HAPPY Friday!

New Year's Resolution #6: Try to Look My Best
Originally uploaded by Peggy Collins

It's the weekend and I am so very happy. I am tired and need the relaxation time.

Hope you all have a happy weekend, I will try and post my Burns Supper photos from last weekend.

Enjoy this sweet photo of Bucky, photo taken by Peggy Collins, flickr. Love her out door photos, she is amazing catching beautiful nature shots. Amazing.

Everyone enjoy your weekend! See you monday/
xx
callie

ARTIST: Music that is rocking my world at the moment

I love music. I have an ipod, a shuffle and rocking speakers for my mac.  I listen to music all the time. I am one of those people you see on the train with my ear buds stuck in my ears with the white cord hanging down like a pretty little necklace.  I don't have them blaring, just loud enough for me to hear the music but not to loud that I can't hear what is going on around me.... there are wackos on the train so I like to be somewhat alert! just in case.

I am the girl that always drags her friends to see some cool band at some dive. they scream and cry but then they thank me.  I have a knack at finding bands that are fantastic that haven't been found yet.  It's nice to seem them in small venues.

Here is some of the musicians that I am into at the moment:

Remy Zero

"Fair"

actually all the songs!

Flaming Lips

"do you realize"

Interpol

"Hands Away"

The Ting Tings

all the songs!!

gets me happy!!!

Tina Dico

"In the Red"

This song, actually makes me sad.

It reminds of someone who was very special to me, once.

Rachael Cantu

"Hear my laughter"

Who are you listening to at the moment? Do tell!

xx

callie

QUOTE: It's all about the comfort

"Decorating is the art of arranging beautiful things comfortably."

Billy Baldwin, Ruby Ross Wood: quote

image: Roland Bello

I really love the deep green on the walls with the bright white slip covers on the furniture.  The high table by the chair in a warm finish is perfect height for a cup of tea to rest. Oh, and that mirror! so perfect to check my lipstick before answering the door when a visitor should arrive.

    This room is comfort, it's all about comfort for me.

Comfort. Being in a state of comfort.  

I enjoy sitting in a cosy chair or sofa, reading a lovely book while sipping a warm cup of tea and nibbling my shortbread biscuits! love them.  

         If you are in need of a few new books, slightly loved, head over the Little House on Green, my dear friend Maegan is having a brilliant giveaway!! She is also including a Sephora gift certificate (for that lovely red lip)

Also, head here for some tea! Argo Tea has some of the best tea.... really enjoying the Earl Grey Creme at the moment.

What is comfort to you?

xx

callie

OBSESSION: Verner Panton, S Chair

Verner Panton, 1926-1998 Denmark.

He was one of the most influential designers in the 20th Century.  Vitra still produces most of his most well known pieces, as do a few others. His style was very 1960's with the use of a variety of materials.  My favorite chair by Verner Panton is the S Chair, which was the first single form injection moulded plastic.

Here are some images I have been collecting. What is one of your favorite chairs?

Image: Flickr

image: Simplygrove 

Image: flickr

Child's white Panton, image: livingect

 

Yellow Panton Chair. Image: Livingetc

callie

Tweed Run London

IMG_0049.jpg
Originally uploaded by I'm Roxy dammit

How fun would this be!!
They stopped for tea then a wee drink after!
They were all dressed in tweed and riding through London.

check out the rest of the photos!!
callie

found via Hollister Hovey's blog

DESIGN: Paula Leen, Heart Felt

Paula Leen's Netherlands home in the Nov/Dec 2008 Issue of Vogue Living Australia is a stunning, textural environment.  Describing her style as  ....raw,soft,masculine and fragile...using contrasts in her work and in her life, she needs nature and the outdoors for inspiration. She had built her dream home in a tiny little town, Akkrum, a village in the Dutch province of Friesland.  Her kitchen above, is designed with reclaimed wood and steel.  With natural light pouring in, filling the space with warmth. 

"The English word 'poetry' means so much more than words and rhymes on a piece of paper.  It means to evoke feelings through art, and that's exactly what I try to do in my work. I try to reach people, make myself heard and have people understand me through my art"

Paula Leen

The textiles below: the textures and colours are absolutely stunning.

I would love to find a place in my home to place one or two of these amazing felt tile patterns. I love the softness of the patterns, the tactile experience, and the visual beauty.

I love the texture in this dress. How brilliant would I look in the dress with an amazing pair of yellow shoes!!!

Enjoy the visual & textural experience!

callie

HAPPY FRIDAY and a Burns Supper

Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band, Tartan Ball 1920's

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!

I am so very excited for this weekend!  Saturday should be a fun and amazing night of drinking of "Uisge Beatha" water of life, Scotch Whisky and haggis eating, and finishing off with sticky toffee pudding and more scotch whisky!

Ed Hackett, my cousin

I will be attending a Burns Supper, a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, author of many Scots poems including "Auld Lang Syne".

The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, January 25th known as Burns Night. Here is the format of a formal supper:

Start of the Evening

Host's welcoming speech and the Selkirk Grace

Entrance of the haggis, with address to the haggis

Supper, haggis, neeps & tatties

Loyal toast 

Immortal memory

Appreciation

Toast to the Lassies

Reply to the Toast to the Lassies

Other toast and speeches

Works by Burns

Closing

I will have to make some of my shortbread this Saturday to take to the party for the host.

Happy weekend to you all,

cheers!

callie

ROAD TRIP

I wish I could go on a mini road trip with a really cute boy! 

                                       Eat biscuits and drink tea in the middle of nowhere.

      Driving to no where in particular. 

                         Just driving. 

Seeing the sights and having fun. 

           Enjoying the scenery of this winter time in this part of the country.

I would wear some pretty blue mittens, 

              fingerless of course to be able to snap some wonderful shots with my camera! 

      With my snugly warm scarf wrapped around my neck.

I would make sure I also brought 

                                                   my favorite orange shetland long cardigan 

                                          to brighten up my day. 

            I couldn't forget my red leather boots to keep my feet toasty.

What about you? Do you want to go on a road trip? To where?

callie

Top image: Jo Tyler, photographer

other images: Toast 

QUOTE: The Arrangement

"Furnish your room for conversation and the chairs will take care of themselves"

Sibyl Colefax

quote

Sibyl Colefax became a design consultant after the great crash of the stock market in the 1920's.  She partnered with John Fowler to create 'Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler Antiques' 

February 2009 issue of Domino Mag introduced me to Timothy Corrigan. The article sparked inspiration in me for conversation, entertaining, and hosting.  He creates intimate conversation zones with such loveliness and coziness that is filled with warmth and beauty.   I was very drawn to his restored projects, as seen in the images I am posting..... his use of durable fabrics and slip covers on comfortable seating retains the elegance of the space but gives it the coziness for curling up to read a book, or sit comfortably when hosting a tea or after dinner drinks.  I have just become a huge fan of Mr. Corrigan's work. Enjoy!

xx

callie

Image: Domino Mag

All other images: Timothy Corrigan 

OBSESSION: Light Brite

When I was young, I would play with my lightbrite... the dark box with a light on the inside, you'd place images on the surface and punch coloured plastic pieces to make the design of choice then turn on the light brite and the image would glow.  I always loved placed in the clear plastic in to have the white glow.  This week when I was reading through my Vogue Living Australia, I came upon this one page article written by Georgie Bean. The article is about "Town & Country Style" on Melbourne's High Street, Armadale. The showroom is opening it's doors to the public, where they have laid out the 12 rooms styled to portray various themes.  The one below is New York Loft.

It is here, that my obsession sprouted!

I am swooning over the dark walls and furniture with a beautiful light fixture.  How beautiful is that gem of a chandelier against the dark blue walls and black library! Even the aged mirror reflecting light is beautifully framed in a dark black. Started my thoughts a brewing.....

Images: Mikkel Vang 

The dining room above by Mikkel Vang is just stunning! 

The bluish blacken walls brushed with light at the window creates an amazing texture, layering the space with constant movement with the rotating earth.  I love the simple chandelier horizontally positioned along the distressed wood table and the the glow above *sigh* with the glass candelabra's on the table top *sigh again* will create such a romantic space with boldness.

Image: Mikkel Vang

Even this out door dining space on the beach is bold! 

The lanterns and chandelier with candles are in the ready for the dark night sky to engulf the space. With the stars to punctuate the dark sky for full effect, to make a dining experience to remember. 

Image: Angelika Taschen New Paris Interiors

This bathroom is clean, stark and absolutely divine.  

Topped with a crown jewel of pretty little crystals to glow brilliantly while one takes a bath in this sweet little tub, with a crystal glass of champagne!

I added this photo below because I started to look at lighting in their environment.  This library is grand and beautiful and the chandelier is quite at home here.  BUT what if one would place this same chandelier in a room where the walls are painted dark blue/black! This chandelier would be the "Crown" ..... be still my racing heart!

Image: Angelika Taschen, New Paris Interiors

This is what I have been obsessing about this week!

enjoy,

callie

FAMILY PHOTOS: 4-4, folder-image = Lovestory

Sylvanus Moses SEAMAN

b. 18 Jan 1884 Carlinville, Illinois

d. 8 Aug 1950 Illinois

A few weeks back Candi at Dolce Chic asked what was the 4th photo in my 4th folder. The above photo is what was in my 4th folder. 

As some of you know, I am the family historian.  Sylvanus, known as Uncle Venus or Si.  He was not directly related to me, but he is the brother of my grand uncle Charlie who married my Grand Aunt Alice. Sylvanus was married to Myrtle Elizabeth JOHNSON, they had 6 children: Dorothy Myrtle, Walter Glen, George Robert, Harold Marion, WIlliam Sylvanus, and Margaret Virginia. 

Charlie and Venus parents were Samuel Robert & Martha Seaman nee Davis. (I have more detailed information)

Charles Marion Seaman

b.  29 April 1890 Carlinville, Illinois

b. 4 February 1985 La Canada California

I remember Alice and Charlie.  Alice was sweet and kind. She always had a basket of toys in her closet when we would go visit.  She died when I was very young, my mother was amazed that I remembered visiting her in the hospital when she was dying. My father took me to say goodbye. I am grateful for that, I remember it clearly.

Charlie used to eat raw meat. That is the something I remember, being wide eyed at the family BBQ when he would place his hamburger on the grill count to 3 flip count to 3, place on bun and eat!  He lived a long healthy life! His funeral was the first funeral that I went to for a family member. He was an amazing man. Lived a long amazing life.

Alice Euphemia GAULD

b. 9 May 1900 Adrian Michigan

d. 20 June 1970 Glendale California

Alice is my grandfathers sister.

Charlie & Alice SEAMAN, nee Gauld

wedding 6 September 1916

Charlie upon seeing Alice for the first time, fell in love. A love that lasted a life time.  He had just been released from the Navy and went to Youngstown Ohio.  He saw Alice and her best friend Caroline walking down the street on their way home from working at the Goodyear Rubber Co., when Alice went into the store to purchase a few items. Caroline waited outside, Charlie made his move.... He dashed up to her and quickly said something like this, "I have been following you girls for several days, I have fallen in love with that girl who just walked into that store and I know it would be too brazen to force myself on her, this is what I would like you to do. Please tell her we are old friends and introduce me to her, my name is Charles Marion Seaman, I just got out of the Navy recently and I so want to get to know her."  Well Caroline, flabbergasted, did what she was told. She introduced them, they corresponded, then married when she was 16. They lived a long happy and loving life together. Over 50 years!

Charlie & Alice SEAMAN nee Gauld

50th, Golden Anniversary

callie

DESIGN: Ooh la la c'est magnifique

CHEVRON WOOD FLOORING:

Image: domino, Milla Slertman September 2006

Wood flooring is warmth. It conveys memories as it ages through the years with the slight distress of the wood. Typically 3/4" thick the wood of choice for me would be European Walnut.  French Oak, English Oak, American Oak & Hickory are also used. 

The pattern I am really loving at the moment is Chevron. It started with the image above. 

Giving the room a bit of elegance without being trite. Mixing period architecture with modern furnishings and accessories.

Here is a collection of images from an amazing book on my wish list!

New French Interiors by Angelika Taschen

The office is clean and simple with dark wood flooring anchoring the room.  I love all the images on the wall semi horizontal to keep the room from being to busy.

This living room is a perfect example of modern clean lined furniture installed in a period architectural space. With the ornate molding and fireplace mantel the furniture sits lightly on chevron flooring without a rug to show off its brilliance.

The dining room below is one of my favorite images! The dark distressed wood flooring is grounding the black Saarinen chairs and table. Then the lightness of the Louis Poulsen, PH Artichoke fixture tops it off to spectacular like a cherry on top of a sundae!

This bathroom is just devine!  The wood flooring peeking out from under the area rug. Then green lounge chair with the fanned upholstered back, its lines mimic the lines of the flooring.  That tub, wouldn't you love a soak in this bath with you love sitting in the chair by the fire reading love poems to you all the while you sip your bubbly?

This entry way with is simple clean pallet of the wall covering reminds me of toile. I am loving the bike! I want one!!

I also love the way this beautiful clean pallet of black, white, and brown creates the warmth and brilliance every living room should exude.  

Do you love wood flooring? Is there a pattern you prefer? Your thoughts??

Have a wonderful day!

xx

callie