I would like to thank Another Shade of Grey for listing my "Striped Rugs" article, as "Must Read". I am very excited.
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Christmas time is here and winter is approaching, so I decided to post about an outdoor umbrella? I know my timing is off, but look at this thing. Who cares what time of year it is! Well, in some parts of the world it actually is summer time right?
This is the Frou Frou umbrella, made by Sywawa. It is made from a raffia type material, that sways gently in the wind as you dine underneath it. I can picture myself in an old Italian movie, drinking espresso, and living La Dolce Vita. All the while I am actually sitting at a computer with a whining toddler, and living La Vida Loca. Oh well, one can dream.
Arriverderci!I have to admit , I am not really big on following too many trends. I think I have always been a bit of an "anti-trend" person....yes, that made me the "weird kid" when I was growing up. Despite that, a trend that has caught my eye, is the use of striped rugs. The graphic nature of these rugs serves as an anchor for many design schemes. Below, is a beautiful handwoven rug from Ebelladesigns. 
A sparse room can benefit greatly from the dramatic lines and movement a striped rug offers. I found the picture below from Domino's site. The colors and lines remind me of a painting, maybe Matisse.
Nate Berkus designed his bedroom (and my new dream room) using very bold colors set in an all white room. Although, the room is relatively sparse, the bold lines add a lot of visual interest, and keep your eye moving around the room. Love, love, love!
To show my love for stripes, I even decided I needed to wear them! These are my new socks from Urban Outfitters.
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Thanksgiving is over and its time to get back to work! Still, today I am feeling very thankful, for the first sunny day we've seen in about a week. Days like today, are why I am willing to endure Gulf Coast summers.
Its Thanksgiving, so it means its time to start holiday shopping. If you are like me, I start thinking about what I would like to buy for myself...I know its so selfish. I found these two cool furniture pieces on Etsy. The first is a rocker called "Mesedora", which means rocker in Spanish. It is made by hand, with a stainless steel frame and cotton rope, woven randomly , for the seat and back. You can find it at the Elemento Etsy store.
Priced at $850.00 it is a bit pricey, but it would be a very interesting conversation piece.
This is a tea ceremony table. It is handmade steel with a ceramic tile top. I love the patina of the steel and the aggressive silhouette. Ironically, it has a very soothing and calming feel. This table can be found at Neil Collins Etsy store.
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I wanted to share a great blog I discovered, Kris's Color Stripes. I found it while reading Another Shade of Grey. The woman behind the site is Kristina Klarin, an Italian fashion designer and artist. She uses her blog to record all her favorite colors and forms.
As we exchanged emails, Kristina explained that she grew weary of the never ending deadlines of the fashion industry, so she left to start her own business. "My dream is to create a line of silk printed home textiles, that will make me and other people relax, enjoy and smile". I love Kris's Color Stripes, because of the way colors from photos are broken down into basic forms. Personally, my color sense is inspired by nature, and the environment around me. I find that when I am working on a design project, I am constantly searching to find the "perfect color". What I am trying to capture is the colors of nature, which; Kristina captures in her paintings.
Below, is a view of Kristina's work space. Drawings from her 2008 calender, and crafts, including a decorative mushroom and cooking utensils; are shown. I recommend this blog, when searching for beautiful color combinations, or as a starting point to make up your own. 
Just a quick update. I have added a link to Home Girls new website.
You can click here, or on the Home Girls name in the prior post.
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This is the last set of Austin photos. I am including a few of the places I always enjoy visiting. I did not enough time to catch all the places I like , so I might have more Austin shopping at another time. The first store is Home Girls. I first discovered this store earlier this year and have become quite smitten with it. It is filled with many refurbished vintage finds.
You can find funky furniture and very fun accessories. Several of their displays were done by Alyson Fox, (I'm sure many of you bloggers are familiar with her work). The clever displays give the store a bit of an art gallery feel.
This is the last set of Austin photos. I am including a few of the places I always enjoy visiting. I did not enough time to catch all the places I like , so I might have more Austin shopping at another time. The first store is Home Girls. I first discovered this store earlier this year and have become quite smitten with it. It is filled with many refurbished vintage finds.
You can find funky furniture and very fun accessories. Several of their displays were done by Alyson Fox, (I'm sure many of you bloggers are familiar with her work). The clever displays give the store a bit of an art gallery feel.
Home Girls is owned by mother and daughter, Sarah and Kathryn Blanchard. I have conversed with both ladies on my visits, and they are both very warm and friendly. Ironically, I found out that they were included in Lucky magazine's list of " The Best Stores in Texas." Had I received my copy of Lucky, I would have known this. You can check out the list here. I guess its good to know that Lucky and I are in agreement.
If gardening is more your taste, their are a couple of nurseries that you must see. Gardens is the first. It is included in Lucky's list also,(P.S. the list also included Raye, here in Houston: that I mentioned in my Brasil post). Stepping into the Nursery is a real treat for the senses. All the colors, fragrances, and textures are very inspiring. I also love their charming store. It houses unique home accessories, bath and body products, and gardening supplies. Overall the plants and accessories they sell, go hand in hand with modern homes.
The final location is another nursery called Big Red Sun. It is located in east Austin, which has become a very funky and creative part of town. What I love about this nursery is that they don't just sell plants but they make plants into art. Their landscaping and floral arrangements will blow you away. Check out both of these nurseries websites by clicking on their names.
I finally got my pictures up! I'm so excited. Here are a couple more examples of modern houses in Austin. All three of these houses are in east Austin. Now, I have read several articles about affordable and modern housing in Austin (Dwell magazine for example), these don't exactly fall under the "$100,000 house" category, but they are stunning.
The house above is actually next door the house in my prior post. I am not certain if it also for sale, but here is a link to Urban Space Realtors. It is a very good looking two story contemporary.
The house above is actually next door the house in my prior post. I am not certain if it also for sale, but here is a link to Urban Space Realtors. It is a very good looking two story contemporary.
This structure is very interesting. I call it a "structure" because I am not even certain it is a house. Looking at it from the street, it looked more like a greenhouse. What really caught my eye were the amazing color combinations. Overall, the structure was concrete, but it was highlighted with a bright marigold type color. I really love the combination of these two unlikely colors. The bottom left picture shows a very unusual structure. It may be a greenhouse or maybe a carport. Regardless, the sides were colorful, what appeared like ropes or wires. I realize my descriptions are somewhat lacking, but I was really inspired by the color and texture combinations. If anyone knows more about this building, send me some info.1011 east 15th.
This past weekend , my family and I traveled to Austin. We travel there quite regularly, since it is only a 2 1/2 hour drive (in Texas we measure distance in time..as in , just how long will you be in the car). So, I decided to post some of my favorite haunts. I know when most people think of Austin they think of the music scene, UT sports, or outdoor activities, but I think ,design and architecture. Like all junkies, I go around town hunting down a fix. Its a sickness really. Anyway, I have pictures of great shops and modern houses, but I am having technical difficulties with Blogger right now. So far , I have only been able to upload one set of photos, as soon as I find a solution to my problem , I will upload more.
I found this fantastic spec house quite by accident. I was trying to pick up my husband who was a tailgate and got completely lost. I mean I found entire lakes that I didn't know existed, because I was so off course! But I now realize that it was meant to be, because as I wondered around; I stumbled upon this house. It still under construction, but the exterior alone, made me have to photograph it. It features large expanses of glass and a wonderful combination of materials.
This past weekend , my family and I traveled to Austin. We travel there quite regularly, since it is only a 2 1/2 hour drive (in Texas we measure distance in time..as in , just how long will you be in the car). So, I decided to post some of my favorite haunts. I know when most people think of Austin they think of the music scene, UT sports, or outdoor activities, but I think ,design and architecture. Like all junkies, I go around town hunting down a fix. Its a sickness really. Anyway, I have pictures of great shops and modern houses, but I am having technical difficulties with Blogger right now. So far , I have only been able to upload one set of photos, as soon as I find a solution to my problem , I will upload more.
I found this fantastic spec house quite by accident. I was trying to pick up my husband who was a tailgate and got completely lost. I mean I found entire lakes that I didn't know existed, because I was so off course! But I now realize that it was meant to be, because as I wondered around; I stumbled upon this house. It still under construction, but the exterior alone, made me have to photograph it. It features large expanses of glass and a wonderful combination of materials.
I was walking around the structure and discovered that one of the side doors was open. So, of course; I let myself in. Above, are pictures of the kitchen. The cabinets are gorgeous. They are wood, with beautiful graining. Also, the entire house has concrete floors, but I don't know if they are finished yet.
Here is a picture of what I believe is the master bedroom. It has access to a small courtyard and a cool wood clad accent wall. The photo to the right is the main entry to the house. It is predominately, all glass with a large skylight. Below are two bathrooms, both with sea glass green mosaic. This house is actually for sale. So if you are house shopping in Austin, here you go! It is being built by KRDB Builders and sold by Urbanspace Realtors.
Shelter Dogs and Street Dogs
I recently found these wonderful photography books, and was immediately mesmerized by them. I have always been a dog lover, so these photos really spoke to me. This is the work of Traer Scott, compiled in to two books. Shelter Dogs (Merrell Publishers 2006) includes portraits of dogs in shelters waiting for homes. Street Dogs ( Merrell Publishers 2007) capture the lives of many homeless dogs and their manner of survival.
"Joshua"
I really love this portrait of "Joshua". He is such a stately animal.
"Joshua"I really love this portrait of "Joshua". He is such a stately animal.
"Terrier"
"Rosie"
"Beach Dog on Roof"I have many relatives in Mexico, so as a child I would often travel there. This photo of the dog on the roof, reminds me of what is a rather familiar sight there.
"Gumdrop"Traer Scott's books donate fifty cents from each book sold to the ASPCA (Shelter Dogs) and WSPA (Street Dogs). These books are available at all major bookstores and on the ASPCA site (click here), and the WSPA site (click here). I recommend going to Traer's site also. (click here). Her portfolio is wonderful.
On my first blog I included this photo of a Nama Rococo wallpaper, but didn't list a credit. I guess I was caught up in the excitement of posting for the first time. Anyway, I know many bloggers have seen these funky wallpapers before , but for those of who haven't, here you go.
I have to say that my personal taste is quite minimal. I mean I love looking at a bare concrete wall! Despite that, I do love this wallpaper. Above is the limited edition Chateau 66 in color Hot. What I like about it is that it is sold by the sheet. So for all the minimalists in the world, you can add a fun pattern, without feeling overwhelmed by it.
I have to say that my personal taste is quite minimal. I mean I love looking at a bare concrete wall! Despite that, I do love this wallpaper. Above is the limited edition Chateau 66 in color Hot. What I like about it is that it is sold by the sheet. So for all the minimalists in the world, you can add a fun pattern, without feeling overwhelmed by it.
I also, like this paper called French Dot in color Ooh La Black. So, for those of us who can't deal with a lot of pattern, wallpaper sheets are a fun solution.Here are some pics from the Downtown Living tour this past week. I know I am a little late in posting them. I'd like to thank Heather at the Houston Downtown Alliance , VJ Arizepe and Sandra Gunn properties for forwarding these photos.
Its refreshing to experience a very different way of living than I have. I love seeing the cityscape and the interesting people walking around downtown. 
Several of these lofts are on the market. I have a link to Sandra Gunn Properties here, who is selling the loft pictured below, and the loft at the top.
My favorite hang out in Houston...Brasil! I decided to feature this great coffee house after reading Denise Kiggan's post on Freshly Found. Denise posted a coffee house she found in her hometown of Durban South Africa. I would love to see bloggers around the world post their favorite hangouts. Imagine, the world united by coffee!
Anyway, Brasil is a funky and eclectic place; where you find every type of person imaginable. I often go with my husband and son, and sit outside. There are two patios filled with lovely trees and greenery. I also, like to go when I am alone to work on a project or read a good book.
There are two great shops surrounding Brasil. Domy Books and Raye, a designer clothing boutique. All three places are owned by partners Dan Fergus and Magda Sayeg, so they have a cohesive feel.
After all that activity, its probably time for lunch...or maybe a nap.
This Saturday is the downtown home tour. It will be held by the Houston Downtown Alliance from 10 a.m-5 p.m. I love having the opportunity to see how other people live.
