June 14, 2012

Little Corners: Rags to Relics

Check out the little corners of Rags to Relics‘ (aka Aimee Daniels) house digs!

This is our master bedroom. We spend most of our time here because it feels the most like me. There are contrasting patterns on each surface but I find the room very soothing. I keep dried lavender and use lavender linen spray often to enhance our senses of home.

Pillows from Thomas Paul, gray Zigzag Duvet Cover and Kaleidoscope Patchwork Quilt from Urban Outfitters, British Flag from TJ MAXX, lamps from Pottery Barn, Onyx and Ivory Thermal Panels from Lowe’s, and prints from IKEA. Paint is ‘Artichoke’ by Valspar.

 

I bought this dining room table and base from a friend of a friend a couple years ago for $60!!! I practically kiss it as I walk by each time. Girls nights are spent around this table. My friends and I call girls night, “bridge night” so our significant others don’t know we’re just drink copious amounts of red wine or sake.

Pendant from One Stop Modern, Charley Harper and Todd Oldman plates from Fish’s Eddy, round rug from Urban Outfitters, and triangle banner made from wallpaper book. Paint is ‘Lemon Grass’ by Behr.

 

Our living room has changed so many times through the years but I think we have finally found the perfect cohesiveness. I love having this room filled with plants and pillows. This is the brightest room in the house and is a wonderful place to call home. I believe that when you come into your home, it should rise up to greet you and I feel this room does just that.

Danish Modern Coffee Table from Urban Outfitters, pillows from Missoni for Target, rug from TJ MAXX, cell light Pendant from One Stop Modern, and pink chair was spray painted and recovered. Paint is ‘Garden Spout’ and ‘Garlic Clove’ by Behr.

 

I am in love with my bathroom. We painted the walls a deep blue in February of this year and removed all the pre-made, matching pieces, excluding the sink and vanity. I love the contrast of finishes and old and new.

Pill cup from Fish’s Eddy, Roost Rustic Shelf from Hipster Home, Stripe Flower rug from Urban Outfitters, and Allen + Roth Brown Espresso Hagen vanity, Paint is ‘Shimmering Sea’ by Valspar.

 

I began the backyard project while awaiting a surgery. I wanted to have a place to go as I recovered. This porch has turned into more than we ever could have ever imagined.We spend a lot of nights out here sipping a beer and solving the world’s problems or hosting dinner parties. The color combination came from a small dish set I bought from Missoni for Target.

Chevron chair fabric from Spoonflower, plates from Missoni from Target. Paint is ‘Dark Gray’ concrete paint and ‘Street Market’ from Valspar exterior.

Posted In little corners
3
June 13, 2012

Salsa!

Salsa gets pigeonholed as being red and tomatoey, when it’s actually extremely versatile. What do you have in your fridge? Chances are there’s something lurking in there that would make a great salsa. During summer I love adding fruit for an unexpectedly sweet kick against the heat. Click on the image to link to the recipe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos and recipes copyright of their respective source unless otherwise noted.

Posted In recipes, round up
8
June 12, 2012

Woodcut

Little known fact, I’m mildly obsessed with cross sections of trees. I love their untold stories, timeline of life, and individuality. Connecticut-based artist Bryan Gill Nash has created Woodcut, a collection of large scale reliefs made from trees on the land surrounding his studio and neighborhood. I’ve poured over it cover to cover and love having it as a part of my coffee table collection!

Posted In create, read up
5
June 11, 2012

10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Miss HOW Design Conference

Operation Nice’s Melissa is pretty much the Queen of HOW Design Conference. She’s one of the conference’s biggest advocates, an amazing designer, and this year she’s even speaking. So she was my obvious go-to when it came to letting you all know why not to miss next week’s conference. (Pssst… use the code ‘CRUSH’ for $100 off!)

 

 

10. Vacation, uh, I mean business trip – Get out of the office for a few days. You know you want to. And if you’re independent, you have a great excuse to put your clients on hold for a little while. “Oh sorry, umm, I’m going to a very important business conference. I can’t make your logo bigger today.”

9. Be around “your people” – There’s nothing quite like being in a building with thousands of other people that can appreciate your hatred of Papyrus. You can walk around the convention center and mutually scoff at the kerning in the directional signs.

8. Network it, girl (or guy)! – Meet some amazing people in the industry and pick their brains about their careers. Ever wanted to know what it’s like to design for a place like NETFLIX or Old Navy or Pabst? These are just a few of the companies I saw/stalked on the Who’s Attending list.

7. The sexiest lineup of speakers – And I’m not just saying that because I’m one of them. Okay, yes, yes I am. But seriously, Chip Kidd? Aaron Draplin? Debbie Millman? Swooooooon!

6. Buckets of inspiration – Four days of industry leaders sharing their insights and advice. How else are you going to get that? Reading books? Pssshhh.

5. Beantown – Chowda. The Sox. Newbury Street (shopping, holla). Boston is an awesome city with amazingly clean public transportation. Score.

4. Personal Growth, blah blah blah – You may learn a thing or two… thousand. With sessions on typography, software, brainstorming, branding, etc., you’re sure to pick up some tips that will make you a better designer, or really, just a better human being overall.

3. As the Beibs would say, SWAG – The resource center is like a designer’s candy shop, but free, and less sticky. Prints from French Paper Company, t-shirts from Veer, swatchbooks out the wazoo. Bring your fightin’ elbows and get the goods.

2. Many open bars – The way to a designer’s heart is through his/her liver, and most of the vendors realize this. There are always some amazing open bar events where you are encouraged to get a bit ridiculous on the dance floor. Just remember, every designer has an iPhone that is fully equipped to post videos to YouTube.

1. The real conference happens after the sessions are over – Some of the best conversations take place at the hotel lobby bar or on one of the numerous pub crawls that are organized over the course of the conference. This is when you can really get to know people and make lifelong friends. Awwww.

 

BONUS: The real reason why you should attend HOW is to find me and buy me a drink.

Posted In guest post
7
June 8, 2012

Happy Weekend

01/ A grid wall, every designer’s hot dream.
02/ Mark Bittman’s No Fuss Dessert Generator.
03/ Cross-stitched cookies!
04/ The Human Pantone Guide, so smart.
05/ I love a good rock transformation.
06/ The prettiest anatomical cross-sections you’ll ever see!
07/ It’s official, I love 2D type and 4D type just as much.
08/ Unexpected rainbow origami street art.
09/ Miniature scenes to wear on your fingers.
10/ Oh man, Wes Anderson Bingo. IT’S ON.

 

Posted In crafts, create, downloads, food, grand design, graphic design, happy weekend, house and home, jewelry, paper, recipes, street, walls, wear it
4