A Taste of Morocco

I love these rooms from the NY Times feature on homes in Marrakesh, imaging waking up to that blue ceiling every morning...what a start to the day! On the subject of Morocco,

Peacock Pavilions is going to be one of my first stops when I'm lucky enough to go.

Ivana Helsinki Hemma

I only recently discovered that Finnish fashion label Ivanna Helsinki has a home goods collection as well...Ivana Helsinki Hemma. With a range of everything from notebooks and trays to camping tents...there is an array of beautiful products to choose from. This family run label is carrying on the torch of Finnish print and design with their hand drawn, folkloric images. It's very hard to find in the US but hopefully we will find more online soon.

Element Clay Studio

These pieces make my heart go pitter-patter...truly. One of my favorite aspects of design is texture...wood, ceramic, rough exposed brick....sigh. Needless to say I have to get my hands on some of these nature inspired pieces from Element Clay Studio. I'll go back to swooning now.

New business blog

I was peeking in on one of my favorite designers, Joy by Mel Lim, yesterday and saw an announcement for her new blog. Called BACE (Business & Creative Exchange), it offers...well I'll let Mel and her husband tell you..

' BACE stands for Business and Creative Exchange. It’s a venue set up by Mel Lim and her husband Joe Keylon to help other aspiring start ups and designers on how to get their products launched by offering them insights to challenges and day-to-day questions faced by creatives who have all the talent in the world but no clue to running a business or launching a line. '

I think it's already a great resource and I'm learning every week that small designers are big on help and support...for that I'm eternally greatful. I'm going to do some brain storming myself as to how I might pay it forward as well.

Fall 2008 Inspiration- Portuguese design

These are some of the images that have inspired me for Fall 2008. Portuguese design is bold and beautiful in everything from tiles to their product packaging. I am reminded so much of my grandma's powder tins that were lined up on her mirrored dresser...powder apparently was an ultra lady-like way to fight sweat and still smell sweet and delicate. Ahh the feminine wiles!

images from: Saboaria Portugueza and Claus Porto

The view from Brooklyn

A couple of weeks ago we went down to DUMBO to see the waterfalls art installation up close. I've always loved DUMBO but this was the first time I went to the waterfront under the bridge. It gave me such an appreciation for Brooklyn and the solitude that we can find here in the midst of busy city life. This concrete jungle can be pretty gorgeous too.