SEARCHING: Bookcases

I have been searching for the perfect book case for my guest bedroom / office! I have filed a few and still can not decide, with your help maybe I will have a place for all my boxes of books and reference materials that are currently sitting on the floor in huge stacks!!

This book case is simple and the clean lines work well in the room! I am looking at the darker stained in the back or the lovely walnut veneer. West Elm, parsons tower $499.00

I like this bookcase with it's assymetrical cubby spaces. But it only comes in white and I would have to paint it dark to go with the design of the room.  CB2, cross roads book shelf $299.00 and it is smaller than the first book case.

Then this lovely bookcase is the most expensive but I love the shifted shelves!  Room & Boards Woodwind $1.299.00

What I really want is a bookcase that is about 42" wide x 70" high.  I would love to have the stain be dark charcoal or black.  so, my thought is "do I buy one of these and paint it to the colour I want?" or "Do I design one with a mix of styles from above and hire a carpenter to build me one?"

What are your thoughts??
xx
callie

DESIGN: Amy Butler, Graham & Brown

I adore Amy Butler's designs with Graham & Brown. She is creative and uses colour is such a way that pattern really pops! With a fresh take on classic patterns the designs become more modern in feel.  Here are a few of my favorites!!  I may use one of these pretty soon, be on the look out!
Enjoy!
xx
callie

FRIDAY!

Image: Ellen Von Unwerth

Renee Zellweger

Good Morning!!

I am off work today and enjoying this long week. Started off by sleeping in until 7:30 whhoooo hoo!

I have been exhausted!  I have had Luna all week, she had to be spayed so I have been nursing her and playing with her and my pup sassy! these two, crazy pups running around like screaming banshes!!

They are sleeping now, they exhausted each other out!! 

Well, anyway..... I love this photo of Renee Zellweger, her hair is perfect!! Reminds me that I need to cut my hair.... it's down to my shoulders now and need a cut badly!  

   I will have to call for an appointment this weekend, add to list (mental note!)

Speaking of lists, what is on your list for the weekend?

    I will be going to a house warming,  gardening, and cleaning my house!! (since having 2 pups here, it's a wreck!)

 I will also need to think of some other fun event to do, since the summer is rapidly coming to an end!!  I am wearing a light jacket in the early morning walks.... reminding me that Autumn is right around the corner!  eeeeek.

 Happy weekend! and let me know what fun your having...

xx

callie

Well Read!

Gorgeous image by Douglas Friedman. Stacks of books, lovely chandelier, gorgeous mirror to reflect more light and that mirrored table... stunning.  Beautiful red flowers....Well read, indeed!!
Would love to read and research here.  Where do you like to read?
xx
callie

PHOTOGRAPHY: Douglas Friedman

I am really loving the architectural shots by Douglas Friedman. 

view here for his interiors shots

hoover dam, the amazing construction feat.

you should see the bypass in front of it!!

 love this shot!!

What photographers are you loving at the moment?
xx
callie

all images from Douglas Friedman's site

DESIGN: Studio design, loving big!

This beautiful New York Studio! has my heart all a flutter!!!!
Penthouse apartment in a 1920's building designed by Architect Emery Roth.  (lucky girl!!) Love each and every bit of this cosy place designed my Ellen O'Neill, she also lives here. The colour palette is just simple shades of white, with dark bits here and there. COSY is the word that comes to mind, and full of warmth. That natural lighting streaming through the metal framed window and doors make me love this space even more!!!  Charming and sophisticated and just lovely!!

Fireplace and balcony with views of Gramercy Park

Love this wall of simply famed art and photos.

This sweet slip covered furniture with a gorgeous toile fabric screen. Just beautiful!

Sweet view of the kitchen. Small but organized. 

Cosy bed with gorgeous linens! I just want to lay down and take a nap or have a cup of tea with a good book. Never let me go by Kazuo Ishigurao is what I am reading now, this would be perfect spot to finish it!

Sweet space for refresh material and books!  So organized.  I need to get more organized in my office!  this space is inspiring me to work on it over the next few week.

What a great cabinet.  I have been looking for a piece of furniture similar to this for a bar cabinet for my dining room.  I hope to find something soon. This cabinet is perfect!

I could live here! perfectly sized and cosy.

How about you? What kinds of spaces are you craving today?

xx

callie

Walking into the Unknown

Route
Originally uploaded by sparth

That is what I see in this photo. But I do know that walking into the unknown can sometimes be beautiful!

Sorry to be posting so late, the time is flying by me these days! I guess that is what happens when you get busy. I think, I need to slow down and enjoy the walk!!

I have fun times planned for this weekend: possible drinks with friends later tonightat Irish Times, art showing of a good friend tomorrow Arlington heights and golf on Sunday at Saint Andrews in West Chicago!
yeah! and maybe sneak in a bit of gardening.

What do you have planned?
Happy weekend everyone,
xx
callie

QUOTE: Living!

"Make every room a living Room"
~Alexandra Stoddard

Last night, I was looking through my favorite blogs (catching up) and found this beautiful bedroom posted on Blairs blog, delight by design. This bedroom design by Kristen Hutchins just took my breath away! The sweet soft colour pallet, the end table with the lattice sides and looks like a step stool just rocks! The drenching natural light *sigh*
               I would live in this room all weekend!!
Give me a good stack of mags, or a great book like "The girl with the dragon tattoo" Better yet, give me all three of Stieg Larsson's books! Trilogy Bundle for me please! a cuppa with biscuits on the side and I would be set!!! oh, maybe a glass of wine or two!
a perfect living room if I do say so myself!

I so love the interior design of Kristen that she is on my crush list! here is another space that I could live in:

What about you, what spaces are you drooling over lately?? What designers?
xx
callie

ART: for my living room

I have been trying to hang my art collection and figure out what I need to buy.   I need to find something to place above my sofa.  I was thinking of a "sex pistol poster" 
I have been looking for this one without the words over her eyes, but this may have to do for now.
"God save the Queen"

or this one

then I saw this one

which one do you like?
They are all posters from Easy art, and pretty inexpensive.  I will be framing it in a simple thin frame.
then place it over the sofa with some of the live shows that I have shot over the years (black and white photography) unfortunately not the sex pistols, a bit before my time. But it would have been great to photograph them!!! and Jim Morrison! oh, can't forget Janis Joplin! 

Please let me know which one you like.  Thanks heaps!  muuuahh!
xx
callie

Update on my frustration!

I still can't post comments on blogs that  request select profile!
I am not sure why this is happening, but I used to be able to post comment on Lemons and Laundry! now I can't.   and a long list of others!  :(
I have email many of you to let you know, I am reading I just can't comment on you blogs.
sorry..... I wish I could but the comment box won't let me!
hopefully, this little glich will be fixed soon.

until then, I will read you blogs and think of the comments in my head!
xx
callie

LUSTING: the perfect seat

My house isn't very large, a bit shy of 1000 square feet.  So having enough seating in the living room for when I have guests over make it a bit of a challenge.

So, I was thinking I would get a few stools to place about or tuck in a corner when not in use.  Here are a few that I have been lusting over:  first my favorite, the Ray Eames walnut stools. I want all three! *sigh* they are utterly the most beauty stools I know!

The Saarinen Tulip stool is actually up there with the walnut stools!

The Hocker is pretty hip too...... with its zig zaggy way, in stained dark brown. *Sigh*

The stool 60 Alvar Alto is another great choice, I can stack them when not in use.  Also they remind me of my uni days... our cafe had these as our seating!

Choices choices choices!
I think I need a bigger house!  Which stools you like?
xx
callie

FRUSTRATION!

Has anyone had trouble leaving comments on blogs with "select profile" on them???
I have been leaving comments on some new blogs that I just adore and my comments never show up! hmmmp!  I am getting really frustrated!!

so Pinecome Camp I have been visiting!! and commenting she makes the my mouth water with her amazing photograph of her yummy baked goods!
and Chirpy Bird, this girl has soooo much fun!

visit them! see what I am talking about!
xx
callie
ps and let me know if any of you have had trouble leaving comments to!!!!
uuugghgghh

DESIGN: Jamie Oliver, Churchill China

I adore Jamie Oliver along with the rest of the world.  He is an amazing chef, father and husband AND designer of a secret addiction of mine: China. I have known about this problem I have for years, it began when I was about 12.  It began with the innocent tea cups then on to whole sets.  I have quite a few different patterns but I do mix and match them. AND I do use them!!
Well, on to Jamie.... I found these wonderfully adorable dishes he designed. Provencial gone contemporary with the sweet  blue rims!

Fluted large serving platter

Fluted rice bowl and Fluted dip bowl

Fluted 1.5 pint sauce jug
My favorite!! there is also a cream jug!

Fluted plates for dinner and salad.

what is really awesome, they are all on sale!!!
 what is your secret collecting addiction??  Do tell......
xx
callie

QUOTE: Pattern

"No Pattern should be without some sort of meaning" ~William Morris

I love the absence of pattern in this room, for the pattern in the flooring to really stand out! I adore chevron and herringbone patterned floors!
           I think they are glamorous and charming.
What are your thoughts?
xx
callie

Image: Marie Claire Maison
Quote

ARTIST: jewelry and pretty maker!

A few weeks back while I was reading "the lil bee",  Melisa had a give away! eeeee, i screamed in delight, such pretty items by Lisa Leonard Designs.

I just love her work; simple, clean and totally me! I don't leave comments on every give away, just the ones I would really love to have... AND I really REALLY wanted this cuff bracelet! and guess what!????
I WON!
Yippy!  I ordered it with a custom engraving:
     bi dileas dhut fhein!    meaning Be true unto yourself!  in scottish gaelic.
I love it, I wear it everyday.
  check out her website and see other pieces! her work is lovely!
     xx callie

What I want! today.

I would love to have a table by Marnie Moyle!
and a cutting board!!!!! how cool are these with the strong herbs and veggies, carved on the side!
She is creates amazing pieces!  The tables can have custom sentences around the edge, would love one of these side boards in my garden!
xx
callie

and I want to stop missing the boy! *sigh*

found here