Pipe Dreams

Some people are so damn creative. This wall unit and desk made from industrial plumbing fixtures featured on Remodelista today is the epitome of clever creation. And it's a beauty too. It is the product of the creative hands at Houston-based design firm Analog/Dialog. If you are as ambitious, step-by-step instructions for something similar can be found on The Brick House. I love the $200 total investment, but the head-ache sounds like it has a higher price. I was curious to see what else the tinkerers out there were making with plumbing fixtures, and here's what I dug up:


The shelving in the lobby of the iconic Ace Hotel in Palm Springs that inspired The Brick House DIY project.


A much less rigid, sculptural approach from Akke Functional Art.


A desk found on Apartment Therapy by and for Oat's graphic design studios.


Found on Curbly, these light fixtures were conceived by MESH Architects. Adapt the lessons from this DIY Plumbing Fixture Lamp tutorial from Man Made to throw together your own, or find pre-made versions on MESH Architecture's Etsy shop.


Also on Etsy, Stella Blue Designs Etsy Shop has an array of wall-mounting shelving and other storage solutions made from industrial plumbing supplies, including this smart corner shelf.

First Aid

I have a little boy who is 6, going on 13, it seems. But thankfully he's a mellow kid with no natural inclination for violence. But the after-school playground football games seem to be getting more aggressive and as they say, boys will be boys. Just for fun, I thought I'd find some cool bandages to stock up on for future scraped knees and elbows. Spongebob themed Band-Aids probably won't cut it anymore.


Jesus Bandages from Amazon.com ($9.98 for 2 tins).


What Happened? Bandages available at Urban Outfitters ($7.00).


Cowboy Bandages from Archie McPhee ($4.95).


Pirate Bandages from Entertainment Earth ($4.99).

Monday Color: Citron & Gray

Today's skies alternated between an overcast haze and somber gray rain clouds without a sliver of sunlight from morning till night. The dismal weather clearly sparked my selection of colors for today's post, badly needing to inject some bright sunshine into today's grayness. Plus, I'm always a sucker for unexpected opposites and balanced contrast - for the 'yin' and 'yang' of decorating motifs, so to speak - which citron and gray most certainly are. Let's see what you think about this bright and gloomy Monday Color pairing.....




































Images above:

1. From a post on Styled Haven, these gray & white stripes, layers of yellow and rustic nightstands go perfectly together.

2. There's so much to love about this eclectic living room found on Home Bunch.

3. Gray grasscloths walls would be enough to have me smitten, but paired with a yellow headboard and bench, and that daring introduction of deep army green.....all I can say is 'wow!' (found on Decor Pad)

4. This bedroom reflects the mellow results when both the citrine and gray are on the warmer side.

5. From Laura Casey Interiors' blog, this yellow door and gray home exterior make me almost as happy as my own white house with its bright golden door.

6. A gray and citron living room featured on Nell Hill's blog.

7. These deep yellow walls are balanced by abundant white architectural details and subdued gray furniture.

8. In this living room, a daring citron sofa is perfectly paired with medium wood tones and plenty of gray, and echoed in accessories and shelf insets for an expertly finished look.

9. A great art idea for a cheery yellow and gray bedroom, from Martha Stewart, via All Things Chic.

10. This ultra-modern room doesn't feel overly cold thanks to the injection of bold yellow on the accent wall.

11. Michael Millers Citron & Gray Bird Swing fabric from fabric.com.

12. Chester Tufted Upholstered Sofa in special order Dandelion, from West Elm.

13. Gray and Yellow Sputnik Rug from Domestic Modern.

14. Perch! Design's Early Bird Light in yellow also comes in a soft gray.

15. Omniware's Hemisphere Gray & Yellow 11" Dinner Plate from Amazon.com.

16. Romo's Kimura Wallpaper in Tumeric.

17. Using the same Romo pattern, this room highlights a creative way to save money but still add big color impact: framing wallpaper as art (found on Exponent Expira).

Etsy Love: Manzanita Kids

I always love a good story, and David's and Adrienne's is just that. With a newborn and a layoff on their hands simultaneously, the couple behind Manzanita Kids searched their souls and creative talents for a way to make a living from home, and thus their toy company was born. Lines of Montessori and Waldorf-inspired developmental puzzles and blocks, as well as wonderfully imaginative modular building sets, were lovingly conceived to "nurture creative play." Offerings are all hand-cut in natural materials and many feature their own homemade beeswax/organic safflower oil finish, for a toy line that is as eco-friendly as it is pure fun.


Surely inspired by the iconic Robert Indiana sculpture, the Love Puzzle spreads a positive message to the littlest hearts.


From their baby line, these Moon Rattles are finished with their homemade beeswax/organic safflower oil, safe for teething mouths and tiny hands.


Several different Animal Puzzle creature combinations are available, including this adorable Bear, Shark & Parrot trio.


The Elephant Seesaw is a simple yet engaging way to sharpen a toddler's understanding of balance and motion.


One of several Modular Building Sets handmade by Manzanita Kids, affording hours of versatile, imaginative play.

Put A Cork In It

New Years Eve came and went without much of a fuss from me, but certainly in merry festivities far and wide, corks were popping and bubbles pouring. I may uncork a bottle of wine now and again, but my true obsession with this ultra-sustainable material lies in its myriad other home uses beyond beverage sealing, from decorative surfaces to functional bowls. Here's a few of my earth-friendly favorites.


100% natural cork fabric Adjust-A-Bowls come in medium and large sizes and are available through Branch Home.


Vitra's Cork Stool C from Design Within Reach.


Recycled Cork Mosaic Tiles made from cork beverage topper industry waste are durable, sustainable, and naturally antimicrobial (tiles shown are from Habitus).


Recycled cork Float Pendants by Benjamin Hubert.


The pricey but handsome mildew-resistant Cork Bath Collection from Labrazel Home.


Small chips of metallic cork make up this unique wallpaper, found on My Two Designers.


This sleek, modern kitchen with cork flooring strikes the perfect contrast.


Michael Roger Straw's Cork Sleeve for Apple's 15" MacBook, from Amazon.

Monday Color: Indigo & Khaki

I recently received the new Spring 2012 Serena & Lily catalog, a brand I've long admired since back when they were only peddling bedding. The pages felt like a journey around the world, with colorful palettes from bold to serene, indicative of a company that has really come of age. I pulled the inspiration for today's Monday Color Combination from this relaxed, eclectic bedroom, featuring the toned down nautical vibe of Indigo & Khaki, with lots of white of course.



From the dip-dyed curtains, to the pieced-denim wall-hanging, to the chevron patterned rug, blue tones take center stage without overpowering. The upholstered Fillmore Bed plays the perfect supporting role in the versatile White/Putty Jaipur fabric, a less contrasty pairing than your standard blue and white palette. Read on to see how this combination works in any room, harnessing any style.



























An eclectic boys room with rustic wood paneled walls, pops of apple green and cheery red, boldly striped bedding, all grounded by a blue and khaki palette (from Decor Pad).

Spotted on Lisa Sherry Interieurs blog, the linen colored upholstered chair and light wood plays beautifully off the deeply saturated indigo walls in this bedroom.

A Nantucket living room designed by Frank Roop featuring a sea of blue hues with a sandy colored jute rug anchoring the nautical look and a tiny infusion of bright green stripes to keep it all light-hearted (from House Beautiful).

A traditional blue and white country feel in this living room gets even more informal with the infusion of khaki the rug delivers.

Another Serena & Lily-styled room emphasizing, how they always have, that a nursery can be sophisticated and baby-friendly at the same time.

Safavieh's Alba Rug in Indigo & Sand, designed by Thomas O'Brien.

West Elm's Organic Cotton Pintuck Duvet Cover in Steel Blue

Kelly Wearstler's Sea Urchin fabric for Lee Jofa.

Unionmade Doane Utility Notebook against a dark khaki headboard.

Coyuchi's hand embroidered linen Radiant Roman Key Pillow is available in two enticing colorways: all-indigo scheme or a light khaki linen with just a touch of blue.

The timeless 1950's Windsor Love Seat dipped in blue, available from Anthropologie.

Two examples from the fashion world showing the versatility of indigo and khaki, from its bohemian, utilitarian personality to its chic, urban adaptability.