The City Sage

Happy Weekend!

Phew! Finally Friday has arrived! I hope you have something lovely planned for the weekend. We'll be heading to farmers market on Saturday and the Alameda Antiques Fair on Sunday--perhaps with a nap thrown in for good measure. But first:

• Sarah at Classic Bride is hosting a DIY contest with over $1000 in prizes!
• A big thank you to Design*Sponge for sharing my kitchen makeover.
• It's not too late to enter this week's giveaway: a $50 gift certificate from The Loaded Trunk!
• After I shared some gorgeous tabletop inspiration, a Swedish blog took it to the next level.
• San Francisco bloggers recommend local treats on Kirei Nest--with free printable notecards!
• Blair hits it out of the park with her Fashioning Interiors post.
• An outfit perfect for expeditions.
• I have a surplus of zucchini in our CSA box, so this recipe is a must-try
• The only thing more happy-making than wedding photos? Baby photos!
• What do we think about polka dot shower curtains?
• In my next life I will have a conservatory. Endless games of Scrabble will ensue.

Until Monday, my friends! xo

Image credits: 1,4. Jock Sturges 2. Stella Nicolaisen 3. IJM

Global Get the Look: Inspired by The Loaded Trunk!

Have you entered this week's giveaway for a $50 gift certificate from The Loaded Trunk? Before you pop over and put your name in the hat, stop and admire the incredible versatility of The Loaded Trunk's stunning exotic textiles. The warm reds of a Hmong blanket from Northern Thailand feels right at home in a space that combines graphic statements and tribal flair. Combine a clean-lined sofa and leaning shelves with modern icons like a Bubble Pendant and Womb Chair. Hang a painting from India and vintage propaganda posters from Vietnam, then complete the look with rustic stools, toss pillows in chili pepper, polka dot and skyline, and a nubby Ikat rug.

Of course exotic inspiration can take on a quiet, monochromatic palette too--this Mexican spread in ecru and camel is calling my name! A bedframe upholstered in neutral linen fits in just about anywhere. Layer textures like a chevron rug and a sheepskin, and don't be afraid to mix basic light fixtures with more whimsical pieces. A floating cube nightstand is the perfect spot to display accessories like a deer figurine, a horn mirror and an onyx box. Finally, a mirror made from found salvage creates a memorable tableau.

Be sure to enter the giveaway here!

Interiors Images: Skona Hem

Stylist Lust: Margot Austin

Feast your eyes on these stunning images from Margot Austin. Margot is a stylist, decorator and magazine editor--a real triple threat! What's more, she's a fellow Canuck, proof that Canadian style-makers are some of the best in the world.

These shots from a piece on peonies have me wallowing in ecstasy. Interiors inspiration from my all-time favourite flower? Yes, please! (Can a Flower to Room post be far behind?)

I recently explored the pleasures of black and white striped rugs, but who knew yellow and white could have such impact? It looks like several smaller rugs have been layered atop each other--super cozy and budget friendly too!

A close-up of the bedside table and chair. A perfect example of how furniture doesn't have to be matchy-matchy to create a unified effect. The airy swirls of the chair and the ladylike curves of the table complement each other beautifully!

I just adore this round-up of schoolhouse chic pieces. That big desk lamp has such a commanding presence! And a smidge of greenery under a cloche adds an organic touch to contrast the industrial sensibility.

Shall we pack our bags for a breezy vacation getaway? I'd happily relocate here for the rest of the summer! Bed curtains hung from the ceiling maintain the floaty vibe of the space, and would be a terrific DIY.

Soothing neutrals play off one another through subtle variations in texture. The worn chair, the woven rug, the pebbly surface of the desk: they come together with such ease! Plus the giant photo on the wall is gorgeous, especially when juxtaposed against a vase of real flowers.

The guys at work want me to get a 'nap couch' for one of our spare rooms. Somehow I don't think this is what they have in mind, but wouldn't it be lovely if I could convince them!?

Admire more of Margot's gorgeous portfolio here, and be sure to check out her wonderful blog as well!

All images courtesy of Margot Austin.

DIY Guest Post at Classic Bride!

The lovely Sarah of Classic Bride asked me to share a favourite project for her DIY week, and I was only too happy to comply! This fun and easy floral arrangement is perfect for any occasion. And while you're there, be sure to explore the Classic Bride blog for style and entertaining tips that go way beyond weddings!

Giveaway: $50 Gift Certificate from The Loaded Trunk!

A few months ago, after I waxed poetic about Suzanis, I received an email from Roni Jaco. A self-described 'crazy travel and culture hound', Roni was in the process of setting up an online boutique of fabulous finds from around the world. I'm happy to announce that The Loaded Trunk is now open for business--and Roni has offered a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader!

The Loaded Trunk represents the culmination of Roni's lifelong passion for the artisinal and cultural traditions of the world. Throughout her travels, Roni has gathered an incredible selection of art, textiles, jewelry and homewares from countries as far-flung as Indonesia, Turkey, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, and Guatemala--and now she is sharing her treasures with us!

Says Roni, “I grew up an Army brat and wherever we lived, my mother filled our home with the art, crafts and home furnishings that captured the essence of local culture. I developed an appreciation for the feeling you get when you’re in a room that reflects your life’s experiences through the treasures you’ve gathered along the way.”

One peek at the exotic goodies in Roni's collection and you'll be bitten with the travel bug too! So pop over to The Loaded Trunk and drool a bit, then tell me how you would spend the $50 gift certificate if you win. I'm especially smitten with these embroidered bedspreads...swoon!

All images courtesy of The Loaded Trunk.

Virtual Long Weekend

Did you have a wonderful weekend? Mine was lovely--it included a visit from the parents, breakfast here, dinner here, and a lazy afternoon with this book on the couch. In fact it was such a restful weekend that I want to hang onto it a little longer. So I hereby nominate Monday as the new Sunday!

Wake up long after the sun has made its appearance in the sky. Homemade espresso is a must! Then heat up the griddle and gather around the table for a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and O.J.

Naturally a post-brunch lounge session will be in order. Catch up on the news, edify yourself with great literature. But whatever you do, don't do something you have to do!

A bit of time in the garden always nourishes the soul. Once you've digested those pancakes, perhaps enjoy a light lunch of cookies and ice cream on the patio?

Do some digging and weeding if you feel up to it; I love to get my hands in the dirt! I think that people in the country should rent out their gardens to us mud-deprived city dwellers...especially if an outdoor shower like this is involved!

No long weekend is complete without an indulgent dip in the tub. Lock the door, lean back in the bubbles, put on some soothing tunes, and soak your troubles away.

Finally, slip under cool, crisp covers and settle in for a nice long nap. You'll need those extra hours of shut-eye when the week officially begins tomorrow!

Are you with me? Should we start a petition? Let's make Monday the new Sunday!

Image Credits: 1. Warren Smith 2. Claire Richardson 3. Margot Austin 4. Lili Diallo 5. Domino 6. Marie Claire Maison 7. Sandra Lane 8. Mark Roper

Tabletop Inspiration from The Find

This morning I woke up to a delightful email from Stan Williams, the author of The Find. Not only was I happy to hear that he enjoyed yesterday's review of his book, I was thrilled to learn that Stan has a blog of his own! Called The Elegant Thrifter, it follows Stan's adventures in decorating, entertaining, and of course thrifting! So be sure to say hello to Stan, and in the meantime enjoy more proof of his talent from his breathtaking book The Find!

I love to comb through antique tableware at the flea market, so I definitely appreciate Stan's ideas on how to put my growing collection to work. One way to give focus to a collection of vintage items is to select a color scheme and stick to it; doing so will give your shopping trips focus and decrease your odds of feeling overwhelmed.

Above and below, a blue and white palette unites dishes of various styles and eras. And you don't have to host a fancy party to bring out your special pieces. Tea for two turns a mid-week afternoon into a special treat!

This book really is a must for any design lover's library. So many interiors books are pretty to look at--but the tips and information in The Find are equally as valuable as the visuals. Don't you want to know the story behind the magazine editor who collects objets with a numbers theme?

Vintage glassware isn't just for grown-ups. I adore this vignette for a child's birthday party. Not only does each place setting have its own compass, but they've been lined with the same polka dot paper used to make the sailboats. Talk about attention to detail!

Of course antique tableware can serve a purpose beyond food service. Use mismatched bowls and plates to display jewelry on your vanity, to catch coins on your nightstand, and to give your kittens something to knock over. (Okay, maybe you want to avoid that last one. My kittens have been on a warpath with my knickknacks lately!)

I've saved my favourite photo for last, because frankly your vintage pieces don't have to have a function beyond looking beautiful. A simple grouping of glassware, splashes of pink and coral in the background: I could stare at this image all day!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Maybe I'll see you at the flea market? ;)

All images courtesy of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details, by Stan Williams. Published by Clarkson Potter, May 2009.

New Blog on the Block: Rodney Smith!

You might not know his name, but I'll just bet you recognize his work! Known for creating dramatic and whimsical images, photographer Rodney Smith is a darling of the blog world. I've definitely spent hours drooling over his portfolio. And now he's started a blog of his own!

Called 'The End Starts Here', Rodney's blog is a sneak peak into his world, his process, and his vision. There are only two posts so far, but one of them details the story behind this celebrated taxi smooch! Teaser: the kissing couple is named Andrew and Edythe. I can't wait to see what else Rodney has up his sleeve!

Images courtesy of Rodney Smith .

Book Review: The Find

When I lived in New York one of my favourite shops to visit was Housing Works, an 'upscale thrift store' with all profits funding valuable social services. A rotating treasure trove of bargain basement deals, it's a design hunter's dream--I once nearly bought a piano there for $150! And now we can all get our Housing Works fix with their new book The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details. This hefty volume is packed full of shopping tips, style secrets, and most importantly, gorgeous images!

The book offers a little something for everyone, no matter what your aesthetic. Calm, neutral interiors abound, with plenty of ideas on how to use those impulse buys that look terrific at the thrift store but defy your imagination when you get them home. For example, both on the mantle above and the table below, one-off antique vessels have a big impact when grouped together!

Some of the spaces in the book don't look thrifted at all, making it fun to analyze them and imagine each element in its past life. That botanical wall hanging? It's an old window frame with leaf prints mounted behind the glass!

Love these light fixtures. I've been having a tough time deciding what type of lighting to install in my own kitchen; I wish I could get my hands on some of these industrial pieces! I'm now itching for a trip to an architectural salvage store--a definite side effect of reading this book!

For those amongst us who need a little color, The Find has plenty of that too! How many times have you seen worn-out, second hand office furniture like this cabinet below? Did you ever imagine it could look this smashing? Of course those stunning lamps help...not to mention those black shades!

The same applies to old schoolhouse chairs; they're not terribly hard to track down, they don't look like much on the sales floor, but they add instant charm to an otherwise spare workspace. Throw in a few retro accessories like a punchy clock and a utilitarian lamp, and you're golden!

Could I live in a space this full of colorful tchotchkes? No. Would I want to hang out with the people who can? You betcha! The personality that shines from every corner of this room leaves no question that the inhabitants are very cool folks indeed.

Don't miss the section on entertaining with thrift finds! The book devotes an entire chapter to fabulous tableaux of vintage tablewares. How fun would it be to gather your besties for a 1950's inspired kaffeeklatch?

Check back later for more from The Find. We've only scratched the surface of this must-read book! And in the meantime tell me: what's your most glorious thrift find?

All images courtesy of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details, by Stan Williams. Published by Clarkson Potter, May 2009.

Chairs of the World: Panton Chair

Welcome to yet another edition of Chairs of the World. Our subject today? The Panton Chair. This sleek yet slow-moving creature is known for its adaptability; found in regions all over the planet, its peaceful nature results in harmonious relationships with humans and other animals alike. Come with me as we track this gentle giant.

Much as elephants gather at the watering hole, the Panton can often be spotted around the table. Their tendency to travel in herds of four or six allows for safety and comfort in even the most adverse climes.

The shining coat of this specimen indicates robust health and excellent grooming habits. This proud and confident individual is not afraid to co-exist with furniture from the traditional end of the spectrum, and it easily holds its own amongst a tufted armchair and exotic table.

The Panton's quiet ways make it an ideal companion for humans of all ages. A bright green hide will win over even the shyest of children. But can it convince them to sit still and do their homework?

Here we see a trio of hatchlings being trained for service; conditioning them at an early age will guarantee that they have a long and happy life of loyal service.

What's this? A Panton impostor? Or perhaps the demanding conditions of a bathroom environment have led to a rare genetic variation? Clearly more research on this front is needed.

Finally, a prime example of the Panton's congenial personality. What other creature in your knowledge could convene with so many varied species and still look fabulous?

Image Credits: 1. Unknown 2, 5. Living Etc. 3. Domino 4. Hallie Burton 6. New York Magazine 7, 8. Marie Claire Maison