Before I officially  say “Au Revoir” for the weekend, I wanted to share this image  of Kelly Wearstler in her studio. It’s been hanging on my inspiration board for months. This  image of Kelly in the studio is one of many inspiration images that keeps me going when I begin to lose a little steam or feel off track.

{image via vogue}

However lately, for a number of reasons, I feel a bit renewed and this image means more to me than many of the others. At the end of the day, this is  how I envision myself; in my studio, surrounded by the things that inspire me and that I create. Oh, and fiercely fashionable as well. I hold my dreams close,  as they feel like a part of my genetic composition, and I  promise myself to make every effort to make them come true.

So I’m off for the weekend. I’m dog/house-sitting for a friend, so after work my weekend will be fairly low-key (I think). My plan is to  surround myself  with the chicest September Issues (just got Vogue and InStyle) and to read an awesome book.

By the way, I have a special post for Monday so stay tuned…I can’t wait to share part of what has me really inspired!

xoxo,

Jessica

Yesterday, I had the day off to do a few things for myself. It was a pretty awesome day. But yesterday evening, while  I was hanging out with DWJ, she said something she said has me totally inspired. I mean amped! This came after I decided to by the new book Creative, Inc by one of my favorite designer/bloggers, Joy of OH Joy and  Craft Inc’s Meg Mateo Ilasco. I  know by now you’ may have seen this video already, but it totally makes me happy. Since I work  as freelancer and consultant, this book has me inspired up the ante of my creative dreams 1000 notches. Can just imagine the  huge inspiration wave I’m riding? I love these moments!

Enjoy!

{via oh joy!}

I spend a lot of time driving in my car for work. Commutes can be brutally frustrating so often I need something to keep me entertained. Here’s a few podcasts that keep me inspired on the go.

1. KCRW’s Design and Architecture (DNA)

This is probably the most informative and comprehensive 30 minutes on my IPod. Frances Anderton, who is also the L.A. editor for Dwell Magazine,  has covered subjects modern design, the environment and sustainability, as well as branding and  product design mostly with an L.A. spin. It’s helps me remember that I always have  more to learn, when it comes to design.

2. The Skirted Roundtable

On a biweekly schedule interior designers and bloggers, Linda Merrill of Surroundings, Joni Webb of Cote de Texas and Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8 host a podcast that has featured, interior designers, authors and other industry insiders. It’s entertaining and informative and they seem to be a pretty good team.  Also, It’s wonderful to get inside information  and inspiration from designers  and editors that I may not have the opportunity to talk to otherwise. And, being a designer and blogger myself, they definitely touch on topics close to my heart.

3. The Splendid Table

Like DNA this is actually a radio show. While this podcast is not about design, I feel that in many ways it is about the concept of home. Bringing everything back to the dining table,  author and host Lynne Rosetto Kasper touches on subjects that cover the emotional connection with how we nurture ourselves. Kasper has spoken with authors,  historians, interior designers, poets, journalists and restaurateurs to seamlessly weave a show that is humorous, heartfelt and touching. Because food memories have played such an important part of my life, I can’t help but think of family and home whenever I listen. It also helps me remember that  we want clients to build new beautiful memories in the homes we design during the workday.

There are a few more that I listen to on the road.  I think I may need a Part 2 to cover the ones that I listen to that no longer broadcast but,I think this is a good start.  Aside from music,  what do you listen to on your commute?

I’ve always been inspired by great writers. They have always been rock stars to me, and as always, my infatuations include gleaning fashion cues. I even love that they sometimes form symbiotic relationships with designers like rock stars too!  (Toni Morrison and Bill Blass anyone?)

Anyhoo, right now, I’m inspired by the classics with a twist. That’s why I’ve been looking at these elegant and eclectic choices of author Zadie Smith.

{images via essence and guest of a guest}

The silhouettes she wears are simple and classic, choosing, instead, to opt for unique accessories or vivid pops of colors, adding a touch of quirkiness  (love her pins and necklaces). And by the way, I know turbans and head wraps are hot, but please note, Zadie’s been rocking them for a minute.  Very few are wearing them better than Ms. Smith.

For the July 4th weekend, I decided to spend the holiday at the beach on the Chesapeake Bay with my family.  It was so lovely to spend quality time with them. Having a bit of down time was totally worth it; I feel so rejuvenated. My phone barely worked on the property and all I could really do is get sand between my toes,  nap  and take photos.

While I was there, I went to a huge antique shop where I spotted these little beauties. How can you not love the intricate patterns on these Hungarian hand painted eggs? I love how all the patterns work together like magic.

The antiques shop also had this classic 30-piece Lenox china set with a sterling silver trim. Doesn’t it just make you swoon?

I’ve always had a thing for dreamcatchers and this photo is simply beautiful. As you read this, I’m working to catch a few dreams.

{image via the cherry blossom girl}

Hey my loves! How was your week? Any big plans for the weekend?  My plans include catching up on my photo assignment and a little summer reading. I have one of these books, as well as Interior Design Magazine , Art in America and Town and Country waiting for my undivided attention.

Speaking of Town and Country, while I was heading out of town last weekend, it turns out that DC got all vintage on me with the Seersucker Social.

{image via dcist}

You know what that means…Lots of badminton, croquet and various of other leisure time activities.  It reminded me of this gorgeous photo, below. Wouldn’t she have fit in famously?

{image via creative archive}

How beautiful! But it totally reminds me that I have a ton of photography to  get to. There’s  just too much life passing me by…

Anyhoo, Happy weekend! See you on the town!

xoxo, Jessica

I absolutely love this graduate collection from designer Karishma Shahani. Today, it’s giving me lots of beautiful color and texture inspiration.

I can’t wait to see the full collection on  in the September issue of Laundry Magazine.

Hey there! Just a quick post today while I jaunt around Cincinnati  with the fam…

I found out about Studio Toogood on Fly and fell hard for the conceptual design studio. This set the studio designed, below, is reminiscent  of the naiveté  in a  Henri Rousseau painting. Which means of course I’m totally in love.

Aren’t these images just beautiful?

{images set design thinking; the clothes horse}

Hi everyone! Here we are again at the end of another week. I’ll be travelling next week to meet my brand new nephew. I’m very excited but even though I’ll be away, I’ll be posting. Forgive me if it’s a little irregular.

Anyhoo,  Part 2 of  my photography class started last week. The first assignment was taking photos in black and white, or as my camera calls it, monotone.  Void of color,  I quickly noticed the importance of texture, contrast, pattern, as well as positive and negative space. It was like I was transported to, Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’Eclisse. There’s nothing like 1960’s Italian cinema.  Everything is poetic. In fact, the film, let the interiors, landscape and architecture of Rome communicate the emotions between the main characters. There aren’t many words ; the genius is that you fill in the space between the lines.

{l’eclisse images from chicago sun-times and film log}

My photo assignment also inspired today’s choice of interior which also reminded me of the film. Rich in texture and pattern but void of  hues, the  Dallas loft of Alice Cottrell has a bit of that spare 1960’s cinematic feel. It’s got romance, but a lot of it is left up to you to fill in the blanks.

Having torn down many of the walls to create openness and room to breathe, it doesn’t look like this space could be 700 sq ft does it? According to the Elle Decor article furnishings like the custom 16 ft sofa play with the eye’s spatial perception, also making the room look larger.  Also, I believe the Castiglioni Arco lamp also plays with the eye’s perception of the room. Also I can never get enough of the Womb Chair and that stunning damask wallpaper.

{images from elle decor and alice cottrell interior design; photography: jack thompson}

Cottrell created a poetic dialogue between the building’s 1960’s architecture and the interior space, while keeping it modern and livable with some romance thrown in for good measure.  Luckily she left enough room for us to create the rest of her gorgeous loft’s story.

I’m off to work and get camera happy…

Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo, Jessica