Douglas Wilson

I found this artist via decor8's write up on the online gallery, Keep Calm. So when I investigated this great site I came across the piece above. I quickly swiped it up for a special Valentine's day gift. How sweet will this be in my house? I love that song and truly all you really need in life is love. The rest is just bullshit and whatever.

The piece is done by the artist Douglas Wilson. Check out his site here. I love the big type face and how you began to deconstruct the language and saying when it's printed so boldly and graphically. Each print is hand letterpressed by the artist. A few of my other favorites below. You can purchase all of these prints exclusively on keep-calm.com.

Ethnic Chic at Pottery Barn

Ikat pillow covers, sale $14.99, potterybarn.com.

The whole ethnic trend has oozed its way into the mass market. You'll be seeing more and more inspired ikat and block prints on the market this Spring. Here are a few I pulled from the big brand, Pottery Barn. The prices are really reasonable and the pieces mix well with any decor. I love the lumbar pillow cover above which is on sale for $14.99. How could you go wrong? See more picks below.

Framed Block Prints, $79/set of five, potterybarn.com.

Indigo Pillow Covers, $25-$39, potterybarn.com.

Al di Là

Whole charcoal-grilled young organic chicken served with fennel salad and mashed potatoes.

I meet up with friends for dinner on Tuesday night in Park Slope. We checked out Al di Là a northern Italian restaurant which my friend described as,"slightly over-hyped and crowded" but still a favorite of hers nonetheless. The restaurant doesn't take reservations so be prepared to wait. I visited on a Monday night and the wait was not terrible. We headed around the corner to their wine bar and enjoyed a glass of red and olives while we waited.

After a glass, the table was ready and the three of us headed upstairs to a cozy restaurant with exposed brick, decorative tiled floors, a large Venetian glass chandelier, and my favorite black candy-cane style bentwood chairs. The atmosphere was intimate with a neighborhood feel.

We checked out the menu that included a large section of appetizers emphasisizing shellfish, homemade pasta dishes, and hearty entrees like charcoal-chicken and hanger steak. I've read of lot of raves for the steak. I'm not a steak kinda girl and wasn't feeling adventurous that night.

I went for the blood orange salad to start and then the "casunziei" ravioli stuffed with a blend of roasted beets and ricotta, then coated with melted butter and poppy seeds and felt like I totally scored. The roasted beets were delightful and were not masked with any heavy ingredients. The dish felt pure, light, and simple. The poppy seeds were interesting. I was a little perplexed by them and was in fear of an 80's Spa Dish, but was pleasantly surprised that the texture was a welcomed addition.

Check out this video I found of owner Anna Klinger talking a little bit about the origins of her food and how she likes that the restaurant has a neighborhood feel.

Al di Là
248 Fifth Avenue (Carroll Street)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
(718) 783-4565
aldilatrattoria.com

Martha Stewart's Perfect Love Sweets

Packaging Valentine Day cookies, marthstewart.com

The love is heating up over at marthastewart.com with a collection of sweet treats for Valentine's day. I know it's a little early. But for those for you who would like to mail out a box of cookies or treats to a sweetie faraway you may want to start your search for the perfect recipe now.

Valentine Cookies, marthastewart.com.

Pink Meringue Drops, marthastewart.com.

Frohawk Two Feathers: New Show!

I got a nice e-mail from Heather at Taylor De Cordoba gallery in L.A. announcing Frohawk Two Feather's new show opening this Saturday, February 2. Heather gave me a sneak peek of some of the pieces. So great, love!

"Two Feathers continues to demonstrate his skills as a master storyteller with a modern take on the age-old themes of colonialism, imperialism and conquest. In these large-scale paintings and intimate works on paper, he creates a wartime narrative starring an imagined cast of characters."

Show Details:
Frohawk Two Feathers: In The Court Of The Crimson King
February 2 – March 8, 2008. Opening Reception: Sat, February 2, 6-9pm

Taylor De Cordoba
2660 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 559-9156

Stray Dog Designs

I was flipping through old House & Garden's when I found this website, straydogdesigns.com. Check out their accessories, mirrors, and lighting for pieces that are infused with natural elements as well as humor. Designed by owners Bill and Jane using recycled materials (click on link for more info). The pieces reflect the personality and charm of the couple's travels through Mexico. My picks above and below.

Black Furniture

Lately, I've been really into black. Totally opposite color of what I would normally choose. I guess it's because I have been looking a lot at bedroom furniture. I am leaning towards black case goods because my other bright colors in the room would pop. I love that black feels inherently old and earthy. I think it will be the perfect mix with my modern bright paintings and textiles. When I tried to explain the look to my boyfriend I showed him the above image from Domino. The shot is from Johnson Hartig of Libertine entryway (Sept. 2007). Get the idea? OK now let's get shopping.

Celerie Kemble, Serpentine Chest, Black Lacquer Finish, laneventure.com.

Napoleon Sideboard, $1,995, jaysonhomegarden.

Marrakesh Bed, Maduro, mitchellgold.com.

Black Bowfront Dresser, $1,399, wisteria.com.

Bedside Table, $650, redegg.com.

Bentwood chair, Candy-Cane style, $99, kpeterson.com.

Martha Stewart, Kark Slat-back bench, www3.marthastewart.com.

Black Octagonal Tole Tray with mirror, $795, cbellfurnishings.com.

Heath Ceramics New Website

I found this post via lena corwin's blog. Check out Heath Ceramics newly expanded website with tons of new visuals. Design*Sponge did a tour of Heath Ceramic's factory store out in Sausalito, CA. Check out Heath Ceramics new site here. Get a looky at my favorites below.

Hannah Clark

Prong Ring, $940, thisisauto.com.

I have been thinking about Hannah Clark's, Prong Ring, for a couple days. Maybe it's an engagement ring possibility? I have been moving away from the multiple colored stones and toward a single stone in an amazing color. Hannah does do custom work so maybe this is an option? I have to go to store and check out some more. But first, let's take a peek at some of her other stunning pieces. I am drawn to the delicate organic shapes that feel a bit Victorian. Some of Hannah's pieces are available at thisisauto.com or view Hannah's own site here.

Ouroborus, $500, thisisauto.com.

Silver rose bud, $160, thisisauto.com.

Custom, hannah-clark.com.

Custom, hannah-clark.com.

Custom, hannah-clark.com.

Meat Without Feet Truck

I saw this truck when I was walking to my new Condé Nast gig at 4 times square. I tried to get a shot but I didn't get my camera out of my bag fast enough. Turns out another Condé Naster saw the same truck. The truck must make deliveries somewhere in the neighborhood. Megan works at epicurious.com check out her post contemplating why people don't eat more fish, here. How funny is this truck?

Juno Movie & Soundtrack

I had to share my new favorite movie. If you haven't seen Juno, go! If you haven't bought the soundtrack, buy it! I really fell for this movie. It made me want to fall in love all over again and have babies. My favorite line in the movie is when her dad says, "Find a person that loves you for exactly who you are."

Anyway...check out the trailer above. Check out Ellen and Michael singing, "Anyone Else But You" by The Moldy Peaches. This movie is full of one liners that you'll be using at parties for months.
Parents:
Dad "Did you see that coming"?
Step-Mom "I was hoping she was expelled or into hard drugs".
Dad "Or DWI..anything but this."

Green Roof Art Building

This building is amazing. I found this amazing building via my favorite green blog, inhabit.com. I remember first learning about green roofs back in my House & Garden days. They are so freakin amazing. I would love to have a garden on my roof. "Honey it's your turn to mow the lawn!" Check out inhabitat's post with more info and pics here.

Things I Love-01.25.08

Hannah Clark, Prong Ring, $940, thisisauto.com.

I got an amazing response from last week's post about the "Things I love", so I decided to make it a weekly ritual. Check out what I tagged, ripped out, and feel head over heals for this week. Some of these products may appear in larger posts or trend reports. But for now this will just be a place for me to flesh out my ideas. Enjoy!

Tracy Reese, Topkapi Caftan, $285, anthropologie.com.

Tracy Helgeson, Single Yellow Tree, $1,500, carriehaddadgallery.com.

Custom Silhouettes, cutarts.com.

Snow & Graham, Cupcake Card, $3.50, luxepaperie.com.

Paul Smith blanket, sale $112, thisisauto.com.

Fornasetti Theme & Variations Drinking Glasses, $305, barneys.com.

Jessica Houston, Message From the Jackal, Sold, for similiar works carriehaddadgallery.com.

Gray Wool Designer Pillow with Applique Knot Motif, $95 (left), Modernist Zig Zag Pillow, $95, ounodesign.com.

Martha Stewart Kark Chairs

Martha Stewart's furniture lines exudes a polished style that oozes old New England opulence. The Turkey collection—reproductions from her iconic Westport home happens to be my favorite. From a distance the pieces look like heirlooms. When you get up close the pieces do feel a little machine made and too perfect. I guess the flip side would be chairs that were terribly unlevel and badly damaged. My favorites right now are the "Karch" bench and dining chairs. A regency shape and black finish would be so amazing in my make believe farmhouse.

Albion Stoneware

These four pieces are part of a new collection of stoneware designed byTerence Conran for Royal Doulton. I feel in love with these pieces specifically at the press event back in October. There is something so special and beautiful about the sweeping curve of these handles. The lines seems perfectly graceful, simplistic, and symmetrical. I own a set of white china already but I am truly in love with these pieces. I honestly think I won't be able to refuse. Check out the entire collection of Albion stoneware on conranusa.com.

Eileen Fisher for Garnet Hill

Eileen Fisher's new Spring 2008 line for Garnet Hill looks softer and more luxurious then ever. A collection of materials made in organic cotton, cashmere, and silk create sumptuous linens in your bedroom. All of the pieces have this spa-like oasis feel. A place filled with lavender and soft tranquil music. A place my smelly other half doesn't live. Aah it sounds so nice. Treat yourself to the new collection at garnethill.com.

Sundance Catalog

I like many get way to many catalogs in the mail. Thankfully, I have not lived at this address so long that it has become too overwhelming. I thought I would share with you a catalog I receive often but always seem to give it the look through and the throw away more often. The Sundance catalog is run by the weathered cowboy Robert Redford that oozes equally as western aesthetic. A style that's never really been my thing. But the catalog seems to interjecting a little more style that keeps with the roughness of the west but with more grace.

I kinda feel for these three pieces. The chair has some nice lines and it's handsome in black. The Skyler cabinet has a funky medical cabinet feel that keeps an handmade feel in a patina finish. The final piece kinda threw me. The piece looks like a table found in my grandparents kitchen. But instead it's a repro of european table. The lacquered wood finish could fool anyway into thinking you had it for generations. I totally love it. I am picture sitting next to my make believe AGA stove.

Mothology

The weather was so fiercely cold out today that all I could think about was hiding away in a cozy home. One of my favorite sites to check out when I have that at home fireplace/hot chocolate feeling is mothology.com. The site has an interesting mix of mad scientist accessories with reproduction antiques. A perfect place to find accessories that give a home that nice lived in cozy English countryside feel. Check out a few of my favorite finds above and below. How great are those bugs? I want a hundred to scatter in all the nooks of my house. For more click here.

Shopping Handbags

Are you a totally indecisive handbag shopper such as myself? You have to check out NYmag.com's Shop-A-Matic! Over a 100 bags are listed starting at $20. Easy to navigate: search by bag type, color, price, material or just "window shop" the site. I had my eye on the Burberry Warrior Bag for a mere $22,000 bag but I just don't like the color. Just kidding. I dig this tool because you really feel like the editors of Nymag.com have searched to the end of the internet to find only the best bags. Check it out here. Note: My new Rebbeca Minkoff bag made the list!

Long Weekend in the Adirondacks

We just got back from a long weekend up north in the Adirondacks. Check out our great log cabin we rented with 10 other friends shown above. The thermometer hovered around 8 degrees majority of the weekend. Somehow we didn't seem to mind to much. We had a non-stop weekend filled with some great winter activities: x-country skiing, snowshoeing, and some amazing hearty cooking. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the weekend...

Taking a break from the hike.

A shot of the mountains at the top of our hike.

X-country with the ladies.

A hearty beef stew...so good.

Sticky buns out of the oven waiting to be flipped.

Things I Love

Joan Mitchell, Untitled 1970.

This week I started a new freelance gig at Dominomag.com. I am going to be a lot busier juggling painting, blogging, and cooking. So I thought each week I would do a little round-up of things I flagged, ripped out, and just feel in love with. Many of things I have seen before but maybe I just have a renewed interest for. What I scoped out this week...

Update: Now "Things I love" is a weekly column publishing every friday night. See all things I love here.

Tuuli Pillow, $39.95, Crate & Barrel.

Elfrida tags, Set of 18 for $3.50, PoppyTalkHandmade.com

Eyeglass Trays, $20, DecorativeThings.com.

Bentwood Chair Candycane Style, $99, kpeterson.com.

Red Tree Life with Birds Tablecloth, Anupama.ca.

Tamara Bench, $1,360, HouseEclectic.com.

Orinda Oval Mirror, $148, anthropologie.com.

Small Ceramic Urn, $3.50, JamaliGarden.com.

The Silly BooDilly

I just found these handmade one of kind pieces by Silly BooDilly. The pieces are inspired by lichen the artist found in the rocks of her garden. I think they are incredible re-inventions of old-school handy work. The pieces would be stunning mounted inside a shadow box. Check out more here.

Red Egg Nightstands

Bedside Table, $650.

I have been searching for nightstands forever. I see a lot of pieces I like but nothing that I am really crazy about. So what about these nightstands from Red Egg? Red Egg is a cool company because most of the pieces can be made in bright colors like petunia pink, poppy orange, and morning glory blue. The pieces are a bit funky and are less expensive then you would think.

I picked out a few potential pieces from two of their collections. The top image might be the best choice. The storage is great and I dig the dark color and ethnic looking swirls around the top. I like the shape of the bottom piece but I think I would prefer it in white instead of the natural bamboo? Check out the website here for more.

End Table, $400.

End table, $400

Images From the Train

Last night I came home late from the city. The train was so quite and peaceful. I took a few shots as the train speed through various towns up to Connecticut. The light captured gets spread across the large black space creating bursts of marks in the sky. The images to me are really beautiful and simple.

Catcher In The Rye

Buy this print of the first edition cover of the Catcher in the Rye. The Salinger cult classic cover would be perfect about anywhere. The print is both boy and girl friendly. Sometimes the things I buy can be a little girly. I am sure any boy would give this print a thumbs up! Vintage Book Print, $78, urbanoutfitters.com.

Lobby Inspiration-Carlton Hotel

I wanted to share a little afternoon inspiration. A mix of eclectic antiques and modern shapes gives this room a exotic world traveler feeling.

The shot is from the lobby of the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco that I stayed at back in October. I keep thinking about this lobby. I really feel in love with the pair of green silk velvet sofas shimmering in the sun. The lobby's gray and white marble tiles made the room feel grand but the weathered area rug with hints of rusty reds grounded the room and stopped it from feeling to stuffy.

The mantel was gorgeous painted in a black gloss. To the right, is an antique Wedding Chest covered in a inlaid shell pattern. Often you will find these chests inlaid with camel bone. The inlaid pearl worked well with the luminous feeling of the sofas. I really like this room. Can I go on vacation again?

Suzanne Felsen

For those of you who know me well know: I can be pretty picky. I can "like" a lot of things but I probably won't love it for myself . Case in point: engagment rings. I want to pick out my own ring but I just can't decide. So I share with you some of my favorite designers that I have discovered on my search for the perfect "one".

I really do love Suzanne Felsen's rings. I've never really wanted to wear a diamond. I just don't care for them they way other girls do. My eyes light up when I see a beautiful colored stones. But with color comes a the decision of what color do I want to wear for the rest of my life? My boyfriend calls these the "clown rings". Jerk.

All the rings above and below are gorgeous. The are pretty big rings which kinda scares me for everyday. They are total cocktail rings. I've thought about using her rings as inspiration and having it scaled down to fit an everyday style. Check out Suzanne Felsen's site here.

Cole & Son's Woods Paper

I first spotted this paper on Extreme Home Makeover. The paper lined an entire master bedroom. The designers customized the paper a bit and added a stencil of a raven perched onto the trees . I guess the homeowners had some connection with ravens...not sure I caught the end of the show. I really feel in love with the paper...but I couldn't find the source anywhere.

In this month's Domino, which I just misplaced so I can't tell you the exact story. Anyway the paper was shown again. This time in a black/white with no raven. I finally got the source, Cole & Son!

I really like nature inspired papers. I particularly like this one because it looks like the trees have been hand drawn. The marks are quite abstract but they come together to form beautiful and graceful trees.

Kragh Rosenberg

Design*Sponge reported on Kragh Rosenberg's new home line for Spring 2008. I love all the purple popping up in the new collection. I have been on this weird purple kick for about year months now. I want to paint all my walls purple and then paint the modeling gloss black. But let's get back to what I was getting too before. Not only do I adore Kragh's home line but I love her women's clothing. Most of the prints you see in her home textiles line show up on her clothing for women. The shapes are floaty and bouncy and would be great on hot summer days. Check out the site here for more. Click on the "shops" link to find a store that carries Kragh's pieces near you.

Roberta Roller Rabbit

Step into Roberta Roller Rabbit from the busy streets of Manhattan and you will be instantly transported to an island oasis. Bright textiles and graphic Indian inspired punchy prints can be found oozing out of this Upper East Side boutique. Tall shelves are fully stocked with fabrics, tunics, tablecloths, PJ's, and bedspreads lining the entire perimeter. Every time I visit I always seem to pick up a new fun tunic for myself or for a friend's upcoming birthday.

The thing I love the most about this store is that you can buy the fabrics in upholstery grade fabric ($15-$20 a yard) for use on chairs, benches, curtains. Check out all the great prints available above and below. The store does not sell online so you do you have visit their store. Totally worth the trip.

Roberta Roller Rabbit
1019 Lexington Ave
at 73rd Street
New York, NY
212-772-7200