an update on weds. post...

It would seem I'm always too quick to hit the publish button when I'm making posts on blogger, and usually I do several edits to my post right after I've published it, because for some reason that makes sense....well on my weds. post I was unable to edit some misinformation after it was published, I've tried several different ways and it just won't show up after it's been posted...and so because I'm not that kind of person to let that slide...here we go with the correction!!

(oh and if anybody has any thoughts on why this might have happened or what to do, please email me...thanks!!)


And there's nothing wrong with going floor to ceiling with a print you love, like this room designed by David Cafiero and photographed by Francois Halard room posted today on Desire to Inspire blog.

**Sorry for any confusion!!!**

Mon amour pour Chinoiserie...

"What's best about wallpaper is when its got shape to it...I love when wallpaper covers every surface, when it goes around the chimney and has a door cut into it. That's when its not a painting, its decoration - no matter how beautiful it is - and that to me is when wallpaper comes to life!" -- Tim Butcher of Fromental (featured in Dec 05 issue of the World of Interiors)


Fromental was formed back in 2005 by Tim Butcher and Lizzie Deshayes, a husband and wife team, on a mission to be the best in handmade wallcovering!!! From what I can tell...they are well on their way! Headed by Tim, a former Creative Director of the world-renowned Chinoiserie House De Goumay, and wife Lizzie a textile designer and decorative artist...as well as an in-house team of artists and a team of over 100 artists working full time in China, where all of their products are manufactured...all I can say is, you better make way for this UK company.










When I spoke with Benjamin from the company he mentioned what in the coming twelve months Fromental will unveil new techniques and stunning designs that will be released on an "extremely bespoke nature." This team is looking at getting into fabrics and fashion as well in the near future..."keeping the idea of one-off individual pieces well and truly alive."

I hope you all enjoy these images! Oh, and check out The Peak of Chic blog for today's post on Chinoiserie prints as well!!

*For more general information on the origins of Chinoiserie check out Wikipedia*

**Thank you Benjamin for providing me with these fantastic images as well as some interesting tid bits about Fromental**

NOW that's different....

I have decided we should embrace our differences today, so this post is all about that!

(O at Home, Fall 2006, home of Suzanne Slesin)

...take for instance this shag rug that so closely resembles a patch of grass!!! And, as J Lee from aneyeforan:interior pointed out, the displayed art in this room is an eye catcher too!

(Instyle Home, Spring 2006, Home of Hilarie Burton)

It's not often that you see a center arrangement like this one here with the antlers...I love this idea!

(The English Home, August 2007, Home of Jean and Jamie Hyslop)

A pink tub!!! What a fun bathroom...definitely different!

(Shelter, Jan/Feb 2006, Designed by Pierre Passebon)

One way to display your collection is by using the ceiling, like here with the home owner's collection of brightly colored bowls...

(Elle Decor, July/Aug 2005, Designer Robert Couturier)

Or you could put the swing in your living room, like here with this antique Anglo-Indian piece...


And there's nothing wrong with going floor to ceiling with a print you love, like this Francois Halard room posted today on Desire to Inspire blog.

oh my...lemons!

(chotda flickr site)

What is it about lemons that I love so much? It might be that they smell so good once you've picked them...

or that they just look perfect sitting in a bowl as decor like in this kitchen of Jenny Peters featured in Southern Accents July/Aug 04...

maybe lemons actually inspire a room because they are so fresh and vibrant, like this breakfast room designed by John Oetgen, featured in Southern Accents Nov./Dec. 01...

or that they are the perfect still life, like in this painting by Sarah Trefny from painting a day away blog...

(Paul Mcrae flickr site)

I guess it's just that they make me smile...which this certainly did! I want a lemon mobile...I think I've found a new career goal, forget the hot dog stand :)

*I couldn't find a website for John Oetgen, if someone knows of one, let me know...thanks!!*

Case of the blues....again

It would seem that we are all obsessed with one thing or another to do with design. AND, that we often influence each other's obsessions by posting our own inspirations. Well, as you know I'm a sucker for white combined with anything...recently it's been yellow. But awhile back I began a new obsession, when Anna from Absolutely Beautiful Things posted one Friday, an image (below), that got me thinking about more these days about blue and white, this in time in decor not just art! So here's my inspiration, enjoy!!

(From Anna's blog Absolutely Beautiful Things, original source Sarah Kaye)

(Thibaut Wallcovering: India Pattern, from the Tone on Tone Resource Vol II Collection)

(Victoria Hagan Home collection)

(Designer William Yeoward featured in House and Garden Oct. 06)

(Designer Tom Scheerer featured in Elle Decor Jan/Feb 07)

(Butterfly platter from John Derian Company)

(From top: Amita by Manuel Canovas, Tajmahal by Braquenie from Pierre Frey, Ananas by Raoul Textiles, Small Elephant by Les Indiennes, Floral Batik by Kathryn M. Ireland, Ajmir by Manuel Canovas. Featured in Elle Decor April 2007)

(Designer Timothy Whealon featured in Domino Oct. 06)

(China collection of Peggy Sewell featured in Southern Accents Jan/Feb 06)

[Designer Meg Braff (using Chinese Lattice wallcovering from Bob Collins), featured in House Beautiful June 2007]

Welcome to the Parker

Premiering Thursday, July 26th at 11 pm et/pt...a new reality tv series on Bravo, will take a look inside the luxurious world of the Parker Hotel in Palms Springs and what it takes for the top-notch hotel staff to keep it together and meet the demands of it's A-list clientele.

"There's never a dull moment at this retreat for the rich and famous -- whether Parker designer Jonathan Adler demands a full-time "pillow fluffer" to maintain the hotel's lush decor, or an over-the-top food critic puts everyone in a tizzy, or a group of Hollywood insiders trash the hotel's most expensive suite with a tricycle and too much beer. "(Text and Information provided by www.nbcumv.com and www.bravotv.com)

How to end the work week...

It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend!!! I think we've all worked hard this week and we deserve to do a little shopping...am I right?!?!

(image from flickr: gandhiji40)

But, as much as I would like to take off and do so...I know I will end up at my desk, working. So for those of you who can't venture out for good finds. I've done a little internet shopping for us on Ebay, and was quite happy with what I've come up with...

Just love this pair of yellow lamps from the 60's, current bid: $20, bidding ends: Sunday evening.

I've been looking for a laquered screen, and love this one! Leah at morewaystowastetime posted this one yesterday, so it must be a good find! Current bid: $106, bidding ends: Sunday late afternoon.

This is very KWID...but it's just the one white glazed lamp, current bid $90, bidding ends Sat. mid morning.

Now that's what I've been looking for...white faux bamboo chairs, current bid: $51, bidding ends Sunday evening.

This boudoir chair would be perfect with a fabric facelift (or not if that's your scheme), current bid: $77, bidding ends: Sunday morning.

Big fan of David Hicks and I love this 1971 1st edition book, current bid: $50, bidding ends: Sunday mid-morning.

And for those peacock fans, here's some lovely wall decor, current bid: $15, bidding ends Tuesday evening.

Timorous Beasties, say what?

Huh, you're probably thinking? Well don't be confused, this is just the name of my new design crush...a fantastic wallcovering and textile company out of Scotland. The name is derived from a Robert Burn poem titled "To a Mouse", but Timorous Beasties is much more than a colorful name; a company you are sure to love.

(London Toile)

Founded by two old classmates of Glasgow School of Art in 1990, Alistair McAuley and Paul Simmons developed their company by experimenting with both hand printing and machine production wallcoverings and textiles ...creating a ever evolving palette, that ranges from florals and toiles to contemporary graphics...

"Timorous Beasties has defined an iconoclastic style of design once described as “William Morris on acid.” Now with a shop in Glasgow and more on the way, they are soon on to become a household name worldwide.

Here is just a taste of what they have to offer in wallcovering...

(Pheasant)

(McGegan Rose)

(Branch out)

(Thistle)

(Birdcage)

Not only are their wallcoverings fantastic, but you should see their fabrics, like the London Toile below, I just love the simple lines of this chair combined with this busy print. If you are thinking of purchasing fabric to make into pillows, they already beat you to the punch, so check out their website if you're interested. But that's not all...

Recently they started offering their patterns as light fixtures ranging from pendants, seen below, to lamps shades of all different sizes, and...


Now their latest endeavour is carpet and area rugs, like this Thistle rug below...more styles to be added to the site shortly.

Hope you all enjoy these Timorous Beasties...so check out their website!

(Images and information from Timorous Beasties website. For another good read on this company check out decor8's blog archives from September 26, 2006)

Come scroll with me...

Hi my name is Kate and I'm addicted to any furniture with a scroll! Doesn't matter the shape, size, color, I just love them. It's been a problem for a while now, but I've just started to seek help. Like most addictions, it starts off slowly...and then eventually, you wind up losing sleep wondering when your next fix might be (just one more magazine...I'm sure to find one!) Well, here is what I've found so far...no peer pressure or anything, hope you enjoy!


This is the first image that comes to mind when I think of scroll tables...this gorgeous 18th Century Chinese music table is the stand out piece in this room for me. Here, owner Lou Marotta (antique dealer and designer) combined antiques from different centuries to create a eloquent blend of style. (Elle Decor/June 2005)

A little less scroll than the one above, but still as fun so I had to put it in here! Can you believe it's made out of Formica, and that it was hiding in a junk shop until designer Darren Ransdell saved it from a life of misery and used it in his fabulous media room. (InStyle Home/Spring 2007)


I love the idea of this upholstered scroll piece at the end of the bed. Here, designer Jay Jeffers found this bench at a flea market and upholstered it in Emerald Cut cotton by Decorators Walk. I want to go to the flea markets he's shopping at!! (InStyle Home/Winter 2006)

So, if you love scroll tables as much as I do now, check out some of my favorite finds:

Know this has got some scroll to it, such a lovely piece available through Aspara Interior (find them on 1st dibs).

A gracefully shaped lacquered goatskin table. The shape is derived from the form of some 18th century Chinese altar tables available through Drake (find them on 1st dibs).

Love orange? This 1950's bamboo coffee table is available where else: Orange (find them on 1st dibs).

So fun and it comes in yellow too!!! Love this Spencer scroll side table available through Shine Home.


This 1970's seafoam green lacquered piece is available through Downtown (find them on 1st dibs).