I'm just saying:

Some pass 'the test'...some don't.

1 via, 2 via

*bisous*
Dane

Pom Pom

I love this ottoman from Urban Outfitters. I'd likely remove the pom poms...but The Girl *loves* them the best.

*bisous*
Dane

Perils Of Renovations: Public Humiliation

Since I'm working on updating our foyer I've divested it of all things useful. The mirror, useful for that 'final mirror check' before running out the door, seems to be the most crucial item removed from my foyer.

via coco + kelley

Last week I was exhausted. This is my excuse.

The set up:  I had a very busy week; work, kids, foyer (mudding & sanding) etc. I'd put the kids to bed, stripped of my jeans and sat down on the bed to quickly check my email. The Girl came in and asked if she could cuddle with me for a bit so I snuggled in with her...'for a minute' and promptly fell asleep with her in my arms. *heaven*

At some point during the night I recall my bra was hurting my ribs. I vaguely remember having to sit up to get both arms around behind my back to undo it. That is all I can remember.

The next day got off to a crazy start as it always does on days when both The Boy and The Girl have school. I slept in, they where chatty when eating, pokey when getting dressed and constantly trying to sneak in to the family room to watch tv. So I ran around with my tooth brush in one hand, lunch bags in the other shouting 'get dressed', 'brush your teeth', 'leave your sister alone'...before we go running out the door with me sprinting and yelling 'come on you can do it up on the way'!!

All in all the day got off to a regular start...except the funny looks I was getting from the other parents dropping off kids...at the grocery store, liquor store...and then again from the teachers & parents when I was picking up the kids after school.

I didn't think too much about the extra looks I was getting. My short term memory is not what it used to be so I forgot quickly and therefore never paused to consider the reason beyond my new bangs (we'll save that for another day of shared humiliation).

While making dinner I reached under my t-shirt to scratch between my shoulder blades. I'll be damned if I didn't feel the bra I thought I'd taken off the night before.

OMG, it was across my chest at armpit height all day. All. Day.

I have got to get the foyer done. I've decided to totally mirror one wall.

*bisous*

Dane

You're So Vain, Mirror In the...Kitchen?!

Yesterday I felt like doing something different. So I put a mirror on the wall in the kitchen. Why not, we put them in dining rooms right?


Tonight we sat down at the table to eat dinner (last night we sat in front of the T.V.). Turns out a mirror in the kitchen may not be the best idea with a 5 year old and a (almost) 7 year old. The 'girl'...6 going on 17, spent the whole meal watching herself, flipping her hair...blowing kisses(?!) and dancing in her seat.

Daddy (Steve aka Shteebe) was totally irked. Dinner took longer and the kids where told more often then usual to 'turn around and eat'.

Lesson learned:  If you want to put a mirror in the kitchen and are considering kids...get the mirror first.

BTW, looking at the image above...I totally get a white kitchen. Cause before...I wasn't so sure it was the hottest trend...but that kitchen is HOT!

*bisous*
Dane

Barcelo Raval Hotel in Barcelona

Now this is what the hallways in condos and hotels should look like.

photo: jordi miralles

From the graphic wallpapered ceiling, the contract carpeting that you want to run your hands over, the under-cut baseboard to the sexy side lights; this common area of the Barcelo Raval Hotel is totally hot.

*bisous*
Dane

Waiting For the Dust To Settle *cough*

Not a photo to draw readers looking for some pretty pretty is it?

I will confess though...working on one of the too many 'existing' projects does feel...good god(!) it feels like I should be paying someone else to do it.

I'm so not a happy camper right now. I have this niggling in the back of my head suggesting I've given Steve too many things to do.

There is no way I can get around it. I've over booked him and now I've got to do more than just sashay in with the paint, fabric, tile etc. and make the place look fabulous after his, admittedly, down and dirty, work. Now I've got to get 'ahem', down and dirty.

*sighs* I so deserve some libations after this day.

Natalie will know just what will go with the Mulligatawny soup I've made. Yes, I do it all Lovelys...just some things better than others.

P.S. I was thinking...how about instead of re-tiling the entrance...I'll put down a stained cement floor (with radiant heating natch) like this one from Metropolitan Home:

P.P.S. Don't worry the sliding closet doors are going out to the curb. =)

*bisous*

Dane

I've been 'told' I'm not to start another project in our house. I actually have to finish the ones I've started!

This is so hard to do. Yes, there are many projects in our house which are 'in progress'...but they are stalled at points where I have no control over their advancement towards completion. Well OK not all of them...I could do the plaster repairs in the foyer since I've already stripped the popcorn ceiling. But that is so messy with all the sanding and so not fun.

source

So I pace. I pace around the house from project to project and pass...all. the. potential. projects.

I could start any number today....

I need to get out. Really. I will start a project if not distracted soon.

Are you spinning your wheels? Do you have projects desperate for you to get started?

I really want to get my dining room painted. But...I have to remove the dreaded popcorn ceiling first...which then entails having to re-plaster the joints, sanding, more plaster and sanding.

Steve would not be impressed to return home from work today to find the ceiling stripped. But I could have it done in like an hour and a half tops! How can I NOT do it?!

I need to get out of the house before I do something Steve will regret.

*bisous*
Dane

Happy Mother's Day

source via

*bisous*
Dane

Rainy Day Project - Snake Print Tray

Needed something to do to feel slightly productive today. This tray has been in my dining room holding the 'booze'. The interior lining has been a source of iritation going on 3 years now. Talk about procrastination!

This afternoon I decided to use some of the fabric I'm upholstering the back of the Louis XV style antique chairs. A sexalicious snake print!

Much better!

Back in place.

How do you like my 'new to me' retro floor lamp? Needs to be rewired...another rainy day project.

Now, show me your bar set up.

*bisous*

Dane

Rainy Day Inspiration - From the 2 Hounds Inspiration Archives

Just because it's raining doesn't mean you can't...get outside!

via House Beautiful

*bisous*

Dane

Fibonacci: Geometry of Desire

Missoni is synonymous with it. Designers and decorators ''throw" it, "drape" it and "paint" it.

The Geometric Fibonacci Sequence aka Bargello:

via:  The Goods Design, Gossip Girl Set via Tobi Fairley, Apartment Therapy, unknown, VandM.com's DesignInTell Blog, Adler Pillows via Material Girls Blog, Missoni Converse...j'adore!  

*bisous*
Dane

Remember To Always Take Some Time For Your Self

This is where I like to imagine I am.

With plenty of these!

I've taken the day off from work to spend some time with myself. I hope you all have a great Wednesday. The rest of the week will be fabulous!

*bisous*

Dane

credits: 1, 2

My 1stDibs.com Picks

A few of the newest items for sale on 1stDibs.com that I'm in likey with.

T. A. Greene for Monteverdi Young Brass Chandelier

Lunel Sconces large version

Karl Springer Chrome and Lucite Bar Cart (top of table swings providing more counter space!)

Brandy Snifter Fixture by Paavo Tynell

Industrial Mesh Armoire

Milo Baughman Credenza

*bisous*

Dane

1stdibs Has It's 1st Pop Up Installation Featuring 3 of NYC's Top Designers

1stdibs (online antique and vintage design resource)  along with 3 of New Yorks top designers (Steven Gambrel, Julie Hillman and David Mann) have collaborated to produce 3 designer showcase penthouses for the newly constructed LEED-certified loft residences at 1 Jackson Square in Greenwich Village.

Of course the stunning lofts are available however you can also purchase any of the furnishings, selected by the designers, online at 1stdibs.com or on site at 1 Jackson Square!

- I so wish I could go!

Steven Gambrel's interiors:

Oh! Looks like Farrow & Balls Mahogany in the bedroom.

I love the Bargello drapery. Steven also used Bargello on a throw pillow on the bed as well as in another room of the loft. A man after my own heart!

I love Steven's loft the best. The rooms are so livable and have so many layers. Each room tells the story of a life lived full of texture, art and mystery.

Julie Hillman's loft:

I Love this bedroom. It is well edited, organic and modern. This is so achievable in everyone's home. I especially love the light fixture.

Um....?

Hmmm.

Oh it's killing me to say it but I don't like it! Nothing works. I was *so* excited when I saw the bedroom. I can't help but wonder if Julie left a hint in the living room as to what happened with her design of the loft.

David Mann:

Oh, for the love of Pete...please ignore the formatting of the blog. Blogger is not 'blog friendly'.

Well I like the office. Particularly the wall covering and the desk/storage piece.

Perhaps Julie and David's lofts had 1stdibs buyers through who purchased a bunch of stuff...before the photographer arrived.

*bisous*

Dane

Nothing Could Be Finer Then...South Carolina?

We are just making plans for our summer trip to South Carolina. We can not wait to get back. Last summer we were there for 3 weeks.

We would *love* to buy a home in Charleston:

I can't remember if this stunning property was on S. Battery or Murry Blvd. But I'd buy it...if I won the lottery.

But I'd perfectly happy with:

Yep, that's me in the photo...being nosey. See it had a for sale sign and was vacant. Turns out it had been purchased. It had been used as a rooming house (horrors) and was going to be reno'd...in to what I don't know. But I think I look perfectly at home. We can't wait to see what has been done with 'our' Plantation style home south of Battery.

I love the bridge in to Historic Charleston:

I love the old cobblestone roads:

I miss the magnolia trees in full bloom AND with leaves at the same time. FYI:  In Toronto we get the flowers for about 3 weeks then about a month later the leaves come in.

Can't wait for July!