Stylin'

I absolutely adore this stylist's work. Lula - you can see her work on her website and also on Flickr. She has a great sense of playfulness in her work. I haven't run across her photographs until recently and I can't get enough of them. Originally from Buenos Aires(a place I never spell correctly) and now living in New York. I think you will love her work too. Beautiful!

Change

More white interiors - with wood accents that I really think could work at our place. We have medium dark coloured wood floors and a stone fireplace. I like the idea of 'white and wood.' I really want to do this, just have to figure out the logistics of painting such a big space and so many surfaces. Have you ever hired someone to do your interior painting? I feel like if we could cover furniture and floors we could just spray the whole place with the same white - and voila!

Inspiration

I don't know what's going on but suddenly everyone has become really good photographers - have you noticed that? Everyone's snapshots just got a whole lot better. Maybe it's because with our digital cameras we can take hundreds of pics and then choose just one perfect one - and then adjust it in Photoshop? Maybe - or maybe we are just more patient and creative - I like that option better! There is a collection of images on this Tumblr site that is so consistently beautiful it will make you very happy - go now - French Knot. Or just enjoy this selection . . . . .

Photographer Louise Rastall

Beautiful, textural imagery from photographer Louise Rastall. Photographers and stylists have become a big resource for bloggers. It's hard to resist all their gorgeous work. I think you can really get to know a blogger by the imagery they post.

Inspiration | Tord Boontje

I am so inspired by Dutch designer Tord Boontje's work. These images are from a collaboration with designer Alexander McQueen. pieces were created by Boontje for McQueens store in London. Over the last couple of years I have collected lots of images of his work, I'll show you some more soon if you like.

Style and personality

I have a friend that works as a stylist at one of the big home decor magazines(they call them 'shelter' magazine these days but I really dislike that name don't you?) Anyway she is part of a team that goes to beautiful homes and styles them for a photo shoot. She was telling me that they always show up with an entire collection of  props including slip covers, throw rugs and pillows, lamp shades etc. I find this kind of 'dumbing-down' with generic staging effects so boring. When I pick up a magazine I want to see personality in the rooms - I want to see how other people live. I think it's human nature to want to peek into another person's life. I think that's why Domino Magazine was so popular - their shoots were eclectic and unexpected - I am sure they were styled and staged but it was so appealing and intriguing. The following photographs were taken by British photographer James Merrell. I like these shots for their personality - fits right in with what we were talking about last week - making your space unique and personal  with found objects etc.

Window Shopping | Juxtaposition Home

Juxtaposition looks like it carries many of the interesting objets d'art that add so much personality to your rooms - vintage and new - lots of unique items displayed in a beautiful retail space. Their web site is so pretty - makes me want to hop on a plane and go shopping! And check out the wonderful necklaces from Tami Hichman. Enjoy these images . . . 

Juxtaposition is located at 7976 Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Coast, CA. Their web site is www.juxtapositionhome.com.

Vintage retail resources

Trying to give your space personality? It can really help to have a few retail resources in your back pocket. The following vintage finds are from Bluebell Bazaar and the red frame at the bottom is from Vintage Inspiration - hurry before they're gone . . .