DON'T FORGET THE FLOWERS!

Not everything about Valentine's Day has to be sugary sweet pinks and lovey dovey reds...
I love my florals to be romantically subdued... And all my gifts to be golden..!

*images via {tig} and decor pad

WE ALL SHINE ON

I have been a huge fan of Shine Home for quite some time, and have loved watching them expand from their lighting roots into fun textiles, small case goods, and beautiful furniture pieces. But what I'm really loving the most right now is their lookbook...
Nothing gets me more excited than to see the connection between inspiration and final product, and these photos perfectly capture the essence of that relationship.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! And I am loving their new introductions too. Especially the pieces in this little vignette...
Very KWID, don't you think??

Lady of the Mist

Years ago, my family spent a summer in the Olympic National Forest, just north of Seattle. It's a true rainforest, and absolutely magical.

So, when I saw these amazing images from the recent NY Times Fall Travel issue, which were photographed in this park, I had to share.

Gorgeous dresses amongst lush greenery... it seems so surreal, but having been there I can say it honestly looks like this!

I especially love the misty lake... very northwest.

You can see more of the photography by Raymond Meier in the slideshow.

Botanical Bowls for the Table

Botanicals for the table are no new concept. We usually see them around the fall holidays in the shape of maple leaves, or in the spring featuring a classic cabbage leaf shape. Neither one of those are really my style, but since stumbling upon this photo by photographer Stacey Brandford, I've decided I might like a more clean and modern take on this look.


I love the subtle shades of blues and greens used on this table! And, don't the bowls add a little novelty without going over the top?

Perhaps that's why when I stumbled across these little cuties recently, I had to snatch them up for my etsy shop...


The palest shade of minty green with gold rimming... aren't they lovely? I'm not sure what the holes are for (perhaps for resting utencils in?), but I would use them to tie a bit of ribbon on as a seating card for special occasions.


I love the idea of mixing them with other pieces with gold detailing like these vintage plates (also in my store!), and they're the perfect size for anything from soup to a small summer salad.

Another option...


Keeping with the clean and more modern look, I like this sweet piece from Crate & Barrel as well.

Butterflies Are Free

I haven't really thought of using butterflies in decor since I was in Jr. High. That was right about the time everyone started getting butterfly tattoos, Drew Barrymore was still in her hippie daisy child phase, and I totally worshiped her style. Well, Drew has grown up (as evidenced by this month's much hyped Domino), and so has butterfly decor.

Visiting Vivre the other day I noticed the abundance of butterfly accessories... including these glamorous gilded chargers...



and this chic barware...



But it wasn't just on Vivre. Butterflies are everywhere! Remember Chassie Post's room from Domino Magazine a while back?



I love that wallpaper (from Schumacher), but I also love this simplified version as well from Misha's collection...



The best part is that is comes in a variety of colorways, which you can see right here.

Want more? How about these cut glass tumblers from Graham & Green?



Or these bowls from Anthropologie that I have adored for a while now?



Also lovin' the gilding on this garden stool from Horchow.



For a more subtle style of butterflies in decor, this pendant lamp from Rose and Radish should do the trick - whimsical, light and simple.

Fall is Falling

Today, I closed the window in my room for the first time since moving here in July. Fall is in the air! So when I saw this painting from Andrew Douglas Underwood, I had to post it...



His paintings manipulate shapes from nature (leaves, butterflies, birds) into pieces like this that become whatever you want them to be! This one reminds me of warm fall colors in Seattle when all the leaves change and drop ~ I can't wait to visit in October!

Thanks to Oh Joy! for her post on this talented artist, which is what led me to his site in the first place.

Out of Africa

Featured in the June issue of House&Garden, Amaridian is a company that is worth another mention and a deeper look. It took me a couple of hours to get through their site to see all the amazing items from talented artists, so be warned... the list of highlights is going to be long! Amaridian focuses on bringing a new style and idea of African design to America while still retaining the culture, benefiting the people, and supporting sustainable design.

Let's start with my favorites... the chandeliers!!





This visually stunning chandelier is from Willowlamp by Team Two Design ~ an architect and an industrial designer whose pieces are amazing. Created from ball chain and steel, this fabulous fixture is available in brass as well as other colors. I can imagine how beautiful it looks when the breeze moves the hanging ball chain...





This is another one from Willowlamp that is designed with a more traditional shape, but still using their ball chain to create a gorgeous and breezy silhouette.





This chandelier is beautiful on so many levels. Each one of the 6000 beads that make up this piece is hand made out of the clay from African soil. The creators of Mud Ceramic Studio work closely with impoverished communities in South Africa to provide work for the people who need it most. They are the ones who craft the beads and mold the wires that create this simple but inspirational piece.



My second favorite find on this site was a lounge chair from Cheick Diallo. These chairs are woven (!) into mod shapes and create such an incredible meeting of old and new. He also uses as many environmentally friendly materials and production methods as possible so not only are they cool, but you can feel good about supporting the cause :)



Also made from reclaimed and recycled materials is the Flower Ball from Heath Nash. Made literally from trash, these colorful lights are created from detergent bottles. The flowers and butterflies that make up the ball have great detailing and create such a fun little piece!





These are my favorite pottery pieces from the site, even though there are quite a few to choose from! Designed by Katherine Glenday, I really just enjoy the simplicity of these ceramics.

There is such a variety of wonderful pieces on this site from traditional African woven baskets to innovative furniture and objects ~ a site definitely worth some browsing when you have the time!

An Octopus' Garden

While we've all seen many items from the sea gracing our home decor (coral, starfish, seashells, urchins...), I've noticed a somewhat strange creature making waves as of late. The octopus is emerging, people, and I'll be honest - I'm not sure what I think of it.

Last week I popped into one of my favorite shops on Abbot Kinney, Plantation to see what was new, and was delighted by the gorgeous black, white and yellow room set up in their upstairs space. Isn't it fun?



And on one of the little bedside tables, this creature caught my eye.



And, actually I really liked it as a little accent piece in this room. It was something new and unexpected, and I really loved the black, even though it is available in other colors.

Then today I was reading my Daily Candy email and saw this awesome necklace from Jami Rodriguez.



This is an amazing piece - it looks like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean.

So, I started digging a bit more to see if I was crazy or if this eight-legged creature really was becoming a new inspiration for design, and here's what I found!




From Dermond Peterson's Seaside collection comes these beautifully crafted linen pillows - perfect for the beach house!



For some reason, I have a feeling a huge octopus on a cute card might actually be appealing to a guy (more than, say, bunnies, honey bees or cupcakes), so try this one out on your sweetie. From Luxe Paperie.



Forget cuddly teddy bears! For some reason I adore the idea of this soft baby octopus. If you know how to crochet, then you can purchase this pattern from jpolka on Etsy. If you don't, you better find a friend who does. This little guy is super cute.



Not quite as cuddly, but more grown up, is this octopus from skullknockers also on Etsy. I can just seem him propped on a bookshelf, peering out over the living room.



For something a little more subtle, this vase from Bread and Badger adds a nice etched design to your octopus curio.

So what's the verdict? I suppose this dark creature from the depths of the sea isn't SO bad as a decorative motif... but we'll see how long it lasts!

Into the Woods

I'm a born and raised city girl, so it should come as no surprise that traditional log cabin decor is not on the top of my list. These pieces, however are. Inspired by nature, but oh so modern, I could easily see them finding a place in my home. These selections go back to basics with cues taken from the woods themselves. So even the toughest city girl can 'rough it' in the comfort of her own air conditioned home.



Hang your hat on this adorable coat hanger (a collaboration between AlissiaMT and WATDesign) found on the Elsewares website. While it comes in basic black and white, the pink tickles my fancy.



Mirror mirror on the wall... Anthropologie's Who's The Fairest mirror adds a fairy tale finish to any vanity or bathroom decor with the brass twigs creating a delicately rooted frame.



Washed out white branches create a strong octagonal shape in this wall mirror from West Elm. I think this would be a great piece for a crisp white room, and a modern way to add a little nature.



This Driftwood Lamp from Horchow is stunning. The wood is gilded, creating a glamorous finish to a naturally rough and weathered piece. The shade is a warm chocolate brown, but it's lined with a silver foil, giving the piece a warm yet modern look. I really just love the different textures and finishes and how they work together.



This flatware, also from Anthropologie, is anything but rustic. Even though the twiggy handles are nature's inspiration, the Betula flatware (made from bronze and stainless steel) is pure modern glam. You could use this with even the finest china in a nature theme or with simple metallic patterns.



You can't see the forest for the trees in this design from Plush Living, but you can see how bare branches can create a pattern that pops on these pillows! Focusing on the details is sometimes just what you need to create a great design.

Love Forever

I couldn't resist posting up this cute little idea ~ mosaic tiles create a 'tree trunk' for new homeowners and lovebirds to 'carve' their initials in. Just make sure you build your tree out of a faux pole if you want to take it with you when you move!

Coral Coral Everywhere...

Just when I think I might actually be getting weary of the coral motif, another fabulous pieces catches my eye and I'm head over heels once again.



This gorgeous candelbra from Driade is brought to you courtesy of my friend Sheena at Totally Tabletops who posted it in her blog last week. Made of aluminum and lacquered in red, the flat coral shape makes a strong statement. Since I love the combination of aqua with red, I'd be inclined to add a few candles in various heights, including these Ana Candles from Ana Design, which have always been a favorite of mine.



Balance them out with a few candles in solid ivory and aqua.



Just to illustrate my point, I thought I'd include this room from the current issue of House & Garden. A Florida house by designers William Diamond and Anthony Baratta, this trellis credenza was custom built and perfectly demonstrates how to combine beach style with high glamor. Click the link to see the rest of the home.