drum pendants.

I love pendant lighting! Talk about something that adds SO MUCH to a room. Not only does it play a part artistically, but this can affect the space dramatically through the ambiance created by the light itself. A lot of times if a space looks dingy, the best cure is through fixing the lighting. Most people do not realize that if they can't put their finger on WHY their space just doesn't look right, it's usually the lighting! So switch it out people, add more in, and jooshe it up while you're at it! And one thing to remember, large pendants are not JUST FOR DINING ROOMS. Use them over a master bed, over a bath, in a tall hallway, in an entryway... you name it. (:

A lot of my favorites are drum shaded, and so here is a little collection to tickle your fancy.

*all pendants found here.

Pillowies.

I've revamped (aka: recovered) most of my throw pillows in the family room, KELSIE YOU'RE AMAZING, thanks for being my seamstress! But I couldn't help myself and made an addition to the bunch along the way. Thanks, CSN!


I've got a Mexi-Nautical vibe going on with the whole bunch, and I'm digging it. The pillows are jiving together and the textures make me giddy. (:
Pretty obsessed to be honest.

PS. In case you couldn't tell, I'm definitely not a photographer, and wont pretend to be either. So you just have to trust me when I tell you that they all look like a million bucks in real life. Because it's true. Maybe someday I'll be awesome enough to have a photographer follow me around everywhere and take photos of my life whenever I want. Haha. YOU want that job. We'd have an awesome time.

..Think about it.

Stand Alone.

So I have very seriously been in search of a classy and 'fits my exact wants' leaning mirror. The debate? White vs. Reclaimed. And in the search I found a home that was featured on YoungHouseLove that made their own reclaimed mirrors, causing me to lean heavily toward the latter. I'm sure you'll agree after you see these...

Aren't they beautiful?! Also noteworthy is the reclaimed gorgeous homemade chandelier. This home belongs to Jordan and Landon of LandonJacob (a gorgeous photography business btw). A yummy home for sure.

Now I need to get a hold of some old mirrored closet doors and a sexy looking distressed pallet of wood! Then maybe my furniture-making landlord would like to build them for me. Or you can. Any takers? (:

What do you say, white or reclaimed?

Nailed it.

I got the gig I wanted. And it's going to rock my boat!

I'm interning at Walls, and I am SO EXCITED!

*Via Kara Shurtliff Photography

They specialize in unique designer wallpaper, textiles, and offer beautiful design service. Brittney Wallman is the sweetest thing and is going to be a dream to work with, while the other girls seem just as fun. Can't wait. I start tomorrow. (:

Pictures to come of the adventures ahead.

Rococo & Neo.

So for one of my final projects we had to create digital color boards (aka: a room presentation) for a historical inspired vacation home. We had to design by merging 2 styles and I chose French Rococo and English Neoclassical. This was a stretch for me since I'm not usually one to use any of these styles in my designs, however I think the combo turned out pretty nicely.. and I'm kind of a fan.

So, I decided to share my boards with you of the master suite. (:

Fah-lah! 4 more days!!

Insanity.

via EvaDesigns

If you wonder why I haven't blogged in a jillion years it's because I have ZERO spare minutes (that's a lie, I just found a few to do this one). But you get the idea. After a wonderful Thanksgiving break at home, a sinus infection, and a full load of final projects going on.. I usually need to use these minutes for a shower (those have been rare lately as well.. sorry friends who walk in my stench).

Anyway, all I've been able to think about is French Rococo design, fauteuils, the Henry's, ormolu, Robert Adam and so on (this list in my brain is about 100 items long, kill me now).. so after Christmas I'll have more time to talk about my silly nothings.

Oh yeah, we've been planning on adopting another four legged child. Originally for Christmas, but now he'll have to join the family after we both graduate in April. Can't wait. We love english bulldogs... more than you know.

via Corbis

Cheers for now.
-Air.

Perspective.

I've been meaning to share more of my drawings.. So here they are. (:

(click to enlarge, and enjoy in their full glory!)

Neptune Statue

Urban Courtyard

Alberto Sectional

And my favorite so far...
The Bedroom

I've made all of these up completely, and the process can be stressful at times, but when I get down to rendering them in the end, I always find myself enjoying what I'm doing. So I guess that means I like to draw. (:

Plates Galore.

Guys. I LOVE PLATE WALLS!! One of the seemingly silly little designs I'm excited about doing when owning my own home someday is simply to put a plate wall in my dining room, or even the kitchen. Heck, maybe over the fireplace. Basically we might end up eating from the dishes hanging on every wall in our house.

Oh man, here are some reasons why I love them so...

You can be colorful.

You can be refined yet dramatic.
You can use just a few.. or build gradually.

You can focus on pattern.

You can focus on shape & depth.

You can group them in tight corners.

You can hang them in whatever direction you choose.

You can use them to unite spaces.

You can mix old with new. You can be organic or use symmetry. You can spread them out or keep them close. You can be comical or timeless.

Basically.. there's no wrong way to arrange one, and the key is in the selection.

Advice: Make it YOU.

I can't wait to make one ME. (:

Cheers.

isometric drawings.

Since I'm getting really good at doing tons of homework and zero blogging.. why not combine the two again!? Here was my last big assignment (not HUGE, but big and fun enough to share).

I'm taking perspective drawing to learn how to convey ideas to clients. We started out drawing in isometric, or... drawings with 3-Dimensions. It's essentially the best way to show all 3 planes of an object. Don't worry, there's a butt load of math involved, which isn't my favorite, but wasn't tooo bad. Lots of scaling, angling, and whatnot.. but regardless, I actually really enjoyed it! Aside from the fact that my teacher is pretty intimidating, I've learned that so far I really love drawing! (:

So here they are, with the images that I used as reference..

Inspiration: via Southern Living..

Drawing: My iso rendered in pen..

Inspiration: via ArhZine..

Drawing: My iso rendered in pen..

Now.. to learn how to color render! I love coloring & I love markers, so this should be a killer good time.

Mom asked if Andrew helped me.. but I'm proud to say no he did not! Artist boyfriend let me go for it, and he's pretty proud of his wifey. We're merging worlds and it's fun to talk about the common ground. (: Granted, I can't paint a HUGE scene scape in photoshop, or build intense virtual models, and my artwork isn't in temple/church stained glass windows ((which reminds me, I need to take a picture of the Christ window that went up in American Fork at the Presbyterian church that Andrew designed.. it'll blow your mind)) ...but hey, at least we can talk about different ways to shade things. Haha.

Kitchen.

Remember that one time college consumed my every free moment not devoted to new fabulous seasons of television shows? Oh yeah.. that's my life right now. Speaking of which, I've been reading so much about Egypt, Greece, & Rome.. that I'm pretty sure I'm going to start regurgitating columns. Yes... the ones that hold up buildings. The thing that has been most fun so far this semester is gray scale rendering. I also want to thank Autodesk, the wonderful makers of AutoCAD, for saving my life from hand drafting floor plans/elevations/sections.. etc.

CAD, we're just getting to know each other, and I know you probably laugh at the things I sketch up on your xyz axis' (pitiful I know, compared to what some engineers do with you), but regardless, I'm excited to get to know you..

A sample of what's been going on so far.
This is the floor plan and the north elevation of a kitchen I'm working on, gray scaled. It's "Kylee's Cottage Kitchen." It's slightly boring to look at, but very tedious to actually create. I would tell you all about the finishes that would be in the space as well as show you the real color scheme.. but I'm too lazy.

PS. Don't laugh at me. I'm new.

Now pretend I didn't just show you those..
Bashfulness aside, I'm really enjoying this side of the design process! Selecting finishes is my favorite, but who doesn't love coloring & seeing what you imagine in your mind come to life? Dually noted is seeing that what comes out is NOT what you imagined or aspired for at all.. Haha. I love when that happens. Well either way, it's a fun time.. ...intense, but fun.

Alright, I'll get back to my 6 chapters of the Book of Mormon that I have to read now for institute (I totally think that's legal Sunday homework, if you don't you can fight me!).

Happy Sunday!
(Is it even really Sunday anymore at 11pm? Curious.)

..or rather, hope your Sunday was happy!

Round 2.

I love the color palette and playful shapes in this back splash.
I love back splashes and painted ceramic tiles. Big fan.


Clever shelving.


I love organized exposure, so long as your kitchenware is attractive!

School starts Monday.
Fabric swatches, mounting tape, drafting, perspective drawings.. you name it, I'm going to be ENGULFED again. And I'm excited! The design world is pretty addicting and so I can't wait to create again. I promise this time around I'm going to do better at sharing my projects and what not.

Woohoo!

{images via Decor8}

R Y & B

I don't usually enjoy the primary colors. At all. They scream juvenile (why are we exposed a ton to these as children?) and I don't know, the combination itself doesn't really mesh well in my brain. BUT.. this house did it right. I'm very impressed and I think it has something to do with the white base and the percentages of the colors. Whatever it is, it works. Madrid house, you did it, congratulations! It looks fabulous! (:

{via AT}

And someday I really want to own an Eames Rocker. REALLY DO. It's the yellow chair in first image. thank you Modern Furnishings class for this unhealthy chair obsession. No really, thank you! (:

Industrial.

{photo via Decor8}

I want to make one of these side tables. I'm so serious right now it's insane. What a perfect coffee table/work area/night stand.. yada yada you can move it wherever you want and thus it BECOMES whatever you want! And if I were in a place that was more permanent than our 3 month residence, I'd do it right now.

I mean honestly all you need:
- Wood pallet
- 4 industrial wheels
- 48"x40" sheet of glass (this is where it can get crafty. pick your poison!)
- Screws
- And maybe some lacquer if you want to pimp your wood (this can also be a craft-tastic moment to let your individuality shine.)

Guys when I get back to Provo, this is a done deal.
I'm not even kidding you. I'm excited.

D-I-Y. Who's with me?

School's Out

{via Decor8's flickr}

My first semester of design school is DONE. I can hardly believe how fast it went! It was crazy busy and so much fun! And I did some BOMB projects and learned SO MUCH! It's been so amazing to do something I feel so much passion for. (:

Now cheers to a much needed break full of naps, treats, and sunshine!

Happy EARLY weekend!

Design friends.. now you can breathe. (:

M.I.A.

Sorry friends.
The internet and I don't really hang out very much these days.
Instead I've been spending a lot of time with Powerpoint, canvas cord, t-squares and what not.

2 weeks till the semester is over, and then I'll be able to hang out.
Cheers.


PS. California was amazing.

{Photo via Flickr}

Fallingwater

So I've been having to pull up a TON of photos of architecture lately for a final project, and in so doing, who has better images than the notorious Frank Lloyd Wright. Who is this, you ask? None other than one of the most famous, phe-NOM-inal architects and designers of all time. A lot of people didn't like him, or didn't like working with him rather, because he was rumored to be a feisty one. But that's probably half the reason why I like him, the guy was a spitfire. I dig that. I also dig the fact that he made some CRAZY beautiful homes. He believed that no house should ever be 'on' a hill, they should be 'of' the hill. If you were to google his work, you would see that belief in a very literal sense. Do it, google Hollyhock House, Ennis Brown House, Robie House, Taliesin East, and just FLW in general. You'll probably be amazed.

Anyway, probably his most famous residential piece of all is nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and originally was built for the Kaufmann family. It is called Fallingwater, and you will see why. You might possibly have even seen a picture of this place and not even realized what it was, just simply admired its beauty and the fact that it appears to defy so many 'rules' when it comes to 'building'.
Check it for yourself. (:

Famous exterior angle shot.

Steps from living room directly to the river. Amazing.
{via Flickr}


Isn't she a beaut?
Oh, do you want to live in that house too? Move it to the beach you ask?
PERFECT.

Frank Lloyd Wright is the man.
Or was rather.

Happy weekend. (:

Architecture of Happiness

"...we seek two things of our buildings. We want them to shelter us. And we want them to speak to us - to speak to us of whatever we find important and need to be reminded of."
- Alain de Botton

What do you want your home to speak to you?
What is it you need reminding of?
This book has opened my eyes to the realization that architecture (aware or not) can really have an effect on us. Curious about this? Read it. It's very insightful.

Reflection - St Paul's Cathedral London
via Photo-Visable

For Scraps

So, I actually need a decent place to put my design scraps in. Images, fabric swatches, flooring samples, wallpapering clips.. you name it. And I'm thinking a good vintage sewing box might do the trick.. this one in particular..

We'll see how the hunt for one goes. (:
I love the excuses I have to shop in this major.
They say it's expensive, and this is why..
Oh you need me to subscribe to several design magazines? ...dang. (;