Give me just one afternoon...

Awe-inspiring library loft from Fat Brides.

Hitchcockian Installation...

Geremia Design, in San Francisco, conceived this beguiling

ceiling at Bloodhound with a mural of scattered birds

and Roost's Halo Chandelier (yes, Finderskeepers sells it).

Bloodhound is a SOMA neighborhood bar located

at 1145 Folsom Street in San Francisco.

The Halo Chandelier is great alone, but boy

those birds sure do put a NVR spin on things.

Trying to keep my mansions green, after I've Grey Gardens seen...

Image via Light Locations

As many of you, I've been a fan for years of the Maysles'

70's documentary Grey Gardens. So now it makes me

so happy to see Ms. Drew Barrymore having such success

with her performance as Little Edie. Both her Golden Globe

and SAG acceptance speeches were so full of passion and

genuine gratitude that I nearly teared up a bit myself.

I love seeing passion like that and cannot fathom the thought

of not having my own passion. Interior design is my passion.

_______

Some have said that interior design

is materialistic and without meaning. I think it brings

dignity, functionality, and true quality to people's lives.

Besides, isn't it enough to genuinely love

what you do?

_______

Little Edie certainly lived a passionate life.

To some, her life might have looked sad

and full of desperation — but I saw a woman

hell-bent on sharing her creativity.

Sure, there was squalor and instability.

Even in those times Little Edie

held her own, pinned artwork to the walls,

danced her dance, and clothed herself

in the most revolutionary costumes of the day!

_______

The space shown above reminded me of Grey Gardens —

albeit a much cleaner and palatable version. Whenever

I think of the documentary, I also think of

Rufus Wainwright's beautiful song...

_______

But beware my heart can be a pin

A sharp silver dragonfly

Trying to keep my mansions green

After I've Grey Gardens seen

Ann Wood's Fantastical Creatures...

Chillingworth

I do not do cute often — but I found these

creations to be so expertly crafted and "thought out"

that I had to share them. Besides, there is something

a little New Victorian Ruralist about them. Don't

you think?

Eternally Curious Willet
Henchard
Mr. Guppy

Take a look at more of Ann's brilliant
creations at http://www.annwoodhandmade.com/

More from the candy pot that is Factory 20...

Vintage Industrial Steel Table
Victorian Toilette Vanity Mirror

Toledo Early Factory Stool

Old Wood and Metal Painter's Stool

Tall French Wire Mesh Basket

So much more to see at Factory 20:

http://www.factory20.com/

Words, words ...where are the words?

French Atelier School Desk
Farm Step Ladder

Early Century Pendant Light

Amish Pine Carpenters Work Bench

1920's Steel Pharmacy Cabinet

19th Century Industrial Bar Table

Factory 20 (http://www.factory20.com/) is an

absolute candy pot for all the New Victorian Ruralists

out there!

Perfect gift for your New Victorian Ruralist Sweetheart...

Hidden pleasure inside a treasure.

This pocket watch case is a detailed replica of the

splendid Edwardian original, but conceals

a charming secret—it’s filled with solid fragrance.

Apply to wrists, neck, or a love letter.

Wear it alone or layer with the other scents

we offer to create your own signature fragrance.

Tied with an elegant black satin ribbon.

Fragrances include Yuzu Flower, Cassis,

and Lily of the Valley. $29.00

Big Window Challenge and Vintage Brass Flowers...

image via coco + kelley via Eddie Ross

If you are not familiar with Eddie Ross and his blog,
make sure you visit (http://www.eddieross.com/) and take
a look at his amazing window display for
Elle Decor's Big Window Challenge
(http://bigwindowchallenge.apartmenttherapy.com/).
Cassandra Lavalle from Coco + Kelley
(http://cocokelley.blogspot.com/) shares more
photos and information at the Coco + Kelly blog.
By the way Cassandra, if you read this please
get in touch with me. I have some of the vintage brass
flowers I'd love to send your way. I agree, Eddie's ice bucket
bouquet is just lovely!

Farmhouse Bathroom...

What a nice change from all of those lifeless

hotel bathroom imitations. I understand the

desire for the sleek, spa-like, sterileness of

all new appointments — but look just how inviting

this little bath is with its random furniture &

finishes and all that light. Unfortunately, the

toile is all that distracts me.

Source unknown.

Small, full of character, and loaded with interesting things...

Matt Albiani / Domino June 2008

People, I beg you — experiment with your rooms,

fill them with things you enjoy, don't play copycat,

show off your personality, and forget the rules.

You will be rewarded.

Your house shall not be an anchor, but a mast

— Kahlil Gibran