Sporty Style

- large mid-century brass football - 

With Superbowl Sunday only days away (Go Pats!), let's take a look at one way to infuse a little all-star style into any interior. These images from Elle Decor show how a memorable football, basketball, 

baseball, or soccer ball can be transformed into sculpture via a simple display case.

While you could have a piece custom made, the Container Store offers several 

affordable acrylic display cubes perfect for showcasing sports memorabilia.

Pretty cool, right? I think I'll bookmark this idea for future use in my son's room...

--Images: Elle Decor, design by Ann Coyle and Nate Berkus (1-2), Container Store (3), Estate Eclectic (4)

Paperwhite Perfection

We potted some paperwhites at the start of the year and I used a few to showcase this tall vintage white ceramic vase. Long lasting and easy to maintain, paperwhites work in a variety of containers and are
oh-so-fragrant. Do you look forward to paperwhites every winter too?

--Images: Estate Eclectic (1), Country Living (2), Pinterest (3), Veranda (4-5), Little White Book (5), Traditional Home (6), Connecticut Cottages & Gardens via Habitually Chic (7-8)

Rainbow Bright

My daughter turned two over the weekend and I decided to attempt a rainbow birthday cake. It took a while to make as only two layers could bake at a time, but it was actually pretty easy.

Anyway, the birthday girl loved her cake and the rainbow colors got me thinking about color coded bookshelves. Perhaps it's not the most practical method of organization, but the look is pure eye candy.

--Images: Estate Eclectic (1-2), Elle Decor (3, 8, 15), via The Modern Home (4, 7), Pinterest (5, 9, 11, 14), Hus and Hem (6), Vogue (9), Lonny (12), via I Like I Wish I Heart (12).

Admiring Antelope

Inspired by our new pair of vintage brass antelope, let's have a look at the exotic animal print. Its organic stripe looks amazing on the floor as a carpet or rug, and Stark and Karastan are two vendors offering antelope designs. A warm mix of neutral colors, the antelope pattern works in a variety of interiors and is quite forgiving.

--Images: Elle Decor (1), Jan Showers (2), via Cote de Texas (3), Amanda Nisbet (4),  Ruthie Sommers (5)

Sailor Style

Hello, sailor! New in the shop, this large vintage framed needlepoint has a wonderful nautical vibe. The terrific mix of subdued colors is a great contrast with the exquisite gold wooden frame. The May 2011 issue of Elle Decor included a room featuring some VERY similar pieces of nautical artwork. Don't they look great hung en masse on the white plank wall?

The image was part of an article on the renovated California home of designer Patrick Printy and his partner Dan Holland. It has a sophisticated yet relaxed look that blends old world elements with a touch of nautical style.

--Images: Estate Eclectic, Elle Decor

Crackle Glaze + Ann Sacks

Crackle glaze is a beautiful thing. It's such a unique look on ceramic dinnerware,vases,
decorative accessories, and lighting--such as our new vintage ivory table lamp:

Of course crackle glaze works wonders on tile too. Ann Sacks offers 

a rainbow of options for large surface areas in kitchens and baths:

--Images: Estate Eclectic (1), Ann Sacks (2, 4, 6, 8), Pinterest (3,5,7)