wowzers!

Sooooo cool! Check out this story on apartment therapy about this uber cool sculptural home in Arizona - made completely with found materials. The photos remind me of a similar home (although much smaller!) that some friends and I explored in Lithuania years ago. If my photos of it weren't on film in a box somewhere on the west coast, I'd post them as well :) Anyways, this is neat! neat! neat! Check out the full story and all images at the link above. You can also read more about it in The New York Times.

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Small with Style

Here are some small spaces that I thought were nice...

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Keeping it Together

I love when a space is not only organized but stylized too! It does not matter how good it looks if you still can't find the dog's leash! I first, figure out what I need and use and then try to make it look as good as possible. If a object is interesting (to me) then I try to leave it out. If its something I use on a daily basis, it probably sits out too. Its a highly personal thing but always remember the most important rule in small space living, less is more!

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ideal bite

Despite the fact that I supported calling decor mags 'home porn' in an earlier post, I still have a handful of said porn being delivered to my mailbox on a monthly basis (hey, at least I can admit it).

Arriving home last night after a 24 hour quick trip to Toronto for work (the kind of regular work trip that is making my eco footprint look like it belongs to a giant!), it was a nice surprise to find the latest domino waiting for me alongside my bills (ugh) and flyers (straight into the recycling box they go).

So after feeding my cats (they dig their new organic food) , cleaning out their litter box (eco-friendly litter which they and I love - I know you wanted to know that ;) and giving them a solid snuggle, I poured myself some wine, lit a scented soy candle, hopped in the bath (water resource intensive I know - but afterwards I used the bathwater to water my plants! I wonder if they'll start smelling like Body Shop vanilla shower gel?) and relaxed while flipping through my new mag.

It was full of lovely interiors and fun ideas of course, but the article that really got my attention was an interview with Jen Boulden (photo above from domino) about her sassy green website and blog, http://www.idealbite.com/.

The interview is fun, inspiring and realistic - clearly I'm already a convert - look! I've even added a link to her daily tips to my blog (see right column - hard to miss :). It's great to see women like Jen (intelligent, beautiful and convicted) living their life with such purpose (read her personal story of how she got to where she is now).

It seems like these kinds of stories have been waiting for me around every corner lately and they're piling up alongside my own personal convictions and have got me thinking about and planning for some major changes of my own. They're very exciting plans, but too early to be revealed! In the meantime, articles like the one I read last night help keep my inspire-fire burning.

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Entry

No matter how small or how narrow you can still have a entryway to your home. My front door spills right into my front room but I defined it with shelves and hooks for all those things you need on your way out. What do you do as you leave? That will help you decide how to plan it!

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Display

If you have a small space, don't think you can't have large displays. Large art work or groupings give great visual impact, and can make the space feel grander!

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eco prefab

An upcoming exhibit of prefab housing models at the MoMA emphasizes environmentally sustainable architecture and living. Read about it here.

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White Light

We all know it, nothing opens up a small space like tons of natural light and white paint. White mixed with just about anything is a good thing. I love color and I love white. What can I say? There is room for both in the small space!

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Happy New Year!

Happy 2008! When the holidays are over my mind goes straight to spring! I received the Pottery Barn catalog this week and the bright new colors they are using helped me to keep dreaming ! For all you color lovers, you won't be disappointed! I could totally redo my bedroom around that little blue alarm clock! Check them out at potterybarn.com!

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new year, new ideals

"You were made and set here to give voice to this, your own astonishment."

I love design. I love decorating. I love inspiring interiors. Yet, despite all this love, I've always felt pulled by some guilt. I hate poverty, I hate how mankind's thoughtless lifestyles are damaging the environment and I hate the overconsumption of materials things and all that that overconsumption reflects about our values - or lack thereof (not to mention how it negatively -most of the time- lends itself to global poverty, unhealthy lifestyles, pollution and decreasing resources). I'm putting it bluntly and oversimplifying it, but you get the point.

I've also always felt strongly about not having to feel guilty for taking pleasure in beautiful things and creativity. It's the way in which we pursue and accumulate beautiful interiors that needs to be checked - in my opinion.

Despite feeling this way, I've filled this blog with 'stuff' - beautiful, fun 'stuff', but 'stuff' nonetheless - without taking much account of what goes on behind the 'stuff'.

So, with this new year, I'm vowing to look more carefully at what I consume and what I promote - on this blog.

I'm reading a great book right now that has some interviewees refering to decorating magazines as 'house porn'. I kinda agree. My apartment is filled with glossies advertizing expensive, gorgeous stuff that tends to make me want more than I already have - as if it might make me happier. I'm a staunch believer that money doesn't make one happier. However, I am also a staunch believer that a home that reflects you and your ideals in a comfortable, thoughtful way is a beautiful and wonderful thing. The great thing is that you don't need a lot of money to get the kind of 'home' so many glossies try to project (because let's be honest - cool furniture does not a home make - a 'home' is so much more).

But before I really let this turn into a rant, let me leave you with a great little video that puts some of these concepts into perspective: The Story of Stuff.

And let me showcase my friend Tracey's before-and-after shots of her small, simple apartment that she recently decorated on a very tight budget with a large, creative imagination. Talk about Bang without the Bucks! She's amazing and always inspirational. Additional photos of her space can be seen here. (photo above is hers as well)

Happy New Year everyone! Blessings and contentment in 2008!

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