housemartin

common names

Look at my new treasures from antiquing...these wonderful pages from someones old botanical journal -  with rounded corners and all. Here is the wake-robin birthroot trillium...

...as well as love-in-a-mist and common vetch.

for the love of ink

I have had a love affair with letterpress printing for some time now. The dimensionality that you get on paper from the indentations made by the press are exquisite. It has an old world feel and yet is so contemporary. Studio Olivine designs and prints gorgeous custom letterpress wedding invitations - and they are right here in Portland but work nationally. She has a wonderful eye for combining organic and modern. Makes you want to get hitched!

serenity

Somehow, I must have travel on the mind as I can't seem to resist these articles (from Living, etc. again).
This is Le Sereno in St. Barts, Caribbean. Look how wonderful the slatted walls are - can't you just feel the afternoon breeze?

There's always something so beautiful about the combination of clean white mixed with wood tones.
Go on, have a lie down - you must be tired...

misty green

Look at this listing by Living etc. magazine - the Fuchun Resort near Hangzhou, China. I could just sit at one of these tables and look out onto the lake all day...

...or float around in this pool...

Has anyone been? Would love to hear about it...

living room scaping

I love this photo done by Blueprint magazine last Fall - an article on making a little tabletop terrarium.

a study in contrasts

More fun from Living, etc. magazine - the ultimate vintage modern mix - this rustic table with hot pink Arne Jacobsen "ant" chairs - makes you want to have a party! (love the low-hung chandelier too). You can get the chairs right here in Portland at Hive Modern.

form + function

Lo and behold, from out of the clippings pile - I find this! What a lovely table and set of stools shown in Living, etc. magazine. They are designed by Russell Pinch (no surprise - a former designer at The Conran Group) and sold through Benchmark Furniture in England. That is the beauty and agony of reading and this lovely magazine from the U.K...I see so many things I want and yet I cannot buy them. Whew...safe!

in bloom

Here is one of our weekly orders - this is for our new client Bakery Bar. It is a lovely little spot in the central eastside industrial area of Portland with precious cakes and other goodies - like lemon rosemary shortbread - what's not to like?

Here is the sweet little arrangement - very fresh and springy - lotus pod, ranuncula, variegated tulips, roses, and wheat.

and here's a delight from Bakery Bar...

going in circles

I have been fond of San Francisco artist Rex Ray's work for several years. I love his use of color and pattern. These feel so modern and yet will stand the test of time. You can purchase his art here.

figs & pods

I did this arrangement last year..using on of my favorites - figs. They are so sculptural and of course - GREEN! There is also a mix of hydrangea, roses, smoke leaves, and castor bean pods (bright red).