bespoke letterpress gift wrap

This gift wrap from Brisbane's Bespoke Letterpress is so charming--and double-sided! The gray chevron (zig-zag) pattern reverses to a hot air balloon design in mustard yellow (see below). Each sheet is offset printed on 100% recycled paper. Find their letterpress gift tags here. Lovely!

diy upholstery

If you've got an upholstery project in mind and are feeling crafty and ambitious, check out the four-part DIY reupholstering series at the fun and interesting blog, ECAB (Eighteenth Century Agrarian Business). Each of the four posts in the series offers detailed instructions and accompanying photos. The photos at the top of the post (with the dog!) are from ECAB; the first one shows the final product and the bottom two are in-progress shots. Note: This is a great blog to peruse in any case. 

I recently found a wonderful upholstery fabric, inspiring me to have a sofa recovered instead of replacing it. The work is underway and I can't wait to see the final product! The fabric is simple in design, but oh-so-wonderful in concept: It's stain-proof! Crypton fabric (long used in commercial applications) supposedly repels everything from red wine to dog slobber (our primary stain culprit). Important bonus: It's environmentally friendly and not full of toxic chemicals. I ordered several yards of a neutral solid from Joann Fabrics. I'll let you know if it lives up to the hype. UPDATE: We love our new Crypton-covered sofa, and so does our dog! I even spilled some orange juice on it and it wiped right up (it sat right on top of the fabric, waiting for easy clean-up!). Close-up detail photos below; the fabric is "Bella" in beige -- soft with barely any pile.

downton abbey

Many here in the U.S. (me very much included) are having Downton Abbey withdrawal already. The final episode of season two ran a few weeks ago and the next season won't air until--gasp!--2013. To help us get through this difficult time, I've rounded up some lovely inspired-by-Downton items. 

Top to bottom:
1. Original illustration of Mary by Kelsey Garrity Riley.
2. "I Love You More Than Downton" letterpress stationery set from Foxy & Winston.
3. Some Country Houses and Their Owners, the "gossippy diaries" of James Lees-Milne's encounters with English country lords and ladies while working for the National Trust.


And be sure to check out the wonderful site for Highclere Castle (Downton's filming location and, often, inspiration) to enjoy beautiful photos of the grounds and interior and read all about the history of the manor. Here's one of my favorite photos from the site--the staff during Victorian times (click on image for larger view):

letterpress blank books

These blank books from Studio Carta (in collaboration with Moontree Letterpress) have three different letterpress cover designs. They're hand-bound with linen thread and each one has 30 sheets of Mohawk Superfine paper. They have such a timeless, sweet look and seem perfect for a travel journal or diary. Buy one here or a set of three here. 

bathroom of the week

A half bath designed by Phoebe Howard. So charming!

more fun with botanicals!

I previously posted about a book of beautiful (and unusual) botanical plates perfect for a DIY wall project. Today, I have two more for you:

1. Plants and Their Application to Ornament: A Nineteenth-Century Design Primer. 72 images, originally published in 1897. $35 at Powell's Books (sample plates shown above). 

Tip: Find the set of corresponding 5x7 notecards here.  

2. The Book of Flowers by Alice Coats. Used copies here and here starting at $15.75 before shipping.

stair runners

I'm thinking about stair runners again (previous post on the topic here). Our staircase has two "turns"--similar to the staircase in the photo above of an 1800s Federal Colonial in Scituate, MA (shown with the Woodard Weave "New Hope 50" runner)--so we'd have to get three runners. So, with that in mind--and our dog in mind!--the runners need to be durable and affordable. I'm liking the option below (I pinned it to my Pinterest page here). This indoor/outdoor rug was designed by Thom Filicia and is made from recycled plastic bottles (click the rug for a larger view). I'm also checking out brass stair rods from House of Antique Hardware. 

Here's and indoor/outdoor option I like from Dash and Albert: 

Here's a photo from the home of blogger Gretchen O. showing the same Dash and Albert diamond pattern installed upholstery style. I love the way the runner so closely "wraps" the stairs:

shaker furniture kits

 

 

There's something so appealing about Shaker--an American furniture style characterized by clean lines and a perfect meeting of durability and aesthetics. The pure forms of the Shaker style connect with the early business reputation of Shakers who were known for their "upright dealing and strict honesty" (Shaker Workshops). 

The pieces pictured above (meetinghouse bench, settee, and drop leaf table) are from Shaker Workshops. Here's my favorite part: You can spend half by ordering the kit for these pieces (and many more) and assembling them yourself!

Shaker Workshops also stocks chair fabric tape if you truly want to start from scratch or repair a piece you already own. Here's a peek at the color selections:

happy valentine's day!

"Bicycle Built for Two" letterpress card with brown kraft envelope from Letterpress Delicacies.

fougère flooring

Today I'm admiring a beautiful style of wood flooring called "fougère" (translated: "fern-like"). It's the classic chevron pattern with a narrow plank bisecting each "v". I love a twist on tradition that maintains the integrity of the original design. This photo is from a great Apartment Therapy article that examines the classic herringbone and chevron parquet floor patterns. 

Here's a newly installed fougère-style floor from Parquets de Tradition:

on the Hudson

 

The rustic Hudson River home of Don Ray has a serene and storied feel. I love the clever  grouping of old photos in the angled bedroom. Explore more at Kotivinkki (via vineet kaur). 

welcoming flowers

What a beautiful doorway! From the perfectly draped roses to the little old chair to the beadboard ceiling of  the porch...a really lovely vignette. The floral design is by Sarah Winward of Honey of a Thousand Flowers (photo: Jessica Kettle). 


By the way, is anyone else out there enjoying unseasonable weather? It's been like spring--almost summer--around here and the flowers are confused. We've got camellias, daffodils, irises, and little ground cover flowers blooming already!

bathroom of the week

From Barbara Sallick's "The Perfect Bath": Two bathroom views from the c. 1907 home of designer Barry Dixon. I love the extra-tall backsplash on the sweet vintage sink. See more of his Virginia home, called Elway Hall, here. 

to market

Wouldn't this rolling French basket be great for trips to the farmer's market...and for rolling around the house and picking up clutter?! I also love the fruit picking basket below--a perfect picnic backpack that also would make an interesting wall hanging. 

Find it: above, Sadie Olive; below, Kaufmann Mercantile. 

mignon kitchen co.

These charming wares are all from Mignon Kitchen Co. (discovered at Odessa May Society). The online shop is simple, elegant, and fun to explore. They even offer baking tips here!


Top to bottom: 
paper baking molds, 10 for $5 
chevron napkins, 20 for $7 
little pastry boxes (in pink or brown, twine and gift tags also available), $1 each 
hand-sewn, 100% linen kitchen towel, $20