Gift Guide - Home

My gift guides wouldn't be complete without a few selections for the home! (I mean this is a shelter blog isn't it?). Here are the home - gift picks!  I'll be sharing a couple more guides this week. Are there really only about two weeks left until Christmas?? Say Wha???

1/2/3/4/5 + 5/6/7/8/9

Bow - Wow!

A whippet! 

I was putting together a Mother's Day wish list this morning for my friend's blog, Lil hoot. She'll be sharing my pics this week! I've always wanted a porcelain whippet statue to place next to a fireplace in my (hopefully new) home.

I used this guy in a recent photo shoot of a project I designed! Though not a whippet, he's pretty cute!

Purchase these versions here!

Thoughts on home...

I adore this kitchen snapshot, it's the perfect blend of old and new.  I especially like the black glass cabinetry and the beautifully displayed silver collection on the fridge.

I think a home feels more complete when it's infused with a bit of history. Vintage finds are more easily found now with the growth of Etsy, and 1st dibs but I still love to scour flea markets when I have a free Sunday, especially during the warmer months. 

Sterling silver and silver plate serve and barware look beautiful layered with everyday collections.

I've decided when I move I'd like to invest in some new flatware. I want to ditch the set I had when I was married, it was one of the only items my ex contributed to our new home together and he had no interest in taking it when he split. I might buy an inexpensive bamboo inspired set but I also want to begin to collect monogrammed silver (+ silver plate) pieces.. I could go the formal route and collect only "R"'s for Richard (my last name) but I also think it could be fun to collect E's, (it seems to be a popular letter in vintage flatware, J's and C's). (our first initials)

This Etsy site has an evolving collection of flatware and vintage housewares.

image via Eddie Ross

White Juju

I adore the sculptural quality and texture of African Juju hats, especially in creamy white! How fun is this little boy's room? via Adore Magazine. Purchase Juju hats here.

Second row, left image via: Lonny Magazine

Gift Guide: For the Home

Here are my gift picks for the home! All of these finds would make a perfect present for someone else's abode or of course for your own! Cheers and Happy Shopping! xx

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12

* 8 would look cool in for a mixed photo wall. ( I also adore their stationery)

Shelter loves 9.28.12

pinning, loving, pinning this week! Have a fabulous weekend! xx

1. The Chinti and Parker heart sweater for Goop. Sadly I won't be owning this one, it's $515.00 and a bit out of my "snack bracket" for a sweater.
2. Soft cozy blankets exactly like this! similar blankets here
3. Love this brass bar cart and the price is right: Crate and Barrel
4. Adore these Sandy Hyun cuffs
5. The Chloe Erin riding boot. These would be perfection paired with jeans and a chunky knit sweater
6. Gwen poses perfectly on the cover of this month's Bazaar! She's 43 and still looks killer! Rock on Gwen!

turning inward

I've decided to embrace Fall, 'tis the season for nesting in my world. Cooking yummy comfort food, sipping warming cocktails, snuggling with a cozy blanket and a good book, and entertaining with great apps and music is on tap for me this Autumn. I love the idea of setting up a well stocked bar with vintage antique sterling accessories. Warm comforting hues and preppy "library" style are perfect right now....

1. The J.Crew cashmere collection is drool worthy
2. A little leopard goes a long way and would complete this look beautifully.
3. C. Wonder pillows
4. The velvet slipper is one of the "must" have comfies for this Fall. Tory Burch
5. My cocktail choice. (Maybe someday I'll warm up to a good scotch, a sip or two is about what I can drink now). El Tesoro with a splash of sour, lime and salted rim carries me through the summer and into the Fall. (along with red wine of course)
6. The XX - coexist, this is their new album. I love this band's cool sound.
7. I can't wait to overhaul my glass collection when I move. These gold spotted beauties would work!! via Bed, Bath and Beyond.
8. I have one more classic book to read before the year's end. (it was a part of my January resolution list).

Happy Fall to you!! xx

Counting down...

Good Morning! So if you live North of Manhattan you'll know exactly where I'm coming from when I say, by early March I am VERY over the cold weather! Bostonians can't help but repeat this phrase daily to one another right around NOW!  I went to college in Maryland, so I know the grass starts to turn green down there any day now. I miss having a southern spring!

The warm weather hasn't arrived quite yet in Boston, but I can dream and scheme about it. To brighten my day and yours I thought I'd ease into the week with a fashion post. I'm counting the days until I can wear open toes, carry a light bag and feel the warm sun on my face! It hasn't shined here in days!

The outfit pictured could take me from a design meeting to cocktails! It's a simple layered look and is really all about mixing the idiosyncrasies of texture and pattern! It's classic with an edge,  just the way I like things! Navy, emerald and aqua make a fabulous color combination!

on my radar this holiday season

1. My chunky pearls broke over Thanksgiving (at a bar, none the less, so the pearls scattered everywhere - garnered a bit of attention from the surrounding guys scrambling to help me pick them up, I actually thought that was very sweet. It's time for a new set. This particular one is from Lauren Elan

2. A bit predictable? Yes. but I've always wanted a white grey hound statue for my home! This cutie is available through Pieces!

- Bee from Atlantic-Pacific wears them well.
- I love boxwood - they don't fair so well in Boston during this time of year though!

Channeling Coco

 Images: Pinterest, Atlantic-Pacific

Lost

I ordered this wonderful, vintage zebra for a client a few weeks ago. He never showed up. He's out there somewhere but never arrived at my client's home. Has anyone seen something similar? It was a one of a kind find and about 15" long x 10" h. Thanks for any information! 

Ginger Jars

are an accessory I definitely haven't tired of. They are available in array of colors, sizes and styles. The ginger jar is a wonderful way to finish off or even begin a room. The array of designs available can be the inspiration for both a gorgeous color palette and genre. I just finished up an accessory inspiration board for a pair of shelves for a client and yes, we are using ginger jars!!
Here's a brief history on the Chinese Pottery.

Ginger Jar History
"Pottery developed in China 5,000 years ago, but porcelain didn't emerge in the region until the 10th century. The Chinese began creating the delicate ginger jars around that time. In the late 19th century the jars became a popular product for export.

More Than Ginger
The ginger jar appellation is a vestige of the wealthy Westerners who bought imported jars filled with ginger, largely for decorative purposes. In China the jars have a variety of cultural roles. Some were made as gifts to Chinese emperors. Others were traditional wedding gifts to grooms.

Characteristics
Ginger jars come in various styles and sizes and many different colors. Generally the jars have a wide mouth, usually covered with a domed lid. The bulbous body is usually hand-painted. The highest quality ginger jars---and the true antiques---are made of porcelain."



Information above via: www.ehow.com/about ginger jar.

 Ginger Jar Round-Up 

1. Ada and Darcy

2. Z Gallerie

3. Emilia Ceramics

4.

5. Williams-Sonoma Home

6. Kristy Lee Interiors

7. Wisteria

8. Horchow

Images: Ashley Whittaker, Pinterest 2 + 3, Anna Spiro, ?, Mary McDonald

Color your world

I can envision Sis Boom's selection of fabrics, pillows and rugs in a cottage or summer home. They sort of have a granny chic feeling about them!  In any case, if you're looking to introduce some color into your home, any of these items would do the trick. They also sell fabric by the yard!

thinking about..

I try not to make hasty decisions with purchases, even small purchases, because they tend to add up. My rule of thumb {unless I'm so smitten with something I can't leave the store} is that if I'm still thinking about the item days later, it's a sound purchase! I've grown to be pretty finicky, I'd rather not clutter up my home and closet with impulse buys. With that said, I keep checking the Nate Berkus HSN site for this bowl. I may have to snag it soon!