Lying in bed this morning I was brainstorming ideas of things to make. I happened to check my phone and saw these unbelievable photos that my friend had posted on facebook of his friend Lukka Sigurdardottir who made this seriously unbelievable cake. All of my ideas seem so small in comparison! Not only has Lukka mastered the checkered cake, but she has taken it to a whole new level. I am in awe and inspired. I had to share these with you.
A vintage scoop, barbed wire, or chalkboard can be dramatically transformed into a work of art when collected and displayed together in mass as seen here. These photos were taken (on an iphone, so please don’t critique!) in an antique shop in upstate NY whose owner has a gifted eye for gathering and arranging the simplest of objects into interesting and inspiring collections.
What are you inspired to collect?
My plan for a main wall in the baby’s room was to use chalkboard paint. Not the traditional green or black, something different. I wanted orange. Of course I had a particular shade of orange in mind so the quarts of rustoleum in pre mixed quarts of colors was not going to work. I searched the internet looking for advice on blogs, reading magazine articles, even contemplated making my own using Martha Stewart’s recipe, which would be quite a project. It was a big wall. I needed at least a half gallon and before you can use your home made chalkboard wall you have to cover the whole thing with chalk and then wipe it off. No thanks. That’s not what I’m looking for.
Then I found Magnamagic. I ordered a gallon of their tintable chalkboard paint which they claimed could be be tinted any color you wanted. It was a neutral base paint. I later learned this meant that pastel colors were harder to achieve exactly but if you were looking for a stronger hue this would be perfect. And it is. $49.99 a gallon plus three day delivery and my creative dream was on its way to becoming a reality.
I read on the Magnamagic web sight that a few select Sherman Williams stores on the east coast were now carrying their products. So that’s where I decided to go to hoping that the bases of the paint would be similar and I could get a more exact color match. The staff at Sherman Williams was overly helpful. Although I left there a little uneasy about the dabble of paint on my gallon top thinking it was a bit brighter than I wanted I realized those people really know their stuff because the paint dried a bit darker on the wall and it was an exact match.
Top reasons to try this paint:
After the paint dried I could begin the chalk drawing that I had envisioned for the nursery…
What a happy room to be in.
We received this in the mail the other day and it made me smile. Our friends Maegen and Mike, who have two bunnies, designed these invitations themselves and had them printed. It is quite possibly the best wedding invitation we have ever received! I had to share it. (It scanned a little pinker than it is, it’s actually on a nice kraft cardstock)
The response card is like a cute post card. I don’t want to send it back to them!
Flipping through the June issue of Elle Decor I came across these photos which all happen to come from houses in upstate NY. That of course made me a little homesick (just a tiny bit!). I’ve always dreamed of having a little country house with rustic style and lots of land. I’ll tuck these ideas away and for now just daydream.
Dreamy wash room.
I imagine bringing in fresh cut flowers from my garden and preparing them for beautiful arrangements. I would be wearing a flowy white dress and would leave my wide brimmed straw sun hat by the door.
library/get creative room.
What can we read or make today?
I asked my husband if he would please build this for me one day. A cozy niche in a field of wildflowers overlooking the castkills. Seems perfect.
Sometimes we need to search through old dusty, rusty things. When upstate, we would head to Hoffman’s. From furniture to dishes to tools, you never know what you’ll find. Over the years we have found many unique things here, even if it’s just a little creative inspiration.
Hoffman’s Barn Sale is located at 19 Old Farm Road, Red Hook, NY
Be sure to say Hi to Roger for us!
Some pregnant ladies arrive at their baby showers refreshed, glowing, and treated like the guest of honor that they are. Not me. I love to plan a party. I just can’t help it! Inspired by the baby shower invitations my mother sent out I offered to make a tablecloth. Ok, insisted. She knows me too well to argue with me about it so I am currently working on what I hope to be the cutest owl table cloth ever. Of course I have great ideas for the coordinating decorations. Is it strange to decorate your own baby shower?!
I still have some baby owls to cut out and then I have to figure out the placement and sew them down. A work in progress with a week to finish. Check back to see the final ‘masterpiece’!
Talented illustrator, Christopher Niemann, lets his mind wander back to the city he left behind while playing with legos. He shares his clever creations through his NY Times blog. Here’s a sampling:
