Lunch on Madison Avenue...
musings of a crafty, urbanite...here I'll share my notions on Design, Decor, Eats, Style, Travel & the adventures of re-invention & starting a business. life is as crazy [good] as it looks...
11.10.2011
11.08.2011
Feelin' the Oats: PrarieOats Etsy Shop
I discovered the prairie oats shop on Etsy during one of my weekly "faux" shopping sprees. So you know, "Faux" shopping is what I do when I want to shop but lack the budgetary means to really get in there and go crazy. This is how it works. I visit my favorite online shops and load my shopping cart up with all the things I want and love and would by if money were no issue. Then...I slowly close my browser, and back away from the laptop. No names, no credit card numbers, and no one gets hurt, especially my often anorexic savings account. It really takes the edge off. I highly recommend it. Read on for more about the vintage-y, salvage-y, prairie oats jewelry line.
When I came across the prairie oats shop I was surprised to find that I had accumulated damn near the whole shop in my little cart! Her stuff is earthy, edgy, vintage, structural, sophisticated, whimsical and beautiful, all at once. Salvaged fabrics, metals, and other objects are choice mediums for this collection and each item is hand crafted and reclaimed but reflects the original essence of the artifact used. The shop includes earrings made from shell casings, a necklace with porcupine quills, and vintage necklace made from brass barrels. The designs possess an element that reminds me of Native American tools and symbols, a dash of culture is something I am drawn to in design. Take a look. Don't you want it all?!
Enjoy!
-Nik
Click to Prairieoats to Shop
1. Backbone Fishspine and Silver Spike Earrings - $28.00
2. Diamonds Are Earrings by Prairieoats - $22.00
3. Hoist - Industrial Glam Pulley Earrings by Prairieoats - $86.00
4. Shield Me-Geometric Brass Shield Earrings - $24.00
5. Cheyenne I - Porcupine Quill and Turquoise Rhinestone Pioneer Necklace by Prairieoats - $92.00
When I came across the prairie oats shop I was surprised to find that I had accumulated damn near the whole shop in my little cart! Her stuff is earthy, edgy, vintage, structural, sophisticated, whimsical and beautiful, all at once. Salvaged fabrics, metals, and other objects are choice mediums for this collection and each item is hand crafted and reclaimed but reflects the original essence of the artifact used. The shop includes earrings made from shell casings, a necklace with porcupine quills, and vintage necklace made from brass barrels. The designs possess an element that reminds me of Native American tools and symbols, a dash of culture is something I am drawn to in design. Take a look. Don't you want it all?!
Enjoy!
-Nik
Click to Prairieoats to Shop
1. Backbone Fishspine and Silver Spike Earrings - $28.00
2. Diamonds Are Earrings by Prairieoats - $22.00
3. Hoist - Industrial Glam Pulley Earrings by Prairieoats - $86.00
4. Shield Me-Geometric Brass Shield Earrings - $24.00
5. Cheyenne I - Porcupine Quill and Turquoise Rhinestone Pioneer Necklace by Prairieoats - $92.00
11.07.2011
My Eyes Beheld...
Inspiration is everywhere. Equipped with a camera and an open mind I'll capture what I see and share it with you.
The images below come from Bal Harbour magazine.
Enjoy! -Nik
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
The images below come from Bal Harbour magazine.
Enjoy! -Nik
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| via Bal Harbour magazine |
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
11.06.2011
A Look at Global Decor Inspired by "Frida Kahlo"
This weekend in between school projects, making adjustments to the blog (you like?), and other hundred things I save for my two days off (I can't even begin to tell you how much I need ALL weekends to be three days long), I was summoned to the world of renowned artist Frida Kahlo. I say summoned because it seems like lately the universe has just been guiding my steps in a path that is speaking to many of my current goal and most pressing issues.
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| via fridakahlo.com |
11.03.2011
Office Supplies as Decoration
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| Dress from tape and hanging piece is sticky notes on string to create the look of rain |
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| Rolls of tape used as seating cards for guest tables->Genius! |
I did a little digging to find other ways average office supplies can be come extra ordinary home decor. See what I found after the jump
10.30.2011
Get Free (or die trying)!
No, this is not a post about 50 Cent (As if!). Those words were inspired by freedom fighter Harriet Tubman, a warrior queen and an example to me of what it really means to follow your passion. I was reminded of her courage during a key not speech at a NAACP event recently. The speaker was talking about the work and change that is needed in the African American community, but when he spoke about Ms. Tubman I was reminded of her fighting spirit, her commitment to freedom and the passion and fervor with which she pursued it.
I believe that inspiration is everywhere. Hearing about Ms.Tubman reminded me of my own struggles trying to start a brand and find work in creative design fields that are highly competitive, and while my struggles pale in comparison to the hurdles she surmounted, I was inspired and encouraged to stay committed to my desire to start my own interior design company. I was energized by the words "Get free or die trying," because for me they spoke to my desire to be free in my work, and in my life. I think that the truest self is honored and displayed when we are free to be who we really are and do the things that we love and feel passionate about.
Quiet as kept, I'm about to Get Free or spend the rest of my life trying to get there. Either way, there's no turning back! In celebration of this "inner revolution" here are some photos I took last week that offered me some inspiration for projects I'm currently working on. Enjoy!
I believe that inspiration is everywhere. Hearing about Ms.Tubman reminded me of my own struggles trying to start a brand and find work in creative design fields that are highly competitive, and while my struggles pale in comparison to the hurdles she surmounted, I was inspired and encouraged to stay committed to my desire to start my own interior design company. I was energized by the words "Get free or die trying," because for me they spoke to my desire to be free in my work, and in my life. I think that the truest self is honored and displayed when we are free to be who we really are and do the things that we love and feel passionate about.
Quiet as kept, I'm about to Get Free or spend the rest of my life trying to get there. Either way, there's no turning back! In celebration of this "inner revolution" here are some photos I took last week that offered me some inspiration for projects I'm currently working on. Enjoy!
Fabric and Beading from the Masai People of Kenya and Tanzania
Store Windows of Anthropologie near Rockafeller Plaza in NYC
10.27.2011
inspire, Inspire, INSPIRE! 6 Design Blogs I Love
While doing my regular check-in to my favorite design blogs I thought about the many blogs that I check into on an almost daily basis. I like to read about projects, and see different interpretations of design as well as what others find inspiring. I'd thought I'd share a few of my favorites today. After reading my list I invite you to post a comment tell me about your favorite sites. Enjoy!
Design Blogs To Inspire:
10.25.2011
5 Life Lessons From Famed Interior Designer Muriel Brandolini
If you follow me on Twitter you know that most recently I've been researching the life and work of Muriel Brandolini. I am inspired by her worth ethic, design philosophy, or lack there of, and bold perspective in regards to design and life in general.
Muriel Brandolini, is a New York based designer of Vietnamese and French/Venezuelan decent. Born in Vietnam during the war she spent the early part of her life between Vietnam and France. She has many titles in the design word: "Queen of Color," and "The Alexander McQueen of Interiors" to name a few. Her work is brilliant. Brandolini uses color and texture in ways that I have not seen in other designers. Her work is a reflection of her love of travel and diverse background, and even more inspiring and astounding, her career has spanned 17 years, and she has never had any formal training in Architecture or Interior Design! I'm telling you this woman is brilliant!
What I've learned about Muriel's style and experience as a designer transcends the world of interior design. She has a unique perspective. She get's it. She has remained true to who she is and that is one of the biggest reasons for her success: Lesson #1.
After the jump a few more sage tidbits that can be applied to design and decor, but also to life in general because let's face it, life can often to be way more confusing than the color choice for your walls!
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| via whatlookslikecrazy.com |
Muriel Brandolini, is a New York based designer of Vietnamese and French/Venezuelan decent. Born in Vietnam during the war she spent the early part of her life between Vietnam and France. She has many titles in the design word: "Queen of Color," and "The Alexander McQueen of Interiors" to name a few. Her work is brilliant. Brandolini uses color and texture in ways that I have not seen in other designers. Her work is a reflection of her love of travel and diverse background, and even more inspiring and astounding, her career has spanned 17 years, and she has never had any formal training in Architecture or Interior Design! I'm telling you this woman is brilliant!
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| via Vanityfair.com |
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| via Vanityfair.com |
What I've learned about Muriel's style and experience as a designer transcends the world of interior design. She has a unique perspective. She get's it. She has remained true to who she is and that is one of the biggest reasons for her success: Lesson #1.
After the jump a few more sage tidbits that can be applied to design and decor, but also to life in general because let's face it, life can often to be way more confusing than the color choice for your walls!
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