MLHP Best of 2010

This blog continues to amaze me in the ways it offers the chance to virtually "meet" all you wonderful people out there in bloggyland. I can't thank you enough for being such a sweet, eclectic and inspiring group of stalkers! ;)
For those of you who have recently jumped on this bandwagon, or for anyone who just likes a good re-read, I offer to you the Best of MLHP - 2010, and bid you a

Safe and Happy New Year!

A little B&A action: B&A Bathroom Ecstacy

The design talents of MLHP: Mary's Room Revealed

MLHP made it Famous: He Said, She Said design commentary

For those Lamp Tramps (like me!): The Lamps of Walmart

...and, if you're the DIY type: Sunburst Mirror DIY style

Design Resolutions

In keeping with the spirit of the upcoming New Year, Elle Decor went to some heavy hitters asking for their design resolutions. Several mentioned the use of new or "fresh" color combinations, while others felt the need to edit - paring down knick-knacks and unused items.

I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but the concept got me thinking, what do I resolve in terms of design for 2011 and beyond?

I have to say, my goal for all things home and decor is to move beyond the temptation for a quick fix. To hold out for higher quality, which most certainly means smaller quantity. To pursue interest rather than trend, as well as to learn the art of layering - art, table settings, bookshelves, etc.

Stuart-Creal

Oh, and to have bright, beautiful curtains - somewhere.
So, there's my design resolution(s). What's Yours?

Recent Retail Therapy

The days following Christmas turned out to have good shopping kismet for me. I found this pair of brass lamps at a goin'-outta-bizzness sale. Please tell me they aren't geriatric, because I like the silhouette, and they have substantial weight. I plan to use them on our desk/sofa table - replacing the buffet lamps I painted gold a few weeks back. These will be much, much better. Great shades needed, obvs.

Also, I found a pair of faux bamboo mirrors for my sister at Needless Markup Nieman Marcus Last Call. If you're unfamiliar, the home decor section features overstocks and "seconds" from the store, as well as the Horchow catalog.

We're still debating whether to use the pair (as planned), replacing the console with a larger buffet...

(Yes, the sponge-painted harlequin pattern will be remedied)

...or, to go singleton style

I'm usually a two-is-better-than-one kind of gal, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Buzzin'

I woke up the day after Christmas in serious need of a design or redo fix. Problem is, I'm at the mercy of someone else's home - namely, my sister and BIL's. Still, visions of fabric and furniture dance in my head.

As does a good banquet scene...

Note to self: Inexpensive lattice for interesting architectural detail.

We're also in a toss-up as to whether we'll go wallpaper or antique mirror panels.

These aren't antiqued, but I think the look could be easily achieved. So much to do...so LITTLE time *sigh*

From our house to yours

Whatcha think?

...about a gold-goblet chandy?

It works in this hotel lobby in Melbourne, but could it have equal application in a (granted, large) home?

I like what it implies: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Before I head North...

I should be packing. Instead I'm blogging. I hate to pack. Its all the more intolerable since I have to pack for myself and two kiddos whilst hubster only has to cover for himself Gasp! Did I really out him? ;)
So, for all the dreading of overcrowded airports, packed-to-the-gills aircraft, and a sleepless night - I'll instead take my thoughts on toward cheerier and calmer locales...

Season's Greetings from Brazil

It was just too hot for me to get into any kind of holiday spirit this weekend. The good news is, we leave for The States tomorrow night, and hopefully will be greeted with some season-appropriate temps when we arrive.
Also, I scored a sunburst mirror.

I know, everyone is so over them, but this one is Peruvian, so it's way cool, and I love it. Ben hates it. Not sure why, but since he's been traveling so much, and I've been single-parenting it, I deserved a little treat, right?

I'm trying it out here for now.

...but, might move it around to here...

In other Casa Giese news: We discovered evidence of a Black Magic ritual at the corner of our street. Nice. Hope it was meant to bring good things to our 'hood.

...and, MY newest ritual: Sleepytime Vanilla. It also has hints of mint and lemongrass - it's rather perfect, in my view.

...Especially when accompanied by this...

What were you lurchers up to?

Tweet

A clear case of...

The pot-stool calling the mantel black.

Tweet

Getting my holiday bake on

I'm generally a better cook than baker. I'm an equally-talented eater, though, and these "Neiman Marcus" cookies have been ruling my life for the last 24 hours. I whipped them up for a cookie swap that's happening tonight.

The recipe makes 112 cookies, and you know I had to "test" one from each batch, to make sure they passed muster. I'll actually be glad to have them out of the house, but it looks like someone else might veto that action.

Happy Spanx Holidays!

Art that got away

A few years back, I spotted a painting at the Paris Market in Savannah. It was a very large canvas - probably six feet tall - of the back of a woman dressed in a ballet costume. It sounds cheesy, but only because my description is beyond lame. It was gorgeous, ethereal, and I wanted it with my whole being. Despite being the work of a SCAD student, we couldn't swing the price tag, and it would have done it a huge disservice to strap it to the roof of our VW Corrado.
Still, it haunted me. Still does.
I searched the artist online, but never found anything. I've since forgotten his/her name, but never that painting. That's why you should hock things to buy art that speaks to you.

I've found similar attempts, but nothing that makes my heart skip the same way.

Then I saw this...

via

Yes, that's a real tutu on canvas. Clever I'd say. They could be on to something...

Would you ever...

Wallpaper your kitchen?

Why or why not?

MLHP Style Formula

I often find my own style formula hard to pinpoint. Some days I'm all about the neutral vibe, others, I can't fathom living without strong shots of color. I think many design enthusiasts struggle with this sort of aesthetic bipolarity, and with some vague desire to bottle what it is that turns our crank, style-wise.
The other day, Sketch 42 threw a little linky party that was all about personal style formula. I'm fulfilling my role as pseudo-Brazilian by coming to the party very casually late, but, showing up nonetheless...

Consider this my self-indulgent post of the week...If I had to formulate a recipe for my style it would be:

One part Tom Scheerer

One part Windsor Smith

A heaping cup of this.

A handful of Jenna Lyons

And a dash of Miles

Mix well, let simmer for 50+ years.