Thursday, October 25, 2012

Smitten | Collected By

Lighting and chairs are two things I just can't seem to get enough of so when I spotted the Collected by Jason Koharik lamp series I had serious heart palpitations.  American made lighting with a vintage feel? Yes please!

"The Collected lamp series is inspired by the beautiful sweeping lines and modeled forms of the Art Nouveau period and early French Modernists. The series represents a "New Nouveau". Each lamp is a one of a kind sculpture made with a variety of materials (often reclaimed) that show age and marks from its maker. Each is hand crafted in effort to create a unique and nostalgic piece that can settle comfortably in a modern environment."

The angular arms and slightly curved shades have a very Serge Mouille feel to them, which I love and lord knows I have affinity for just about anything brass. The green chandelier is my absolute favorite but I honestly would hang any one of these beautiful sculptures in my home.  You can read more about Jason's inspiration and design process here, and if your interesting in purchasing a piece hop on over to Lawson Fenning.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Dream Home | Raven Row

Well it turns out my dream home is actually a non-profit contemporary art exhibition in Spitalfields, London. The property, known as Raven Row, was built in 1690 and later transformed into luxury shops in the Rococo style by Huguenot silk merchants.  In 2009 gallery owner Alex Sainsbury hired 6a architects to meticulously renovate and restore the eighteenth century domestic rooms and add two contemporary galleries. The grander rooms pictured above house the gallery's offices—can you even imagine going to work there everyday? Sigh.

The architecture is a celebration of the imperfect.  Every room has a story of its own, a story told through the enduring detail—some of it left, some of it restored, some of it reclaimed, some of it lost.  It's the perfectly imperfect details—like the original pine floors that were cleaned, not stained, and the intricate paneling—that literally take my breath away.  My mind is overflowing with ideas about how I would decorate the space...I'm thinking cool and contemporary with touches of brass.  What would you do?

(Images via 6a Architects)

Monday, October 22, 2012

Design Hunter | Winnetka Antiques + Modernism

This weekend I drove up to the North Shore to attend the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism show.  This was my second year attending (check out my pictures from last year's show here).  Although I didn't purchase much, I did walk away with loads of inspiration.  I go to these shows knowing very well that I can't afford 99.9% of the items but I love the hunt, talking to the dealers and learning about the history of the pieces that catch my eye.  Above are just a few of the items that struck my heart strings.

.Laslo for Mikasa Prisma flatware. Gold, silver, lucite, need I say more?  The Delux NY booth was hands down my favorite.  They had a great mix of vintage jewelry, accessories and furniture.

.I love the idea of displaying unusual objects as art.  This mounted necklace was just one of the many interesting pieces available at the Cunha St. John booth.  They also had a beautiful collection of vintage automobile lens displayed of custom iron stands.

.Sedge Meadow Antiques had an interesting collection of non traditional antique items. I found the  link detail on these 19th century steel elevator doors to be particularly inspiring.  One day I will have steel windows and doors in my home, one day!

.I always gravitate to the vintage jewelry booths at antique shows and I could have spent hours combing through Loana Marina Purrazzo's collection. These 1970s Trifari earrings reminded me of the items I shared in my Optical Illusion post last week.  I sent Paul a picture of them asking if he's buy them for me for Sweetest Day but he didn't respond. Ha!

.When I spotted this Curtis Jeré raindrops mirror in the Lee's Antiques booth I literally gasp at it's beauty and it's price tag. This mirror has been added to my Ultimate Wish List.

How was your weekend?  What do you have planned for the week ahead?

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Collected | Pitcher Perfect

While I'm on the topic of geometric optical illusions, I thought I'd share with you my most recent purchase, a cubist pitcher.  When Katie Lee posted these pictures on Instagram over the summer I was instantly smitten.  I needed that pitcher, oh and those glasses, amazing! I left a comment on her post asking who made the pieces but she never responded.  Sigh.  I completely forgot about them until I started working on yesterday's post at which point I decided to make it my mission to find my own set.  A few google searches later and ta-da, I had found the maker.  The pitcher and tea glasses are from the Fostoria Glassware American line.  Fostoria closed their factories in 1983 so you can't find the line in stores but there are a ton on pieces available on ebay and at Replacements Ltd.  I purchased a pitcher, glasses and a bowl last night...I feel a collection in the works!  Have you started a new collection lately?

(Images Katieleekitchen on instagram)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Everywhere I Look | Optical Illusions

Mixed patterns and optical illusions were all over the Spring 2013 runways so when I received my November issue of Architectural Digest this vintage cube pillow, perfectly perched on a chair in Nate Berkus' fabulous apartment, was the first thing that caught my eye.  The colors and pattern are almost identical to the dress that fashion journalist Tiany Kiriloff was photographed wearing during Paris Fashion Week, right? Interior Designer Lorenzo Castillo also seems to be loving this trend.  When looking through this portfolio I noticed that many of his designs include paintings by famous optical illusion artist, Jose Maria Yturralde. If you're like me and totally digging this trend, check out the round-up below.  I'm just dying to get my hands on the Astier de Villatte cube plates and notebooks!

cube plates by astir de villatte | cubes coasters by molly m designsoptical illusion box |  cubes throw by jonathan adler | notebook by astier de villatte | mesh print by molly m designs | lorenzo castillo lolo fabricpillow by cb2

(images 1 nate berkus photo by pieter estersohn architectural digest | 2 victoria adamson for the cut | 3 lorenzo castillo | 4 lauren santo domingo's apartment via vogue)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Currently Coveting | Bright Pumps (& Shopbop Sale!)

Shopbop's Friends and Family sale is here!  That means 20% off when you enter the code WEAREFAMILY at checkout and you can bet I'll be taking advantage. The number one item on my shopping list? A pair of bright suede pumps.  It seems every stylish girl at Paris fashion week was seen strutting around the shows in a pair.  I've had my eye on this gorgeous emerald pair by Alice and Olivia but I also love these bright red wedges for work.   I'm thinking high and pointy to elongate my short legs and dress up my boyfriend jeans.  Below are a few of my favorite colorful pairs available at Shopbop:

Which color do you prefer? Shop here and make the most of that 20% off!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Design Hunter | CS Interiors Anniversary Home (Part II)

One of my favorite features in the home were these stunning petrified wood counters!
Master Bedroom by Tracy Hickman
A stunning nail head-trimmed box hides the TV--this is one idea I plan to use in the future! I just love how Hickman hung a painting directly over the piece.
Den and Guest Bathroom by James E. Rudd
Dining Room by Jessica LaGrange
Well happy Monday dear readers!  Did any of you have a chance to check out the CS Interiors Anniversary Home over the weekend?  Since the home is now closed to the public I thought I would share the rest of the pictures I snapped during my visit last week. I personally think I saved the best for last:

The kitchen, designed by Julia Buckingham Edelmann, featured the most beautiful petrified wood counters, chevron backsplash, and leather inset cabinet doors.  I feel like most designers shy away from using color in the kitchen so I just love how Julia incorporated bright splashes of orange, blue and green throughout the space.

The master bedroom, designed by Tracy Hickman, was an explosion of texture. The walls of the dark and sophisticated space were covered in overlapping black burlap and a linen covered cabinet was made to hide the TV. The rope-covered bedside tables, and woven, almost net-like curtains added another layer of texture. Flameless candles added a warm romanticism to the room.

The den, design by James E. Rudd, and the dining room, designed by Jessica LaGrange,  both nicely reflected the vision behind the inspiration couple’s company, Vosges Chocolates.  The accents and accessories in LaGrange's added a lot of interest and looked as is they could have been picked up on one of the couple's research trips to Paris.  Rudd did a beautiful job of incorporating the rich colors incorporated in company's packaging.

(images by kristin kerr for simply smitten)