An Inspired Studio

Ooh, take a look at this design goodness. Mexican branding firm, Anagrama, created this amazing studio space for Micheline, a print-shop boutique, located in San Pedro, Mexico. 

Because it is a print studio that works with so much color, they decided to use a mostly black and white palette for the interior space. Take a look!

Did you notice the "m" on the back wall (pictured above)? It is Micheline's logo, also designed by Anagrama! I love it. 

This space is so beautiful—I could totally work here. How about you?

*****

all images via Anagrama

Finding Beauty

Things have been pretty busy for me lately but I still try to stop and appreciate beautiful things I come across each day. Two favorite finds from my trip to Chicago – this corner of flowers

and this great pattern found on the side of a building.

Doesn't it look like a collection of tiny bow ties? I love it!

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Fringe Garland

Just like these ribbon canopies, images of fringe garland make me so happy. While not a new trend, the incredible variations (especially on Pinterest!), make me fall in love with this look all over again.

See what I mean? Pure happiness. Ooh, and check out this tutorial for some big fringe garland.

*****

Bungalow Magazine
Icing Designs via Pinterest
Pomtree
A Nymphoid Barbarian
Steph Loves Ben via Etsy
Note to Sarah
The Not Wedding via Green Wedding Shoes
Pinterest
Caramelos via Etsy
FleurLux via Etsy

Alyssa Ettinger's Milk Bottles

I have long been a fan of artist Alyssa Ettinger's work, especially her porcelain milk bottles. 

When we went to the Fort Greene Flea a couple of weeks ago, I was really excited because Alyssa herself was there (!) selling her beautiful porcelain pieces and most of all, her precious little milk bottles.

After years of only viewing her work online, it was such a pleasure to see these pretty pieces in person, and of course I couldn't pass up the chance to buy one for myself. I picked the Concord Dairy bottle (featured in the first photo above). It is so perfect—I love it!

You can see more of Alyssa's milk bottles here, as well as her entire porcelain collection here, which is equally amazing. I just have a soft spot for milk bottles. 

*****

all images via Alyssa Ettinger Design

Land of Nod...Inspiration from the Store

Earlier this week, I posted about my happy place (aka the Land of Nod store in Chicago). Today's post highlights little details within the store – things that you can do in your own home.

Like using maps to wallpaper an unsightly item (like the pole above) or just to cover a section of the wall (below). The maps looked like they were tinted pale blue, too. A wash of blue watercolor over a map is a nice way to bring uniformity to a bunch of different maps.

Then there is this pole below which is just wrapped with black tape. Diagonals add interest but the 3 little photos are my favorite part. It just makes it look like the pole was considered and thought of just like any other element in the room.

Are you a fan of wall decor like this shelving unit but never know what to display? This one just has rocks painted with graphic shapes and stripes. A fun project for kids, not to mention super cheap decor!

And then there is this simple idea – find some branches outside, spray them gold and bring them in. Lean them agains a wall or stick them in a vase. So pretty! I'm definitely going to do that this winter.

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Brooklyn Tourists

While Jillian was in Chicago, we spent the day as tourists in Brooklyn. After we went to the Fort Greene Flea, 

we strolled through the city making our way toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Here are some of the great things we encountered along the way:

this amazing mural by Barry McGee (Untitled, 2012) part of Art in the Streets, 

and a beautiful surprise—the Brooklyn Bear's Community Garden.

I got a kick out of the signage on the corner pictured below—Frank's Frankfurters and the Gatsby-inspired sign for Fulton Eyes.

Then we stopped to admire this building's architecture—

 I have a design crush on these street lamps!

Famished and ready for a break, we ate a late lunch at Grimaldi's Pizzeria. 

Granted, this was an extremely touristy thing to do, but it was well worth it (and the wait). The pizza here is delicious!

Then we stumbled onto an Etsy Pop-Up Shop at West Elm. What a fun party—music, drinks, bites to eat, and awesome people from Etsy! My favorite store to see in person was Knot & Bow, which featured a charming collection of paper goods.  

From there, we made our way over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, where we saw some amazing views of the Manhattan Bridge

and hung out in front of Jane's Carousel. 

Finally, we started to cross the bridge! I can't believe I've never done this before. 

The views of the city, and the bridge itself, were breathtaking.

After crossing over into Manhattan, we stopped for drinks in SoHo, and then headed back home to Philly—happy and exhausted from our little tour of Brooklyn. There is so much more to discover, though, that we'll definitely be back!

*****

all images via The Pink Chalkboard

Land of Nod...the Store!

Oh, Chicago.  Home to doughnuts, the most delicious sandwich I've ever eaten, a red head full of flowers, and the Land of Nod store. It is fabulous.

This built-in unite really caught my eye. The charcoal color was fantastic (especially nice with the rainbow items inside) and check out those pulls. 

Wouldn't something like this look great in an office/library?

And did you notice the sign on the ladder?

Clever details like that get me every time.

Going to the store was a real treat for me. Also wonderful are the shops surrounding Land of Nod. Literally next door and across the street from Land of Nod were: World Market, Anthropologie, The Container Store, Crate&Barrel, West Elm and CB2. No joke. I texted my mom from the parking lot and told her I was in my happy place. It was unreal.

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard