Yowza..

I am loving everything about this home office! The finishes, furnishings, the antique rug, the fabulous wing chair with an element of surprise on the back side, the glamourous gold table, the light fixture, the fabulous caramel leather chairs, the lucite desk, the shelves..okay you get the point. LOVE! Happy Tuesday!

via: Atlanta Homes Magazine.

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oh kate. i love thee. again.

i saw a preview of this ks add campaign with dallas howard a few weeks back. it popped up on my fb this morning and inspired me again. love the painted bike track...and the window frames painted blue in the background. and of course that cute dress! i'll i want to do this summer is ride around on a bike in a cute dress. on the list! hurry up california. i'm done with winter. xo amanda

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Vicente Wolf and Inuit Art in Vancouver

I had the pleasure of spending time with Vicente Wolf on his trip to Vancouver where he spoke at the Buildex convention. Albarosa Simonetti had put together an itinerary of Native Art Galleries and we spent the afternoon looking for Inuit dolls made of Caribou antler for Vicente’s private collection. As well as showing Vicente the sights of Vancouver we had lots of time to talk about design, travel, photography and share stories.

Patricia Gray, Vicente Wolfe, Albarosa Simonetti at Buildex Vancouver

Patricia Gray, Vicente Wolf at Inuit Gallery Vancouver

Inuit Caribou Antler Dolls

These Inuit dolls carved from Caribou antler which is a renewable resource, shed by the animal annually, have the arms and legs attached with sinew. Their antecedence is in ancient Inuit history, and were often the only toy that a small girl would have. They are absolutely charming in their simplicity. I would not have known about them were it not for Vicente’s passion for collecting.

Vicente Wolfe Collection of Inuit Dolls in his Montauk home

Top 2 photos: Albarosa Simonetti
Photo 3 Photo Credit
Bottom Photo Credit

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Tuesday Terms, Edison Bulb

You've probably noticed the Edison Bulb, a clear glass light bulb with the single loop carbon filament exposed at the center, popping up everywhere. They are truly beautiful to look at; to literally see energy harnessed for light.. . They can be a statement all alone or sometimes even better, paired with a translucent light fixture like they are in this kitchen below.


They'll run you around $15.00 or so depending on where you buy them but they're worth it because you'll love the way they look!

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Kurtas

Months ago my friend, Raina, over at If the Lampshade Fits posted about the new Spring collection for John Robshaw.  As I was perusing his offerings, I saw this scrumptious little top (only $50.00 which I thought was very reasonable).  

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He called it a Kurta.  I only knew it as a tunic top, but I was smitten.  At the time of Raina's post, it was not even available on his website.  (She always has the inside scoop long before the rest of us!)  So, in my usual attitude, I thought, "I'll just make my own!"

I did a little searching and found this pattern.  As an aside, tunics have never fit me properly.  If they fit in the shoulders they are too tight around the bottom (aka, too much junk in the trunk) and vice versa.  So, I started looking for a pattern I could easily alter and adjust to my figure.  This pattern fit the bill.  

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If you sew, you will think this is the easiest pattern in the world - no zippers, or buttons, just a truly simple pattern.  If you don't sew, this one is worth a try (it's that easy).  But, I will have to say $50 to purchase John Robshaw's isn't a bad deal either (and no I am not being paid to say this, unfortunately!)

But, if you want to give the pattern a try, I think the key is finding the perfect fabric.  I found a line of fabrics that are perfect for this top. They are by Joel Dewberry. 

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I ordered this fabric in the brown and white.  So, if you live in Birmingham, pick another color combination!! (just kidding).

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These colors don't look great on me, but wouldn't this make a amazing top?! 

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So, now for the reveal.  Here is the one I made. 

If you notice, the style requires that you wear a shell underneath it, since the front is open to the waistline, but it looks amazing on (I put a dark gray shell on with it for a contrast).

Pair this tunic with white jeans and some antelope sandals and you are ready for Spring!  I have made a couple of these in other fabrics (which I am too lazy to go in there and photograph for you to see!)  Also, I plan to make one a size larger and use it for a swimsuit cover up this summer - maybe in a fun chevron pattern!  

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American College of the Building Arts

The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA) is decicated to educating the next generation of building artisans and to preserving the building arts in a manner never before seen in America. Under the direction of our experienced faculty, students have the opportunity to recieve a quality liberal arts education while they learn to skills required to excel in their chosen field. This combination of education, training and access to highly experienced faculty is available nowhere else in the United States. The departments of study include: Stone, Carpentry, Forged Architectural Ironwork, Plaster Working, Preserved Masonry and Timber Framing.

I am speaking at their event on March 19 on how to incorporate custom details such as ironwork, woodwork, stone and plaster into interior design as well as how to repurpose old architectural pieces and elements into current interiors.

But I need help! I want to have as many visuals as I can to show the people that attend the event so I am asking for you to submit to me any photos of either interesting architectural details that you have used in your home or design projects OR old architectural pieces/elements that you have incorporated into your home or design projects. I will be featuring your photos on my blog (with your permission) and selecting a winner at random to receive one of my favorite books, For The Love of Old by Mary Randolph Carter. Please submit all photos to me sidney@eclectic-idg.com by Friday, March 11. Let me know if you have any questions! Here are some ideas to get you inspired!

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