Craving: Greenery

One of the things I'll never accustom to living with in South America is the reversed seasons. As everyone in The States is welcoming Indian Summer, here, we're winding up Winter, also known as the dry season. It hasn't rained since May, and everything from plant life to cars has taken on the distinctive hue of the red earth - desperately dry and parched.
Although Fall is certainly my favorite North American season, I'm so ready to see life in the form of greenery that will hopefully grace us soon, with the freshness of that first rain. Until then, I'm all about bringing green into the house - the bigger and more tropical, the better!

We recently purchased a tallish tropical - something between a bird of paradise and a banana tree - and it instantly elevated the room.

Despite being the design "It" plant, I still love and certainly crave a fiddle leaf ficus - they just have such presence!

mfamb

Not that a smaller plant can't have the same effect - so long as there's proper placement. Note the table serving as plant stand in Ellen Pompeo's casa.

cocozy

Even a large sprig can work wonders to bring a natural freshness indoors. If you have good light in your banheiro, try using a tropical - typically, the humidity will serve it very well.

jessica helgerson

Aaaah....already breathing a little better!

As Indiana would say...

Why'd it have to be snakes?

We've seen 'em a lot lately...these large, color-saturated, and well....slithery works of still-life photography by artist Guido Mocafico. His Serpens series seems to be a hit with some in the designerly set. (little alliteration for ya!)

Most recently, the image with the green pythons commanded your attention in the ED spread featuring a glass house in Connecticut designed by Jesse Carrier.
Funny thing is, for magazine styling purposes, the snake portrait was placed in front of bookshelves in an office/library, but, on the designer's site, it resides in the breakfast area. (see smallish image on right)

How's THAT for appetite suppressant?

B&A Ecstacy!

A little over a year ago, my good friend Carrie said they were ready to take on the redo of their master bath. A pic I'd seen in Coastal Living struck me as something they might like, and sure enough, it served as a stepping off point for the bath remodel.

Over the course of the year, Carrie and her hubster, Scott, added a third son to their family, studied for work promotions, and nursed another kiddo's broken leg ALL while Scott gutted the bathroom. As Carrie has proudly said, this project has taken Scott well-beyond simple "handyman" status as he did all the work himself.

I know you all like a good B&A, so here ya go - feast your eyes on this transformation!

Standard, 80's builder-grade vanity and garden tub

Replaced with a rustic Craigslist console-turned-vanity, vessel sinks, and modern cultured marble counter that does a stunning job of mimicking Carrara.

Oh, and gorgeous wall-mounted gooseneck faucets!

The most challenging aspect of the project was Scott's plan to reverse the shower stall and tub placement, to take advantage of unused space in the tub's window seat.

Where the old shower stood, there's now an inviting claw-foot tub.

Would you believe it's fiberglass?


Eye candy for a fixture junkie like me!

And, where the garden tub made inefficient use of space, there's now a multi-spray shower with plenty of room for a built-in seat. I can't say what I love more: the river stone floor, or the showerhead combo!

Crazy gorgeous, my friends! (Um, can I use your bath next time we visit? ;)

Craving: Brazilian Bling

I'm currently fascinated with the collaboration between Brazilian jeweler, H. Stern, and centenarian architect, Oscar Niemeyer. Niemeyer is famous for the modern style he designed for the Brazilian capital, where we live. His sketches of some of the now-iconic buildings inspired the fluid lines of the baubles.
These unique diamond earrings were translated from his design sketch for the Sao Francisco de Assis church.

Probably my favorites are the gold curve bracelets. Um, yes please.

Somehow, I think I'll see his buildings in a new light!

Whaa? It's Monday?!

It's kinda nuts around Casa Giese today. Kids both a bit under the weather, so our house is better known as Whiney World, and I'm working on another (non-design) related project. However, I finished the first coat of paint in Isla's room this weekend. The walls down here are not made of sheetrock, and it was like painting over chalk. Needless to say, it's taking a ridiculous amount of paint for this tiny room.
Sneak Peek:

Anyway, my point is: Cravings for this week is postponed. Happy thoughts to all of you who sent your babies off to school for the first time today.

Why chose one?

Remember the other day I mentioned my latest obsessions with settees and non-matching chairs in a dining room setting?

Why should I have to chose one or the other?

Eat it Up!

Take sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, and sliced mozzarella - layer inside ciabatta.

Do a little this to it... (George Foreman's work well, too)

End up with this.

You gluten and dairy-free-ers - NO HATIN', please! ;)
Happy Lunchtime!

Brazil: Mix Masters

Over the last two years, I've tried to become a student of Brazilian design. Well, if not a student, then at least a keen observer. What I've taken away is that the Brazilians command the skill of mixing traditional and modern styles, and they do it with effortless panache! It has made me rethink my aesthetic, and crave a touch of modern in my own home.

Look closely, and you'll see recurring themes: a love of all things Eames, posh-Euro-traditional lines, GORGEOUS wood floors, and a large dose of irreverence.

Mix 'n Match chairs 'round a table are one of my newest obsessions - second only to the settee and chairs combo.

In fact, I think dining rooms (aka sala de jantar) offer a prime opportunity for mixing styles.

Did you notice, too, that natural light is a key styling ingredient? Yes, the sun shines brighter down here. Noted: Bare brick and tulip table. Yum.

Two years ago, I would've passed over this golden damask-futon-room with a brisk "Ugh." Now, I've studied it and love it! I keep thinking how beautiful everyone's complexion must be, softened by all that warm, gold light.

Ethereal, no?

Are you a rather traditional person who is opening up to a touch of modern, too? I say roll with it!
*images via here

Guest Posting at La Dolce Vita

I'm guest posting today over at La Dolce Vita - Please hop over to see my picks for "10 Things I Can't Live Without."

Craving: Italy

I'm about half-way through the "Italy" portion of Eat, Pray, Love. No, I'm not such a bandwagon-er as to be reading the book simply because the new Julia Roberts flick based on the story is now in theaters. The film release merely reminded me the tome was on my reading list.
Anywaaaaay.....All this reading of life in Rome, as well as the beautiful stills shot on location for the film having me praying craving some Italy myself. I've always wanted to go back for the grape harvest in October. Wouldn't it be de lovely?

We could eat piles of pasta

In rusto-sleek kitchens like this

apt therapy

Or, stare at sun-drenched vineyards. That would be OK, too.

Grapes makes me think of purple, which leads to lavender, and visions of rooms like this begin to dance 'round my head.

hb via sarah gilbane

More velvet love, left over from last week

four walls and a roof

I remember this issue. Gorgeous. Still have it. Somewhere.

Italy. Yes.