Metallic Beauties

I've admired her work for a very long time.

Miriam Ellner's quest for beauty, methodology and inventiveness continues to grow. She is the premier verre églomisé artist in the world. 

(You ask what that is? I quote from Miriam's website: "the process of gilding precious metals on the reverse side of glass, etching in a design and setting it off with color...")

Discover what Miriam's been up to in 2013 in her latest newsletter.

PlumSiena last profiled her stunning work here and here.

Books, books, never enough books

Who says books are on their way out?

Digital viewing may be handy, but nothing beats holding a beautiful tome in your hands.

Walking into a library automatically increases my pulse. The possibilities!

I just ran across The Library: A World History by James WP Campbell, just published a few weeks ago. If you're like me, this will make a perfect gift for the holiday gift giving. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

It is available for purchase here.

Going Indigo

Even though 2013 was the year of Tangerine Tango, we believe it is really the year of Indigo. 

(BTW, one of 2014's Pantone Spring Colors is Dazzling Blue, a tad brighter than Indigo).

Introducing Indigo Perfumery!

We opened our perfume shop and website on October 15th and have been going strong since.

Indigo Perfumery's gallery space showcases perfumes made by smaller, artisanal companies who concentrate on the art of the scent rather than mass production. We also carry five 'natural' perfume lines, exquisite scented candles and natural soaps.

Back in January, the idea that had been in the back of my mind for years suddenly surfaced and it wouldn't go away. As in totally took over. I dove in head first, researching all that I could devour, often saying to myself  "What are you doing?" 

But I just kept right on going.

Needless to say, I am now in awe of any entrepreneur. It may seem fun and glamorous, but it pretty much is the opposite. 

See this article just published today- it is so true.

I still have much to learn...

That said- here are a few photos of what we started with > 

and where we are now >

If you're looking for a new fragrance, come on over and browse through

Indigo's website.

The fragrance lines include: 

Ambre Blends, Ann Gerard Parfum, Jardin D'Écrivains, Jul et Mad, Magnetic Scent, Maria Candida Gentile, Phoenicia Perfumes, PK Perfumes, Providence Perfume Co., Sarah Horowitz, Tommi Sooni, Viktoria Minya, Undergreen and Yates Apothecary (a Cleveland company)

Hello there!

Hello everyone!

Yes, I am surfacing after a long hiatus... to ask your help.

While I've been away, I have been thinking about starting a new project that will allow me to follow one of my life-long passions: scents and perfumes. I am seriously considering opening a fragrance shop in my hometown of Cleveland to finally bring a specialized scent shop that focuses on niche fragrances not carried in department stores, but rather unique scents with the focus on celebrating the art of the scent.

I am in the research phase at this time and have developed a quick questionnaire.

If you would be so kind, simply fill out the form and click Submit.

Thank you in advance! I'll share the survey results with you as soon as I am able.

 

Inspirations and Friends

For the By Invitation Only November topic, Marsha asked us to share how we got started in the blogging world. Who influenced us, who befriended us in those first few months as we took our tentative steps. I bet you remember your first few friends... 

Several years ago, the only blog I had ever come into contact with was called Fauxology. Created by Regina Garay, it was full of eye candy for decorative painters. Regina still remains an icon in the industry, does beautiful work and is the friendliest person you would ever want to meet.

It goes without saying that I am a gardener through and through and when I discovered Deborah Silver's blog, Dirt Simple, I was, and continue to be, amazed. Deborah is the proprietor of Detroit Garden Works, a fabulous garden store just north of Detroit. She is extremely knowledgeable, and generous with that knowledge. If you want to get hundreds of ideas for your pots and garden, visit Dirt Simple.

There are so many others that have inspired me over the past few years, including Trouvais, La Pouyette and The Shiny Pebble. All of these blog creators are vibrant, passionate women and I am proud to call them my friends.

Blogging has truly opened my life, urged me to explore and has allowed my family to meet folks from all over the world.

Here are some inspirations from our travels in the past few years, both abroad and at home.

Materials Focus

Loved this couch- such a happy, fun look. 

Then I noticed the walls. 

Would you do this in your home?

As we all know, lighting is everything. Lately I am drawn to simplicity. LED strip lights formed into several circles- brilliantly understated, definitely contemporary and full of potential to form interesting gobo effects in the room.

OK, so we all cannot have a rolled steel staircase. But why not have a silver leaf staircase? I'd probably go with aluminum leaf and age it a bit. Actually, I can't wait to do this! 

I am into screens. They are so versatile, especially when created in smaller panels. When I saw this Venetian plaster wall, it occurred to me to make a screen with the iced black VP on one side and a white gold VP on the other. Two looks, one screen.

Elitis, the French wallpaper company, has fabulous wallpapers. This is the Paso doble  variation of their "Tenue de soirée" wallpaper. So you can't quite afford to bring this in from France, but perhaps you could use a stencil to give a similar effect. Go with a metallic background with a flat design or have a flat background with a metallic design. Either way, it will certainly become a compliment receiver!

Do you have a favorite? 

[1,2,3,4,5,6-7]

Inspired Ideas

Sharing with you creatively cool ideas in design from around the world...

Leather is used more and more in unexpected ways; the London and LA based company, TING, has re-invented the leather belt by sourcing reclaimed leather and vintage belts from London, Paris and LA. Is this a gorgeous floor or what?

 TING leather flooring

Here the vintage belts are assembled as a part of a door pull.

A new Portuguese company, Reve d'Or, is creating gilded screens in fabulous colors. 

With a varnished, high gloss finish, they reflect beautifully and are well protected.

 Love this happy wall of humble, curated tiles. One could even begin collecting tiles as a rather unconventional gift.  

(Of course, those copper pans are stunning in their own right.)

Chameleon Fine Lighting custom created this crystal chandelier for interior designer, Jarlath Mellett. Simple, elegant, fun.

 

Last, but not least, I think if I were to walk into this room, with its high ceilings and sophisticated decor, I would wish to stay for a while.

[1,2,3-5,6-8]