Style Quiz

After dubbing my aunt "Earthy Textural" yesterday, I came across this Style Quiz thanks to YHL. After selecting images that I "preferred" from others, from various room images - bedroom, kitchen, etc, to what hat I'd want to wear - my result? Unpretentious Bon Vivant - the explanation:

An intimate home of modest proportions. The living room envelops your kitchen in hip cool. A button down bedroom belies it's comfort. Art that definitely does not match the sofa. Thematic table accessories set the mood. A lithe and agreeable cab - no meal required. Pre-war, upper east side attitude. A den of discussion for artists and intellectuals.

And, the best part, the celebrity suspects for my type? Cary Grant and Coco Chanel. Who knew I was that sophisticated?

Wood Inspired

My aunt Cheryl recently purchased a new house, and now that she has successfully replaced almost every light in it (chandeliers, sconces, you name it), she's eager to start planning the bigger projects - namely the bathroom renovations she wants to do (2 full baths + 1 powder room). After browsing with her yesterday at various home stores, killing time before we saw a movie, I decided to dub her style "Earthy Textural." She definitely resonates with warm wood tones, layering of different textures, maybe even a bit eclectic in taste (at least in my opinion). It should be fun designing these bathrooms with her, especially as she leans to the more traditional, and as most of you know, I grew up in the "big white box" as my brother used to call it. Although, Cheryl made me promise not to start working on it until I wrote my paper, so I guess I better get going. In the meantime, these images were inspiring the warm feeling I think we'll be heading in...

Sunday Brunch

Day two of my WOF (weekend of freedom :-)). Off to brunch with my aunt Cheryl, then maybe catch a movie later today since it's supposed to be raining until tonight. Sounds like a perfect lazy-day Sunday to me!

Image from RTIF

Happy Weekend!

I was happy to set my alarm this morning to start off my school-free-filled weekend with Robin. We're off to Hitched in Georgetown to look for bridesmaid dresses, then this afternoon I finally get to see her dress and talk flowers, parties and planning. Hope you all have a great weekend as well!

Window Shopping

Alright, I'll be honest, online shopping, but hopefully once Spring Break starts next week, I'll have time to do the real thing... I am going through project withdrawal. Not that I have the time, but when I lived in Santa Monica or in Venice with Panpan, I was always in the midst of some home improvement project - whether it was painting or (attempted) gardening, or other small DIY projects. This morning I saw this sofa on Miss Pixies' website (my favorite DC store with a very eclectic collection of repurposed/vintage finds) and was really wishing I could sweep it up and reupholster it. Then somehow magically bring it with me to a new apartment I will occupy post-grad school:

It's for sale for $300 which is a total steal, and would look amazing in the blue velvet I've been dreaming of. Ahh, someday...

Missing Magazines

It's been another hectic week with school, and unfortunately, it looks like my weekend will be about the same. Although, plans to see Biutiful tonight with friends is motivating me to be productive today. Saturday mornings are my luxury, though. It has become ritual to lounge around in my pj's until a little too late, drink lots of coffee, and pour over some online inspiration. I miss the days of magazines though. I think now that Margaret Russell has gone over to Architectural Digest, it might be worth another look (I've read online the revamped mag is pretty good). Although, my morning's school project will probably fill the void - I am going to make "sensory boards" - the old way, too, by photocopying odds and ends and pinning them up, not designing a board in InDesign. The prospect of it makes me feel a little nostalgic for my Design360 days. But, I'm hoping like those boards, it inspires some thesis direction - because I feel a little lost right now.

My other quick note is that I've realized it's not the cold that bugs me here (it has actually not been that bad minus a little snow one night this week). It is the fact I don't get to see the sun as often as I should - you know, to get enough Vitamin D. Yesterday the sun peaked out for a while in the morning and it felt wonderful. Here's hoping a few more sun-drenched days are on their way, like this one below.

Image via At Home At Home.

Collecting Stories

This week has been crazy busy as we have a 50% Design Development presentation Monday for CBDS. Even though that's been taking up a lot of my physical time, my mind keeps wandering back to thesis. (As it should be, the 80% draft document is due shortly after spring break is over!) I sent out an unofficial survey to friends, classmates, and family asking about spaces that have made either a positive or negative impression on them. I do not want to publish any of the results yet, as I don't want to influence what others may still write, but I am really enjoying compiling the responses. Definitely varied but rich with detail and personal narrative. I feel with each response I read, I am invited to connect with the writer a little bit more. Thanks to all who have responded so far; I can't wait to read more.

Photo courtesy of Eric Warner (I'm hoping he doesn't mind).