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A Peek at Our Next Pop Up Shop Curation :: Modern Hacienda

Hey all! If you’re new around here, you may not know that every other month I host a pop-up shop in Seattle at my studio (along with several others) that we call Six Stories; Six because there are six of them throughout the year, and stories because each one tells a new ‘story’. Well, our […]

The post A Peek at Our Next Pop Up Shop Curation :: Modern Hacienda is copyrighted by coco kelley, the original creator of the content. If you see this content on any website, please contact us at https://ift.tt/2Xb289W

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Join Us for the Next Pop Up Shop – Modern Hacienda – On Thursday!

Hey all! If you’re new around here, you may not know that every other month I host a pop-up shop in Seattle at my studio (along with several others) that we call Six Stories; Six because there are six of them throughout the year, and stories because each one tells a new ‘story’. Well, our […]

The post Join Us for the Next Pop Up Shop – Modern Hacienda – On Thursday! is copyrighted by coco kelley, the original creator of the content. If you see this content on any website, please contact us at https://ift.tt/2Xb289W

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Our Cellar Kitchen Remodel :: The Three Biggest Decisions When Selecting Cabinetry – And How We Made Ours

It goes without saying that cabinets are the foundation of any kitchen remodel. They are the one thing you really don’t want to screw up, the item you are most likely to spend your time agonizing over, and definitely the place where diving into the details really matters. Also – measuring, measuring measuring. It can all […]

The post Our Cellar Kitchen Remodel :: The Three Biggest Decisions When Selecting Cabinetry – And How We Made Ours is copyrighted by coco kelley, the original creator of the content. If you see this content on any website, please contact us at https://ift.tt/2Xb289W

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4 Unexpected Benefits from Decorating with Rugs + Easy Rug Care

I am a bit of a rug “collector” with about 30 of them in my home - 12 are actually in use and the others rotate in and out of storage. I grew up with wall-to-wall carpeting so I guess that’s partly the reason. Rugs feel like home. But they also have some unexpected benefits besides enhancing the overall space and I’ve partnered with Lorena Canals to explain these benefits and to talk about easy rug care.

Rugs change an entire room. The right one can impact the space visually, we know, but can also add warmth, pattern, introduce a new shape, break up hard lines, add color, create cozy vibes, and provide absolute comfort.

But there’s more.

four more unexpected benefits from rugs:

1/ A rug can provide a financial benefit in cooler climates by lowing heating costs in the winter because they insulate a room by keeping heat in the space. I notice that when my drapes are open in the winter, the sunlight warms up my wool Berber rugs and the wool retains the heat all day.

2/ Rugs have acoustic benefits too - if you live above neighbors, it can help reduce sounds and vibrations, making life for those living beneath you much more comfortable. This is great if you know you’re a “hard walker” (my former neighbors are small people but they walk so hard that my ceilings would move whenever they were in motion - they have no rugs, just 100 years old wooden floors… Some rugs would have made my life so much nicer during those years. Also, rugs can act as a buffer to reduce sound in your own home as rugs absorb vibration and noise all around you, from bass that comes from your speakers to conversations, and of course movement like dancing, walking, and the occassional toddler meltdown.

3/ Rugs divide larger spaces so they make “sense” and perform better. A large room can double as a dining and living space simply by adding a rug beneath the dining space and another rug beneath the living space. This visually creates two “rooms” even when walls are not present. If you don’t believe me, try it with and without your rugs. You won’t believe the difference!

4/ Rugs act as a foundation for your overall room design. They can create a fixed area in which to arrange furniture on and around to ground the space and make it feel finished. For instance, let’s say you have wood flooring and an empty room where you intend to create a living space for hanging out and entertaining friends… For instance, with a sofa, coffee table, tv, etc. A rug beneath the furniture will ground everything - it will visually group your pieces so the overall look feels unified, connected, and "finished”. The rug becomes the foundation upon which all other things are arranged. This creates balance and harmony.

Now let’s discuss rug care, as this topic comes up often, particularly if you have pets and/or children.

What happens if your dog has an accident or your child spills there juice? In most cases, you’ll need to have the appropriate cleaner and tools at hand to return the rug to its former glory. Or, it may need to be visited by a professional cleaner or be sent out for cleaning.

Imagine if you could just toss it in the wash…

Normally, this isn’t an option due to many reasons. It may be too big or the colors can bleed. BUT there are rugs that you can wash in the machine because I have a few of them and they are by Lorena Canals.

Lorena Canals rugs come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors and some are even created for outdoor use. For the past 20 years, the brand has evolved to become one of the most beloved and best-known brands for washable rugs - in both cotton and wool. I have two of their rugs in my home, the Steppe in my hallway leading to our sleeping rooms, and the Pine Forest (140x200) in my son’s bedroom. He loves to play on it, it’s comfortable yet the pile is not too thick for legos. His former rug had a thick pile and he kept losing lego pieces in it which eventually ended up in our vacuum cleaner. Not fun!

How do I wash my Lorena Canals rugs? I’ve washed both (separately, without anything else) in my washing machine on a low setting, delicate, and then hung them on a rack to dry for two days. I usually throw them in the dryer after they’re 100% dry from the rack to “fluff” them up a bit with a few fabric softener sheets (low heat, 10 minutes) before placing them back on the floor.

[Note: Since these rugs have no backing or grip and they tend to move around a lot on my hardwood floors, I bought rubber non-slip rug pads (I get mine at Otto in Germany or you can buy eco-friendly ones here). I trim them usually to fit my rugs perfectly.]

So, that’s a wrap! I hope that you’ve enjoyed my spotlight on rugs today and I wish you a lovely weekend!

Love,

Holly

(This post is unpaid, however, both the Pine Forest rug and the runner were gifted to me and my family by Lorena Canals on the assumption that I would post if I was happy with these rugs after several months of testing and washing them - and I love them!)

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Spotlight On Ceramic Lamps From Portland: Notary Ceramics

Hello dear friends, how are you today? I found a wonderful ceramicist with a lovely shop called Notary Ceramics over on the west coast (USA) where many nice things for the home are sold, but first and foremost - such an exquisite handmade lamp collection! Wow! I’m really in love with the table lamps most of all with the pretty pleated shades - I mean, really! This one is my favorite. But they’re all simply divine. Have a look... But first…

Notary Ceramics, based in Portland, Oregon, is a lovingly curated shop with Sarah Van Raden (shown left) as both the owner and creator of beautiful ceramic objects including lamps, bells, and candle holders.

Sarah also curates a gorgeous collection for her customers of special things for the home that fit her paired-back, clear, clean aesthetic.

After nearly a decade working as a photo stylist, Sarah found her way back to creating pottery - she once took classes during a semester in college. She remembered how much she enjoyed it, and decided to take a class once again - this time at a local art school, “It was filled with people from all ages and walks of life. I instantly fell back in love with clay. I love the way it makes me feel like a child again, carefree and full of possibilities.”

After class, Sarah jumped headfirst into ceramics. She bought her own wheel, saved up for a small kiln, then created a small work area in her basement… Her passion drove her to make the beautiful lighting that you see in this post which has me smitten. All of the photos are styled by her, so she is also able to still use her experience as a stylist. Today, her ceramics studio has evolved into a gorgeous shop and studio space.

Everything in Sarah’s world feels very natural and laid back. There are many natural materials, textures, patterns, and colors. A bit wabi-sabi meets a little Scandinavian on the west coast of the United States.

You can find Sarah and her shop here on Instagram: @notaryceramics.home

All photography by Kris LeBoeuf.

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Before & After :: Five Steps to Creating Your own Chateau Moment at Home

This post was created in partnership with Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.  Over the last year and a half, if there’s one thing I think we’ve all learned, it’s the importance of creating spaces in our homes that support us in different ways. From carving out nooks for productivity, to finding a space to unplug and […]

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House Tour :: A Renovated Modern Victorian with The Most Gorgeous Kitchen

Somewhere in the course of the past year, our family switched from eating in the ‘formal’ dining room to our breakfast nook for most meals. Of course, this may have had something to do with the fact that we haven’t exactly been entertaining, but there is something about the ease and convenience of an eat-in […]

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July Musings :: Back to Business (And a Life Update!)

Hello dear friends, and happy summer!! I realize it’s been nearly two months since a blog post here, which certainly wasn’t my intention when I decided to take a bit of a break back in April. The past few months have flown by, and when I realized it was July and I’d yet to check […]

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South African Design by Lemon

It’s one of my biggest passions, to discover and highlight design around the world here on decor8 because I’ve always been fascinated by how “the others” make spaces beautiful - whether in New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Spain, or Brazil… I delight in seeing what similarities exist to what’s popular locally, but also the differences found that often fit the culture and surroundings of locations afar.

When I received a press release from Lemon in South Africa this morning, Founded by brothers Kevin and Ricky Frankental, I was intrigued seeing their new Downing sofa and because they are in South Africa, an area of the world that I dream to visit ever since learning about Babylonstoren (I hope to go next year), I had to investigate more.

DOWNING sofa

ASHBY table

Lemon is a South African furniture, art, and interior accessories company. With a new showroom in Cape Town, their focus is to help customers find products that will allow them to create thoughtful spaces which are comfortable, where form meets function, decorative and lovely to be in… AND absolutely practical and useful.

KENT armchair

They are a design house, so they work with designers and manufacturers who are specialists in their fields – from artists and metalworkers to upholsterers and carpentry aficionados. I love many of their wallpapers, the ashby marble table, and the gorgeous kent armchair most of all. They also have some unique and amazing art prints.

ASHBY table

“We design with longevity in mind. The antithesis of mass production, our pieces represent our belief in conscious consumption, the idea that less is more, and that universal beauty has no expiration date. We work with manufacturers who understand this – and who share the same passion for quality and considered design.” It’s very clear that quality craftsmanship is central to their business.

One noticeable thing about their brand is that what they create fits a bevy of interiors no matter what your style. Slick, clean modernist house by the sea, country farmhouse in England, Swedish cottage, German altbauwohnung, or an American condo in Boston. This is really the beauty of timeless, classic design - it is so fluid and can fit to so many lifestyles and homes. Think of blue jeans and the classic white button-down shirt. Timeless.

“As with our artwork, our furniture designs started from seeing a need – we found clients were struggling to source the exact pieces they wanted. This in turn prompted a deep dive into learning about the process of making - with no formal training. We always knew what we wanted to create aesthetically but wanted to do it right, and so we’ve spent years studying the manufacturing processes. Underpinning all of our work is a desire to develop the local industry, boost South African talent, and design pieces that last. “

Lemon Design partners with established and new South African designers to create collections since that area of the world is a “rich resource of raw and often untapped talent and our mission is to support and grow the local industry while building our own.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse today to see Lemon and what they’re creating. Next up on the blog this week, I’ll post a colorful, artists-style home tour from The Netherlands with an interview, a lighting round-up, and a lovely post from my friends on a farm in Barvaria who have created a special recipe for all of you. Stay tuned!

Love,

Holly

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Small Apartment with Big Charm in Aarhus, Denmark

Hello friends, I’m blogging from the airport in Amsterdam on my way to Boston. Before my plane lifts off, I want to share this beyond lovely little 2-room Danish apartment… It’s pastel perfection! Are you ready?

I saw this home a few years ago when I was working in the magazine world, we were thinking to buy it in for an issue of HOLLY. It really stuck with me and later, I found the home on Instagram. I just had to ask if we could please do a little home tour of this Danish gem because it’s such a lovely urban oasis on the top floor of an old building.

The 47m2 space has an open living concept, and it located in the charming coastal city of Aarhus, Denmark. It’s occupied by 27-year-old Louise Herholt, a nursery school teacher, who is clearly a talented decorator and stylist on the side!

I love the exposed beams, all painted white, and the white floors - it’s a bit like a heavenly design loft. What really caught my eye though are the colors - especially the soft yellows and pinks, and the fantastic collection of prints and art all over - I especially like her floor to ceiling art gallery in the kitchen, it’s subtle but striking at the same time.

I had a nice chat with Louise, I’ll leave you with her thoughts on home and her city below, I’m sure it will inspire you.

What do you love most about your city?Aarhus is so special because it has everything a large city has but it is not as big. We have forests and beaches close to the city center. People here are freindly and there are lots of cozy places like cafe’s with a really home-y atmosphere with “grandma” furniture and antique tableware. We also have lovely markets were you can buy groceries and flowers e.g.. I think I just love everything about Aarhus!

What do you love most about your apartment?

The light, exposed beams, the white floor, and the cozy feeling of being on top of the building. Also the view from my windows.

Why pastels?

I like pure color, but it can also suddenly be to much for me… A strong color can become too noisy in the long term so I generally avoid them. I like soft colors, so my home can stay calm but cozy and beautiful.

You have a lot of beautiful prints and artwork, where do you get them all? Mostly from poster shops like Juniqe art shop, and Poster and Frame. I like really the prints they have. I also like to mix them with something old from a second hand shop.

Why do you love art on the walls so much? It makes my home very personal. I think art add that little extra.

Do you have any tips on how to create an art gallery wall that is cohesive and stylish? Make sure that there is harmony between the prints, maybe pick one or two main colours for the prints. And mix the art wall with posters and oil painting or other art.

What is your motto for living? You can always change it again.

What did you learn about yourself and your home during lockdown?

I spent a lot of time at home during the lockdown, so I gave my apartment a little make over. I cleaned up, got rid of a lot of things and made room for new. So I guess I changed my self and my style a little bit during lockdown.

What do you like to do at home?

I like to move my stuff and my furniture around, I can always find a new place for things, placing them where they haven’t been before. My apartment is only 47 square meters, so it’s crazy I can move around that much… I like to take pictures in my home for my Instagram. I take lot of time doing that.

How do you describe your style?

I don’t think I have a specific style. Maybe my style is mostly Nordic, but it’s constant in motion.

Where do you spend most of the time in your home? I spend most time in my kitchen/living room because it’s the biggest room, and when I have company we spend time around my dinner table in my living room.

What are your 5 favorite Instagrammers at the moment?

@mernee @merimeri @trinesblend @danicacloe @mariannejacobsen

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home Louise!

If you want to see more of Louise and her home, follow her daily posts over on Instagram: @_lisebise

(Photos: Louise Herholt)

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D Studio: New Design Destination in Copenhagen

Hello friends and happy Friday! While I’m busy working on the next home tour for you, some exciting news came across my desk that I knew I needed to share. Design Holding, the home of iconic brands B&B Italia, Maxalto, Azucena, Arclinea, Flos, and Louis Poulsen has launched D Studio in Copenhagen, the Group’s first design retail destination. I have some images of this exciting (huge!) space for you, would you like to see?

B&B Italia

Copenhagen is a natural first home of this innovative retail concept because of the space they’ve landed at the beautiful historic buildings in Holmen, a water-bound neighbourhood occupying the former grounds of the Royal Naval Base and Dockyards (see below), nestled between the neighbourhoods of Refshaleøen and Christianshavn and is definitely worth checking out on your next visit to this lovely city!

Holmen is quickly developing into an exclusive residential area, whilst at the same time becoming one of the largest creative clusters in Copenhagen. For instance, Ferm Living opened their doors in Holmen in Summer 2020 (see the tour of that space on Allan Torp's blog, Bungalow5).

Arclinea

This gorgeous space is 1,760 m2 (huge!) and will take you through nearly every room of the home, with furniture, lighting, and kitchens.

This is the first time that these legendary brands of contemporary furniture and lighting come together in an innovative setting, under one roof, which makes it very exciting and fresh for design lovers and professionals.

B&B Italia

FLOS

Louis Poulsen

FLOS

B&B Italia

Design Holding worked with multidisciplinary, Milan-based studio Design Group Italia to transform their vision into the new retail destination that is D Studio Copenhagen. D Studio will be opening in Milan and New York this Fall 2021.

I can’t wait to visit and experience this beautiful destination in Copenhagen personally! What do you think of this concept and the space overall?

Photography: Martin Sølyst

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Inspired by Indian Block-Printed Textiles by Bungalow for Autumn 2021

Warm weather is finally here, lockdown is (I hope) over, and my brain is locked once again on travel and collecting new inspirations and ideas. I want to see something fresh and exciting after 15 months of lockdown, 10pm curfews, and face masks. After Corona is really over, I want to get on a plane and go to places like Japan, Australia, and India to learn and explore. All are very different cultures and places, yet they’ve intrigued and called out to me now for over 25 years. If there is one thing I’ve learned during this pandemic is that anything can change quite drastically overnight so it’s best to STOP talking so much and START doing, instead. Everyone I talk to feels the same. It’s a shared realization for sure.

I nearly traveled to Jaipur twice, the last time was a few years ago with my friend Leslie for an ACE Camps adventure where we would have studied block printing together. She went, but I stayed behind because my son was too little (still in diapers) and I couldn’t imagine leaving him behind for 14 days. Now that my son is much older (he’s 7!), I’m open to India again and would love to see it.

India fascinates me… I remember when I moved to Europe in 2009 and started seeing how cleverly Europeans mixed Indian prints with more modern, European styles. The French do this so well, along with the British, Dutch, and the Danes. It truly impressed me. That’s also around the time when I discovered Minna Hildebrandt.

Minna is the Founder of the Danish home brand Bungalow, I’ve visited their stands multiple times at the larger European fairs. Like me, Minna has always been fascinated by the beauty and colors of India, the sights, smells, music, people, sounds, and intrigued by their traditional crafts and handiwork.

Minna took her fascination a thousand steps further than I did because she built a brand around her passion and called it Bungalow.

Today, they’re known as one of the best for block-printed home textiles, “My real passion is the Indian patterns of paisleys, florals, borders, and repetition of motifs, and the art of block-printing was love at first sight for me.”

Block printing is thousands of years old and has inspired textile designers around the world for centuries. French Provencal prints are directly influenced by Indian block prints, for example. Minna creates contemporary designs for Bungalow by combining traditional Indian patterns, techniques, and motifs with modern colors and aesthetics - that are also trending here in the western part of the world. Minna also likes that the products tell a story and they were created by real people, not machines.

In addition to block prints, you’ll also notice many linens in solid colors at Bungalow, which adds a very laid-back, modern flair to the collection as a whole. Mixing in solid color helps to visually calm an interior space when you want to work with traditional patterns and prints (like block prints). It’s less full-on. It’s India through the eyes of a Dane. :) You can find cushions, lamp shades, storage boxes, table linens, bedding, and so much more at Bungalow, and everything is very easy to mix and match so you don’t need to be a color or pattern expert to get it right.

“My collections of block-printed home textiles are of the best quality block-printing available in India today and have been designed and produced in collaboration with the finest craftsmen.”

Above, you can see all of the beautiful images showing what Minna has coming up in her Bungalow Autumn/Winter 2021 collection… Yes, it’s June but those of us working in the world of interiors is already looking ahead… And with pleasure. :)

Have a lovely start to your new week!

(Photographs: Bungalow DK)

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15 Danish Brands For Pastel Decor Lovers

When it comes to interior design trends for Summer 2021, we’ll see a very sun-kissed, feminine, pastel season with bold, punchy graphics and hints of pure color like cobalt, bold yellow, purple, curry, and orange-red.

We can also expect lots of bamboo and woven natural materials, along with natural wood.

In this mega-post, packed with tons of interiors inspo, I’m about to highlight 15 Danish brands that produce lovely things that fit this trend perfectly. Some of the brands are new, and many you haven’t even heard of before! Are you ready to take a peek? Let’s go!

1// Designer's First. This brand respects its cultural design traditions by working together with only Danish designers to combine stylish aesthetics with modern functional details. Their focus is on clean lines, functionality, and good craftsmanship. Their shelving and storage is unique and quite special, don’t you think?

2// PaperDonkey. This is a Copenhagen-based design studio that carries beautiful posters from Bauhaus images to Japanese minimalism, from classic art to modern graphics. They’ve dug deep into vast collections and found some of the world's most beautiful art posters. If you notice in the photos above from Designer’s First, you’ll spot PaperDonkey prints too. I personally have my eye on a few of these prints for my home, especially this Watanabe Seitei print and this and this print from William Morris.

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Decorate Your Walls with Boho Prints From Cai & Jo

I’m always excited to share new finds with you, particularly brands I’d not seen or heard of before that catch my eye, those that totally click with my decor style (whatever that is, I can’t define it, and I don’t care to, ha ha!). Today I discovered Cai & Jo, a British brand with wall prints, bedding, pillows, and more… But I’m focusing on their ready-to-hang framed prints because they’re sunny, happy, and unique with fun-lovin’ groovy, boho vibes. I particularly am drawn towards their soft, fruity colorways that are super punchy and fresh! Lovely for summer decor updates in the home!

Cai & Jo is based in London, lead by designer and founder Cody Bond. A self-taught artist, her independent brand has a distinct aesthetic which draws inspiration from the textures, colors, and shapes from nature along with a heavy 60s and 70s vibe combined with lots of Art Noveau influences and jungle vibes. Some of her prints remind me of album covers that my mother used to have or music fest posters.

Check them out and see what you think!

Love,

Holly

(Photography: Cai & Jo)

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Slow Living Style: Visit a French Country Home in Normandy

Hello and Happy Friday to you! Let’s kick off the weekend with a home tour for some Friday inspiration. Today, we’re jumping on the train and heading to France to tour a 19th-century townhouse nestled in a small village in Carrière, Normandy, are you ready?

I first met Stephanie on Instagram (@steph_since_1979) and after seeing her home, I had to request a tour for decor8 because her decor is just so charming! But before we get into the tour, I must share that she JUST opened the doors to her online shop for French finds - it’s called Steph Since 1979 (after her Insta). A big, warm congratulations on this accomplishment!

What do I like the most about her home? Well, she really LIVES in her four-bedroom home, which she shares with her husband and 4 children. Her space has a large kitchen, office, living room, dining room with beautiful glass windows (and a skylight!), along with a small garden. There is personality in her space, and it feels like a peaceful nest.

I also believe that her home embodies the whole Slow Living style that is so popular… Slow living is a lifestyle that emphasizes a slower approach to everyday life. When it comes to the home, it’s all about getting back to our roots and enjoying life through all of our senses, mindfully, intentionally, with gratitude. It’s a lot like Hygge in Danish, “Not too much, not too little”. It’s having enough and being happy with that.

About her style, Stephanie explains, “My style is quite rustic while at the same time being refined. I like authentic and simple things. I don’t like it when there is too much decoration.” Stephanie and her husband also recycle and upcycle a lot, and she finds some of her ideas on Pinterest, but mostly from her immediate environment, the landscape, nature, etc., and okay, she admits, “A little bit on Instagram”.

What makes French decoration so special, according to Stephaine is, “That rustic style that we’ve always had, with old stone, floor tiles, etc.”

I agree with her because to me, the French Country style is very unique because it’s rustic yet somehow enduring, it never feels tired, boring, or out of context. Even in a modern world where minimalism and NEW is such a huge decor trend, there is plenty of space for this restful, “forever on holiday”, French Country Style. In fact, a lot of people like Stephanie are mixing elements of minimalism with French Country, making a strong, clean edit, and showing French Country is a newer, simpler fashion that I really love.

What are some of the hallmarks of this look? In my experience with interiors for the past 16 years, it’s definitely lots of natural materials, things with a patina, showing imperfections (like coffee rings on wooden tables), muted tones, soft whites and neutrals that are warm, metal overhead pendants, pegboards on the wall, moldings on cabinetry, wooden paneling painted white, exposed wooden beams, linen sofas and curtains (and bedding), wrought iron patio sets, Mercury glass and mirrors, lots of clear glass (jars) and anything reflective, rustic stools and benches, sisal rugs and wooden floors, woven baskets, and decorative elements like stacked books in neutral tones, rocks, and shells.

When I asked her which room is her favorite, she said it was definitely the living room, “The whole family feels really good there”, and that her sofa, in her favorite material of linen (from Maisons du Monde) and also very cozy and comfortable. I have to add that personally, a cozy sofa is everything. If you buy one great thing in your living room, it should be a comfortable, wonderful sofa!

In addition to the living room, Stephaine also loves her windows, collections of seashells, her rustic cabinet with the large drawers (shown in the final photo - she’s standing by it), and her antique mercury mirrors. During Corona times, she admitted that they got a lot of work done around the house and that lockdowns made her realize, “ I could easily do without things that are not that essential.”

Creative since childhood, Stephanie always loved the home and interior decoration. “I loved to move the furniture around in my bedroom as a little girl, and to create paper decorations… When I was in secondary school, I started buying home decor magazines.”

In addition to magazines, she’s also inspired by places like Caen, where she says there are many nice shops and it’s a beautiful city near the sea. She told me the Perche area is very pretty and inspiring to her, and it’s there where she loves to visit decor shops and flea markets. It’s known for its forests, rolling green hills, its impressive Percherons. Don’t know what a Percheron is? I didn’t either, so read more here.

On Instagram, she enjoys…

@Valdirose - “Wonderful photos… I hope one day to stay in their bed and breakfast in Italy.”

@aureliemazurek - “She has a beautiful home with a simple decoration just as I like it.”

@moncoinvintage - “A lovely woman who has an online flea market with nice finds.

When I look at her home, I imagine lots of cooking and French music filling the air. I was surprised to learn a little secret from her - she’s actually a big fan of MUSE from the UK, “I love all their albums. We had the chance a few years ago to see them in concert in front of the Eiffel Tower, it is a wonderful memory. I hope I will see them again soon.” I hope you do to, Stephanie and thank you so much for this lovely introduction to your home and life today. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Love,

Holly

(Photography with permission from @steph_since_1979)

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Inspired by Spanish Artist Joselu Montojo

Hello there friends, I’m excited to share a random gem that I magically stumbled over today, the captivating artwork of artist Joselu Montojo. While looking for a new sofa over at RV74, I ended up on their Instagram where they name-dropped Montojo and that’s when I fell down the rabbit hole, head first, mesmerized by his pop-art-inspired female faces in his signature warm, desert palette.

Montojo was born in Mallorca and currently lives and works in Madrid with his wife Belén. (Note: He has a lovely playlist that I listened to today while I worked.) Coming from a family of artists, he’s felt naturally very connected to art and drawing ever since he was a child. He feels art is the best way he can express himself, that it’s a drug for him.

Montojo begins with a sketch that becomes a digital drawing that is later printed on mostly linen (sometimes paper) and he admits to his color selection process is as tedious as the drawing itself. His studio is in an attic with a lot of natural light and a small, outdoor space. His wife also works in this shared space, where they also live.

I personally have a lot of work showing female faces, it’s been a big focus of most of my collections throughout the years, which is why I’m so drawn to these.

I also appreciate how Joselu styles vases and pots in his space (see above photos), I’m not sure whether or not he works professionally as a prop stylist but his talent equally lies in styling. For a 29-year-old, he certainly is on the right track and destined for many more beautiful things to come.

If you’d like to see more work from Montojo, you can visit his website or Insta, or read this interview. You can purchase his original pieces here. I hope you love his work as much as I do!

(Photography: Pipi Hormaechea)

[mariajustinteriordesigns]

Dried Flowers That Feel Summer Fresh

Hi friends, the weather has drastically improved from constant rainfall for months (ugh) to sunshine and warmth (yeah!). As I trade in my dried flower bouquets for fresh ones, I wonder if I should actually mix them together again this year and continue using my dried blooms with fresh ones.

Dried flowers have been quite the “it” floral trend in northern Europe and Scandinavia over the past few years and though it’s fading (pun intended), I imagine we’ll see dried flowers for awhile IF they’re done right and presented in creative ways.

Dried flowers done right also depends on where you use them such as in wreaths, tabletop displays, “floating clouds” above tables, earrings and jewelry, at weddings, etc.

Dried flowers work wonderfully in the Autumn months best of all - above any other season - something about Harvest time, dried grass and flowers, crisp cool air, the smell of pine, smokey chimneys, and spice… I digress… It’s JUNE!

I came across dried flowers today from We Are Flower Girls in Vienna (Insta @weareflowergirls) presented in a fresh, summer-y feel, so if you’re a dried flower fan, you’ll definitely enjoy these arrangements.

I love their dried flower boxes which can be ordered online and shipped straight to your home. These are perfect for rooms that you are not using a lot but still want to keep flowers and color on the table. A guest room, perhaps?

And back to my first thought, do you also mix fresh with dried? If so, you can purchase individual dried flowers from We Are Flower Girls and have them shipped directly to your front door.

I love to mix billy buttons (dried) with fresh flowers, or to add dried palms in cream, or another fantastic color like pale pink or lavender to a bouquet for a sculptural effect. It’s also very soft and pretty to add in some sprigs of bunny tails (dried flowers that look like they have tails at the end)… They come in lots of colors and are quite cute.

I can’t NOT mention pampas and other dried grasses. I see designers popping them into large floor vases just like my mom did in the late 80s.

Oh, and I can’t forget Silberblatt (Lunaria) or as my mother - a florist - always called them, Penny Leaves. Also beautiful to incorporate into a fresh mix of flowers.

Mixing dried with real is actually a wonderful trick to create a fuller arrangement for less money and to make the overall bouquet feel very unique and quite tactile - loaded with texture and color.

Do you work with dried flowers? It seems people fall into two strict categories - either TEAM LOVE THEM or TEAM HATE. Which are you?

I’m one of the few who LIKES them a lot, but not enough to ONLY use dried - so I mix flowers up in my home - dried, fresh, dried with fresh, and I’m happiest this way.

Wishing you lots of sunshine and flowers in your part of the world today.

Loads of love,

Holly

(Photos: We Are Flower Girls)