Nomadic Nature

Currently loving the wanderer look for fall. This free-spirited style offers so much from being sensible to substantial in fashion and design.  Whether you're a sojourner or a homebody, the southwestern themed trend brings vibrancy to an edge.

Here in 2009,  designers and artists are stilling finding inspiration from ancient times. The Navajo people were trendsetters. When the Spanish settled in the southwest, the Navajo utilized their resources and used the sheep for its wool to make clothes, blankets, and rugs. They weaved from wool and used natural vegetable dyes for color. Not only did the Navajo understand the importance of color, but also respected natural elements for the purpose of creating beauty while creating function.

Loving the Navajo inspired ponchos.  There is something so free, yet chic and sophisticated when paired with skinny jeans or ex-boyfriend cropped jeans and strappy platform sandals. This look brings the Navajo style to the modern girl with style, ease, and comfort.

I also like this look for the home, too. While it may be added as a quirky, unexpected piece in my current rental, I would love to expand the Navajo style into my dream home.

I tend to be a bit untypical so chances are my dream home isn't a McMansion. No, no my dream is an A-frame house. Don't laugh... I love it. A-frames sprung up in North America in the 1950's after Andrew Geller revolutionized them to become affordable family vacation homes near ski resorts.

This humble abode offers a steep roof line, about 1,000 sq ft, a loft and potential for some amazing views.  My dreams extend as I have found this home in Whistler, British Columbia. It's hidden in a dense forest where the trees are taller than skyscrapers with a bike route nearby. It brings in more light than a log cabin and offers low maintenance with the roof sloping straight to the ground.

The main attraction to this structure is how peculiar looking it is. I am drawn to things that don't conform.   Also, unlike most homes near this region, it brings in so much natural light, which is important in a cool climate and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I would design the interior keeping in mind with the historical roots, as well as the surrounding environment.  Also, I would bring it a modern element while giving it some theatrics as a Swiss hut, but in a twisted rustic, yet urban form.

Combining a hint of Navajo style with a traditional Swiss cottage of blues and reds,  a mod, contemporary, interior with a crisp, white palette for the walls accented with rustic stone, dark-toned industrial trimming, and ebony stained hardwood floors. The interior space would host a warmth of color combined with hip, chic fabric and worn textiles on the furniture that could easily translate the rustic outdoors to the interior spaces.

In last month's issue of Ready-Made Magazine, I found an interesting article about Nadia Yaron and Myriah Scruggs who recreate furniture and hand-stitched textiles.  Their work can be found at Nightwoodny.com.  I love how they  repurpose old, worn fabrics into new canvases of furniture that transform a three-dimensional art form . There is so much color and interest used in each piece. The vintage feel of the pieces make it a trophy in its own right.

I especially love these chairs found above and the chevron stitching that brings a native feel. After seeing this article, I came across this woven rug at the UCLA thrift-store in Santa Monica. I was drawn to the composition of the blues, red, and pinks and with a 50 cent price tag, I thought I could put it to use someday. I am looking for a hall chair to reupholster a cushion with this Navajo rug.

(Image 1, 2: shopbop.com,, Images: 3: http://www.forever21.com/heritage1981/main.asp, Images 4,5: nightwoodny.com, Images8,9, 10: nightwoodny.com).

Mellow Yellow

My favorite spot of my apartment is currently at my breakfast table. This is where I start the morning collecting my thoughts, following up on my favorite blogs, and sipping tea.  It is where I feel at piece and enjoy the silence of the morning. Of course, I am grateful to wake up especially with this pair of stellar Eero Saarinen style chairs! I am not much of a floral print person, but with this modular shape, they provide such a comforting, but chic dynamic to the 60's mod furniture that I just love. The graphic print just sweetens the idea of a breakfast table and the its purpose of providing a little bit of sunshine to start your day. 

I love this area because it has a very vintage element to it. I love the curves of the chairs paired with the legs of the table.  The chairs were a lucky steal on Craigslist for $40 each and the table was a purchase from Ikea for the purpose of an end table, but I like it better this way.

I feel so peaceful in this area and it takes me back in time to before I was born. It reminds me of a photograph you would see of She and Him in a set with the vintage feel and "folksiness of it."   The song, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" inspired this look.

I love Zooey Deschanel of course and her retro, sweet style. Like her Cotton ad...

The crafty items make it more of a unique part of my home. I made these coasters that are bright and cheery. Stayed tuned to how you can do it yourself later.

Love these football mums! They are just a little snowball of yellow that give a hint of fall. I used a salvaged bottle of olive oil  for the vase. Saving your bottles and jars of cooking ingredients is a great way to save money and live a little greener ( I saved a marinara jar for storing extra buttons).

This Little Bungalow of Mine

      The entrance to the bungalow is enchanting. Riding around the city on my bicycle and scooting up to my home is always comforting.  I was inspired by the Brabourne Farm blog, which always has lush garden pictures and sweet garden sheds. While, I haven't planted any plants in the courtyard, nor need a garden shed I have the gardening tools ready in a union blue basket. (I hope to plant some hydrangea and rose bushes soon!)

 I found the planter basket and peony colored flower holder at thrift stores in Santa Monica. Of course, I love that the flower holders say "Fleurs" on it! It makes me feel more like I live in a charming French village as I stroll my bike up to the door after journeying to the farmer's market.I bought the basket for $1.00 and the flower holder for $2.00.  Sweet little things that make this bungalow so much more enjoyable.

The courtyard offers an additional cozy, little nook to read a book, have lunch, or a drink while enjoying the outdoors. The bistro table provides a bit of a yellow splash that is absent from other parts of my life.

I found the bamboo chair at a thrift store in West Hollywood for $8.00 It just sits well in this area as it looks like a natural element that formed to be a practical item. I like the contrast between the bistro table and this chair.

I also saved a beer bottle that was a souvenir from a special trip to Switzerland. I put a flower in it to give  it more a design purpose. It's a concept I learned from college as my friends had a great yard that was was decorated with beer bottles from the night before. So this little element comforts me with memories.