Stella Fills the Gap!

Design is not just for four walls and a garden. Of course not. We all know it’s infiltrated our lives and dictates how we live in an unsurmountable number of ways. One way design has impressed me is through clothing – for kids!! My niece has become the epitome of a fashion icon baby (thanks to her doting and fashionable Thea Nicole and Yaya Lisa). Its awesome. Just a young two year old toddler and she inspects her day and evening wear threads as if its her job. She makes the perfect model to boot. So when my sister sent me a link to Gap’s new baby clothing line from Stella McCartney, I was smitten. Are you kidding me? I love it all! As someone who loathes fairy tale and Disney characters imprinted across children’s clothing, this new adorable line of the perfect childhood summer pieces, nautical-bohemian-edgy-feminine-esque dresses, tops, ankle zip pants, jackets, and dresses, fills that open gap with better looking apparel for tots. What do you think? Stella… thank you thank you thank you!

Piped Dress, $52

Mercy Crochet Butterfly Sweater, $58

Pleated Sailor Shorts, $42

Ruffle Top, $52

Beckett Summer Jacket, $68

Skinny Colored Zipper Jeans, $58

Anchor Intarsia Sweater Dress, $78

Bare Essentials.

When architecture and interior design come together as a unified force, some original ideas take shape. Add a mix of earth friendliness and you’ve got an almost natural result. Such is the case with Tintin Restaurant Bar and Club in Berlin, Germany. Designed by Karhard Architecture + Design, this modern space takes shape with concrete, steel, resin, glass, and a dash of upholstery.

I love how the ceiling lights lead out to the open room from single openings in the upper walls. It makes for some easy electrical engineering. Do something similar for your home with this Halo chandelier from Anthropologie.

The industrial chic nature of this new space is coated in beautiful and warm shades of grey while a hint of blue and green appear among the numerous mesh resins chairs (BTW, who makes those chairs?).

Plus and Minus.

Time to get back to basics. How about this 1970’s children’s game as a start? Just as intriguing for an adult as it is for a kid, Plus and Minus sold at Design Within Reach consists of 72 cards, each with a different image. Forty-eight cards have transparent backgrounds, allowing them to be layered over each other to create evolving and compelling scenes. Deal the cards out and let each player add a layer, creating increasing complex stories. Creativity for all ages.

Plus and Minus, $60 on sale | DWR

IKEA Goes Solar with Solig.

Finally someone is creating extremely affordable outdoor solar-powered lighting… that’s looks cool. And its all from the new Solig line at IKEA! These very low-cost products run on solar cells that transform sunlight into electricity while reducing your environmental footprint. The lamps use LED’s (that means 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs). No wires and outlets to install. Head to your nearest store, grab a blue and yellow bag and start solar shopping! (Psst, between you and me… I wish there were more color options).

Solig Solar Pendants, $19.99 | IKEA

Solig Solar Table Lamp, $19.99 | IKEA

Solig Solar Post, $7 | IKEA

Solig Solar Light Chain, $19.99 | IKEA

Solig Solar Up Lights (3 lights), $9 | IKEA

Solig Solar Lanterns, $9.99 | IKEA

2 Time.

I have to give a shout out to my niece. She officially turns two today (although her party was two weeks ago). Happy Birthday JuJu bunny!

Boy George!

There’s a new kid in town and he’s got the good looks and baby face to prove it. My sister delivered a healthy baby boy last week! Welcome to the world Baby George!

Greeting my nephew for the very first time!

Dining Full Circle.

I have yet to find the perfect round dining table for my home. I search the world daily for furnishings – it’s a part of my profession. However, I have the hardest time find the “one” (table that is). As a designer, I am picky picky picky when it comes to choosing the right piece. Especially for myself. In this case, it needs to be round, less than 45″ diameter, prefer a hardwood surface, and coordinate with the clear Louis Ghost Chair (have four of them). It’ll serve three purposes: dining, working, and craft projects.

What I really want is the Julian Chichester Dakota Table with the polished base. But my budget is tight. So that will have to wait until my Apple stock goes through the roof (wink). Ha.

Dakota Dining Table | Julian Chichester

In the interim, I’ve come up with a few reasonably priced options. The search continues… any ideas out there?

Bradshaw Table, $1,299 | Room & Board

Delano Round Dining Table, $299 | Crate & Barrel

Kyoto Dining Table, $999 | Crate & Barrel

Modern Farm Dining Table, $499 | West Elm

Versatility Round Dining Table, $399 | Overstock

Parkwood Round Dining Table, $499 | Eco-Furniture

Bath Time.

I am on the lookout for a bath mat that’s not the so expected white rectangle. Although its easy to launder with whites and a splash of bleach or oxy-clean tablets, white can be oh-so-boring. I need a spa like refuge and West Elm is suds ahead of the competition with these steamers.

Organic Clover Bath Mat (now on sale)

Organic Hexagon-Patterned Jacquard Bath

Organic Diamond-Patterned Jacquard Bath Mat

Organic Noodle Bath Mat

In the Hand… Bag.

I am an accessories w%&*$!. I love a good search for interesting, fun, and adorable shoes, bags, and jewelry. However, I don’t always pull the trigger… I do have a budget ya know! Well, thanks a lot to Bloomingdale’s for an email about their new Spring arrival of designer handbags. First stop was Marc by Marc Jacobs. Then it was off to Isabelle Fiore. From that moment, I was a loose cannon in a shopping cart. No, I do not need all of these clutches, cross body’s or totes, but it’s fun to pretend (and want!). Until I break down and order up one or two. Here is my Bloomie’s wish list of bows, chains, studs, twists and ties. Do you take lay away?

Lauren Merkin Diana Rainbow Serpent Clutch (I NEED this one!)

Salvatore Ferragamo Miss Vara Calfskin Crossbody Bag

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Macro Marc Neoprene Tobo

Badgley Mischka Platinum Label Melissa Leather Crossbody Mini Bag

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Pretty Nappa Linda Calfskin Clutch

Isabella Fiore Geometric Amalia Leather Fan-Shaped Clutch

Isabella Fiore Leila Mesh Hobo

Burberry Tumbled Leather Crossbody Bag

CC Skye Turner Python-Embossed Leather Hobo

Olivia Harris Studded Lambskin Ball Hobo

Mad for Malachite.

IfWith St. Patrick’s Day behind us and a green green spring (and environmental attitude) ahead, I’m mad for all things green. Especially the earthy but glamourous look of the mineral stone malachite. There is a great history behind this unique mineral. In Greek mythology, the throne of Demeter, goddess of grain and harvest, was fashioned from malachite and adorned with golden pigs and ears of barley (maybe she liked pork chops and beer for dinner?). Up until about 1800, Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints.

A polished slice of Malachite.

And today, the rock band Green Day used malachite in the lyrics of their song 2000 Light Years Away, as a metaphor to lead singer and songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong’s green eyes. My interest however lies mostly in it’s as a lifestyle accent in jewelry and home decor pieces.

My favorite! Malachite Side Table by Marjorie Sourkas

Faux Malachite Jewelry Boxes | Global Views

Malachite and Diamond Midnight Pear Ring | Neiman Marcus

Malachite Table Lamp | Crate & Barrel

Rectangular Malachite Vivian Mirror | Made Goods

Vintage Faux Malachite Table from Drexel Heritage, $900 | Austin Modern

1950's Sterling Silver and Malachite Tray | 1stDibs

Panama Diary in Malachite Leather with Wood Closure | Smythson

1930's Art Deco 10"H Malachite Vase | Washington DC Craigslist

If it’s green walls that you’re most excited about, try your hand at a faux malachite wall paint treatment with this example from Apartment Therapy.

How about a faux malachite paint treatment?