Eco of snow and wild things

I found a new favorite: Laura Spector Rustic Designs.

This table is the perfect combination of earthiness and minimalism, as is the lamp below.

Some of her creations are a bit "Where the Wild Things Are" a movie I adored...haunting and so emotional, phew. I bought the sound track just so I could mope around the house and pretend I was a misunderstood wild boy instead of a misunderstood blogger!

I'd love her railings in a guest house or beach house...where they would magically never be dusty.

dreamy, and a bit Goldsworthy, yes?

I love this little Montessori plant maker from For SMALL HANDS. It's precious. No glue, no tape, no muss, no fuss! Just stips of paper and this handy little device and voila! I may get it for all the Wild things on my christmas list, including myself!

Just thought I'd include this wild house we built a few years ago in Norwood. (Cue the brown landscapes from the movie the fall and spring can be a bit dry) Winter snow brings a magical touch does it not? It's all solar! Traditional, yet green, love it!

Wanna Neck?

I love that the rectangles skip...dead sexy.

Sprout is at it again! I adore Etsy! I can always find reasonably priced, original jewerlry that is most often tiny works of art.

If you like modern jewelry and nature inspired jewelty I think you might take a fancy to Just Peachy as well! Reminds me of all the beautiful hikes I've taken this year. We are camping this weekend-so looking forward to it!

For all those oh so demure days....

and then when ya need a little edge...

Telluride modern and Ouray modern!

Had a great meal at Onyx in Telluride the other night! dinner was fresh, seasonal and sophisticated. I'm scheming about how and when I can go back soon.

Love the after dinner candy cart...they have the ever pedestrian yet pleasing Starbursts to choice and chewy french macaroons...homemade gels, tiny bon-bons...I had a sugar rush before I even said "yes, please"...5-6 times!

We are building a really cool modern home for these people, check it out: Ouray Modern. They will have amazing Ouray corridor views!

Cornerstone get away fore fun!

The golf "cabin" was well appointed, to say the least!
The scenery -always spectacular.
The food was divine!
We're not always in hiking gear! A good friend and I went away recently for a 24 hour getaway at Cornerstone, which has been rated #1 new golf course in the country! We rode horses, hiked, did some yoga, took a cooking class, dined delightfully and did zero golfing! My husband is the golfer, not me! we even managed to linger in a robes for 20 min before our whirlwind of a day began. Steph spotted a very small fawn frolic on the greens while I was knee deep in my morning coffee.
We are currently building a gorgeous house on the property for some really lovely clients from Texas. Look at current projects.

After-

Master
hall
detail of tree lamp
detail of rug

I tried to warm up this vacation home...the clients were happy. It was a bit of a departure...making a modern home more traditional but I love a challenge.
I did not realize the before shots had published...so i hurried to get these amateur pics posted...that's what i get for neglecting the BLOG!

before

Ice Lake Inspiration

Took a hike to ice lake near Silverton, Colorado last week. GORGEOUS! For anyone in design, how could these colors not inspire? I mean really? The view is so breathtaking at the end of the hike that you have to rub your eyes and physically close your mouth, lest flies rush in. I was gobsmacked!
Elegant Linens I am hopelessly enamored by these colors. They work in modern and even traditional settings. It just says FRESH to me.
Sumptuous, no? I want to put a vase of peacock feathers near by, or drape a teal silk robe on the bed post! Lime, turquoise, peacock blue, even the names don't adequately describe Ice Lake in the lush verdant summer.
fabric by ink and spindle! Modern, nature inspired and very cool...check out their blog!


Some of the many wild flowers. The Queen's Anne Lace was as tall as my friend Steph!
mmmm, me love moss.
Waterfalls, too many to count! It was heaven!

Modern Nostalgia....

I was searching for some modern prints that were fresh and modern but conveyed a certain nostalgia...that's what really compels me about design...the odd combinations of periods, themes and styles. I recently did a house where I needed to combine, Colorado rugged ranch with Victorian and Mediterranean. AHHHHH I thought. What do these have in common? How will it not look pieced together? Then I thought about the common thread in all theses styles...iron work, scroll work, florals and little critters -like tiny iorn squirrel resting on a painted scrolled shelf, aged pots, rich brown, yellow and creme...once I established this basis, the rest just flowed.

These 10-8 polaroids are fantastic. They remind me of botanicals from the early part of the century, marbles from the 30's and 1960's batik and yet they are fresh and modern...mmmm
pinholesand poloroids from the UK! On ETSY, baby!



We went to Brenckenridge recently on our 2nd annual family trip. I spotted these flowers in an old mining ore box....new hybrid? Love the combo! Love the colors!
On a hike recenly I came across this old latrine...it cracks me up.
I took this photo from my bathroom window...my grassland has been transformed. The field looks like a computer card from the late 70's!

summer

Bath Room Remodel mini-spa!

Hello John! This gives the best close-up shot of these oh-so not professionally photographed pics. I used 12x 12 on the diagonal on the floor, and brick set on the walls. Note the classic toilet...it may not be modern but it's clean!

This is the only detail shot I have of the travertine border and chair rail. The chair rail came in 12 inch lengths which is awesome usually. The challenge in this room was that most of the walls in the house have a radius so we had to cut them to make the curve...it seemed silly the have 12 inch in some areas and 4 inch in others so needless to say, the tile saw was hummin'!

During the remodel...the client wanted something, bright, light and classic for their basement level guest bath. I chose a light travetine. Only 4 inch tiles would make the radius of 2 shower walls and the main wall so I used a combo of 12x12s and these. The result was texture and the ability to change wall color and accessories down the road. FLEXIBILITY!

The shampoo niche, the shower floor, and the and area below the shower head are basket weave travertine mosaic....classic and delightful. Most shower pans have to be 3inches or smaller to make the proper drain slope. I have spec'ed 4 inches in larger pans...but only because I was trying to match an existing tile.

I chose blue to give it that watery spa like feel...and to coordinate fabric in the bedroom.
Unfortunately you can't see the cute little bun feet hiding under this cabinet I designed with the cabinet maker Jan Jensen. Counter is travertine slab with a classic ogee profile.
I call this the courtesy shelf- great for shaving legs! The mock window wall behind the toilet is all 12x 12s because of the way the glass shower door met the wall it seemed like the best aesthetic answer. the rest of the walls asked for wainscoting, and I said yes.

By the way, I call it a "mock window" because it lets in natural light through the adjoining bedroom.

Side note--I know I have been away for some time now, and I have 1,00 reasons and excuses...I 'll be posting weekly now rather than daily for a while...we'll see how it goes!

Come Sale away!

I think violet might be going out of biz...which is alittle sad but, in order to cheer you up, they have announced a 40% off sale. Gotta love this decomissioned sail boat sail bag!

The magic code for the sale is: wow509 Tea for two anyone?

A steal $60 marked from $100 They call these cuties "designated cases...for everything you would have otherwise had to rifle through your carry-on luggage for, like ipod, iphone, valium...

My little person made me the cutest chalkboard vase for Mother's Day! I got breakfast in bed too...she was so proud of herself!

Al Fresco Finds: High and Low

Spring has truly arrived in the San Juan Mountains. There is still snow on the mountain tops but in towns like Ouray, Ridgway and Telluride, it's downright balmy. My little one is getting all her sundresses out, we're wiping the cobwebs from our flipflops and frowning at the weeds that are undermining the once beautiful landscaping. The aspens are budding, the grass is green, and the sky is BLUE!

This is my pick for patio dining perfection...It not too large, it's clean and simple and comfortable. It's $1499 but think of all the friends that you could get around the table-priceless!

LOW! What else would you expect from IKEA? The corner chair starts at $120 with a $40 white cushion and the simple is $90 with a $20 cushion. Form and function, you know how much I enjoy that!!

HIGH From KMP


starting at $455! Almost 3 times as expensive as Ikea's version! Nice weave though!

I really like this 7 piece set. It looks so comfortable...I can imagine lingering over dinner, throwing back sangrias and laughing into the night. I think it would work well for a variety of styles too, classic, contemporary, Mountain Home, Mediteranean.

For the space age, modern, highly practical, minimalists! In the winter it doubles as sculpture. High for sure, around 2k

Sexy! How Southbeach. If it's just the two of you, in your cozy little loft with the perfectly manageable terrace...this cutie is a space saver. Double my espresso please!

I would lounge here and finish a whole novel, all it needs is a cabana boy and maybe a catheder...ew did I just say that? My point is, I wouldn't want to get up for anything!

Get your Design chops:Green carpeting

Design Chops people, not lamb chops! sheesh!


I've been doing a little research on wool carpeting...it's so soft, so luxe, so GREEN! It can be pricey but it's hard to ruin...it's an investment. Sure there are nylon facsimiles but real wool will make your other samples look and feel baaaaaaad. Bad pun, sorry.
The only drawbacks apparently are that Dyson vacuums are NOT reccomended...they cause fuzzing. The suction and wheels are too intense...oh and it can create a little static in dry climates. But, hey, if your bare feet are in heaven , who cares about your hair-do, right? I guess you can only answer this for yourself. BAAAAAAAAAAd hair day? Again, sorry.
This shot from Woolshire, shows the more traditional side of wool carpeting, but I have to grin when I see the bedding they chose to spotlight here. I spec'd this about 5 years ago to go in a really traditional bedroom. I still kind of like the teal and brown combo. I used a suede Ralph Lauren paint in the same teal for the bottom of the wainscoting, and put a more gloden hue on the top...dark brown trim, a wrought iorn head board...I'll see if If can dig up a pic...


ahhhh New Zealand.


Love these from Modern Rugs...100% wool darling! They even have sales!

Triple green! Eco+2 shades of in the wool...sweet.

This could go Asian, modern, transitional, mountain, contemporary...

Remind anyone of Rothko?

What a moody landscape, no?

Futuristic? We think the kids are doing some wacky texting these days...perhaps these are an indication of the future heiroglyphics we'll find on our phone screens...It's an abbrivated novel actually, the climax is shocking, no?

From
Green Flooring Solutions:

When wool carpet is installed in a home, it works
to improve air quality by absorbing common contaminants, such as formaldehyde (a
common pollutant emitted by building materials), nitrogen dioxide and sulfur
dioxide, by binding the gases irreversibly in its structure. It also creates a
more balanced environment by absorbing vapor from the air in humid conditions
and then releasing it when the atmosphere becomes dry.

Wow! I thought it was just renewable/sustainable and natural. Mint jelly washes out in a snap too!

Pickup artist: Barbara bowles

More of my Santa Fe adoration. I can't remember the last time a photographer twirled my tutu this much! Her website shows a large range of her close-up, abstract photography of old trucks. I have a soft place in my heart for this type of decay...the nostalgia, the waste, the beautiful juxtaposition of junk rusting in a natural setting. It creates such wild and unatural colors and texture. I picked out a few of her cards because, 1. I was in a hurry and had to have something. 2. It would have taken me forever to choose one of her super large format prints 3. The 5 cards I chose are going to make a very nice little grouping.

The colors are outstanding and incredibly vibrant in person. she did a great one of an ornamental cabbage with the same patina of an old copper sculpture. The patina matched the color of an old hubcab...I picked up both!

Artist statement, readable if you click on photo or go straight to her site.

She has a great little gallery not too far from the square and was very friendly and lovely. Love stumbling on places like that!
If you are as fscinated by decay as I am...Carolinaeclectic ( see side blogroll)posted about the slideshow the New York Times is doing on the Grey Gardens Mansion...if you have never seen the 1975 film, treat yourself. Also HBO is releasing a reimagined Grey Gardens that I am simply chomping at the bit to see. I'll be speaking with Little Edie's accent for days...I apologize to friends and family in advance.

Reduce plastics Reuse bags Recycle material

I made a commitment this month to try as hard as possible to avoid any new plastic to enter my life. This is ridiculously difficult. I knew, though, that if I didn't try it in extremes I wouldn't be able to significantly reduce my habit. Frozen artichokes...my favorite? What to do? They come in a nifty and wasteful frozen food package....do you know how long it would take to process that many artichoke hearts and freeze them? I shudder at the thought. Alternative fiber....the search is on.
I have slipped a few times...mostly in just not noticing all those ubiquitous little plastic items like a tiny straw in my vodka tonic, the cellophane in a bag of candy, LIDS!
It's funny, some times the anti-plastic choice might not be the most healthful choice or the lowest waste option or certainly even the least economical. Milk cartons vs. plastic gallon? I guess I need to subscribe to milk delivery...we have raw milk services around here...
Also salad bar in a clam shell plastic container from the grocery store or a sandwich from subway wrapped only in paper? Carbs? Can I bring my own bowl to the store? How would they weigh it? I'm not trying to ought eco anyone... just trying to get my waste into check.
Some things are easy: ice cream in a cone not a bowl and plastic spoon...I remember being confronted by this choice over the weekend and then opting out of both and settling for a bite of my kiddos dessert.
I'm a chewing gum nut...yikes. Will I be gnawing on fresh mint from now on?

So for my little person's lunch...I refuse to have anymore little disposable baggies...the guilt is too much. Waxed paper only works for a few items and is not re-usable. I thought about reusable oil cloth containers....of course ETSY had them! These oil cloth bags from Rickrack Queen are exactly what I was looking for...perfect for turkey or cheese slices, edamame, apple slices, anything slightly moist.

hmmm...maybe not edamame out of the pod...they might escape. Or juicy blackberries....

Love these from Evelynfields
the plain ones in packs of 10 are very affordable. It reminds me of Laura Ingalls and their little lunch pails and cheesecloth wrapped sandwiches...so sweet.

there are quite a few larger commercial bags out there too...not a huge fan of nylon...but these could work for some items.

The nasty trash pool in our beautiful Pacific ocean....I don't want to add to this grunge.
Plastic is not sustainable...especially when we toss it out. I must funnel my creative energy into alternatives! Not being preachy, just letting you know what obsession has struck me lately. My wastefulness is really ugly.

gross!

Drape and shade solutions and texture... naturally

I'm a big fan of the way grommeted drapes look. The only challenge is that they are best when stationary. They don't give that satisfying "zing" when you open and close them. They need a little fussing. Even larger grommets, which are easier to slide, need to be organized into pleasing rounded pleats. If they are behind a sofa, picture yourself crawling over the furniture to properly manipulate them. You may or may not want to do this in front of your guests. This photo highlights a solar shade behind the drape which makes good sense for daytime sun but not for night time privacy.

In back of these unlined drapes this window has what looks to be a black out shade at the ready...the client could have skipped this step and simply lined the drapes with a commercial grade black out liner commonly found in hotels...the kind that make the Las Vegas 9:00 am sun impenetrable..and without an alarm, make you late.

One other point, some clients would inquire about dressing both the windows...this pic illustrates beautifully how one large window treatment can adequately address them both.

Dull photo...but stay with me...Notice the slight buckle that happens when these floor length drapes touch the hardwood? I enjoy that. You really don't need giant pool of fabric collecting dust bunnies and detritis on your floors. You also want to stay away from the 2 inches above the floor look as well, the effect says "I scrimped on fabric" or "waitin' on the flood" unless it won't really be seen due to furniture. Every rule has exceptions!

Notice how far above the actual window these drapes are hung? I enjoy this as well. It elongates the appearance of your windows and makes your room a little more luxe.

Panels are oh so modern aren't they? They come in so many textures and fabrics. I like the natural wood shown here. They can be used to divide a studio space, define an area, and of course filter the light on in a window.

all these photos are from Robert Allen Design.

He has some great eco friendly fabrics as well:

An now for something completely different....

It's too bad his website weren't a little more professional but his artistry is undeniable. Bernard Collin is a residential and commercial metal artist. IORNY is the name of his business, love that.

I'd love to have him to a custom window piece that could slide over a window and then rest on the wall when not in use.

Happy Earth Day! Best List

People are loving wallpaper again...but get a little cranky when they try to put it in humid areas. This POST CONSUMER RECYCLED glass mosaic tile is great for pool and jacuzzi rooms, that cabana you keep meaning to build, the pool, the steamroom, above the sink or oven....these rooms are over the top. Great for hotel lobbies and hot climates but really, even on a much smaller scale, they would be amazing. Your powder room would be the talk of the town...or at least the block...or blog.

This is onethe earth-friendliest and chic-clothing company: NAU

The best book ever about over consumption and sustainability.

Fun from the oh-so Earth lovin' Ditty Bops

The best bicycle circus ever? PEDAL POWER

Rothko (peeko train...not)

Are you inspired by color? By art? By certain palettes?

ROTHKO: In 1954 he asked that his largest pictures be installed "so that they must be
first encountered at close quarters, so that the first experience is to be
within the picture." Since my pictures are large, colorful, and unframed, and
since museum walls are usually immense and formidable, there is the danger that the pictures relate themselves as decorative areas to the walls. This would be a distortion of their meaning, since the pictures are intimate and intense, and are the opposite of what is decorative; and have been painted in a scale of
normal living rather than an institutional scale. I have on occasion
successfully dealt with this problem by tending to crowd the show rather than
making it spare. By saturating the room with the feeling of the work, the walls
are defeated and the poignancy of each single work...become[s] more visible. I
also hang the largest pictures so that they must be first encountered at close
quarters, so that the first experience is to be within the picture. This may
well give the key to the observer of the ideal relationship between himself and the rest of the pictures. This one practically glows like an x-ray film.

Hmmmm "Opposite of decorative" yet so inspiring to the decorator. No one wants matching art work, the decor in a box look, but I think that when you have artists that light a fire in you, you find objects, fabrics and shapes that connect and create cohesive rooms.

Rothko's colors are saturated and intense. I saw them first hand at the National Gallery of Art. Huge canvases upon which color swatches blur...I'm a big fan. Like all the greats, Picasso specifically, the road to abstraction and "simplification" is littered with amazing early works, more classic but yet always fresh. The following composition really intrigues me, little figures vs. large architecture. Those painters, always playing with scale.

He also inspires more monochromatic decor ideas for me...thoughts? All decor via artful home.

Santa Fe for all ages

I love the round cocoa walls and the deep blue sky combo. I love going to Santa Fe because if feels like we're still in the West but somehow, we slipped through a wormhole that leads to historic sites, elegant architecture and modern design seamlessly blending with ancient adobe.

While in there with two little 6 six year olds a friend and I decided to take advantage of all the great kids stuff the following videos aren't what we saw exactly but a taste of the company's talents:

We saw Coup de Circ Wise Fool's newest original production. This tale of of compassion and circus rebellion features a greedy ringmaster, stilt animals, a giant puppet, and acrobatic and aerial magic! After its Santa Fe run, Coup de Circ will tour to Canada to take part in two International Children's Festivals.
Their web site is amazing. I am so tempted to take one of their classes. The aerialist was unbelievable.

Historic House Colors, hurray!

But first, an "anti-rant", SPRING IS COMING TO THE SAN JUANS!!! IT IS. It must! This silly spring snow and frigid temperatures are silly little weather whims...it can't last forever. Spring has just been delayed for the time being. Now then, onto our D.C. historical tour, isn't she lovely? Trimmed in sage and cinnamon?
Spring break...
Sorry about the Subaru..editing complications. The grey house looked so pretty with the pink blossoms.
Smart colors.
This one isn't merely here for the colors, I just loved the round window.

Not crazy about the rainbow roof, but main colors are bold and fun...wish I'd taken more.
This was the Fredrick Douglas house.


I'm off to Santa Fe...posting in advance...not escaping the weather just continuing the Spring Break.