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I’m Late to Color Friday…

30 Jul

…but I’m here now.
Let’s not talk about how I haven’t watched a second of the Olympics so far this year, and instead, let’s talk about these lovely Gold, Silver, and Bronze finds!

Enjoy them! I think my favorite is the sanding sugar, which is luckily the most affordable item on the list!

Sunburst on the Scene Mirror, $299, Westwood Gold Lamp, $318Edible Sanding Sugar, $7.95Martini Side Table, $129Cheese Knife, $6.95Frosted Foil Pillow Cover, $29Iron Side Table, $775Metallic Bronze Hurricane, $49Arteriors Anderson Pendant, $910

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

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Extreme Couponing. Extreme Pantries.

19 Apr

I’ve recently been reading about a new show: TLC’s “Extreme Couponing.”   I’ve never actually seen an episode.   (Sidenote, I pronounce the word “q-pon.” My husband relentlessly makes fun of me for this, saying that the proper pronunciation is “coo-pon.” Is anyone actually with me here?) 

Like any good designer, after I ponder how they eat their food before it goes bad and whether they give any of it to charity, I am left with one burning question: how could you store all of this stuff in an attractive and functional way?  What kind of extreme pantries do these people require?  Short of an 8,000 square foot manse, the thought of  a pantry that could successfully and attractively house all of that food (and toilet paper) boggles my mind.

Instead of thinking about that challenge, here are some of my favorite real-people pantries: some are well-organized closets, and some are impromptu wardrobes-turned-food storage.  All are extremely beautiful and functional in their own way. 

This one is from ReNest, a favorite blog of mine. It shows off Jamie Oliver’s line of organizers.

This pantry, featured in Country Living, is a great way to make a space for your kitchen tools and dry ingredients when you don’t already have a designated place to put them.

Another from Country Living: I think this one is my favorite.

I love the idea of painting the interior of the pantry closet an unexpected color. This is from Vision Decor:

Another with the glass bottles. These people must be store their food elsewhere…but their “show” pantries are beautiful! From Penny Pantry.

And for a bigger one, this walk-in pantry is from House Beautiful: can you imagine…a WHOLE room for spices and rices?  There’s nothing spectacular about the look of this space, but the ability to line up all of your tiny jars (alphabetically even!) in a single line would make me so happy. 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Put A Bird On It!

23 Jan

We’ve been seeing a lot of birds indoors recently.  Am I right?

(images, clockwise from L via: Burke Decor, Thomas Paul, Eleanor Grosch for Urban Outfitter )

Lately it seems that every popular designer has sipped some KoolAid from the birdbath…if you get what I’m saying.  If you want proof just take a look at Jonathan Adler, Thomas Paul, Angela Adams, Urban Outfitters, half of the stuff on Etsy, and all the popular catalogs like West Elm and CB2.  Even Dwell Studio has been using aviary themes for their bedding for adults and children for years.

Chinoiserie-chic for adults on the left (image via Dwell Studio), and kitschy-cute birdies for kids on the right (image via Dwell Studio).

Don’t get me wrong: I like birds.  Well, actually, I don’t care much for real birds (I’ve been known to call them Sky Rats) but I do like them on pillows, bedding, and melamine plates.  I even have birds on my shower curtain at home!  Also, some of the most successful nurseries I’ve seen have had anywhere from subtle to super-prominent bird themes.  I mean, if we’re being honest we all agree that the bird theme is EVERYWHERE.  When done right it’s lovely; but when overused and done haphazardly it’s become a symbol of “cute” that doesn’t really translate to good design.

Nothing captures the comical application of birds to dishes, teapots, pillows, and tote bags better than the new IFC show “Portlandia” which aired last week and made me laugh more than a few times.  You can see the clip of their “Put A Bird On It!” sketch below.  Enjoy, and remember to choose your birds wisely!!

 

P.S.: In the spirit of full-disclosure, I love and have recommended the wallpaper that’s very briefly featured in the first few seconds of the clip.  It’s called Blackbird and it’s by the lovely people at Cavern Home.

Cavern Home's Blackbird wallpaper. (image by Mark Finkenstaedt via Apartment Therapy)

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.