The Design Police

The Design Police

The New York Times ran a very interesting and thought provoking article today about design trends that have been deemed to be over. Now, I have said time and time again that homes are very personal and as long as you love it who am I to judge. To each is own. If you want to decorate for your home with a 7-foot tall neon pink Christmas tree and it makes you happy, knock yourself out. Zebra skin rug? I still want one. I consider it a classic and not a trend. But I'm sure someone else will beg to differ.

I see the point of the article though and agree with some of their logic. It's hard to be excited about a design style when it finally reaches mass saturation and can be found on sale at West Elm. I think it's the reason that so many people love to shop at flea markets and tag sales. Everyone is looking for that special item that no one else has. Instead of buying the new Jonathan Adler version of something, why not troll ebay looking for the original inspiration.

But unlike fashion, we don't wear our homes on our backs. While it's easy to see if someone is wearing something that is no longer cool, how many people get to see inside our inner sanctum? Usually just our closest family and friends. Unless you are an interior designer and open your door to criticism, it's not likely that anyone will know that you have decorated with...gasp...a suzani that has been deemed too trendy. Of course, the magazines will move on to reporting new and more exciting design trends because that's their job. It's up to you to decide if you want to partake or go your own way.

I think how someone puts things together in their home is more important to the over all design than a few trendy pieces. And if you're really worried, put them in storage for a little while and when you bring them back out, they will look fresh and new. In all honesty, I might write you a ticket for wearing no longer fashionable skinny jeans but I would never ticket you for those antlers in your living room. Especially since I was planning on looking for some while I'm home for the holidays. Does that mean I'm losing my design edge?

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If You Dream It...It Will Come

If You Dream It...It Will Come

I want to thank everyone who left comments and emailed me about my last post, Dreaming. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who feels a little lost and unsure and the advice was beyond inspirational. I'm so glad I opened myself up to all of you. I completely agree with Maison21 who said that by doing so was the beginning of opening myself up to change. And it's funny how the moment you do that, so much becomes possible.

I actually had an interview tonight with the most amazing design and architecture firm. I'm not saying who they are because I don't want to jinx it but if you could say a prayer, light a candle, cross your fingers, rub the Buddha, whatever you want to do, I would so appreciate it! I want to work for them so badly, I could cry. I actually almost did on the subway ride home. It would be long hours and a ton of work but you just know when you are ready for the challenge. They are supposed to make a decision by Friday, so if they pick me, I'll tell you who they are and jump for joy! If not, let's pretend I never mentioned this ;-)

***UPDATE***
Thanks to everyone who was so supportive and wrote such nice comments again! I've already heard through the grapevine that they might offer the position to someone else but I'm not letting it get me down. If I don't get it, that just means it wasn't meant to be and maybe something else will be a better fit for me. And I'm going to keep going and continue to look for it!

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Dreaming

Dreaming

I love this photo from Elle Decor. I wish I lived in a fabulous Paris apartment and worked at a desk that looked out to the Eiffel Tower. Sigh. I feel like I'm having an early mid-life crisis. I haven't been happy at the design firm that I work at for a while now and am trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I don't think I'm ready to go out on my own so I think I would like to work for another designer. But since starting my blog, I have realized that I love to write. Hence my dream of working for a magazine but since they all seem to be folding, that doesn't seem like such a great idea. Everyone keeps asking me what I want to do but for some reason, I can't come up with one dream job. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to share them, except for mean Anonymous. You can sit this one out. Merci!

N.B. If anyone wants to offer me a job, I'd be completely amenable to that idea too!

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Interesante , interesante....

Interesante , interesante....

Un artículo rapidito para compartir un enlace muy interesante con tutoriales sobre el tema navideño. Recoge bastantes ideas que se pueden poner en práctica en un ratito. Todavía estas a tiempo si quieres hacer algo nuevo para tu casa , o para regalar, o para aprender o simplemente para divertirte.

Festive Tutorial Roundup

La idea de recoger estos enlaces en su sitio es de Craftapalooza. Si teneis algún tuto que querás enviarle , lo incluirá también.
Es genial encontrar gente que se toma este trabajo para compartirlo con los demás.

PS, revisa su sección de otros tutoriales.
¡ Qué lo disfrutéis! Yo me voy a mi proyecto navideño con el que estoy entusiasmada y del que hablé en uno de los últimos artículos de Alterado

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Something for the Boys

Something for the Boys

Since I normally write about girly things, I thought it might be fun to suggest some holiday gift ideas for the men in your life and for the few men who read my blog put on their wish list. You know who you are. But I have to say, I think some of these items are so great that the ladies might want to buy them for themselves. Why should the men get to have all the fun?!

I almost got a hernia when I tried to lift Legends of the Open Road: The History, Technology and Future of Automobile Design off the shelf at Rizzoli. I'm not sure if they made it extra heavy to appeal to men but it's worth the heavy lifting. It is one of the most beautiful and informative automobile coffee table books on the market. Buy it and take your time drooling over the vintage car of your dreams. Just make sure your arm muscles are ready first!

Leica bills their D-Lux 3 Digital Compact Camera as "creative freedom for unforgettable pictures." Leica cameras are old-school, especially the black version, discreet and expensive! Leica has also attained a legendary cult status in the photography world and rightly so. The company finally succumbed to pressure to go digital but this isn't your run of the mill point and shoot digital camera. Leica is the camera for someone who wants to create art instead of just taking photos. You've been warned!

The Jack Spade No Mas Tote Bag is a cheeky gift for the man who has everything and also a warning to those who think they are hip that skulls are so dead. It is also much more interesting and stylish than those awful black computer bags that most men carry. I say No Mas to those as well!

Now this is something that everyone should have in their possession. The Ultimate Hammer Tool from The Container Store includes a hammer, pliers, wedge, scissors, knife, saw, file and Philips head screwdriver and comes in a handy dandy carrying case and only costs $14.99! Now that's what I call the ultimate stocking stuffer!

For the man who loves music and wants to read about what it would have been like to live the ultimate rock and roll life, there is the Complete Clapton CD and Clapton: The Autobiography the latest releases from legendary guitarist Eric Clapton. But if Clapton isn't someones cup of tea, there is always the much appreciated iTunes Gift Card. It's a gift that keeps on giving!

The problem with portable speakers is that there really not that small or portable. Especially to an overpacker like me. These Cardboard Speakers from Muji really are lightweight and collapsible and can be folded away and placed in the included pouch when not in use. They are also a simple and chic way to listen to your favorite tunes away from home.

My biggest pet peeve is men's dress shirts that are big enough to double as a tent. If men had any idea that a slim fitting shirt would also make them look slim, you think they would go for it right? But no such luck. So why not take them to one the best custom shirtmakers in the New York, Seize sur Vingt. They also are one of the only stores to offer made to order cashmere sweaters. He's worth it. And while you're there, pick up a little something for yourself. They have great women's clothes. Because you're worth it too!

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Mis intercambios con Helena.

Mis intercambios con Helena.

No hace mucho tiempo que Helena se decidió a escribirme. Comparte las mismas aficiones que yo, punto de cruz, patch y también scrap. Qué sean las tres cosas es realmente una coincidencia. Encima es una mamá trabajadora con niños pequeños , otra coincidencia que nos hace comprendernos mejor....... querer hacer más de lo que el tiempo nos deja...... y esas cosas.

Si no me equivoco, ella no realiza intercambios de material o trabajos y por eso me hizo esta propuesta que acepté gustosamente. Tras un acuerdo, hemos ido combinando un mes u otro. Esta vez le comenté la idea de hacer una cosa como regalo navideño. Estas fechas se prestan mucho y además puede servir para nuestra decoración festiva.
El caso es que , aunque habíamos acordado hacer una cosilla , ella me ha obsequiado con unos regalos preciosos ¡ todos hechos por ella misma!
Con su consentimiento os las enseño porque desde luego creo que ha pasado siete pueblos.

Este sampler es una adaptación de Celtic Christmas de Lavender. Ha sido la primera vez que ha bordado en lino y también usado el hilo dorado. ¡ OOOOlé ! ¿ No ha quedado divino? A mí me encanta.Por cierto, el revés impecable.También me ha enviado una vela con olor que decorará mi rincón navideño.



En patch me ha regalado este simpátiquísimo Papá Noel para colgarlo de la puerta.



Decoró esta caja en decoupage con mi inicial y unas monísimas niñas y otros adornitos ,muy de mi estilo. Por eso me ha gustado un montón.




¿ Queréis ver cómo es por dentro y la sorpresa que hay ?




Unos preciosos pendientes en Svaroski en color rojo , también salidos de sus manitas.
Helena dice que me ha utilizado de conejillo de indias, cosa que no me ha importado absolutamente nada. Menudo conejillo con estas cosas tan bonitas. Es más me alegra , al menos, conseguir que alguien se anime a hacer algo nuevo.

Muchísimas graciasLos Reyes Magos tendrán que dejar algo para tí en unos zapatos extra que tendré que poner.

Este ha sido el album que yo le he enviado junto con algunas telillas .
En él puedes retener aquellos recuerdos más significativos, bien en fotos o en comentarios.


Tiene seis hojas incluyendo la portada y contraportada. Están decoradas por ambos lados con diferentes técnicas.





Ha sido divertido " jugar " con estos papeles ideando cómo hacer cada hoja y reconozco que me ha sido difícil desprenderme de él, pero me alegra que le haya gustado a su destinataria y espero que no le dé pena ni miedo utilizarlo, como dice .Las cosas son para usarlas.
Como no tiene blog , os enseñaré en alguna otra ocasión otros intercambios que nos hagamos.

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