New at CB2

I love CB2 but I have to admit lately they have been disappointing me. Things seemed pretty blah and more for the "under 25 I'll buy this because it's cheap crowd."

So when I checked out their site last night I was surprised to find some pieces that were totally cool and would fit equally well in a big kid house as well as an apartment. I think my favorite is the Bauhaus arc floor lamp below. The lamp has a total high ticket price look but it's only $199. It comes in white as well for a more classic post-modern look. My second favorite was the Alchemy stool, a steal for $129. I love the wood seat against the industrial iron base. To check out more visit, CB2.com.

Paint By Numbers Postcards

I am a huge fan of paint by numbers painting. There is something so genuine and authentic about "art for the masses" paintings. The Curiosity Shoppe has a great collection of cropped vintage paint by numbers painting made into to handy postcards. I'm kinda thinking I just want to buy them all to frame for myself. All of the postcards are one of kind so grab them up before their gone. At $10 a postcard they won't last long. Buy: curiosityshoppeonline.com.

Henry Road

Henry Road just released on their website thirteen new Spring 2008 pillows. The pillows feel innately beachy in the bright happy colors and crisp whites. It's making me dream of being outside with a warm summer wind and a mojito! All of the pillows picture here 18 x 18 and priced at an affordable $75 each. To view more visit, henryroad.com. Oh and I almost forgot to tell you a little secret about the site. You can buy fabric remnants in sets of six for $12.50. The prints would be the perfect spice to a funky quilt or other craft projects.

Crewel-Pillows

I am totally jealous of my sister's new pillows she had made for her couch. The fabric is from a piece my mom picked up at an auction. The pillows are backed in a blue velvet. I guess she has one more piece that I could use. I am thinking maybe a long narrow pillow to go across my bed. I love the pinks and blues in this fabric. So pretty!

Adolf Wölfli

Wölfli is the poster child of the Outsider Art movement. This guy had it all a troubled childhood, a history of abuse, and broken homes. He was institutionalized in 1895 to the Waldau Clinic in Berne, Switzerland, for a third count of attempted child molestation. He was very disturbed and sometimes violent leading to him being kept in isolation for his early time at hospital. In isolation he began to have intense hallucinations shortly after this he began to draw.

With limited supplies using only pencils and notebooks, Wölfli created hundreds of drawings. His work is dominated by a patterning that covers every inch of the paper. The intensity of his work is complex and eccentric. "His images also incorporated an idiosyncratic musical notation. This notation seemed to start as a purely decorative affair but later developed into real composition which Wölfli would play on a paper trumpet."

Later work that is show here is part of series called "Bread Art: Single-Sheet Drawing (1916-1930)." This group includes drawings he does for others in exchange for plain or colored-pencils, paper tobacco, and so on..." To check out more of his work and learn more about Wölfli's life, adolfwoelfli.ch. I would also highly suggest picking up the book, The Art of Adolf Wölfli, St. Adolf-Giant-Creation, American Folk Art Museum, 2003, amazon.com.

Outsider Artist-Ian Pyper

I found these great drawings by U.K. artist Ian Pyper on outsiderartist.info. An outsider artist is usually an artist that has no formal training or experience with the art world. Outsider artists usually create art based upon some primal expression that is often times undeliberate and aggressive. They create art that is fundamentally different and often times dysfunctional. What arises from these deliriums are unobstructed visions that create something beyond the realm of any overly educated and trained artist.

I introduce Ian Pyper. A man of few words that creates drawing that are primal and spontaneous. The images seem mystical and exotic. To view more of Pyper's drawings, click here.

Things I Love-02.23.08

Brienna McLaughlin Pruce, Male and Female Betta, $3,000, shopscadonline.com.

Check out things I loved for the week of February 18, 2008. This week I was checking out a lot of art. I guess I am trying to get some inspiration to do some of my own work. See above and below for out what I ripped, clipped, and scoped out for this week. See more things I love by clicking here. Enjoy!

Fred Tomaselli, Geode, leaves,photocollage, acrylic, gouche, and resin on wood panel, jamescohan.com.

Gary Komarin, The Alderman's Parlour, Mixed Media on canvas, karolynsherwoodgallery.com.

Susan Dory, Flotilla, oil, acrylic, graphite on canvas over panel, susandory.com.

William Betts, RCS - 164801, plusgallery.com.

Joan Mitchell, Untitled, 1963, oil on canvas.

Takashi Iwasaki, Hachmakiyousei, acrylic on canvas, takashiiwasaki.info.

Shop SCAD

Amy Kalyn Sims, Honeycomb, giclée print, $200.

Spring is right around the corner and with spring comes some great new art shows like the Whitney Biannual (March 6) and a pleothra of student thesis shows. SCAD shop is a great place to check out student artwork year around. The online gallery represents students, alumni, and faculty of Savannah College of Art & Design. The store is a mix of relatively inexpensive fine art, jewelry, ceramics, and handmade knick knacks for the home and self. I frequently check out the fine art section to view a wide range of photographs, prints, and painting. Here are few of my picks above and below. Check out shopscadonline.com for more.

Clifton Henri, Wings, $125.

Michael Brown, Esse Hook, oil on canvas, $800.

Nathan Abels, Houses, acrylic on panel, $700.

Stephanie Howard, Jonatha, ink on paper, $1,200.

Thomas Moser

Thomas Moser has been building hand crafted furniture for 36 years in their Maine workshops. A family run business that prides itself on reviving the art of fine woodworking. "Solid wood furniture, crafted by hand, made to last a lifetime."

I've been in love with furniture since I was kid. The cherry dining tables are beyond gorgeous. The color and luster are stunning—sanded so smooth you won't be able to stop running your hands over the tabletop. The images don't do justice to the quality of the workmanship in each and every piece. When you buy a piece from Thomas Moser your buying an heirloom that will be passed down for generations.

Above are some newer lounge pieces that play off the modern "Barcelona" chair. Below some classic pieces influenced with simplistic shaker lines that put the gorgeous wood at center-stage. To see more, thomasmoser.com.

Living Green Interiors

Domino's annual green issue is now on newsstands. The March issue is jammed-packed with loads of eco-friendly decorating ideas. Be sure to check out dominomag.com to get all this great info and much more including videos, an exclusive under $100 with design*sponge, and one of my new favorite slide shows: Gorgeous Green Interiors. I grabbed these shots from the slide show to prove that eco can be chic and sustainable.

Walnut Papers

One stop shopping for the best in modern wallpaper design. Find all the papers that you've fallen in love from your favorite home interior magazines. Walnut Wallpaper carries brands like Cole & Son, Allegra Hicks, and Florence Broadhurst. Extensive collections are sorted by color, designer, or motif which makes the site easy to browse as well as finding the looks that could inspire you. Check out more, walnutwallpaper.com.

Martha Stewart for Wedgewood

Martha has teamed up with the fine china expert, Wedgewood to deliver a collection of classic nature inspired pieces infused with a modern edge. I assume Martha is launching the new line just in time for wedding season. But do bride's still register for china? And if they did would they register at Macy's? The pieces are quite pretty and priced around $135 for a five-piece-place setting. I really like "Bouquet" (above) and it would mix well with the silver-rimmed china I am inherting from my mom. To view all the pieces check out, macys.com.

Agate from Hungary

I found this site via another rock site from Domino. All of the rocks are agates from Hungary. The patterns and colors on each slab are so amazing and beautiful. Browse four galleries filled with hundreds of examples for purchase. Any of the pieces would be beautiful displayed or used as a bookend. Check out site by, clicking here.

New at C.Bell

I got an e-mail this evening from Christine Bell annoucing a few new fun pieces. I am totally digging the Vintage Glamorous Lucite bar ($720) and the White Lacquer Eclipsing O's side tables ($850/each).Check out more by visiting her site, cbellfurnishing.com.

Cavern Wallpaper

The above image is from a NY Times piece that ran over the weekend. I love this wallpaper designed by Carly Margolis. It seems birds and nature are popping up all over walls in the past few years. I'm a big fan of Carly and I am pretty much in love with all of wallpapers. The papers are great because they ooze a groovy lounge feel. Motifs are transformed into patterned wallcovers that kinda leave a viewer guessing what they are really looking at. Is that that a gold tiger? Try using these wallpapers in a funky lounge, boutique, or restaurant. Check out cavern.com to view more papers for sure to shake up any interior.

Room & Board Slope Pillows

I just found these new knit loomed pillows from a series called "Slope" on roomandboard.com. They reminded me of Patty Benson's pillows that I wrote about last week. Each pillow look like a bi-section of a side of mountain. The pillows are a soft knit wool on the front with a linen back. 17" square, $149, 17 x 11, $129. To view more, click here.

Felt Rugs

I found this great site on domino's green list 2008. Called "Shyrdaks" a rug made from felt displaying ancients motifs "stories of life in the Mountains of Heaven". Felt is the first company to source shyrdaks direct from nomadic makers across Kyrgyzstan and import them for sale in the UK. Prices range from about $800-$10,000. The colors and patterns are pretty amazing and I love that each rug has a mystical story. To check out Felt's website click here. A few of my favorites above and below.

Hamilton Weston Wallpapers

Interior designer Georgina Hamilton and architectural historian Robert Weston founded Hamilton Weston Wallpapers to reproduce their unique archive of historic wallpapers. Hamilton West on prints are all hand-printed and represent historic papers from the late 1600's to 1800's. Hamilton West has a fantastic tool on their site that allows you to see the paper in a situation (above). The tool is great because you get to see that actual scale and pattern of the design. Colors can be customized but you must purchase at least 9-10 rolls. Check out the site to play with this cool tool, here.

Things I Love-02.15.08

Robin Red, 'Tea Revives You', about $30, keep-calm.com.

Check out a few things I loved for the week of February 11, 2008. This week I was drawn to brighter colors and prints. See above and below for out what I ripped, clipped, and scoped out for this week. As always some of these products may appear in larger posts or trend reports. To see more things I love by clicking here. Enjoy!

Jewel Tone Tumblers, set of six, $95, lekkerhome.com.

Wine moon shaped necklace, available in gold or silver, $54-$60, byboe.com.

Felt Rug, feltrugs.co.uk for info.

Ceramic Orb Birdhouse, $18 each, bibelotshops.com.

Simone Perotte, Medium Bird Bowl, $420, barneys.com.

Mark Sanders, Folding Cutting Board, $16-$24, momastore.org.

Felt Pillows

I can't believe sometimes how many amazing pillows there are out on the market. What's a girl to do? Check out these hand felted pillow all by Patty Benson. She's a designer living in california and I love that the pillows ooze this big sur funky vibe. The process to make these is quite labor intensive process involving moisture and agitation. The end process is totally cool. Check out her etsy shop here for more.

Stripe Pillows

I love these stripe pillows they totally remind me of my stripe paintings. I dig the candy colors and they would be perfect accents to enliven a dull couch or bed. Lisbet Friis is the Danish textile designer behind these inventive stripes. Her stripe work is inspired by ribbons on medals and insignia. The cushions are printed on quality belgian linen and measures 60 x 25 cm. They are available for purchase in 10 different color combinations. To see more of Lisbet's work check out her site here. Or to purchase a cushion for $160 here in the states visit tivolihome.com.

Snowing in New York

Tonight was a pretty yucky commute home. It was snowing pretty hard all afternoon which made for a sloppy walk across town to Grand Central. Check out my shot above outside Grand Central. Tonight seemed like a perfect night to stay home and have something cozy and homey. Here's my quick shot of my butternut squash risotto and a pear, walnut, blue cheese salad. Could winter get any better then this? Night.

Mette LØeber

I found Mette LØeber on wallcollection.com where she has some pretty fantastic wallpapers (shown above). I was intrigued by the work and did a little more investigating. Turns out she has her own site but it's in Danish? So instead of learning more about her I just drooled over her pretty textiles and sculptures. That was the only part I figure out...that she was a textile designer. If you have any more info feel free to drop a comment below.

Roost Lighting

I am totally digging all the natural materials found in Roost's lighting collection. I was drawn to all curvy shapes and muted earthy colors. Prices range from $99-$690 depending on how much handwork has been done on the individual piece. You can see all of stunning their accessories available for purchase at velocityartanddesign.com.

Julia Rothman-Wallpaper

O.k. I am deviating from my plan. I was suppose to be done posting wallpaper for the day. But this just in from Julia Rothman's newsletter...her amazing illustrations are now available as wallpaper. I think my favorite is Pebble Cones and then Bird Watchers. Super cheers to Julia for becoming a total super-star! See all the new wallpapers at wallcollection.com.

Homemade Valentines

Nothing is sweeter and filled with more love then a homemade Valentine. One my favorite memories of being a child is making Valentine's for my friends. Spend an evening this week getting a little creative. Open a bottle of wine, dig out the art supplies, and set the mood with some classic love songs. Here are some of my favorites from the Queen of Craft. View 14 inspiring cards that you could make tonight on marthastewart.com.

Second Hand Rose

One more wallpaper site for today. Second Hand Rose is a retail store on the Lower East Side in NY. They claim to have over 1000 wallpaper patterns from Victorian to Op Art. The site has quite of range of color and pattern to fit about anyone's taste. Second Hand rose is more like a treasure chest. If your open-minded and creative this is your resource. Prices range $70 a roll up to $1,200 a roll for original Frank Lloyd Wright designs. See my picks above and below. See more extrordionary prints from Second Hand Rose by clicking here.

Adelphi Paper Hangings

I've started to collect a massive pile of favorite wallpaper sites. It seems everyday another great company pops up. I thought I would start my posts with more traditional companies and move toward modern prints. I will then compile all the sites in a neat and tighty list for easy reference. If you have a favorite site please leave a comments below and I will be sure to check it out.

So let's start with Adelphi Paper Hangings. Adelphi makes classic prints in historical correct colors and motifs. Each print has been thoroughly researched in institutions and archives in the US, England and France. One of the things that seperates Adlephi apart is the great deal of effort placed on achieving a process that is correct to the original historical wood block prints. Adelphi uses modern tools, materials, and procedures that compare to it's historic counterparts to produce papers with the same genuine character. To read more about this process, click here. Check out my favorites above and below. To view the entire collection of historic papers dating from 1750's-1930's click here.

Valentine day's dinners for two

My boyfriend and I are really not into buying expensive gifts, flowers, and dinners on Valentine's day. The price to spend a little romantic time together can easily get out of control. So we have started a new tradition: spend the night at home making dinner together. Making a dinner filled with love is lot more special to me then any fancy gift or dinner.

I have chosen a few dinner menu ideas (below) that I am thinking about for our special night. Remember V-day is on a Thursday night this year so factor in how much time and energy you realistically have. If you completely run out of time just pick up some chocolates and champagne. Believe me your loved one will appreciate the effort!

Meal Idea One: Earthy and Sweet
Champagne Cocktails
Roasted Pork Loin with Fig and Port Sauce
Roasted Fennel with Parmesan
Roasted Pears with Brown Sugar and Vanilla Ice Cream

Meal Idea Two: Sexy and Silky
Lemony Swiss Chard
Goat-Cheese "Ravioli" with Parsley Sauce
Individual Dark Chocolate Pudding Cakes

Meal Idea Three: My Favorite Meal
Penne with Turkey Meatballs
Chocolate Eclair Hearts

Things I Love-02.04.08

Converse Striped Wrap Dress, $29.99, target.com.

Check out a few things I loved for the week of February 4, 2008. This week I was kinda lured in by wallpaper. I realized I needed to organize all the great sources I have found. But I am saving that for a later post. So here you'll find what I ripped, clipped, and scoped out for this week. As always some of these products may appear in larger posts or trend reports. To see more things I love click here. Enjoy!

Ada Harris, adelphipaperhangings.com.

Macrame Hanging Shade, $168, anthropologie.com