Croft House

One of my Philadelphia design clients recently introduced me to a store called Croft House.  Based in Los Angeles, Croft House is a retailer that carries fantastic modern furnishings with a rustic edge.  They design and produce their own furniture using sustainable materials, they'll ship their products across the country, and they'll even customize certain pieces depending on your needs.  I love their modern style and fabulous prices. 

Here are some of the Croft House pieces that caught my eye...

Mossam bookcase

Railcar media cabinet

Ruthie leather chair

Greenly Live Edge Reclaimed Wood Table

Beehive pendant lamp

And the rugs!  I love the rugs...

Katherine rug

Leslie rug

Wesley rug

Aurora rug

Visit the Croft House website HERE.

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Cover Girl

The newest issue of Matchbook Magazine is on virtual newsstands now, and the cover is just stunning.  I love the simplicity of this cover design.  It's so inspirational (in my humble opinion). The color, the dress, the simple and minimal text.  Gucci glasses, bouffant hair, and an overwhelming nod to 1960s style.  The subject of this marvelous portrait is Joy Venturini Bianchi.  She runs a vintage couture shop that benefits disabled adults in the San Francisco area.  And at age 72, Bianchi believes that "clothes are about good manners."  Isn't that a refreshing thought?

The article is really wonderful, as is the entire issue.

To read it in it's entirity, click HERE.

 

Doesn't it seem that the newest trend in women's fashion is actually a throw back to 1960s style?  Let the heavens rejoice.  We're moving away from women dressing like men, and going back to women dressing like women.  I love it.  Structured, sexy dresses with conservative cuts and modern silhouettes.  Trenchcoats, ballet flats, cigarette pants, and even lady-like blouses.  Reminiscent of fashion icons Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Jacqueline Kennedy.

Audrey Hepburn

 

Audrey Hepburn

 

Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Grace Kelly

 

Grace Kelly

 

McCall's dress pattern from the 1960s

 

J.Crew Fall 2011 catalog cover: 

shot from the Fall 2011 J.Crew catalog

(complete with 1960s props)

 

I love a good tailored dress and I'm thrilled to see some of my favorite shops are carrying these retro styles.

J. Crew:

from left to right:

the "Teddie" dress in red, a "No. 2 Pencil Skirt" paired with the "Double Cloth Lady Day Coat" in musturd, and the "Memo" dress in black.

I'm a huge fan of EmersonMade. This online boutique always produces the most fabulously feminine pieces...

Goldie pockets skirt with a black Emerson turtleneck

London coat

Emerson little black dress

Emerson black suit skirt with Cheetah print blouse

And, even Talbots is getting in on the action.  Have you guys noticed the change in Talbots??  The clothes over there are quite good this year.  Gone are the days of boxy jackets, and khaki pants...

from left to right:

the "Puff Sleeve Dress" in red berry, the "Brush Back Wool Sheath" in blue, and the "Luxe Flannel Pleated Dress" in black

(all under $200.00 I might add)

Also, I bought myself those driving gloves that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.  I bought the color called "luggage" (what an odd name for a cognac leather?).  They're wonderful and I definitely feel like Grace Kelly when I wear them.  ;)

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Grateful

Today, I'm back in Philadelphia after spending a wonderful weekend in Indianapolis.  My parents moved there while I was in college and even though I've never lived there personally, it always feels like home when I'm back in that city.  Have you ever been there?  The people are so friendly.  They smile and say hello to you at the super market... and when you're driving on the highway?  They actually wave you into their lane if you put on your blinker.  How remarkable.  Do you live in a friendly city?  If you do, please share!

And, today I am grateful.  Grateful for my health, my husband, my dear friends, my loving family.  I'm grateful that I found my passion early in life, I acted on it, and now I'm working in an industry that I adore.  I'm thankful to be building a business that is completely mine.  I'm thankful for my amazing clients who allow me to provide input on their gorgeous homes.  I love working with nice people.  I'm thankful for you, my insightful readers.  Reading your comments and getting your emails makes this blogging thing a whole lot of fun.  :)  So, thank you.  I'm grateful for you.

Sometimes, I get caught up in the daily stresses, deadlines, and never ending to-do lists.  I worry about our home renovation, when it will end, how much it will cost, when we'll be able to get started on this or that project.  I forget where I put things, sometimes I'm late, and I worry that I'm doing it all wrong.  But, I'm not.  Everything is fine and sometimes, I just need to stop and breathe.  Everyone has their own journey.  We all get to where we're going at some point.  I just need to stay on track.  Stay focused and take one day at a time.

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Saturday In Indianapolis

(me, enjoying the views at Eagle Creek Reservoir)

(the leaves are starting to turn)

(miles and miles of hiking trails)

(my mom and her dog, Winnie.

Winnie loves to run and run and run)

(Rick's Boat Yard)

(2 Blue Moons)

Had a fabulous day, visiting my mom in Indianapolis today.  I flew into town last night.  My goodness, the weather is gorgeous here!  We spent the day hiking through Eagle Creek Park, followed by lunch and beers at Rick's Boat Yard.  Yum.

Today I wore long sleeves and an insulated vest for the first time since April.

I love this time of year.

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Office Inspiration

Loving the nailhead detail on this office tack board.

Thinking that this would be an easy DIY project (I'll need just a couple yards of linen, a large homasote board, nailhead trim...  and a lot of patience).  Filing this away for a rainy day.

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I Never Cared Before, But Now You've Got My Interest...

I'm talking about...  Missoni for Target.

We all know the ending to this story.  Missoni madness!  Sold out in one day!  And, I like Missoni.  But I didn't go crazy for the Missoni for Target line (unfortunately, I don't look very good in zig zag dresses).

But, wait.  It's more than zig zag dresses.

And, now I'm interested.  One week too late.

How did I miss this?  Just look at this fun suitcase:

(spotted at a Target store, far far away...  Indianapolis, to be exact)

It's not available on the Target website.  But, you can get one on Ebay!  Prices start around $250.00. 

Also, isn't this little tote the perfect companion?

also available on eBay

So, what's your Missoni story?  Did you grab something good before everything was gone?  Or, could you care less?   Did you buy this suitcase?  Do you like it?

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Shades of Black!

An easy way to boost the drama in your home?  Switch out your regular white lampshades for black ones.  It's that easy.

Lonny Magazine

San Francisco showhouse

via Eddie Ross

home of Mark Badgley and James Mischka

via Country Living

via Celerie Kemble

via Lonny Magazine

I usually gravitate toward linen-covered shades.  They tend to feel a bit softer and I like seeing the warp and weft of the linen when the lamp is illuminated.  But if you want the dramatic feel that an opaque shade provides?  Paper shades are the way to go.  The opaque paper creates a black-out effect, and they're often times lined with a brighter material (gold, silver, etc).

Here are some great options:

black paper shade with white lining

(via Shades of Light)

black paper square cut shade

(via Shades of Light)

rectangular black shade

(via Lamps Plus)

And, if you're interested in a little DIY action?  Try covering your existing lampshades in black fabric.  Here's an excellent tutorial on how to cover old shades in new fabric (and add trim!).

Happy Monday!

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New Project Sneak Peek

Sorry for the recent radio silence on the blog my sweet blogging friends!  I was out of town all week, working on a very exciting project (I can't wait to share the details with you next month).  It was productive and exhausting, thrilling and a little overwhelming too.  My week involved some interior photoshoots, and a lot of "cross that off the list", "what's next?" and "let's get that done!".  You know those kind of work days?  It feels good to cross things off the list, doesn't it?  :)

Here's a quick sneak peek of this project.  I snapped this shot with my camera, so please forgive the poor lighting (and tilted lampshades!)...

I hope you all had a lovely week, and that you're looking forward to a fun-filled weekend!  (Today is the first official day of Fall, isn't it?)  I promise to be back next week with lots of interesting blog posts.  Until then, Happy Weekend!

xoxo,

Kelly

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Driving Gloves

I'm loving these leather driving gloves.  Aren't they fabulous?  They come in the most marvelous colors too... burgandy, charcoal, pale grey, camel, and black.  You can get them at Talbots and they're only $79.00.

I'll wear them and channel my inner Grace Kelly.

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New Vintage In The Shop...

Many many new items were added to the shop yesterday, and if you're on our newsletter, you are already aware of them!  Included in the new merchandise are some very sophisticated items (that I'm quite proud of).

pair of large blanc de chine table lamps

mint condition, perfect as bedside lamps!

(the lantern base illuminates as well!)

pair of solid brass Italian wall sconces

sterling silver Danish candlesticks

large brass alligator!

black bent wood, wall-mounted coat rack

(perfect for coats and hats this fall)

Federalist style, solid brass wall mirror

(patent date 1862)

We also have two (yes, TWO) Fostoria crystal cake pedestals.  This pattern is so rare, and highly sought after.  They're quite stunning in person...

round Fostoria pedestal

square Fostoria pedestal

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Happy Thursday!

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