question?

Ok readers, your turn. This will be my third installment of 'Happy Hour,' and I want to hear from you.

How's the PDF format working for you? It is my hope that you can download these guides, tips, lists, etc. to add to your design book (which I have, ohhhh, about ten), but would you rather have them in a regular blog format, rather than something you need to download?

Be honest; I want to know what you love, what you hate, and what you want more of!

And if, at any time, you'd like to suggest a happy hour theme, do let me know! I'd be happy to research my buns off if it will help in any way.

Love to you all, and stay tuned for a [non-PDF!] happy hour coming within the hour...

p.o.s.h.

How badly do I want this spoon rest, available from P.O.S.H. right here, right now, for twenty smackers?

Very, very badly.

It's like a vintage John Derian. If he was French, that is.

Ahhhhh, I'm in LOVE.

reader's write: another makeover!

[before]


[after!]


[Jessie's 80's toys collection]


[She made these magazine collages specifically for her office.]


Jessie over at My Mod Style just sent me a tip about her new VERY pink office, so naturally, I just had to find out more. I do love a good makeover!!!

I am SO SO impressed with this space, for a lot of reasons. It's always so hard to get the right shade of pink on the walls without looking too... Pepto-Bismoly? Yet Jessie has MASTERED this, and everything else sort of fell into place.

Jessie collects 80's toys (how fun is that?!), so she made room for her Care Bears on the office shelves. I love when spaces reflect personality, and I think this room has a TON of that.

Congrats on your makeover, Jessie, and know that you've just made Ohio a bit more fabulous!!!

robin richman.

To all you Chicago readers, you're in for a serious treat this Halloween. Robin Richman, one of my many style icons, is hosting a masquerade at her shop.

Join Robin as she honors the Eve of All Hallows with a curious exhibition of photographs from the Museum of Mourning Photography.

Best part? Those in costume get 15% off Robin's picks of the season.

Lift Your Spirits
October 25, 2007
6-9pm

Robin Richman
2108 North Damen
Chicago, IL 60647
773.278.6150

quote of the day: charles eames.

"Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose."
Charles Eames

flickr friday: bicycles.

I loooove love LOVE love bicycles. I'm re-learning to ride mine, and it's just been so... freeing. Especially when it's a cute vintage GREEN bicycle. I love matching my outfits to it, which I know, is ridiculously girly, but I can't help it.

ANYWAY, inspired by my cutie bike, today's Flickr friday is dedicated to some other cuties out there.

Enjoy!


[agota l.]


[lizzyem]


[esther_g]


[theo design]


[jason tromm]

fashion forward: victorian bliss.

Per your request, yet another 'fashion forward.' Inspired by a photograph I found while perusing through Desire to Inspire's archives [who else???], I introduce:

Victorian Bliss [click to enlarge]



Enjoy!

cheap monday.

Yay! Fall means sneak previews into the most fashionable winter collections to date! Check out Cheap Monday's collection, available now, right here.

out of the box: circa ceramics.

This week's 'Out of the Box' award goes to Circa Ceramics, a Chicago-based ceramics shop geared toward innovative tableware and fun finds.

After checking out these pieces, I'm sure you'll see why they've won the OOTB award here. Seriously, this stuff is just the COOLEST!

Circa Ceramics has been featured in small trade magazines, and recently graced the site of PoppyTalk Handmade section.

Stop by CC's blog, or visit their Etsy shop here.

Congrats, Circa Ceramics! DFM salutes you.

magic carpet ride.

Ok I'm officially going crazy. This room ACTUALLY looks appealing to me. A flying carpet rug with shifting foam to cater to any guest's shape, this one's a crowd pleaser.

So weird, but so in love. From Emiliana Design.

megan cassidy carty.

Oooh, I LOOOOVE a good makeover story! Megan commented on a recent post of mine, and of course, I was curious to see who this gal was. After perusing her blog and finding posts of her basement-to-letterpress-studio overhaul, I knew I had to open with Megan's hard work.

Megan and her husband have been 'making do' with their basement for years, and finally decided to glam it up a notch. With limited funds and a DIY attitude, they set their sights on an affordable game plan. Check out these crazy awesome results:


[before]

[after]

[before]

[after]

See? LOVELY. So naturally, I wanted more. After perusing her website, I find out she's also an uber-talented graphic designer with a fabulous Etsy shop full of letterpress fun. My fave design from Megan? These cute Hello cards:



Just adorable. Thanks for the inspiration, Megan, and keep up the good work!

light sale at dwr.

Ok, to be honest, I don't care about the sale. As much as I think DWR is fabulously on board with the latest and greatest designers, I can't bring myself to purchase anything there. Maybe it's the prices, or the accessibility (I like having pieces NO one else has!). Whatever it is, sale time at DWR has just really never done it for me.

HOWEVER, sale time at DWR means ONE thing to me that gives me butterflies. ROOM VIEWS. I loooove the inspiration I get from watching DWR's product stylist create spectacular rooms with few pieces. Makes me wonder if I could EVER bring myself to be a Minimalist.

Anyway, here are some great room views for DWR lighting. Visit DWR for more!

katharine vella.

One of my favorite Australian designers is Katharine Vella. A photographer/artist/jewelry creator, this gal is ridiculously talented in a BIG way. I love LOVE her mix photography, shown below.






I'm ALSO crazy about her jewelry line, Double Sided, which includes necklaces with Katharine's photographs on each side, spinning to reveal the alternate and corresponding photo.


Click here to view more of Katharine's designs.

a note from wallpaper mag.

[photo credit: Wallpaper, Barney's in Dallas]

Kay McMahon [hi, Kay!] from Wallpaper just sent over some VERY exciting news that I couldn't WAIT to share. Tomorrow, Wallpaper will launch their INTERNATIONAL retail directory, full of unknown haunts and staples alike.

The unique guide will compliment and extend the Retail Directory in the Nov. issue of Wallpaper, featuring 30 favorite new trading spaces.

I am SO SO SO excited for this. I'm a big fan of Domino's Black Book, and I can only imagine how much more extensive Wallpaper's picks will be.

Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow for this and get ready to add this fabulous directory to your bookmarks. I know I'll be referencing it VERY often!

[Thanks, Wallpaper!]

dallas shaw.

Oh my gracious, I am in LOVE. Dallas sent over the most fabulous email this morning [thanks, Dallas!] and introduced me to her fantastic line of artwork. And now, I can't stop looking at it. And I want it ALL.

Seriously, this was the hardest selection of artwork to choose from. What to feature? I can only choose five??? Seriously, there was a major internal battle going on in my head. Yet after a long and agonizing decision, I introduce my five fave Dallas Shaw pieces:







Spectacular, yes? And did I mention that this gal is GORGEOUS??? Seriously. I secretly hate her.

Kidding.

No I'm not.

Check out more fabulous Dallas Shaw items here and here.

dana roth.

I looove this gal. Her jewelry is just... fun, and sometimes fun wins over elegant. For me, 'sometimes' is 'almost always.'

Love these pieces, available at Elsewares.




[I'm not a smoker, but if I was, I'd wear this 'coffee and cigarettes' ring EVERY day].

who's who: christophe pillet.

Graduating from the Decorative Arts School in Nice in 1985, Christophe Pillet was Master of Domus Academy, Milano, in 1986. He worked with Martine Bedin in Milano for two years (1986-1988) and then broke free to start his own agency in 1993 (where Pillet has been working independently ever since).

His first furniture pieces were produced by XO in 1991. Since then, Pillet has broadened his expertise into many different fields: product and furniture design, interior decoration, architecture, scenography and artistic direction. He creates furniture and objects for Cappellini, Daum, JC Decaux, Driade, Ecart International, L’Oréal, Lacoste, Moroso, Porro, Renault, Serralunga, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Whirlpool… and also realises interior architecture for boutiques, hotels and restaurants, such as the very hip Hôtel Sezz in Paris.

Whew. Big portfolio, man. My favorite part of Pillet's life? This chair:

pieces, inc.

Lee from Pieces just sent over a link to their fabulous range of luxury pillows. They're a bit out of my price range, but DEFINITELY fun to look at.

Below are my faves; click here to view the entire collection!

[Thanks, Lee!]