I am really feeling this sentiment from the super-charming Etsy seller, Bread+Butter.

Some of the details of this photo sum up my life right now:

- a photography assignment from my Unravelling class (I would highly suggest you unravel, too)

- working as a "Supremely Excellent Judge" for the Beckoning of Lovely project (founded by the author of the very witty & original Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life)

- brainstorming colors for my Screen-Printing class

- making good use of my Gocco - in particular, envisioning promotional materials for an upcoming performance by a very talented musician

- because of a dear & persistent friend, asking myself the question: Who Moved My Cheese? (& hoping it's not the chunk of Gruyere I've been saving for a gourmet grilled cheese)

From Penelope Cruz's Oscar acceptance speech.

Font: "St Moviehead" from Dafont.

Bedroom at a friend's home.
We spend so much of our lives in bed - it's important to find ways to make a bedroom a peaceful & nurturing escape. Here are some sleeping quarters that inspire me:

Designed by Barrie Benson, I love the texture and layers of this room:

I like the idea of making a guest bedroom feel magical in some way and I think this one does the trick:

You would be lucky to share a room if it involved the wonderful design work of Eve Robinson:

I am a big fan of Indian textiles (aspire to own John Robshaw bedding someday) and admire the use of hand-blocked Indian textile samples in this room:

Thom Filicia's lakeside cottage guest bedroom would charm any lucky visitor:

And finally - a master bedroom should be romantic and this one - with the view of the pool and grass - is just divine.

Additional Sources: Domino February 2007, Domino June 2006, House Beautiful August 2002, Apartment Therapy LA.

A quilt my Mom made hanging in my Bro's abode.
I'm inspired when artists use their own work to decorate & define their spaces.

This room from the eclectic & multi-faceted D'Ette Cole includes a painting from the Austin-based artist's Anatomical Series:

Monique Keegan decorated her mudroom with hand-sewn pillows (using her friend, Amy Butler's fabrics):

Photographer Tosca Radigonda's home is organized around her crisp & vivid photos:


And finally - if you are a gardener, what better way to honor your work then to let it be the view from a room:

Sources: Cottage Living October 2008, Country Living October 2008, Blueprint March/April 2007, Shrader Design.

A treehouse in my parent's Colorado neighborhood.
Growing up, I often climbed our willow tree and hid away on the plank my Dad added. I remember that feeling of being sheltered by the wispy branches and supported by the giant wooden limbs - the joy of a private hideaway.

Linda Aldredge's grown-up tree-house retreat is simple and has an "off-the-grid feeling" - one of her blog entries sums up her motivation: "the city is my mistress, the forest is my love."


Another tiny get-away that I admire is Angele Parlange's Louisiana pigeon coop.

A chic and feminine reprieve - truly a space of her own:

How can we make our everyday spaces more retreat-like?

Sources: Domino (RIP) March 2008 & Cottage Living (RIP) June 2008.

One of my apartments - photo circa 2005.
I've been spending a lot of time indoors lately (damn Groundhog ;), so thought it might be fun this week to profile some inspirational interiors.

The first is from Chicago-based Summer Thornton Design (profiled in CS Interiors & Apartment Therapy Chicago).

I love the vibrancy and punches of color, the use of chandeliers as a focal point as well as the whimsical mix of functionality, as highlighted with the use of a filing cabinet as a side table.

I fancy the use of wallpaper sparingly as art:

I'm also a sucker for any designer that incorporates natural elements:

Check out Summer's portfolio and gorgeously streamlined website.

Happy Hearts Weekend!

What do you have to do to get from here to there?

KEEP GOING.

Image by LA based Graphic Designer, Ben Loiz.

Last night it was raining & today it's 65 degrees in Chicago.
There is hope for the green of spring.

Photo: The stunning Lotus Brooch from Mish NYC.

Guest room linens at HeeJai's
Some things I learned this past weekend from my dear hostess-of-a-friend, HeeJai:

* Arugula + EVO oil + orange slices + dates = a lovely salad
* When making cookies, bring your butter to room temperature
* Angelfood cake + fresh lemon juice "icing" = syper yum
* A coffee-press = sophisticated caffeine
* A stack of magazines = easy entertainment for your house-guests

"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.
The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

- Abraham Lincoln

Walk on cracks - be messy - feel lost and a bit broken - lack the answers - love the imperfections...


Images:
- My photo of the Park West
- Thumbsucker Promotional Materials
- Maira Kalman note

My winter survival plans.