The Unofficial Start of Fall: Nantucket Holiday

Sankaty Lighthouse

As many as you know I usually visit the island of Nantucket in Massachusetts this time of year.  And this year is no different.  Except that we are here for two weeks and my daughter is 15 months old so it's not really a vacation.  However, it is still incredibly enjoyable to be here.  I do love coming to the island.  It is magical.  There are several historical associations on the island and they have done an excellent job at maintaining the integrity of the island.  We always go to the beaches but if it is a cloudy day it is not a loss.  You can find me on one of the many walking tours!  If you are not a walking tour type of person just submerge yourself and get lost.  Harper and I take a walk every morning.  There is inspiration everywhere!

Classic Cape Cod style houses, gardens and yards are well cared for and after Labor Day the crowds leave.  As someone said to me this morning on my walk, "It's the most beautiful time of year". 

Creating Color Story Boards

Grapefruit Pie at Four and Twenty Blackbirds in Gowanus Brooklyn

As a designer the first step in working on a new line was creating a story board with our inspirations and our colors we were thinking of using for the clothes we would be designing. We would use tear sheets from magazines,  pictures from art trips and spend hours pouring over pantones and trend reports.  I was in design school at a time when computers were starting to be used more.  I would scan my pictures into photoshop and tweek them in illustrator.  That was over 10 plus years ago.

I was reading a friend's blog, Lai Grai,  and she created some color palettes of her palette.  When we worked together at Purl she would play with her palette using skeins of yarn or embroidery floss.  So many colors to choose from! In her blog she talks about a color service called Stylyze.  She discovered Stylyze thru another blog called Leif.  What I love about reading blogs is that you learn about other great blogs! What an easy way to discover new inspirations!

Brookline Mass February 2014 Washington Street 

tan  and neutral threads from my studio

House in Sconset Massachusetts


And my favorite, the Hedgehog.

Hedgehog from Vogue Magazine

Looking for some inspiration?  Check out stylyze. 

Tracey

Garden Inspiration from Etsy

With the warm weather here, all us gardeners are just itching to get outside.  Now that I live in Brooklyn, I have a back yard!  I love it. I love being outdoors, working in the sun, it's quite quiet where I live which is surprising being so close to the city.  Last year was our first year here so we didn't renovate the back yard.  I planted vegetables and flowers in beds. This year we are having some landscaping help so I am not planting anything quite yet. However I still can window shop for garden inspirations.  Here are some things that I am liking on etsy these days.

Terracotta planters

Modern Ceramic Planters

Watering Can

Garden Stakes

Garden Tortoise

Buddha Dog

Garden Stool

Love the quilt like looking pattern in the above stool.  And the color of the glaze reminds me cool, refreshing water.  Perfect for holding your icy beverage or as an extra seat.


One thing missing is garden markers.  The trend on etsy seems to be using old silverware and embossing them with your veggie and herb names.  I love upcycling but just didn't like this look.  I did find these classic ceramic markers from a shop called From Artisan Hands.

Hopefully you will be inspired by the cool pool blues, the aloe shades of green and the terracotta rust colors and create something today.

Decorate, 1000 design ideas for every room in your home

So I just received a new book in the mail before it is even available to the public in the US (yes I need to mention that part).  It's called Decorate by Holly Becker, who writes the blog decor8, http://decor8blog.com/  and Joanna Copestick, acclaimed lifestyle writer.
I have been following Holly's  blog for a few years and it always leads me to inspirational pieces and discovering new designers and places.  When I learned she was working on a book I was so excited and it is finally here! Well it is out in the UK, if you are in the US you can pre-order thru Chronicle Books.

Now I am not the decorator of my household, my fiance definitely has me one up in this area, which is ok by me. He is much better at it. However, I strive to be better at it and also to create a creative work space in my studio.  I sat down with my new book and a homemade latte and looked at every page. Yes, I looked at all the pictures first,  I will continue to read it for ideas and inspiration. 

If you are bored with your place and are looking to add some attitude to your abode or some spice to your space, pick up the book. Holly and Joanna provide lots of tips with great photos, it will make you want to turn your drab pad into a fab pad. Check lists, line plans and plenty of ideas fill the book for a diy makeover.  Interior designers and decorating experts such as Jonathan Adler and Amy Butler share their knowledge. Amy Butler designs fabulous prints that are licensed out for great cotton fabrics. Love her stuff! And we all know Jonathan Adler, he has a great store right up the street from me.

Congratulations Holly and Joanna on a great book. Another piece of inspiration I can add to my collection.