ann kent

Cute Aesthetic

I really like this.

Freunde von Freunden - Sarah Illenberger from Freunde von Freunden on Vimeo.

Snow In The North East

    

We continue to be mired in snow in the Northeast! I love it because I grew up in Buffalo, New York where we were blanketed in snow nearly every day during the Winter! And, one must admit, snow and sunshine is a beautiful combination!

In any event, I found a wonderful Christmas craft idea at the Better Homes and Gardens website (here) and, yes, it is after Christmas; nevertheless, if we commit to making just one of these ornaments per month, we will have quite a nice collection of very lovely, architectural Christmas ornaments to either keep or give away as presents in December 2010!

PS I am drawn to the mid-century modern ornament! Enjoy!

Images via BHG and JCrew.

How To Decorate A Modern House, Ranch, or Split Level II

I recently found this apartment featured on the Living Etc website and I am truly smitten.  Hasn't Jamie Karlsson (co-owner of Jimmie Martin, a hip furnishings purveyor) articulated the perfect blend of modern and classic?  I love the neutral walls and floors and the pops of color (see frame and chair)!  I adore Mr. Karlsson's text based art and covet the black velvet settee!  And the french chair with the bright flower print - it's mine!  Mr. Karlsson's decor is exactly the mix of antiques and modern that I reference in my earlier post about modern decor here.   Mr. Karlsson - thank you for the inspiration - we love it! 

A Funky Apartment In Denmark.

I traveled to Borders today to pick up a few books and of course, as soon as I walked into the store, the issue of Living etc. resting on the shelf caught my eye.  This particular issue was a bit outdated as it was the holiday issue. I quickly flipped through the magazine and, of course, I saw so many images that were consistent with my own design aesthetic that, despite the rather hefty price of this Australian magazine to Americans, I had to have it.  Simply.  After the demise of Blueprint, Domino, and House & Garden, well, you know the situation.  And so, I purchased the magazine. 

I returned home and as I walked through the door, I thought - oh goodness, when will this end.  I am over 40, time is passing, and I continue to be obsessed with white walls, a modern but eclectic decor, and bright pops of color.  Of course, I started to doubt myself ... well,  what is this obsession anyway?  And aren't you a bit, dare I say, old for this? Oh sadness.

Well, the heavens assuaged my doubts immediately; there is no question.  The weather in the Northeast today is overcast and snow falls.  I brewed tea, and opened my purchase. The first article I turned to was a layout of images from Marianne Brandi's apartment in Copenhagen.  Marianne designs the home collection for the clothes and interiors label Day Birger et Mikkelsen.  She and her partner are living in an apartment in Sweden for three years temporarily while Marianne's 18 year old daughter finishes school.

Here was the answer to my doubts.  See for yourself.  Marianne shares a design sensibility similar to my own.  Here are shots from Marianne's apartment and isn't the decor lovely?  I felt reassured.  See all of the images at Living etc. here .

 

Invitation To Spend A Weekend At Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater

 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright?  Unless you were well connected, you likely never had the opportunity, like me.  Well, now, if you are fortunate enough in this economy to have a spare $1200, you too can spend a weekend at FLW's Fallingwater near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia and perhaps even dine with a luminary from the architecture world.  See this article for details!

The Creative Life, Not Necessarily What You Think.

I haven't blogged in some time.  Summer fun and travel didn't leave much time.  But I found a blog post recently and it speaks to me.  I think I find it interesting because I am increasingly seeing the merit in a full time job with benefits.  And having such a job does not necessarily preclude the living of a creative life.  And that is the message of the blog post.  The piece is from a very successful blogger, creative, and artist - Alex Beauchamp. 

Image from Anthropologie.

Keeping A Journal

I always liked the idea of keeping a journal.  In fact, I have started one more often than I can count.  However, and I hope this does not say something about me (?), I have never really kept one on an ongoing basis.  I have all of the right intentions but not enough commitment.  Nevertheless, that is all about to change for me (truly!) because while meandering around the blogosphere, I discovered this post with this picture:

The author, Brooke Reynolds, a former Martha Stewart art director (wow, dream job!!!), apparently kept a Moleskine journal while she was dating her then boyfriend, now husband.   Brooke date stamped each page and wrote five things that happened to her each day. 

Well, first of all, I have a  Moleskine journal that a dear friend gave me for Christmas one year.  I love it and hope to fill it with treasures but some how, I never do.  Second, a date stamp is so cool and retro (reminds me of the library as a child) and inexpensive.  Third, I am so excited ... I can do this!  It is so easy and not intimidating and what a wonderful legacy to leave to your children.  Let's start today.

PS  Check out Brooke's wonderful blog, inchmark, here.