Monday, March 31, 2014

Inspired Design: Steel Windows and Doors

Steel windows and doors seem to be popping up everywhere in the design world lately.  Our favorite blogs, Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds are full of beautiful images that feature this architectural detail du jour.  The strength of steel allows for more slender sight lines and wider expanses of glass, which in turn allows more sunlight inside. The true beauty of steel windows and doors is that they work in both traditional and more modern spaces.  Some of our favorite examples are below:

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Retailer Spotlight: Eros Clothing and Home


Follow Eros on Facebook here
Our retail spotlight this week is on Eros Clothing & Home in Mandeville, Lousiana - a quick drive across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans.  Owner Erin Schaumburg, a busy wife and mother of four adorable boys, has retail in her blood.  She began her retail career at fourteen in her parents' shop, Chatterbox.  Erin opened Eros, which is an acronym for Erin Romair's own store, when she was twenty five.  Originally opened as a clothing store, Eros has evolved over the years to include home furnishings and design services, as well as gifts and baby items. Loyal customers loved how Erin dressed them and knew she had the talent to make their homes beautiful as well.  Here are some of our favorite photos from her stunning store:

Erin with her four boys piled between Lacefield Geranium pillows
Looks like four boys are a source of constant entertainment!

Eros features a great mix of casual and sophisticated home accessories
Lacefield Designs Glass Velvet Pillow Collection

 Natural wood finishes and soft blues create a coastal appeal 
 Lacefield Aquamarine Pillow Collection
 Lacefield pillows in shades of blue
What a gorgeous dining vignette!  I could move right in!
Erin and her beautiful family
Eros Clothing & Home is located at 3906 Highway 22 in Mandeville, LA  p.985.727.0034

Monday, March 24, 2014

Inspired Design: White Farmhouses


 farmhouse by John Marshall Custom Homes
Virginia vineyard  farmhouse by Barnes Vanze Architects 
mountain farmhouse by Duncan McRoberts Associates
stunning Napa farmhouse by Stephen Willrich Architecture

the Bosch Zero Energy Home in Serenbe 
love the modern details on this Texas farmhouse by Redbud Custom Homes
beautiful farmhouse landscape created by AJF Design
modern Vermont farmhouse
beautifully restored Michigan barn by Northworks Architects and Planners 
classic two story beauty by Connor Homes
traditional southern farmhouse by Bill Ingram Architect



Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Textile Tuesday: Japanese Shibori


Japanese Shibori, similar to tie dye, is a form of resist dying where fabric is folded, wrapped, tied or twisted then submerged in a dye pot. The intricate patterns vary depending on the method used.

examples of four different Shibori dying
methods via Folk Fibers Blog
inspiring quilt made using a wide array of shibori fabric
via Good Studio
via Desire to Inspire
stunning shibori kimono spotted on Tumblr


Shibori dying is a simple, yet rewarding, DIY project.  To create your own shibori fabric, you can purchase an inexpensive dye kit and try one of these step by step tutorials we found online:
Love this folded shibori DIY over on The Aestate
Anthro Blog features the folded and wrap methods of shibori
Make this lovely shibori scarf with
a detailed Martha Stewart DIY tutorial
textile artist Carol Anne Grotrian teaches shibori workshops
in her Cambridge, MA studio.