A serious personality quirk of mine happens to be expensive taste though not at  the sacrifice of quality.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t love it because it is expensive; its more like a magnetic pull. It’s been a inside joke between me and my  mother, then later at the design studio I worked for in DC.  After several laughs, I learned to always ask the principal designer about budget before I started sourcing. It’s still one of the first questions I ask vendors in my current job, with a smile and a little Maryland charm of course.

Let me illustrate how this works. For instance, take a look at these chairs.

They are gorgeous vintage mixed metal masterpieces from Maison Jansen from 1972. Of course, I love them for their shape, construction, legacy and that they are  from the 1970′s. The image of them  in my apartment  is dancing in my head.  However, They are also $20,000 on 1st Dibs (But it’s for all four! ). I still love them, but they will have to be in another person’s happy home.  For if I had $20,000, the woman to whom I traded my unborn, first born,  Sallie Mae, in an exchange for a proper education would be a happy woman. But I digress…

My next choice is from Artetiors. I shopped Arteriors a lot working in residential design and upon seeing the black leather Calvin Chair on Zinc Door, I fell hard. It’s petite brass frame make me swoon.

Calvin is  out of my current furniture budget, so, of course, I was drawn to it. However, two of these could be a possibility for the future, mine or someone’s. I would be thrilled if they found a good loving home, even if it wasn’t my own.

However, when I keep looking for well priced goodness, I stumble upon greatness. My latest love, is Colin Cowie’s Bar Cart, which I spotted on HSN.

This affordable gold-toned accent piece is making me pretty happy right now. I see taking a different spin on a traditional bar. Because, I’m much more likely to offer a guest a cup of tea than a cocktail, I see this as a tea bar outfitted with a beautiful Moroccan tea set and beautiful Kusmi teas.

So you see my quirk doesn’t prevent me from finding good things and good prices, it just makes me look a little harder for that perfect mix of fabulous. Another quirk is that I honestly believe that I love these pieces of design goodness at all of their price points (and they could be mine).

Over the weekend, while resting up after being under the weather last week, I read two really pieces, an article and a blog post that left me inspired and ready to take action.

First Up, is  Fast Company’s  cover story, Generation Flux. What is Generation Flux?  FastCo describes it as the following:

This is less a demographic designation than a psychographic one: What defines GenFlux is a mind-set that embraces instability, that tolerates–and even enjoys–recalibrating careers, business models, and assumptions. Not everyone will join Generation Flux, but to be successful, businesses and individuals will have to work at it. This is no simple task. The vast bulk of our institutions–educational, corporate, political–are not built for flux. Few traditional career tactics train us for an era where the most important skill is the ability to acquire new skills.

I think artists, designers , bloggers and other creative types are adaptable  Generation Fluxer’s by nature, as we continue to grow and attain new skills and think outside the box all the time. This really inspired me to think of my career in a less linear way.

Secondly, I read Amanda Gilligan’s post, Be the Creative Director of  you Own Work, on the Shutter Sisters blog. Though the focus on photography, if you are feeling out of sorts creatively, you should read this post. It’s a good reminder of  how important it is for your voice to shine through your work.

We need to figure out where we are now, where we want to be and how we can close the gap between the two. <<—I love this line.

Now, I’m on a mission to listen  my voice and figure out what it is that gives me goose bumps. Both of these pieces seem like they were right on time for me to read because lately my creative side has needed a bit of a pep talk. It’s amazing how a few good words have me feeling completely re-energized!

{These gorgeous paintings are from artist Pakayla Biehn’s Double Exposure Series. And yes, they give me goose bumps}

For the couple  of days, I’ve been fighting a nasty cold. Because all I’ve been doing is going to work (yes I know… but I had project) and crashing when I get home,  I haven’t really had a chance to write a proper blog post.

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I hope to be back to almost normal with a post on Friday.  Side note: Doesn’t this bed look fab? How I wish that was me…

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

For many of us in the States today is a National holiday. It’s  the day that we observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and celebrate his and legacy of social justice and civil rights for all.

The Three Women of America, Elizabeth Catlett 1990

I thought this work by one of my favorite artists, Elizabeth Catlett, beautifully illustrates  what today is about. Some will celebrate today with a day of service, others with a day of reflection. However,  most of us celebrate  with thankful hearts for all of Dr. King’s contributions to our shared history and hopeful that we all continue to do his legacy proud.

I keep seeing these beautiful ornate over-scale mirrors and frames and  I’m not ashamed to say I love them.

{image via pinterest}

I will be out perusing every Flea market until I find one of these beauties.

What do you think of them? Could you see one in your home.

If this was a space…

It would be this one…

I want to be there. Right Now. The feathered friend is optional.

If you need something to inspire you, I highly recommend you check out the movie “The Artist“. Nothing makes me happier than to see  a  nostalgic celebration of old Hollywood glamour glittering on the big screen. However this movie, a beautiful almost silent movie set in the late 1920′s and early 30′s, is as compelling in its story line as it is to look at. I’m a romantic at heart and I left the theater enraptured, thinking that maybe more movies should be silent or near silent.

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The Artist chronicles the transition to from the silent movie era to  talkies through the lens of an actor at the top of his game and a starlet on the rise. I wanted  every dress and the time to explore the sets. I think movies this good should all come with behind the scenes books.

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And what’s the major reason I love it? Aside from gorgeous dresses, sets and loveable characters, this movie is an amazing reminder of what a combo of research and thinking outside the box can do and the beautiful results it can yield.

When Pantone announced that Tangerine Tango was the color of the year I got pretty excited. How an you not love it? It’s beautifully vivid and luscious. Admittedly, in the beginning, I wanted to wear it more than see it in my home. However, when I found myself pondering Martha Stewart’s Persimmon for my kitchen wall, I realized that  bold color  tones, including the tango had hold on my design daydreams.

And these are bold colors I would want to see front and center in a home, not just in accessories. I’m thinking something like this:

{images via pinterest}

Berries and colorful, lipstick brights are giving so much inspiration, right now. And I’m thinking a bold chair, or two, would be a gorgeous  addition to any home.

Something about winter’s crisp air has me falling for the rustic charm and artisan quality of these gorgeous home goods from Peg and Awl.

waxed canvas tote

desk caddy

tub caddy

apothecary spice rack

I guess winter has me craving the  warmth of  natural materials. All of these need to be in my place, especially the tub caddy.

Happy Monday and Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012!

{image via pinterest}

I  never  make a huge list of resolutions, mainly just one or two and it is usually something that encompasses a specific concept or personal goal. This year, my resolution  it is to be my own wife. Does that sound strange? I hope so. And it’s not a new concept, but for me it’s about acknowledging the  longest committed relationship I have ever been in, the one I have had with myself. It’s about being  my own best friend, supporting myself with honesty sans harsh criticism ( I have a LOUD inner critic) and treating myself with understanding and kindness.  And like any relationship it takes work, but I have come to realize that my creative self needs a more  nurturing lover and advocate, than I have been in the past.

I’m  also taking some time to explore more creative outlets. Since my move, I found that I love to cook and bake. I am happiest when the smell of a home-cooked meal and or freshly baked dessert permeates my petite abode.  And my creative adventures  need a home, outside of the blog. I  still want to write it all down, but this time  on paper. Sometimes too many random thoughts  in my head block  the creative ones,  so I figure  it’s better to transfer them to a safe, pretty place. Plus, as an artist,  it’s important  to put hand to paper.

{image via ruche}

Anyhoo, I decided that it’s going to be our year and an amazing journey. Last year, this time of year I was in a completely different place and space and I am still in awe of the fantastic changes. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2012 has to offer, aren’t you? What are some of the creative resolutions you have planned for 2012?