Green Goodness

It's quite easy (and lovely) being green.

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chairs from top to bottom

CB2's Reed Clover Chair

Terrain's Lily Pad Arm Chair

Bungalow 5 Chloe Armchair via Houzz.com

Chalkboard Favorites

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Jillian's pick: Shimmer by Claire Desjardins

Mindy's pick: From Every Care Release Me by Caroline Wright

Introducing Isala

Happy Monday everyone! I would like to start off the week by introducing you to Ikea's latest furniture line, Isala.

The Isala series includes two tables, a cabinet, and sideboard. All of these pieces feature gorgeous turned legs that I can't get enough of. Lots of curvy goodness here. 

Ikea's color choices for this line are superb. Isala comes in a glossy gray which helps to make this traditional style more contemporary.

Isala is also available in a shiny lilac. What a nice surprise!

The side table below is my absolute favorite. I love all of these curves in lilac.

I love so many pieces from Ikea and Isala is definitely a top choice. Tell us, what are your favorites?

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all images via Ikea

Ghost Chairs

Years ago I fell in love with this Louis Ghost Armchair.

I mean, it's just so pretty.  Clean lines, delicate shape and see-through so it's perfect for a small space. And while that original ghost chair is still on my list of things I want to buy one day, I recently came across some other ghost chairs that are quite nice, too.

Chiavary Ghost Chair Pair

Lexy Eiffel Base Ghost Chair

Acrylic Chair

I always thought the ghost chair would make a great desk chair, but look at this image that Mindy found on Lavish Event Rentals' website

Super stunning and definitely sophisticated. It just goes to show you -- whether you have one ghost or a whole a bunch of ghosts, the result is equally fabulous.

So Happy Together

Gray, yellow, and Marimekko.

I'm so excited to see my favorite Marimekko print, Unikko, in this fun colorway.

We are loving this explosion of gray and yellow! Want to see more? Check out our yellow and gray posts from last week here and here.

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Marimekko Pieni Unikko Grey and Yellow 20" Pillow via Crate and Barrel

Spread the Love

I love doughnuts, especially Krispy Kremes, so it was only a matter of time before these melt-in-your-mouth treats would inspire me. Valentine's Day turned out to be the perfect occasion, when Krispy Kreme released this commercial that is almost as sweet as the doughnuts themselves. I invite you to watch Spread the Love...



Black and white concept, cheerful soundtrack, adorable outfits (hello polka dot dress!), with an original glazed doughnut at the end. Could it be more perfect? I would jump in and live in this world in a heartbeat.

Delightful styling...well done Krispy Kreme!

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Spread the Love via YouTube

Colorful Clocks

With so many of us carrying around cell phones, computers, iPads, etc these days, having a non-digital clock in your home may not be a necessity.  But look how pretty these are!  These colorful bits of personality are great for decor and for keeping you on time.

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images via Sundance, clockwise from top left
ice cream parlor clock
greengage wall clock
Cornwell Clock
Scribe's Mantle Clock

Room Service

I recently took a trip to San Francisco and really fell in love with the city. It is so amazing!

One of the best shopping finds of my trip was the store Room Service. I had read about it on Emily Henderson's blog as a frequent source on Secrets From a Stylist, and was super excited to find it while strolling through San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood.

I picked up a couple of great accessories but unfortunately couldn't take any of the furniture with me. So I thought I would share some of my favorite finds here instead.

Room Service has some really great living room displays featuring upholstered sofas in luxe gray textiles. The nailhead trim on these pieces is dynamite. 

(Did you catch the curvy white legs on this piece above? I love that detail!)

The sofa below has such a clean silhouette. The illustrations on the pink and white throw pillows keep this piece from taking itself too seriously. What a great touch!

For a totally different look, try these shiny lacquered pieces in black and bright pops of color. 

How could you not love a peace-sign-shaped chair in hot pink?

This curvy lacquered chair and mirrored desk would add some serious sparkle to any space. 

And just for good measure, I had to include this chair. I've never seen anything like it! I love the extremely tall back and the moroccan print. This would make a great statement piece in an entryway...or a pair of these at opposite ends of a dining table in a room with vaulted ceilings would be quite dramatic.

Next time you are on the west coast, be sure to check out Room Service!

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all images via the Room Service flickr stream

Flowers and Burlap

I spotted these flower arrangements on Jayson Home's website. Aren't these images so beautiful? I love how well the rustic burlap vases are paired with the delicate flowers. Soft white roses or bright pink tulips--either way, these bouquets are simply breathtaking. 

Hope you enjoy this flowery-goodness as much as we do! Have a wonderful Friday and we'll see you back here on Monday. 

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Tulips in a Burlap Vase and Burlap Vase with White Roses from Jayson Home

Vintage Finds

I would love to spend weekends scouring flea markets for vintage items and quirky finds (well hello, wheelbarrow bench) but frankly, I often can't find the time. Fortunately, Napa Style has done the work for me! All of these items would add such personality to a home.

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all images via napastyle.com 
from left to right, top to bottom
vintage village water canister
vintage chicken feeder pendant light
vintage milk canister
vintage french oyster basket
reclaimed wood wheelbarrow bench

Speaking of Graphic Gray and Yellow...

Inspired by Jillian's gray and yellow post, I found this letterpressed love letter by Sycamore Street Press. 

A different take on the theme but so perfectly gray, yellow, and graphic. Isn't this poem sweet? So fitting for Valentine's Day week.


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Our story will always read...LOVE by Sycamore Street Press on etsy

Chalkboard Favorites

Last week, we started a new series called Chalkboard Favorites where we show items that we are currently loving. We're planning on doing a Favorites post every other week but we couldn't resist doing a love-themed one for Valentine's Day today. We think these posts will be a fun way to show our favorite things but we would love to hear about your top picks, too! Have a favorite item you want to share? Leave a comment and let us know about it!

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Jillian's pick: Kirtland House Press's Valentine's - Love via Etsy
Mindy's pick: Rifle Paper Co.'s Valentine's Day Postcard

Graphic Gray and Yellow

As evidenced by the gray dresser in my bedroom, I'm totally into gray and yellow. Bold and graphic patterns make this color combo even more fun.

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clockwise from top left

Dwell Studio's Zig Zag Citrine Rug

Land of Nod's Not a Peep Crib Bedding

Dwell Studio's Big Floral Citrine Rug

Marimekko's Lumimarja Pillow Sham

Dreamy

Some eye candy for this cold winter day...

I found this image in an Anthropologie catalog from this past summer. Isn't it so dreamy?  Oh my...wishing I was in a far off tropical island right about now...

Hope you enjoy this lovely scene and have a wonderful weekend! See you back here on Monday.

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image via Anthropologie's catalog; issue 5, 2011

Chalkboard Project: How to Paint Furniture

A few months back, our fabulous friend, Channa, invited us to help style a photo shoot for her. It was a sophisticated New Year's Eve Dessert Party and we used my home as the backdrop. (A painted backdrop was featured here.)  Channa's designed invitation and arrangements of chocolate and candy confections were set up and styled on some pieces near and dear to my heart.

This dresser belonged to my Great Aunt Rose. It used to be dark wood and it had lion head drawer pulls. The actual puller was a large ring in the lion's mouth -- not exactly what I would call fresh and modern. After a few coats of glossy gray paint and lots of attention, this dresser is now one of my favorite items in my home.

This is how I did it:

Step 1: Remove the old hardware. To prep the surface, I put some paint thinner on a rag and wiped over the entire piece.

Step 2: Fill in holes and touch up deep scratches with wood filler. Then using medium grit sandpaper, I lightly sanded the entire surface until it was slightly rough to the touch. I removed the dust by wiping it with a damp cloth.

Step 3: One coat of primer. I used Coronado's Grip & Seal Interior/Exterior White Primer.

Step 4: I allowed the primer to dry for 2 hours then I painted the dresser with Benjamin Moore's Kendall Charcoal paint (latex semi-gloss enamel). I ended up using 3 coats of paint although I probably could have gotten by with just 2 coats. I waited 3-4 hours between each coat.

Step 5: Following Jenny's advice, I poured Wipe-On Poly on a lint-free rag and wiped the surface to add an extra touch of gloss.

Step 6: Then came the fun part -- selecting great hardware and lining the interior with pretty paper. I found these knobs at Anthropologie and the shelf inside the dresser (not shown) is lined with yellow and white polka dot paper from Paper Source.

A lot of work, but a labor of love.  It's so nice transforming an already sentimental piece of furniture into something new and unique that I will treasure for many more years to come.

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photography by Sarah DiCicco
paper products by Lily My Love
styling by Lily My Love and The Pink Chalkboard

Decorating with Flash Cards

One of my favorite episodes of Sarah Richardson's latest show, Sarah 101, is the Sophisto-Nursery. Sarah and her design sidekick, Tommy Smythe, did an incredible job with this room. Just take a look...

My favorite touch? Their use of flash cards as artwork.

What a great DIY idea!

I tend to frame everything I can get my hands on--from stickers to wine labels to favorite greeting cards--so naturally I thought this was brilliant. I love that Sarah selected black and white images from a series of flash cards purchased at a museum shop. Nice and modern.

But what if you are going for a different, more vintage kind of look?

I recently discovered these adorable French alphabet flash cards from Cavallini & Co. and thought they, too, would make charming artwork in a nursery.

And if you are a theme person like me, you might even consider framing this matching poster...

Voila!

Cavallini has a series of other alphabet flash cards, all in great vintage designs, here at Paper Source.

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top 3 images via Sarah 101 on hgtv.ca
bottom 5 images via amazon

Chalkboard Favorites

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Mindy's pick: Design Within Reach's Random Light

Jillian's pick: Ligne Roset's Bloom hanging lamp

Random Light images via dwr.com

Bloom hanging lamp images via The Pink Chalkboard

If I was an amazing artist...

I would paint the handles of all of my paint brushes in black and white stripes, too.

These images of Danish artist Tenka Gammelgaard's studio make me want to paint black and white stripes all over my apartment.

In fact, she already did just that in her home.

Lots of black and white goodness!

You can see Tenka Gammelgaard's work here and her black and white inspiration here.

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top 3 images by photographers Ranvita La Cour and Rishi from Happy Living via Tenka Gammelgard's blog
and featured in Elle Decoration UK;
bottom 4 images by Morten Hollum and featured in Bolig Magasinet

Shane Confectionery

The Philadelphia neighborhood of Old City is home to many historic sites -- Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross' house to name a few. Many come to this neighborhood to experience history through these sights. I encourage you to come and experience the tastes. 

Shane Confectionery has been making candy at this location since 1863. Home to chocolates and candies and all sorts of delicious treats, Shane Confectionery recently re-opened it's doors following a complete renovation that restored the shop to it's period aesthetic and old-time beauty. The tiniest details have been tended to. The result is a shop that pleases both the eye and the taste buds.  

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photography by The Pink Chalkboard

Everything is Going to be OK

Everything is Going to be OK is a wondrous little book. Chock full of inspiration, it is a collection of some of the best typographic art from around the web. Simply delightful!

Here is just a sampling of the design-goodness featured:

This book is not just a pick-me-up for when you are down, but rather something that can be appreciated anytime. In fact, this sweet book is sitting on my coffee table now. It's like having a portfolio of all of my favorite artists!

A special thanks to our dear friend and loyal Pink Chalkboard reader, Becca, for giving me this book. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

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Everything is Going to be OK from Chronicle Books


first two images via ModCloth
following five images via Graphic ART news