French By Design

I love going through vintage stores, for me it's like a walk through a beautiful bygone era. I think the objects tell you so much about the people of that time, from the little kitchen utensils, to bedding. I think because these things are so personal, and a big part of everyday life it's easier to understand, and relate to the people of that time.  I rarely get that same feeling looking at vintage shops online like I do with French By Design on Etsy. I am a huge online shopper, but when it comes to certain things in person is just better, but French By Design challenges this theory of mine.

Vintage Cheese Box

Vintage Wooden Barrel

Milk Metal Crate

Wire Locker Basket

The owner Si's motivation to start this shop was a result of her move to the US from her native land France, and wanting to find things that she so easily found at home. I think she does a great job of sourcing beautiful interesting pieces. 

French Milk Jar

Vintage Shampoo Bottle

Vintage Moroccan Rug

Vintage Morocan Rug

I hope you liked seeing the beautiful things from French By Design. You can learn more about her and the store here. I love visiting the shop every so often to see what new goodies she has in store.
Happy Monday!

(All Images: French By Design)

Sneak Peek

I have a bit of a teaser for you today! I have a project that I am very slooooowly working on, but one thing down. I scored this mirror at TJ Maxx on a restless rainy evening walk, and I swear I heard angels sing. It was PERFECT!!!  I've been wanting a mirror shaped exactly like that on the top and thought I'd have to go to Morocco to get it or something.  I can't wait to see everything come together, for now you see a teeny aspect of it.

BEFORE

AFTER

Ready for the week? :-)

(Images: Fatou Bah)

Happy Friday!

Hello everyone! I hope your week was wonderful! Any fun plans for the weekend? I don't have anything planned really, but I hope to get some housework done. Get my batteries charged as well, I'm feeling a bit tired even though I have some projects I wanted to work on this weekend, they might have to wait. But if you are my husband you won't believe me, as he says "you can never just sit and relax", my mission: prove him wrong! :-)

Wishing you a beautiful weekend!

(Image: Home Life)

Double Personality Drawer

This is about the moodiest of blues, and the happiest of yellows coming together to live happily together! Okay so I'm only talking about a chest here. :-) My older daughter's drawer/nightstand out of nowhere fell on her a while back, while she tried getting something out of it. Thankfully, it didn't land all the way on her, and my 6 ft 5 husband (thank God for his long legs) was up the stairs within seconds. After that we decided it was time to get her something more stable. You see I LOVE this drawer, it was a craigslist find that I couldn't believe I got for how much I got it for. It was a case of imagination coming to reality. I've decided to keep it till I can find a better spot for it.

Here is the little beauty. All I did when i got it was add the flower knobs from Anthropologie. As you can see one bit the dust. :-)

We decided to find something at IKEA, she insisted that we paint it yellow and blue, "thats my favorite color" she says over and over. I decided to take on the challenge. The brainstorming session began, I sketched out a few ideas, but they were all too complicated for me to carry out. Those are the times I wish I had my own personal carpenter and artist to bring my ideas to life. :-)

BEFORE

AFTER

My husband out of nowhere threw out the brilliant idea of painting it half and half. I have to admit I didn't think the idea brilliant at first. I dismissed it as just one of his silly comments (he can be a goof ball), but the more I thought about it, the more exciting it got. I decided to go for it!

The bumblebee was a last minute addition to personalize it. Jalika has been obsessed with bumblebees since Halloween, when she dressed up as one. I thought it would be a nice surprise for her, as I did it when she was napping. The husband traced it for me, because I suck at drawing, and I painted it. This project was a lot of measuring, making sure the tape was as straight as possible. Oh, and don't make the mistake we did trying to save $10 by buying the white one. If you are going to paint over it buy the unfinished version. I had to do A LOT of sanding to get it ready for painting. Next time definitely buying the unfinished piece.

This was definitely a labour of love, and I couldnt' be happier. More importantly she is madly in love with it!

(Images: Fatou Bah)

Tape It Up

Maybe, like me you too have noticed the trend of using wasabi tape, black tape, etc. to tape up art work on walls. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it - sometimes I think it pretty cool, but I don't have any inclination of doing it myself.

Via Annaleenas HEM

I have to say that I quite like this. Something about the whole serenity, and simplicity of the decor makes the tape pop , it enhances the art it's holding up I think.

House Doctor via Decor8

via Bodie and Fou

I guess everything doesn't have to be for everybody, I can appreciate it from afar. What do you think of this? Is it for you? If you've used it, how? I'd like to see photos.  :)

(Images linked)

Alicia Bock

To say that I am a dreamer is an understatement. I am constantly daydreaming about something, whether it's about travel, design, cloths, shoes, it's always something. I also like things that have a dream or fantasy feel to them, and at the same time retain a realness too. This is how I see Alicia Bock's amazing photography. I love how her images make me imagine different scenarios - they are quite beautiful too. :)

These carousel pictures are so transporting, can't help but go to a very happy place.

Alicia Bock is a self taught photographer, a mother of two, and a very talented lady. She is influenced by her years growing up in Michigan and Florida, surrounded by color and water. You can comepletely see that, right?

You can learn more about this talented lady and her services on her web site.  These prints and much more are all available in her Etsy shop for sale.  Lucky for us huh?

(Images Alicia Bock)

West Elm - New Arrivals

Like many of you my inbox is filled with new arrivals promotions from different stores, and there were only a few I couldn't bear to delete without looking first. West Elm was one of them, and I have quite a list of things from the new arrivals that I am completely loving. I've put them together to share with you.

.1. Beehive Cake Stand; 2. Picnic Flatware Set; 3. Dots and Stripes Bowls and Mugs; 4. Modernist Serving Bowls

That beehive cake stand is just too cute, I'll take that and the cake. I've seen cereal bowls with the same print as the Modernist Serving Bowls, it would be great to get both to mix and match. Perfect for al fresco dining or those spring morning breakfasts.

1. Shane Powers Fish Bowl; 2. Shane Powers Hanging Glass Bubble Collection 3. DBO Home Botanical Vases 4. Pacific Vase Collection 5. Shane Powers Ceramic Wall Planters

I've seen the hanging planters around for a little while now, and I am always charmed and tempted to give it a try. Something about it always looks intimidating for me though, for one I kill the unkillable plants so I can't imagine what I could do to these. I think they are so much fun though!

Those baskets aren't really new, as they've had them since mid last year I think. I know I saw them a while back and wanted them, but they eventually sold out. I was looking at them and thinking how cool would it be to hang them from the ceiling? Something like these hanging lamp shades. Maybe in a covered outdoor area?

Really liking the Steven Antonson collection. I like the organic quality of the pieces.

1. Decorative Bowl Wall Art  2. Steven Antonson Collection 3. Steven Antonson Table Lamp

1 & 2. Hand Blocked Cotton Spring Bloom Pillows 3. Urban Garden Duvet 4. Hand-Blocked Lola Quilt

I have to say that all the yellows are making me quite happy, and probably a big reason why I am loving the new stuff. For me nothing says spring like yellow!  Is there anything you are now eyeing too? You can visit West Elm to check out more of the lovely stuff they got in store.

Have a lovely day!

(Images linked)