Block Printing

Elle Decor India

It only makes sense to live with this level of color and beauty everyday.
Elle Decor India

Bali

What can I say? I am who I am. Give me lush tropics, fresh coconut water, fruits,..oh, and surroundings like THIS?? I'm a happy camper.

Visit Bali: making "mosquito net decor" dreams come true everyday

Coco Shambhala Estate

Liana Cane

sustainable chic from this?

Jason Wu for The Guyana Project

weaving at the Liana Cane Factory

Liana Cane Furniture

Morning blogging thought process went something like this:

"hmm, wonder if there are any eco lodges in South America. Maybe Guyana? It is one of the up and coming locations for eco travel ya know?"
"oh goodness...modern people...MODERN. Mosquito nets are not decor"
"I would love to decorate an eco lodge. We can be stylish and eco friendly. If I see another wicker chair..."

Of course, as blogging goes, one link led to another, and I came across The Guyana Project. The short version: the liana vines grow in the jungle and hang about in the trees, they are plentiful and grow quickly. The Wai Wai community uses them as fibers and makes everything from baskets to furniture. It is a sustainable, lightweight, option for furniture production that can combat deforestation. Guess what I see? Tightly woven rugs. Outdoor furniture. Shut the lights, the girl is dreaming.

A Little Princess

Excuse me if I'm feeling nostalgic today. I was wondering the other day when I fell in love with textiles and interiors. I grew up reading National Geographic, Agatha Christie, & The Hardy Boys, so I can't say I was rooting through my mother's shelter magazines (her romance novels yes, but that's another story:D) I did read one book that I remember vividly and count as one of my favorites still. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett was your classic tale of princess turned pauper turned princess. Throw in a mean lady with a vivid stripe of gray hair, a lonely spinster, some mean little rich girls, and you had yourself a familiar story. Only this time...Frances threw in fabric, rugs, embroidery, sarees, poufs, and a little jungle. I won't go into recreating the story. Perhaps you've read it? Needless to say, I was all in. I finally saw the movie a few years ago and I got to see how they interpreted my favorite story. Check the 1:21 mark to see Sara and her friend wake up in fabric finery. I would have used more pinks, royal blues, and a touch of gold but hey...the beauty of my story is that I can do what I want now right?

With a little help from Nate...

inspired by Nate's stunning combination of textures & patterns.
thanks for making me feel better about my "renter's white" walls Nate!

If you've stopped by before, you know that I'm newly obsessed with decorating my empty, although lovely, apartment. It's all I think about lately actually, but, uhmm, my pockets don't often agree with my taste. Never mind all that..on with the plan. In said obsession, I plan on using a few Nate Berkus pieces in my space. Hello affordable, gorgeous pieces?? Sigh...only NB. Aside: Nate, I'd appreciate it if you would bring this, this, and this back. Please and many thanks. So, here is my proposal for my living room:

-craft/dining table needs to be visually light as the space is small
-I plan to have the NB studio sofa do double duty facing the living room or the dining table
-contrasting textures, natural fibers, & everything makes nice with each other
-a few unexpected and bold accessories

The room needs to cater to living as well as running a business in a small space so I think clean & simple is best. What do you think? I'm excited to see Nate bring his approach to living beautifully to his new show. I'll be watching on September 13th!! Now listen Nate...about those sold out pieces...

Thanks to MoggitGirls for spearheading the Nate movement and to CreateGirl for dreaming up #nateday. It was easy to be apart since the "Oprah cutie pie" also happens to be pretty darn talented. Check out the list of bloggers participating here.

Menara Gardens, Morocco

yep, this will do me just fine, thanks.

via National Geographic

Mihrab

I've admired these alcoves many times before but never knew the term for them, or even that there was a term except "oh my goodness, that's jaw dropping beautiful". But as you might be able to tell from this blog, and my work, I am easily swayed by all things patterned, textured, tiled, gorgeousness...gah! Anyway, a Mihrab is a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction Muslims should face when praying. More from Wiki here.

Opium Beds

It's possible I might have been the only girl showing up at the opium parties to admire the beds.