china shepherdess

Ikea Summer Sneak Peek

via www.ikea.com

I stumbled upon a new (at least to me) line from Ikea called HÖGSTEN. Their site says it will be released this month, but it doesn't look like they've added all of it to their main catalog quite yet.

The faux rattan screams 70s Stepford Wife garden party to me in the very best of ways. I am picturing it paired with a classic yellow patio umbrella.

The collection also includes an easy chair and foot stool. These would be perfect for lounging on my (only in my dreams at the moment) front patio.

Tickler File: My office and studio - I need a ginormous bulletin board!

via cartoonsnap.blogspot.com

One of my schemes for my office involves a large expanse of bulletin board. Of course I'll use the space to pin up images and other things that inspire me or just strike my fancy, but I also want to use it to organize my ideas.

The Walt Disney Studio is created with coming up with the idea of storyboards. They pinned up drawings, moved them around and discarded ones that weren't cutting it to help develop the storylines for their films.

I'm no Walt, but I have ideas and I'm finding that saving notes and clippings on my computer isn't the best way for me to refine them. So, when I get my office together I'm going to have a space to pin my ideas on the wall, sort them out and make them happen!

 

via homedesign.marthastewart.com

I love the wall of bulletin boards that lines Kevin Sharkey's office at Martha Stewart Living OMNIMEDIA. I plan to do something like this, but on a smaller scale for my smaller space. Homasote - here I come!

UPDATE:  Another fabric-covered homasote inspiration board by From the Right Bank

Wallpaper Whenever: Major Tom Wallpaper by Princes & Crows

via www.princesandcrows.com

This wallpaper pattern by Princes & Crows features astronauts, space shuttles and unicorns. It's designed for children, but I think it's actually meant for me (perhaps in entryway coat closet?). It's now on my wishlist thanks to discovering it via a post from Erin on Design Crisis.

I'm not the only one with wallpaper on the brain:

• The meet my ugly baby crew are preparing to rid themselves of some wallpaper they hate, but I kind of love (in someone else's home).
• According to Shelterpop, homeowners are going to ditch their timid accent walls and go all in on wallpaper in 2011.
• Curbed calls out wallpaper as part of 2011's granny-chic trend.
• I wouldn't want to have to dust it, but this scalloped wallpaper by Catherine Hammerton is dreamy. 
• Design*Sponge highlights some amazing geometric wallpaper by student designer Kirath Ghundoo. I probably should've made a separate post just to feature her beautiful wall coverings.

Super Hyper Micro Link: If The Lamp Shade Fits - West Elm spring collection sneak peek

via ifthelampshadefits.blogspot.com

If The Lamp Shade Fits got a sneak peek of West Elm's spring collection. With 2 feet of snow and a -25F windchill, spring seems oh so far away. That might be a good thing because I absolutely must find a way to save the cash and find a home in my home for this amazing chaise.

Super Hyper Micro Link: A long project, finished. « Kerf Design

via kerfdesign.com

When I'm living in my "forever" home I'm hoping that I can use Kerf Design to build my kitchen cabinets. Here's a lovely kitchen they did in a Seattle home that is now for sale.

 

via www.windermere.com

 

Photos like this make me long for a different climate and a big bank account.

Super Hyper Micro Link: Geodesic Home model

via www.wright20.com and Design for Mankind

As a kid, my family spent many an hour touring model geodesic and log homes. The geodesic dome homes were always my favorite.

If I can't have a real Buckminster Fuller geodesic home, then this would be the next best thing. This salesman's model just came up at auction and sold for $7500.

 

Super Hyper Micro Link: via Brilliant Asylum: Le Apartomatic

via brilliantasylum.blogspot.com

Am I the only person who not so secretly wishes for an automated home like this one?

Super Hyper Micro Link: Mid century modern lattice from Acurio Latticeworks — Retro Renovation

via retrorenovation.com

It's fall, but the warm weather we've had lately makes me think about how I'd like to finish off my yard next summer. A fence is definitely part of the plan. Retro Renovation has found a source for mid-century style outdoor decorative panels. I wouldn't use these for an entire fence, but I could see them making an interesting gate or privacy screen for the narrow area between my home and my neighbor's that seems to be a popular thoroughfare for kids heading to the convenience store.

Super Hyper Micro Link: My Minneapolis dream home | 1722oliver

via www.1722oliver.com

I have walked by this home and admired it more times than I can count. You could tell that it had owners who loved it and were restoring it to its original beauty. Now it's on the market. Can anyone spare $945K? [via Twin Cities Mid-Century Modern and a blog dedicated to the architect and written by the owners of my dream home.]

Wishlist Wednesday: Run away to Walt Disney World.

via blog.silive.com

A vacation isn't realistic right now for reasons too numerous to list, so I'll have to stick to wishing. There are a lot of places I'd like to see on this earth, but with all my cares right now, a trip back to Walt Disney World, would suit me fine. Bay Lake Tower at Walt Disney World (pictured above) features suites that are decorated in a rather over the top Mickey Does Vegas fashion, but oh, the views! Disney's not exactly a trendy destination for adults who don't have kids, but you'd be surprised how much fun it is. It's not all princesses and furry costumed college kids! Someday I'll have to plead my case for why Disney is worthy of interest, both as a vacation destination and a cultural phenomenon. But for today, I'll just dream of being there.