design blab: skulls

I wish I could say that my affinity for skulls is only in lieu of the ghoulish month that is upon us, however this is not true. No stranger to fashion, art or home decor, they can add a unique touch to any of the aforementioned. Alexander McQueen is more than familiar with a skull or more adorning their scarves and accessories which only draws me closer to their unique accessories. Though, what I really love is the edge that they add to any interior.

Image found on Houzz.com

Contemporary Bathroom design by New York Architect David Howell Design see on Houzz.com

Spaces design by Portland Maine Interior Designer Landing Design & Development found on Houzz.com

There are plenty of ways to incorporate these into your home. Here are just a few ideas...

Skull Cotton Hand Towels found on Etsy

Blue Skull found on Etsy

Image and product found here

Skull Pillow Cover found on Etsy

Golden Skull found on Apartment 48

design blab: Pal + Smith

I recently had the pleasure of attending a holiday party at the Pal + Smith showroom and was simply in awe of their incredible, eclectic style. My boyfriend and I probably looked like fools wandering around their space with our mouths wide open in awe, but we could not resist! What was the item we coveted most, you ask?

THIS DINING ROOM TABLE

Images found here

design blab: DIY California

While contemplating my agenda for this past Sunday afternoon, I realized that I have really been holding out on myself lately. While shopping, dining, and boozing are some of my favorite pastimes, I swear there is much more to me. "When is the last time I had a creative project to work on," I asked myself. It must have been months! So I felt it was due time to pay some respects to the creative side I inherited from the generations before me. Thus, behold "California."

The Process:

Materials:

• 1 large plank of wood
• Sand paper
• Decorative paper (I picked mine up at Papersource, because I am obsessed)
• Mod Podge
• Paint
• Large paint brush
• Foam paint brush

How to:

• Sand the wood on the side you will be using and on all 4 edges.
• Paint the wood and allow to dry.
• Rip up your decorative paper into pieces. The sizes are your prerogative.
• Once dry, trace your design onto the wood.
• Using your foam brush, "paint" the back of your ripped pieces of paper with Mod Podge and apply to your drawing. Depending on the shape of your design, you may need to use scissors for precision.
• Continue placing ripped paper within your design, until complete.

Hang, set somewhere, stare at for a few hours. Do what you may, but be sure to enjoy.

design blab: white canvas

While recently indulgently perusing the September/October 2011 issue of Lonny Mag I could not prevent myself from envisioning my next home and how I would prefer for it to look completely different from the one I currently reside in. Describing myself as 1 part human and 3 parts OCD would more than suffice. Therefore, I yearn for utterly clean, open and simple surroundings with strategically placed pops of color and fun. Imagine a white room filled with tiny fireworks of color, and that is exactly what I dream about calling my own. Well, during the summer time at least. I tend to turn to the dark side during the fall and winter, but that is a whole different post. Here are a few of my favorite items I spotted in this issue of Lonny Mag ...

Susan Fellman: Deer Skull with Crystal Antlers

Oly: Oliver Mirror

Jonathan Adler: Bargello Worth Avenue Pillow

Oly: Oliver Ottoman