Serenity Now

A comfortable room for your Tuesday. I feel a room isn't really furnished unless it has books.

(photo via pinterest)

In the Shop

Hope your week is filled with small pleasures. Hyacinths postcard available exclusively in my online shop here.

(photo by me)

Shop News

A lighter shade of pale. Just Bloom postcard available in my online shop here.

(photo by me)

Serenity Now

If you're looking for me, I'll be in the library.

(via here)

Weekend

Happy weekend! Have a lovely one. And a lovely space to spend it in. See more of the lovely home of Marianne Mosbaek and Kasper Eistrup here.

(photo: peter kragballe for elle decor. via coco lapine design)

Monday

A light-filled home library, to start your week on an inspiring note. See more beautiful private libraries over here at Vogue.

(architect amanda levete's home library photographed by simon upton for vogue, may 2011)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

A Stylish Attic Apartment
Take a tour of a modern attic in Copenhagen—one that harmoniously blends the very different tastes of the couple living there. That's the dining room above.

The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2017
The annual list of the year's great reads in fiction, poetry and nonfiction. Something for everyone on your gift list (or you).

The Nineteenth-Century Hipster Beard
From the BBC: "Do you know someone with a beard you would categorise as "impressive"? Get them to take a look at the facial hair of 19th-century 'Whiskerandos'..."

At the Museum
Love this. Open Culture has the entire 8 episodes of At the Museum, the Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) behind the scenes documentary of running a museum.

Mary Cassatt Painted Domestic Life in a Way Male Impressionists Couldn't
Thoughtful essay on Artsy on Mary Cassatt and her sensitive portraits of women, portraying them as complex human beings (radical at the time).

School Lunches Around the World
Fascinating photo essay of how kids eat in their school cafeteria. Definitely would have been glad to go to school in Italy.

Polpette al Sugo con Polenta
Roughly translated as Meatballs in Tomato Sauce With Polenta, this is pure Italian comfort food. Make it for supper on a Sunday evening, when you have a bit of time to relax and cook.

(photo: frederikke heiberg for bolig)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy. 

A Creative Space
Take a tour of the Copenhagen home of artists Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz, featuring rooms in the most beautiful colours and (of course) great art. That's their living room above, incidentally.

People Matching Artworks
Wonderful series by photographer Stefan Draschan capturing museum visitors wearing outfits that match the art they're viewing. Not surprisingly, it requires tremendous patience to do—he shot two other series while waiting for the perfect moment. 

Top 10 Brothers and Sisters in Fiction
Sarah Ward selects 10 novels featuring the complex relationships between sisters and brothers, ranging from To Kill a Mockingbird to A Room With a View.

Habitat: Peer into the World of Framers, Fabricators, Conservators and More
Fascinating behind the scenes look at the work of the art-service professionals (in this case, in New York) who play a crucial role in making sure the art we see in museums and galleries is in peak condition and perfectly displayed.

100 Must-Follow Pinterest Accounts for Graphic Designers
Add loads of creative inspiration to your boards with these excellent design-related accounts on Pinterest.

Princess Margaret's Morning Routine
Here's some inspiration for your next free Sunday—the decadent morning routine of Princess Margaret, the late younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II.

Anna Jones' Favourite Lentils With Roasted Tomatoes and Horseradish
This really is a genius way to cook lentils—loads of flavour, healthy ingredients and easy to put together, too. Perfect for a weeknight supper with a green salad on the side.

(photo by tim wahlfried for bo bedre)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

A Tranquil Apartment in Poland
Take a tour of a calm, minimalist holiday apartment in the seaside resort of Międzyzdroje in northwestern Poland, furnished with lovely vintage pieces from the 1920s to 1970s.

Thinking of Thelonious Monk, on the Centennial of His Birth
A meditation on the complex and wonderful music of Thelonious Monk, by pianist and composer Ethan Iverson.

Sarah Polley: The Men You Meet Making Movies
Thoughtful and eloquent essay by writer, director and actor Sarah Polley on her experiences working in the movie industry.

The IKEA Dictionary
This is the kind of thing the internet was made for—a labour of love shared with like-minded souls. As an IKEA geek, I find this wonderful (and informative).

The Little-Known Friendships of Iconic Women Writers
How women writers like Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë were far from being the solitary eccentrics and/or isolated geniuses they're portrayed in literary history.

Gorgeous and (Almost) Impossible to Kill House Plants
Great list of house plants that are hardy enough to withstand even the most challenged of would-be green thumbs.

Quirky Travel Photos With Architecture
Check out this playful photo series by Valencia-based couple Anna Devis, an illustrator and designer, and Daniel Rueda, an architect, as they inventively interact with architecture all over the world.

10 Tea Cakes to Ease You into Fall Baking
The Food 52 site's Baking Club has been working its way through the first Tartine cookbook—these are the fall-friendly tea cake recipes they've been baking. Perfect with coffee or tea on a chilly autumn afternoon.

(photo via here)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

The Loft Hotel
Take a tour of the airy and minimalist Loft Hotel, just opened and located in an old dance academy in Arnhem, Netherlands. You can rent one of two industrial modern apartments, each taking up a full floor.

The Enduring Influence of Surrealism in Mexican Photography
A link to a selection of images from the new show "Surrealismo, Ojos de México/Surrealism, Eyes of Mexico" at Throckmorton Fine Art in NYC, which looks at the enduring influence of Surrealism on photography in Mexico.

All the Poets (Musicians On Writing): Patti Smith
This month Scott Timberg of the Los Angeles Review of Books talks to Patti Smith, part of a regular series of interviews with musicians on the literary works that inspire and inform their music.

How Helen Frankenthaler Pioneered a New Form of Abstract Expressionism
A quick overview over at Artsy on how Helen Frankenthaler was a game changer in the world of Abstract Expressionism.

8 Things a Good Host Should Always Have in Their Kitchen
The season of holidays is fast approaching (it's Thanksgiving this weekend here in Canada), so here's how to be instantly prepared when family and friends drop by.

Novel Recipes: Rock Cakes From Harry Potter
Each month, the Guardian's lovely series The Little Library Café features a recipe inspired by literature. This one, taken from JK Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", is not only great with tea, but a perfect way for Potter fans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its publication.


(photo: galerie half via the poetry of material things)

Smile

Have a carefree weekend.

(book design by jan hendrickx via pinterest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Modern Minimalism
Tour a stunning London home that's both warm and minimalist in design—that's a shot of the dining area above.

The Best Food-Focused Memoirs of Fall 2017
Eater has rounded up a great list of food memoirs coming out this fall—perfect reading for cooks, or those who simply love good food.

The Beauty of Japanese Bathing Rituals
From Vogue: "In Japan, bathing is about so much more than just getting clean, encouraging an almost meditative appreciation of one's body. Here, Sophie Bew heads to Kinosaki to explore the myriad benefits of traditional onsen."

Beyond Brie: A French Cheesemonger's American Adventures
Laure Dubouloz trains cheese vendors around the USA in how to cut and serve a variety of cheeses.  Love reading about people with interesting jobs.

How Alessandro Michele Created a Luminous Gown for Björk
A behind the scenes look at the extraordinary, otherworldly dress designed by Alessandro Michele of Gucci for Björk, seen in the video for her new song The Gate.

The Peculiar Poetry of Paris's Lost and Found
Fascinating New Yorker piece about the history of The Bureau of Found Objects in Paris, founded over 200 years ago and one of the largest centralized lost and founds in Europe.

Italian Toastie
Perfect for when you just want a sandwich, but yearn for something a bit fancier and more filling than the usual. This one features mushrooms sautéed in garlic, black tapenade, provolone cheese, fresh oregano leaves and salami on good bread rolls, but it's endlessly adaptable.

(photo by rory gardiner via est magazine)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Elegant Modernism in Paris
Tour a recently renovated home just outside of Paris—a stunning combination of classic Belle Époque architecture and modern interior design.

Free English and American Classics Online
A great resource for students returning to school, this helpful article from Quartz has links to a selection of sources for literary classics—all free and legal.

Test Drive New Furniture With IKEA's New App by Apple
This is cool. IKEA and Apple have teamed up to create "IKEA Place", an app that allows you to try out IKEA furniture and home goods in your own home via virtual reality. Available on iOS 11 at the end of September.

Financial Advice for Artists from Four Experts
Artsy talks to four arts professionals and advisors about how artists can better manage their careers and finances, with an eye towards sustaining their art practices. Wish art schools taught this.

Charred Tomato Basil Chicken Florentine Pasta with Herb Butter Breadcrumbs
If you're feeling a bit blah about the end of summer, this carb-y comfort dish will fix you right up.

(photo via here) 

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

A Summer House on Mallorca
Take a tour of a gorgeous Spanish summer home, stylishly done in an elegantly understated rustic modern look.

10 Best Travel Books
The Guardian picks 10 notable new travel books in honour of National Read a Book Day.

Charting Elizabeth Taylor's Powerful Costumes in Cleopatra
Interesting look at how the costumes worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the epic 1963 film Cleopatra reflected her character's political and/or emotional power.

Charming Paper Animal Puppets 
Utterly delightful video of Japanese designer Haruki Nakamura's animal puppets. Activated by the human touch, these charming creations are a paper twist on traditional karakuri, or mechanized puppets.

Found in an NYC Junkshop: Forgotten Postcards Between Two Haiku Masters
I love stories like these. An accidental junkshop discovery offers an intriguing glimpse into the New York literary scene of the early 1960's.

Fast Company Creativity Challenge
Feeling in serious need of inspiration? Register with the Fast Company Creativity Challenge and get a new challenge sent to your inbox for 14 consecutive days. A great way to jump start your imagination.

10 Famous Book Hoarders
There are people who have a lot of books (like me), and then there are people who amass such vast quantities of books that they blossom into full on libraries. Take a look at a few high profile collectors (Karl Lagerfeld for one).

Tarragon Chicken
A lovely, easy recipe from Nigella Lawson, featuring the sunny flavours of fresh tarragon and lemon.

(photo: ferm living via nordic design)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Swedish Style
Take a tour of an utterly beautiful Swedish family home. Stunning.

5 of Fashion's Most Remarkable Store Interiors
Have a look at amazing high end shop design around the world, merging art and architecture for one of a kind environments. Just experiencing these spaces is enough—you don't even need to buy the clothes. 

Spies Like Us: A Conversation With John le Carré and Ben Macintyre
Fascinating interview with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy novelist John le Carré and Times columnist and author Ben Macintyre about their current projects—plus some sharp insights into the current American political situation.

The Artist Project: Petah Coyne
The latest video installment of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's series featuring artists looking at an item in their collection. This one features sculptor/photographer Petah Coyne talking about a stunning Japanese outer robe from the Edo period.

How to Start a Silent Book Club
This to me is the perfect book club—no reading of books you have zero interest in, no awkward discussions, no house cleaning or veggie platters required. Just a meet up with like minded friends at a cafe or pub.

St. Vincent: New York
The new video for St. Vincent has some solid connections to the art world. Notes ARTnews Today: "The video, which you can watch here, features St. Vincent sitting in the midst of The Wall (1973), Forrest Myers’s glorious installation on Houston Street in Manhattan, spinning Tony Rosenthal’s beloved Alamo (1967) sculpture in Astor Place, and resting her head on a disco ball that’s sitting around—a loose nod, perhaps, to a famous Martin Kippenberger series."

The Greatest Goths in Literary History
August 30 marks 220 years since the birth of Frankenstein author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, and to honour the occasion, writer Emily Temple takes a look at other goths in literary history. Time to break out the black lipstick.

Cauliflower Gratin With Garlic and Sage
With the evenings growing cooler, a hearty side dish like this one is a welcome change from the lighter salads of warmer weather.

(photo: est living)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.
 
Vintage Modern
Take a tour of a sunny modern Swedish home with pretty vintage touches.

The Female Sci-Fi Character Who Inspired Martin Luther King
A tribute to Commander Nyota Uhura, the ground-breaking character played by Nichelle Nichols in the original Star Trek series.

In a Sleepy French Town, a Postman Built a Surrealist Palace out of Pebbles
The true story of French postman Ferdinand Cheval, who one day in 1879 tripped over a rock while on his mail route in Hauterives. For the next 34 years, he would gather rocks each day to build his extraordinary Palais Idéal, a fantastic structure that would later attract modern artists like Picasso and Ernst, drawn by its Surrealist, dreamlike architecture.

The Useful Dangers of Fairy Tales
Thought provoking essay by Amber Sparks on how traditional fairy tales, with all their disturbing imagery, were a way for mothers to prepare their daughters for the harsh realities of life.

If Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino Directed Food Tutorials
Very silly and very fun series of short videos that imagine Anderson, Tarantino and other directors doing food tutorials.

The Colourful Storefronts of Paris
Highlights from German photographer Sebastian Erras's photo series of the beautiful storefronts of Paris. See the full project, "Paris Re-tale," here.

The Women of Dada
Excellent overview of the women of the Dada art movement, from Hannah Höch to Beatrice Wood. 

Gâteaux de Mamie
Roughly translated as Granny's Cake, this classic French lemon yogurt cake is also quick and easy to make. Perfect for summer with some fresh fruit (or any time of the year, really).

(photo: christina fluegge via here)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy. 

Vintage Paris
Take a tour of the Paris home of wedding dress designer Laure de Sagazan—full of charm (and great vintage pieces, too).

Insect Flower Arrangements By Raku Inoue
Utterly beautiful series by Montreal-based creative Raku Inoue, featuring real flowers and leaves delicately assembled into beetles, butterflies and other insects. Gorgeous work.

Best Holiday Reads 2017
Leading writers share in The Guardian their recommendations for summer reading. Lots of great books, ranging from all kinds of fiction to poetry, memoirs, history, biographies and more. Link above takes you to Part One—read Part Two here.

Agnes Martin Finds the Light That Gets Lost
Lovely essay by Larissa Pham on the power and personal significance of a particular work by abstract painter Agnes Martin.

9 Italian Art Terms You Should Know
Make your next art gallery experience richer and more indepth with these 9 Italian art terms.

How Dinner Is Served Across the U.S.
Fascinating selection of images from the series Weeknight Dinners by photographer Lois Bielefeld, which explores what a typical weeknight dinner is for nearly 80 individuals and families in the USA.

The Ardent Followers of A Détacher
New Yorker profile of New York-based fashion designer Mona Kowalska and her clothing line, A Détacher, "...a deliberately small, rarefied brand with a passionate, almost cult-like clientele of creative New York women."

Fast Italian Summer Recipes
Food and Wine has rounded up a great list of Italian summer recipes, featuring fresh seasonal veggies and lots of quick grilling. Perfect for weekend entertaining.

(photo: the platform experiment instagram via anne sage)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

A Textile Artist's Home
Take a tour of weaver, sculptor, and textile artist Amy Revier's warmly atmospheric two-bedroom flat on the woodland borders of the Hampstead Heath. 

Three Italian Cocktails You Need to Try This Summer
Spoiler alert—the three collage illustrations for this Globe and Mail article are by me! Thanks again to the lovely people in the Globe Style section for the call.

The Trip to Spain
Watch a clip from The Trip to Spain, the upcoming third installment of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon's very funny road trip food film series, out August 11. Can't wait.

How to Stay Creative 
Great How magazine interview with graphic designer/creative problem solver Wendy Lee Oldfield on how to stay creative when the less creative parts of life get you down.

An Interview With Jeanne Moreau
From AnOther magazine: "At the sad news of her death, aged 89, we present a conversation between the inimitable icon of French cinema and Hans Ulrich Obrist, first published in the A/W12 issue of AnOther Magazine."

8 Artists Who Designed Enchanting Gardens
From Frida Kahlo to Claude Monet, 8 artists who designed gardens, in styles ranging from romantic and traditional to geometric and modern. 

Top 10 Parties in Fiction
From The Guardian: "From Bridget Jones’s curry calamity to Vanity Fair’s historic ball, these social dramas have inspired many novelists. You are invited to enjoy 10 favourites."

Super Easy Raspberry Ricotta Cake
Showcase the fresh berries in season right now with this quick to make Raspberry Ricotta Cake recipe from Bon Appétit.

(photo: jr apartment by nicolas schuybroek architects via here)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

A Modern Home in Amsterdam
Take a tour of a minimalist Amsterdam home with intriguingly textured walls, offset with pops of colour and modern furniture.

11 Very Short Stories You Must Read Immediately
Emily Davis at Lit Hub picks 11 great very short stories—ranging from Lydia Davis to George Saunders to Sofia Samatar—available online. Perfect summer reading.

The Most Famous 1950's Model You've Never Heard Of
Via AnOther magazine: "As a new campaign to create a book about her life launches online, John-Michael O'Sullivan reflects on the magic of Barbara Mullen." Great photos—and an amazing life, too.

12 Interior Instagram Accounts to Follow Now
Vogue picks 12 interiors accounts for beautiful daily inspiration (or a little escapism) on your Instagram feed.

A Sculpture Park Celebrating Femininity
Lovely Artsy piece on the wonderful, fantastical 14-acre Tarot Garden in Tuscany, created by the late French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

5 Things We Learned About David Lynch From The Art Life
Still need to see this documentary by Jon Nguyen about David Lynch, but in the meantime here are 5 takeaways from it. My fave is learning film-maker Mel Brooks labelled Lynch "Jimmy Stewart from Mars"; an utterly brilliant description.

The Ultimate Gazpacho
A fantastic version of the classic Spanish chilled soup from Cookie + Kate. Definitely making this one soon.

(photo via the design collector)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

 White Washed Cottage
Take a tour of a perfect Danish cottage by the sea. I could easily live here year round.

The 6,000-Year History of Blue Pigments in Art
Nice overview over at Artsy of the history of the colour blue.

Bookstores' 'Blind Dates' Link Books and Readers
This is such a fun idea. From the Wall Street Journal: "Booksellers are enticing readers to take a chance on books wrapped in paper, so the cover and title remain a mystery."

Text SFMOMA and Get Art Sent to Your Phone 
I love this. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has come up with a great way to share its 34,678 artworks, only 5% of which can be displayed at any given time. With the SMS service Send Me SFMOMA, you can text 572-51 with the words "send me" followed by a keyword, colour or emoji, and receive a related artwork image and caption via text message.

Five Legendary Authors and the Clothes They Wore
From AnOther: "A new book by Terry Newman draws parallels between the personal style and writing of 50 seminal auteurs—here, we spotlight five of them."

The Vacuum Cleaner
Utterly surreal 4.5 minute silent film from 1908 by Segundo de Chomón, about two men who find what was then a fairly new device—a motorized vacuum. Looniness ensues.

Why Cheese Is Art's Greatest Muse
A new exhibition at the Mauritshuis features what Clifton Fadiman called "milk's leap toward immortality". Slow Food: Still-Lifes of the Golden Age features cheese in art from the Dutch Golden Age to the 21st century. Follow the link for some delectable selections from the show.

Black Bean-Smothered Sweet Potatoes
Quick, healthy and easy to make, this is a great weeknight supper. Vegan friendly, too!

(photo by brooke giannetti via pinterest)