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Do not fear going forward slowly; fear only to stand still.
--Chinese proverb
I hope that this new year brings you all much health, prosperity, happiness and success! Thank you all for sharing in this journey! *The arrangement shown here consists of a single rust orange football mum and steel grass blades in a black ceramic container...made from leftover materials from my Japanese Inspired Wedding Ikebana.
I love this! Check out these Scrabble letter pillows and benches made by Stephen Reed for employees in the London offices of Bloomberg financial services! DIY at your next dinner or cocktail party by applying heat transfer letters to inexpensive white or light colored fabric cushions. Lay them out on your sofa and have a basket of them for guests to play with! Whoohoo, instant laughter and foolery! Via Haute*Nature
Do any of you have some cultural traditions to enhance my fertility??? I can just picture a pint sized version of me in these incredibly adorable kimono style onesies and mandarin style jackets from Lucky Wang! Buy these cuties and other fabulously modern and colorful selections over at Nonchalant Mom! (Photos by Lucky Wang and Nonchalant Mom.)
These amazing candles burn down to reveal enlightening bronze sculptures that express Strength, Self Expression and Companionship! Find them at Wrapables. The bronze sculpture hidden inside this
pristine white wax candle was formed by a lost-wax casting process. As
you burn the candle, the statue will emerge from its surroundings.
Whether you’re overcoming one of life’s struggles or celebrating a
joyous milestone, let the Spirit Candle be a source of inspiration and
ever-present hope.
Today there is still plenty of snow on the ground...I'm feeling grey with a touch of pink... (images found at An Indian Summer blog)
Having recently put together a Lebanese inspired baby shower I decided to keep the same color theme of coral pink for my holiday decor and add a lotus theme. Above is lotus flower wreath that I put together using items found at a dollar store! This was hung in our entry hallway along with a simple display of Christmas cards.
Here's the overview with touches of coral pink, copper and gold.
I love my pink poinsettia and branches tablescape! After laying down silky sari fabric in dusty rose and champagne colors, I made this arrangement using branches, faux pink garlands, fresh poinsettias, cranberry potpourri and gold ball ornaments. (alternate photo here)
Here's a closeup of how I displayed the glass vases filled with potpourri. One vase stood upright and the other was casually laid on its side so that the branches spilled out to create more of a tablescape. (This inspiration came at 3am the night before)
The fresh poinsettias were kept alive by using floral water tubes.
For favors, I made Christmas crackers using the bath tissue paper rolls that I keep for craft projects. Click here to see what's inside.
I found these 10" faux evergreen wreaths at a craft store. They originally had pine cones on them so I took them off and added a single glittery copper ball ornament and jeweled ribbon from an Indian fabric store.
I used one of my alcoves to create a wintery dessert bar that housed my husband's homemade "Ikerdoodles" and store bought brownies, spice cake and cinnamon buns.
Candle wreath and mirror garland with lotus blossoms and gold trim.
This is my favorite arrangement of the day. We have been snowed in for about 2 weeks now are are seriously getting sick of it...so this arrangement manifests as a lotus blossom rising out of the winter snow and captivity. (soon I hope!)
Dinner was delicious and the company was fabulous! You can see a few more photos here...
Here are a few more splendid Christmas Ikebana arrangements from Bree, the super talented floral designer at Kuga Designs!
I'm infinitely inspired by Ikebana artist Lennart Persson of the Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog! These are few fabulous arrangements from the Nordic Lotus that I think would make for a very modern and artistic Christmas. Hmmm...I'm getting ideas for next year already! Red and black with pops of greenery are a wonderful color scheme that could bring you into the new year (add silver swirls - see photo on left) Not to mention collecting these items over the year would be so easy and versatile to use for other holidays like Valentine's Day and other occasions like dinner parties. For more inspiration you must check out the Nordic Lotus Ikebana set at flickr!
Here's a baby shower with some international flavor that I recently designed for my mom's friend. The Mother-To-Be was a young Lebanese woman who taught French and Arabic in Lebanon before moving to Seattle. In Lebanese culture, baby showers are not common because family celebrations take place after the baby is born rather than before. The MTB's family is in Lebanon so her friends wanted to make her feel comforted and safe during her pregnancy so we threw her this wonderful shower! The colors were coral pink and peach with copper and bronze accents. The look was classic and elegant with a modern ethnic twist. On the invitation, I used the Alhambra font to inspire the arabesque feeling of the party.
This is the desert table wonderfully set with a draped linen of middle eastern flair. I used a screen printed cotton window panel from World Market that had an Arabic style geometric print and a gorgeous bronze border.
Here you can really see the draped linen along with yummy raspberry tea cookies and butter cookies from Whole Foods.
Lovely lemon meringue drops and pretty flower sugar cookies also from Whole Foods.
Inspired by Hostess with the Mostess and DIY diaper cakes, I decided to make my own modern diaper cake. It turned out to be super easy and I just love how it turned out! It was a fantastic centerpiece and conversation piece! I used two kinds of satin ribbon to go with the look of the table linens and silk flowers for decoration. For the cake stand I used two white ceramic serving platters with the bottom platter overturned.
For wall art, I found these beautiful Indian wooden letters with a hand stamped metal foil design and paired them with gold Christmas ornaments on a backdrop of two coral pink scrapbook pages. The look was both academic, ethnic and baby-inspired. (Letters from World Market)
Details of the wooden letters and ornaments...
To further the global theme, I pulled out one of my vintage finds that I hadn't used yet! This beautiful hand hammered copper table consists of a large tray and collapsible teak legs. It worked perfectly with the whole look.
For the party favors, I put together these cute booties with tulle, pink ribbon and Jordan almonds!
The booties looked so cute together in pairs!
Finally, for the main baby shower game, I altered an Around the World Baby game I found online. The MTB was a language teacher and our shower guests spoke different languages so this game was perfect. Simply list the word "baby" in different languages and ask guests to match up the language to the word. The guest with the most correct answers won a prize.
I love the look and history of the kimono and Chinese Cheongsam or Qipao. Check out Alkemie's post on The Traditional Chinese dress - The Cheongsam or The Qipao... I have several qipao style dresses that I had sourced from vintage stores in my college days, but sadly, they don't fit me anymore. (photos from Alkemie)
This ikebana style Christmas tree by Karen Hsu at Grandiflora brings the calm and serenity of the beautiful snow outdoors, inside my heart and home. "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature, it will never fail you.” ~Frank Lloyd Wright
(collage by Design*Sponge)
I love Ikat textiles and the rich history of culture and craft that it supports! Shout out to Grace at Design*Sponge for rounding up some gorgeous examples of Ikat's use in today's modern design world.
Related Posts:
Ikat } Beauty and the Weave
Ikat Weave Inspired Wardrobe for the Summer
Tropical Modern Floral
This Amenity Home collection of Christmas decor made from a blend of eco-friendly hemp and organic cotton is simply fantastic! Check it out here. Via re-nest.
Hiroyuki Kado is an incredible floral artist from Japan and the creator of the contemporary floral shop Matilda. Shown above is "Lucent Woods", an amazing ikebana installation that was done at the Ennagon Gallery in Soho, NY in '07. The massive forms and suspension are breathtaking. Via Spoon & Tamago.
One day I will have a bonsai Christmas tree, but for now I can oggle over Azuma Makoto's amazing plant/floral installation work. The suspended trees shown above were for art exhibitions, so I'm hoping no trees were hurt in the making of this film, lol. I really admire Azuma Makoto's conceptual work!!! Via Spoon &Tamago
The Awagami Factory is a historic Washi Paper mill in Japan. Just recently, I've just discovered Awagami +1, a beautiful new washi collection in collaboration with Craig Anczelowitz, a multi-faceted American designer based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The Awagami +1 line is made with traditional stencil dyed yuzen papers and syuro or rice straw papers. The collection consists of journals, albums, and desk accessories which "harmoniously fuse traditional Japanese craftsmanship with elements of simplified Western design." These beautiful items are available in the U.S through Hiromi Paper in Los Angeles and Kate's Paperie in NY.
In addition, Craig's experience includes many years of product development and buying for design oriented retailers like ABC Carpet & Home, Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, and Habitat. His work includes pottery, ceramics, wood, paper, and textile home accessories. Below are some of Craig's other works that I simply adore:
Craig Anczelowitz Business Card
These precious tea items by Namu Baru are going on my Christmas wishlist! Namu Baru is a socially responsible and eco-friendly wholesaler of teaware and ceramics. You can read more about their sustainable and fair trade efforts here and purchase these lovely Lotus teapots and infuser mugs at Jenny K.
Do you like cookies? Do you like kimono fabric? Do you like graphic patterned textiles? Do you love these photos as much as I do? I saw these beautiful cookie photos and recipes in the latest Gourmet magazine! Oh how I wish I were ambitious enough to make these and wrap them up in a pretty box with kimono or ikat pattern paper or fabric...or maybe use a furoshiki. The recipes are below...but if you make them you have to send me some! Wink, wink! Yum!
Row 1
Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies
Moravian Crisp Cookies with Royal Icing
Row 2
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies (same as row 1)
WOW! Look at this amazing floral decor and event design work for the Lamborghini Showroom in Long Island by Tantawantan Bloom. How incredible are these arrangements that defy gravity!
Having worked at Glenn Richards, an Asian Antiques store in Seattle, I saw many kitchen, bath and TV console projects using Japanese Mizuya Tansu and Chinese Elm cabinets ...but this one featuring Greentea Design really takes the cake! I have been following Kim's Kitchen Remodel (Kim's from Desire to Inspire) and I'm totally head over heels for the final reveal! I love the fulfilling combination of global design and modern classics! I can't wait to redo my kitchen...
The Kuma Bear is a hip, modernist and organic cotton bear that features movable joints and hand screenprinted patterns! Created by New York designer Ross Menuez for his line Fauna, you can get your own bear at Design Public. I love that the joints can be positioned to express your every whim! Take one along with you on location and make postcard pics ala the Travelocity Gnome or Amelie's Gnome!
These lovely images are from Style Court...they're great inspiration for Holiday decor with global modern flair. Peep the aqua pagoda lantern, white ceramic fu dog and Thai temple statues and urn.
What more can I say? Doesn't this look like pure unsaturated fun! Feelgood Designs produces these amazing creative play shapes and eco-friendly furnishings for children. Each of the soft pieces are made from a
patented eco-friendly material called ecosoftx®. I love the vibrant colors and amoeba like shapes ala Karim Rashid... I want kids!!!
I was at Walmart the other day and was so giddy to see that the George Baby organic cotton sets I worked on were back after being gone for awhile. Now they're on the shelves again and selling for the perfect holiday price of $5 (Instead of $9.99)! Choose from either a bib/burp cloth set, a sleeper/bib set or a pack of 3 kimono style onesies. I have another baby shower this weekend for my mom's friend so these will be perfecto!
I adore these kimono-inspired card collections by stationary design company Ceci New York! Via Style Me Pretty.
This weekend, our DJ company Bamboo Beats, had the pleasure of rockin' the bells at one spectacular Christmas Party for Kelley Moore Creative Media Events. Kelley Moore is Seattle's own lifestyle and entertaining expert, who recently appeared on the Rachael Ray Show. I'm so excited to show you some of the beautiful details that Kelley and her team designed for this annual Christmas party... (pro photos to come later, hopefully!)
Kelley's beautifully decorated front porch greeted guests as they arrived at her gorgeous Craftsman home.
The night air was cold, but this whimsical bike warmed everyone's heart! Create your own light sculpture like this one with a bike, some lights, a basket full of gifts a big red bow!
The front porched featured a wintery lodge theme complete with silver pine cones, snowflakes and a glistening white tree. Guests could also enjoy coffee or hot cocoa with marshmallows while chatting outside.
Once inside, the Naughty or Nice theme was in full effect! All of the printing and signage around the house was done by Suite 7 Creative. Pictured above are beautifully presented Naughty or Nice popcorn take home gifts and a sparkly red and silver trimmed tree.
Wine was provided by Revelry Vinters and there were 2 signature cocktails provided by Crater Lake Vodka & Q Tonic...a Naughty one and Nice one of course!
A delicious array of sumptuous appetizers were served up Naughty or Nice style! The Naughty food was provided by Brasa Restaurant and the Nice food was provided by Lisa Dupar Catering. I enjoyed them both!
Here is Kelley's lounge room with the cutest wreath wearing wooden deerhead I have ever seen, and a jolly old poster of St. Nick! Not pictured above, but equally fabulous was Kelley's flat panel tv that played a faux fireplace dvd with life-like flames flickering about on screen.
Kelley's philosophy in keeping guests entertained is to create fun areas for guests to explore throughout the party space... So upstairs, she created a Nice North Pole by decorating one bedroom as a wonderland photo station. A professional photo elf was there to capture folks in their Nice smiles and holiday cheer!
To satisfy every sweet tooth, guests were encouraged to venture downstairs into the Naughty Lounge for the dessert bar and a little mischief... Trophy Cupcakes provided the devilishly delicious cupcakes and there were plenty of other naughty treats to eat at the dessert bar.
We hooked up the Naughty Lounge with our red uplights and gave the whole room a smooth red glow. That cool backdrop you see behind the DJ consists of a whole wall of color printouts with the word "Naughty" in the middle. Make one like this using your own photo or graphics with Blockposters. My hubby the DJ, played lounge music to start and then turned up the heat when everyone came downstairs to party! He had them dancing all night long! Thanks Kelley! Thanks Sheena!!!
Credits:
Event Design - Kelley Moore Creative Media Events
Event Rentals - Totally Tabletops
Printing & Signage - Suite 7 Creative
Wine - Revelry Vinters
Signature Cocktails - Crater Lake Vodka & Q Tonic
Naughty Food - Brasa Restaurant
Nice Food - Lisa Dupar Catering
Cupcakes - Trophy Cupcakes
DJ Music - Bamboo Beats
Karen Kimmel is an awe-inspiring artist that I've gushed about before! This holiday season, Karen has created a collection of beautiful ornaments available at A+R. Each ornament is die cut from colored acrylic or veneer and packaged in it's own muslin bag with ultrasuede tie. They are so modern and organic looking displayed on a Manzanita branch...you can display these all year round! See more of her work here. Via Kim Vallee.
Check out VerTerra, a modern and sustainable single-use tableware collection...Inspired by plates used at roadside stands in India, these unique plates, platters and bowls are made using only fallen palm leaves and water. Each piece is 100% compostable, can be used in the microwave or freezer and are perfect for sending leftovers and treats home with guests. Plates that don't find a home can be rinsed and tossed in the yard. After about 60 days the plates will completely compost! I'm loving the hexagonal plates and have a great post-meal idea that involves paint (or decoupage) and mounting the plates as wall decor like this.
This post goes out to Amy of EcoKind Design, a fantastic Seattle based resource for green interior design, eco-friendly makeovers and organic lifestyle tips! Amy asked for some inspiration for a retro Christmas theme, so here are some fun ideas...Enjoy!
spray painted paper lantern! Source: here
muffin cup ornaments! Source: here
retro Christmas decor via HGTV! Source: here
return of the aluminum tree! Source:here
retro holiday card! Source: here
It's always fun to see one's own design work come to life! Most of my clients are private label and B2B so many times it's a touchy subject to post about my new work (boohoo)...but here is one I can show you! I designed this logo for Tasche, a private label collection of genuine leather handbags with matching wallets available right now at many Sam's Clubs. Reminiscent of Hobo and Matt & Nat, two of my favorite brands, the Tasche set is available in so many gorgeous colors and at the great price of only $69.32 for the set! My client took this picture in the store and said that ladies were buying more than one so they could have multiple colors! The logo and brand identity were inspired by a hint of Tuscany with stylized vines. The "T" represents a pergola with a single sprig or vine. The vibe I was going for was upscale, classic and sophisticated...new luxury with a modern twist. If you have a Sam's Club near you go check it out!
I love this Six Pointed Star Holiday Tree by Relish for saving trees while showcasing sweet baubles and ornaments...or even your own origami or handicrafts turned ornaments. Via Better Living Through Design.
I really like these bamboo containers from Vietnam and handpainted coasters from Indonesia for possible gift ideas! I found them at Greenheart, a Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly online shop.
Kelly Hoppen: Kelly Hoppen Style: The Golden Rules of Design
Kelly Hoppen: East Meets West: Global Design for Contemporary Interiors
Colin Cowie: Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration
Cindy Ng: Girligami: A Fresh, Fun, Fashionable Spin on Origami
Robyn Griggs Lawrence: The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty
Thich Nhat Hanh: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Maureen Whitehouse: Soul-Full Eating: A (Delicious!) Path to Higher Consciousness
David Kundtz: Quiet Mind: One-Minute Retreats from a Busy World
Michelle Cornell: Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging for Today's Interior
Sakul Intakul: Tropical Colors: Art of Living With Tropical Flowers
