Anne Desmet

Stunning work by printmaker extraordinaire Anne Desmet. The prints say much more than I can, so visit Anne's site here to learn more about how she uses wood engravings, linocut, and collage to create these amazing prints.

Spring Inspirations

I'm hoping to have images to share from the new collection in a week or two, in the meantime here is my inspiration for Spring/Summer 2008 Hammocks & High Tea. I'm trying to keep design down to twice a year but my mind wanders into Fall already...not so much the weather (I'm ready for Spring) but the rich textiles and colors of Fall are my favorite. I'm bringing bold colors and big shapes to Spring to marry richness and lightness at once.

Chapatis & Foodies

I was recently reading an article in the NY Times about small ethnic food shops springing up in Manhattan; bringing a taste of travel and culture to NY doorsteps. I figured I'd share a simple recipe my husband & I make at home; the ingredients are simple but the taste takes you to India. By the way...this is often eaten with a curry dish. I find cooking curry to be...difficult... so we order the main dish from the Indian restaurant nearby and make the bread ourselves.

Chapatis- Indian flat bread similar to a roti or tortilla

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of flour

1tsp salt

3/4 cup milk or water (milk makes a softer chapati)

reserve some flour for later

Mix:

-blend flour and salt in a large bowl

-slowly pour liquid into mixture and knead with your hands

-the resulting ball should be slightly sticky, but not too wet or dry (add little bits of flour or water at a time if necessary to adjust)

-knead for about 8-10 minutes

-cover with a damp cloth for at least an hour

Make:

-make discs approximately 2 1/2 inches in width in your palm (I find a disc easier to roll than a ball)

-using a rolling pin, roll the discs into flat circles while dusting with flour as necessary

-heat non stick pan or flat griddle

-toss chapati onto heated pan

-use a pastry brush to put a little butter on the top side, flip and repeat.

- flip again if you need to get more color on one side

- the finished chapati should be a light brown (similar to pancakes or tortillas)

-makes 6-8 chapatis

Eat:

Enjoy with a veggie dish, curry, or just by themsleves. Actaully now that I'm hungry these might be great

with chili or for individual pizzas :)

chili images: shantishop (gorgeous free wallpaper)

Louise Vyent

So I'm fussing along online today and randomly learn about Louise Vyent. Why is she of interest you ask? Well, come to find out that not only was she one of the most sought after black models in the 80-90's but she is Dutch born of Surinamese descent. Huh? Well..Surimane aka Dutch Guyana is neighbor to British Guyana..as well as French Guyana. I was raised in British G. and my sweet hubby is from Dutch G....and forever proclaiming the majesty of the Dutch to me by the way...yawn!

When I searched for her name I find that Louise is still stunning but currently modeling interiors. As an interior consultant, Louise uses the principles of feng shui as well as eco-friendly solutions to create living spaces that convey energy and visual harmony.

images: Louise Vyent, The Fashion Spot

Lili Diallo

Domino's March issue has a tour of stylist Lili Diallo's Brooklyn home. I love the layer of color, texture and accessories. As a stylist, Lili's home is reflective of her work (well, vice versa actually), but the catch...or the mark of a great stylist I suppose...is that the layers do not look posed but rather well lived in.

One day when I have a home that can fit a table, I would love that table cloth :)

all images: Domino

Clean lines...and then some

I may have covered 1-4 in this post! As I searched for my room inspirations I realized that many of the qualities I like are reflected among each other...ok and although I like clean lines I really love smaller ornate elements. The only thing very distinctly modern is my desire to own a sleek open space, like this or one of these.

midcentury danish credenza ebay , salema sofa eq3 , end tables 1stdibs

ceramic vases 1stdibs, blackwood sugarbowls swahili-imports , hand felted rug aid to artisans , hand carved teak wood panels ebay, obeechi wood bowl aid to artisans, leather pouf authentic morocco

Culture in Design

I'm pretty sure my home will be a mish-mosh of styles, as my backgound is a mish-mosh of cultures. When I look for things that I love and want to have in my home, I notice a few trends form in my head. 1- clean lines, especially for furniture and space. 2-details, i love walking up to something small and it's beauty is slowly revealed. 3- culture in design, something about design that has a lengthy history makes me swoon. 4-nature, colors that minic nature and anything floral or leafy works for me...oh and I must have wood (reclaimed preferably). Here is my visual ode to #3.

solobedu bedding- anthropologie , duro olowu clothing- elle , curtains- john robshaw , batik rug-west elm, suzani covered chairs- abc carpet & home , cushions- akasha

ps. I will be traveling this week so enjoy and I'll be back with 1, 2, and 4 in a weeks time.

Shoshona Snow

I'm realizing more and more that this blog is like my personal store now; a mix of all the things I want to own as well as a virtual example of what a future Hammocks & High Tea store would look like. Whether store or home, I love the texture and color of Shoshona Snow Ceramics. The carvings give them a feel of having lived a long life with many a story to tell.

Nyakio

Beautiful product and packaging by Nyakio Kamoche. A first generation American, Nyakio developed her collection using family secrets passed down through her Kenyan Heritage. I love that the label is simple; just a hint of the cultural roots in the packaging allows the user to concentrate on the incredible ingredients, smell, and texture. The most important aspect of a beauty and home product. I can't wait to try some of Nyakio's products.

Places I'd like to see...Myanmar

myanmar

Suzanis

I am incorporating a modern suzani-type style into my 2008 collection so I'm pretty enamored by them right now. I can't wait to someday have furniture that I can recover with vintage textiles; similar to this chair (from Jayson Home & Garden) that the nestmaker highlighted in their suzani love. Here's a secret...I actually interviewed with Sheila Bridges a few years ago when I wanted to transfer from my fashion background to interior design. I think I may have been too in awe of her to do very well on the interview but boy would I have worked for her for free.

images: yurdan