Scatterbrain

I'm going to talk about several things at once.
This great loft in Oakland gives me inspiration-

Some homey kitchens-

Eames + a Boston-

Lastly, my favorite new design from Blik, which makes removable wall decals-

Finishing up my second week working full time (it's great), and going away this weekend.  Hope you have a good one!

Exterior Design

Over the weekend, when the snow was melting into slippery puddles, and the sunny glint of the bright white made it hard to see, I felt the first hint of spring.  As my dog tried to navigate his way through, my mind was elsewhere, dreaming of upcoming warm days.
I can't wait for the hint of green, and it makes me want to start planning my fantasy garden.  Two years ago I was lucky enough to spend a part of the summer traipsing through gardens in Tuscany- observing, watercoloring, and enjoying the spaces.  The interesting thing about an Italian garden is the formality.  Restraining and shaping nature to create an organized environment that aims to transport you to another place.  Or at least a place that provides a little shade from the sweltering heat or a hidden nook for a garden tryst.  The funny thing about the gardens was the element of surprise-  hidden statue or jet of water right around the corner.
The most beautiful ones though, are those that are rough around the edges.  Kind of overgrown, reverting back to the way it used to be.
I desperately want to design a rambling backyard later in life- preferably my own?   Until that time, I'll make do with the houseplants.

A Regal Farewell

Rest in peace, Alexander McQueen.  Your ballsy concepts and theatrical shows revved up the designer inside me when I was beginning the path towards finding my own voice.  Thanks for that.
One of my favorite things you did was for your Spring + Summer 1999 show- a model vulnerable to robots that come alive, dousing her rotating body with paint.  Only to emerge, powerful, having created before everyone.
Design is design, in my opinion.  The application of craft is what varies, but the essential method of creation is the same across disciplines.  I'm grateful to have been inspired by you.

Not-So Neutral

Saw this picture and thought it'd make a great palette:

Lively Merchandising

Check out the pop-up store that I helped my boss with!  More interior pics on the link.

Outside... So unassuming...

Inside.

Hello racks!

Sweet Dreams, Self!

[Programming note: Finally adjusted the layout after awkward squabbles with photo sizing.  Hopefully this will solve the problem.]
In the next week I am buying a new mattress! Hoorah.
Which leads me to a dilemma- the bed situation.  I haven't found any that I like that are in my price range... so my official plan is to build myself one.
Materials, I know I can do it DIY style- plywood, 2x4s.  I want to sand the wood down and stain it a reddish brown.  Luckily I have a wood distributor next door, so I won't have to carry it far.  And by carry, I mean scoot in my granny-cart.  Another idea I was thinking of was upholstery.  Am I the kind of person who would have an uhpholstered headboard?  What about just upholstered bed sides?  Do I need a headboard?  I want it to be low to the ground, but I also cringe at the idea of losing valuable storage space.
It's safe to say that my brain is swimming with style ideas and construction questions.  To help sort, here's my virtual concept board.  More to come as things progress.  Until then, you can guess what I'll be dreaming of.

Grey felt upholstered by BoConcept.  I like the thinness of the sides, and also how you could rest things on the ledge, like cell phone and book.

Blocky upholstered Nyla Bed from Vioski.  I kind of just admire the shape of this one.  I don't like the crease in the front.

St. Pierre Bed from Uhuru Design.  (I can't get enough, apparently!)  What I like about this is the honesty of materials, as well as the unashamedly striking contrast of the headboard. 

This bad boy via Home Sweet Home (site, not the bar) just inspires me to be creative.  Living in a loft has its challenges.

Harmonica Storage bed from CB2.  The one above is actually last year's version (Sleepy Hollow), but frankly, the new version didn't have a Boston Terrier in the photos.  They're similar enough, though the Harmonica is stained a more yellowish color, which I do not like.  I do however, like this version of under-bed storage.  No pesky drawers to pull out!