Christian Lacroix Papier

While I aimlessly dawdled through my daily dose of inspirational fashion and design sites, I was suddenly aghast when I saw this post of Christian Lacroix's new line of paper goods on vogue.com.

It's so stunning. Very Papaya-esque but with a fashion edge that borders genius. There's collage, paintings, fabric, beauty, sketch, charcoal, vintage drawings. The number of mediums is fantastic.

It really stuck me. It looks so effortless, though I know each masterpiece was probably a painstaking exercise in adding and subtracting.

Gorgeous:

Gerard Gauci

I stumbled upon this incredible interiors painter and set designer from Canada. His paintings are so fabulously unexpected with bits of paint scattered over a precise rendering of a room.

I imagine him sitting at an easel, admiring his perfect painting that took weeks to create. Then dipping his little brush in a pool of shocking turquoise.

And then with fear and adrenaline, swiping it across the canvas.

I think it would probably give me a heart attack to do that. But then again, it might be the most liberating thing in the world...

Scandinavian Design

I've been noticing some new resurgence of scandinavian design. I've always loved vintage patterns from the 60s in this style, like from Stig Lindberg. It's inspired me like crazy and it's taking every ounce of my being to keep on task with my biz duties and not to design some stationery!

Here are a couple of Stig's designs:

This is from Thomas Paul (you may remember he did a series of plates for Target in this style and I believe he still has some there):

This one is a journal from Nordic Fusion .

This is my favorite. This illustrator Helen Dardik (check out her blog here ) rocks and she recently did a bag for Blue Q.

And this last one is from Old Navy - I just copied the background of their website. But I love it. Sometimes you find inspiration in the strangest of places!!!

I just love how it can be so dang busy with millions of little objects and items, but the way they fit together makes them a beautiful pattern. Enjoy!

I heart chairs

I am loving this gravitation towards antique chairs in art. They're so beautiful and architectural. I found a sampling of gorgeous art prints on etsy of just chairs!

These are from Annechovie - her blog is fabulous and so is her artwork. (I just HAD to throw in the vase)

These are from other various etsy artists (starting from top left): Nestahome , ToxicInk , My Wire Empire , Lucky Bluebird Art , Larara , Justin Richel

a few of my favorite things

I've been lusting after a few of these things for years now - and some for only a few weeks. But the funny thing is, I have such a ridiculous self control when it comes to buying things, that I never do. Ever.

But I think if I won the lottery and actually had money growing on a tree in my backyard, I'd purchase a few of these gems. (and yes - one of these things is only $12)

1. David Yurman Gold Crossover Ring

2. Romo wallpaper. I want an entire bathroom in this gorgeous pattern.

3. A ghost chair. And no, I don't need the $500 version - this $239 version will do just fine.

4. Vintage Morris bird and egg prints. I have 3 already, but hope to get a few more and frame them all for my collection!

5. Subscriptions to every wedding magazine they make. Starting with Martha Stewart's Weddings. I get oh so inspired from the dresses to the color combos.

6. A hot foil stamping machine. It sounds like a little thing, but they can run $500 to $2000. And you can do super fun stuff with them, like putting metal accents on stationery. (compared to everything else, it looks like the most un-sexy thing on earth. )

7. Lessons. Screen-printing lessons, letter-pressing lessons, sewing lessons, oil painting lessons. If it's an art and you can learn it, I wanna do it. I want to spend all day making stuff and fill my house with creative happiness. NOT holly hobby of course - more along the lines of martha stewart.

8. Vintage metal sign letters. I plan on getting every letter of the alphabet and hanging them all on one wall on a future child's room. I have 4 of 'em already. Only have 22 to go. Sheesh.

9. Charley Harper An Illustrated Life by Todd Oldham

10. A collection of Painted Ladies. I was in a random bathroom in Northpark Mall in Dallas, and there was one entire wall dedicated to these gorgeous vintage portraits of women. I wanted to know each and every one of them, and they were all showcased in different, fabulous gold leafed intricate frames. Love.

Sunbursts - cheese or fab?

I'm starting to see sunbursts mirrors everywhere again - I know - it's so 1998. But there are some really lovely choices out there now! But I do remember the craze in the late 90s and wonder if they're cheesy or a design staple?

I'm loving that last one - it's a bit of a different take on the same old, same old. It's $195 at Neiman Marcus .

Chrysanthemum Stationery - pick a color, any color!

I'm so in love with this chrysanthemum stationery, but I have 3 color combos that I can't decide between! I'll probably only pick two. Help!

Vintage Champagne Rack

My lovely in-laws came in town this past weekend to help us pack some art and a few special items to move from our house in Dallas to Alexandria, Louisiana. Saturday morning we spent going through consignment stores and the usually fabulous Wisteria outlet (usually, because it was a bit of a let down this time).

Forever, my hubbie and I have been wanting a vintage French champagne rack. We found one at White Elephant on Industrial in Dallas for $599, but it was a tad too rich for our blood! Well, lo and behold, we walked into Consignment Solutions on West Lovers Lane and saw one for $289!!! They saw how in love we were and graciously got us an early Christmas happy. We pick it up tomorrow!