Preview: birds on a branch mobile

These unfortunately are terrible photos- but I recently finished a mobile for a dear friend who is having a little girl in a few weeks.

The mobile is made of tree branches with small delicate birds gathered on the boughs. Some are in flight, some are chattering together, and others are having a private moment. The mobile's branches turn independently and there is a hummingbird between two levels fluttering in the air.

Dichotomy Interiors will be selling the mobiles on our shop when we open, I will post an update when we are ready for business.

Terrarium Love

I have decided to begin a terrarium display and started my first one last week, which is doing very well. It truly is it's own little eco-system, and  appears as a tiny little rain forest. I planted african violet, ivy and some moss from my own yard along with a stone and bark "bridge". I can't wait to do a few more! It is quite modest, but since it is my first try I wanted to stay simple.

I posted some inspiring terrarium photos below as well!

Inspiring Terrariums

source http://artlobster.blogspot.com/2011/03/life-under-glass.html

Paula Hayes work above and below- who had an amazing MoMA show of her terrarium work






Non-Offensive Looking Recliners

I have a new bachelor client who (like most dudes) would like a recliner. Like most women, or designers- this is always a conundrum. I personally own an Eames Lounge chair which I feel takes the place of a recliner but for some who either can't afford an Eames or Eames replica- or simply want a true recliner- it can be a painful search. I have spent some time looking for a few passable chair recliners that would still work with mix of modern and vintage decor. The look I am going to try to achieve with the overall feel of the home will be a "professor's loft" look. Masculine, with clean lined classic pieces mixed with some funky modern and vintage to warm it up  and add some playfulness. There will some Asian elements in the accessories and some gadgetry to appease the techie in him.  SO...back to the chairs...

These are true recliners OR passable as recliners (to me)

Clearly the West Elm designers headed the call for a dude recliner chair but decided to leave the dude out of the design. When not reclined, it is completely passable as a classic arm chair. I like the contrasting stitching and the neutral color, but I am guessing would not pass the test for a "man chair"  West Elm Sedgwick Recliner- $699.00

The Pinto Recliner from Bo-Concept is not cheap- (not Eames Lounger expensive, but Eames Lounger replica expensive) The legs give it an industrial modern edge though that would contrast nicely with classic pieces and also blend with modern furniture. Starting at $1195.00 and up




At a more reasonable price point is the Hipster Recliner available in different colors at a variety of stores for around $660.00

This break the bank "true recliner" is sold at R&B, and will probably cost more than your sofa, but I guess it is all about priorities... Juno Recliner $2199.00


The Dalton Recliner also at R&B is a bit less than the Juno- and is also attractive. $1499.00

The following vintage or vintage inspired chairs are clearly not "recliners" but clearly do "recline" and have ottomans. They will take up more space though and so may not work in all living rooms.

womb chair

Eames Lounger

Egg Chair

Orange Slice Chair

Bertoia Bird Lounger

Arne Norell Lounge Chair

Overstock.com chaise

Ikea's Arvika chair

Decorating with Mushrooms!

One of my clients had a children's bedroom that was shared between her young son and daughter. While searching for some whimsical yet unisex elements, I found a few mushroom "toad" stools that I adored. It got me thinking of all the other cute mushroom inspired items I had seen. When I was a kid, I had a mushroom stool myself. I think I got it at a garage sale. I was into garage sales and retro stuff even in grade school! It was just like this blue one here, but it was a different color, I want to say it was orange? I should have kept it, because the one above is selling for $145.00 at Vintage Looks.

Here are some newer versions below with a smaller price tag, the first is very Willie Wonka!

Modcloth.com's Sweet Spot to Sit Stool- $44.99

Overstock.com's storage mushroom ottoman - $57.99 in a variety of colors. I like the storage aspect, you can never have too many places for kids to put their toys!

Here is a more adult version that swivels, similar to the retro one available at Sears.com for $57.50

It isn't just stools though, there are some funky lamps as well. Check out this LED nightlight for only $11.95 on amazon.com

 

On Etsy, I found a shop named stairlodgesupplies doing beautiful lamps similar to these but much more refined

Here is a sweet little lamp for a kids room similar to the wonka stool above on magiccabin.com for $19.99. Magiccabin has some really sweet and quirky kids decor and toys, check their site out!

Here are a few others that are fun for both kids rooms or your living room and bedrooms

available at land of nod and other stores

More mushroom related decor

Below are more cute fun things on Etsy I found from a variety of shops, click on the image to be directed to the item.