the haystack needle

nightwood at terrain

When I stopped in the Nightwood pop-up shop to talk curtains with Nadia the other week, I was able to sneak a peek at the collection she and Myriah have been working on for Terrain. Everything looked amazing — this sofa is so gorgeous in person! While I won't be able to scoot down to Terrain on April 2nd for their Brooklyn Day, I hope some of you can make it. Terrain will be featuring so many cool collections from Brooklyn artists — from food to furniture. These are my two favorite chairs from Nightwood's collection for Terrain. I'd love a whole set of those dining chairs around our table. 

Images: Terrain

bed on the brain

I've been hunting around for vintage bed frames and headboards — open to something metal or wood. What I'm ultimately looking for is a daybed (twin size) that would fit in our second bedroom, hopefully right under the window — creating the perfect reading nook/window seat as well as a guest bed. We have our queen AeroBed, which I'm sure will continue to get good use in this apartment. But I'm really hoping to find a non-inflatable sleeping spot that could at least accommodate one guest. I'd ideally like a solid metal or solid wood frame that's simple and sits low. Nothing too modern though — I think something that feels French or Scandinavian country in style would more fit the style that I'm shooting for. I saw a post about turning vintage twin headboards into a daybed, and I think that's a real possibility. A good friend of mine also has beds on the brain, as she's searching for an iron headboard (no footboard) for her bed. 

I stumbled upon this iron headboard and bed frame on Sundance. It's not right for my wee second bedroom, but it sure caught my attention so I thought I'd share with you. I'm normally not a red person, but this is quite a stunner. 

Images: Sundance Catalog

DIY reclaimed wood coffeetable

Whitney of Darling Dexter and Oh, Darling! Photography made this coffeetable with her husband for their Brooklyn apartment. They used reclaimed wood from Build It Green and some pipes from the hardware store. Check out her post for process shots and more details. How awesome is that table?! I love it. Reminds me how I've been dying to go back to Build It Green (remember my surprise field trip there?). 

Photograph: Darling Dexter

nightwood ghost line

I just saw an email pop in my inbox about Nightwood's new collection. I'm in love (as usual, really everything designed by Nadia and Myriah seems to call my name.) Nadia describes their Ghost line of furniture, textiles, and artwork as a collection inspired by a few found early American pieces — the Ghosts. The Ghost line combines modern lines with diluted colors and primitive techniques like tea dyeing and weaving. I can't wait to see more!

Nightwood is hosting a preview of their Ghost line this Thursday from 7-9pm at their pop-up shop (be@schermerhorn buillding on Livingston between Hoyt and Smith in Brooklyn.) I'm about ready to have the talented Nadia of Nightwood work her reupholstery magic on my loveseat, so I'm hoping to get a sneak peek at the Ghost Line when I pop by the shop this week to talk fabrics. Sadly, I'll miss the opening as I have a family commitment, but you should definitely stop by if you're in the area.

Photograph: Nightwood

billy bookcase

When it comes to simple, versatile + affordable bookcases, the Billy is a favorite that IKEA keeps reinventing. I love its new spring look coming this April — the Billy Olsbo with doors!

wood & wool stool

We received an amazing surprise in the mail this week, all the way from Amsterdam. I was speechless and jumping up and down with excitement. I'm sure you can imagine. Our dear friend Liz commissioned one of Ingrid's Wood & Wool stools as a wedding present for us. I still can't believe this handmade treasure is really ours! When it comes to your wedding, I'm sure you're with me that having the people you love most around you for the day is the biggest gift ever. Liz even shared a special reading during our ceremony. And I feel especially grateful to have had Liz as part of the super group of friends and family who arrived early to the wedding to decorate the barn (without their amazing help, the details would have never come together.) But back to this stool. Isn't it the sweetest? I especially love the colorful pattern of the crochet top and the faded green recycled wood legs.

 

Liz asked Ingrid to carve our wedding date on one of the stool's legs. I'm so blown away with all the thought behind this gift. And I love imagining how this special stool will be with Dan and me no matter where we call home.

Ingrid, if you're reading, thank you for all the love you put into this handmade stool. I'm so thrilled to have a piece of your work in my home. Liz, wow — what a surprise. Thank you so much for this incredibly sweet gift. We love you.

ps. You can see a peek of our wedding Wood & Wool stool when it was made in Ingrid's studio!

vintage shops in williamsburg

A small hunt on Craigslist brought me to Severely Vintage and Sit and Read Furniture — two Williamsburg showrooms filled with industrial relics and vintage furniture. They're in my neighborhood! I have so much around me still to explore – can't wait to visit these showrooms in person. This 6'3" tall green chalkboard (for sale) is amazing. I wish it were in my budget as it's so hard to find a super-sized chalkboard (and I personally prefer the old school charm of green chalkboards over black.) When I peeked through the collections on both sites, I have to say that the prices are not bad (considering it's New York, after all) — especially when you compare them to similar vintage goldmines like Factory 20. And in general, I haven't had a ton of luck finding much in the way of industrial style furnishings on eBay — though maybe I'm not looking in the right places.