Biking around town

So Scott got our 70's retro Brooklyn 3 speeds reconditioned and we are ready to cruise around and explore the Pasadena / Eagle Rock area on two wheels.  I have a typical wire frame bike basket already and I suppose it serves me well.  BUT, if I were to make a swap, or recommend a basket to other bikers, I'd go for the MIO Pop-up bicycle basket.  It ships flat and fits on the front of a bike, comes in 3 colors and looks pretty rad if I do say so myself.

Shame about the Birds on the Island...

I'll give $5 to anyone who actually gets that reference.  Comment below if you have an answer.  In any case:

Andrew Zuckerman just came out with his book Bird in which he took amazing high def photographs of birds in repose and in flight in front of a white background. 

These small images don't do them justice. Best to go to his book's website. He photographed 74 birds in 4 countries.  I think I have enough animal prints to last a while but I'll be adding this to my Amazon wish list for the coffee table.

Sumi Animals

We were up in Portland this weekend and had the opportunity to visit Scott's Aunt Mona's studio. She is an amazing figurative painter who has done work for the likes of the Spectrum Dance Theater and Oregan Ballet. Visit her at http://www.monajonescordell.com/ .  Most recently Mona has been working on a series of Animal drawings and paintings and you yourself can own an original print from the artist.  Prices are inexpensive and therefore accessible to the general public.  I love the Sumi Animal gesture drawings.  I think the set of 4 here would look pretty awesome with a wide mat and simple frame hung together on the wall:

Happy 4th!

Spoiled Kitty

You do the math.  You could either buy this amazing designer cat chaise (which the cat will need you to replace in 2 months anyway after she's scratched the heck out of it) for $160 from designpublic

 Or you could buy the SmartyKat Chaise for $19.75. 

 I know which one Floopy likes.

SALE!

These embroidered cocktail napkins from Pomegranate Inc. ($24 for a set of 6) are a great gift for the hostess with the mostest . Or perhaps for yourself. 

I'm Lovin' it

John Robshaw's line of linens, pillows and rugs that is.
We need a summer weight quilt for the master bed.  I think this might just be the answer... when it goes on sale.

And check out his Dhurries. These are actually really well priced rugs and pretty awesome designs!

Large Scale Prints

I'm loving large scale prints right now.  Just need to find more pieces to reupholster!  I recently discovered Christopher Farr Textiles in an issue of Elle Decor (they're carried at Thomas Lavin in LA).  I'm thinking I need to use this "Carnival" fabric somewhere.  How fabulous is it?

Although this fabric "Span" is so unique and mid century - you could almost just stretch it and use it as art.

Headboard Headboard on the wall...

After a month or two of psyching myself up for hanging, the headboard has finally been hung in the master bedroom.  Credits:

Valley Forge - pleather
Stupid Amazon store - nailheads that ended up in three bandaged fingers
OOK - hanging cleats (remains to be seen how we feel about these)
Home Depot - wood, screws, brackets etc (in total 75 lbs on the wall)
Joanne Fabrics - batting, foam etc
Davis parents - lovely paint job that contrasts nicely with the white headboard

Lesson Learned: you can probaby purchase a similar headboard or have one made for just a tad more and save your fingers, time, weight, and end up with something a little more professional looking. And if you do decide to do it yourself, use a straightedge!

China treasures

So, I went a little crazy at the Dirt Market in Beijing.  Panjiayuan, otherwise known as the Dirt Market (don't ask my why because the Chinese name doesn't mean that), is an outdoor antiques market that takes place on the weekends in Beijing.  You can find just about anything there - a lot of which is at this point not truly antique, but fun nonetheless. 

As I said I went a little crazy and ended up trekking around China with a big box.  But everything arrived on one piece.

Turqoise vases (yes, the wall sculpture still needs to be hung)

Yellow vase and crackleware ink container  and 3 new snuff bottles to add to the collection.  I decided to display them a little differently than before.  I think once the coffee table is painted cream, they'll show up a little better.