Etsy Finds

What I love about Etsy is that on any given visit, you are bound to find something that stops you in your tracks. There are so many creative and talented people on that happy site. I have a few new things added to my favorites list that I wanted to share with you. They were too good to keep to myself.

Butterfly pushpins from Beach Cottage Studios are the cutest things I've seen in a long while. I am totally getting these, perfect use for my vision board.

Quirky, humorous and totally unique are the ceramics from Atelier OKER Ceramic Design. All ceramics in Jeanine Vrins' shop is handmade by her. I imagine she has a lot of fun making her beautiful pieces.

These beautiful, dreamy photographs are by Rita Petersone Lazdina of My Monography . She also has her beautiful photographs available in calendars which I think is quite wonderful. 

I hope you are having a great week so far!

(Images linked)

Dark Beauty

Via Glamoural

Via Glamoural

Via Hus & Hem

Via UK TV

Via UK TV

Via Elle Decor

I lost a dear uncle yesterday, and the pain sometimes feels too much to bear.  I have never loved and appreciated my family more - the way everybody came together to support each other was immensely beautiful. No matter what your differences might be, good family is always there for you. Losing someone truly gives true meaning to "cherish the ones you love", and "live each day like it's your last."

I wish you all much love and peace!

(Images linked)

(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)

Irina Graewe

To say I'm excited about the talent I have to share with you today, does no justice to my state of mind! I am completely blown away by German stylist Irina Graewe's work. I think by the time you are done going through the pictures you will be just as excited as me. So without further adieu...here we go!

In my research, I found out that Irina has been blogged about a gazillion times! I almost didn't do this post, but I know how excited I was to find out about her. I'd like to think that I'm not the only one living under a rock here. So for the people in my club, I hope you've enjoyed finding out about her as well.

Her color combinations and space composition is truly inspirational. She pairs colors and prints that shouldn't work, but like magic she makes them. Her work really makes me believe that, when you feel it, do it, you will find a way to make it work.

This is one talented lady, and I will be definitely keeping my eyes open for more of her work in the future. You can learn more about the brain behind all these gorgeous spaces here.

Have a beautiful, inspiring weekend!

(Images: Irina Graewe)

Aphrochic

I have been a fan of Aphrochic for a while now. I can't lie, I was first attracted to a photo of theirs featuring a gorgeous lady, and little girl sporting some enviable fros. That drew me in, and their beautiful, colorful, products kept me hooked.

Jeanine Hays the Creative Director and founder of Aphrochic, was a former attorney who after starting an interior design blog, by the same name eventually pursued her love of it. There is a vibrancy, and exotic flair to the products that I completely adore - from their wallpaper, pillows, to dining linens.

Loving this set up, the Morccan blanket always adds a little extra to any room. I like it's use as a rug here.

I like the sketched figures and colors of these table linens, it makes it all so fun and not too serious. I get the same vibe from all the products.  Nothing is too serious, but definitely holds true to the name - they are all kinds of chic!

(Images: Aphrochic)

Eye Candy

Hello Everyone! School started this week, and I already feel like I'm weeks into it. I'm a bit intimidated and very excited at the same time. I am finally taking my core Interior Design classes, and it is different from anything I've done in school before. I still sometimes can't believe that I am living in the art world, coming from the science world. It has definitely been a journey, sometimes difficult, but always rewarding.

That was some eye candy for you.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

(Images: Living at Home)

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)