hunting in the bush

on our annual trip to the hamptons we have a few little special stops on our way to the final destination. the first always being lauren copen antiques in bridgehampton.

this is one of those shots of creative energy destinations that ever fails to inspire. well, the luck of the draw and she was closed, so we walked the grounds a bit and found some great little treasures hidden all over the yard. it was a very hunterly experience.

these 4 little garden chairs caught my eye, ready to go home with someone before summer is up.

retracting a bit

i got a text from a good friend reminding me how wonderful shells were and how meaningful they have been in both our lives. being a beach person, i cannot deny this, but my last post was really about those who have gone over board with shells. you know, those themed houses.

all i meant was i dont really want to be come one of them. thats all i wanted to say on this friday morning.

photo taken a few weeks ago in the hamptons.

just another wabi-sabi

a discolored iron stone oval ditty with found sea shells from montauk 2009. one of those little dishes that looks great empty, but every once in a while a sea shell seems to make its way.

i know...there is just something about sea shells, they can boarder on tacky at times.

wabi-sabi this...meant in all sincerity

i promise to not dwell on wabi-sabi forever, but while setting the table tonight i had a moment: cotton napkins from Muji (purchased in HK. $3.00 for 4), cheese knife (found in Santa Cruz Goodwill for $0.25).

these simple affordable housewares make eating at home feel special. even more so because they will pay it forward for years to come.

wabi-sabi

So, i am speechless. a friend at work told me she saw a blog posting on Apartment Therapy blog and thought of me. it is back from november 2008 by grace chu.

the movement of wabi-sabi has been around for a while and recently coined as a new type of aesthetic. to be totally frank, i would love to be dubbed as a wabi-sabi fanatic. see the loose definition below. facinating and wonderful. enjoy. i am now going to imbark on becoming a member of team wabi-sabi.

Wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection: it values simplicity, uncluttered, underplayed, and modest surroundings. Authenticity is key to wabi-sabi philosophy: the presence of cracks and scratches in things are considered to be symbolic of the passing of time, weather, and loving use--and should be embraced. Another facet to wabi-sabi is the idea of the "obvious pretty" vs. "unique beauty." (Or, as one of the articles we read describes it, "Marilyn Monroe vs. Katherine Hepburn").

Unlike shabby chic, wabi-sabi decor inspires minimalism that focuses more on the people who live in the space than anything else. Possessions and other items are pared down to the essentials based on utility, beauty, or nostalgia (or all three). The color palette sways toward whites and earth tones thanks to the use of natural materials. It's almost Shaker-style in its approach: live modestly, and learn to be satisfied with life as it can be once the unnecessary is stripped away.

Wabi-sabi enthusiasts (called "wabibitos") are described as being "a person who could make something complete out of eight parts when most of us would use ten." Practically speaking, this could be the act of living in smaller home, driving a smaller car, or even eating just enough to be pleasantly full this Thanksgiving holiday

(photos by Sköna Hem and Emmas Design Blogg)

colour pallette

nature knows best. another shot from montauk 2009.
back in 1990 i visited a college roommates parents beach home in carpenteria, california. the interior colors they chose were amazing and the flow was just right for a beach house.
i will never forget the day his dad told me the colors were inspired and taken from the eucalyptus tree bark in the front yard. i went out and analyzed the tree and low and behold...there was a pale, pale grey- green in the bark. a light bulb went off!!

the private path...of no return

exactly one year ago the inception of this blog was discussed on this very beach in montauk. i hate to say it, but i have slacked a bit...but am revitalized by my trip back to the hamptons, courtesy of the mcgahey clan.
this is what you do: get to destination, greet friends, place luggage in designated area and then....hit it till you get to the beach.
OH what a sight.....

room with a view

so lets talk about the new standard hotel in nyc. when we checked in and found we did not get the river view...lets just say there was a moment of silence. BUT, when we walked into our city view room on the 16th floor.....lets just say there was another moment of silence (this is the view from room 1601).
the standard did not disappoint. check out this view...and this shot does not do it justice. to the left is the hudson and to the right, more new york skyline buildings.
breathtaking!!! its a must stay or at least visit destination in the city.

blankety, blank, blank......blank

do you see what i see? blank walls. what a perfect solution to showcase the amazing textiles (all the great pillows with vintage textiles) this house holds. it also makes each piece of furniture feel special and bold.
this is nothing new, and i consider this all the time (taking all the art down), but i would really need some large rooms so i could at least lean the art against the walls.
the photo on top has a great solution for deciding on prints and patterns and whether you want to live with them long term or not. just take that great piece of fabric and drape it over a cushion...tuck it in and let it live as if it were case. very bohemian and you don't ever have to make a permanent cover...it makes it easier to wash too.....

outdoor bathing. maybe later

one day, when we have that great little house by the water..there will be the outdoor shower. there is nothing like bathing in the open air (summer of course, unless you live in palm springs a bit more year round).
i took this shot recently at the ace hotel, palm springs. they converted an old howard johnson motel, into this modern, casual and welcoming trendy hotel (a bit too trendy for my grandma pace).
props to their design team....they actually made this cinder block wall a bit softer by painting it white, and functional with a shower next to the pool. you would think a practical option, but the pool was not chlorinated, so the whole weekend i did not see one person partake. at least it was nice to look at.

the race is on...how neutral can i go

i'm a sucker for the bark, dirt and straw pallet. i know...everyone keeps telling me it is tired, but i promise to never tire of it.
i'm officially on the hunt for that great woolly blanket with the wide stripes in neutrals. its so casual LUX to me, but i'm not sure if i could be any more broad in discription.
lets take a moment and take note of the wonderful fern as well...our SPLASH of color.

the best cab ride of my life

i'm back from a long haul to asia. everyone said i must take as many inspiration pictures as i could.....well, there was no time at the end of the day, but i have to say everything i could dream of was in a taxi ride to a show room in Hong Kong.
i mean does this guy get it or what. he is bringing some sunshine and life along with him at work. the way he has this old plastic bottle fastened to the dashboard with an old piece of wire is perfect, and then his little bouquet of flowers doesn't get any better.
the best cab ride ever....his vibe was good and he was playing some patsy cline on the radio.
sorry about the dark quality of the photo...it doesn't do the feeling and emotion justice. used the old cell phone.