It is upon us, the season of crazy. It’s my busiest work season and the kids schedules seem to get busier with age. So maybe that’s why every year, our house gets a little, well, less. If it were up to me, our tree would wear nothing but white lights (every year I try to convince them, isn’t it pretty with just the lights?!!). They’re not having it. So, I try in other ways. Here are a few of my favorites this year…
Happy December! Though I’m not quite ready to decorate for the holiday’s (I like to wait about a week into December), I do rather enjoy the planning. Pinterest has been a wealth of holiday inspiration this year, what did I do before it existed! When we do decorate for the holiday’s, this is what I’m going for: simple, beautiful, a bit of a scandinavian influence, and of course, the new She and Him Christmas album in the background.
1. perfect table via here 2. clean and simple via here 3. my favorite wrapping paper of the season (and maybe of all time) via here 4. paper yarn found here 5. brilliant little wreaths (perfect gift tags/table seating) via here 6. favorite new holiday music here
more on my pinterest holiday board here
I was thrilled to see my print in the beautiful nursery of Matt and Megan last week via a cup of jo! It so fun to see where my art ends up after it is sent off, especially when it ends up in a lovely space amongst such good company.
I was reminded recently by a pin on pinterest how much I love Lindsey Adelman’s light fixtures. I especially love that she gives instructions on her website on how to make your own. Thinking this sconce might work nicely in my studio…
I am planning a little studio redo this fall. Right now it has carpet. Carpet and painting don’t live well together. Case in point the huge red paint stain in the middle of the room (which my husband only recently came upon 
. So we will be putting in a new floor and while we have everything out, I am going to put a lot of thought into how it gets put back together. Here are some images I’m using as inspiration. (Though what I’d really, really like are high ceilings with huge skylights, sigh)
I am painting most of the space white except for the interiors of two closets that are spaced just as in the first image. The interiors are going to get a few coats of my very favorite paint, Farrow and Ball ‘off black‘. The opposite wall in my studio I am also painting with ‘off black’. I am also planning on white/grey floors and a long wood work surface in addition to the work table I already have. So hopefully in a few months time I will have a much more efficient work space that is a bit softer on the eyes!
Images: shiny squirrel, seen and said , anthro, aubrey road
Thank you Southern Living for featuring my print ‘Night Swim‘!
(and for the heads up Lisa!)
There is a small tour (and interview) of art in our home today over at bloesom blog if you’d like to take a peek!
I used up the last of my gold spray paint the other day. We had some vases that I just didn’t use, so I thought, why not? Here’s the result. Have an awesome weekend!
I hope your Monday morning is treating you well! I wanted to share a quick little project I did this weekend. It started with of all things dragon wings for my daughter’s 5th grade play. I bought some gold spray paint to use as a base and had some left over. So, I took a cheap ikea plate (I think it was $2.99) and painted it. Warning, gold spray paint is incredibly addictive. I am now searching for something else to spray. I also painted a dish a matte black and left one white. I am going to use them as a jewelry catch for pieces I wear often.
I recently came across this drawing my son had done of a horse. I love it! I had planned on framing it up but then I got an idea. I wanted to see it large and BOLD, so I took a huge canvas I had and replicated his drawing in paint. I tried to stay true to his design and just add a little punch to the lines. I love how it came out, what do you think?
BTW, he was beyond thrilled
I spotted one of my little ‘Boy With the Orange Bow Tie‘ postcards on Victoria’s peek into her home yesterday! Go here to see more drool worthy corners of her lovely home.
So, not the most original way to start the new year, but a definite neccesity around these parts. This weekend I am reorganizing my office and adjacent family room. How we use these spaces has changed and I can’t wait to have everything all done. My desk and the family computer will move into the family room which will open up some much needed space in my studio. I don’t really use the desk for more than a place to set my laptop, so in its place will go a much smaller table. Also, I’d like to add a couple of task lights to my work table. I love theses, but will probably opt for some cheaper Ikea versions. A little paint, organizing and art hanging and I’ll be ready to start the new year off on the right foot!
Here are some of my inspiration images:
via the style files
via this is naive
via house and home
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
I really, really want to live here. It’s an old church turned house. The big open space, beautiful windows, all the possibilities. I came across this home in a nearby town, but we aren’t looking to move so I’ll just decorate in my mind.
My mantel right now is home to a painting in progress and a flower to try and brighten my day. Just out of view, the sick kid on the couch, sigh. (you should hear the commentary from my kids when I put up an in progress piece to look at, ‘he doesn’t have hands,’ ‘what are they doing?!’ and on and on 
Oh to have a space like this to paint. These are photos of Claire Basler’s studio from the March issue of Elle decoration UK.
I am repainting our entry and kitchen. I do just a small section a day, it feels less overwhelming that way. (I take a break from painting to paint, hmm) It also forces me do some spring cleaning as I go, always a good thing. My daughter, usually one to protest any change to the house, walked in and said “white! it’s so clean and fresh!” Ah, she is definitely a girl after my own heart.
so my living room desk is now my favorite spot in the house, a definite keeper.
I am an obsessive compulsive furniture rearranger. This old potting bench used to be down in my studio/office but wasn’t really being used…now,it’s my living room work station. I’d like to put this chair there, but right now I am using one of our dining chairs. It remains to be seen if this will stay or go back to where it came from in the basement…
see, J is wavering on the painted floors. So excuse me for a moment while I stare dreamily at this photo….