Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a lovely one. We're looking forward to a family brunch and a little relaxation — how about you?

(photo by mario testino of his own stunning los angeles home)

Artful Living

 

Painter, interior stylist and owner of vintage wallpaper shop Retro Villa, Mette Helena Rasmussen is a creative soul with a keen eye for beautiful things. The home she shares with her partner Rolf Pedersen and daughter Villa Malou is a reflection of this — it's a casual and ever changing mix of art, thrift store and flea market finds, quirky designer pieces and, of course, the odd splash of vintage wallpaper. More here on Bo Bedre.

(photography by tia borgsmidt)

Smile

The effortlessly lovely Sophia Loren chills out in the 1960s.

(photo by tazio secchiaroli. via valentino vamp)

Sweetness and Light

We're expecting sweltering and humid weather here over the next few days, so I plan to follow the example of this little guy.

(sweet photo by tracey ayton. via pinterest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

Midcentury Furniture + Grandkid Nostalgia = Modern Trend
From NPR: "It first showed up in the 1950s and '60s — think low-slung sofas, egg-shaped chairs and the set of Mad Men. Today, midcentury modern furniture is 'blazing hot,' as one dealer puts it. One explanation is that people often like what their grandparents liked." 

Why Kids Need Illustration to Read
Legendary children’s book author and artist Sir Quentin Blake on why kids need illustration to read. One of my illustration heroes. Via Explore. 

Beneath the Cherry Blossoms
Heady with beauty and charm, in cherry tree season Japan celebrates environmental values that Western greens have lost. Via The Browser.

An Interview With Empress Of
From AnOther: "Last October, 23-year-old, Brooklyn-based Lorely Rodriguez (AKA Empress Of) released Colorminutes, a series of dreamy, minute-long electronic pop demos, each presented as an individual YouTube video and paired with a corresponding colour. She did this with no real sense of expectation but within weeks music bloggers were hailing her as the new Grimes, enchanted by her sweetly sung melodies and lilting brand of lo-fi synth." Lovely work. Available on iTunes here.

The Hairstyle Archaeologist
Love this. Via Boing Boing: "Hairstylist Janet Stephens was unable to replicate a Roman statue's complex bun in the salon, leading her to solve the ancient mystery of how it worked: "I got deeper and deeper into it ... it took about seven years, and my article was published in the Journal of Roman Archeology."

Setting Up Shop Online
Another fab Biz Ladies post over at Design Sponge, focusing on everything you need to know about opening an online shop for your work.

22 Rules for Aging Brilliantly
Great advice from O magazine, reminding you to breathe, let go of regrets, stay in touch and other great habits for growing older in a healthy and positive way.

Cauliflower Puree with Chickpeas, Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
A great late spring supper — not too heavy, but heartier than a salad, too.

(photo by sharyn cairns)

Smitten

I'm smitten with this lovely stone washed linen tablecloth by Linge Particulier — gorgeous. Available here from Bodie and Fou.

Moments of Beauty

Love this striking Scandi-style editorial for the latest issue of Scandinavia S/S/A/W, featuring model Codie Young photographed by Andreas Ohlund. Beautiful.

(via fashion gone rogue)

Light and Air

Light-filled and spacious, this serene Stockholm apartment is a great example of a sensitive restoration. Perfect.

(photography via eklund stockholm new york by way of dpages)

advertise on automatism

Thinking of becoming an automatism sponsor? A couple of ad spots are available for June — find out more here.

(photo via catherine kwong design)

Simple Pleasures

The perfect accessory — hat, scarf, jewelry, whatever — that eloquently describes who you are without a single word.

(photo for maison margiela. via field notes)

Atelier: Sorensen-Grundy

Today I'm utterly enchanted by the work of London-based milliners Sorensen-Grundy, the team of Dan Sorensen and Sara Grundy, who work in couture as well as theatre, film and television. Wonderful.

from top to bottom: Nesting Instinct, Construction Overhead, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Wicker Man, Sense and Sensibility, Great Expectations.

(via my modern metropolis)

Monday

A lovely still life of peonies to start your Monday gently. Have a good one.

(photo by lily)

Petite Bohemian

Winner of the 2013 CH+D Award for Residential Interior Design (Less than 3,000 Sq. Ft.), the owners of this pretty 1920s 1,000-square-foot Mediterranean cottage in San Anselmo, California definitely made the right decision to keep their home as it was, avoiding the temptation to expand the space with additions. Instead, their designer Alison Davin updated the interior (untouched since its last remodeling in the 1950s), getting rid of the old linoleum, adding fresh white paint and disguising the red brick fireplace with a more understated board-batten surround topped with a rustic mantel. Collections of baskets and primitive antiques and texture and interest, while the wood furniture adds warmth to throughout. Definitely a winner! More here on California Home + Design.

Cinema: Eames: The Architect and the Painter

Eames: The Architect and the Painter is an excellent 2011 documentary by Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey that explores the life and work of Charles and Ray Eames, with interviews, clips of their films, artifacts, letters, photos and more in their forty endlessly creative years together as a team. Fascinating and full of insights — I highly recommend it. I was fortunate enough to borrow a copy from my local library, but you can also order it through Amazon or download it on iTunes.

Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a lovely one. I'll be checking out the huge neighborhood-wide garage sale happening over the weekend — should be both crazy and fun. How about you?

(photo via pinterest — still sourcing credit)

Milan Minimalism

An elegant blend of old and new, this beautiful Milan apartment has been sensitively renovated by architect Francesco Rota. Details such as the original period doors, moldings, hardwood floors and entry way tiles have been retained, forming a striking contrast to the furniture — much of it classic examples of 1970s Italian design. The one note of colour to the black and white scheme is the deep red dining room table. And on the living room wall — a large photo of the 1950s-era Pirelli skyscraper by architect Geo Ponti, a symbol of the city of Milan. More here on Côté Maison.

Smile

The Magic Bus, an utterly charming print by Blanca Gomez, is making me smile a lot today. Available from her Etsy shop here.

Sweetness and Light

A lovely fluttering detail, full of delicate colour and movement.

(photo by alfonso ohnur for harper's bazaar spain, june 2010. via daily styling deluxe by way of pinterest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

The Queen of Sicily's Paris Shopping List, 1277
Fascinating glimpse of the domestic side of being a medieval queen — and who doesn't love reading lists?

Seashell Sound
Anyone who's spent time by the sea has put a seashell to their ear to hear the roar of the sea — this thoughtful essay looks at how we've listened throughout history and literature.

The Tower House
Check out this lovely skyscraper-style treehouse with a view of the mountains, designed to reflect the leaves of the trees around it.

Good Advice
Great selection over at Brain Pickings of inspiring advice on: how not to worry about money, courage and the creative life, fueling the inner engine of learning and making good art.

Weird and Wonderful Fruits and Vegetables
Celebrate Vegetarian Week with this selection of oddly (and at times rather rudely) shaped fruits and veggies.

5 Celebrity Favourite Natural Skincare Products
Check out how get Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Nichole Kidman and other celebs get their radiant glow with this list of their fave natural skincare products. 

Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man
Just found this and can't wait to see it — a 2005 documentary that revisits Shakespeare and Company, the most famous bookstore in Paris. A and I visited when we were in Paris — it's utterly atmospheric.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Lovely recipe for a late spring dessert from Cookie and Kate.


(photo from alison milne design via escapade)

Smitten

I'm smitten with this lovely Onion print by Tokyo-based illustrator Ryo Takemasa — gorgeous design that just makes me smile. Available on Etsy here.

Covet Garden Home

I'm a huge fan of the beautiful Canadian e-mag Covet Garden, so it's exciting to hear that they're working on a special print edition, Covet Garden Home. Designed as a half magazine/half book, it will feature brand-new content plus favourite spaces from past issues — all printed locally on high-quality paper stock. You can help Covet Garden make their lovely publication a reality through their IndieGoGo campaign — find out more about their print plans and fundraising campaign on their IndieGoGo page here. The print version will ship in Winter 2013.