Powder Room Punch

Leo season has come and gone (whoopsies!), but I’m still feeling the fiery energy flowing strongly these days. A Leo’s defining trait is confidence, for better or worse. Leo’s infectious energy is easy to pick up on, and their innate charisma and self-empowerment tend to reflect back onto their intimate relationships & social circles. This post I’d like to funnel that confident, fiery point of view and energy into a room that is easily transformed into a home’s climactic design moment: the powder room.

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Leos are excellent performers and know how to command attention. In order to help drive this thought into telling a unique design narrative in the bathroom space, focus on story telling. Here are FOUR key elements that can help drive your design narrativE:

1.    Using color & textural clues, follow the landscape of your home’s surrounding spaces. In the example below, a nice tonal dose of mint and olive green from the guest room walls to the bath fixtures blend the two environments with incredible finesse & vintage style.

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2.    Channel authentic décor curation that allows a glimpse into your home’s history while staying true to you! Leave that vintage wall-mounted sink & built in medicine cabinet! Instead, find ways to update the surrounding finishes to feel fresh and restorative, whether it’s through new wall paneling, a minimalist paint scheme, or one-of-a-kind decorative bath accessories. This thoughtfulness and new representation of a repurposed room sparks a joyful experience for anyone!

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3.    Take a whiff, how do you feel? Scent. This plays a key role in helping to reassure and relax us. Embed fragrance in your powder room environment, maintaining the fresh and feel good vibes throughout multiple senses.

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4.    And of course! – pattern, color, fixture selection, material variety, etc etc etc. Because powder room square footage tends to be pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things, this is prime real estate to experiment with busier wallpapers, funky color combinations, elegant light fixtures, or anything else that would be much more of a commitment in let’s say a kitchen or living room space. Use your creative license to JUST GO FOR IT.

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And don’t forget to look ahead! Consider hosting a healthy ratio of easily exchangeable materials such as removable wallpaper, painted surfaces, and unique hardware or bath accessories to help ease your mind toward commitment of a single permanent design. Leave your future self some wiggle room to refresh & update cost-effectively!

Join me next month to dive deeper into Virgo’s dedication to a powerhouse of perfectionism.

xoxo, Jordan

Biophilic Design; Houseplants & Beyond !

“Yes, Cancer, you may be the hard-shelled crab, but underneath all of that, you’re so much more. As the zodiac’s intrepid captain, you’re the quiet leader holding down your crew when the winds begin to rise. Nautical metaphors aside, you’re one of the zodiac’s three water signs (along with Scorpio and Pisces), which means you’re comfortable dealing with emotions. You may not reveal them as much as your watery counterparts, but you feel things just as deeply. Your status as one of the leadership-driven cardinal signs (like Aries, Libra, and Capricorn) means people feel safe following you, probably because you’re sensitive to their needs. Having the moon as your ruler helps with that too, since you’re already an expert at harnessing your own rapidly changing moods. Cancer season lasts from June 21 to July 22, so get ready for smooth seas ahead in your relationships, career, and spiritual life.” - My Domaine

Paying homage to our quiet leaders, I wanted to draw the parallel between this amazing characteristic of quiet strength & highlighting mother nature as our unwavering organic kingdom of strength & solitude. Nature fortifies & restores our body’s chemistry effortlessly & innately. This post will skim the surface of biophilic design traits & how those can translate into a stronger, healthier designed environment. At its simplest, biophilic design references patterns, textures, smells & colors found in a natural state and focuses those elements into a holistic & healthy designed environment. It centralizes around the user as a biological being, valuing mental & physical health front and foremost. It is difficult to provide super specific blanketed statements about biophilic design, as the appropriate answers & solutions vary so much from local environments to individual health conditions & socio-cultural factors. Instead I’ll be referencing a study & research finding done by Terrapin Bright Green, a research & consulting group known for their approachable & tangible consistency on biophilic design.  If you’re interested in a whole heck of a lot more detail, check out their research here.

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A designed biophilic environment can consider these seven overarching consistencies: a visual connection with nature, a non-visual connection with nature, non-rhythmic stimuli, thermal + airflow variability, the presence of water, both dynamic & diffuse light, and a connection with natural season & temporal changes.

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Diving deeper into details, 3 additional physical qualities to consider: symbolic patterns, textures or numerical arrangements, a physical material connection with nature, and a rich variety of sensory information through arrangement both through complexity & order.

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Last but not least, four ideas centered around the formation & layout of space including: prospect (an unimpeded view), refuge (a place for withdrawal from environmental conditions), mystery (achieved through partially-obscured views or other senses), and risk/peril (an identifiable threat coupled with a reliable safety net).

And just for fun!! Check out this ultimate home architecture in Singapore HERE

So yes, biophilic design is about adding plants & natural daylight to your home. BUT also remember there’s an entire ecosystem just outside of your window view that can unlock a world of happiness. A natural world that embodies the life of a quiet leader; calm and consistent in demeanor, sensitive to emotional tides and a kaleidoscopic fairytale of life’s circumstances.

This was a fun one. Can’t wait to see all my fellow fiery lions for next month’s post!

xoxo, Jordan

Home Office Hero

For a lot of us, these past few months have turned our home office from a secondary space into an absolute necessity. Making the most out of our workspace really stretches beyond a desk surface and chair. This post, I am drawing inspiration from Gemini’s chameleon-like adaptability to blend your professional work zone & style flawlessly into your home environment.

“Nobody tells a story quite like you do, Gemini. You know exactly how to capture people’s attention with your words, whether written, spoken, or otherwise. As one of the air signs (along with Libra and Aquarius), you’re more into ideas than details, but nobody is complaining… Thanks to your natural ability to make connections, you can fit into any scenario with chameleon-like ease. With Mercury, the zodiac’s messenger, as your patron planet, you always know just what to say, but you need to make sure you say it to the right people.” My Domaine

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Here’s a few tips to capitalize on creativity and productivity in your home office environment :

1 // Pull up a front row seat to a favorite view in your home. Capitalize on those expansive views and natural daylight to help spark productivity & fresh ideas.

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2 / Shelving for dayzzzz… Utilize bookshelves and wall shelving to help define a dedicated work zone. The goodies that line those shelves are a surefire ticket to inspiration-land!

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3// Short on space? Channel your inner fort-building kid creativity to host a work-crushing command center in an unexpected part of your home!

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4. / Make it work for you! Check out some amazing office furniture brands that promotes individuality & positivity in your office environment!

Inside Weather

Fully

Branch Furniture

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And last but not least , an office design that is too cute not to share! Take a looksy at Sarah Sherman’s office design skills for her client Joy Cho, founder of Oh Joy! brand. More details and images here if you’re feeling this funky fresh minimalist vibe!

Stay tuned for our next post featuring all you sentimental Cancer folks!

xoxo, Jordan

Kitchen Party

Oh hello, Taurus: You over there being down to earth, just keepin’ it real!? That sounds about right..

‘Fixed astrological signs like consistency and others appreciate your unshakable chill. Having Venus, the love goddess, as your patron planet makes people all the more comfortable around you. Just being in your presence is relaxing! You’re an earth sign, meaning you’re truly down to earth. Combine that with your status as one of the zodiac’s four fixed signs and you’re everyone’s go-to person for common sense advice and life hacks. You’re also remarkably calm even in the weirdest situations. The rest of us admire your ability to maintain your composure no matter what’s going on around you. Even if you don’t feel it on the inside, this sign makes you seem relaxed at all times.’ - My Domaine

(Now, more than ever) steady calm, kitchen spaces serve so many roles to so many different voices in our day. All the meals, breakfast coffee, making pasta with the kids, cocktails with a few friends, backyard bbq parties prep, school lunches, Sunday morning pancake breakfasts. It’s the space that’s most down to earth because it has no other choice to be. It serves all of those purposes in our lives that we take for granted. Dear Kitchens, WE LOVE YOU.

What I love most about the kitchen space boils down to 3 things: Overall material palette, Layout, and Eat-in Kitchen Built-ins. LOOKOUT BELOW!!!....

1//MATERIAL PALETTE

I couldn’t have a kitchen party without a plywood party! I gotta say, seeing kitchens that make basic building materials look extravagant always cheer me up :)))

Wooooie, is it getting hot in here?! Sizing up on a stone slab backsplash or a stunning tile backsplash & pairing with plywood (or light wood) cabinetry is THE PERFECT combination in my book.

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2// LAYOUT

Whether you’re a peninsula, island, galley, or centered dining table type of house, there’s certainly benefits to all the above. What layout are you dreaming of these days ?

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///3 EAT IN KITCHENS

For some reason, I’ve always been drawn like a magnet to the simultaneous coziness, efficiency & thoughtfulness that a built-in dining area brings to a home. Whether it’s capitalizing on an amazing window view, saving on square footage, or just a bonus area to your kitchen, this is the ultimate space for sitting down, relaxing, and realizing the full potential of your kitchen!

Now we gettin’ real fancy.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this down-to-earth journey through my brain in captivity. Looking forward to seeing you next post for some good times with Gemini :)

xoxo, Jordan

Burn Baby Burn!

Welcome to part 2 of our zodiac-inspired design series. Last post we touched on the fluid adaptability & artistic nature embraced by the Pisces sign. Today, we uncover Aries – who’s most recognized quality is being a natural born leader. In a home setting, a boss aesthetic & proper showcase centered around their own super fly ideas might help this zodiac personality take a minute to pause & celebrate. This notion of pausing to celebrate ourselves is something we can all take away and pepper into our own spaces. I’m not just talking golden trophies & flashy metals. I’m talking about recognizing the colors, shapes, textures, and smells that make us tick & lift us up to be the best verion of ourselves. The things that really say - look out y’all, this is me! One great place to start with this idea is a fireplace mantel & surround. Follow along while I debrief some mysteries about hunky-dory fireplace design & decor tactics : )

“Aries is a fire sign, meaning you’re confident, and—let’s face it—a little bossy. You're also one of the four cardinal signs, so you’re quite literally born to lead. Cardinal signs like being in charge, and the other zodiac signs feel comfortable following the trends you set. Your patron planet is go-getter Mars, giving you a seemingly endless storehouse of energy upon which to draw. “ Amelia Quint for My Domaine

Your mantel, fireplace & hearth’s personality set the tone for the remainder of the room, and typically strike a repetitious chord elsewhere inside of your home. It’s a perfect place to figure out your preferred balance of curated minimalism vs stacks on stacks of miscellaneous tchotchkes. My personal preferences & aesthetic proportions tends to fluctuate – so please, don’t feel or think this is the final end all say all descriptor of your disposition. Here’s a handful of fiery moments that blur the boundaries in both minimal & maximalist sensibilities:

Balanced eclecticism; a pair of handmade, organic light fixtures & a simple framed piece of artwork top off the decadent simplicity of the nero marquina fireplace surround. The coffee table that flows out of this fireplace moment connects high contrast, thought-provoking textures, ideas & emotional objects.

Curated simplicity; an understated mirror draws extra light & attention on the room’s central statement light fixture. Repetition of organic, handcrafted ceramic vessels throughout add a softness to a room stripped to a bare-bones material palette.

Here, the furniture setting really draws the viewer to experience the fire as a part of the conversation. The clean, minimalist furniture is mirrored back through the traditional trim-work & wall molding painted in a single white hue. The size & scale of the golden-framed mirror is a gentle reminder of the decadence of this home’s architecture & traditional values.

Manage what could be potential clutter with a variety of shelving & decorative containers to host the most out of your decor!

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One last thought on making your fireplace feel fresh & more like you. Do you adore the history of your home, but can’t vibe with the existing material scheme? Often time a stone or brick fireplace sucks a lot of light out of a room or clash pretty heavily with an otherwise consistent color palette. Here’s my advice: PAINT IT WHITE.

Feelin’ the warm of these fireplace & disco queen tribe leader vibes yet? Let the season of Aries remind you to reflect upon your accomplishments, keep headstrong in your goals, & above all, to burn baby burn!

xoxo, Jordan

Bohemian Houseboat

For forever, I only knew the simple basics of horoscope culture, mostly associating certain signs with their iconic images, and occasionally interested in reading a little deeper into my own. As the supernatural culture of crystals, sage bundles, and palmistry makes it’s way into a more mainstream light, I’ve found myself gravitating toward digging a little deeper into the characteristics & traits associated with the zodiac, clinging to certain online articles & thrifted books explaining the chart flow & relationship to our seasons. I am challenging myself to write a post akin & inspired by each zodiac sign of the year. Today we begin with Pisces.

 Characteristics trademark to Pisces: “Of the three sign types (cardinal, fixed, and mutable), you’re mutable, meaning you adapt easily to new challenges but can have trouble settling into a routine. Neptune, the planet of spirituality, rules your sign. It’s like a secret superpower, giving you a strong sixth sense and desire to be part of something bigger than you.” My Domaine

Here’s my attempt to connect the zodiac + design dots. Along with featuring rad as hell living styles & scenarios, I want to showcase design perspectives carrying similar traits to our current zodiac calendar. Since Pisces is a water sign, and connects naturally with the adaptable & fluid nature of water, houseboat architecture seemed like an obvious choice. Plus this gave me an opportunity to dig a little deeper into the bohemian culture & design behind the cabin doors.

Did you know this boat, along with many many others, have been stationed on the Amsterdam Canal for over 100 years? WHOA! Travel goals..

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The Netflix series, Stay Here, came our a couple years ago, and I remember binging it, TOUGH… I think my Genevieve Gorder Trading Spaces quota had been expired for far too long. If you haven’t watched, please do! Her natural sense of style & personable way of relating to the aesthetic choices she makes is sure to radiate & inspire! Here is a houseboat she transformed into a playful, Scandinavian Airbnb during the first episode.

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Houseboats have a natural way of letting you appreciate every square inch of the space you’re surrounded in. The long narrow cabin is flooded with natural light streaming in from every wall space, including the ceiling. This, along with their often unique , open concept floor plans host a trademark cozy-factor tenfold to any landlocked home.

Generous, amiable, & positive-natured, Pisces season is here to remind us to take it easy, go with the flow, and challenge yourself to relate more openly to your surroundings. Stay curious & trust your intuition!

xo, Jordan

Heirloom Revival

Heirloom is defined as a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.

In an age of peak consumerism, the possessions we deem as permanently valuable and irreplaceable are certainly at risk of losing the popularity contest. So how do we start to invest in pieces and products that are not only meaningful to us now, but also to us decades and generations down the line? Some very personal questions must be posed and considered, as we evolve to discover our true selves and character. Here are some tips to consider when making your next home goods (and beyond!) purchases:

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1.     Where is it made?

Supporting local businesses reinforces the strength of local communities. This strengthens our country from the inside out. It provides the best solution for building our national economy by building the most solid foundation imaginable. From increasing job count, reducing lower carbon footprint, growing a stronger economy, supporting human rights and health standards - supporting American-made products is a critical thing to consider.  Buying products made in the USA is an investment in America and an investment in her future.

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2.  What does quality mean?

This means you compare your products to their theoretical best, not to competing products. Artist and craftsmen of the physical product make every decision based on whether it will make the product better or worse. The most appropriate materials are selected for the purpose that the object serves. When the fabrication is done, all of the previous steps considered lead up to the highest quality result possible.

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3.  Why does this investment matter?

When we choose to purchase an heirloom-quality good, we choose to put our undivided trust in that company.  We must realize that the status quo from a vast majority of retailers assumes the customer doesn’t expect we are approaching a purchase based on quality vs quantity. Consumer culture has been driven by what is new and next for the past handful of decades.  As I encourage you to shift from a high volume-low quality mindset, heirloom design can be seen as a radical alternative with numerous beneficial outcomes.

Stay local. Stay beautiful!

How do you Modern Farm?

Modern Farmhouse design style has so many beautiful interpretations. Growing up in the midwest, it’s something I’ve taken for granted as an inherent part of cozy, classic design. Married with the hot hot design trend of Scandinavian minimalism, there are some really amazing recent interpretations of this classic interior design style. Traditionally characterized by features exuding simplicity, practicality, neutral hues, and industrial overtones, take a dive below into some incredible farmhouse feats!

Michigan design duo, of KLH-homes , designed this amazing danish-inspired farmhouse retreat near Kalamazoo. Breathtaking! I especially love the all-black facade and use of shou sugi ban charred wood wall treatment in the outdoor patio nook. https://www.klh-homes.com/

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Something I truly relate to is Modern Farm’s dedication to practicality first. This way of thinking ensures functionality is key, digging deep into multi-purpose living spaces and versatile finishes that work hard for long time periods. The farmhouse above, was built with a practical budget in mind but still achieves a classic weathered farmhouse look that settles comfortably into its Wisconsin landscape.

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Snack break!! Call me a huge sucker for enamelware. Crushing hard on this USA-Made serveware from Barnlight Electric. https://www.barnlight.com/

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West Coast meets modern farmhouse - a perfect hybrid. Slap some shiplap on it & thanks for looking! Stay curious!

Summer Ace

Well, it’s been a few months! The last post was about dreaming of greener days. This post is about celebrating it’s fruition! It’s early June and Summer is on the brink of full-fledged bloom in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Our garden is planted, the birds are hustling to the feeder, and bee wings buzz around my post-work porch session/cocktail hour. Our little part of the world was hit hard with the chill factor this year. Damned if I’ll let that get me down! The sun is fully shining and mama’s feeling fine! To celebrate this victory lap into warmer weather, I wanted to share some of my favorite A-frame moments in warm weather. A-frame architecture goes deep with me. Not only as an ideal dwelling style, but it also represents total escape, relaxation, and responsibility to make the moments that make good moments happen while we can get ‘em. It’s difficult to picture an A-frame building that doesn’t capitalize on the beauty of nature and the seasons around it. Cheers to this journey of magic and beauty brought to you through simple architecture and design..

Meet Nolla. This is a mobile, zero-emissions summer cabin designed by Finnish design Robin Falck. The cabin is meant to be transportable, and mobile - designed completely without the use of screws or machinery for assembly. It’s a perfect vision for those looking to escape the clutter and chaos of our routine lives and embrace simplicity. Heck yes! More info @ Dezeen

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I think a major reason I am drawn to this specific look and style is that the shape forces us to find creative solutions to ‘problems’ we have inflicted upon ourselves. It asks us to treat awkward moments with grace and turn them into an asset, rather then something that mis-represents us. Triangle love is real, my peeps!

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Alright alright alright. I think, i KNOW, I have a mini crush on the folks and creators of Lokal Hotel. Bucket list to stay at all 4 of their properties. Check them OUT! Also, for real, can I get a wha WHAT for plywood. I can’t emphisize enough just how much character and beauty a simple sheet can bring.

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This photograph kills me! I can see this happening anywhere within 30 miles of me. The perfect harmony of in and out. Only thing, this is actually rural Australia. BLAMO! Let’s make this A-frame craze happen @ Dezeen !

Summon the power of the summer Ace!!

Green Dream.

Because I’ve been riding the wild weather rollercoaster this Wisconsin winter has handed us for a few months now, I’ve been craving green, Green, GREEN (and lotsa vitamin D). Green is a go-to favorite for me and will always remain a staple in my designs. However, doing a little research for a recent project made me realize just how many shades there are to admire. From shamrock to seafoam or chartreuse to sage, the color spectrum is totally astonishing with the kinds of beauty we have to work with!

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Speaking of green, check this hip paint company - Clare - that specializes in designer-curated colors and premium paints with zero VOCs & GREENGUARD Gold Certification. I am particularly addicted to these shades and their EXCELLENT names:

Avocado Toast

Current Mood

Make Waves

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It’s difficult for me to pass up an opportunity to flaunt a design with SO MUCH LOVELY TERRAZZO. Eek! I’ll wrap this post up with this super sweet pale green Barcelona flat designed by Arquitectura G Link

Wild Florals & Fabrics.

Foraged floral arrangements and natural plant dyes are something I admire and am continually astonished by. Two very different practices, though both require a sense of outdoor adventure and wonder. The hunting/gathering stage focuses attention to plants and places that may have otherwise been overlooked. Wonder, exploration, and creativity are utilized in order to discover a landscape.  Get excited!!!! Here are a few artisans and businesses to admire:

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Swallows and Damsons was founded by Anna Potter, and is based out of Sheffield, England. Originally drawn to the area because of its mix of creativity and community, Anna decided to open her own shop after working with two of the city’s leading florists. Her installations and arrangements are a true testament to the bespoke natural beauty an arrangement can posses with the help of a creative hand & visionary.

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Rebecca Desnos is a natural dyer from the UK, a writer, a mother of two, and an all-round plant lover. She is a natural storyteller, creates books and magazines about the things she makes with plants, then publishes them herself. Check out her latest publication, Botanical Colour at Your Fingertips.

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Courtney Joy is an artist and a farmer, with her husband, Michael Gutschenritter. They own and operate Three Brothers Farm in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.  Most of the flowers used in the floral design work come from the farm. They also grow vegetables for their Community Supported Agriculture program, also known as CSA. They also provide flowers, eggs, chicken and vegetables to their community, and raise Shetland sheep for their gorgeous wool. 

Told ya, it’s SO GOOD! Something to really fall heads over heels in admiration over. Hope this inspires you to do your own floral arranging & fabric dyeing!

Playful Plywood

For reasons beyond my understanding, I have been forever drawn to the crude and simple warmth that plywood exudes. Plywood is so inherently interesting as a raw material. With a wide range of possible grain cuts, it hosts many natural patterns which instantly warm an interior. In a piece of furniture or cabinetry, exposing the thin layers (or plies) on the edges is a reminder that there is a sensible grace in the manufacturing of this everyday building material. Democratic in design, it effortlessly weaves beauty throughout low-budget and high-end statement rooms alike. Though there hasn't been an overwhelming movement toward plywood furniture or architecture, I do take comfort in knowing this is an extremely versatile material that speaks volumes of simple modern elegance.

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Uncommon Projects, designed & manufactured in London, creates bespoke plywood furniture. The majority of their work is produced in high quality hardwood veneered plywood, giving it a playfully sophisticated point of view. 

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Dries Otten is a furniture designer, interior architect and scenographer based in Antwerp, Belgium. He is known for his commitment to color and an ability to design playful joinery.  Below are a few examples of his kitchen & cabinetry. 

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WAKA-WAKA is a Los Angeles based studio focusing on wood furniture and functional objects. Designer and craftsmen Shin Okuda often uses Baltic birch plywood as his choice material.

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 I might be weirdo, but holy smackers isn't plywood just outrageously dreamy!? Check out these additional spaces that benefit so much from it's inclusion:

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Tile Tapestry

"Puzzle hinges on the possibility to organize layouts and patterns yourself. Individuality and the ability to be able to personalize your own space is increasingly important and this collection allows the user unlimited configurations," Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby

Puzzle is a collection for Mutina, designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby.

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Obsessed with Fireclay Tiles. Especially their Agrarian Collection inspired by Californian agricultural landscapes.

Fireclay Tiles make some rad product!

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I'll take any opportunity to broadcast these beautiful cement tiles from Popham Design.  All handmade in Morocco, these tiles beg to be made into a perfectly-tailored tile tapestry which screams you! 

Roadside Paradise

One of my latest obsessions: the renaissance of roadside inns. Perhaps this trendy resurgence is related to our culture’s hardcore emphasis on nostalgia; reveling in simpler, less ‘connected’ times. Or maybe it’s a design tactic to meet the growing demand for unique and inexpensive lodging options, while millennials fulfill their stylish wanderlust goals. All that aside, I am so pleased the dust is being brushed from the midcentury wonder these historic buildings hold. Any excuse to restore, reuse or revitalize is an ace move in the book of cool.

From jungalow chic to shaker simplicity, these hipster havens blossom with courageous furniture pairings, meticulous branding styles, and locally sourced you-name-it! Yearning to see and do it all, our culture is becoming increasingly aware of the way our everyday spaces look and make us feel – let’s pay some praise to some of the places that do it so well!

The Drifter is a recent roadside inn transformation with the exterior help of Joel Ross of Concordia Architecture and interiors by Nicole Cota Studio.  It is located in an up-and-coming neighborhood of New Orleans, LA. 

Tucked in the Colorado mountain town of Salida, The Amigo Motor Lodge re-opened in late 2016.

The Austin Motel, was recently taken back to its colorful mid-century roots by designer and hotelier Liz Lambert. The Austin Motel has operated since 1938, and is housed in a mid-century building on the the bustling South Congress strip of bars, restaurants and shops.

The Native Hotel is located along the Pacific Coast Highway, just outside of Malibu.  It hosts a series of 13 interconnected bungalows, a lobby lounge and retail area, and an airstream trailer canteen 'Coffee & Waffles' that serves a no-frills quality menu. Originally built in 1947, this property provided an understated hideaway for celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Bob Dylan.

The Ace Hotel, Palm Springs by Commune Design.

Buckle up! The wide open road is calling your name!! 

2018; a gentle edge

As with any design element, silhouettes and shapes are in constant motion with the ever-shifting design tides. The harsh juxtaposition of straight edges is rapidly dating, as people crave a more natural look to pair with their habitual technology adaptation.  Aesthetically, minimal design & architecture has followed suite.

Michael Hsu Office of Architecture designed ATX Cocina, a Mexican restaurant located in Austin, TX.

Kento, an on-the-go Sushi restaurant located in Valencia, elevates an otherwise efficient space with warm brass & wood, punchy color accents, and -- you guessed it -- rounded edges. 

The Wink lamp. a playful lighting collaboration with Masquespacio and Houtique

Ariele Alasko is a full-time sculptor and woodworker, based in Brooklyn. She fully embraces the healing power of curved silhouettes within her statement-making objects. 

Ergonomics deal with more then office furniture and work surface heights. Circulating through the heads of designers in all capacities, it effects the look of decorative objects, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and SO much more!  As we realize the visual and tactile importance of our immediate surroundings, while technology steadily infiltrates the ease of our everyday habits, silhouettes and finishes of objects and interiors will become infinitely conducive to human comfort and health.

ANGUI Bench and Chair by Danish Brand AYTM

Salon Mace, designed by Matt Lorrain of SP01, utilizes simple metal framework and round arches to embellish their decor.

The Drifter hotel lobby, in New Orleans, invites guests with the gentle curvature of plenty styles of hip furniture. 

The new Artedomus showroom in Sydney, designed by The Stella Collective & Thomas Coward Studio, plays off the building's heritage Art Deco architecture to create a simple, yet thought-provoking architectural landscape. 

Thrilled to share what 2018's evolution of minimalism will surely unfold!

musical chairs.

Two things I hold sacred in my heart: good design and music. I can't help but pine over these spaces adorned with ethereal music power!   

Just call me a sucker for violins. 

peru!

Peru has so many interesting influences shaping its traditions & culture. Though apparent across the board, a great showcase of this can be found in its cuisine. Incan technique & method rest at its heart, while Spanish, Japanese, Chinese & African flavors layer in some wild complexities.

Recently my charming boyfriend and I dined at a rad as heck Peruvian style restaurant in Chicago, named Tanta. Our meal carried us from sweet masa stuffed empanadas and chimichurri-marinated octopus, to a whole mahi-mahi fish fried & finished in Chinese sweet & sour glaze. This vibrant mural by artist Jeff Zimmerman lined the wall of our dining spot.

The beautiful blend of culture we experienced seeped into a craving to explore more. And in typical fashion of South American vibrant life & color, here are some powerful images I came across on my search about traditional & modern Peruvian-influenced spaces. 

Stay vibrant!