What Ryder would do if he ran the world....

Last night at dinner, my little boy asked me what I would do to end pollution if I was in charge of the world. What a great question! I started in on my long list of missions including alternative energy, corporate responsibility, recycling laws, etc, but then my internal mothering voice prodded me to turn the question back on him. I guess my bagless quest has rubbed off, because his first answer was that he would ban plastic bags. Glowing, I asked him why he thought that was important. He said he doesn't want to see them in our ocean or stuck in tree branches anymore. Great question, great answer.

So we decided, in our sticky booth at the West End Pizzeria, to make a single-use plastic bag ban our mother-son mission, starting in our small oceanside city of Long Beach. Just because the most environmentally progressive state of California failed to legislate such a ban last year (for more details on this setback and why plastic bags are so awful, click here), we're not deterred from taking our best shot at a local effort. There's a pop song on the radio right now by Katy Perry in which the opening line refers to feeling like a plastic bag drifting in the breeze. Sadly, this is a common image and pretty much any listener can relate to the symbolism. In Dylan's era, it was the answers that were blowing in the wind, not toxic waste. So if I really were in charge of the world, plastic bags would be gone and Dylan would be back on the radio. We walked out of the pizzeria with a new mission and without a plastic bag for our leftovers.

Stay tuned for updates as we take our bagless mission to community level.

Classic Kids Games

With Winter Break just around the corner and not a snowball left in sight to throw, I thought I'd round up a few playtime suggestions, bringing back some classics to a generation who has never known a day with the world wide web or microwaved food. This list features both my son's most beloved games and a nostalgic look back at my own childhood favorites.



Lincoln Logs were always one of my favorite (guess I've been into home design for a loooong time!)


Tinker Toy Sets stretch the imagination of any child.


The engaging African counting game Mancala in an eco-friendly Bamboo version!!


Old or young, who doesn't love Twister?!?


Classic Monopoly is a favorite in our household, not only increasing the entrepreneurial skills ever 5 year old needs, but improving basics like addition and counting too.


Jenga engages hand-eye coordination, strategy skills and patience like no other.


Masters of old school kids games and toys that will be tomorrow's classics, Melissa and Doug's version of Pick up Sticks is beautiful.

Hope for the Flowers

Hope for the Flowers - affectionately referred to as simply The Caterpillar Book in my household - has been the most read story on our shelves since Ryder's birth. I just learned that it is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year which comes as no surprise to me: its liberal, anti-system sentiment still resonates just as profoundly today as it did four decades ago. An adult story masked as a children's book, with innocently simple black and white (and yellow) illustrations, Hope for the Flowers should have a spot on every bookshelf, and in every heart.

Under Foot

The new rug collection that I spotted on Remodelista today is a true expression of "less is more." Gypsy/Maturin is a collection of rugs loomed from all natural materials like hemp, mohair and vintage Turkish Kilim with thoughtful, minimalist details in a pure, earthy palette. Somehow they are as modern as they are old-worldly, as delicate as they are raw. And just all-around beautiful.

Monday Color: Red

Alright, I know Monday is almost over, but I couldn't hit the pillow without fulfilling my commitment to beginning each week with a new posting about color. In my recent efforts to examine and even try to embrace all that I've had an aversion to in the past, on this most Hallmarkish of holidays, I chose red (a color I'm not that into on a holiday I don't observe). I'm not sure why I've avoided red in my own interiors, although I have a fair amount of fire in my personality so I guess I find it more comfortable to surround myself with cool hues and earth tones. However I've found many of my clients to be fond of red, and as a designer, I've always aimed to please. From Chinese red to true crayola crayon red, there are so many personalities of this hue and equally numerous ways to use it.



















Images above:

1. In gallery owner Mikael Anderson's Copenhagen home, this red kitchen screams neither red nor kitchen. (photograph by Jean-Francois Jausaud, via elledecor.com)

2. Jenna Lyons has transformed the J. Crew brand through details and accents, so it's no wonder that this touch of red on the master bedroom bedding of her New York townhouse would have such profound impact. (via www.livingetc.com)

3. When I think of red and its inherent sensuality and sexiness, I think of LA's Maison 140, designed by the infamous Kelly Wearstler (www.kwid.com)

4. Sometimes red really means business like in this conference room I designed in the Citi Habitats/Corcoran Manhattan training center, featuring a James Kennedy painting, custom red linen drum pendant and vintage table.

5. Even I can't resist this red laquered nightstand by Chelsea Textiles (www.chelseatextiles.com)

6. Lucia Organic Bedding from Gaiam combines spicy hues of red and orange on pure organic fibers with low impact dyes.

7. This ceramic garden stool from Inside Avenue would bring an irresistible pop of glossy red to any room.

8. I love seahorses, so a hooked pillow with an orangey red seahorse silhouette might even have a place in my home afterall. (Seahorse Pillow from beachdecor.com

Corkologie

I spend a lot of time at my computer as a writer, designer and novice Star Wars video game player (thanks to my 5 year old who strangely prefers to watch me fly through the galaxy and shoot down the attackers rather than do so himself). My aging Powerbook has a few nicks and scratches and my mouse is the type that actually plugs in, almost an antique now I believe. I recently upgraded my mousepad from a dingy old giveaway to an adorable new cork pad from Corkologie. Funny how a little detail can make such a big difference. I lay eyes on it dozens of times a day, and my trusty mouse relies on it to perform its basic function, so it ought to be as stylish as it is functional. And as a bonus, it kept wine bottle cork production scraps out of our landfills and reminds me of my environmental missions at every glance. That's a lot of achievements for an 8" circle of compressed tree bark.

Home Sweet Earth and Live Local are two of the 6 designs Corkologie offers, all priced at $7.99.

5 Steps To Simplicity

This year, I've been focusing more than ever on helping friends and clients simplify their lives. Within that process, I've been thoughtfully distilling my own definition of simplification. In no particular order, simplification means less wasted time, a feeling of peacefulness and flow, effortless order, more time to play with my son, modeling my values and what really matters to him and others, cleanliness and a sense of pride. I've also become more conscious of all the little systems I use to achieve simplicity in my life. And in the areas where I still need help, I turn to the Martha Stewarts of the world for guidance and inspiration. Here are 5 my Top Simplification Tips, culled from my own house, from Martha and everywhere in between.


1. Lists, Lists, Everywhere: Keep a grocery list in your pantry and jot down any item you're running low on so you're always ready for your next grocery run. Keep a wardrobe list in your closet to record which pantyhose need replenishing or exactly what size and color your next sweater purchase should be. Keep an up-to-date office supply list in your desk drawer so you'll know exactly what size post-it notes you've run out of to reference on your next Staples run. (image above from www.marthstewart.com)


2. Clean As You Cook: Every meal is more enjoyable if there is not a sink full of mixing bowls, pots and wooden spoons to scrub down afterward. Try to rinse off as much as possible while cooking so that only the dinner plates and serving ware need your attention afterward.


3. Make Your Bed Easy to Make: Three rows of decorative pillows may look pretty in bedding catalogs or magazines, but are not conducive to simplicity. Making a bed should take just a few seconds every morning: 1. pull duvet up and smooth out 2. prop sleeping pillows up 3. throw a decorative pillow or two on 4. done! I often suggest to clients that they only use a fitted sheet and a good quality, covered duvet with the appropriate warmth rating because straightening and tucking a flat sheet and blankets under the duvet can make the task much more burdensome than it needs to be.


4. Mail Traffic Control: We've all heard it a million times, but it is such a time saver and clutter reducer to sort your mail as soon as you walk through the door. So I just had to mention again! Take your pile over to wherever your recycling bin is located so you can deposit the junk there immediately. Then put the rest into two different folders, boxes or bins: one that you go through once a week to take necessary actions and the other labeled "to file" (for statements, etc) that gets your monthly attention. If you can live without the beautiful J. Crew fashion spreads, get yourself off all catalog mailing lists; every item that beckons from their glossy pages is available online and then some. Catalogs waste trees and suck up your time in disposal or in "window shopping." (image above by ngoc minh ngo at www.realsimple.com)




5. Go Shoe-Free: Create a dedicated place for several pairs of shoes for each family member (we created space for up to 3 pairs each in my house, as seen in the photo above) right by the front door and then religiously remove footwear upon arrival. Swapping shoes out for "house slippers" that get stashed in this same spot is a nice luxury for those who don't wish to go barefoot. This practice will greatly reduce the amount of time you spend vacuuming or sweeping your house and that is simplification at its best!

Love Notes

In retaliation to the saccharine kitsch of the upcoming Hallmark holiday, I thought I'd share a few sophisticated (and green!) home decor accents that are sure to keep the love alive all year round.


Recycled natural wool and eco-friendly dyes up the snuggle-factor of this biodegradable LOVE Throw, available at www.bambeco.com.


This minimal and graphic &LOVE poster from Fifi Du Vie, printed with nontoxic acrylic ink, is available on Etsy.


Alone on a nightstand or in a vignette of other treasures, Amenity Home's Hearts for Haiti handcarved stone is a poignant reminder to live and give with love every day.

Seeing Colors!! (Inspiration from City Sage)

When I opened my in-box this morning, I could do nothing but swoon. Anne Sage, Executive Editor of Rue Magazine and mastermind behind one of my favorite blogs, City Sage, has done it again!! In today's City Sage post, four expertly edited groupings of color-based collections - from books to bottles - lit up my screen with their intrigue and cheer. I'm not a collector myself, but I certainly enjoy occasionally gazing at monochromatic stacks of clothbound books, vibrant enamelware and colorful curiosities. And if you're going to have collections in your home, this is certainly the most visually appealing and orderly approach. For the full post and source links, head on over to City Sage.

Fresh Nest Feature

A little press is always exciting.....so I'm thrilled to have my home included in the One Fresh Nest feature on Fresh Nest, a great site for home inspiration. Check out the interview and photos here.

Monday Color: Ivory

I have long been drawn to the serenity of white but sometimes in its purest form, true white can be a little cold. Ivory is the slightly warmer and more dynamic neutral alternative, no less serene than its white sister hue. It is the inherent color of many pure, un-dyed fibers like wool and cotton, and appears in countless natural forms such as fans of white coral, flowing sand dunes, dozens of flower varieties and wholesome grains.


















Images above:

1. I love this modern ivory living room, found on www.decorpad.com. Texture and form replace any need for color.

2. An ingeniously simple idea - removing shade fabric to reveal the white lampshade wire silhouette underneath - from Musie. Parchmont, old paper and ivory clothbound books are another way to celebrate the hue.

3. A palette of wood tones and textured ivory fabrics and linens makes a soothing bedroom retreat in this Manhattan apartment I designed.

4. This monochromatic lounge space feels calm yet special with the wall detail and soft ivory tones.

5. Natural linen upholstery and cream slipcovers set the stage for this dramatic white-on-white collection found on www.countryliving.com. (Photo by Bjorn Walkunder)

6. The essence of the color is befitting for this Ivory Organic Cotton Cable Knit Throw from Viva Terra.

7. Metallics are a gorgeous way to spice up an all-ivory decor. Sheesha throw pillow in Ivory from John Robshaw, available in a Euro Sham or 20x20 pillow.

8. Master of pure serenity, Donna Karan nails the look with her organic cotton Pure Comfort bedding (available in Cloud, as shown, and four other spa-like colors).