TRENDING: neon brights

Perhaps the most vibrant (or jolting) spring/summer trend this year – ’80’s electric, neon brights are making their comeback!

 left | My boyfriend recently picked up these Ernie Ball strings for his new guitar – love the retro font, really awesome packaging! These strings come in a whole spectrum of neon colours. They look so good altogether on display in the music shop.

right |  I’ve always loved neon. There’s something about thrilling, electrifying hues that really get my heart racing. I especially love the contrast when paired with black, which makes for a very bold design (so the item above is exactly my cup of tea). And I’ve been really inspired by it lately. I mean, it’s everywhere, and you can’t really ignore it. So I’ve definitely embraced it again, and used it in some small paintings that I’m currently working on. A neon series, in fact. These will be available in my Etsy shop today. This one pictured, is about the size of a postcard.

So rev up the excitement factor in your life + inject a little neon fun! Be inspired by some of my favourite finds below (I’m dying over that rug, totally on my NEED list!). However, you must be warned: be prepared for some serious head-turning!

1  Neon Aztec Faux Leather Feather Earrings –  lovesexton via Etsy

2  Movie Pool Sofa – CB2

3  Neon Green Nailpolish – American Apparel

4  The Fluoro – The Cambridge Satchel Company

5  Prayer rug – Modallion

6  Acrylic Chiclet Candy Bowl, Cotton Candy Pink – Alexandra Von Furstenberg

7  Dolce Vita shoe, pink/multi – Town Shoes

8  Timeco Plastic Digital Neon Swirl Wristwatch, green – American Apparel

9  Radiant Acrylic Coffee Table, green – Alexandra Von Furstenberg

10  Neon Yellow & Silver letters – twistedtwig via Etsy

11  Minkpink Amy Dress – Nasty Gal

ASK ME: deer head decor

A friend recently asked me about the ever-popular wall mounted deer head. And I still love this trend. A small one would look great grouped in a gallery style, surrounded by other frames + elements. I also like when they are mounted completely alone, over a bed or sofa. I’ve sourced a few that resemble the regular style, and others which are very unconventional, for a traditional wall decoration.

Unusual material or ultra white colour:

Giant Cardboard Taxidermy, Deer Trophy Wall Sculpture – Urban Outfitters

 For a more true + traditional style:

1890 Iron Stag Head, Deer Antler in Cast Resin, Deer Head in Cast Resin – Restoration Hardware

Colourful + cheerful:

Mint & Baby Blue Deer Head Wall Mount, Paisley Deer Head Wall Mount – BananaTreeStudio via Etsy

Great design that’s good for the environment – sustainable, green products:

Papier-Mache Stag, Papier-Mache Animal Sculpture, Large Antlers – West Elm

Patterened, punchy + graphic, other great modern pieces for your wall:

Faux Bois White Deer Head Silhouette Print – blockpartyprints via Etsy,  Miho Blossom Trophy Deer Head – Hus & Hem, Modern Chevron Deer Head Silhouette Print – Tessyla via Etsy

LOVING: agate bookends

 I have been coveting agate bookends for quite a while now. This natural specimen strikes a perfect balance between both rough + refined elements. The crater-like surface of the outer shell has the texture of a regular rock. But what it houses inside its’ polished edges is a spectacular sight: layers of beautiful swirling hues + crystals. These swirls + patterns are reminiscent of a gaseous substance, freely flowing around, melding with other elements. Formed in ancient rock, agates can be found in a range of colours, from neutrals to bright jewel tones (and sometimes they are chemically enhanced). To me, they possess a magical, mysterious quality, which I cannot remove my gaze from. Mesmerizing!

So when I unexpectedly came across them at Homesense yesterday, I was thrilled! They have gorgeous colouring and a substantial weight to them. The height is about 7″, which isn’t dinky by any means. Oh, and not to mention that the price was absolutely ridiculous – a mere $16 each. A total steal!

The reddish-orange pair is for a client. And they are perfect – all the colours of the bedroom can be found in the depths + layers of these natural bookends. This pair is sure to make the room dazzle. But I couldn’t leave without a pair for myself – so I took home the lovely green/white duo. Such an awesome find!

Below I’ve sourced other naturally made bookends, equally as interesting.

Brazilian Agate Bookends, pink – The Evolution Store

Geode Bookends – vntagequeen via Etsy

Copper Bookends – By Nature Gallery

Oval Soapstone Bookend, white – Indigo

 Petrified Wood Bookend, Araucaria Arizona – By Nature Gallery

Petrified Wood Bookend, palm tree – The Evolution Store

Marlstone Burma Teak Bookends – Ten Thousand Villages

Agate Bookends – Lawson-Fenning

reddish-orange + green/white agate bookends- Homesense

DIY-ING: upcycled mosaic vase

 

Make yourself a pretty, layered, mosaic vase! Here’s the how- to:

1  Gather your supplies together: an old glass vase, magazines + clippings, scissors, glue, clear gel medium/(optional) paint glaze that would match the overall colour you are going for + a paintbrush.  Also, lay down some craft paper to protect the surface you’ll be working on.

2  I chose to create a pink tone vase, so I began snipping out any pages that had pink-related colours: fuscia, powder pink, even some coral etc. Cut the pieces out irregularly to enhance the mosaic look. Most of the pieces I cut are in triangular or diamond-like shapes. TIP: be sure to cut out many, many pieces so you don’t run out during the gluing process!

 3  With a paintbrush, you can start by applying some glaze to the vase to adhere the paper pieces. Or, you can apply everything with glue. I tried a little of both ways, but found that working the glue with my finger was the most efficient – it’s quick, easy + fun to spread around like that!  Ensure that each piece overlaps another + that gaps are minimal. This step does take some time, but it definitely puts you in the zone. It almost has a meditative quality.

4  Once the entire vase is completely covered + dry, apply your glaze everywhere. The glaze is optional, but I wanted to add an element to unify all the pieces. I used a transparent metallic glaze which gives a beautiful, subtle pink sheen in the light. Alternatively, you can coat it with a clear gel medium, to protect the paper and keep it from fraying. Gel mediums come various finishes including matte, semi and high gloss, so choose one that best fits your project.

Once your mosaic vase is complete, have fun playing around with it + styling it up!

 

TRENDING: floral that packs a punch!

 One of the most eye catching trends this season is big impact floral. Let it be known that it’s not the cutesy kind either – but more like the sassy, full of attitude type! Fully saturated hues + large scale flowers are loudly taking over everything from textiles to tableware (which, I don’t mind at all because I seriously love this trend + I do own #11 myself!).  But make no mistake about it: this isn’t a dainty or delicate motif – these blooms pack a serious punch!

1  Jeffrey Campbell X UO Foxy T-Strap Heel – Urban Outfitters

2  Tree Peony painting – Rosie Sanders

3  Cafe Capri in Fresco Floral Sateen – J.Crew

4  Little Pops painting – Kate Lewis

5  A2 Floral Thank You Card – Rhubarb Paper Co. via Etsy

6  Gerbera Daisy Wreath – Pier1

7  Carded ID Wristlet Sateen in Hotty Pink Day Lilly – Lilly Pulitzer

8  Tessellate Necklace – J.Crew

9  Romantic Floral Scarf Shams – Urban Outfitters

10   Carried Away Creamy Body Wash – Bath & Body Works

11  Blouse in black/floral – H&M

12  Sissinghurst Castle Dinnerware – Anthropologie

LOVING: Nasty Gal

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I’ve recently discovered the most amazing shop, and wish I had sooner… alot sooner. Within seconds of browsing around I obviously needed everything from the website, but in the end, narrowed it down to this + that (not to mention, which shipped super fast). I feel like I’ve struck fashion gold, and now can’t wait to share the awesome-ness with you!

Nasty Gal – a funky clothing shop inspired by none other than soul/funk/rock legend, Betty Davis. With inspiration being drawn from such a vivacious, larger-than-life icon, a shop will naturally offer up the wildest, sexiest + most unique pieces. And the best part about it is, you can look bad ass without breaking the bank. Love it!

Founder/owner Sophia Amoruso started up Nasty Gal Vintage in 2006, which had its’ early beginnings as an Ebay store. She ran the entire business on her own from start to finish: from seeking out those one-of-a-kind vintage gems, to styling, shooting and spreading the word. Nasty Gal has grown even larger since, and now has a range of creative talents (and friends) working in the team. Read Sophia’s inspirational story here.

What I love? Nasty Gal continues to create unique, knock-out pieces that ooze with a powerful, feminine attitude. And they have the coolest vintage finds a girl could ever want! All I gotta say is, I can’t wait for my next purchase.

GET THE LOOK: spring whimsy

colourful – fresh – playful – natural – delicate
spring whimsy inspired by Fawn Galli’s modern fairytale living space.

GET THE LOOK!

 1  chevron patterned curtain – Urban Outfitters

2  medium sussex framed double sconce – Circa Lighting

3  cats meow red fabric – Thibaut

4  palette rug by fiona curran – The Rug Company

5  davinci silk print, multi – Michele Varian

6  end table with fluted front – Elte

7  oak hardwood, winter white – Armstrong Flooring

8  sherwood iron/glass table – Arteriors

9  teal blue glass decanter table lamp – Lampsplus.com

10  icy mint 6001-7A paint – Valspar

11  “leaving autumn behind” giclee print – SUZEEE via Etsy

12  jamaica sofa – Ralph Lauren Home

Fawn Galli, House Beautiful

INSPIRING: Fawn Galli interior

house beautiful

the ideal example of a fresh, playful spring room.

a “modern fairytale” living room by designer Fawn Galli.

this space was created as an escape from the chaotic and congested new york city core.

modern – fairytale – colourful – calm – whimsical – natural – delicate

HOW THIS WORKS

colours carried throughout the space are drawn from the rug + window coverings.

patterns from the rug, chairs + drapes create movement, and allow the eye to continuously wander around the room.

the layering of pattern + pops of colour create an energetic + dynamic space.

interesting shapes + other pieces like the unconventional branch side table + fantasy painting add to the sense of whimsy.

a pretty + ethereal pale backdrop brings everything together.

ASK ME: modern + rustic coffee tables

(click to open)

modern + rustic + chunky + industrial

coffee tables

i was recently asked to help find the perfect coffee table for a friend. she was looking for something to accentuate the modern farmhouse look she currently has throughout her home. something chunky + rustic would work. maybe a little industrial too. check out these great finds from local stores which are under $500, or some that splurge over budget!  

under

mimic cognac cube, crate & barrel

parsons coffee table, west elm

industrial coffee table, west elm

mandalay table, urban barn

over

raw edge coffee table, west elm

lath nesting tables, anthropologie

seguro rectangular table, crate & barrel

benchwright coffee table, pottery barn

DECORATING: headboard finds

inspired from the first post, here are pieces with very different styles, made from very different materials, that all equally share the same wow factor! 

1 rustic, yet mordern slatted headboard + platform bed created from reclaimed wood. hidalgo bed, Anthropologie

2 space dilemma? try this big impact wall decal that takes up zero floorspace. sophie headboard in deep sea, Blik

3 simple + modern chinoiserie window headboard, West Elm

4 showstopper of the boudoir…mirrored beauty! hayworth headboard + footboard, Pier1