Loving The Look: Cultural Black And White

Often times the use of black and white in interiors conveys a starkly modern look, but when it's mixed with tribal patterns, unique textiles and grainy woods, the classic combination takes on a warmer, more inviting feel.   Take a look at some of my favorite examples of black and white's worldly appeal:

If you're also Loving The Look, follow my Black And White Pinterest board for more inspiring images like these.

Images:  1./2./3./4./5./6./7.

Out And About: Terrain

During our stay with friends in Connecticut this past weekend, our hostess insisted we visited Westport's Terrain.  I must admit, there was no resistance on our part to go along.  After enjoying an amazing brunch at the cafe, we walked around and took in the entire store.  Filled with interesting botanicals for indoors and out, cool home accessories and garden decor, Terrain accomplished merging all my favorite things into one amazing retail destination.  Take a look:

Thank you EA and VA for yet another great visit.  We hope to reciprocate soon and take you to Flora Grubb, the West Coast version of Terrain.

Before And After: A Renter's Garden & Tips On Creating One

Almost every time I drop by to see my mother-in-law, Natalia,  I feel drawn into her garden.  It's full of personality just like the rest of her home.   Granted,  she rents, but that doesn't stop her from transforming the small outdoor space into her own private haven.  Since she has been a passionate gardener for most of her life, finding a rental with an outdoor area was of the utmost importance.  When she first moved into the cottage (almost 2 years ago), its small yard was lifeless, barren and depressing.   Now it's slowly becoming verdant (drought permitting) and alive.  Utilizing lots of ceramic pots, a wide array of plants and a few interesting accents she has managed to extend the indoors out.  I asked Natalia to give us a few pointers on creating an inviting outdoor space as a renter.  She shares them below.

1.   Use pots to display the more interesting, pricier plants.  If or when you decided to move, you can take them with you wherever life takes you.

2.   Mix plant materials that are compatible with each other visually and physiologically, i.e. requiring the same amount of shade or sunlight and degrees of humidity or dryness.

3.   Whenever possible use plants indigenous to your geographical zone for ecological reasons or exotic plants that would thrive in your climate.

4.   Don't be afraid to use flea market finds such as mirrors or chandeliers to add whimsy and character to your outdoor space.

5.   Repurpose accessories from previous homes.  The guardian angel plaque has accompanied me through my last 5 moves[!!]

6.   Do plant things in the ground, especially if they will enhance the appearance of your rental.  I am in love with the Pampas grass I planted in the front of the cottage.  It wasn't expensive and it added movement and softness to the rigidity of the containers around it.

7.   Create seating or lounging areas that will encourage you to spend time outdoors, whether it's reading, meditating or just sipping good wine.

8.   Attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to your little corner of the world by choosing flowers and shrubs that welcome life and color to it.

9.   If your outdoor space is limited, utilize walls and fences as backdrops for vertical gardens.  Dramatic and showy, they provide great focal points.

10.  Be patient (mind you, not MY best quality).  The drought, or the floods, or the bug infestations will pass, and your garden, albeit rented, will eventually live up to your initial visions for it.

The Happy Flag Project

Before leaving for our month long trip to the East Coat (more on that later), I had the opportunity to spend some time with friends I met through an artisan guild.  This group of craft artists, interior designers, architects, painters and entrepreneurs gather every month or so to share their passions, professions and creative expressions.  For this recent gathering textile designer Jennifer Sampou invited us to her studio to create Prayer Flags for The Happy Flag Project.  Using fabric samples and scraps, buttons, stickers and feathers we each decorated one flag to be sent to the Dalai Lama and another flag to keep.  With themes of peace, joy, contentment, compassion, empowerment and healing we all put our creative hands to stitch flags together.  Take a look at some images from the evening and the flag I made for Zoe.

Many thanks to Jennifer Sampou for opening up her studio for us and inspiring me to break out my sewing machine.

Be sure to check out Jennifer Sampou's amazing fabric designs and collections here and give some thought to gathering a group to participate in The Happy Flag Project.  It is great fun!

The Creative Residency

I have fantastic news!  I was just accepted to be a fellow at The Creative Residency, a seminar series founded by  Justina Blakeney and Dabito.  They are both  leaders in the blogging, photography and styling stratosphere.  Simply put, they're kick ass creatives!   At the end of the month I'll be attending their Social Media Practicum in LA.  It took courage to apply but I'm so glad I did and now I'm in it!

I feel like great things are happening ahead and I'm fully engaged to embrace them.

Be sure to check out all of the seminars at The Creative Residency here and follow their Instagram feed for inspiring images and words!