Filtering by Category: Nesting
Charles & Ray Eames: American Masters
If you're reading this, you'd likely know about my infatuation with the mid-century era, particularly the modernism - Nelson, Miller, Saarinen, Knoll, Noguchi... but nothing blows my mind quite like Eames. Charles & Ray Eames are now officially "American Masters", and while I've missed the airing on PBS network, I'm very much looking forward to snuggling up tonight post-dinner with my lover and a bowl of popcorn to stream the new documentary, Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the Painter. You can join me in my lesson in modern American history here.
P.S. Check out how a nearly-lost art form is revived as the iconic Fiberglass Shell Chairs are recreated!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v6CL8CeNpw]
Playing with Paint
Over the weekend we knocked the kitchen off our "to do" and painted the eating area, plus one accent kitchen wall, the most perfect shade of sunshine yellow. It's by far my favorite room in the house right now!! Can't wait to move onto furnishing the inside of that little eating nook and creating the "hub" of the house. I'm on the lookout for a tulip-styled round white table for 4, some mismatched mid-century modern seating, an oversized corkboard for the wall, a funky DIY light fixture (that I can't wait to share with you!!), and some bright green potted wheatgrass to make the yellow even more sunshine-y. Can't wait to see it all come together in there!!
The most important part of choosing the paint color for this kitchen was the flooring; a way to avoid it. We picked a shade that was in the floor but that would direct eyes away from it. I really can't get over how well this method works! not only do our eyes steer clear of the flooring now, but the floor actually looks close to cute against this pop of color!
Freida took to it like a pro!
Every morning when I see the paint cans waiting idly on the floor for Sunday to come around once more, the bright and colorful dripping paint never fails to make me smile.
I must seriously be consumed with thoughts of paint, because somehow I started seeing paint everywhere!!
How adorable is this wooden bowling play set??
Nothing like some beautiful and unique Japanese playthings to brighten up your day (not to mention a hilariously translated, non-decipherable website!).
Painted Pink
I've been coveting the concept of a pink accent wall for at least a year now, and while we never had the guts (or the need) to re-paint our lovely green living room wall in our previous apartment, once here surrounded by "renter's white" - we finally gave it a go! We launched 2012 in a super-bright way this past Sunday - via a coat of hot pink paint in the living room!
I won't deny that once the day went on and the pink shade deepened, I did start to freak out a tiny bit. :)
I kept wondering if it looked too dollhouse-y next to the white walls and couch, or thinking it totally clashed with the orange-y wood flooring, or that it simply wasn't a "hot" enough pink. Thankfully, I already know a thing about painting walls - you almost always freak out from the color at first. It takes a few days of living in it, and a few different light settings before you can truly decide if you like it or not...
After living in it for almost a week now, the only thing I know for certain is that I really love pink as an accent, and that I really to change out my lightbulbs for white light - the slightest yellow tinge against this color looks just awful! :)
That evening a friend of mine (thanks Layla!) sent me an email linked to the Apartment Therapy pink round-up, and it just reinforced my love for this warm girly hue! Here's why:
And if you find yourself falling in love with the pink but overwhelmed with the concept of wall color, try accenting:
We'll be continuing our redenzvous with color throughout the house tomorrow (including bright yellow in the kitchen!), and I'll make sure to post some pics of the complete pink wall once it is finished (read: furnished). :)
Menorah Magic
The week before Chanukah it suddenly dawned on me that Freida needed a Menorah. Last year I was able to excuse the lack of a little holiday candelabra with the fact that my little bug was simply too young to be playing with fire (hence, the magnetic variety). This year, after her 3rd birthday and her arrival at the "age of education", came her entering into the covenant of Jewish women through the igniting of a Shabbos flame (more on that beatific ritual and her arrival at the threshold later), there was no getting around the colorful little Chanukah candles!
When I asked Freida what kind of Menorah she wanted to light, she was quick to reply "a war elephant!". That majestic battle animal had graced the full-colored spreads of her many Chanukah books (especially this one), and apparently she took to the beast. :)
I found the idea online of using Model Magic clay to create a Menorah out of any form (toy, object etc.), and we walked down the block to Blick to pick up a $2 bag of white clay. We then picked up a big pack of colorful Chanukah candles and headed home to get crafting.
I opted out of using Freida's beloved Shleich elephant, and opted for the plastic $1 Target version instead (it was bigger anyways).
You basically just smoosh some model magic onto the top of any object of your choice, stick in the candles securely and let the whole thing dry with the candles in it.
Once dry, remove the candles and spray paint (or simply paint) the whole thing. You can even get bling-y and add some glue and glitter for a more glam effect.
Light up!!
You don't need to worry about the wax dripping all over - it pops right off the painted surface. The most important thing with this Menorah is to never let those candles burn all the way down - spray paint is rather flammable, if you know what I'm saying. Also, the Model Magic burns to a char. :)
