Creative Spaces: Books&Shelves

Hello friends, sorry it's been a while. Time has gotten away from me the past week.

Lately, books have been on my mind...

I love reading, I love books & I really, really love old books. I think i get it from my Dad. He has an office full of books, as well as numerous bookshelves in the house. He would always stick his nose deep into the book and smell the musty, dusty pages. So in a way, they make me think of him. 

My collection isn't quite as large as I'd like it to be, but you have to start somewhere. One day, I want to have a 'Beauty & the Beast' type library...with a wall ladder and all.

Here's some pretty/fun/unique bookshelves...

swerved bookcase

Paris Library

Color coded beauty

Typographic Bookcase

Lonny

Organized chaos

By the way, I'm in need of a good read. I've decided that this is the year to start reading again, again being the key word. I used to read all the time. I love classics, thanks to my literature teacher Mrs. Noreen. I used to hate reading, and when I was just a wee-tyke, she had me read the Great Brain at the Academy books, and I've loved it ever since.

Any 'must read' suggestions?

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Project Pillows

One of my newest projects around the house...

Pillows!

O, how much fun we had with these. My favorite part was choosing textiles, colors, textures, prints, and coordinating everything together. 

They turned out pretty great. I was quite happy with them, especially the bright red velvet ones. The last little chair was an older project we did. We picked it up at an estate sale last fall, and it was this awful, burnt orange, matted fabric. It only cost us $10 bucks for the chair. We saw the potential in it, so we brought it home. After picking out our fabric, we had a retired upholsterer recover it for us. I just adore it! I tied in the red velvet bolster pillows by using the same red print from the chair for the welt.

Enjoy:)

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documentaries

so, Lee and I are sort of crazy over documentaries.

We just love them for some reason.

I guess it's because most of what's on TV is just mindless entertainment, and with documentaries, you get to learn all sorts of cool things about varied subjects.

Some of our recent watches (& a few faves)...

1. Art & Copy:  is about advertising and inspiration! It interviews some of advertising's greatest and most creative designers/agencies/campaigns that have influenced the world.  Very inspirational! (we loved this one)

2. The September Issue: follows Vogue's editor in chief, Anna Wintour, and the making of the September Issue, the largest issue of the year! (I 'm not gonna lie, I've watched this a few times too:) )

3. Objectified: documents the process of some of the most creative product designers, and examines how their designs impact our everyday lives. It shows the creativity behind-the-scenes, in everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets, as these designers re-examine and re-invent our manufactured environment on a daily basis. 

4. Exit Through The Gift Shop: is the inside story about street & graffiti art. Very interesting and eye opening to me. I knew nothing about this topic beforehand. 

5. The Art of the Steal: is about the Albert Barnes art collection. It contains over 9,000 paintings from varied masters of their field, including Renoirs, Matisses, Picassos and Cezannes. This collection is valued at $25 billion dollars.

6. Just for Kicks: overviews the sneaker phenomena, and follows interviews with some of the most famed collectors from around the world. 

Well, those are just a few. 

Next up on my list...

Well, just thought I'd share, for any of you fellow fans!

Do you have any favorite documentaries?

Please, do tell :)

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Finland: Marimekko

Hello friends,

Did I ever tell you I am half Finnish? 

Both my Grandparents, from my Mother's side, came to America from Finland, so my mother is 100%. I've always thought it's pretty neat to be a whole 1/2 of 'something'. I have yet to go to Finland, but my Grandparents still take a trip every year.

Ukki and Mummu. That's what Grandma and Grandpa have always been to us. Our friends always laugh and think it's silly sounding, but I guess we're just used to it.

It's been a number of years back, but my dear sweet Mumm and Ukk brought me back some beautiful, Finnish fabric one trip. Marimekko is what it's called. They have the loveliest fabrics, prints and colors. 

Here's a little History...

Name: 

Markimekko is one part girl's name, Mari, and two parts mekko, the Finnish word for dress. Inside mari, is Armi-the company's founder and charismatic leader for nearly 30 years. 

Colorful:

Liberate the body and mind. Wonderful shades in superb, off beat combinations. Color is Marimekko's logic. 

Opposites Attract:

Contradiction creates. Marimekko travels the road less traveled between urban and nature,  between tradition and modernity,  mass production and unique art, and so on.

Clever:

 Say no more - A company with wit and charm, crafting messages that give name to patterns of life and design. 

Wearable:

Never boring, just wonderfully functional.  

Our three product lines, clothing, interior decoration, and bags - are in harmony with everyday life.

Here's a few photos of these beautiful fabrics:

 

I'm hoping to go there one of these days.

It's on my list of places to visit before I die.

Hope you enjoyed looking!

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Wishing for sand-in-my-toes

Hello!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend. We've been a little too busy around here if you ask me. Husband is 3 weeks away from finishing school, and we're all ready for him to be free!

I can't imagine...the both of us, just working, no homework, no weekend projects. Unfathomable, considering one or both of us has been in school since we've known each other. I can't wait to be a normal, working couple, and to hangout and have free time on the weekend!

Well, I guess all this work is making me long to get a way, or go on vacation. I was browsing some of last years beach trip pictures. 

'twas such a wonderful trip.

Take a peek...

I know this summer holds many more beach trips to come! My dear sis Bep, her husband David,  and their two beautiful, lil munchkins are going to be making their way across the country to their new home in Virginia Beach. They will only be a 6.5 hr drive away from us, and will live by the ocean. It can't get much better than that.

Here's to being excited for the future!

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coffee filter crafts & ruffle things

Inspired by: Coffee filter crafts & ruffle things

fluffy flowers

paper dress

pom pom garland

foof ball

ruffle wall decor

I think I'll have to go buy some coffee filters and make me a pretty-ruffly-thing this weekend!

What are your weekend plans?

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