Red & White

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I would track down some photos of red-and-white themed eye candy. For some reason, I've never included much red into my decor. But these photos prove that the red and white combo works as well for sleek and modern interiors as for spaces that fit the pleasantly cluttered English cottage style. Having just endured a six-week snowathon on the east coast, I can imagine being cheered to come home to this color palette. The red dining chairs are so inviting that they could almost cure me of eating on the fly and draw me back to having meals at an actual table.

Images: At Home with Country: Bringing the Comforts of Country Home by Christina Strutt, photography by Edina van der Wyck, published by Cico Books, 2010. Lonny magazine, Aug/ Sept 2010 issue. Casual Living: No-Fuss Style for a Comfortable Home by Judith Wilson, photography by Polly Wreford, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2010. Simple Style by Julia Bird, photography by Hotze Eisma, published by Friedman/Fairfax, 2003. House & Home magazine, August 2010 issue.

Project: Chalkboard Paint

I'm a little bit in love with chalkboard paint. It's an easy solution when a piece of furniture has an appealing design but a not-so-nice finish. I've used it most on desks and workbenches (above and below) because it heightens their functionality. Who needs post-its when you can scribble notes to yourself in chalk and erase them when they no longer apply (a greener solution than scraps of paper). 

Chalkboard paint can turn a wall into a message board or a place to publish favored quotes and sayings. I'm tempted to paint the wall next to my shop door so that customers can treat it as an informal guest book. Now that chalkboard paint comes in virtually every color, there's no reason not to indulge in what used to be childish misbehavior -- drawing on the walls.

Images: RevivalSmith, Casual Living: No-Fuss Style for a Comfortable Home by Judith Wilson, photography by Polly Wreford, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2010. Living etc magazine, February 2010 issue.

Closets

Had I known that the last time I would have a walk-in closet was when I was a teenager, I probably would have made an effort to enjoy it more. Though it wasn't anything special, it did contain all of my clothing in one place -- which was a convenience I have since come to miss dearly. Since then, I've lived in dorm rooms, college apartments and old houses -- all of which have had either tiny closets or large closets with impossible access. The idea of assigning an entire room to function as a dressing room seems downright luxurious. With a space large enough to add a dresser and an armchair, I'm sure I would find reasons to hide out in my bunker of sorts. I suppose I should be grateful that I don't live in a shoebox in NYC, where I've heard ovens are often treated as an extension of the closet. Having to choose between baking and being well dressed is a mean predicament.

Images: Lonny magazine, Oct?Nov 2010 issue and Jan/Feb 2011 issue. Country Living magazine, November 2010 issue and October 2010 issue. House Beautiful magazine, May 2010 issue. Fresh Home magazine, Summer 2010 issue.

Lockers

I recently purchased a set of five lockers and nearly cursed my decision when I had to unbolt about thirty hard-to-reach bolts to separate them into two parts so that I could get them home. But despite the effort required to transport them home, I've always loved these reliable institution dwellers. The upright variety are great in mudrooms for hanging coats and hiding boots, while the square cubby style looks great on a feature wall and provides extra storage for small treasures. Leaving one or two doors open beckons visitors to lean in for a closer view of its contents. Teen movies would have us believe these rows of tin soldiers were invented for bullies to lock away their marks. But anyone with imagination knows that they are only parked in schools and recreational centers until their true owners discover them cast aside at auctions and in antique shops.

Images: Simply Scandinavian by Sara Norrman, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2010. Old & New: combining past and present in contemporary homes by Katherine Sorrell, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2002. Apartment: stylish solutions for apartment living by Alan Powers, photography by Chris Everard, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2001. InsideOut magazine, May-June 2009 issue.

Boxing Shelves

A new year often brings plans to get organized and I have the same good intentions as everyone else. My father loves to tell me that, as a girl, my room would gradually turn into a tornado disaster scene until I couldn't stand it anymore. I would then completely clean and re-organize, keeping my space perfect for a month or so until everything would deteriorate again. Unfortunately, a bit of that girl remains. These single drawers and clusters of boxes stacked on the floor or hung on walls don't do much to eliminate clutter, but they create gathering spots for pieces that shouldn't be tucked away. That leaves a little room in drawers and cupboards to hide the things no one wants to see.

Images: Living etc magazine, January 2011 issue. Easy Elegance: creating a relaxed, comfortable and stylish home by Atlanta Bartlett, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2009. Living etc magazine, July 2010 issue. Honey's Treasures. Captain Cat.

Shop: John Derian Company

In Target not too long ago, I bought a stack of tan notebooks whose cover art imitated old Italian school workbooks. They were part of the John Derian line for Target and they inspired me to check out what else is available at the original shop in New York city. Though I haven't yet been, I will be stopping in the next time I'm nearby to check out the quirky mushroom consoles, decoupage lamps, paper ephemera, pottery from Astier de Villatte, Hugo Guinness' linoleum cut prints in vintage frames, vintage tees from Rogues Gallery and Moroccan poufs (any excuse to use the word "pouf").

Images: John Derian Company, Inc.

Work Spaces

Whenever a new book comes out featuring artists' or writers' work spaces, I dissect the pictures for ideas and insight into the people who spend their days in those rooms. I'm fascinated by the places where creative people do their work. A good work space requires a blend of functionality and inspiration. In my own office, I first need a large desk with lots of leg room underneath. As cute as some vintage desks are, I wouldn't last long at a desk that hemmed me in. Once I have room to spread my mess around, I need items of inspiration nearby--an industrial lamp, a bulletin board to pin photos of my latest obsessions, and a cool container with lots of pens. A globe is also a must for the moments when my mind wanders to places outside of my cocoon.

Images: Recycled Home by Mark and Sally Bailey, published by Ryland, Peters & Small 2009. Maisons de Campagne magazine, July/August 2010 issue. House Beautiful magazine, July/August 2010 issue. Living etc magazine, September 2010 issue.