Decor and Wine

Dear Craigslist

06/17/2013

You've always been a friend to me and despite the occasional wireds and freaks I am still in love. Today I visited your furniture section, for no real reason... I'm not in the market to purchase anything... But I thought I'd look around.
Typically your emotions can be hard to read, on many occasions you post unwanted items and I fear these elements weaken our connection. But today you have given me hope. I saw a side of you that I haven't seen in some time. "Quality Furniture". I love this side of you Craigslist! ...And that wasn't even the best thing, you shared some things with me that you have never shared before and this makes me really feel closer to you. It heightens certain aspect of our relationship, you know what I mean?

POST - Rustic lodge Table (new)...
Mike Markley owner of Simply Rustic Custom Tables
http://www.simplyrusticcustomtables.com/
I love the simplicity of the lines. Mike is a general contractor with an obvious skill for design. I love the wood finishes and versatility of these tables.

POST - Wine Barrel Furniture...
Fallen Oak Kevin Beasley
http://www.fallen-oak.com/
Can you say up-cycle with love? Kevin is a man after my own heart... why you ask, because he has brilliantly crafted unique furniture pieces from used wine barrels. My favorite piece of course being the wine barrel wine rack.

Simply Rustic Custom Tables and Fallen Oak, its for these reason CL that my faith in what we have is restored. You have regained my trust and my heart.

Sincerely,
D.

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Decor and Wine on Tumblr

06/09/2013

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http://decorandwine.tumblr.com/

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June 01st, 2013

06/01/2013

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"Returning Home"

05/28/2013

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"The cool air hugged close to her cheeks as she searched her coat pocket for a singular brass key. White lint from the pocket's interior snuggled close to her fingernail beds. In a quick reunion of key hole to key the door painted in crackled white gave way to the illuminated yellow inside."

winner of this years Bold Brush online contest

"Art is good when it makes me feel... When my human emotions want to pour through the breath of my skin..."

I recently picked up a literary magazine and came across an image of oil on canvas called "Returning Home" by Artist Warren Chang. Instantly I felt what it would be like to enter this painted space. I found myself wondering who this woman was, what was her story?

Warren, a graduate from Art Center College of Design, has a background in illustration and is clearly a gifted fine artist. Warren graciously shared with me that the painted is of his wife returning home from her early morning walk. I think this is such a beautiful piece of work. Unfortunately and fortunately the portrait has a permanent home, but there are plenty of intriguing pieces in his portfolio of work. (Thank you Warren for sharing your soul through this painting!)

WARRENCHANG.COM

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Its been way too long...

05/18/2013

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...I've got a couple of projects in the pipeline that have been keeping me very, very busy. I look forward to sharing them with you real soon. In the mean time I hope your enjoying this beautiful Saturday and your out and about exploring nature's designs!

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Saturday at the Petersen Museum

05/04/2013

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The Design Cookbook! by Kelly Edwards

04/24/2013

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The Design Cookbook: Recipes for a Stylish Home – Kelly Edwards

A visual feast of appetizing and controversial design elements, just two of many aspects that make this book a great success. Kelly Edwards has skillfully taken design elements and broken them down in a step-by-step process. She gives us all the ingredients, spice, and character of various designs formatted in cookbook style. I think this is a fantastic way for the everyday home designer to explore interior design. The imagery of interior spaces are glutinous with elegance and style. The Design Cookbook has defiantly inspired me to try out some these fabulous recipes for design.

Check out what I found out in speak with the Master Chef herself…

* Who was your intended audience when creating The Design Cookbook? Can you break down the format for me? I wanted to create a book that everyone could enjoy. From the high-end designer to the DIY’er, I wanted something for every skill set. Actually it was my dad came up with the idea. One day I was telling him that I wanted to do a design book and he said, "Why don't you make one that looks like a cookbook?" I thought, “That's ingenious!” Truth is... people love to read cookbooks even if they can't cook. It's such a great approach to design. If you give someone a photo, a recipe and a list of ingredients it makes it so much easier to complete a room! I wanted to show people that with a recipe for a room, they can be their own designer.

* Where does your inspiration for design stem from? I get inspiration from other designers. I have about a million magazines. Whenever I’m looking for inspiration I turn to them. Some are even 10 years old. I can find plenty of ideas in all of them. Even if I can’t find something I’m looking for I may see a color pillow and think, “That’s the color I’m painting the room.” I also love Pinterest. It’s truly the Mecca of ideas.

*DIY Projector Art (pictured below) - Using chalkboard as a design element has really taken hold, what are your thoughts of the chalkboard as an element of design? Do you feel the chalkboard is a lasting ingredient in design or a temporary fad? Chalkboards have been around for over a hundred years. It’s slowly transitioned from the classroom to the home. I think it’s a classic staple that will be around forever, similar to school house chairs. I love them!

* How did you decided on the designer featured in your book? For me it was about getting a variety of different designers so there would be an array of different designs styles. If I did a book only on color, people who love rooms that are more neutral couldn’t relate to the photos. I wanted everything from mid century modern, to rustic, to traditional to be incorporated. Even though I have the most eclectic mix of designers in the book, I still tried to keep the photos consistent enough so that each page could transition in to the other.

*Are you formally trained in interior design? What is your design history before HGTV? What made you want to pursue interior design? I actually have a business degree. I was living in Chicago when I just picked up and moved to LA. My first job in television was sweeping floors for the set of the Power Rangers. I thought it was so cool. I knew I always wanted to work on the set of a design show though. I came from a home where Bob Villa was a staple on TV every Saturday and an extremely handy Dad. I learned everything from him. Eventually I started working behind the scenes on Design on a Dime as a Design Coordinator. Two years later they asked me if I was interested in co-hosting the Chicago team. The rest is history. It’s the most amazing life I could’ve imagined!

The Design Cookbook: Recipes for a Stylish Home is currently available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. This truly is the perfect gift for any occasion, especially makes a great house-warming present. ;o) I encourage you to check out Kelly’s book (some of the amazing images from the book below) and for more about the designer herself check out Kelly Edwards inc.

Happy baking!

Erin Martin Kitchen

Kelly's Chalkboard Art Project

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Monday, Monday

04/22/2013

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Design Desired

04/13/2013

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It's early morning and I have escaped the brisk spring chill. I sit at my desk warming my insides with a strong cup of organic herbal tea. The glowing computer screen illuminates my eyes as I scroll through the pages of brown dress with white dots (one of my favorite picture blogs). As I scroll I see her soft hand gently clutching his forearm.... A little further and I see a deep navy sky fading into royal blue and grey clouds, the sky glittered with stars.... As I continue to scroll down the page I find myself fixated by something so sensual, a deep desire has sprung forth in my heart. Warn charcoal and chocolate leather with a dusting of tan hue. Recycled leather belt flooring by TING Home click the link to view for yourself... http://browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com/post/40009614349

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