our Twombly has arrived from Sotheby's! (kind of).

Back in December I mentioned that I was coveting a huge piece of slate to put up in the living room like a pseudo-painting. Well, we might be almost there!

Over the weekend, my mom and I took a roadtrip up to Maine, & on the way back home yesterday evening, we stopped in Kennebunk to check out Old House Parts, an architectural salvage shop, to see their inventory of vintage blackboards. Prices were a little bit prohibitive, but we still managed to bring back a decent sized piece of slate to hang up in living room over what will become a "games" table/ dining table. I figure it will look pretty all on its own, and when friends come over to play bridge (wink wink Roxy), we can use it to keep score.
Will post some pictures in August, when it's up!

(image of Mariette Himes-Gomez's kitchen blackboard via NYSD.)

a wee little house on an island

Often what makes a summer home feel special is what isn't there. I love how the architectural firm Lilley.Dadagian renovated this Nantucket cottage (a former "eel shack!") by letting the warmth and cosyness of the space emerge naturally just from the texture of the wood and the intimacy of the building's proportions alone.



che bella casa!

blue feels new

loving the saturated hit of lapis lazuli that makes a neutral-toned arrangement of boxy objets suddenly feel moody, languid, just right.




photograph of bureau by Alexandra Rowley via Desire to Inspire

lene toni kjeld: wallpaper that makes my heart go THUD THUD THUD

First..., I think I almost just passed out. Ode to Lene Toni Kjeld, she of the brilliant wallpaper that I must have! I'm so excited about the new directions towards which wallpaper has recently been heading, but I must say that this is particularly lovely, in that it feels contemporary but not in your face (gritty "toiles" and edwardian typescript "bite me" and other i'm-too-edgy-for-my-party-so-edgy-it-hurts kind of designs.)

Lene's wallpaper, on the other hand, is just unnervingly wonderful without being self-conscious or obtrusively tongue-in-cheek; I love its soft, crumbling texture, neutral metallic tones, its 21st-century nod to lace, and even fresco-- à la Timorous Beasties "Fresco" pattern... sigh. so so good.

But here's the thing. The seduction-that-is-European-artisanal- wallpaper has two significant cons, 1) price and 2) permanence. (Oh, and very possibly 3) a significant other who doesn't like wallpaper.) But does any of this deter Michelle of Armas Design? not at all! she recently suggested the genius idea of papering a large sheet of plywood (which allows us to escape 1), 2), and 3) in one go. Simple and brilliant. (Has anyone seen examples of such a thing?)

Lene...? Let's talk!

linen and silk: printed neutrals

have you heard of the online retailer "Fashion Fabrics Club"? Until recently I hadn't (certainly the name doesn't sound too promising) but they are definitely worth a look! If you have a project that requires some fabric (eg, I'm hoping to make some curtains in time for fall), you can browse on their site for hours: they have a great search engine, tons of natural materials like silk, wool, linen, and canvas, and excellent prices-- most materials come under $20 a yard. I just bought a bunch of different fabrics, 1 yard each, so I'll keep you posted and take some pictures when they come in.

From top: chocolate and ivory "circle" print in linen; a black and white silk plaid suitable for curtains; and this final silk chiffon print might make a cute dress....

LED lanterns: outdoor lighting on the move

Candles are good, but lanterns are better. For your next picnic or outdoor meal, whether you've rented a beachhouse or are just taking a walk to a safe quiet out of doors spot with your friends for an impromptu dinner, try taking a lantern or two along....

I have recently become very attracted by the notion of LED lanterns because our building doesn't allow fire of any kind on the roof-deck. So I first went in search for some options from camping stores... here's a few:

this little guy has my number. i love him.

Both of these come with a remote:
(L.L. Bean's mini model.)
The Emerson has a great feature of a remote control dimmer.

Bottom line: I think there's definitely a market for more stylish ones, but these are sweet in a dorky way-- if anything, just think how much your nieces and nephews would love them for going camping in the backyard.

If you're looking for something a little more urban, a little more polished, here are a few good options:

for an asian feel, this one from wrapables is quite nice looking; it would be great in a set of 6 or 8-- or intermingled with these japanese lanterns.



(sigh. the "luau" lamp. gorgeous, but far overpriced.)

This one from Brylane Home is a much better deal at $9!

Last but not least-- this one is not bad. I'd love to see a stylish redo by Restoration Hardware, but it's a start!

From Safe Home.

(Top image from Pottery Barn)

bare design

summer's textures of rafia, rope, cane, and sand are the closest it comes to going naked in design....

chequita nahar's gorgeous fringe necklace with string beads; dedon's "daydream" lounge bed.

Blog Hooky

Ooh, don’t I know it! It's been over a month now! So delinquent, so ... ! There should be a word for it… “Blogvacay”? “Away From The Blog”? “Stepped Out Of The Blog”? “On Leave Of Blog”? “Blog-Hooky?” That’s what it feels like, like I’ve been playing Blog-Hooky.

So a very warm hello again!! … and also a little peace-offering to all of you in the form of my twist on a classic summertime drink:

Phoebe’s renowned Ginger-Basil Lemonade, otherwise known to me and my main man
as

Jal Gingera:
makes one pitcher
- 3-4 lemons, juice reserved
- water
- sugar to taste (tons- at least 2 cups)
- two inches of a piece of ginger, peeled, grated and the gratings squeezed of their juice
- basil leaves, roughly torn up
variations:
* a little green or black tea (almost better than original)
* instead of basil, smash up sticks of fresh lemongrass, and add to pitcher; & add green tea if so desired.

Mix all ingredients; chill well. Pour into icy glasses that have been stored in the freezer. Sugar rims. Serve on a weekday night after Thai take-out, with pitcher and glasses on a tray to your main squeeze alongside a pack of cards. Suggest a friendly game of gin rummy. Turn on Ray Charles, or Otis Redding, or Amy Winehouse, a little too loud. & then play to win.

oh, hot July, sticky in the day and smooth at night…

xx p

um yes, I’m back, & no, I haven’t gone away to become a bridezilla, and yes, I will be updating regularly this summer, 3-4 times a week, while I write the manuscript of what will become, at some point, a real live book. But that’s a story for another time.

(thanks to pinkiestyle for the img!)