Bookcase Envy

Arranging and curating a bookcase is quite an art! We just aquired an amazing vintage cabinet/bookcase ($300 on Craigslist!) and Im currently having a dilemma on how to arrange our very diverse book collection. When in doubt, I always turn to my decorating bibles for inspiration: 

Design Sponge /Lonny Mag/ Decorista /Rue/Domino Book of Decorating

I love the "organic" feel of just throwing books together despite color, size, shape..

Greige 

and adding little collectibles and treasures

Lonny Mag

On the other hand, I love the way books are organized by color here

But also looks too decorated for our style...

designsponge
this is more the arrangement Im trying to achieve - 
horizontal & vertical placement with a peppering of personal treasures

Lonny Mag

The"before" shot of the new cabinet

As you can see its stuffed full - in no organized fashion. 

In the next few weeks between holidays I will be reorganizing this and post an "after" shot! (PS our walls arent orange - but the natural light makes them look that way in this photo)

STAY TUNED! 

Maison: Seattle Thrift and Flea

One of my all time, absolute FAV-O-RITE pass times is to scour thrift and flea markets in search of trinkets, treasures and things from the past. As they say "one mans trash is another mans treasure!". And its so true - often people dont realize what they have thrown out or given away - or they do and its overpriced. Im giving you a few of my secret spots that dont over price -  where you can overindulge!

DELUXE JUNK - FREMONT

3518 Fremont Pl N

you cant miss this place - right on the main drag in Fremont, Seattle -

the large sign in the front is iconic on it own merit!

from classic "English Country" chair $150

"old Paris" lamps $100

to a "DiYers Dream" old photographs, wallpaper, buttons,
chinese paper lanterns, stencils

the owners

This place sells items that are far from junk! Deluxe Junk has something to offer everyone at a very affordable prices. Into 1950's and earlier clothing? They've got it! Into Chinoiserie? Americana? Hollywood glam? French country? Kitsch? There is something for everyone here. 

PACIFIC ANTIQUE GALLERIES - SEATTLE

241 S. Lander St. 

a bit more upscale than Deluxe Junk, but you can sure wheel and deal with the 100's of vendors displaying their collections - from Old World European, Mid-century, to French Country and Glam. 

 affordable & adorable french country outdoor furniture 

$250 for the set!

underwater creature collectables from $10-$100

French Limoge Fish-12 piece set for only $250!

(Ive seen this on Ebay for $3.5k!)

odds and ends silver - $10 or less each 

(great for dinner parties)

Foo Dogs - $300

Chanel signs, mirrored bar for your boudoir..oolala!

(price upon request)

English Gentleman Wingback, vintage model boats, and trophy's

for the man..(price upon request)

Dorothy Draper-esque mid century 

buffet's, serving trays and tete' tete chairs


I have heart palpitations with every visit. I fallen completely in love with everything here and its energy. Whether looking to take a stroll through or needing design inspiration, this is a must stop if living or visting in Seattle. Dont forget if you see something you like, wheel and deal!


EARTHWISE - 
ARCHITECTUAL SALVAGE
3447 4th Ave South

As the name indicates - this architectural salvage yard is a graveyard for window panes, doors, tubs, toilets, old street signs, lumber, granite counter tops, outdoor garden, old street lights
...list goes on and on and on.

old street signs, topiary's, garden goods

I wanted to take this home, and rewire it! only $300.

old windows=amazing DiY art

old fencing=bed frame?

signs and arches

tubs are great ice buckets for parties! (at least in my wildest dreams)


Earthwise's mission is to take salvage that would otherwise fill up our landfills. 
They buy, sell, trade, and rent items from the 1950's or earlier. (for all you home owners rehabbing!)
If I owned a house, I would be going here for crystal door knobs, light fixtures, mirrors, and of course a clawfoot tub. 

Hope you enjoyed a tour of some of my favorite flea markets and thrift stores in the Seattle area. PLEASE fill me in on others I should visit and document - especially in other major cities. 

Maison: Dog gone crazy

 Everyone has little shrines to their canines - 

but mine might be a little extreme with the latest edition to my kitchen. 

French artist Nathalie Lete created this and other unique stonewear, bedding, home accessories - exclusively for our favorite chain retailer - Anthropology. Mine is the "Shih Tzu" design. I swept every last one of them up. Now company eating at my home can have the pleasure of looking at a whimsical depiction of my sweet pup, Jackie O.

You can get this or other Francophile dinner plates with a langosteen, minet, comme de garcon, champignons, and the beloved Tour d'Eifle!!

Maison: Tickle Me Pink

Pink is no longer a color used just for powder or little girls rooms! The color,  in soft and saturated hues, is making a serious and sophisticated comeback and I cant help but be thrilled. 

you can go overboard with pink...

courtesy of Annechovie

or add touches with accessories...

photo courtesy of the stylefiles

courtesy of Sanity Fair

Im so inspired that Im looking for pink accents for my predominantly black, white, & gold home this weekend. Im thinking the best place for me to get away with using pink for color is in the bedroom. I just LOVE the photo below: mirrored bed, pink & white bedding, touches of black and gold. Magnifique! 

courtesy of Chinoiserie Chic

Designers Guild wall paper - simple classy raspberry rose w/ grey foliage. very frenchy. 

courtesy of Chinoiserie Chic

NOW YOU TELL MOI! 

What is your favorite accent or trend color that is of the times? 

Bon Weekend Les Amis!

DIY: Fortune Plants

I save everything. Well not everything, but most things that I think will come in handy at some later time for arts, crafts, and especially DIY projects. Just recently I cleaned out my wallet to find a handful of fortunes from fortune cookies (NOTE! Eating a lot of Chinese food is likely not good on the waistline)....my creative juices start flowing......and a light bulb goes off:

DIY FORTUNE PLANTS!

What does this even mean you ask? Well this was my brilliant plan. 

• Bury the fortunes in plant dirt, about 1/4 inch deep.
• At time of watering, fortune will reappear!
• A buddha-like fortune 3-7 days a week without the calories! 

As you can see I also add collected shells and coral, and a few coffee stirrers from a cafe in Paris. House plants are so passe' otherwise!

If you dont have any fortunes lying around, you can always order a pound for only $5.

Fortune plants make excellent house warming, birthday and wedding gifts! 

DIY - Suitcase Pet Bed

My dog, Jackie O, does not like it when I leave her to travel. The moment she sees a suitcase, she plants herself in it, on it, or has actually gone to the lengths of pottying on it. Either she wants to come or does not want me to go....regardless of story - a brilliant idea popped into my head - Suitcase Pet Bed!!!!

What you will need:

1. a dog - or cat - smaller than the suitcase.
2. a suitcase. I prefer vintage, and naturally, so does my dog, Jackie O. (mine was only $10!)
3. a pillow - or something cushy underneath
4. a blanket - any ol' will do

Jackie O and Squirrel 

Voila! And she loves it. She actually prefers it to sleeping with us. 

And of course. As soon as I have a brilliant idea, someone else has thought of it too. Check out some other pet bed possibilities on Apartment Therapy, and Design Sponge.

Maison: Swedish Country Living

When I hear Sweden and design in the same sentence - the first thing that comes to mind is IKEA. This Swedish country home in Malby Sateri, Sweden is ANYTHING but. 

Located 2.5 hours oustide of Stockholm is this traditional family country home complete with guest house, tennis courts, and 55 degree lake to swim in - I had the pleasure of an overnight stay in this gorgeous home. Completely stunning interiors, exteriors and property. 

Im in love with the charm and simple sophistication of the decor. From the sun-drenched yellow walls and red accents on the exterior and sitting room, to the baby blues and white of the cozy dining room.

After doing a little research Ive come to the conclusion that the design influence in this home is from the 18th century called "Gustavian Design" - King Gustav requesting that his living space reflect the look of France and Italian decor of the time. The colors reflect the sky and sun for the long dark nordic days of winter - keeping the rooms light, airy, and warm all at the same time.

For more information on Swedish Country Design and its many sub-types, you can purchase the book, Swedish Country Interiors by Rhonda Eleish. 

**all images taken by moi! and property of JeNeSeQua**

Anthology Magazine Debut - Get a Sneak Peek!

Over the moon excited for the launch of Anthology print shelter magazine launch! Readers will swoon over the pages containing home decor, design, entertaining and travel tips. 

Each issue is themed - Issue #1 Focuses on the Simple things in Life - the "Slow Life" as the founders of Anthology call it. 

Check out the sneak peak - with the full launch early October. 

They are pulling out all the stops here too! 

Check out Anthology's cute trailer titled "Print is Not Dead".

The song "2 Weeks Notice" was composed by Susie Ghahremani of boygirlparty.com- who I have worked with in the past on her illustration work (remember her cute owl illustrations?)...small world! Her lyrics capture my EXACT sentiment at the moment! 

Maison: Driftwood Design

A month ago my sweetie and I took a sea plane to San Juan Island to spend the weekend in Friday Harbor. We found ourselves on many of the islands beaches that were covered in driftwood. I wanted to bring every piece home with me. (trust me if I had a car, I would have!) 

photo by moi.
South Beach, San Juan Island

Im in awe by the way nature creates this natural and sun bleached beauty. It doesnt have to look beachy or cheesy and can add undone elegance and Je ne sais quai to your home  - inside and out.

photo by moi - driftwood bench- Friday Harbor 

My imagination took over on all of the ways I could use the wood in my home decor. As soon as I could get to my laptop I did some research and found that some of my favorite blogs are already on top of the trend! 

Apartment Therapy wrote a post on  a couple from California who used driftwood for a head board inspired by the bay they lived near. Driftwood+linen bedding=simple luxury at its finest! 

Here are some ways to inspire you to use driftwood as an earthy element into your home:

1. Fashion a flat piece of driftwood for wall decor and paint inspirational words to live by - photo of my very own living space :) (see above bookshelf..I also want to make a ladder for said bookshelf out of driftwood!)
*also shamelessly tagging this very soon entered into the Selby+CB2 contest. 

2. Gather smaller pieces of driftwood twigs and fashion around a lamp base and tie off with a string like blogger Tim Neve of 'Go Behind the Scenes'

3. Find a decent sized piece of driftwood, make sure the back is flat (if not sand down) get a few screws and hooks, and you have yourself a DIY driftwood coat rack. 

And so much more! Actually too many uses for driftwood to list that this blog post would turn into a book (hmm brilliant idea!) 

 Please post photos or share the way you would use this natural beauty in and around your home!