This snakeskin table, featured on Shelter, is to-die-for. It’s a really simple shape, but the texture and pattern make it look so glamorous and luxe.
Though it’s been awhile since I’ve decoupaged, I think I could pull of an easy DIY by covering a craigslist find with some inexpensive snakeskin embossed wrapping paper to recreate the look, what do you think?
I know I’m way behind on the wave of popularity that Gossip Girl was getting when it first came out, but after much persuasion from friends and family who were adamant that I would SWOON for the preppy sets and clothes, I finally broke down and bought the first season on DVD. Lets just say, it did not disappoint. I’m flying through discs and already pre-ordering the second season for when it comes on DVD.
What surprised me though was that I was less inclined toward the preppy wares of the Waldorfs and instead am really into the Lofty, Brooklyn-vibe of the Humphrys. I love the exposed brick, the over-sized windows and doors, the stained glass, and time-worn oriental rugs that all give it an artsy edge.
I got especially excited when I spotted the tufted blue sofa in their living room, mostly because I recognized it from one of my all-time favorite Anthropolgie spreads. 
I always loved these photos, but never thought a tufted chesterfield sofa like this would make a practical choice for any living room… but seeing how it’s used on the set to make a small, cozy living space in the big open, airy loft has me brainstorming for how I can find one on craigslist or at a flea market! (and how I can find an affordable loft space to move into!)
My hiatus is over, I’m back from a lovely 4th of July, a very relaxing week at the beach, and have finally caught up on my overflowing inbox that welcomed me at the office. It’s so hard to come back to the real world after days of BBQs, beaches, shopping, and lovely weather.
The one day of non-beach weather was filled with fun activities: a wine tasting at a local Cape Cod Vineyard and some flea market hunting (an ideal vacation day). The vineyard had beautiful gardens and the property had a precious cottage where we tasted some great wines and jumped on a tour of the vineyard and bottling barn.
At the flea market I scored a small vintage oil painting of a coastal scene that needs a new frame but was too cute to pass up. At a nearby thrift store my mom found a white milk glass hobnail vase. My mom taught us well: my sister spotted it the second we walked in and we flipped it over, real Fire King milk glass… and it was only $2.00! Nothing is more satisfying than a successful thrifting trip!
After we got back from Cape Cod, we just weren’t ready to let go of the vacation-mode yet and took a day trip to Newburyport where we stumbled upon Oldies Marketplace, an enormous barn turned marketplace for all shapes and sizes of antiques and treasures. I amazingly walked out of the place without buying a thing, but regret not stocking up on some of the vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and the quirky plastic beads they had displayed.
Now I’m back to the daily grind, but I missed my blog while I was away and kept a list of post ideas even when I was internet-less, so now that I’m rested and recharged expect more in the coming days!
What a lovely weekend, I’m sad to have to go back to the grind tomorrow. Despite some rainy weather, I had tons of fun celebrating my friend Taz’s birthday. Check out the delicious tasting flight of mini-cupcakes we enjoyed at tea at the Ritz Carlton. YUM.
My bookend search is currently 1/2 done. I just won this reproduction of an Eames-era Jax bookend on eBay! I might repaint it a glossy black, but for now the hunt continues for it’s other half…
My friends and I started a little book club that meets once a month (while we do actually read a book each month, it’s more of a cocktail club or a gossip club; there’s a lot more of the latter two going on than the actual discussion of the book). Since this book club started, my excuse for a bookshelf is getting increasingly full because I keep buying new books.
I might need to break down and buy a real bookcase soon, but was thinking about perhaps investing in some bookends to keep my mini-library from toppling over the edge of the radiator (yes, a fire hazard, I’m aware – I like to live dangerously).
Just taking a quick scan on eBay for vintage bookends I came up with a gold mine. There are so many quirky vintage bookends on the cheap, here’s a round up of my favorites:
How cute would these dogs look spray painted in a bright color?
I love these for their equestrian look and high-gloss finish (though, the gold eyes kind of creep me out).
Every girl needs a little Eames-influence, right? I’m bidding on these Jax bookends now, fingers-crossed!
These are actually from JCPenney’s new global-inspired home decor line, Artesia. They’re very sharp looking, and a steal at $14.99.
And I can never get enough of Jonathan Adler, though a little out of my price range, this set of bull bookends could be recreated by snagging some of those cheap vintage eBay finds and refinishing them in a coat of white paint.
During our couch hunt last weekend I stumbled upon this great oversized nautical chart of boston harbor. I love the colors in nautical charts, and the scale of this one was perfect to hang over my desk!
I’m really inspired by these uses of nautical maps layered as wallpaper:
via Domino Mag
via Design Crisis
After painting my nails citron yellow this weekend (thanks to my sister’s fashion-forward suggestion) I’m dreaming in citron! And scrolling through my inspiration folder I realized that I’ve been dreaming in citron for quite some time, periodically tagging these great rooms with pops of the electric citrus nature:
Images via: Cookie Magazine, West Elm, Nate Berkus for Elle Decor, Wendell T. Weber, Amy Shutts, Canadian House and Home
Oh boy, I’ve really been slacking here due to some overwhelming days at the office and very full weekends!
After much debate, I’ve decide to stay in my apartment for another year, so now the ‘apartment fund’ has been switched to the ‘new couch fund’ with a couch-search that kicked off this past weekend.
After ruling out all of Ikea’s options which are scaled too small for my other bulky pieces of furniture, I browsed the sample-sale room at Boston Interiors. I found a few with good shapes, but poor color-choices, and some with great character, but unreasonable prices! I’m liking the idea of a floating-chaise because it adds a little bit more seating (and would be great for lounging!) So the search continues for the perfect couch in the perfect color at the perfect price!
More later on my other ‘adventures in decorating’ that came to be from some other stops this weekend:
