LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?

I am a fan of sustainable design, in many forms. I seek out ways to be conscience in my design, and find ways to use materials in innovative ways. So, in my search for interesting finds I ran in to Lee Broom. ‘Carpetry’ is part of his ‘Heritage Boy’ range which transfers materials found in flooring onto furniture items. Carpetry features, immense sideboards, console tables and lightshades all embellished using traditional carpet patterns.

I love to add texture to a room, but do you love this idea or would you leave it? Talk amongst yourselves!

GRASSCLOTH OBSESSION

Grasscloth is something I began to work with when I did a makeover for a pilot I shot for HGTV. The woman living in the space was really passionate about organic materials, so I used Grasscloth on the walls, pulled up the carpet and used soy based stain on her concrete floors, and organic fabrics in her room. When I was done, I was in love with the texture Grasscloth brought to a room. The colors and prints that they come in now are amazing, and I think it gives any room a luxurious feel.

Of course luxury and Jamie Drake go together, and I love this color!

via Jamie Drake

This shade of blue has a bit of silver and makes it feel even more glamorous.

via Suzanne Kasler

I adore this graphic print on the grasscloth (I have this console too! Hmmmm - maybe need to change the library!).

via Sally Steponkus

Tying a the color of the grasscloth in with a piece of furniture in the room - smart choice.

via Elizabeth Dinkel

And they even have hand embroidered grasscloth - these are fabulous and my favorite right now from Crezana.

A SPACE OF MY OWN

Getting ready in the morning, or for an event, is always a process. Shower, hair, make-up, wardrobe, and accessories. Fortunately, we have a room in the house where I can shut the door, turn on my favorite music, flip through a magazine, respond to an email, and get ready for my day. If someone asked me what luxury do I have in my life, having this room would definitely be one. It's not perfect, but with the budget I had it's mine.

I have a bit of a cocktail ring obsession...

Love this contemporary vanity from IKEA.

Every vanity should have a collection of mementos and things that inspire you. A quote that inspires me, a photo of me as a little girl, diamonds are a girls best friend, and my signature scent.

Necklaces stored on magnetic bulletin boards to ensure they are easy to grab if I am in a hurry, and items that need to be altered on a garment rack.

What does your dream dressing room look like?

All photos taken by Heidi Caldwell

DRESSING ROOM BLISS

When I was a kid, I was far from a Tom Boy. I have always been a girly girl. I loved Barbie, and decorating her townhouse. And, I loved to dress up:

Yes, that is me in the white tights!

Because I live in a house full of men, I knew it would be important for me to create a space of my own. Looking for inspiration was easy:

via Decor Pad

I love the fireplace with the large painting above, I can see getting ready on a rainy morning in this space and being happy to be in a warm and cozy environment.

When I think of a dressing room, I think of pink and crystal, and fresh flowers. I want to lounge here, sipping a cup of coffee, contemplating which pair of shoes I want to wear.

via Miss Gracious Living

Adore the velvet ottoman, again love the art, the mirrored dresser, animal print stool, and jewel tones. Perfection.

via Apartment Therapy

Smart to have the built in vanity, love the pop of green.

via Pocket Change

And, of course I need space to store all of my accessories!

via Flickr

This afternoon, check back to see where I get ready every morning!

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE WEEKEND

Sharing a bit of gratitude to kick off the week!

Inspired.



Delectable.



Pure.



Laughter.

BUON WEEKEND!

I failed to post the update on the house yesterday, so sorry! I had a last minute trip to NYC this week, a photo shoot, and had a night out with some amazing design gals (Cassie, Crystal, and Erin). Lots of inspirational conversation and brainstorming. So, all in all I am feeling...

via Amy Neunsinger

EXHAUSTED! Never the less, a fabulous week with lots to share as soon as I am allowed to share it. Stay tuned for a few exciting updates and have a fun filled weekend. I'll be over here on the sofa - just not looking quite this fab. ;)

DO YOU HEAR THE BELLS RINGING?

As a stylist I find that the transition from one season to the next is difficult -  as your friends and family are in this mindset:

via Out of Town

You are jumping in to this mindset:

via Fashion Launch

I know! Shocking right? Yes, today I have a photo shoot in our office with a ten foot Christmas tree. I can't believe it. On the bright side maybe it will give me plenty of time to find this dress and the fabulous shoes for my tour of holiday parties...

via Fashion Launch

With fall clothes out on the racks, and home accessories beginning to change from summer to fall, it reminds me that the holiday season is around the corner.  If you live in the NW stay tuned, we will be launching a "Fall in to the Holidays" seminar series very soon, with special guests speaking on everything lifestyle. If you have any suggestions on what type of information you would like to see included in our series (pick an expert) let me know!

HAPPY HOUR: THE BRADSHAW

Being that I am about to jump on a plane home from NYC I thought this cocktail would be perfect for Happy Hour today. The Bradshaw is in one of my favorite cocktail books, Vintage Cocktails, by Assouline. This particular cocktail was created for the Carlyle on the occasion of the filming of scenes in the movie "Sex in the City" at the Bemelman's Bar.

THE BRADSHAW

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Don Julio (Tequila Blanco 100% Agave Tequila)

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

1 oz. X-Rated Passion Fruit Inspired Vodka

PREPARATIONS

Shake all ingredients together vigorously with ice.  Strain into a martini glass with a hot pink sugared rim.  Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.  

Now I am going to hope a plane in NYC and I am off to Seattle!  Have a great rest of day and a fabulous happy hour.  

SOHO, TRIBECA, CHELSEA - I HEART NYC

The first time I came to NYC I was in love, with the city that is. I thrive off the energy, it seems like everyone always has somewhere to go or some big dream they are chasing. They are filled with passion. I never found New Yorkers to be anything but honest, and I like that in a person - even on their bad days. Since I have been working in the entertainment industry I have found myself in NYC much more frequently and it is still a dream of mine one day to have an apartment in "the city."

via Flickr

Don't get me wrong, I love Seattle, and it will always be my home base. Could you argue with this?

via Visiting DC

But on days like today where I am strolling through Soho I blink my eyes and try to imagine what it would be like to live in one of the amazing lofts in Soho, Tribeca, Chelsea, etc..

With a library full of books floor to ceiling and giant fixtures...

via a.Caselena

A gorgeous kitchen with commercial appliances and a crystal chandelier...

via Fabulous Fig

Big open spacious floor plans...

via Mega Design Job

Room for a baby grand piano! I don't play, but I am sure somebody I know does...

via Home Design

And a big bed to crawl into with giant windows all around to wake up and take in the city as the energy starts to flow...

via ABCD Designs

For now, I'll just finish walking to some of my favorite spots, but one day it just may happen.

A PICNIC IN THE PARK

Whenever I am away from home, and the weather is nice at home, I can't help but daydream about having a picnic with my husband in a park somewhere overlooking the water.

via Stacie + Geoff Sloan Photographers

Instead I am in NYC working, but while I was perusing the internet between meetings I ran in to these picnic baskets which inspired this post.

Check these out!

At the office....

At school...

via Boxsal

Of course, this is more my style. This vintage Louis Vuitton picnic set for six people (from 1918), leather cased with foul weather cover included, is beyond a luxury.

'
via Beaux Mondes

There are accrutements for tea, sandwiches, drinks, and dinner service. Porcelain cups, silver sandwich boxes, and stacking silver plated drinks tumblers with gilt interior! Now, that would be fun to have on hand.

Maybe I can swing over to Central Park for lunch today.  At least the word "park" is in the sentence.  Have a good afternoon!

RAMBLINGS: CAITLIN FLEMMING

Along the road of my career and travels, I've been extremely fortunate to meet and work with an array of incredibly talented people. Ramblings is my way of picking their brain for more insight and juicy tidbits to share with you.

This Wednesday kicks off a series within my Ramblings. Rue is a new online lifestyle and design magazine that will be launching in September. The women behind Rue are all well known design bloggers, and just all around ambitious, talented, and beautiful women. I follow their blogs, and have gotten to know them a little better through Twitter. Technology truly is amazing!

So, this week we are kicking the Rue series off with Caitlin Flemming, Market Editor for Rue Magazine. Her blog, Sacramento Street, Living with Great Style, is full of great inspiration and frequently she features some of my other favorite bloggers in her series 10 Things that Make Me Happy. I am can't wait for the launch of the magazine in September, and am excited to share a glimpse in to the women behind it. Caitlin, thanks for taking the time to be a part of the series during such a crazy time for you and the Rue girls!

What is your greatest extravagance?
Time spent traveling. I went on my first plane ride when I was three weeks old and I’ve loved traveling since. I feel lucky to have traveled all over the world when I was younger. My parents didn’t mind taking me out of school to go on one of our many excursions. I probably learned more in a week traveling through the Mexican jungles, the Artic Circle and Alaska’s Elephant Cove than I did in school. One of my favorite things about traveling is meeting new people, experiencing the different cultures each country has and attempting to speak a new language (that sometimes doesn’t go over very well). Even when I’m traveling within the U.S. my heart skips a beat boarding a plane. It’s like my heart knows that I’m going somewhere new.
I will forever have a place in my heart for traveling and I’m excited for the few trips I have planned this year.

What career would you pursue if you weren’t doing what you do now?
This is very hard for me to answer because I’m currently creating the job I’ve always dreamed of having. Creating Rue Magazine is hands down a dream come true. I get home every night from my day job, open my computer and get to work. It never feels like work because it’s a dream unfolding into reality. Working with Crystal, Anne and Alaina is hands down the best team I’ve ever been a part of. When we started out together we instantly formed a supportive and tight knit team – it’s amazing how easy it is to work with people that you respect and admire.

Which living person do you most admire?
I’ve always seen other people answer this question but this is the very first time I’ve ever been asked. It’s easy, my Mom. She is my cheerleader, my mentor, my best friend and the best Mom anyone could ever have. Every path I take, she’s right there cheering me on and never doubts my abilities. I could go on and on and on about my Mom – I really don’t know what I would do without her and our fifteen phone calls a day!

What three things can’t you live without?
My Husband: I can honestly say that I don't know what I would do without Eric. He is my soul mate, best friend and my husband. We know more about each other than anyone else (well, except for maybe his twin brother). No one can make us laugh harder than each other. Since the first time we met my freshman year of high school, I knew I met someone special, and now ten years later we are newlyweds. He inspires me everyday to do what I love. I'm definitely the luckiest girl in the world to have him in my life.

Family and Friends: I couldn’t imagine living life without my friends and family. They support me through happiness, struggles and life in general. At the end of the day they always support me no matter what my dreams might be.

Tea: I’ve never been a coffee drinker; I’m a tea drinker. I love a warm cup of tea in the morning with a splash of frothed milk, no sugar necessary.

What is your guilty pleasure?
My husband’s baking abilities – let me tell ya, he’s darn good. Just the other night we had strawberries and homemade whipping cream for dessert. Then he proceeded to make fresh blackberry ice cream followed by sugar cookies. I mean come on! What’s a girl supposed to do? Just leave them sitting there on the counter taunting me? Nope, now that the wedding is over I can justify eating a few more sweets.

What is your favorite color combination?
Right now – white, gray and blue with a touch of brown. That’s the current combination in my apartment. And it all happened because of a paint mishap.

What is the favorite room in your house, and why?
This one is a bit tricky for me to answer because my apartment is one room. My husband and I still live in the same studio I’ve been in since my junior year of college. We love the apartment and our neighborhood too much to leave. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love more space to decorate (who wouldn’t) but right now we don’t need it. We’re happy in a small abode. One of my favorite spots is our bay window overlooking trees and a park behind our building. The reason I love it so much is because you rarely find an apartment in San Francisco that looks out onto trees. Usually you get the street or a building right next to you. It’s something I cherish!

What is the most memorable event you’ve attended and why?
Everyone told me that your wedding day goes by in a blink of an eye. Our entire day felt magical. Every moment was memorable – the beautiful venue, the family and friends that traveled from miles away and even the rain. We sometimes watch our wedding slideshow before we go to bed and laugh about special moments we both cherish. It really was the perfect wedding day!

What would people be surprised to know about you?
Probably that when I was seven-years-old I got the opportunity to travel with my parents to the Arctic Circle. We were amongst polar bears, killer whales and we almost got swept away by a glacier. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. One other thing, I was raised in Mexico City for five years. Hands down, one of the best things you could ever give a child. I was able to soak in the language and culture.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Oh man, I’m a neat freak. Everything has to be orderly and clean in my house or else my mind can’t work on other things. I get home from work everyday, tidy up the house and then get to work – it’s definitely a blessing and a curse.

BEDROOM INFUSION

Sometimes you can't afford to do everything you want to so I say you give it an "infusion."  You aren't buying all new furniture or knocking down walls, but you are finding things to add that don't blow your budget, painting, and adding a in a new fabric here and there. That is what we have been doing to our house - infusing it - giving it new life. Last week I revealed the breakfast nook, and this week it is our bedroom.

I was challenged because our bedroom has dark paneling. At night it is warm and inviting, but of course, I wanted to paint everything white. Since my husband is always compromising I decided to let go of the idea of painting it all white and leave the dark paneling, I also added shades of grey. But, of course, I mixed it with a little red softening it with a touch of pink. Here is the wallpaper, and fabrics I began to play with...

Later this week, I'll share the finished room!

EARLY MORNING

Today I am headed to NYC to tape a National segment and I had to get up very early to catch a flight.  I do adore Audrey though, and wish I looked this glamorous when I woke up this morning!

Have a great morning, and check back this afternoon for the inspiration for our bedroom makeover.

INSPIRATION IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

Last summer my husband and I bought bikes. When we were picking them out I envisioned riding towards home with a fresh bagette and a beautiful bouquet of flowers in my basket, or with my little dog Mikey - like this:

So I bought this and added a wicker basket:

Now, every Thursday on Queen Anne Hill we do our best to ride up to West Crockett and Queen Anne Avenue North to the Farmers Market.

I don't know about you, but I feel so good whenever I hand my money to the vendors there because I know how much passion and love is behind all of the vegetables, cheese, flowers, etc., that I am taking home. Each day I get up I am able to do something I am passionate about, so I love supporting their passion, and knowing I am taking home a wonderful product.

This week I stopped and chatted with a few of the growers and artisans and found that I was picking up more than just beautiful vegetables and flowers. I was finding inspiration. It was all around me in the stories that they had to tell. Take Jello Mold Farms for instance. Years ago they were living in the Belltown neighborhood, which at the time was an artists mecca. Diane, one of the owners, covered a building in jello molds:

They began to garden in the city and experiment with growing cut flowers. They had a romantic notion of having a farm.

Now they have a farm on over seven acres, and grow over 150 varieties of cut flowers. Dreams do come true!

On my way out I ran in to the Juice Peddler. She started in Bellingham, Washington and is expanding. A woman who had an idea, ran with it, and made it happen.

Juice Peddler at Bellingham Farmers Market from ENW with Deb Slater on Vimeo.

I even gave it a try:

Leaving the market, I realized that I was coming home with much more than a baguette and a bouquet of flowers in my basket. I was coming home with a new found inspiration to follow my dream. I love my design magazines, and design blogs, but I do need to remember to step away once in awhile to look outside in unexpected places - there truly is inspiration all around. If you happen to be in Seattle this Thursday, come by the Queen Anne Farmers Market to say "hi" to my husband at the Muse Coffee Company stand. The coffee is great, I promise!