amazing find « Elements of Style Blog

Archive for the ‘amazing find’ Category

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

I am totally bananas for the renovated Atlanta home that will soon house a new womens clothing boutique called Vetted come October. Forget McMansions and huge sprawling estates, all I want in life is a teeny little house that looks like this! Seriously! I’d do dark wood floors personally, but I am just mad for the amazing glamorous styling job these people did- the black exterior with white trim and yellow door, the whitewashed interior with black trim and white chandeliers! Yes, please. On my next visit to Hotlanta to see my brother I’m going to be sure to stop in and see it in person (and maybe pick up something from Thread Social, Myne, Geren Ford or any of their other lines).

45686_153262174686897_138825592797222_476957_7195486_n

45490_153262151353566_138825592797222_476956_8176870_n

44702_421720447983_32087587983_4855135_3352342_n

45073_153260951353686_138825592797222_476943_3417048_n

44381_153261008020347_138825592797222_476945_4398125_n

40421_153261028020345_138825592797222_476949_7948976_n

44381_153261011353680_138825592797222_476946_7718319_n

Posted in amazing find, shops | 24 Comments »

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

I am completely, utterly obsessed with the photography blog From Me to You. The photographer, Jamie, could make a toenail clipping on a coffee table look enchanting, I swear. The girl can capture a feeling, beauty and moment like no one I’ve seen. Try not to lose your entire day looking through her archives- fashion, beauty, home, food, lifestyle….you name it, she shoots it- and with such style. Consider yourself inspired.

4729947561_4e6ff2d141_b 4545396839_c21b994f23_o

4865840279_18c0ed9ac7_o 4866463116_a77d4fae93_o

4866457996_7d439a604a_o

4730586346_5abf7c4589_b 4854162492_8270d974f7_o

4595592193_be075171ab_o 4854159854_10f1c23737_o

4812346448_084059dbee_o 4730588146_9583b2a1fe_b

4857735596_c7549b548c_o

4866461898_eb623eeb0d_o

4819176240_6e89937500_o 4563357373_bd07cfc1b5_o

There is a special place in my heart for these pics of my own neighborhood and a stunning little apartment in it!

4835450886_c5d6b933dd_o 4885259146_501504f96c_o 4835449970_189c2af812_o

4835449004_b146f9b998_o

4835450226_0a8939f472_o 4834840213_bc9b0fe5fe_o

Posted in amazing find, art, photography | 17 Comments »

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

When I saw the pictures from this NY Times story on my pal Sami’s blog, my heart was awash in joy. This blonde sprite of a woman, Sandra Foster, took what was a decrepit hunting shack and turned it into a dream escape just for herself on a budget of $3,000- FOR EVERYTHING. While it has no kitchen or bath (those necessities reside in the trailer she and her husband live in on the property), this Victorian dollhouse is simply a place for her to retreat to alone. Wouldn’t it be so lovely (not matter how much you like spending time with your S.O.) to have a little place to call your own? Where you could go with a cup of tea and paint or re-read all your Twilight books (is that just me?)

While this little house was created from Sandra’s own sweat and determination (she did the construction herself), there is a deeper, sadder story to this take that makes the final result all the more sweet. Her family lost their home when she was a teenager and while homeless Sandra dreamed of a home like this one, full of antiques and frills. Her husband and she have had their share of monetary troubles as well. He’s recovering from an injury and she’s been working two jobs to support them. I must admit, they make a visually unexpected pairing, but they both love to garden, and have found a quiet life that suits them just fine– and that makes me smile and believe in the enormous power that love has. Read the entire story here- it’s a truly magical, interesting piece.

I can think of no one more deserving for this darling space than Sandra (who is also a blogger!)

DSC_0064s

sf1 sf2

sf3 sf4

sf5

sf9

sf6 sf7

sf8

Posted in Inspirations, amazing find, antiques, cheap decor | 26 Comments »

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

I saw the work of pattern designer Abigail Borg on my friend Julie’s blog a couple of weeks ago and I’ve had her site bookmarked since then and keep coming back to her unique, bold, colorful patterns. Am thinking a couple of her pillows might have to come live with me.

pattern4 pattern7

pattern6 pattern8

pattern1 pattern3

Orange-Fox-Front Polka-Polka-Front

Posted in accessories, amazing find | 3 Comments »

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

I have always loved to bake. There is something so soothing, meditative and mood-lifting about whipping together sugar and flour to craft sweets that will no doubt make someone else smile (or to treat myself with). I’m happy to let someone else cook a meal (acting as excellent and entertaining company in the kitchen) but when it comes to baking, I want to roll up my sleeves myself and get to it. My brothers claim I know how to bake cookies to the precise perfect goo-iness and I delight in the careful smoothing of frosting on a cake or the saccharine repetition of decorating cupcakes. Its not difficult to connect baking and decorating, as both are such visual, creative endeavors. So when I saw these Imperial Trellis cupcake wrappers on the amazing site Bake It Pretty I was over the moon!

morocco-green-lg morocco-pink-lg morroco-blue-lg

Then I started looking around and found all these fabulous designer cupcake wrappers sure to please the baker/design junkie.

blackroselarge pink-peacock-cup-lg orinetal-lg

animalprintlinersmain

flutedflowercupmain

poppycuplarge

PE-pink-stripe-lg newbwstripedpartycup300

I have always said that in my next life I want to own a small bakery. I know I’m romanticizing it, but it just sounds like such a lovely, charming way to spend your days. Baking goods, serving coffee (my other favorite thing), engaging with customers, maintaining a shop….. especially if the shop looked like this one- Enjoy Cupcakes in California. It’s as if someone peered into my head and built the exact bakery I would design for myself. I am completely enchanted!!!

enjoy-cupcakes-bakery_via-ds

duo

dine

duo4 duo1

boxes

As if that wasn’t enough, they also have a vintage “cupcake trailer” which can be brought to events, weddings and other outdoor events. Read their blog if you want to make yourself completely drool over their incredible creations.

I. FRIGGIN’. DIE.

linda_chaja99570018

(Enjoy Cupcake images via Design*Sponge)

Posted in amazing find, cooking, crazy awesome | 15 Comments »

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

A friend of mine sent me the link to the gasp-inducing MaeMae Paperie blog featuring the graphic design and stationery of designer Megan Gonzalez. I have not seen such creativity, attention to detail and pure gorgeousness is ages! This girl is a GENIUS! As I was pouring through her images I went into full on “obsessed mode” which has classic symptoms such as acute deafness, seat-bouncing, drooling, mumbling and Tourette’s-like cursing in a gleeful manner. It’s really something to witness, let me tell you.

Back to the obsession du jour- I think one of my favorite parts of wedding styling is the paper goods and Megan is a true star in this arena. It makes me want to get married again- just so I can send out invites. I am so glad to have gotten a client inquiry about wedding styling yesterday- perhaps it it will feed my desire to dive headfirst into wedding ephemera!

Take a gander….

smp3

epstein3

epstein4

sharon

jaz4

juday_suite

_MG_3269

_MG_3273

batman Did I mention she also does small business branding? Guess who is getting an e-mail from me later today….

_MG_3141

Posted in amazing find, crazy awesome, weddings | 27 Comments »

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

I haven’t been this inspired by a home and a couple in a long time. We’re talking MAJOR lifestyle (and plain ol’ STYLE) lust here. I am nearly speechless in awe of the pure, unadulterated awesomeness of sculptor/ furniture designer Fitzhugh Karol and jewelry designer Lindsey Caleo’s Brooklyn brownstone. In addition to their individual work they also are part of the family run business The Brooklyn Home Co. which specializes in renovating, you got it, Brooklyn brownstones. Their own project is the crown jewel though. The bright white space combines natural wood, metal, glass and modern and traditional furniture and accessories in such a clean but not boring way that I am going to use this space as PERFECT inspiration for my own new home. I am ENAMORED to say the least. I’m surprised that with two such massive talents residing in one space (and in a relationship) that it hasn’t ripped a hole in the space time continuum. Their coolness seems superhuman. Enough of my pontificating….feat your eyes on this….

fitzhugh1

fitzhugh2

fitzhugh3

fitzhugh4

This barn door from a New Hampshire sheep farm set on tracks SLAYS me. No really, I may die from the awesomeness.

fitzhugh5

fitzhugh6

Hugh made this hand carved bed. What a slacker.

fitzhugh12

Their adorable dog is all, “You know you wanna be me”. I do, puppy. You are one lucky little guy.

fitzhugh14

Lindsay’s jewelry is incredible too!

I think that’s all my brain can take before it explodes in fits of inspired thinking.

Photos by Emily Gilbert Photography.

Posted in I die., Inspirations, amazing find, crazy awesome, design crush, furniture, lifestyle lust, lustworthy, real estate | 32 Comments »

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

I am absolutely LOVING these giant butterfly prints from British online shop Rockett St. George!!! The scale, simplicity and drama of them are simply amazing! I want all four!

butterfly_pictures blue_butterfly_pictures(2)

Posted in amazing find, art | 13 Comments »

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

img_blackberryfarm_ss3 BlackberryFarm_g1

This began as a post about Elle Decor’s brilliant new website (check it out- even though I didn’t make the cut for their “Blogs We Love” section- humph!) I was cruising about, looking at all the great images and resources when I came upon an image of Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. I’ve seen this place before a few times in various publications and sites and have always admired the ubiquitous image of a serene row of rocking chairs overlooking a misty valley and thought “Yep, I could totally throw back some vino right there”. The design of the interiors is just as enticing as the exterior imagery though- and that may be what finally gets me down to Tennessee, a place I’ve never thought twice about visiting, truthfully.

Over the weekend though I was chatting with my family about dream jobs and designing and running a B&B/ inn came up. I totally fantasize about that- and I’d do what Blackberry does so well which is decorate each room uniquely in a different style. The beauty of small inns is that you have the freedom to do that and I think it would be buckets of fun for me creatively and for guests. You can take so much inspiration for your own home from viewing places like this! I’d have an absolute BALL getting to implement all the ideas that keep me up at night! I know running a property and business like that is more than just sunshine and hugs and baking muffins, but I’d like to think I’d be an excellent designer/ cruise director/ yoga teacher/breakfast maker. Anyways, sorry for the digression- without further ado the heart-stoppingly gorgeous images of Blackberry Farm!

SP_255844_HO_lat

blackberry-spa-1-gd

blackberry13 10_travel-blackberry-farm

blackberry3 blackberry10

blackberry12

img_blackberryfarm_ss6

img_blackberryfarm_ss4

blackberry11

BandT_20070909_6270

4_0_03 4_3_03

img_blackberryfarm_ss1

If you decide “Hey, this place pretty much rocks and I think I’d like to live here”- you can! Blackberry Farm Living is their new cottage/home community where you can plunk down permanent roots!

cottages_tour-1

cottages_tour-2

cottages_tour-3

cottages_tour-4

And just to round out the perfection that is this award winning bit of heaven- their online shop where you can buy goods from the farm itself or perhaps their exclusive china that is a charming mix of sleek and country….

500 501

502 554

1_large BandT_20090917_3086

So, when are we leaving?

images via Blackberry Farm and Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Posted in amazing find, crazy awesome, i want to go to there, lifestyle lust | 25 Comments »

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

No, I’m not joking. When saw these images I thought it was some hella cute flat in London. Come to find out, it’s a houseboat! Author Josie Curran and her boyfriend escaped the busy city life and moved to a river in England within a community of other houseboats. I cannot get over how idyllic this looks! Read about it here. And then can we discuss her insane collection of amazing rugs?

08ol-style-curran-s_597917a 08ol-style-curran-p_597914a

08ol-style-curran-l_597915a

08ol-style-curran-d_597919a

08ol-style-curran-d_597916a 08ol-style-curran-b_597918a

I love the “silence” print above her bed and found it here at Kiss Her….amongst others I adore!

silenceisgoldenframed eternitylargeframed

kissherflpinkLSHR wastenotMAGENTA

luckydsPS

And if you like the Kiss needlepoint on her bed, I found it here in Emily Peacock Tapestry’s Etsy shop.

il_430xN.104840348 So last week I wanted to run off to Marrakesh/buy a farmhouse in Maine, yesterday I wanted to move to the country, and today I want to move to a houseboat. Where is this wanderlust coming from?

Oh I know. Stress. The ultimate motivator to get the hell outta dodge!

Posted in amazing find, lifestyle lust | 23 Comments »