It's Goodbye (waves~~~)...

Dear Friends,
I have decided to give up on this blog....it's with a measure of personal disappointment that I have come to realise that I am at the end of this road - I am spinning my wheels and not progressing at the pace I have set for myself.

This has been an enriching and learning experience for me - I have enjoyed it greately but I am not feeling that way anymore and so it's time to move on...

I have met so many of you, loyal (but few) followers - and for that I am forever grateful!
Please stay in touch - you know where to find me if you want to and I will continue to "stalk" your blogs from time to time!
oxoxoxo AJ

Painted Wood

Isn't this sideboard stylish? Transform an old, much-loved piece into a newly-loved one with some paint and elbow grease - THE perfect weekend project!

photo credit: HousandHome.com

Aurelie Mathigot

I have often wondered what artists' homes look like....here is one - the home of Aurelie Mathigot - "une artiste plasticienne..." - colour, texture and more colour....

Photos: marieclairemaison.com, aureliemathigot.com

PS: Alessi, I love you!

Around for quite number of years now...

...and still delighting us with fluid, clever designs - Alessi!
Here's to making everyday objects a thrill to handle!
1. a nutcracker
2. a fruit tray

Photo credits: marieclairemaison.com

I am redecorating....bear with me!

Happy Weekend, All!

ox AJ

(my lilies are baack!)

Check this Out!

Gingham is baaack! (did it ever leave?) ~ I cannot imagine my living room looking like this but there are homes just made for this tidy check! June Cleaver would approve!

Officially dubbed a Design Trend for 2010!

Photo credit: HouseandHome.com

Cross-Pollination

Cross-pollination: "....also called allogamy occurs when pollen is delivered to a flower from a different plant. Plants adapted to outcross or cross-pollinate often have taller stamens than carpels or use other mechanisms to better ensure the spread of pollen to other plants flowers." (Wikipedia)

Yesterday was one of those days when wannabees like me only dream of....A REAL artist, Rebecca Bogan of AbobeSol Designs, called me one....
What can I say: I am overwhelmed and very, very grateful!
THANK YOU, Rebecca!
I am a huge fan of AdobeSol myself and already own several of Rebecca's designs...here is a piece she did for me recently...
("K" is to the Big-K...)

(I am still bouncing in delight...tra la la)...

Photo credits: AbobeSol and AJJ

Mixing Styles

I am baaaack from a little blog hiatus - full of verve and pep (or is it the other way around?)

Am very taken by these images of a home belonging to an interior designer (surprise surprise) which mixes two styles: Japanese and Scandinavian....who would have thought it possible? and yet, it is...

 Adroit pairings of the natural and the synthetic, plenty of wood and brick, punched up with a little stainless steel...

 

Serene, calming surfaces and contemplative vistas...the kind of place where one would be inspired to write an opus...would it begin, perhaps, with "....she rented a house, away from the crowds - to be alone with her thoughts and to write that poem..."

Hope you are all having a smashing summer!!

photo credits: Marieclairemaison.com

Saturday Haiku~

perched on a blade of straw

metallic skin taut

the Iron Frog

photo credit: Lon Fong (Flickr)

Fall Shmall....

...but seriously, Summer has not even officially begun and I am already asking: "are YOU ready for Fall"???

You would be very much en vogue come this leaf-dropping-season in these jaw-dropping Celine creations (one of my favourite designers...4 photos above)....minimalist IS the look for Phoebe Philo, in her second season at this venerable design house....

And how about 'em boots ~ from one of my other favourites - Bruberry Prorsum - leather and stretch lace - now that is a vavoom combination....

Some think it plebean but I do like the look of brown and black together...with the right tones and textures...

All photos: style.com

Goodbye, Tobias Wong..

Canadian-born, New York-based designer, Tobias Wong, was only 35

when he took his own life a couple of weeks ago... 

Born and raised in Vancouver, he studied art and design in Toronto before moving to New York in 1997...

He was widely recognized as an artist who helped bring forth what is today taken for granted in contemporary culture....he shone a "tongue-in-cheek" light on what we consider obvious...

Goodbye, Tobias  - your talent and sense of humour will be missed....

Above: 1. mirror puzzle  2. diamond ring  3. McDonald's (gold) spoon (became a staple among coke-heads) 4. smokers' mittens...
Photo credits: google everywhere....

Chateau de la Verrerie

This magical place describes itself as a "Bed & Breakfast"...I call that "an understatement of the century...."

 

If someone were to try and soothe my currently-ruffled-soul in the Blue Room, I say I would emerge positively "charmante" and "sympathique"....

..and to make me positively "contente", on the second morning of my delightful and perfectly medicinal stay, that someone would move my suitcase into this Violet Room......(and don't forget the croissants, PLEASE!!!)

 

Pretty close to paradise in my book.....complete with magnificent gardens and the obligatory (and oh-so-indispensible) statues of putti....

All photos courtesy of www.chateaudelaverrerie.fr

Saturday Haiku~

 

An oily summer lake

his feet are wrinkled

carefree abandon

photo credit: judo dad1954(flickr)

Time for Purple!

Yes, I needed a purple recharge!
Purple makes me whole..
Purple makes me smile..
Purple makes me..(fill in your own blank)~

Happy Tuesday, All!

Photo credits (in order of appearance): julesoflondon, wip-hairport, ragamuffinview,
cheekhoward, purpletree, birdman of el paso (all flickr)