Jonathon Adler's 10 commandments

  I read Jonathon Adler's 10 commandments a few years back and got a kick out of his fun sense of humor about design.  I ran across them again today and thought I'd share them with you.

#1 Thou shalt embrace maximalism. Thou wilt find minimalism to be something of a bummer in thy abode. Thou wilt grow tired of an endless sea of beige and thou wilt long for a splash of color & a dollop of pattern! Bargello pillows, Furnace bottles, and rustic modern lamps - these shalt be the accessories that add some panache to your pad.

#2 Thou shalt not deny thyself hotelish comfort at home. Thy rooms shalt feel like the most opulent hotel rooms in which thou hast ever stayed. Thou art worth it.

#3 Thou shalt buy an X-Bench.

Then, thou shalt buy another. Thou shalt use them in pairs, perfect under thy console or placed near thy sofa. Thou shalt rest thy feet upon them & so will thy guests. In fact, thy guests might even fight over who gets to rest upon them. Therefore, thou shalt establish house rules about thy X-Benches. Perhaps thou should consider a sign up sheet.

 #4 If thy nest needeth zest, consider thy crest! Thou shalt emblazon with thine initials wherever possible.

#5 Thou shalt mix fancy with frisky.

Thou shalt not be overly formal, for if thou art, thou will be sad. Conversely, thou shalt not be overly whimsical, for if thou art thou will not feel chic. Therefore, thou shalt embrace a mix, pairing the chic classical foundation - excellent proportions, classic furniture - with a layer of playful punctuation. Then thou shalt rest.  

#6 Thou shalt honor the funsters of yore.

David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Piero Fornasetti, Bonnie Cashin, Bjorn Wiinblad - if thou dost not knoweth them, thou should. Thou can use Google Images to learn more about them and thou shalt channel their fun, idiosyncratic, playful spirit in thine own interiors. Thy home will be fun, happy, and chic. 

#7 Thou shalt not commit murder, unless thou art murdering for a decorative accessory. If thou should find thyself at one of our stores and seeth the last bird bowl on our shelf, thou shalt feel free to use whatever means necessary to obtain that special something.  

#8 Thou shalt not be afraid of orange.

Thou shalt use orange copiously in thy interior, whether it beeth in an orange breakfast room or via the zing of an orange lacquered box. Thou might even consider painting thy front door orange to pique thy neighbor's curiosity. Thou shalt also covet chocolate brown. 

 #9 Thou shalt play ping pong.

Better still, thou shalt have a ping pong table in thy living room. Then, lo, thou shalt play ping pong with thy spouse rather than sitting around watching thy tv.

#10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

In fact, after following these 10 commandments, thy neighbor might covet thy house.

{images from blogs all over, just do google image seach}

Travel Treasurs {cont.}: Arica from AY

I'm going to sneak in one last guest blogger for the Travel Treasure series I did a couple of weeks ago while I was away because I didn't get the chance to post the entry Arica sent me and she is just too great not to introduce you to her. {That is if you haven't already found her beautiful blog.}  

It is like a breath of fresh California air.  For sure go check AY out right after you read about her fun travel treasures.

For me, my travel treasures are always JEWELRY! It's what catches my eye wherever I go. I usually have on a necklace or two, a couple of rings, and some bracelets to give my watch company. Really, I'm a hoarder, and might look a touch ridiculous, but I'm alright with that. I haven't traveled too many places in life, but my usual stops have been Mexico, Hawaii, and a touch of the Caribbean (Tropical much? I'm also addicted to the ocean, but that's another story). Talking about rings, I have two favorites from trips that I will own so long as I live. My first is from the left: 5th row, 2nd ring down. It's a hollow kukui nut ring I FOUND in Hawaii. Yes found. Just magically in my car as if it was from heaven above. I've worn it hundreds of times since. The second is the first row on the right, at the very bottom. We recently took a trip to LA and while browsing the old antique shops on Magnolia, I found this gem, and have been obsessed with this turquoise infused Native American ring ever since!

I'm headed to Palm Springs in a week, and while I'm there you can guarantee I'll find whatever jewelry stand I can to take a treasure home with me.

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful treasures Arica! 

Travel Treasures: Amanda from {re}cycled consign and design

Our next guest writes from beautiful southern Utah, {where I seem to have left part of my heart} and while I haven't yet had the chance to visit Amanda's shop, I can't wait {!!} because I know it just has to be stocked to the brim with treasures to gawk and drool over.  Just from the style oozing out of her blog, you know this girl has a true talent for finding the beauty in something others might miss.

Hey everyone I am Amanda from {re}cycled consign and design, I am so excited to be part of Jenna's guest post's while she is out! Her blog is so much fun and she is so adorably cute I could never pass up the opportunity to hang out over here! She asked me to share my favorite treasures I have found from some of my travels.

One of the best things to do while traveling is to check out some of the favorite spots from the locals {they live there so they know best}. I adore thrift shopping and vintage finds so I always ask about those first...food is a close second! I picked up this vintage broach at a flea market in San Clemente California, I wear it a lot but when it's not in use it is displayed on my decorative towels by my bathtub. I see it everyday and wish it was time to pack up and head to the beach house :)

Now this one is really a gem...I came across these rolls of vintage wallpaper in a consignment shop{like mine} in Orange County Cali. I just knew they were exactly what I wanted to design my front room around. I had them framed and they were instant art. I adore the navy color and raised velvet texture.

I adore this picture of my hubster and me at one of our favorite restaurants at the pier in Cali. we can eat buckets full of clams and listen to the waves break on the shore. It truly is one of the places that I am the most happy, the beach is part of my soul!

I hope everyone has a few items in their home that means something dear to you...you don't have to travel far to have memories that you would never trade!

I am planning a trip to Italy in June and will be sure to bring back a few more treasures I adore.

Thanks Jenna for having me, you are a real gem. Big kisses to you and all your dear followers!

Thank you, Amanda!  

I agree with you, memories can be made anywhere and are especially special when made with those we love.

Travel Treasures: Autumn from Design Dump

I met my next guest blogger, the lovely Autumn, at Alice Lane at the blogging event last December and I've had the pleasure of getting to know her more through Design Dump as well as being a source for some pretty chairs and case goods for a few of her clients.  She has an ultra classy style and with loads of experience, she has taught me so much already.

Autumn:

One of things that my husband and I enjoy doing when we travel is checking out 

the local shops and boutiques. Almost by accident, a collection of necklaces

gathered on some of our travels was born.

The first necklace in my "travel collection" was purchased in Mexico on an anniversary trip.

Since then, several others have been added. We don't always buy a necklace on every trip we take.

It is more of an organic experience when we "find" a new piece to add to the collection. 

I have quite a few necklaces hanging on some hooks in my bathroom, but these 5 will always be among my favorites. 

When I look at or wear one of them,  I am immediately whisked away to that little boutique or small shop where we found and bought each one. I love the ones that I have, and I look forward to the

necklaces and memories that will surely be collected in the years to come.

Thank you Autumn! 

PS - a little bonus, go here to read about one of her fun trips.

Travel Treasures: Kirsten of 6th Street Design School

I've asked some of my favorite bloggers to share their favorite travel treasures with you while I'm away.  This is really exciting for me, I've never had guest bloggers before!

I'm happy to introduce the first guest, Kirsten Krason of 6th Street Design School.  I met her a few years ago while we were in the same interior design program.  I've been awestruck as I've watched her career take off in a major way.

"When I was in college I moved to Russia for 5 months to teach English at an Elementary School. I bought a lot of stuff that I have since gotten rid of but the one thing that has stuck around is this painting of St. Basils. When I was in Russia I met a man who stood by this church everyday and would paint it. He painted it exactly as he saw it. I had him paint one for me and every time I see this painting I think of that exact day and that exact moment that I was visiting this church." - Kirsten

Thank you Kirsten!  If you haven't already checked out 6th Street Design Design School, do it today.

"how candice olsen of you"

The other day I was hanging with my friend, Jen, at her parents house.  She lives in Texas and is here visiting for a bit and we've been taking full advantage of our close proximity to catch up. She asked me for my take on how to include a fireplace in her parents master bedroom. 

I played around with a couple of ideas and thought to put it in the corner so that it would be one of the first things you see as you walk into the room.  A fire place would already become the most dominant thing in the space just be being there, so why not have it in a welcoming position so that it will set the whole tone for the room.  Not to mention placing it in the corner will be a pretty way to save space so that they could then create a comfortable seating area around it.

When we showed her mom our plans she said, "How Candice Olsen of you."  Well, that is a high compliment in my book.  The designing ended there, and we went back to playing 5 Crown. {Only the most fun card game I know how to play.}

I've thought about the color scheme I'd run with if I were going along with that Candice vibe.  Pretty, shimmery tile around the fire to catch light and add some sparkle to the room.  A rug with a low key, but interesting color pallet that would be versatile with other neutrals and some smaller patterns introduced in the furniture.

I also like the idea of a gallery style wall for family portraits and included a couple mirrored options for the frames. 

{tile: daltile all other furniture used can be found on my sidebar links}

Market Monday: Kate Morton & William Morris

"Wars make history seem deceptively simple.  They provide clear turning points, easy distinctions: before and after, winner and loser, right and wrong.  True history, the past, is not like that.  It isn't flat or linear.  It has no outline.  It is slippery, like liquid; infinite and unknowable, like space.  And it is changeable: just when you think you see a pattern, perspective shifts, an alternative versions proffered, a long forgotten memory resurfaces."

 Kate Morton is the brilliant author of this quote.  I just finished reading her book, The House at Riverton, and I loved this paragraph for a couple of reasons.  First, it summed up succinctly the way I've felt about  history in just a few lines.  Second, the same can be said about design.  It seems linear until you think about what determines a trend.  Following the outline of one style to the next you can see how what is happening in the world has everything to do with how we choose to adorn ourselves, our homes.  Studying history in conjunction with my love for art and design gives me little thrills as I see the one affected by the other.  The Victorian opulence being followed by the Arts and Crafts is the example I'm thinking of today and Kate Morton's books have a way of weaving beautiful stories including details of the architecture and details from the lifestyle that make history really come to life for me. This particular novel was a perfect choice because it is set in time as everything was shifting from the very conventional to the more free spirited movement.

So while the Victorian has never been one of my very favorites in terms of style, I can appreciate all that hand crafted detail and the pretty feminine lines. I've spent some time the last couple of weeks studying it so that I can better understand the Arts and Crafts movement since I'm working on a home being built in that style.
  
Which leads me to my second feature: William Morris.  He was a big player in the movement from Victorian to Arts and Crafts.  {I'll be talking more about this later.}

I especially love the paper products with his patterns on them.

{source source source}

Market Monday: Carrara Marble

{source}

It seems everywhere I look I'm seeing Cararra marble and I'm not just jumping on the trendy wagon.  Yes, it is popular, but so very classic in my opinion and I've loved it in all kinds of applications.  But now that we're seeing it a lot more in kitchens, I'm loving it even more.

 {house beautiful}

{source}

 The first time I remember seeing marble in a kitchen was at Caitlin Creer's house.  I woke up early one Saturday morning to go to her yard sale {everything was pretty much gone by the time I got there at 9!}and Kirsten asked if she could take me inside to show me the house.  When I saw the kitchen I asked as I collected my jaw from the ground, "Can she do that?!"  She did.  And holy smokes, it is gorgeous!!! 

If I were using it in my own kitchen I would make sure to have a work surface in something I couldn't stain.  I need indestructible when it comes to creating anything be it dinner, or some around the house project.  When I'm into something I don't slow down to think about the damage I might do. 

 I'm NOT the type of girl to think of throwing down some butcher paper until it is too late and I'm lamenting in hindsight.  Though I've heard if you're worried about staining, you can just get it over with and rub tomato juice all over it for a unified stain.  That scares me.  Does it have a pink cast to it once you are done?

{source}

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I love this kitchen above for the mix of materials, the horizontal lines creating a contemporary feeling and the great table on wheels with seating options.  Talk about a great kitchen to entertain in.

#9 - Streams of Flowing Water {St. George Parade of Homes 2011}

Setting out to do the parade in one day we knew we couldn't see all 26 homes featured so we picked a few from the catalog in addition to the homes we already knew we wanted to see.  #9 was on the short list but we were starting to think about dinner {sushi!!} and almost skipped it until I ran into a friend who strongly suggested we make time to see it. And I'm so glad we did.  As we walked in the gorgeous front door the sun was hitting the chandelier {above} sending prisms of light sparkling through the living room.  The jewel toned color scheme was subtly mixed in throughout the home and the unexpected details like plexi glass stair rails made this home really stand out to me. 

"This villa exudes peace and relaxation, allowing one to take in one of nature’s most majestic and cataclysmic scenes. Ancient fields of molten lava are juxtaposed amongst the angular masses of pillars, planes and spires." Split Rock Home Information

 One of the things I love about the popular architecture style in St. George is bringing nature inside.  This home had so many applications of this, I noticed water was part of each room design with windows opening up to natural pools and creative bathrooms.  The bathrooms were amazing. 

I'll feature my favorite home next!

St. George Parade of Homes 2011

I am so {SO!} excited about this weekend.  I'm going home to enjoy some incredible desert winter weather and join the crowds of people at the St. George Parade of Homes.

This has been one of my favorite events in St. George and I'm looking forward to seeing my friends who have homes in the show this year, like the home above by AJ Construction.  Also looking forward to seeing designs by Robert McArthur and Alice Lane down there.

inspired by: Hillary Thomas

 I read about Hillary Thomas in the latest Lonny issue and I though the project that was featured in the magazine was beautiful and I studied each image taking in how she made blending styles and objects look effortless; more than anything, I loved what Hillary said about design.  She is a believer in 'wabi sabi' a Japanese term for finding beauty in the imperfect.  

I feel the same way about design.  Maybe because I've been a roaming renter for years and have learned to make do with what I have without being able to make major changes?  Or maybe because I feel like design should enhance life and be a reflection of us {and we aren't perfect so how could design be?}...whatever it is, when I read that, I couldn't agree more.  

And as if she wasn't already impressing me, she had me when she said, "Have pets.  A house full of critters is joyous."  Heck yes Hillary Thomas.  Thank you for inspiring me!!
{images from her site, visit here}

Christmas Eve Clam Chowder

To get the full story hop on over to Recycled Design.  Super talented and adorable Amanda is doing Twelve Days of Christmas Traditions and I'm sharing my favorite tradition today!

Blogging Social at Alice Lane

 Kirsten {6th Street Design}had a fantastic idea to have a party for the design bloggers in Utah.  Along with Alice Lane she hosted a fabulous event last Friday night.  To me it felt like rubbing shoulders with some of my favorite celebrities.  Some people may go crazy for movie stars, I go crazy for great designers, and these talented ladies are making waves for sure.

Wonderful people, yummy treats, and a beautiful store made for a really great time.

Sometimes this creative outlet of mine {the blog} feels like a silly thing for me to do with my time, but chatting with these talented women I realized again that it is so much more than that.  It's my way of staying current and connecting with other people who share my passion.

Amanda {recycled consign and design}, Autumn {design*dump} and me {yes, I'm a giant}

{images from Meikel}

Thank you Kirsten and Alice Lane!

GIVEAWAY! Fall Flags

 For someone who hates to procrastinate, I'm feeling pretty bad that it has taken me this long to show you my AWESOME pillow I won this summer on 6th Street Design School. 

When I got the exciting email from Kirsten I immediately went back to the Be Still site to make sure I picked the right pillow.  

Oh the fantastic choices! 

Sarah is so talented and picks great fabrics for her pillows.

 I decided to stick with my original choice and I'm glad I did.  I wanted to go crazy with color and pick one of my other favorites {shown above}, but I knew the zebra would be my kind of classic.

 Finding the right spot for it hasn't been as easy as I thought.  I knew I wanted it for my bench and I have the perfect pillows in mind to go with it but that project just hasn't happened yet.

In the mean time I'm sticking with neutrals and living it up for fall.

to continue the fun of a giveaway - I'm giving away the FALL flags hanging in the first photo of this post.

Become a follower, leave a comment with your contact info, and

I'll let you know who wins soon.

UDLA Designer Show House Fall Tour

I can't remember the first time I heard the name Robert McArthur,but it has always been synonymous with really great architecture.

It might have been when my friend Jenny lived across the street from his studio and I did some research on the architect who would dream up what he did to the old home he converted into something pretty spectacular. Or maybe it was when he renovated an old home on the route to my grandma's house and we watched as the home got some serious curb appeal and was featured later in a home show. 

So last year when the Designer Show House Fall Tour featured his personal home I was excited for the opportunity to see what he would do to his own space.
{above is the entry and below is a great home studio.}

Just his chair collection alone had me drooling. Bertoia, Eames...oh my.  Then the details around every corner had my mom and me going back through the rooms again just to make sure we got it all in.

This year is the fourth annual show and I've already scouted out what houses I want to see in my limited time tomorrow after work. Most definitely Summer Wood {5} and Maple Hills Place {8}

If you are in the area, stop by Noble House and get a couple tickets.  If you can't make it, I'm sure I'll post pictures later. You can also watch the video below from Studio 5 yesterday.

The really great thing about this show beside the talent poured into each home is the proceeds go to Circle the Wagon, a non profit organization supporting people in the aftermath of a violent crime.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

{images borrowed from RGM website, go there to see more.}