Thursday, September 15, 2011

Bookshelves!

One of my favorite design elements..not only are they completely functional, but bookshelves are a great way to personalize your space and bring in great color.  Historically the fireplace is the heart of the home, but I would say bookshelves run a close second.  Here are some of my favorite..

image from lonnymag
Love this classic cubby style shelving.

image from living etc
The symmetry makes your stuff look perfectly put together.

image from designsponge
Modular cubby shelves on wheels, perfect for apartment living.

 image from designsponge
An entire bookcase wall..heaven.

image from living etc
 Someday I'd like to have a little book-reading nook.

image from designsponge
Love the easy look of the rustic reclaimed shelves against the brick. 

image from lonnymag
And also the chic, polished look of the mirror backing and paneled 
cabinets. A formal but flashy look that really expands the space.

image from living etc
For the truly dedicated..color coordination. 

Doesn't even need to be real, still cute.

Maybe one of the first bookcases to ever catch my eye..look familiar?
I immediately ran out and bought lots of magazine holders. 




Thursday, September 8, 2011

Recently I've Come to a Realization..

The weddings that used to fill my calendar are slowly being replaced by baby showers.  I guess this is only natural, but for someone who used to love buying wedding gifts, I struggle with what to get moms-to-be.  The idea of giving someone a diaper genie or breast pump just seems boring and maybe a little weird..so over the last couple weeks I've been gathering gift ideas meant to be fun, educational and inspire creativity, or at least look really cute in the nursery.

Available at Uncle Goose
Educational and good looking, perfect.


Available at Design Public
Something soft and cozy to wrap the little one in. 


 Handmade wooden logging truck, super cool.  


Available at BabyRoom
Colorful nesting birdsadorable and interactive 

Available at Dwell Studio
Wooden puzzles, a timeless classic.

Available at All Modern
So many different Flensted Mobiles to choose 
from, all handmade.  (This has been my go-to 
shower gift for a couple years now) 
Available at L'Occitaine.com
Pampering for the Mom and the Baby.


Available at Velocity
I mean, this little fella speaks for itself.

Available at Areaware
What new born doesn't need a gold pickup? 



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Who's Cooler Than..

Eero Saarinen, one of the leading figures in American 
Mid-Century modern architecture and furniture design, long
time Charles and Ray Eames collaberator and
my personal hero.

 Aline Saarinen Collection, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution C:1958
 Shown above sitting on one of his own creations..  

The iconic Tulip Chair .

Image from: Eero Saarinen, An Architecture of Multiplicity
And here (the spitting image of my grandfather) 
 Saarinen relaxes on his other classic, the Womb Chair.

I've never sat in one, but they look so very comfortable.

 
TWA Terminal, Idlewild (now Kennedy) Airport 1962. [Ezra Stoller © ESTO]
My favorite of all his projects, the TWA Terminal in New York, was 
recently renovated and now supposedly serves as an entrance to JFK's
 JetBlue Terminal, though I've yet to figure out how to get inside..

Open to the public just last spring, Saarinen's Miller House 
in Columbus Indiana, epitomizes Mid-Century residential 
design.  Love the sunken sitting area and multi purpose 
storage on the back wall. 

And of course the St. Louis Acrh. 

On all of my cross country adventures I never passed through 
St. Louis.  Someday I'd love to take the elevator to the top.

And most importantly, here in my own home town 
Eero Saarinen's Klienhans Music Hall.  Yeah Buffalo.

Light up boys, you've earned it! 
 Saarinen shown here with Charles Eames (right)
Such a great shot, from a great blog..


Thursday, September 1, 2011

It's September..

And though it's still a bit warm for fires (high of 82 today) I needed to share our latest addition here at 22 Irving, a new wood burning stove!! It's smaller, more efficient and way cuter, can't wait till October.

old stove
new stove
so huge
so compact

PS we'll be patching and refinishing our wood floors in two weeks, which will pretty much complete our work on the house..crazy.  Kind of sad it's all over.  Ahh memories.