Equestrian feast...

Graphic. Equestrian. Monochromatic. Perfection.

 A little bit of Ditte Isager is a delicious way to start fall.

Waterworks...

This is kind of amazing.  Actually, this is completely amazing.  If only this weekend's precipitation came in the form of woven textile whimsy. 

{This charming trickery by Nemie Goudal was found posing gracefully on Design for Mankind.}

Glamorous shadows...

These photographs from Ditte Isager are a gorgeous exploration of the depths of charcoal grey.  Oh, Ditte, how I love your work. 

Saturated...

The saturated and deep hues of this linear harvest on Helt Enkelt caught my eye.  Delicious.

{This gorgeous photography comes from the talented lens of Anna-Malin of Helt Enkelt.  My endless gratitude for letting this image linger here.}

Metaphysical magic...

When I found a little something called Colorstrology, my heart skipped {at least} three beats.  After perusing the site, I am utterly infatuated.  Just as your day of birth lends you an astrological sign, it also lends a specific color that offers insight into your personality. 

My color is sunflower {Pantone 16-1054}, which I see gracefully lounging on the ceiling in this perfect photograph {by Michael Eastman}.  In the interest of {not so subtle} narcissism, here is what Colorstrology had to say about me.

"You are not afraid to fight for what you want.  You have the ability and strength and know-how to persevere in the face of adversity.  You are a generous and loving person and quietly lend a helping hand to a great many people.  Your personal color helps ease your tenacious spirit.  Wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Sunflower inspires calm as you continue to learn, explore and attain the many goals that you have on your horizon."

After scrutinizing and evaluating my personal color, I also lingered around long enough to look up the personal colors of just about everyone I know.  It is only fair to warn you that this lovely little place of color palettes is somewhat addicting. 

Streets, houses, schools, and squares...

The Let's Colour Project is an initiative to {literally} color the world; a not-so-subtle message that "we can change anything we want".  The mission of this project is to color streets, houses, schools, and squares with bright and vibrant color.  This striking image is from the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil project.

If you need a daily reminder that you can change the world, paint some color {bold, bright color} in your life.

Four hundred seventeen bulbs...

These lovely strings of light are seriously pulling at my heart strings.  This delicate form of brilliance, Moondust, was created by Spencer Finch {for the Venice Biennale}.  The installation involved 150 light fixtures and 417 incandescent bulbs.  Maybe a smaller cloud of incandescence could settle over my dining room table?!?

{Thank you Apartment Therapy for featuring this drool-worthy art installation.  Image from Galerie Nordenhake.}

Subtle seduction...

Greige is often seducing me with sultry images of quiet glamour and introducing me to perfect shops like Cote Bastide.  Glimpses of linen and patina grace the Cote Bastide website.  Here is a handful of bliss.

{All images from Cote Bastide.}

Wabi sabi whimsy...

Skona Hem has been charming me with Swedish simplicity.  Upon scouring their site, I came across an article on Wabi-sabi contributed by Pernilla Eriksson.  Ms. Eriksson describes the general elements of Wabi-sabi as authentic, modest, natural, intimate, and imperfect.  Interior embellishment, under Wabi-sabi doctrine, is natural {literally from nature}, driftwood, flowers, branches, shells, and all nature has to offer.  Wabi-sabi assigns heavy emphasis to constant change; nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.  

There has always been a little Wabi-sabi whimsy in my design aesthetic. I love the sense of fleeting design; each ephemeral moment is embraced and then released.  Wabi-sabi is a great reminder that interiors are not just defined by appearance and aesthetic, but how they feel and the emotions they invoke.

OKA, I covet thee...

OKA has an inspiration gallery to die for; handfuls upon handfuls of interiors and vignettes to adore.  This dining room {from the Converted Barn gallery} makes my heart flutter.

The Arthur Table in Burnt Oak is a beautiful place to gather.

 

Two chairs I am currently coveting: the Lulworth Chair in Natural Linen and the Chantal Chair in Ice Blue Cotton.

This living room {from the Weekend Cottage gallery} has something I absolutely have to have, the fireplace.  Oh, how rusticated wood trim and casual mortar make me melt!

I suspect OKA and I will get along beautifully.

Scandinavian gypsy...

Day Birger et Mikkelsen just launched Scandinavian Gypsy {Spring Summer 2010 Collection}.  The products are lovely, but the campaign itself is inspiring and intriguing.  The styling by Christine Rudolph is genious.  Ditte Isager's photography is breathtaking.  Enjoy!

Oui, oui, oui...

Just a frothy little post today; a single image from Weego Home, with as much warmth and color as this Monday full of sunshine.  Soak it in...

Inspiration on aisle twelve...

It isn't often that I collide with inspiration while meandering the aisles of Safeway begrudgingly doing my weekly duty - grocery shopping.  But today, as I scoured the shelves searching for curry paste, a pop of color caught my eye.  A single hue shined so gloriously from the top shelf, my eyes {and my hands} were drawn to it.  Turmeric.  Lovely, saffron-ish, mustard-ish, turmeric yellow.  {Is it fate or irony that I can only think of other 'spices' to describe the brilliant turmeric yellow?}

Though turmeric can be admired for its little grains of sunshine through any label, it is Morton & Bassett that truly built a jar to display turmeric's luster. 

And not just turmeric; anise displays its sculpted edges, poppy seeds stacked as if by hand, red chili and bay leaves resting peacefully in a heap.  The transparent Morton & Bassett jars seem to function more like museum cases than spice jars.  

There is something so simple about these little glass spice jars that make the contents seem so exquisite.  Any kitchen would be privileged to house a rack full of Morton & Bassett spice jars; functioning first as art, then as a 'dash' or 'sprinkle', and finally as a thrill for your taste buds.

Though my account of the local spice aisle may be {a little} melodramatic, it was an unexpected visual oasis among the otherwise busy blur of groceries - and a pleasant reminder to always step back and appreciate the subtle inspiration and beauty found in the most ordinary places.  

Oh, and I never found curry paste.  Where are they hiding the curry paste?!?!