make room

Spectrum Gala Floral Centerpiece

2008-06-30T11:12:00.008-04:00

A while back I had the opportunity to design a floral arrangement for the Spectrum Gala. In total the gala raised a ton for the DeVos Children's Hospital, a cause that I dedicate a fair amount of time and financial support to.

The theme of the gala was "fairy tale." My instruction was to create a floral arrangement inspired by a fairy tale to be auctioned off at the event. The tale I chose was "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. It has been a favourite of mine since childhood.

The plot of the book is based on the fantasized (and real) consequences of a little boy’s mischief. Max’s imagination transforms his bedroom into an extraordinary setting with a forest, an ocean and a little that Max sails in until he comes to a land full of “wild things.” The deep, richly saturated colors, incredible texture and depth of the illustrations from this book inspired me to create this arrangement. My objective was to gather as many of the components from the forest near my home. NK and I scoured the woods and marshes for tree bark, moss and interesting plants. The live flowers I got from Horrocks Market, and I supplemented it with vegetables from my local Asian grocer.

The base for the arrangment was an awesome piece of tree bark - I absoutely fell in LOVE with the little plants sprouting out from under the different layers.

The first part I completed was little flower pouf ball with a tiny mushroom peeking out.

I tried to mix as many textures and saturated colours as I could without going overboard.

The final product! In total there were about 20 different centerpieces that were auctioned off. I was pretty pleased with the result - so organic looking!

Little Doodles

2008-04-25T15:05:00.008-04:00

I'm so glad it's Friday. My mind is anywhere but work right now as I have a busy weekend preparing my first (!!) floral arrangement for the Spectrum Gala tomorrow at DeVos Place.

There is a severe thunderstorm warning and it's a bit dreary so I was delighted to stumble across little doodles on Oh Joy! a bit ago.

Kate's illustration style is so cheery and sweet.

I can't even describe how much I am loving this one posted on her blog!!

This would look so great in a fun little breakfast nook.

You can see more of her work at her etsy shoppe or the little doodles blog!

Tiered Serving Tray

2008-04-21T13:33:00.006-04:00

What a wonderful weekend it was! Spring is finally 100% here and I couldn't be happier about it. Yard work, house work, spring cleaning - I did a bit of everything to the sound of birds chirping and lawn mowers mowing.

Today I've been thinking about Mother's Day (and I can't even believe my foresight here... usually it's like 2 days before and umm... woah?!) and stumbled across this lovely tiered serving tray of mis-matched china. I think my mum would absolutely love this!

Image from Martha

Struggle Inc, Chicago

2008-04-18T10:09:00.015-04:00

I stumbled across Struggle Inc, a Chicago-based group of artists, today while trying to do some shopping at Urban Outfitters. I was so totally shiny-ed by the UO blog and ended up not even looking at any merchandise.

What first caught my eye were these fabulous vases - I absolutely love the patterns. It feels so fresh.

After clicking around on their site for a while I also fell in love with their art style. I don't even know how to describe it - the combination of color and texture is awesome.

The breadth of their work blows me away. I love this t-shirt - it reminded me of Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna (image of Hudertwasserhaus via ciotka on flickr)

You can visit Struggle Inc's website here to view more of their fabulous work!

BRMC

2008-04-16T09:37:00.007-04:00

I'm going to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club tonight. I'm so excited!!

Check out their website for tour dates, photos, and sound clips

Patagonia Kamala Multi-Purpose Skirt

2008-04-10T13:13:00.006-04:00

Another dreary, rainy April day and the office is dead quiet as everyone is off enjoying Spring Break. Although I am not on Spring Break on a remote island - this little number did catch my eye while thumbing through the Patagonia catalog the other evening.

It’s the Kamala Skirt that doubles as a bandeau-style dress. This is perfect for a day at the beach that turns into drinks at the lakeside watering hole. Or a trip to the farmers market. Or a lazy Sunday brunch. It's a packable cotton-Tencel blend… and at $55, I think this might just be a summer staple. I can't wait! Visit the Patagonia website for details.

All Images via Patagonia Website

IKEA Train

2008-04-10T10:37:00.005-04:00

In a rather brilliant marketing scheme, IKEA has commandeered a train in Kobe, Japan and dressed it with their vibrant upholstery and curtains. This train makeover is temporary and marks the opening of a new store in the city.

To see more images of the train click here to read full story at gizmodo

images and story via gizmodo

All Things in Miniaturization

2008-04-09T10:37:00.008-04:00

I am basically bonkers for anything miniature and am pretty sure that me, of all people, is the MOST excited to see almost everything being developed in miniature.

For me, it all started with a mini horse. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. In college my girlfriends and I did a project designing a school to train mini horses to be leader-horses for the blind. Did you know they wear TENNIS SHOES?!

My mother and her hubs raise and show draft horses - the exact opposite of mini - and told me someday when I have a child they'll get a mini horse for me... well, that day is not coming. So instead I'm content to think of all of the other possibilities - mini trips, mini notes, mini meals, mini games! Oh boy!! See some of my mini-faves below!

Top Row L to R
Jill Bliss Floral Mini Journals - Fred Flare, Mini File Folder (Set of 3) - The Paper Source, Mini Binders - Russell+Hazel
2nd Row L to R:
Mini Horse Photo - Denise Stettler via Flickr, Cupcake Mini Calendar - All-Mighty Clothing, White Scottie Dog Mini Stapler - The Paper Source, Pink Mushroom Magnets - All-Mighty Clothing
3rd Row L to R:
Mini Cooper Photo - cnk8003 via Flickr, Pool Suitcase Extra Small - The Paper Source, Chartreuse Suitcase Extra Small - The Paper Source, Mini Coke Photo - Al Corr via Flickr
4th Row L to R:
Tiny Table Tennis - Urban Outfitters, Mini Bonsai Kit - The Running Press, Mini Fondue Kit - Fred Flare

Outdoor Living - Co-habitation Style

2008-04-08T16:20:00.009-04:00

Ahh... the unpredictability of Western Michigan. Although it did finally felt like Spring over the weekend. NK and I managed to hike down by the river, mountain bike a bit, had a bonfire with some friends, and kayak the Rogue River. Today, however, it's cold and raining out.

The blip of good weather we had has motivated me to get our little outdoor space ready to enjoy for the next fleeting opportunity we have. NK and I are newly co-habitating so I am tasked this Spring with making the deck not only his, but ours. I was pleased to check out all of the sneek peaks on d*s guest blog last week with elka of casasugar regarding the topic of co-habitation.

We have no "backyard" to speak of but we do have a very nice sized deck for me to fill with comfortable furniture and lovely accents. NK is an avid outdoorsman and I, myself, and quite fond of a simple outdoorsy feel - so I put together the board below to reflect our combined tastes.
Again, everything on here was pulled from mass merchants. I still think they did a pretty impressive job of pulling together some interesting collections for Summer 2008.

Images Top Row L to R:
Vine Sphere Lights - Smith and Hawken, Paper Lanterns - Crate & Barrell
2nd Row L to R:
Distressed Wood Cache Pot - Smith and Hawken, Acorn Bird Feeder - Anthropologie
3rd Row L to R:
Pillow Unknown, Orange Coral Pillow - Lands End, Tangleweave Lantern - Crate & Barrel, Yellow Speckle Planter - Anthropologie
4th Row L to R:
Arbor Outdoor Dining Set - Crate & Barrel, Cabo Pitcher & Glasses - Crate & Barrel
Last Row L to R:
Bronze Ant Statuary - Frontgate

Ice Cream Dreams

2008-04-04T15:52:00.010-04:00

I've totally had outdoor living on the brain lately. One reason may be the fact that I've been scrambling to get my buyers prepped for their import trip for Garden Center/Patio. Or that last year right now it was around 70 degrees and NK and I were on the deck lovin' some sun + firepit action. OH and the most exciting reason - the guy that owns the ice cream joint on the corner by our house has been dilligently polishing up the place in anticipation of that blessed day when the sun finally shines.

Well... that day is certainly not today. But putting together these inspiration boards keeps me cheerful and hopeful in the meantime

I'm actually pretty impressed with the level of style that mass merchants have attained this season. It's interesting to note that the major catalog/online merchants have really stuck their necks out style-wise and the good ole brick-and-mortar merchants sort of regressed.

The first board is an eclectic global sort of feel. It makes me long for some exotic plants and a handsomely groomed lawn.

Top row L to R
Heroic Bell - Smith and Hawken, Tea Bowl Lanterns - Anthropologie, Celtic Wind Chime - Grandin Road, Galvanized Lanterns - Pottery Barn
Second Row L to R
Burning Dawn Pot - Anthropologie, Chippy Painted Vessel - Pottery Barn, Gel Fire Rocks - Ballard Designs
Third Row L to R
Bean Bag Coffee Table - West Elm, Suzani Pillows - Pottery Barn, Grass Weave Serveware - West Elm
Bottom Row L to R
Chesapeake Double Chaise - Pottery Barn, Foo Dog Statuary - Accents in the Garden, Woven Iron Solution - Wisteria