Out of Africa Art Shop!

How's everyone doing? I hope you all have been well. Today I am so excited to share with you some gorgeous things out of Africa. I'm excited for the obvious reason that we all love some pretty things, but too, it is my very own mother's shop. This is something she's wanted to do for a while, and I am so proud of her, for putting together such a wonderful collection of arts, highlighting the great talents of African artists. The shop aptly named Out of Africa Art Shop is decor heaven. The shop is located in West Palm, FL, so for you Floridians - lucky, lucky.

These beautiful handcrafted jewelry from South Africa are a few of the gorgeous pieces in store or online. I love the intricate metal work combined with the soft beautiful gemstones.  

This tablecloth with napkin set is one of my very favorite things in the store. It is so fresh and perfect for summer entertainments.

 Doesn't this little gathering of the cutest animals put a smile on your face?!

I picked some favorites, narrowed it down, then narrowed down from that to share with you all :-). They are truly gorgeous pieces, and just knowing how hard she worked and the time she spent making sure that she got the best of the best to showcase makes me even more thrilled for her. Please check out the site for plenty more gorgeous pieces here. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Images: via Out of Africa Art Shop

Inspire

At times, inspiration comes from big things, small things, the unusual, the mundane, the extraordinary, or the ordinary. Sometimes you seek it, and at times it seeks you. Either way, when it hits you know it!

(Images: Emma's Blog, Anna Gillar, and Anna Gillar)

Home Tour: Tailored Industrial

There are some pleasures in life that can sometimes look frivoulous and unless you can relate it doesnt make any sense. However, knowing that I'm among friends, I know you will completely get the joy getting a stack of design magazines can illicit. Yesterday was one of those days...it was like opening presents, each magazine prettier than the other filled with inspiration. Elle Decor really got me reeling though, with Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi's home. I was giddy with excitement flipping through the pages, they were dripping with amazing shots.

I love the mix of rustic, industrial all balanced with a tailored approach. You can see that everything was carefully selected. I had no clue that Ellen is a huge design buff, and moves a lot because of this just so she can have an opportunity to decorate a new space.

The landscape which they fell in love with, understandably so...is intoxicating.

I am completely smitten by their home, though absolutely gorgeous, it also has heart and soul.
What do you think? You can see the full article here, or pick up the latest issue of Elle Decor if you already haven't. I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday.

(Images: Elle Decor)

Madeline Weinrib

It's pillow party Thursday!!!! I can hear yays in my head :-). How is everyone doing? I don't like the long silences here, but I guess for now it is what it is. School is going really well. It's busy, but I am definitely feeling more and more at home, and feeling like I definitely chose the right path, in interior design.  Okay, on to the eye candy I have for you today. I was on Madeline Weinrib's site and I had to blog about these gorgeous pillows on there.

     
          
These gorgeous Ikat prints are the perfect mix of exotic and pretty. I can definitely picture  a few of these in my home.

The suzani pillows are so refreshing, she took a very traditional and old pattern and gave it a very successful modern design.

I am really loving the pinks and graphic prints! See anything you like?
I'd like to hear your thoughts.

(Images: Madeline Weinrib)

Eclectic Entryway

I talked about my plans for our entryway a million years ago...at least if feels that way. I finally finished it, and it has been a total transformation. All it took was a gallon of paint, a few accessories, and a bench I found on Craigslist that I painted.

The plan for the area has changed quite a bit from my orignal plan. At first, I was looking to add a console table as my furniture, and a big statement mirror instead of art work. But I like how it evolved and I just went with the process. Plus the bench is more practical for our family AND my Cozamia art print that I fell in love with from my very first sighting,  is the icing on the cake. I think it pulls the whole space together.

I've had my Ghanian mask for a few years now, the heart I picked up at a thrift store for a dollar, it was too cute and cheesy to pass up. I've thought about painting it (of course) but I'm still undecided. For now it is perfect just as is. Seriously how gorgeous is my pool lady! :-) The print is called Poolside by Cozamia. You might have noticed that I've used two different pillows in the pictures it's because I couldn't decide which one to leave there, but I think I've decided on the pink print. What do you think?

Happy Friday and have a great weekend! What will you be doing?

(Images: Fatou Bah)

Bluebellgray Floral Patterns

It was a gorgeous, gorgeous day over here. I got to walk outside, soak up the sun and take my kids to the park, and played like a kid. Naturally I had florals on the brain. I think I've talked about my love for floral patterns once or twice on this blog. Floral patterns is one of those things that people either love or hate, there seems to be no middle ground.

Bluebellgray is a Scottish textiles company that has truly magical pieces. I love every single thing over there. Their patterns are everything a good floral should be, and do. The colors are brilliant and you can't help but be cheered by them. I hope by the end of this post if you are a floral "hater" you'll be come to the bright side of loving them. :-)

Even though florals are mostly associated with granny style these patterns are very modern, but they retain their easy going vibe.

What are your thoughts on florals? I hope it's a nice and gorgeous day in your corner of the world.

(Images: Bluebellgray)

The Beautiful Dining Chair

I love a boldly colored, or upholstered dining chair! My favorites tend to be the classic wood dining chair, painted in a bold color with an upholstered seat. We are in need of a dining table, and chairs, but I refuse to get any old dining set. I would love to get something special that is in need of some TLC, that I can bring back to glamourous life.

Crate & Barrel

Design Within Reach

These chairs really got me dreaming about finding that perfect one for me. I have been obsessed with the wishbone chair, too bad they are all out of my price range. Who knows what will turn up on ebay though :-).

Jessica Helgerson

Jessica Helgerson

Living Etc

I love a good floral pattern in anything, and I would love a dining chair in this fabric. I would prefer it in a different style chair, perhaps a chippendale style chair.

What would you say your choice of dining furniture is? Are you more of a laid back wooden chair kinda person, or do you like the glamourous upholstered pieces? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great day.

(Images: Linked)

Wall Displays

Hello Monday, and hello to you too! Did you have a good weekend? I am redoing my powder room so I was busy working on that this weekend - I'll share that later. So why am thinking of gallery walls I'm not quite sure but oh well :-). I have a gallery wall of family pictures on my dining area wall, and I go back and forth about taking the pictures down. I've got some pretty cool wall displays to share with you today.

Via House to Home

Via Style at Home

Via Style at Home

Via House to Home

Something about wall galleries appeal to me, I can't help but stop and look at the details every time I see one. I think they tell a story about the owner without them even trying. I have a gallery of family photos in our dining area, for a few years now, and every once in a while I stop and look at the pictures. There is always something new that jumps out, or that takes me back to that moment. It also has been a great way for my older daughter to point out relatives who are far away that she doesn't get to see often. It's funny now she would point at her baby pictures and say its her little sister.

Via Home Life

Really love this idea of using postcards to form a wall art. A great way to remember your travels, and the wonderful memories from them. I think it would be great to do some kind of a contained collage too, having the postcards framed in a series. Hang the frames in a gallery fashion.

Via Home Life

Using wall decals and carefully placed hooks - what a fun, creative way of displaying everyday items in your home!

Via House to Home

via Home Life

I was going through Emily Chalmer's Modern Vintage and there was a blurb that, there is a collector within everyone of us, and it is a matter of just letting out the collector in you. I'm still trying to figure out what that is for me other than shoes. This picture of the clocks makes me think of that though. For a person into clocks, plates, masks, mirrors etc., a display like this is a great way of surrounding yourself with the things you love.

Happy Martin Luther King day!

(Images linked)