french burlap curtains by Jolie Marche on Etsy

In the bedroom…

Photo by Michael Raydon, via Poppytalk

In the kitchen…

grainsack potholders by Pieces of Olde, Etsy

On the floor…

reproduction vintage grain sack rug by Jolie Marche, Etsy

Upcycle Ottoman by Gus, via Green Your Decor

Even on furniture…

The Fisher Chair, in laundry linen, via Remodelista

(I’m currently working to reupholster two dining chairs with some vintage grain sack fabric – will let you know how it turns out!)

What about some grain sack on BC’s couch? He tells he’s tired of carrying his pillows from one room to the next (literally, ten steps.) And so, I thought I’d put together a delightful little pillow compilation to provide extra cushioning as BC watches hours of True Blood at my request. How about these?

Coffee Sack Pillow by Velvet Bean on Etsy

by Leslie Janson on Etsy

by Catnap Cottage on Etsy

by My Adobe Cottage on Etsy