On Set : In the Mood for Love

Deep colors, high impact patterns, and texture cement Wong Kar Wai's In the Mood for Love's great style, and it could be easily imitated in your own decor.


I think the most important thing to focus on when trying to recreate this style would be the rag-tag, bohemian feel. Anything goes, and it all works. This would be a great look to try on a budget.


Lighting, texture, and color should be the focus here. The mix of shiny elements, such as the lacquer tables and the mirrors, and the rough texture of the bedding and the paper lanterns add visual interest to the room. I wouldn't be afraid to mix and match big bold floral patterns in trying to recreate this style.

DIY Chandelier?

This photo comes courtesy of the Home Tour section on the home blog powerhouse Apartment Therapy. Sam's Carriage House Meets Gypsy Caravan tour features this great DIY Chandelier idea. Basically, Sam, the homeowner, strung strands of chandelier crystals onto a Home Depot hanging light fixture. Hmmm... I think I might be feeling a little crafty.

[apartmenttherapy.com]

Sale Item(s) of the Day

This classic lamp has a great look, and usually this look comes with a high price tag. Although 200 bucks is still high, if you want this look, you're going to have to pay the price... but look on the bright side- it will immediately class up your ikea furniture! :) The lamp is adjustable also.


Swoop Lamp + shade, $199.00 down from $269.00 [pbteen.com]

Globes!

I love the idea of collecting globes and clustering them on a desk or bookshelf. Any one of these globes would be great for starting a collection!



And my personal favorite: A Globe Mobile!

Replogle Livingston 12 inch, $74.99, [worldglobes.com]
Replogle Orion 12 inch, $84.99, [worldglobes.com]
Leather Expedition 12'' desk globe, $164.99, [worldglobes.com]
Globe Mobile, $99.90, [1worldglobes.com]

Sale Item(s) of the Day

I'm all about wood accents lately, and this great stool would lend a lot of texture and form to a room. It would be great beside a low lying platform bed as a bedside stand.




Root of the Earth Stool, Viva Terra, $149 down from $169, [vivaterra.com]

Kyra Sedgwick's shoes!

This is a little off topic, but Kyra Sedgwick has lately been seen in a not-altogether-embarrassing Tropicana commercial. But who cares about the juice when she's wearing the most amazing shoes? Made by Martin Margiela, these wedge peep-toe sandal-y things are hot hot hot!

Now I just have to come up with 900 bucks...

Ovine Wedge Sandals, Maison Martin Margiela, $895.00, Available at [Saksfifthavenue.com].

Urban Camping

Natural Tree Stump Table, West Elm, $199.
Overnight Table lamp CB2, $49.99.
2x3 Multi Kilim rug, Urban Outfitters, $18.
Marais A56 armchair, DWR, $275.00.

Why??

Okay I was lingering around the Urban Outfitters site when I came across this. Looks like my deer-hunting uncle's basement. Hott!

Whitetail Wall Mural, $99.99 (!), urbanoutfitters.com

Sale Item(s) of the Day

5x7 Diamond Kilim printed cotton rug from Urban Outfitters.
$29.99 down from $68.00! Lots of style for a low low price. [urbanoutfitters.com]

Barcelona.

Can't wait!

Ikea Must-Haves

I am obsessed with the Ikea Hemnes Linen Cabinet. Solid wood, glass doors, little drawers and a sunny color? Sold. The Hemnes product line is pretty well made and has a slightly country/amish feel to it. I would pair this with an antique-y mirror or maybe a lamp with a glass base.



Hemnes Linen Cabinet, $299, Ikea.com. Phantom table lamp, CB2, $99.95

Blog issues!

Having blog issues, will return with new posts when I can, hopefully later today! :)

Sale Item(s) of the Day

This Bonapart Console Table would be cute with a home bar on top, or maybe a chunky lamp for some contrast. I wonder if stacked wine bottles would fit in the X? $39.98 at Pier 1, down from $99.99.

[http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/SpecialValues/tabid/525/CategoryID/165/List/0/catpageindex/1/Level/a/ProductID/3256/Default.aspx]

Decorating with Bottles...

from thisyounghouse.com

from Flor.com


from potterybarn.com
That last post got me ruminating on glass bottle collections :)

Recycled Glass.

These light green bottles and glasses are so mellow and have a rough-hewn quality.
From Viva Terra, Clear Recycled Glass Wine Decanter set. $98.

March Craig's Makeover Part 1

I found this charming little alcove studio, located in Washington Heights. It has a rounded entryway, which gives it a bit of architectural detail, as well as a cottage-y feel. If I lived alone, this place would probably be a great option. The kitchen is through the doorway, but the post didn't include a picture of the kitchen or the bathroom. So here's what I'm thinking:

I would designate the alcove as an office area. I would separate the living room into two partitions using ceiling-mounted sheers from Ikea, so as not to block light. I wouldn't completely divide the living space, just mounting the sheers probably halfway across the room, leaving a 'doorway'. The partition with the windows (I'm guessing by the amount of light, there's a double window in the living area) would become the 'bedroom'. The other section of the room would become the 'living room'. Stay tuned for Part 2, Color.

Ikea Must-Haves

This section is to highlight Ikea items that I think are pretty cool. Nobody wants a house full of Ikea, but when used correctly, Ikea is a pretty great resource.

The Ikea Lunna is a chair I think is often ignored in favor of flashier, slightly cheaper fare ( the hideous Poang chair comes to mind). Its lovely knobby neutral fabric and deep comfortable seat make it a must-have in my book! And it has a matching ottoman, which makes it great for lounging. I would pair this chair with a bright orange or coral pink pillow and chillax the day away.

Chair, Ikea Lunna $149.00 at Ikea.com. Pillow, Paprika Silk throw pillow, 17.99 at Target.com

Plant Life.

So my new summer wishlist includes a Meyer Lemon tree. I've heard some nurseries around the city carry them in the summertime. I have to do some research. Apparently they're sweeter than normal lemons and can be grown in a pot, which makes my green thumb tingle. This sounds delectable and perfect for my kitchen!


Check out this link to Apartment Therapy for more:
[http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/gardening/grow-a-dwarf-meyer-lemon-tree-in-a-container-046425]

And this company ships them:
[http://cj.shop.com/Meyer_Lemon_Tree-50859022-65679096-p!.shtml?sourceid=23]

The Lease is Up!

In my mind, I have the picture of the perfect NYC apartment. It's like a prerequisite for living in NYC, dreaming of a perfect apartment... Mine would have french doors, transom windows, park views (Fort Tryon Park, that is, for all you upper Manhattanites), a balcony or outdoor space, and a dining room/alcove for my home office. SIGH. I would never leave.
My current apartment, a little white box that has none of these things, has been my home for two years. Although it's going to be a hassle and a half, I'm ready to jump back into the apartment hunting game. Rising crime in my little part of Washington Heights is playing a role, but also the recession is forcing rent prices down in NYC. Woot Woot! So I might actually be able to afford a nice place in the nice part of the neighborhood! Keep your fingers crossed for me...
Anywhoo, until I am able to find that magical space that is to be my next apartment, I'll be starting a special blog section called Craig's Makeovers. When I find a place on Craigslist that has pretty good pics, I usually fantasize about how I would design that place, with paint colors and other flourishes. Doesn't everyone? This ought to be interesting...

Sale Item(s) of the Day

From West Elm, these Lutz & Patmos throws are soft and stylish. Perfect for tossing over a couch or the end of the bed.
$39.99 (!) for the Zig Zag throw, originally $89.00.








[http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODb377&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1SLEBED&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1SLEBED]