At work last week, I heard a designer toss around the phrase “evidence of the hand.” She explained this meant being able to tell that a product isn’t churned out by a machine or mass-produced. She thinks the ultra-consumerism of the ’90s is backfiring and now people want something hand-made (or that at least looks hand made, but isn’t).
Want examples? See Etsy. Some of my favorite shops:
[[moop]]
[[sproutonline]]
And so many more.
So, last week I went with my family to a furniture store that was having a sale. This wasn’t billed as just a season-changing sale, this was advertised in the paper as The Sale to End All Sales–We Will Pay YOU to Take Our Inventory.
Naturally, I thought this would be a great spot to score a dining room table. I was completely wrong. First of all, the items remaining followed this general theme:
Not to disparage this style of decorating, because I’m sure there a lot of people who pay out the nose for it. I will never be one of them.
Second, let’s address the “on sale” prices. I don’t know about you, but when I go to a sale, I expect somewhat affordable options. Here? You could get a Turkish silk rug (albeit a GORGEOUS Turkish silk rug) on sale for $12,000. The full price? A mere $57,000. I could buy a lot of dining room tables for $57,000.
I’m currently going through the entire West Elm site systematically and putting stuff I want in my shopping bag. Yes, it’s that kind of day, y’all. (I’m entirely charmed when my Southern friends say “y’all” but I understand if it doesn’t have the same effect on you. Although it should, because I’m an honorary Cajun, y’all.)
Some of the things in my theoretical shopping bag:
[[parsons desk with drawers, $299, west elm]]
[[parsons low bookshelf, $299, west elm]]
[[taksim tile rug, $199 for 5x8, west elm]]
A few trends things I’ve noticed: I have a thing for Parson-style furniture; I have a non-thing for animal prints; West Elm needs more color and pattern; I am ridiculous for wasting 45 minutes of my life on this.
Lo and behold: Even MORE time has passed since I last posted. Quick little update about something I’m researching today: suzanis. These gorgeous textiles are made in Uzbekistan, traditionally by mothers. When they have a daughter, they start hand-embroidering the suzani, hopefully finishing it by the time the daughter marries (Mom–do I get one??). You can buy some on eBay (but a quick Google search also revealed a few more contemporary versions). I love the idea of throwing it over a table or using it as a coverlet (it’s original use). Look for these ethnic patterns and bold colors to be repeated on a lot of design motifs this year.
Like this? It’s available on eBay, current bid: $47.
Ok, first, can I just say that I’m so much of a prude that writing the word “nude,” even in reference to shoes, makes me nervous? Moving ahead…
[Christian Louboutin Covered Platform Pump, $660, Bergdorf Goodman]]
I have kind of been admiring this look from afar (and by “afar” I mean, from my computer screen while looking at people.com) and then I read in some magazine that everyone simply HAS to have a nude pump in their closet. So, in my impressionable youth, I now agree with them. And this is the one I want.
P.S. Last time I posted a shoe I liked, my dad bought it for me (best. dad. ever.). Dad, please don’t ever spend $660 on a shoe for anyone, not even me. Even I wouldn’t spend that much on a shoe ever. However, feel free to give me money so I can go to a local shop and get a lookalike.
This is what I want my living room to look like, give or take a few accessories. More specifically, give a West Elm taksim tile rug, take the tie-dyed folk art rug; give an Antwerp chair from Anthropologie, take that super-uncomfy looking slatted chair with the fuzzy animal on it.
photo from domino
I am always amazed by how someone so out-of-touch with reality can strike a chord with such a large audience. Who am I talking about? Why, our dear Martha Stewart, of course. If you haven’t read it before, you really should start tuning in to her blog. It’s hilarious. In it, you’ll gain insight into the most practical areas of Martha’s life, helping you, too decide such questions as, “What Shall I Name My New Hereford Cattle?” and “How Many Names Can I Drop in One Post?”
Seriously.
[p.s. I’m aware that Martha owns the world and therefore me, so I was a little hesitant to post this. After all, I’m just one girl and she’s MARTHA. But I decided that while she may have my $17.99/year for a subscription to Living, she’ll never have my soul.
I just bought this, created by Emily from OrangeBeautiful. You can buy your own here.
This will be the first of many gorgeous etsy prints to grace my bare wall (must buy a frame).
I’ve been living a lie. All this time I thought the floor in my kitchen was some type of fake laminate tile sealed by gray plastic grout. But today when I was washing it, I realized there is no uneven surface to my floor. The whole thing is linoleum; that gray grout stuff is FAKE. It’s a DRAWING. On my FLOOR. I guess that’s what puts the “affordable” in “The Home of Affordable Luxury.” (Yes, that’s the apartment complex’s tagline.)
What will be on my floor in my dream kitchen:
[[from domino]]
Dark, wide-plank hardwood floor. Mmmmm.
While I’ve been hermited away in my apartment, cooking and otherwise being domestic, I discovered my new fav blog, Smitten Kitchen. The author, Deb, is my kind of girl. She just makes these amazing recipes in her teensy NYC apartment, photographs them beautifully, and posts the recipe and her hints for all the world to try. And I have tried them. I made the blue chip chocolate chip cookies, which were, in short, divine (and pictured above–aren’t they pretty?).
Bookmarked for trying the next few weeks: lemon yogurt anything cake, and caramel walnut upside-down banana cake
For the record, I do eat more than just desserts.