Urban Unveiled I

Just a few pictures from the show, with more to come when I'm not rushing off for an evening on my couch.

Table design and centerpiece by Fiore Blossoms, composed of phaleonopsis orchids, vanda orchids, magenta and eggplant colored stock, green hydrangea, and hanging crystals. Linens from Choice Linens, chivari chairs and chargers from Pedersen's.

Design principles, explained.

1. Always go for the bold statement.

2. Small details can make the ordinary seem special.

3. Thoughtful placement is imperative.

Immense, velvety, raspberry gift box from Bell'occhio, shiny document fasteners from Garrett Wade, naughty switch plate from Watson Kennedy.

(#28) Just a glimpse...

of some sweet scholarly touches! Pictures from Jeff Wallace via Grey likes Weddings.

The only thing missing is a blackboard for the groom to write his sentences on.

"I will always be sweet when my wife comes home with new shoes.

I will always be sweet when my wife comes home with new shoes.

I will always be sweet when my wife comes home with new shoes.

I will always be sweet ......"

The First Florist

Some beautiful flowers from Laura Dowling. The White House announced this week that she has been chosen as the official florist for the Obamas--quite a nice gig! Laura frequently travels to Paris to freshen up on trends and keep her design style true to her description of it as "French garden style". She almost never uses a visible vase (amazing yellow wedgewood shown below aside), but instead wraps with leaves, stems, reeds, petals, pods...

Laura has a shop in old town Alexandria called Interieurs et Fleurs, and regularly blogs at L'Art du Bouquet about basic principals of French design and posts photos of her work. I can't wait to see what she comes up with for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

(#27) Just a glimpse...

of a floaty-hamocky-altary flower thing that Sarah from Saipua rigged up for her best friend's wedding. Brilliant.

Photo by Robert Sukrachand. He's sharing more on his blog btw.

I LIKE IKE!

In honor of election day today, Suann of Simplesong Design and Real Simple magazine both posted pictures from Suann's darling son Ike's 3rd birthday party. Such a cute play on his name, and the kids look like they are having a blast even though they weren't around for the first I Like Ike campaign.

Suann had a few helpers...Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee helped with styling, Design Cuisine handled the catering and the adorable cake and photographer Kate Headley took the photos.

OK, if you are in Seattle...you still have a little time to approve 71. Get to it.

Abandoned beauty

Haunting images of abandoned sanatoriums and mental hospitals by Motts of Opacity. He writes:

My name is Tom Kirsch, a lasting nickname has been Motts, or Mr. Motts as you may have seen in the comments...
I am a 27 year old graphic designer and programmer... my other passions other than this stuff are rock climbing, drawing, and playing drums in a Brooklyn based industrial / metal band.
I work under my own company building websites and interactive media.

There are over 5000 photos on his site...it's a graveyard of astounding buildings to get lost in.

Happy Halloween!

week in review {10.23.09 edition}

Aahhh....the close of the busy season. It's been so much fun revisiting favorite blogs this week and checking in with all my friends out there that are always full of fantastic ideas and beautiful things. A few of my faves...

Katy Elliot has been noticing a lot of pumpkins above doorways. Check out her cute pictures from her hometown of Marblehead Massachusetts.

Artist Paul Villinski creates these delicate little butterflies from a most unlikely source...beer cans found on the street. My recycling is very dull in comparison! Via automatism. Check out Paul's site for several other pieces all exploring "transformation and recovery through metamorphosis". Simple, stunning, beautiful.

Alexa loves Alex and Alexis's wedding, as seen on The Bride's Cafe this week! Crazy cool venue, bridesmaids rockin' the purple shoes, killer invites...see the rest here!

A blog focusing on the bridal PARTY, not the bride! Great etiquette advice for bridesmaids unsure about their jobs, pretty rehearsal dinner ideas, fashionable bridal party attire (yes! It exists!). Check out Twirl Talk!

And Javi is back at RoomLust. He's lusting after recession proof wallpaper, as I have been for several years after seeing one of my favorite Seattle-area shops do it with botanical prints. Check out all the variations he found!

Enjoy the weekend! I have fun with in and out of town friends planned, and a little shopping at a few of my favorite salvage stores is going to be required. The love/hate relationship with this house continues...working on finding exterior doors that close properly.

A real wedding via Veranda

I saved the pictures from this gorgeous wedding when it was in the May or June issue of Veranda. It's spectacular, to say the least. It took place in the countryside outside of Paris, and was inspired by a curiosity cabinet on the grounds of the estate. Styled by the bride, Kelly d'Halluin.

Real Weddings: Nicole + Dave

Urban Unveiled was a huge success last week (Thanks Travis, Jesse, and Sharlane for planning such a fantastic event!)--full of fashion, sparkly crystals, new friends, great neighbors on both sides, and old friends that stopped by to visit and check out my space. The lovely Kim Bamberg from La Vie Photography took piles of pictures for me, so I'll share once I have them back. It's the end of a busy season though, which means Kim's probably getting even busier, so I thought I'd show this favorite wedding today that she also shot, and inspired what I did at the show.

I loved planning with Nicole--she was full of good ideas, enthusiasm, and anticipation, without a hint of stress (at least none that I ever saw!). She also is one fashionable lady, so I completely trusted her when she handed me a printed paper picnic napkin at our first meeting and said it was the inspiration for the wedding. The deep plum, rich raspberry, bright stem green, smokey pewter, and warm brown palette was so sophisticated and fresh. I loved it so much that I did another version of the palette for Urban Unveiled, and have now convinced my husband that we should paint the dining room deep purple--so it works miracles on top of being gorgeous!

Some of the other really awesome components were embroidered silk linens from Choice Linens, glassybaby votive holders, and beautiful papers from Paper Moxie. Katy Leiser did a stunning job of coordinating the whole thing, and Kim and Adam Bamberg are so rad! (I can't resist using this word since Kim left me a message last week and dropped it about five times. I'm telling you--the girl is one ball of fun!).

Too much chit chat, not enough pics. I'm out!