Archive   |   August, 2011

blogwatch: where we’ve been clicking this week

Posted by in handy links, surfing

lillet_buttermilk_shakes copy

Someone bring us some of these right now, please: buttermilk milkshakes spiked with the French apertif Lillet, at 101 Cookbooks.

At Fresh Home Blog, find all the stylish school supplies you’ll need with this back to school Etsy roundup.

Take that old metal tray and transform it into a magnetic message tray! Brilliant — at CasaSugar .

Tour the posh digs of some powerful politicians at ShelterPop.

DIY knitted planter pockets! What a fun way to add some green to a wall — at Offbeat Home.

Over at Dirt and Martinis, you’ll find lots of salvaged inspiration for your own gardening exploits, like using recycled bottles to create planting beds.

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dreaming of: end-of-summer barbecues

Posted by in decorating, entertaining, holidays, shopping

fire
Am I the only person who seems to have missed barbecue season entirely? I’m inclined to blame Portland’s extremely brief summer this year — we really only started seeing sun regularly a few weeks ago. Still, with Labor Day fast approaching, I feel like my charcoal grill is a ticking time bomb — if I don’t get out there now, I’ll have to wait an entire year for a batch of my husband’s legendary barbecue ribs.

To solve the problem, I’m thinking an “end-of-summer” barbecue party is in order – after all, if you invite other people, it’s that much harder to flake. Of course, inviting people means decorating…and I have my eye on a few last-minute additions to my yard that would make this one sweet reward. I spent some time daydreaming over at Horne yesterday, and came up with all the pieces I’d need to make this party extraordinary.

Who doesn’t want a fire pit in their yard? Especially now that I no longer have grass to compete with, I’m sorely tempted to install this pretty version, complete with a removable grill top, at Horne. It’s the perfect opportunity for S’mores, don’t you think?

rugserape

I love the plush, rich feel an outdoor rug gives to any alfresco event. At $49, this Turkish-inspired version is cheap enough to spend time in my dog-friendly yard, but luxe enough to feel special.

I’ll need a tablecloth, of course, but rather than going for a traditional option, I love the idea of using a few vintage blankets, or even a Mexican serape (which you can snag for as little as $20, in all different sizes). It dresses up the table, adds color and style, and is just as easy to wash after the big event as your favorite tablecloth.

pigeantoebbq

I’m not much for yard tchotchkies as a rule, but a modern set of wind chimes does a beautiful job of setting the scene when the weather’s right. This version from Pigeon Toe Ceramics has been on my wishlist for a year now.

And, speaking of the gorgeousness at Pigeon Toe, these ceramic replicas of classic Kerr mason jars would be amazing lined up on the table after dark, don’t you agree?

Do you have any end-of-summer barbecues planned? We’d love to know what’s on the menu! — Becki S.

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wallpaper that tells a story: grow house grow

Posted by in decorating, shopping

growhouse1

I think my thing for wallpaper started early, my tiny fingers tracing the lines of my 1970′s, garishly-hued, ABC plastered wall while still in the crib. Our bathroom had the grooviest mirrored wallpaper printed with bamboo and pussywillows, too. Now as we try to decorate our own home, I can’t help but be drawn to wallpaper — especially with designs as gorgeous and unique as the ones produced by Brooklyn’s Grow House Grow. Their slogan is “a story for every storey” — and these hand-printed works of art each have their own tale to tell, with whimsy and beauty in spades.

Seen above, two selections from the most recent Naturalist Collection:Ms. Treat, with its pattern of carnivorous plants is in tribute to the 19th century American naturalist of the same name name, and Ms. Ward takes its muse from its namesake’s entomological drawings.
growhousecollage

The ornate damask of Aleister Crowley evokes an opium-laced 1930′s seance, while Captain Smith, inspired by the first-and-only captain of the HMS Titanic, has me seasick with desire. For a cheerier print (perhaps in a kid’s room), Cottontail is a fun choice — the design originating from artist Katie Deedy’s childhood belief that rabbits were born in cotton fields.

Each print is available in 3 colorways (with custom colors available) and can be purchased by the roll, sheet, or even a small sample. I like so many, I may just get sheets and frame them. And stay tuned for the next collection, entitled “Timeline”, due to be released soon! — Megan B.

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antique silverware: collected or curated?

Posted by in collecting, shopping

anthro
ebay silver

I’m a fan of collecting and using old silverware in unmatched patterns. The idea of it, anyway. Buying a curated place setting from Anthropologie, however, seems to defeat the purpose. For $36, you get a sight-unseen assortment of two forks, two spoons and a knife. Go to eBay, and you can find mixed lots of silverware for starting bids of $9.99 for 57 pieces. As an added bonus, what you see in the picture is what you get. Anyone have tips on finding antique flatware and creating a cohesive collection? — Sarah L.

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a study in progress: our living room

Posted by in decorating

lrbefore

During some internet browsing recently, I stumbled across some images from the listing before we bought our house. Being that we were crazy-excited to rip out that brown carpet and get to fixin’, we didn’t snap too many before photos — so I’m glad I found these images. I understand now why we almost didn’t even look at the house: that ugly carpet, the popcorn ceilings, the nondescript white walls and vertical blinds were masking the house’s mid-century bones. Once inside, though, the open floor plan, big windows and high ceilings made us see otherwise. And after peeking under the carpet and spotting original hardwood, we were stoked.

lrduring

But once we ripped up the carpet, this is what we found. Wah Wah. Plaster and paint, big gaps, and tons of nails everywhere. We wanted hardwood, but maybe, for the sake of time, we’d have to just slap some black high-gloss deck paint on everything. We started by pulling out hundreds of nails and staples by hand on our hands and knees, and got ready to rent a huge floor sander. But I ended up calling a flooring guy on a recommendation from our own Mary T., and he came out and said he could fix the original floors — no problem — for less than we expected, and during a monstrous snowstorm that shut down the city for two weeks. Best money we could’ve spent.
click to see the after shots!

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