I love these out of scale, dollhouse views of Claire Coles‘ wallpaper designs. All of her papers are handmade and it’s easy to get a sense of her artistry when looking at them this way.

Without art I would be totally lost. When I need to clear my head and make room for creativity, the first thing I do is head to a museum. Or as Thelma Golden calls it, “the think tank.” Ms. Golden always  inspires me…

Oh how Mango temps me so! First, DWJ sent me this dress, which I adore but was no longer in my size. Whew… I made it; or so I thought. Silly me kept looking and then I found this dress:

{dress bombon via mango}

And yes, this perfectly belted,  slouchy, comfy dress does come in my size. All I need are these boots to go with it. Then, I guess I would be ready for fall.

Lately I’ve been looking at a lot of offices and studios. Today, I’m inspired by the charming modern/traditional mix of Milly designer, Michelle Smith’s NYC showroom.

Clean and serene but with pops of color and pattern, I just can’t get enough. I thought I’d through these picks just for more fun and color.

{images via traditional home}

I love a little color to reinvigorate a gloomy Wednesday!

Two weeks ago I headed to Phillips after 5 at the The Phillips Collection, the first museum in the US dedicated to Modern Art. In a collaboration with Project Beltway and  Neiman Marcus,  the museum,  put on Fashion Follows Art, an abbreviated showing of Jason Wu’s Fall Collection 2010 for TSE with the art of Robert Ryman. Jason Wu’s fall collection was inspired by Ryman’s art and an exhibit of his work in on view at the museum. It was a great event, but it was really crowded, partially because of torrential downpours.  So you can get a feel of the beauty that I saw, I must share this wonderful slide show comparing the two.

I found myself in awe of Ryman’s abstractions and his exploration of  impermanence and the layered, tactile nature of them, even more  than Jason Wu’s  collection. I actually felt the yearning to reach out and touch the art but luckily I refrained.  However I can’t shake the feeling that I really need to go back and see these small scale paintings again. This teaser of the exhibit is helping me in the meantime.

Sometimes, all I want to do is sit in a gallery and just absorb all the creative energy around me.  I can see why Jason Wu was so inspired.

Happy Monday! I want to wish you a good week. I’m going to to the Bright Star later this week  so I can do a special post today.

I consider myself an eternal student, especially when it comes to issues of design, resources and  sustainability. That’s why,  last Wednesday, when I had the opportunity to pay  a visit GoodWeave USA (formerly Rugmark) to learn more about ethically produced rugs, I practically ran there.

GoodWeave is a non-profit organization that works in two  countries, India and Nepal, to put an end to child-labor practices in the rug industry. At work ,we source rugs all the time and most are constructed in the areas GoodWeave serves.

{the goodweave label}

Since GoodWeave started in India, the number of children affected by child labor has been reduced from 1 million to 250,000. And those children who rescued, are given educational opportunities, that ordinarily they wouldn’t have access to as part of a black market labor force. But there’s still more work to do if GoodWeave plans to corner 15% of the rug market. Designers and Retailers can help with that if we increase demand for ethically produced rugs.

To make it easier to source a GoodWeave approved rug. the organization, has put out a resource guide for the trade that covers different styles of rugs, enough to fit into a number of interiors. Here’s a few companies that proudly wear the label.

Company C:

Malene B:

Florence Broadhurst Handmade rugs:

PS…This rug is being given away in the 2010 GoodWeave raffle.

Because clients entrust designers with their money, it’s really important that it is spent wisely. For me that includes making the best ethical choices possible. The  next time i source another rug, I will definitely be looking for the Goodweave label.

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!}

Confession: I’ve never owned/worn a red dress in my life.  I have decided that needs to change. I think the best way to go about it is  with a dress that exudes sexiness without being overt. Something like this dress would do nicely:

I love how this Rachel Rachel Roy Twisted Tight dress accentuates the body on the bias. That’s always flattering  and comes without the self consciousness of wearing a skintight dress. This might be my first red dress. What do you think ?  Should I go for it? Are you the Red Dress type?

Nothing makes me happier than beautiful  outdoor spaces. Especially the Brooklyn backyard garden of J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons. I adore outdoor rooms and I just pulled this image for my personal design files.

{image via door sixteen and livingetc}

Personal green space can be a cherished retreat in urban environments. I love that it isn’t over done with furniture and is really about the communication between the home’s architecture, the landscape and the garden. I feel the  soothing effects of her garden retreat just looking at it.