My favorite summer plant (weed) - the dandelion.

The yellow flower matures into what is known as a dandelion "clock". These Prarie species were at just the right point for plucking this past weekend.

Lying in the grass with N - that's something I will miss about summer.

There's nothing like a picnic in the park with an over-sized blanket and a bottle of sweet wine.

Somewhere I would like to be today.

Chateau Pool by Gregory Krum.
- discovered through the 20x200 website.

One of the joys of summer is outdoor celebrations. Aren't these all such lovely gathering spaces & places?

Grab some friends and plan a party - there are four weeks before the Autumnal Equinox.

Photos:
*Outdoor Room in Domino (May 2006).
*Outdoor Event by Michelle Rago.
*The fire pit at the Parker Palm Springs.
*Canopied Table by Maria McBride.
*Outdoor Event at the Carneros Inn.

After work on Friday, I went to Union Station to take the train 21 miles west of Chicago to a lovely town called Hinsdale. I encountered a couple of small design details in the town that are worth sharing. The first is a door detailed with the letter L. Could be for Love, Leisure or Larry, but it actually turned out to be the front door for the uber-preppy store, Lilly Pulitzer. I really like the idea of a monogrammed door and will consider it one day when N and I have a house and one room within is dedicated to my tiny studio.

The next discovery was particularly exciting for me as I have a long-time infatuation with anything Fornasetti. Can you believe this amazing wallpaper at the super-cool boutique, Stockholm Objects?

N and I registered* for a Fornasetti pillow and now I am dreaming of an entry-way lined with this fabulous paper!

* Wishpot is an awesome registry tool. You can select items from all over the web and compile them with links and pricing information.

In an attempt to clear out the old and prepare for my move to N's place, we held a sidewalk sale this past Saturday. We spoke with so many interesting people as they stopped by to take a look at the goods.

The Guatemalan woman (now a US citizen) who stood beside her gentle father who was visiting from Guatemala. She told me how difficult it is to live so far from her father, especially as he ages and I nodded with understanding and told her of my own parents.

The sweet and shy neighbor who connected with a large piece of art that was by far my most expensive item for sale. She stared at it for some time, but was intimidated by the pricetag. Happily, her boyfriend came by later and secretly bought it for her birthday.

The kindergarten teacher who appreciated my love of butterflies and listened intently as I described their various defense mechanisms. I sent her off with a few educational books and photos and asked that she tell her class a few of the stories I shared.

The 82-year-old veteran who mentioned several times how good his life is and how lucky he is to be alive. He was so thankful for the company and conversation.

The butterfly enthusiast who wanted to purchase every winged item I had and sweetly waved as she biked away with the butterfly loot.

And the middle-class advocate who complained about the recent increase in Chicago's sales tax and made the argument that the history and beauty of Chicago is in the working class and therein lies its' strength.

I was pleasantly surprised that a public sale could be such a unique opportunity to connect with people. I am enchanted by the stories that people carry with them. As the day went on and my items started to clear out, I realized how much of my own stories are stored in things. The quartz rock candle that an ex gave me on a very special day of my youth. A framed shadowbox of butterfly species collected with my oldest brother. Beat-up hand-me-down chairs that were made special with the help of my Mom and designer fabric samples.

In letting go of these things, the stories remain and also travel on to other homes and other lives.

If you are a poet, you will see that there is a cloud in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the tress cannot grow; and without trees, we cannot make paper.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

A collage of some of my favorite fine jewelry designers. It's absolutely a miracle that all of these colors come from the earth!

(Click on collage to enlarge)

*18K Gold Dandelion Diamond Puff Pin by McTeigue & McClelland.
*22K Gold with Amethyst Origami Arabesque Earrings by Cathy Waterman.
*18K Gold Blue Topaz Abracadabra Bangle Bracelet by Ippolita.
*22K Gold & Platinum Custom Initial Charm by Cathy Waterman.
*Hammered Platinum with Brilliant Cut Diamonds by Malcolm Betts.
*18K Gold Bombay Crescent Moon & Star Necklace with Indian Diamonds by Me & Ro.
*Emerald-cut Citrine & Yellow-Sapphire Baguette Ring by the absolutely amazing Sharon Khazzam.
*Platinum Ring with Diamonds and One Center-Cut 5.28 Carat Yellow-Sapphire by Irina Ferry (owner of Soho Gem).
*Tiny Treasures Diamond Star Pendant Necklace by Roberto Coin.
*Special Order Only Charlotte's Web Earrings by Cathy Waterman (oh, how I would love these!).
*22K Gold Ruby Swivel Ring by Marie-Helene de Taillac.
*18K Gold & Ametrine Earrings by Renee Lewis.
*18K Gold Hand-painted Crystal Quartz & Mother of Pearl Pendant Necklace by Anna Ruth Henriques.
*18K Gold & Platinum Asscher Cut Diamond Flora Ring by McTeigue & McClelland.
*18K Gold Diamond Vine Ring by Me & Ro.
*Yellow Gold Citrine Earrings by Andrea Fohrman.
*Rare Collectible Ring (gemstone unknown) by Temple St. Clair.
*14K Gold & Amethyst Earrings by Becky Kelso.
*Platinum Vintage Art Deco Diamond Arrow Brooch from Ylang 23 (their store in Dallas is fabulous).
*Gold Spider Web Pendant Necklace by Anna Ruth Henriques.

One of my favorite blogs, Coco+Kelley, is hosting a fun little contest to design a wedding board inspired by one of her favorite room designs. The room I selected is the Martha Stewart beach house above and here's my entry:

Photo Sources (click collage to enlarge):

*Lobster appetizer from Maria McBride
*Aqua & gold calcite earrings from Becky Kelso
*Watters Bridesmaid dress
*Tailored Stripe letterpressed invites from Pearl Papers
*Coral cake by Martha Stewart
*Hand-lettered wedding mural by Nancy Howell
*Coral favor bag & box by Rebecca Thuss
*Coral-hued poppies in teal silk-wrapped vase from Modern Bride
*McKenzie gown by Michelle Roth
*Shell ring-holder by Muscari
*Seashell placecards by Rebecca Thuss
*Candleholders & white-branch coral from Pottery Barn

Another way to transform everyday objects into art is to create well-edited and appropriately placed collections. I really enjoyed the ledge of colored glass vases and containers at the Parker Palm Springs. Jonathan Adler knows about the transformative power of color (something he refers to as "happy chic") and uses it often throughout the Parker. I often look back at photos from my time there and wish for a return to the youthful vibrancy of the resort.

Outdoor seating at Norma's.

A blanket provided for lounging on the poolside grass.

Cover for Norma's.

Transforming an everyday object into something beautiful and inventive is the artistic challenge of design. Demakersvan is a Dutch design company that challenges the expected. I quite enjoy the following bio tag-line from their website:

"We are storytellers, from fantasy to factory, from statement to product."

My favorite product from their line, the Lace Fence, does stir the imagination. You wonder who would be the ideal client for such a product. The fantastical side of me imagines an urban chocolate factory that uses the fencing to surround their production warehouse or a sheep farmer in the mild of the Scottish countryside, mixing steel and pasture - cold gray and lush green.

Demakersvan describes the product:

"Fencing is a sign how we modified and cultivated our environment. Like brambles fences are rising rampantly around us. What would happen if a patch of embroidered wire would meet with and continue as an industrial fence. Hostility versus kindness,
industrial versus craft."

What can you transform from ordinary to art?

Before N purchased my engagement ring, I wore two stackable Saundra Messinger hammered rings that he gave me as a gift (pictured above). I grew to love the versatility of the mixed metals - that I could wear silver or gold jewelry and my rings would compliment either choice. Two-tone elements can work very well for autumn and winter events.

Here are some lovely silver and gold inspirations:

* Jennifer Behr Star & Moon bobby pins.
* Paper Source Silver Stars Gold Dust Vellum.
* from Luisa Beccaria's absolutely amazing Fall 2008 Collection.
* photo from Perfect Bound's charming blog.

PS: Is the idea of an enchanting Autumn floating around in your mind, too?

Artist Peter Dayton is proof that you can use simple materials to craft extraordinary creations. Dayton subscribes to several seed and flower catalogs, selects his favorites and then "enlarges them on a color Xerox machine, cuts up the copies, and pastes the pieces onto a canvas. Then he covers the surface with resin to give his work a smooth, glossy finish." (2003 Elle Decor article)

Talk about a sophisticated collage project!

Cream container for coffee and espresso at the Rabbit Run Inn.