Now that the weather is warm, I'm excited to get back to regular weekend visits to the Fort Greene flea. I love shopping in that outdoor venue, indulging in the yummy food, and hunting for treasures in the vibe of that flea market. I spotted this trunk on the Brooklyn Flea blog. So cute! The pattern reminds of a brighter version of this Cath Kidston print.
If I had to choose only one pattern to live with for the rest of my days, I would get by just fine with the beads pattern by Hable Construction. It's one of their classics, and I know I'll never tire of seeing it, in all variations. I have a couple pillows and storage boxes in the beads pattern — hoping to one day have a piece of furniture upholstered in that Hable fabric. What I love about this pattern: it's not too loud, too girly, too dominating, too modern, too trendy, too formal, or too hard to coordinate — it's just right, with its own sensible Hable style. (shown: laptop bag, horseshoe, storage boxes, storage bushel, heart sachets, sunhat)
If I had a backyard, you can bet I would be plotting to make a tent out of Hable Construction's bead pattern. (shown: fabric frame, cosmetic pouch)
And look what I found on the Hable Construction Facebook page — car seats! Dan and I have added a used car to our wishlist for 2010 (would love some wheels to be able to roadtrip.) Actually, I really want an old turquoise pick-up truck, but that's gotten the veto. How fun would it be to have custom Hable Construction car seats!
{photographs: Rinne Allen for Hable Construction, Lena Corwin, Rinne Allen for Hable Construction, Hable Construction Facebook page}
Hello, dream tent. When I saw Chelsea post some cool canvas tents recently, I thought those would be amazing to print, since I love the look of pattern printed on canvas fabric. At the time, I thought it might be a far-fetched project idea, and then I stumbled upon this photo of a stenciled tent on Stencil Library's blog, Design Inspiration. Not so crazy of an idea, after all. I spent the better part of my evening poking around their blog — full of inspiration and tips for how to decorate with stencils.
Stencils are one big hole in the U.S. market. Besides the amazing Ed Roth and a few books on modern printing, like Lena Corwin's Printing by Hand, stencils you can find here are often country in style, cheesy themes, or they're small in scale. I haven't found one source that comes close to Stencil Library, which is based in the UK, of course. Their online shop is so extensive, and you'll find stencils of all sizes, including some super-sized stencils you could use on your floors, graphic patterns, and intricate designs that have that Tord Boontje whimsical vibe.
A few favorites from the Stencil Library blog that show their stencils in action:
Still loving Chevron zigzags everywhere.
Wow, it's hard to believe this bathroom design is just a simple stencil. The diamond pattern sure looks like wallpaper, but it's just paint.
Stencil Library's chandelier stencil is like a big wall decal in scale — but you can stencil it whatever color you want. The navy stencil on yellow is a winning color palette. I also thought this was a smart idea: hanging necklaces off hooks in a way that plays with the look of crystals hanging off chandeliers. What a pretty way to show off your favorite necklaces.
And below is a peek at a few of my favorites from the Stencil Library shop: blossoms, feathers, tartan plaid, diamond floors, rainbows, swallows, chevron stripes, and tapestry florals.
{photographs via design inspiration}
It must be the Gemini in me that loves the popular chevron pattern popping up everywhere. It's a bold stripe design made subtle in a softer color. It's classic with a wild, whimsy edge. Some favorite examples of chevron zig zag designs:
Dan would never let me get away with pink bedding (even though these linens are subtle pink), but for those of you who can live it up with a duvet on the girly side, this Rubie Green zig zag pattern is pretty swoon-worthy. And Rubie Green's bedding line is green: certified by Global Organic Textile Standard to be organic cotton with eco-friendly inks.
What a super notepad for listmaking at your desk. 100 pages of zig zag paper by Linda & Harriett.
I spotted this amazing DIY chevron pattern on mer mag. Like Merrilee, I plan on doing this idea someday, somewhere. How cool for a desk!
Totally out of my budget (as most all rugs that I love), but this zig zag rug by Madeleine Weinrib is on my wishlist. I'm partial to the steel color combo.
And a bright burst of chevron fabric makes for an instant accent in a room (spring pillow for the sofa?).
This week's Friday topic: letters in all shapes and forms. I've become a bit obsessed with typography recently. And I've always been a little sentimental about initials. Here are ways to decorate and bring in one letter of meaning — or the entire alphabet.
Fishs Eddy is full of quirky, affordable dishes — these alphabet mugs are simply charming.
One of my favorite designs by Amy Adams of Perch: these letter lights are so amazing! The handmade lights are completely customizable — and you can group a few letters together to spell out a word (how perfect for a boutique or restaurant!).
l.o.v.e. spells love for hand-embroidered letters in gold thread framed by a hoop. Etsy shop chez-sucre-chez also embroiders these sweet monogrammed tea towels.
Kristine Lombardi's hand lettering work is so fun and inspirational. I'd love to be able to draw an illustration out of letters + words.
Loyalty and Blood makes tote bags screened with the letters of the alphabet in super fonts. I'd pick up a J and D and split up our toiletries in the bathroom — hung off a bathroom hook, these totes would look darling.
Some letters have meaning that cross generations: mind your Ps and Qs. I love this letterpress print by Green Chair Press that I found on Supermarket.
Tiny letter pushpins in gold (sold by the bundle) — how perfect for a bulletin board of inspiration.
An amazing gift for anyone who loves letterpress: a set of initial letterpress wood type blocks from Three Potato Four. Your initial in five fonts.
Harmonie Interieure creates unique wall stickers for decorating. This wall sticker plays on the letters A B C D in a way that's not meant for the nursery — the design reminds me of vintage books.
Line a table or mantle with these small letter pots by mysweetsavannah— you can spell out a word for a special occasion or gift them as party favors. {found via Heart Fish}
Some letters are so precious, they need to be cast in porcelain. Check out Sweet Bella's letters.
An oldie, but goodie. Red letter plates by John Derian.
More wall decals — this time for the kiddos. I love the way Blik does the ABCs.
Too adorable: a packet of seeds in pretty envelope with a letterpress initial of the herb included designed by Lizard Press.
Durable polycarbonate plastic tumblers walk on the fancy side with custom monograms — practical + pretty for outdoor parties.
And I thought I'd end my letter love with a mantel that spells out home: from helen palmer's sneak peek on d*s. Yes, I love decorating with letters.
