Happy Boo! To YOU!!

I really can't believe it's already October 30th - WHERE has this year gone??? Anyhoo....since the Brazilians don't celebrate Halloween per se, we'll be trick or treating this afternoon at the Embassy aaaannnndddd.... THE CHAIRS ARE READY! I trust you'll be here Monday for the reveal? ;)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!

P.S. - How cool is this Death Star jack 'o lantern? Skilz, I tell ya, someone's got skilz!

He Said, She Said: Orange!

Since we're celebrating the season of robust spice colors, I thought it might be fun to get my hubster's take on the use of orange in home design. Hope you're willing to sit through another dose of He Said, She Said...

Ben: Don't like it. Too many pointy things. Doesn't look comfortable.
Me: Why? There's lots of pillows.
Ben: Yeah, and even THOSE look pointy. There's nothing soft - the mirrors look like Tammy Faye Baker's eyes. I would definitely not feel like drinking a beer in that room.
Me: {Rolling Eyes} Good. I don't think I'd want you drinking a beer in my sleek room, but yes, it's a little too perfect, doesn't exactly look lived in. OK, moving on...

Me: Swinging Platform beds - how rockin' fun is that?
Ben: It's busy. I like the chest with the palm leaves.
Me: It's a beach house.
Ben: Only thing you can do in those beds is sleep.
Me: {sigh} Someone's trying to be quite the jokester...

Me: OK, what about a pumpkin-colored clawfoot?
Ben: I like it - looks cozy. I like the chair.
Me: Me too, I like the idea of having furniture in a bathroom. OK, so we agree. Simple, but nice.

Me: Let's go the other direction - all out, full-frontal floor-to-ceiling orange subways.
Ben: Reminds me of Sesame Street.
Me: Why?
Ben: Something about the orange "brick" reminds me of all the brownstones on Sesame Street.
Me: Got it.

Me: I love this bedroom. I love the how it is bold and tailored at the same time. Perfect amount of texture in the leopard-print footstool and bamboo shades, but think the crisp white bedding and flood of natural light makes this room doable. What say you?
Ben: Yeah, looks very comfortable. I think they need a painting or something above the bed.
Me: I think it's meant to look seamless.
Ben: But it's not - the headboard and paint don't match exactly. I also think the books look too staged.

Me: OK, another orange, but very different bedroom.
Ben: I LOVE this bedroom - it looks real, lived in. I like how they combined the stripes in the duvet with the floral pattern on the walls. Could that be a fireplace way, way to the left? If so, then this room is very, very cool.
Me: Agreed.

Me: This is a living room designed by Miles Redd - it is ALL OVER the design blogosphere because of the high-gloss peacock blue paint with the interesting mix of orange and patterns.
Ben: This is a man's room? I like the colors, not necessarily the blue walls. I wouldn't want this is my house, but for someone else, it's great.
Me: I'm with you. I like it, but 'tis not for me.

Me: Now THIS room could be for me!
Ben: You like this? That is NOT good.
Me: Well, I can't see living with children and having this room, but I could see ME in this room.
Ben: I don't think it's functional. I don't see people sitting on a bed in a living room.
Me: True. Good point.

Ben: N.O. I like a splash of orange here or there, but this is ridiculous.
Me: Yeah, bit much for me, too. It just strikes me as an expensive kitchen that will quickly be torn out by the next homeowner.
Ben: Yeah, definitely.

Me: Love this bedroom. Killer chinoiserie wallpaper.
Ben: Yes, I like the pattern, just don't know if I could relax in a bedroom this full of orange.

Me: How about more of a melon-y, peachy dining room. Traditional molding, and chairs mixed with modern table, light and art.
Ben: It's a good mix. Great place to drink your OJ in the morning - to feel awake.
Me: I like the fabric on the chairs a lot, too.

Me: This is one of my favorite "saved" bedrooms.
Ben: Perfect amount of orange.
Me: The combo with the barely-aqua walls does it for me.
Ben: Mmm-Hmm, conveys a tropical feel without being overly "beachy"

So, we agree a little orange can go a long way - and very soon, will do so at Casa Giese!!

Photo credits: unknown, coastal living, country living, interiorbit, jennifer flanders Design, spark!, HB, Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors, Flickr, Sara Story via StyleRedux, MaterialGirls, John Willey via HB

Why I'm addicted to Blogs

So, I'm trolling outside my usual blog roll this morning, and come across this:
Help Jules Find a Date for El Bulli
I was intrigued...

The Scoop:
This woman, Jules Clancy - Cookbook author, food blogger and self-professed "'girl who plans her holidays around restaurant reservations'" has recently split with her Irish BF. Thing is, she and ex-BF scored reservations over a year ago at El Bulli.

Menu sample from A Day at El Bulli

In case you don't run in three-star Michelin circles (I don't), El Bulli is widely known as The Best Restaurant in the World (holy Foodie, Batman!) - located on the Costa Bravia, in Catalonia, Spain (yeah, my pulse quickened, too)

Terrace at El Bulli, overlooking the Costa Brava

So, as many smart women do, Jules won custody of this fruit of the relationship, but now has no date for her December 15th reservation. Clever blogger that she is, she's hosting a contest to find a date! She doesn't specify whether the winner will be male or female, but I'm guessing since she had originally planned a male companion, she'd prefer to replace him with another (otherwise, I'd be entering - ha!)

The lovely Jules

Do you have one of those guy friends you know would be perfect for someone, or at least as a dinner date? Do they have the means to fly to Spain, eat at a fabulously famous (and expensive!) restaurant, and most importantly, an incredible personality? If so, send them an email with this link to Jules' post so they can enter:
[http://thestonesoup.com/blog/2009/10/help-jules-find-a-date-for-el-bulli/]
I already sent it to someone I have in mind... ;)

By the way, do you see a movie script in this scenario, or WHAT?!

Prettiest Kitchen

image via Antique Shops & Designers magazine

This kitchen, owned by Houstonite and Fabulous Flea designer, Mary Daly, is one of the prettiest I've seen in a long while. I love her casual, open shelving filled with the mix of high-end, silver pieces, and everyday (Target-available) elements like the glass cookie jars. I've got jars exactly like that, but I don't have one fab, vintage-looking juicer. Been eyeing them for years, and think it might have to be on my holiday wishlist. ;)
After seeing this pic, I tried to re-create her little coffee station. Doesn't it look so lovely? Needless to say, I think mine's missing that certain je ne sais quoi...

Maybe it's the ugly granite/dirt tile combo (hey, I didn't pick it out, it's part of the rent-free package). Mary's limestone subways and white woodwork lend themselves better to showcasing silver. So, I have something to aspire to!

Two Steps Forward...

We put in a lot of thought and effort into some finishing touches for Avery's room this weekend, but I can't say I have anything to show for it. What can I say? It just takes a long time to complete a project 'round Casa Giese. Thought you might like a sneak peak, though, of the ink-blue bed up next to her hot pink bedding. Despite the poor lighting in this pic, it's more wonderful than I imagined, and I wish you could feel that glossy, painted surface - 'tis smooth as glass!
(Back with a bigger reveal as soon as possible)

Sunday Dinner

For Starters: Arugula - fresh from the garden. Olive oil. Lemon Juice. Shaved Parmesan. Fresh-ground salt and pepper. Bon Appétit

Second Thoughts?

image via craftingbycandlelight

Seeing this almost makes me want to start over on Avery's room... Note to Self: Tuck away for nursery idea.

You can't always get what you want...

...But, sometimes, you get what you NEED! (one of my fave Stones' songs, by the way...)

I would argue that it is as much a need as a want to be with all my family this Thanksgiving - stuffing myself silly, seeing Avery giggle while grandparents, aunts and uncles tickle her, and of course, watch a ton of college football (Go Horns!), but I'm guessing my wish to be able to beam the three of us to Texas will go unfulfilled... {sniff, sniff}

So, we're opting for a little escape over the November holiday weekend - a bit of Bali...in Brazil

Pousada Taman Baru - wanna come with?

Aaaand they're OFF!

To the Upholsterer, that is! The Chippendale chairs were finally dry enough (did I mention I had to let that oil-based paint set for FIVE days?) Anyway....off to get their Imperial Trellis groove on!

Thank goodness I have a sweet, patient, and design-oriented husband who was willing to be my translator - Lord knows what I would have come back with if he hadn't been there to help me out - although I can hold my own in the pantomime and sketch departments, if need be!

I'm rather certain the upholsterer thought I was a tad Loco for taking pictures while he measured the fabric....Aaaah...the sacrifices of being a blogstress! ;) Stay tuned - chairs due back end of next week!!

Je t'aime: La chaise café français

A design element that for years has stopped me in my tracks is the classic, French cafe chair. I don't think I've ever met one that didn't win my heart. Perhaps it's the connotation of the chair's origin - Paris. Street side cafés drinking wonderful coffee or wine. People watching.

There's a lot to be said for bringing home an item that conveys such leisurely pursuits...

Which is why, I'm forever tearing-out, and digitally saving just about any picture of a kitchen who's owners obviously share my sense of romanticism.
This Victoria Hagan kitchen would do wonders for my soul each and every morning.

There's such an interesting mix in this London loft's kitchen (ahhh...that commercial cabinet!), you almost miss the chairs.

A beachy abode with a french twist - cafe chairs and cabana-striped rug - works for me!

This eat-in kitchen represents the best for me - casual dinners with family and friends, lingering over that long table.

Drew did it right, too - open shelves full of whiteware, retro fridge, and yes, the chairs. Can you believe this is her production company's kitchen?

Katie Lee Joel's tête à tête version. Oh, and the steel-frame windows don't hurt, either.

The chairs, in red - à la Provence.

If space is limited, there's always the bar stool version

Perhaps there's just some looks meant to produce daydreams...{le sigh}

Photo credits: AT, Things That Inspire, Telegraph-UK, Material Girls, HGTV, Domino, Domino, Visual Vamp, HB, HB

Little Happies: Good Smellin' Stuff

Remember when Williams Sonoma would release a new line of hand soaps and lotions with each season? I was so frustrated when they discontinued that tradition, instead opting for (in my opinion) less-yummy, and more "standard" scents to be carried year round. Way back when they were still doing the seasonal scents, they carried a Basil fragrance. It was crisp, clean - aromatherapy each time you washed your hands.
I've been on the lookout for something similar ever since, but haven't had much luck until recently... The last time I was Home, my mom and sister had snagged these goodies...

I'm sure you've all heard of Mrs. Meyer's, but did you know they have a really pleasant Basil scent? Between the hand soap, dish soap, and countertop spray - my kitchen maintains a wonderful, fresh aroma, and I've become a cleaning fool (that could be from the hormones, too, though!)
I bought mine via here, but I imagine you can find it anywhere Green cleaning supplies are sold.

**UPDATE - Just checked WS - and they DO have Basil again! Have any of you tried it? Wonder if it's the same formula?? FYI - Mrs. Meyer's price points are still friendlier!