Mama Without Borders

(Over)indulging in my favorite things

2011-07-18T01:39:00.000-07:00

Unbelievably, the weeks have sped by and I must confess that I've been overindulging in pretty much all my favorite things. Crafting, reading books and magazines, decorating, shopping the thrifts, spending time outdoors. Not much time on the computer as some of you might have noticed. I always forget how much more time I need to devote to the kiddos in the summertime. But I do plan to get busy with my camera this week since I have a few things I'd like to show you.

Meanwhile, do meander over to the latest issue of the online Australian magazine papier mache. Their latest edition is devoted to all things deco. It contains many pretty images and much to be inspired by in interviews with creative artists and others. The home shown in the photo above belongs to Barbara Hvidt, a Danish mom and co-founder of a beautiful children's label (Soft Gallery). I love the relaxed and stylish look that her living room exudes.

I hope you're indulging in more than a few of your favorite things as well.

Hugs,

Lucky Kids magazine: Modern kids' rooms

2011-06-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

With the kids out of school for the summer, updating their rooms before they return to classes is a priority on my list. I figure summer is a perfect time to make some minor changes that will better reflect new hobbies and interests my kids have acquired as they've gotten a bit older.

I don't plan on making any major changes but I would like to incorporate some minor touches to give the rooms a more modern and cohesive look. I recently happened upon the debut issue of Lucky Kids, Lucky magazine's first issue for kids. The magazine's spread on kid-friendly decor immediately caught my eye for the stylish yet streamlined rooms they featured.

Serene is the first word that comes to mind when I look at the playroom above, though I would not usually associate playrooms with a sense of serenity. OK, so the room doesn't belong to an actual kid. At least the magazine didn't say it did. I should note that the magazine enlisted the talents of prop stylist Kendra Smoot to create the playroom with a woodland theme. As a mother of two young kids, I think the look is a realistic one to emulate. The natural yet bright colors just draw me in and the window shades give the room a wonderfully dreamy look.

The room above has some great imaginative features, so it may not be surprising to learn that it belongs to the son of a fashion designer. Among other things, fashion designer Lela Rose created the colorful quilt on her son's bed out of his favorite childhood T-shirts and used rubber bands to give a new look to a worn Eames chair. The quirky headboard is one I would enjoy having as my own.

Simplicity was the name of the game when it came to designing the nursery above. Architect Elizabeth Roberts told the magazine that the room is a temporary abode for her son until he is old enough to move to a bigger room, a reminder that though we put much thought into our nurseries the time will come soon enough when it's time to make some changes.

One thing I'm definitely looking forward to doing in this latest round of changes to my kids' rooms is involving them a bit more in the process since both of them are old enough to voice preference for decor that goes beyond just color as they did in the past.

Do you have any decorating projects you would like to complete this summer? I'd love to hear about them.

Images: Lucky Kids

Wishing you a productive week

2011-06-13T00:22:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

I'm feeling energized and ready to start a new week after a fun and restful weekend. As I write this, my family room is littered with toys and other kid paraphernalia that I chose not to pick up in order to claim this weekend as my own. On Saturday, hubby graciously volunteered to watch the kids while I took a train to downtown Los Angeles to enjoy a few hours with my best friend in the trendy Larchmont area.

She and I browsed through all the cute shops, where I soaked up the styling inspiration. Library, a clothing shop styled with antique and vintage elements was one that particularly caught my eye. Even the train ride home was relaxing since I had a chance to read through the latest issue of Canadian House and Home.

On Sunday, I had planned to pick up the kids' mess but instead was woken up by hubby who urged me to get out of bed so I could catch a few good garage sales he'd spotted near our house. I had a lovely weekend, indeed, thanks to a great hubby who knows all of my favorite things.

Come Monday, I will be ready to whip the house back into shape and continue work on a few things, including refurbishing a thrift store find and finishing a piece of writing I began on the train ride to Los Angeles. Did you have a good weekend? Do you have any exciting projects you're working on this week?

I hope you have a terrific and productive week.

Hugs,

The magical creations of French artist Carolyn Quartermaine

2011-06-10T00:29:00.000-07:00

Paint merges with fabric beautifully in the designs of Carolyn Quartermaine, an acclaimed French artist whose creations have a magical quality to them.

Her work ranges from fabric collections to styling she has done for hotels and other businesses worldwide, garnering accolades that include "designer of the year" from Maison et Objet in 2008. I just discovered her work this week while browsing the beautiful Spanish interiors blog desde my ventanta. There I was scrolling through months of blog archives when a photo of Carolyn Quartermaine's textiles made me stop immediately. Even in the midst of dozens of beautiful interiors, Carolyn Quartermaine's work stood out.

I spent a lot of time trying to pick out favorites from the many photos she has on her website but it was a difficult feat. Virtually all of her designs are fresh, fun and modern. Head on over to her website to see for yourself.

I guarantee you will be smitten.

Antiquing and a new addition to the family

2011-06-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

We kicked off the summer vacation with a trip to an outdoor antique fair, where I feasted my eyes on vintage goodies and other treasures while my kids ate kettle corn and spent time talking with members of a train club. The once yearly event in our community is sponsored by the local heritage preservation society so it was a terrific opportunity for us to learn more about where we live.

Of course, I'd be lying if I said I went to the fair for educational purposes. As you probably know, I was scouting for things for my home, especially since prices seemed to be better than many antique shops. A few big pieces caught my eye, including the cheery white bistro set you see in the photo above. I could totally picture myself drinking tea while enjoying one of my beloved design magazines.

The mustard-yellow ottoman was another piece I was coveting for my home, either to be used as a coffee table or as a plush indulgence in my master closet.

My husband commented that many pieces seemed destined more for the junkyard than someone's home. I chuckled, thinking this might have been something I might have said years ago, before I obsessively began perusing design magazines and seeing the decorating possibilities in old utilitarian items.

My kids were happy to go to the antique fair with the promise that they could choose an inexpensive toy, so they spent much of their time sampling the wares at a big table full of Hot Wheels.

Surprisingly, I ended up leaving the fair empty-handed. I did like quite a few items at the antique fair, but found that nothing really met my new criteria for shopping. Even a few months ago, I would buy something simply because I liked it and could afford it, with only a vague idea of what I would do with it once I got home. The result has left me with a nice supply of things to sell on Ebay or Craigslist, which was never a goal of mine. Lesson learned. Now, I buy something only if I need it and have a specific place for it in my home. It's a seemingly simple philosophy but one that has taken me years to learn because I enjoy decorating and shopping so much.

On my way home, I decided to swing by a thrift store and was amply rewarded when I found a darling little wooden statue.

At 18-inches tall, he is nearly life-size and weighs almost as much as a real boy this size, reminding me of when my son was younger. The little wooden boy now proudly sits in our family room in a spot that has been sitting empty the past few weeks during my latest redecorating frenzy. He was an exceptional find for eight dollars, a bargain I scored thanks to a storewide 50 percent off sale.

Finding this little guy was a perfect way to end my day.

Magazine files: The ultimate family home

2011-05-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today, I found inspiration in the pages of ReadyMade magazine. I'm not about to get out my power tools or embark on any hardcore DIY projects, but I do appreciate the magazine's can-do aesthetic, especially when it features a great home belonging to a family in South Africa.

Check out the toys crammed in the corner next to the door in the photo above. I love this room for the way all the seemingly disparate items come together in such a well-composed manner. So often, I see interiors magazines featuring family homes showing cute, smiling children but only one toy in the entire photographic spread. Of course, few of us go to interiors magazines to see messy houses strewn with toys but many of us are looking for ideas on ways to incorporate our kids' belongings (all of them, not just one toy) into our decor.

The home belonging to Morné and Kerryn Fischer, shown in the June/July 2010 issue of ReadyMade magazine, immediately caught my eye because it provides so many great examples of a beautifully decorated family home. Perhaps it's no surprise that the couple works in creative fields. I'm sure Kerryn's expertise as the former South African editor of ELLE Decor came in handy during the remodeling and decorating phases.

As you may remember, I usually gravitate towards rooms with lots of color, but this home shows us how a simple palette allows an eclectic assortment of belongings to shine. The bright kitchen above looks like a great place to work in while the kids run around (though not near the stove! ... as I tell my children).

Again, the simple elements of the entry above are put together in such a way that it creates a cozy and welcoming entry, someplace where I imagine you could come home and kick your shoes off while perusing the mail.

I could really go on and on about how this home had me practically taking out my magnifying glass as I admired everything in it.

I don't know whether the dark gray walls in the bedroom above had wallpaper on them or simply chalkboard that had been painted over in a pattern. Either way, it gives me a great idea for something new to do with the chalkboard wall in my kitchen. This magazine spread is brimming with so many great ideas for a family home that it's going right at the top of my inspiration file on family homes.

Don't you just love it when you come across a home that completely mirrors what you're trying to achieve in your own home?

Turning a Pottery Barn table runner into a valance

2011-05-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

Always hard-pressed to turn down a bargain, I recently scooped up two table runners on discount at Pottery Barn and converted them into valances to help brighten my kitchen.

Going from red-tone to white-and-yellow valances has done a great deal to lighten the look in my kitchen.

When you have children, you learn to make certain sacrifices in your decor. For me, that meant no white kitchen cabinets. I had always dreamed of having an all-white kitchen flooded with light, but white cabinets seemed like asking for trouble with little ones around to use them as canvas for "artwork."

Though obviously not life-shattering, the decision to choose dark cabinets has come to haunt me in the six years since we first moved into our home. I now realize how other design decisions I made, including brown-tone granite counters and dark distressed hardwood flooring, have all combined to create a somewhat somber kitchen, the total opposite of what I wanted.

In an attempt to inject lively touches into my kitchen, I then added red. Too much red, as you can see in the photo above. After six years of so much red, I'm ready to mix it up to make the room more interesting.

I spied white-and-yellow Pottery Barn runners at my local outlet store for $10 each and couldn't pass them up even though I had no specific project in mind and no need for additional table runners (though I did like how it looked in the photo above). I fell in love with the print on the cotton fabric, a reproduction of patterns on fabric embroidered by hand by the Otomi Indians in Mexico (click here to see an example).

After bringing them home, I discovered that the runners, measuring 18-by-108-inches, were the perfect length for the two large windows in my kitchen. Because they were lined, the only alteration needed was some simple stitching down the length of each runner, to create an opening for the curtain rod. I was uncertain that my plans were doable, so I called on my mom for sewing help and she whipped up the valances in just a few minutes. Three cheers for moms!

One day, I will get those white cabinets, but for now I am thrilled with the results of this simple project. I have other easy changes I plan to make, including a new rug, and other small touches.

By the way, I'm always in awe of what a few simple stitches can accomplish, though I have to confess to usually enlisting my mom for help with this. Here are is a pillow cover she recently sewed for me after finding the embroidered textile at a thrift store. Knowing how much I love folk art, my mom bought the fabric and sewed it into a pillow, complete with a button enclosure on the back. Here it is in my living room:

And up close:

Frankly, I prefer simple projects that I (or my mom!) can do in less than an hour. It's about all the free time I have now that I have two little ones, who by the way turned out not to favor walls so much for their writings. OK, only once!

Let me know if you have any ideas for my kitchen. I'd love to hear them.

My Mexican-inspired take on Martha Stewart pom-pom tissue flowers

2011-05-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Cinco de Mayo holiday, I'd like to tell you about a project my kids did after attending a piñata-making workshop with a local artisan. Piñatas, usually filled with candy and small toys, are intended for kids to hit with a stick until the piñatas break open and spill the goodies, but I instead decided to hang two tiny piñatas my kids made as decorations for my home office.

Like many of you, I enjoy crafting with my kids, even more so when the craft is something we can use to decorate our home. The craft then becomes a reminder of fun time spent together, while also adding more character and beauty to our home.

The tiny piñatas, which I'm calling my Mexican-inspired take on the Martha Stewart tissue pom-pom flowers, nicely complement a lantern I bought at Chinatown recently and add a nice pop of color to what is perhaps the blandest corner of my home office.

At this point, I should come clean and confess that this project, which is really quite simple, took us several months to complete. We created the newspaper shell soon after going to the piñata-making workshop in February 2010, decorated the piñata in May 2010 and then I let the piñata sit in my office unhung for a whole year! In a burst of inspiration, I hung them up yesterday. My poor kids didn't remember the little balls were piñatas and instead called them "balloons," but were thrilled that I finally hung up their creations.

Here's how you can make your own tiny piñata:

Step 1: Blow up a balloon. Make a homemade paste using about 1/2 cup of flour mixed with about a cup of water.

Step 2: Using a small, thick paintbrush, begin gluing torn strips of paper onto the balloon.

Step 3: Cover the balloon completely except for a small hole at the top that will help you hang it or that you can use to fill up the piñata later. To make sure you've pasted enough newspaper to the balloon, hold the balloon up to the light to make sure you can't see the balloon. The more layers, the stronger the piñata will be.

Step 4: Wait two days or so for the piñata to dry completely. If you are planning to use this for an actual piñata that will be smashed open by kids, you will want to repeat the process of adding more newspaper strips to make it stronger. Otherwise, pop the balloon while holding a piece of it so you can pull it out through the hole.

Step 5: Begin decorating the newspaper ball with tissue paper or any other decor of your choosing. We used tissue paper we had cut up using a circle punch, but the traditional method is to use strips of tissue as I showed you in this post.

You may wish to add more tissue paper to completely cover the newspaper, though my kids were satisfied with doing just one layer. Here are the finished piñatas, hanging in back of my desk in my home office. (Please disregard the messy desk.)

The most time-consuming part is waiting for the newspaper to dry after you've glued it on, but as you can see, the project is simple enough for kids as young as two and four years old, which is how old my kids were when they made these piñatas. It really made me so happy to do this project with my kids since I remember making my own piñatas as a girl though not for Cinco de Mayo. It may surprise you to know that, for all the hype in the United States every May 5, most people in Mexico don't celebrate the holiday at all. You can read a story about this phenomenon that the Christian Science Monitor published today here.

Nevertheless, I think making piñatas is a great project for kids any time of the year, either for a party or for decoration. The piñata can be as simple as a tiny ball like the one we made or as elaborate as your imagination wants it to be.

Is it OK to deface books in the name of art ... or to make a wreath?

2011-05-04T00:24:00.000-07:00

Decorating with books is all the rage these days. Every retailer from Pottery Barn to 1stdibs sells old (or made-to-look-old) tomes for people to display in their homes. Crafty types have been busy creating wreaths, paper flowers and other pretty paper wares that are tempting me to do something I was taught never to do: destroy a book.

1940s French books for sale by the bundle at 1stdibs

When it comes to crafting with paper, I'm eager to dig into my piles of pretty paper in search of the right one for the project at hand. But if the project calls for using the pages of a book, I've yet to muster up the courage to tear out pages of a book or even bend them.

Last winter, I set my sights on making a wreath made with the pages of a book after being inspired by tutorials I saw on various blogs. Among my favorites was a sweet burlap-backed wreath made using the pages of a "Little Women" book (featured on Redberry Barn blog) and a simple but pretty paper wreath with a detailed video how-to on a post titled, "Librarians, Please Avert Your Eyes" on the Living With Lindsey blog.

I rushed right over to a thrift store, where I took more time picking out a book to rip up than I would usually spend choosing a book to read. I ended up choosing two old romance novels that are now sitting untarnished (and unread) on a bookshelf, largely forgotten until I came across another book-altering (or is it destroying?) project.

Apartment Therapy: How to Make Your Own Book Planter

More than 50 people weighed in on a post on Apartment Therapy that explained the best way to carve a hole in a book that would serve as a planter. Many commenters lamented the book-cutting but plenty others defended the project as a worthwhile way to repurpose a book that would otherwise remain unread and unused. Being the obsessive type that I am, I began researching or rather Googling "book art" and came across the most wonderful creations.

Novel Lines

I suddenly found myself wavering on the whole issue of keeping books intact. Mesmerized, I scrolled through the portfolio pages of London artist Su Blackwell and read through her blog, where she just posted a video detailing the creative process behind a sculpture she created using pages from a book.

Paper sculpture from Su Blackwell on Vimeo.

Her work is beautiful and evocative, and I further admired her creations upon reading on her website that she reads at least once or twice the book she is using to create her sculptures. Is it OK then to cut up a book in the name of art? And, if so, who is to say that the most beautiful wreath out there is not comparable to an intricate paper sculpture?

Certainly not me. For now, I've decided to leave the romance novels untouched, but I'm not getting rid of them just yet. And it's not because I'm ever planning to read them.

My first estate sale

2011-04-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

I had to resist the urge to put an exclamation mark at the end of the title on this post. First of all, I was so excited that I actually got to go to an estate sale, something I'd read about only on other blogs while salivating over other people's thrifty finds. Then, finding so many lovely things at my first estate sale made it almost impossible for me to contain my excitement.

Most estate sales in my area are typically held on weekends, when I'm usually out on family outings, but the stars finally aligned and I found myself sans kids early one Sunday morning. Off I went to an estate sale that I'd read about in my local Craigslist.

The home was small and the main rooms had been cleaned out almost entirely by other bargain hunters on the previous two days of the estate sale. Undaunted, I began inspecting every nook and cranny. I was amply rewarded when I found dozens of crochet hangers in a closet, even more so when the seller promised to give me "a good deal" if I took a bunch of them. I collected 30 of them and practically hugged everyone around me when I was told the price would be three dollars for all of them. (OK, I am again resisting the urge to put an exclamation mark after this last sentence.)

Even at thrift stores, these "granny chic" crochet hangers usually go for at least a dollar each. I don't crochet so I have no idea how long it would take to make one of these, but I do appreciate the thought and care that went into creating these, especially with those adorable pom poms.

This brings me to my next point, which is that I first had to get past the uncomfortable feeling I had rummaging through the belongings of someone who had only recently been alive to enjoy them. I finally reasoned with myself that I would love for my things to continue to be appreciated after I've passed on and my kids have had their pick. Also, I do believe that even the smallest utilitarian item can find a new home, thus preventing further adding to our landfills.

I might have mentioned before that I have a fondness for vintage office supplies so I had fun picking out a few items for my office. I fell for those small gummed labels shown above and have been using them to label files and other things around my home.

I also found a Pyrex lab glass and an unlabeled little box full of envelopes, each containing one or two dozen silver little letters. I can think of so many uses for these uniquely shaped letters, which came with a small bottle of adhesive. By the way, the striped black-and-white paper you see in the photos is part of a large roll of vintage gift wrapping paper, one of a handful I bought.

I also picked out a roll decorated with blue birds and bird cages. Both of these were quite hefty rolls and I do have projects in mind for them. As you can see, I also added to my dictionary collection and found a few other odds and ends. The wheeled magazine rack you see below was was part of the Craigslist ad, which prompted me to pick this particular estate sale. I had low expectations of finding it on the third (and 50 percent off) day of the sale, but I did and was able to take it home for $17.50.

In all, I spent about $30 for all the things I've shown you here and a few others. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been thrifting far less and found that an estate sale offers a more focused way of thrift and vintage shopping since most estate sellers offer preview photos of the goods they are selling.

Have you been to an estate sale? I do love the randomness of thrift stores but was so happy to finally hit an estate sale, one where I found so many things that I love.

Anthropologie: Daily inspiration for Earth-friendly decor

2011-04-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

This time of the year, I always get inspired reading all the wonderful blog posts about Earth-friendly decorating ideas, but my favorite all-time source for innovative home accessories using recycled materials is Anthropologie.

Cozy yet eclectic, the interiors styling at Anthropologie always amazes me with its creativity and resourcefulness. The styling combines all the elements I love about modern decorating, with vintage, rustic, handmade, colorful and other seemingly disparate items all forming appealing vignettes throughout the store.

Take a look at the bedroom above. The silvery brown of the reclaimed wood perfectly juxtaposes with the wild mix of colors on the bedspread and bench at the end of the bed. The zigzag design on the wood nicely complements the colors, but the true artistry is revealed upon closer inspection.

The colorful design on the reclaimed wood is composed of strips of fabric stretched out on the wood using nails. Simple ingenuity at its best, and a modern take on string art popular in the 70s.

The display shown above immediately caught my interest because I've been obsessed with paper flowers recently. I had been thinking of creating paper flowers to put in a vase or even to make a wreath, but never thought of putting them on a wall. And yet, why not? I stood a while in front of the paper flower display, imagining it on a wall in a children's room or even in a space used not just by children. It would definitely add a touch of whimsy to an entry, a hallway or even a family room.

Up close, it looks like something that anybody could create using materials already on hand. I would say the true genius of the styling folks over at Anthropologie is how they often use the simplest materials to create such breathtaking displays.

The ball shown above is part of the stores' 2011 Earth Day displays showcasing artwork created using corks. Click on this Anthropologie Facebook link to see more photos and read more about how the stores will help recycle the corks used in the displays so they can be used as flooring, paper pulp and other products.

What I love about Anthropologie is that their Earth-friendly style goes well beyond the month of April. I can step into an Anthropologie store anytime to find displays created using recycled or vintage materials. Most of their props such as tables, vintage locker baskets and other items are for sale, though usually at prices beyond my reach. Many of you already know, of course, that thrift stores, Ebay and Craigslist offer a treasure trove of similar items for far less; it just takes a little searching.

I'm always tempted to replicate some of the Anthro projects I see in my own home, but it's far more satisfying to take the inspiration and add my own twist to make them my own if I can. It definitely helps that my nearest Anthro store is less than 10 minutes away, with a few others within an hour's driving distance, so I am often browsing the displays and sale racks.

Do you have a favorite store you like to browse for inspiration?

Making room for the things that matter

2011-04-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things

Dear friends,

I am so humbled that many of you have continued to come here to read my posts over the past few months, likely wondering when and if I would ever blog again. Your kind comments and concerned e-mails have brightened my days and encouraged me to find a way to return. Today, I'm here to say that yes, I am ready to give this blog another go now that I've had some time to rethink my focus and to gain new energy.

A new reading nook since there’s always time for books in our home

Since I last wrote, I've spent much time pondering over what is truly important in my life. With the start of a new year, I found myself at a crossroads, questioning whether I was on the right path toward achieving my personal and professional goals. I finally faced up to the difficult reality that an overflow of clutter at home and in my life was slowing me down. I scrutinized everything, including my beloved thrifting and blogging. I found that thrifting, as rewarding and enjoyable as it is for me, was creating more work for me in the long run since I was spending an inordinate amount of time cleaning, repairing or repurposing items I was buying.

Taking stock of what’s important meant taking a look at the big picture ...

And blogging? I wrestled hard with myself over this one. As many bloggers know, blogging is time-consuming work. I am a professional writer and, frankly, I'm used to getting paid for my writing. My knee-jerk reaction was to eliminate my blog altogether, preferably with a proper good-bye note. But, friends, I could not do that. I love blogging too much, especially all the connections I've made with so many of you all over the world. I finally came to the realization that my blog is rewarding to me in ways that go beyond dollars and cents. Aren't these always the best things in life?

... to be able to make small changes and go from this:

to this:

though a few things stayed the same

Over the past few months, I've made many changes in my home and in my life, mostly small ones, that I will write about in the weeks to come. Added up, these changes have created room for the things that truly matter. The simple and not-so-simple: An impromptu baking session with my kids. Thrifting, less frequently but far more focused. Writing that feeds my family and my soul.

With my priorities (and home) in order, I hope to avoid rushing through the important things in life.

Thank you for helping me along in my journey. I'll be by soon to visit all my blog friends. It feels good to be back.

Hugs,

A New Year: Cherishing the Simple Things

2010-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

At the start of each new year, I usually like to jot down a long list of goals for the coming year, complete with timelines and tips for keeping myself in check. Truthfully, it is always a bit ambitious. OK, a lot, as I see now from previous lists (ie. my list from many years ago included learning Latin (!!!). This year, I am keeping my list a lot shorter and realistic, but with one main difference. In the coming year, I actually want to do less and enjoy it.

The photo you see above is of my kids during our walk home from school each weekday. Each and every time, my daughter walks with her arms outstretched, as she skips, runs or even dances down the street, feeling the fresh air and noticing the subtle changes in the seasons here in Southern California.

She always finds a memento to take home with her. A flower, a leaf or even a twig. Even if she just picks a weed, I never tell her not to take it home. I figure that if she has found beauty in that piece of nature, who am I to tell her otherwise?

She is always thrilled with whatever she finds.

It really makes my heart sing to see her be so content with such simple things.

These photos are my reminder to do as my daughter does each day on this short walk.

To find joy in the everyday, simple things. To slow down and enjoy the process of whatever we are doing, not just the end product. And, most importantly, to cherish the time when we're not doing much of anything at all.

Happy New Year, my friends. Please know that I appreciate each visit and especially each comment you make on my blog. Here's to a happy and healthy 2011 for all of you.

Hugs,

Thrift find: vintage sewing goodies

2010-12-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

It is so true that some of the best thrift store finds require digging through a lot of junk. This was the case with my latest discovery at a thrift store, where I had to paw through several dozen clear (and grimy) plastic baggies hanging on a large wall at a warehouse-size thrift store. I'm happy to say that I think my four dollars were well spent, with a wide range of vintage sewing goodies to show for my efforts.

There is something about seeing colorful threads on wooden spools that sets my heart aflutter. The dozen wooden spools might have been reason enough for me to shell out four dollars, but I found enough sewing goodies in that plastic baggie to fill an entire sewing case.

I found several packets of bias tape, buttons, zippers, needles, and many other sewing notions, many of them still unopened. As I laid out everything on my floor, I had fun imagining the woman who used and collected all the sewing goodies that were in front of me.

Did she sew for fun? Or because she needed to do so? It reminded me of the days when so many more people sewed as a matter of necessity. Undoubtedly, some also enjoyed the sheer pleasure of creating something. This is definitely the attraction for me, imagining the multitude of possibilities that come with acquiring so many different sewing goodies.

Some of you may remember I wrote here about acquiring a vintage sewing machine. Honestly, I can't believe it's been almost a year since I boldly announced on this blog that I was taking up sewing after I found that machine at a thrift shop. I'd planned an update with a full photo post showcasing my first creation, but, sadly, there has been no first creation yet. It took me a few months of working with my mom, an accomplished seamstress, to figure out solutions to some mechanical problems with the machine. My mom has given me a couple lessons, but I need to set aside some time to figure out my new machine. My main problem seems to be with figuring out how to keep the machine properly threaded. Seems simple enough, but I'm completely confused with so many loops on my vintage machine. Each time I sit down to sew, I sew for a minute or two, then somehow manage to get the thread undone or tangle it all up. Then, I have to wait for my mom to visit again, which she does once or twice a month, to get started again.

When I told my mom I was frustrated about all this, she told me about her days taking sewing classes and the years she spent practicing her craft. I recall vividly when I was growing up how my mom used to create clothes, drapes and so many other things for us out of her machine, the many hours my sister and I would spend at the fabric store with her looking through boxes of patterns and fabrics, and listening to the comforting whirring sounds of my mom's machine while she worked.

Patience and dedication seem to be the name of the game when it comes to sewing. For starters, I vow to be a little more patient in trying to figure out the threading mechanism, perhaps practice threading the machine until I know it by heart. Soon, I hope to have a simple finished pillow to show you for my sewing efforts.

Dear Santa ...

2010-12-25T00:23:00.000-08:00

Letter to Santa from my daughter

Dear Santa,

I wish that all the wonderful people who read my blog get all that they want for Christmas. I am blessed to have already a "castle" to call my own, but I would love it if my daughter could have her own to play with and if my son could have a Hot Wheels race set.

My kids and I have left you a plate of cookies and a glass of milk by the chimney.

Love,

Our Christmas decorations: vintage, thrifted + new

2010-12-18T02:03:00.000-08:00

Hello friends,

With less than a week to go before Christmas, I hope you haven't yet had your fill of Christmas interior shots. Decking out my home in all sorts of trinkets at this time of the year is something I've always enjoyed. Even when I was single and living alone, I would lug a tree up to my second floor condo, so it's perhaps no surprise to those who know me that I go a little crazy with the Christmas decor now that I have kids.

The one thing that has changed is that I now rely heavily on vintage and thrifted items mixed with my newer items to create a unique look. I've bought dozens of new ornaments for years, but it gives me special pleasure to be able to add some ornaments with a little more character and patina that usually comes with buying vintage and thrifted.

I recall being so excited last year when I chanced upon vintage crocheted ornaments at the thrift store, thinking fondly about the person who took the time to crochet around an ornament. You can see one of those crocheted ornaments on our tree in the top photo above of our living room (look closely on the lower right corner).

Our tree and the vintage-inspired Christmas village that I wrote about last year are now mainstays of our holiday decor, but I have fun putting together new vignettes with many of our ornaments. In the tablescape below, I used a Santa that my mom gave me a few years ago, a thrifted Restoration Hardware vase to house a couple of tree branches I salvaged from the ground while getting our Christmas tree, a tiny thrifted birdcage, and a rummage sale find of vintage red books that I bought for 25 cents each.

I don't recall whether I've shown you our chalkboard wall before, but it ended up forming the perfect backdrop for a little vignette I created on a red shelf with Anthropologie ornaments, a thrifted Pyrex glass, and twigs collected during our family nature outings during the summer.

The character ornaments are, of course, for my kids since this wall is in their play kitchen area.

I have a special fondness for miniatures so I was thankful that this wall became an excuse to indulge my inner child. The black chalkboard allows the colorful objects to stand out more and forms a nice focal point.

My mom always has poinsettias at this time of the year so I decided to get one this year to continue the tradition.

Here is where I perhaps start to go a little overboard with the holiday decor because I also add a few Christmas touches in our bedrooms. My son's room gets a toy Santa, who was quite appropriately visited by all the family members in my daughter's dollhouse. The toy dolls had the opportunity to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, while his snowman helper took notes.

My beloved pink vintage ornaments go into my office and my daughter's room.

There is more that I could show you, including our collection of snowglobes, but I fear being labeled the crazy Christmas lady! Like most everyone, I do so enjoy everything about this season and having children is a great opportunity not only to continue old traditions but also to start new ones. We have spent the past week crafting, drinking hot chocolate and practicing our favorite Christmas carols.

What do you have in the works in these last few days before Christmas? Do you prefer to spend time at home indulging in holiday activities, or do you prefer the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping and holiday carousing? Perhaps a little bit of both? Whatever you're doing, I hope you're enjoying much time with loved ones while enjoying holiday activities that make this season so memorable.

Warmly,

Emma Cassi: the art of everyday styling

2010-12-09T01:27:00.000-08:00

As much as I adore my home decorating magazines and books, I do not for a minute believe that most people live in homes that are perfectly styled the way they appear in these books and magazines. Real life is just not so .. staged. Real life, as we all know, is messy. Quite messy, if you have kids.

Today, I came across some images, which I found completely captivating because they provide a glimpse at what a real home looks like. It's a home belonging to an artist who's done styling for companies such as Milk magazine in France.

Anthropologie

The studio belongs to Emma Cassi, who creates beautiful jewelry out of vintage materials. The photo was part of a behind-the-scenes peek provided by Anthropologie, which is currently selling some of the designer's jewelry. The photo may very well have been styled since the designer also does styling work, but I do think it captures the messiness of a project in the works. For me, the lovely part was that it seems to create a story.

Anthropologie

Photos like these make me wonder about the person who works there and what she's like. If I get really carried away, I even imagine the details down to what she has for lunch.

What do you think a photo of a corner of your home would say about you? Would a photo of your desk or work area reveal the true you?

10 Easy Christmas crafts from Marie Claire Idees

2010-12-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite activities at this time of the year is looking for crafting ideas throughout my Christmas books and December magazines that I've collected through the years. With two little kids afoot most of the time, I have to be realistic and tend to choose super-easy projects that deliver instant satisfaction.

One magazine I constantly find myself going to for ideas and inspiration is Marie Claire Idees. Today, I was thrilled to discover many of their projects in an online photo gallery. Here are a few of my favorites from their Christmas gallery that I thought I would share since I know many of you love homemade but are pressed for time even if you don't have young kids around. Clicking on the link below the photo will take you to the page online with a more detailed description.

Christmas card advent calendar

1. This Christmas card advent calendar offers a wonderful way to recycle and display those beautiful cards or gift tags that you just can't bear to throw away.

An alternative wreath

2. The decorated clothes hanger above is a great alternative to the traditional wreath and looks super easy to make. I know I always have a few ornaments that I'm not sure what to do with after I'm done decorating the tree. Perhaps I'll make two of these using a couple of my kids' smaller wooden hangers to display some of their favorite ornaments in their room.

Simple cloth ornaments

3. The simple cloth ornaments above can easily be machine or hand sewn, or dare I say it, glued together. I know my kids could spend hours gluing things together, but it's also a simpler way to do this project if you are really pressed for time. A few sprinkles of glitter or beads completes the project, or you could dream up more sophisticated ornamentation.

Felt ornaments

4. These felt ornaments are a perfect craft for kids. Since my kids are so young, I would first cut out some felt shapes for them and then have them decorate the ornaments with glitter, beads, ribbons and whatever else strikes their fancy.

Personalized store-bought ornaments

5. This is another super-easy craft that would be perfect for my two little kids, though the results might not be as professional as these. It's also a great way to recycle those ornaments that just don't fit your decor anymore. Or you could just go to the dollar store for a package of simple ornaments that you or your kids could dress up.

Paper Angels

6. Paper art and crafting always appeals to me because of my love for paper goods and vintage ephemera. In the example above, simple white paper is the perfect look for the angel, but you could easily use a different color to fit in with your Christmas decor color scheme.

Paper Trees

7. These sweet little trees really drew me in. Again, these are simple to make and a great way to recycle cardboard and paper. These trees could be used to dress up your mantel, as place cards at the dinner table, or as a gift tag in lieu of a bow.

Paper Flowers

8. These colorful paper flowers could be joined together to make a pretty garland for your mantel or a wreath for indoors.

Gift tags

9. These gift tags, yet another simple craft for kids, could be saved by the recipient as a memento or bookmarker. Or make them a little smaller and use them as tree ornaments.

Silver star garland

10. The silver star garland is an easy afternoon project that would serve well as a Christmas or New Year's decoration.

Handmade cards

11. (A bonus craft!) I included these beautiful handmade cards in this round-up though I know these kind of cards can take a bit of time to craft but they are so pretty that I couldn't bear to pass them up. Just think how sweet it would be to give one of these handmade cards to someone special like your child's teacher, grandmother, mom or a best friend?

You can find more of these simple craft ideas, as well as more sophisticated projects if you're an advanced crafter, at Marie Claire Idees. I think the magazine recently revamped their web site to include images and ideas archived from 20 years worth of Marie Claire Idees. It's a real treasure trove where I got lost for a couple hours, just enjoying all the handcrafted goodness.

Will you be doing any Christmas crafts this season? Where do you turn to for inspiration to decorate your home for the holidays? Do share.

Before and after: Tiny craft cabinet

2010-12-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

So here we are with just a few weeks to go before the year ends. This is when I begin to assess my goals, which just means a lot of thinking and, when I remember, madly writing down lists. Lately, I've been thinking I want and need to do more crafting with my kids and on my own.

Now that my five-year-old is in school, time seems to be on even shorter supply and the months are whizzing by. Last year, I put together "art boxes" for my kids that consisted of decorated fishing tackle boxes filled with all sorts of crafting goodies. My kids use these boxes every day for creations of their own and those we make together.

My own craft supplies are mostly stored in my writing room, (somewhat) organized into wooden and metal drawers. But we all know that out of sight means out of mind so I decided to put some of my favorites in a more visible place. I repurposed one of my thrift finds into a new tiny craft cabinet that now hangs in my writing room.

The cabinet really is quite tiny, but has just enough room for some of my favorite supplies at the moment and adds a nice pop of color in my office. Not that I need more color, but I've been craving something different other than my usual fuschia-yellow-orange-red combo. I love knowing what colors make me feel good, but it also feels refreshing to get out of my color rut.

This cabinet gives me so much joy, especially knowing I paid only $2 for it at a thrift store. I forgot to take a before shot of it before I removed some chicken wire that was attached on the doors instead of window panes. I rather like it without the chicken wire because it allows me to see what's inside better.

By the way, sorry for my messy bookcase, but I removed some books during the decluttering phase a few weeks ago and need to organize and restyle the entire bookcase now.

Strangely, I'd been craving some turquoise in my home, but even a color junkie like me has to start in small doses when it comes to a bright new color. Two sheets of whimsical Martha Stewart scrapbook paper added the perfect finishing touch to my new crafting cabinet. I am able to fit a few of my favorite crafting supplies, just enough to stoke my imagination and make me want to sit down and craft for a bit. Just what I need.

I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend. The Thanksgiving holiday last week lulled me into a relaxed mode that I've finally shaken off. Good thing because I just realized Christmas is three weeks away!

Linking up to: A Few of My Favorite Things and Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Store tour: Jonathan Adler's colorful and funky world

2010-11-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

It was, as they say, destiny that the Jonathan Adler store and I would meet. A little silly, perhaps, but I can't help thinking this because I really did just happen upon his store by accident. It's hard to believe since I'm a big fan of his decorating philosophy, but I had no idea that there is a Jonathan Adler store at the Fashion Island mall in Newport Beach. First of all, the mall is huge, the stores tend to be hugely expensive and I'm on a strict budget these days, but sometimes even a little window shopping can feel like retail therapy, especially when it's outdoors.

You can imagine my surprise when I walked by with my kids and immediately spotted the colorful interior.

Jonathan Adler speaks my language!

Elegant yet fun

Cozy to the max

Retro hip

Perfect dose of pattern

Feminine and flirty

Kid-size sofa with loads of style

A little over the top

for a girl’s bedroom, but oh so fun

Choices galore

You’ll want more than just one

Pretty housewares

See you again soon!

I should mention that the salespeople were absolutely the best, ever so helpful and friendly, allowing me to take as many photographs as I wanted. Their friendliness made my store experience a pleasant one. I would expect no less from a store named after a man whose manifesto says: "I believe that your home should make you happy."

These photos are really just a taste of the many Jonathan Adler products available, but I must confess that my favorite piece of Jonathan Adler is his first book, "My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living." Obviously not a tome for the unhappy, but a guide for creating a home that makes you happy. He has two other books out, which I hope to get my hands on soon.

The Jonathan Adler store in Fashion Island is one of twelve in the United States. It's at 579 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, Calif. (949) 759-0017.

I hope these glimpses into Jonathan Adler's world brightened your weekend.

Bold grey interiors

2010-11-11T01:22:00.000-08:00

Long ago, I wanted a black bedroom. It was more of a fashion statement than a design sensibility, reflecting the fact that I mostly wore black in those days (including black lipstick when my mom wasn't looking). This time, I'm craving dark grey rooms. I can practically hear my mom sighing, anticipating the onset of another "weird" phase in my life. But no, this time, it's because I think the color can make rooms look so stylish and cozy.

House and Home in Ireland

Can't you just picture having the best party in the room above? The dark grey walls are a perfect neutral for a hodgepodge of accessories. I'm so used to seeing all-white palettes with a punch of color here and there, but dark grey walls accentuated with just a few chosen accessories in bright colors are still unusual. Let's face it, it takes courage, or at least confidence, to go for such a bold combination.

The home above was designed by interior designer Abigail Ahern on a tight budget for her sister, detailed in a spread in the Irish interiors magazine House and Home earlier this year. The colors and style are consistent throughout the rest of the home:

If you crave a less eclectic look, take a look at a similar but more subdued color combination at a home that appeared in Country Living last month:

Country Living

The bedroom really called out to me for its elegant vibe, but I was completely smitten with the dressing room below. Isn't it divine? The rug design is actually painted on. Again, the designer created these looks on a budget, which proves once again that imagination reigns over a sky-is-the-limit budget.

Even the kitchen is a dramatic yet inviting gathering spot.

Do you think you could live in either of these homes? Or, for starters, how about having just one room or a wall in your home painted a moody gray?

If you like the grey look, be sure to check out designer Abigail Ahern's blog, where just yesterday she posted the latest photos of her own home, shot for Instyle in Turkey. The home bears a similar color combination as the one she created for her sister.

Vintage frames repurposed into jewelry holders

2010-11-09T01:49:00.000-08:00

Oh, the infinite possibilities that exist with just a little imagination and some spray paint. For years, I needed a new, more visible way to display my jewelry, then the solution became quite clear a few weeks ago when I suddenly found myself with several vintage frames.

I am thrilled with the result because, for the price of less than five dollars, I now have new jewelry holders.

Remember those old frames that I wrote about a few weeks ago after I created a new reading nook for my kids? I had bought vintage artwork at thrift stores and switched the frames to more modern ones, leaving me with several unattractive frames.

I am embarrassed to say that my collection of jewelry had been languishing in a plastic bag (!!!) on a shelf in my closet for several years. I've always enjoyed changing my jewelry on a daily basis, happily collecting mostly silver pieces throughout my travels and storing them in a small standing cabinet in my closet. Unfortunately, I put most of my jewelry away when my youngest started grabbing my earrings with all his might while I was wearing them. Ouch! To make matters worse, he began rummaging through my jewelry drawers, so I put my jewelry away in a plastic bag, expecting to find a solution. But then I became pregnant with my daughter and, before I knew it, four years had passed.

Then, I saw something while hanging out with a girlfriend at a Los Angeles boutique recently.

The jewelry display struck me for its simplicity. Now here was something that I could replicate easily, but the best part is that my jewelry would be out of reach of my kids yet visible so I could quickly choose at-a-glance what to wear even during harried mornings.

The stars must have aligned because right about that time I found a large bag of yarn at the thrift store on sale for 50 percent for a grand total of two dollars. I decided to paint the frames for a little more bling, especially since I already had the paint out while working on another project.

For a cleaner look, I also decided to use thumbtacks on the back rather than wrapping the yarn around the frame.

For now, I've only put my earrings on these jewelry holders, but may add different types of jewelry later.

I think my husband often wonders why I have a bunch of "junk" in the garage, but most everything has found a home inside after a little repurposing magic.

Getting a little dirty for the sake of color

2010-11-08T01:43:00.000-08:00

We got our hands a little dirty today. This is standard fare for my kids, but not for me, at least not when it involves dealing with tiny insects and toiling in the hot sun. This explains why our backyard is all lawn and not much else.

What prompted me to dig out my gardening gloves and other tools are three colorful rose plants I couldn't help but notice in the produce section while doing my weekly grocery shopping. Bright pink, tangerine and ivory. I simply couldn't resist these beautiful flowers, especially when they all cost less than what I would pay for a bouquet of roses.

As my kids and I dug the holes for the plants, I looked around at all the brown dirt surrounding us. I felt slightly sad knowing we've lived in our house for more than five years without adding much color to our landscaping. We bought our house new, which meant we were responsible for all the backyard landscaping. Drainage pipes, lawn, retaining wall. All of it.

The landscaping company we chose designed a backyard that earned us plenty of compliments early on, though I'm sure many of our visitors have since wondered why we've never taken it to the next level by adding more plants and flowers. There are many reasons why we didn't do so, but the truth of the matter is that my priority was working on the inside of our home.

Until now, I've been content to let my husband mow the lawn and do the weeding. The last time I planted anything in our backyard was last December when I discovered pink poinsettias at Target. It was a memorable occasion because it was the first time both my kids were old enough to help me with the gardening. Today, my son proudly noted how large the poinsettias have grown, prompting me to fantasize that our tiny rose plants would one day grow to towering bushes. This thought then led me a bigger dream: that one day our backyard will be a panoply of color, thanks to all the plants that my kids and I will plant together in the coming years.

Sometimes I've regretted not forking over the extra cash early on for professional gardeners to make our backyard look pretty, but I'm now thinking maybe it was for the best. A little corny perhaps, but wouldn't our garden be that much more precious if my kids and I are able to look on it one day as the result of our laboring together?

Truthfully, I don't know whether my children's interest in gardening will hold. Even now, they are content to help me dig for a few minutes, but then abandon their posts to go make "sand castles" with the dirt and bury all their dinosaurs.

The fact of the matter is that I've managed to plant three different plants in five years so I've got to be realistic if this plan is going to work.

The way I see it, I'll just take it one plant at a time.

Closet organization makeover

2010-11-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Unbelievably, I am still in the process of decluttering and organizing our books. After spending countless hours sifting through hundreds of books, the painful truth has become evident: I must get rid of some books. I don't part easily with my little friends. Not at all, especially when I think of them so fondly. I've decided then that, first, I must stop referring to books as my friends and instead start referring to my inspiration files on organization.

In this case, I'm looking at one of my own reorganization projects so that I can remember the satisfied feeling that made the tedious work of sorting and organizing so worthwhile. I took the photo above of my daughter's closet just a couple days ago. The fact that it's still as well-organized as the day I first reorganized it more than a year ago is a testament to how well the closet system has been working for us.

Until having a daughter, I didn't realize how many little things girls have. Barrettes, ribbons, headbands, bracelets, necklaces and on and on. This closet system is great for storing and organizing all those little things and a few of the big things. For example, the baskets on the upper shelf hold extra bed linens, gifts for the kids and clothes they've outgrown that I'm collecting to donate or sell.

The lower shelves hold towels, a couple extra blankets and pillowcases. The slim drawer unit contains shoes I've bought on sale for my daughter to use in the future, or those that my niece has outgrown and given to us.

The photo above shows what the closet looked like before the organization, with enough blankets seemingly for a daycare center! As soon as my daughter reached nine months or so, we no longer used so many blankets and this hanging organizer stood mostly empty. I have since sold it at a garage sale.

The photo above shows my kids soon after I cleaned out and organized the closet. Most of her clothes hang on the clothes rod to the right of the main organizer ...

... except for her princess/ballerina tutu, which has its own special place to hang.

Honestly, I wish we could spend more time talking about closets although I realize it may not be the most "sexy" topic. But think about it, doesn't a well-organized closet make all the difference? I can find whatever I need at a moment's notice and I get such a little thrill whenever I open this closet.

I need to remember this feeling as I continue sorting through my kids' books and imagine how great it will be not having to trip over book piles everywhere. I'll let you know how it goes.

The loveseat that dreams are made of

2010-10-27T00:45:00.000-07:00

as soon as i saw you

i knew

i wanted you

your luscious pink fabric

and plush cushions

tempting me

"come sit

and i'll tell you my secrets.

i'll tell you

about my adventures

and sweet embraces

i am

after all

the vintage loveseat

of your dreams."

yes, i know

except

for the $1,500 price tag

despite

being on Craiglist

10 creative workspaces to inspire you this week

2010-10-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I'm raring to go once the week starts. Other times, I need to spend a little more time with my morning tea to get going.

Today, I'm excited and ready to continue all the creative projects I put on hold over the weekend because I've just spent some time looking through a most inspiring Tumblr blog called, "workspaces."

Audrey Kawasaki via workspaces

1. The creative workspace of artist Audrey Kawasaki, featured on Apartment Therapy, was originally a post on her own blog, which features several fascinating photos of her creative process.

Somehow, looking at others' creative spaces and process is invigorating, practically propelling me off my chair to get to work (or to stay in my chair if I'm doing some creative writing).

workspaces

2. The sparse furnishings and accessories in the room above still convey a sense of style. Though I tend to have lots of things around me when I'm working, I know others prefer to have a less distracting work area. I wonder if the person working here lives here as well, or whether this is a working area conveniently outfitted with a place to rest.

workspaces

3. Another a clean slate, another stylish space. Sometimes, I wish I could pare down my writing room to just a few things like in the room above, but I find myself constantly reaching for a book or some other form of inspiration near me when I'm writing.

workspaces

4. The room above is more my style, with books and papers everywhere. Interestingly, this was part of a series of shots on workspaces that was described as a behind-the-scenes look at the offices of Martha Stewart Living. I guess I shouldn't be so shocked, but I always pictured everything related to Martha Stewart to be a picture-perfect ad for color-coded organization.

jeltje photography via workspaces

5. Something about the industrial look calls out to me, particularly in this sewing area, softened by a few textural objects here and there.

Tell Me Where This Is via workspaces

6. The photo above shows part of a studio belonging to painter Maj Kalfus, where vivid and colorful paintings serve as a beautiful backdrop while she's working.

good eggs via workspaces

7. When I'm actually working, my space truly looks like the one above, which belongs to chef and celebrity caterer Lulu Powers.

Sweet Home Style via workspaces

8. I admire the way someone in the photo above has carved out a tiny work area amid the bustle of a kitchen. It reminds me a little of where I blog.

workspaces

9. Sometimes the best spaces are those that like they were composed organically, bit by bit, as the owner found things to make the space hers or his as in the photo above.

workspaces

10. What a fabulous wall! Need I say more about the work area above?

If you liked the photos above, be sure to check out the workspaces Tumblr blog for more. I picked out some of my favorite interiors shots for this post, but there is so much more on the site, including tons of shots of famous and not-so-famous people.

I hope you have a productive week and you accomplish whatever work goals you have set out for yourself.

Storage ideas for magazine addicts

2010-10-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

A minimalist, I am not. I've made my peace with that. I definitely crave my books, magazines and countless other bits and bobs all over my home to make me happy.

design sponge

That doesn't mean I like clutter. Quite the opposite, I've found that the best way for me to appreciate everything in my home is to be well organized and to curate my collections down to the very best.

Why then, do I have so much trouble culling down my magazines piles?

Check out the home above of stylist Annette Joseph, who uses rubber tubs recycled out of tires to store her magazines. Let me tell you, that tiny tub wouldn't hold even a small portion of all my magazines. My magazine piles look a bit more like those of stylist Irina Graewe, shown below.

design sponge

Heaps and heaps of magazines. I don't store mine in the hallway or else hubby, who rarely says anything about my decorating choices, would certainly have a word or two about a fire hazard. But I do have little piles everywhere. On my nightstand. In my closet. Inside a large antique chest I have in my living room (shown in the sidebar). In the garage. You know what I'm talking about, right? I know I'm not the only one. Look at these two homes below.

design sponge

ekenstam via desire to inspire

The photo below shows my feeble attempt to corral my pile of current magazines:

This side table in our family room holds at least 50 magazines in the little shelf. I naively thought I would be able to contain my magazine habit to this table. Then, someone on Freecycle gave me her entire five-year collection of Martha Stewart Living magazines. Right about that time, I noticed that my public library sells used magazines for 25 cents each. Let's not forget that we magazine addicts also tend to have numerous subscriptions. I won't even mention that, as a freelance writer, I need to keep certain magazines around for reference.

I do read several magazines almost on a daily basis, but I have finally started doing the sensible thing, which is clipping tear sheets of my favorite pages and filing them away. I am realizing that is going to take me forever, so I have started to fantasize about other ways to store my enormous collection of magazines.

Hus & Hem

I adore the clever way that the homeowners above have solved their dilemma for storage of magazines and books. The color coding heightens the visual excitement. This is definitely an idea for me to file away since I have wide hallways on my second floor.

Sunset

Here's more color coding on bookshelves, which provides a striking contrast to the all-white palette of the magazine holders on the lower shelves.

design sponge

Magazine holders seem like the obvious solution for someone with so many magazines. It creates a clean, uniform look, but there are plenty of other options if you're seeking something more unconventional.

Country Home

The photo above shows magazines housed inside a former chicken coop, creating a graphic and unusual display.

The photo above is one I took while doing a store tour last year (you can see it here). The magazines were for sale but this idea is one that can easily be incorporated into various styles of decor.

Sundance Catalog

I've been pining for this bookcase from the Sundance Catalog ever since I first saw it. The storage possibilities for magazines and more are endless, with so many different sized cubbies and slim drawers beneath.

Living Etc.

If you're looking for a quick solution, just stick all those magazines into a bookcase. Somehow, the piles don't look as unappealing.

Anitta Behrendt via desire to inspire

Or, just grab a basket or other container.

ReadyMade

If you're pretty handy with your tools, you could follow the instructions to make the magazine table, shown above, from Ikea magazine files. Go here for the instructions.

Speaking of magazine files, I fell for the magazine holder shown below, from Etsy seller paperdoll woodshop.

paperdoll woodshop

I'm also rather keen on the side table, shown below, making it possible to hold several neat little piles while making your magazines easily accessible. It's from Etsy seller flatpatterns.

flatpatterns

Whatever your preference, there are certainly plenty of options around. Though I'm not going to buy anything new for my magazines, it is heartening to know that, with a little imagination, I can house my magazines in a stylish way. Storage and organization has figured in my posts lately as I make my way through our home in a major decluttering effort before the holidays. This week, I'm focusing on our magazines and books. I'll show you the fruits of my organizing efforts in the weeks to come.

How do you prefer to store your reading material? Are you a magazine addict like me, or have you found a way to curb your magazine habit? Do share!

Vitra Design Museum, a tribute to Eames, Girard and other design icons

2010-10-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

Today's post is prepared in collaboration with a good friend of mine, a U.S. journalist who is traveling throughout Europe for most of October on a fellowship.

Quite coincidentally for me, my friend's fellowship included a stop at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. My friend, Elizabeth Aguilera, e-mailed me a photo today that she took while touring the site with other colleagues from the Marshall Memorial Fellowship. The photo was such delicious eye candy that I scurried to the computer to find out more about this cultural institution.