Projects

Whenever it's quiet on the blog, you can figure that things are buzzing in real life. In a few days we're headed to Hoopfest, where Adam and his tall athletic family will be playing basketball and getting tan, and I will be short, pale, and harping about sunscreen. Reeeeeeally looking forward to it.

I've got to get back to packing, but I thought I'd tantalize you with things to come.

A cabinet of curiosities...

and my mercantile-style china cabinet.

Back soon,

Elizabeth

Summing Up My Style

Ally at From the Right Bank is holding another round of "What's Your Style in One Picture." I decided I was up for the challenge this time around. 

Image Courtesy of Domino Magazine

I spent an evening searching through my image archives (and doing a bit of soul searching as well), and I kept coming back to this library. Books will always be a focal point of my design aesthetic, and I dream of showcasing mine in a soaring bookcase like this one. Isn't this the perfect reading room? A tufted leather sofa to recline on, the crisp daylight to illuminate each new page, the expansive white palette to fill with imaginings. I love the classic bones of this salon, and the cheeky details- the stately bust, the diminutive topiary, the sly bar set-up, the rat in the glass case! My style precisely.

Too much fun- thanks Ally!

Kitten Kitsch in the Kitchen

As a little girl, I amassed a pretty incredible collection of cat knick-knackery. You know how it goes. You mention once, "I like cats" and the next thing you know you're "Lizzie who likes cats." 

I'd like to think that my tastes have matured, but every once in a while...

Meow for Measuring Cups from ModCloth

These fat-cat measuring cups in shades of gray are like stacking toys for grown-ups. Just the thing for a cup of cream, and the perfect amount of cuteness for my countertop.

Tea Time

I woke up with a sore throat this morning, but it's nothing that a cup of herbal tea, a sheepskin rug, and a stash of magazines can't cure.

Happy Weekend

I'm closing out this week with a sigh of relief. Without getting into particulars, these last few days have been cruel. Even if it's nothing more than symbolic, I can't wait for Saturday.

I thought I'd wrap things up with a favorite (albeit melancholic) poem...

And I'll send you off to brighter spots in blogland... like this jaw-dropping sneak peek at Design*Sponge, a home-cooked meal (that's way beyond my skill level!) at loving.living.small, the introduction of Ted at Maison21 (congrats, Christian!), the new Lonny, and heck... everything that Oh Joy! has posted recently.

Here's to a lovely weekend!

xoxo,

Elizabeth

Best Things in Life

When I was a freshman in college (and away from home for the first time in my life) my Mom sent me dozens of postcards. I remember how reassuring it was to find one waiting for me in my otherwise empty mailbox.

This one has always been my favorite.

Illustration by Simon Drew

On the back she's written, "hope you're feeling a little brighter today and your outlook is cheerier." Years later, when I'm feeling worried and overwhelmed, this happy thought in familiar handwriting is just as comforting. Plus, I do love me a green-eyed tabby cat and a clever pun.

Speaking of handsome kitties, I've just entered this photo of Phineas in a contest on Martha Stewart's website. The prize is a year's worth of kibble, and I'm thinking it's about time that one of these spoiled cats of mine started bringing home the bacon! 

An Unstudied Air

Mr. Collins has a line in Pride & Prejudice that always makes me smirk.

Says he, "though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible."

Not that I want to expose us to ridicule, but don't we aesthetes do the same? I subscribe to that brand of just-so-perfectly-imperfect styling that demands the most deliberate tweaking. I adore a meticulous mess- like this jumble of books and artifacts, harmoniously united in faded jade and gray and beige. A happy accident, to be sure!

Image Courtesy of Domino Magazine

The same is true of those chic ensembles calculated to inspire envy, of which we flippantly declare, "oh, this old thing- I just threw it on!" I aim for edited excess. Almost (but not quite) matching celadon greens, too many (but just enough) beads and baubles. Effortless, I assure you!

My fashion fancies: the Pearly Girl Dress, Guinevere of Glam-elot Necklace, & Oh Pear Bracelet (all from ModCloth), Pearl Pave Posts (from Anthropologie), Peony Espadrilles (from J. Crew), and the Kimchi Blue Lady Satchel (from Urban Outfitters).

Style may be an artifice... but we all have our follies!

Dare to Dream: Mastering the Bedroom

As confident as I am in my abilities in the kitchen and home office, I can't seem to make it work in the bedroom. Decorating, I mean. 

My bedroom, instead of being my sanctuary, is always the door I shut when I have company over. It's embarrassing! Overflowing laundry, rumply faded sheets, and a bed made of toothpicks (sorry Hemnes, but I'm starting to lose some sleep over your creaking).

Image Courtesy of Paul Joseph Hopper

I've been admiring this bedroom- isn't there something ethereal about the contrast between decadent bedding and bare walls? I can imagine drifting off to sleep under those layers of ruffles, and waking up refreshed in the glow of sunlight. Someday!

Do you have a room you've left until last?

Afternoon Escape

I think, after all the excitement of the weekend, that a ramble in the park would be just the thing to refresh my spirits. That, and my annual reading of Pride & Prejudice. 

Image Courtesy of Vogue

*Sigh* Back to the real world tomorrow.

Feeling Bookish

I like to observe weekly rituals- just little things to add structure to my life, to help me mark the passing of time. The flea on Sunday, the flower stand on Wednesday, the farmer's market on Thursday. All romanticism aside, it's nice to have a reason to leave the house!

Starting today, I'm instituting library Friday. 

Images Courtesy of Anthropologie, Scanned by ShocktheBourgeois

Any recommendations for my Summer reading list?

Perfect Hue

Three weeks of waffling over paint chips and an hour at the paint department, and I've concocted the most beautiful color for my kitchen, hall and entry. It's a deep, velvety greige. It's lavender-toned in daylight, lustrous Earl Grey as we turn on the lamps in the evening. I'm obsessed. I'm going to slather it over every bare wall in this place.

Since it's a custom color, it didn't come with a catchy name. Any votes?

Here & Now: Chiaroscuro

My plants and I are enjoying the trickle of sunshine that comes through our front window.

When I painted the living room I left the strips of wall surrounding the windows white. It wasn't a stylistic decision: I just didn't feel like going to the trouble of scrubbing and taping all the metal window trim! I think I'll pretend it was on purpose. The difference in color is subtle, but the white seems to multiply every beam of light in this shady room. 

What do you think?

Cat Lady

I've got these images on my bulletin board, and I'm beginning to feel like they're jinxing me...

 Images Scanned by ShocktheBourgeois from Vogue Magazine

Sheesh. Eccentricity photographs well, but trust me, the cat hair is enough to drive you batty. This is Spring cleaning week, and when I'm done... I think it's time to get out of the house.