Crafty-Girl . . . Spotlight Erica Domesek . . .

Hey there . . .

There's nothing better than an unplanned day. . . a day without commitments . . . a day to goof off.  I decided to do that yesterday.  I have been working so much lately on new projects and new clients that I needed a day to clear my head so I can be creative again come Monday . . . (I hope anyway).  But true to self, I pulled out my lap top and just starting playing around while watching the Olympics and re-organizing my home office (multi-tasker much).

I came across a site call "P.S. I Made This . . " (www.psimadethis.com).  When I was a kid I was always making something - have two girls now that aren't much different.  We are constantly looking for little (simple) things we can do for fun.  If you have a daughter involved in  "Indian Princess" are you not always looking for a good, easy craft idea, a little more exciting than sticking stickers on things ? !  Now while a lot of these craft projects are more suited for us grown ups, you can take a lot of these ideas and cater them towards those daughters of yours.

So meet Erica Domesek.

Founder, creator and author of P.S. I Made This, distinguished DIY design and style expert living and creating in New York City.

She has been seen crafting on Martha Stewart, Nate Berkus, Rachael Ray, Fox, NBC and E!.  She has been featured in publications such as Glamour, Lucky, InStyle, and Self.

She has a book out . . . a must have for those crafty at heart.

Casasugar did a great post and special interview with Erika.  I loved taking a peek at her home and take a look at the ultimate craft closet . . .

photo by Michael Fine

The collage boards on Erica's site were what caught my eye first.  If you saw the wall in my home office you would understand why . . .  She's the best at those boards !

So spent some time checking our her archives for great ideas and clever things to do. . . I was
totally inspired !

Happy Monday . . .

Nature's Perfection . . .

Spotlight:  Christopher Marley

Hey there . . . 

Another favorite moment of mine in Atlanta was seeing Christopher Marley.  I love his work and have see it in past shows in New York.  This time I took my time and really looked and talked to Christopher.  His work is amazing.  I love that his signature line is only available for a limited time, in limited numbers with a few being one timers.

For collectors . . . insects in particular . . . a must have.  For the rest of us,  I loved the color and pattern.  The uniqueness of his work is what I really appreciated.  I found his art amazing - after reading a bit more about Christopher, I have a new appreciation . . .

An avid naturalist, he admits when he was young he was not a fan of bugs - he could not find the beauty in them . . .  But with age come wisdom and it's this quote, from Christopher himself,  that caused me to pause and take a closer look at his work and find total agreement and appreciation . .  ( to read more from Christopher visit here)

“Once I looked at them from the perspective of a designer, I was immediately affected by how clearly and precisely they fit my own artistic standards of purpose and sleek utilization. . . their latent elegance and lustrous beauty . . . ”

With the exception of this picture I took of Nature's Perfection, oops, I mean Christopher himself -  I went to his site to capture some of the images of what I saw in Atlanta, as my pictures didn't come close to doing his work of art justice . . . take a look. 

I find the patterns beautiful and the colors amazing.  Group together or standing alone - calling attention, any of these pieces would be amazing to have.

I took these two shot below . . . These were two of my favorites . . .

He  is working on his second book, but this one is available now (available here) and a great addition to the coffee table line up.  I can't wait to get one for myself . .  I must get it autographed at the next show!

"Each specimen has a story behind it.

I travel the world in search of natural artifacts that meet certain criteria.

The element must be harvested, collected, bred, mined, grown or otherwise acquired in a responsible, ethical and sustainable manner."

On your next trip to Oregon . . 

visit Christopher at

The Pheromone Gallery

255 Liberty Street NE

Salem, OR  97301

or contact us at www.lucyandcompany.com

Thanks for the time Christopher, enjoyed it - and you have an amazing photographer !

Dunes and Duchess Meet New England . . .

Hi . . .

Meet photographer Michael Parterio and stylist/editor Stacy Kunstel of Dunes and Duchess.  I met the pair in Atlanta as well.  I was immediately drawn to the unique shapes and colors of the pieces they were showing at market, and somehow, something looked familiar.  

Familiar . . . yep, I recalled seeing their red hot candelabra in the May issue of Traditional Home . . 

I loved this vendor for a few reasons . . . the colors first off, then after speaking with them for a bit, I was briefly brought back to a summer I had in Martha's Vineyard and Block Island . . .  I was about 18.  Now these beautiful pieces fit in perfectly with the look in my mind when it comes to New England style design.  I grew up in Connecticut, and while we weren't this hip and cool back then, if I were to design the ideal look now, I would absolutely filter in a piece of two by Dunes and Duchess !  But do keep in mind, with the abundance of color (and custom colors available) they offer, these modern shapes are just limited to "New England Chic."

Take a look at a few images from their site . . .

This chair is great . . . love the shade and can be used in numerous applications, painted or

natural.

Now that I am going over all my pictures from Atlanta (which I will share soon)  I like to take the time to think about all the different ways I can use what I am finding at market. 

Today, I'm in the "New England Summer" frame of mind . . .

Rustic clapboard houses, a lot of white, a lot of pine beams, Hudson Bay point blankets, lobster rolls, Newport Jazz Festival, plaid jackets and seersucker, Sperry Topsiders, worn leather, a lot more white !

Started playing around with an ideal bedroom in my ideal cottage . . .

. . . love anything? . . . be glad to source for you.
Take a closer look at the gorgeous sea fans and shells

 . . .  and Studio Bon fabric

. . . just a few more images from my files to get you in the mood . . .

photo by Mark Gaulke

Above images via (clockwise) 1. ElleDecor, 2. Malabar fabric (available at www.lucyandcompany.com), 3. Preppy, Cultivating Ivy Style 4.unknown 5. Airwalk plaid sneakers  6. www.jennabrooke.blogspot.com

Long Island retreat, designed by Calvert Wright and shop for Elle Decor

The Hudson Bay point blanket screams New England to me.  It's iconic stripes are classic and can be used in many an application.

available at www.woolrich.com

image via www.shinysquirrel.typepad.com

Here's the cottage I would live in -  in my mind, beach front of course . . .

Above images via 1. Photographer Peter Vanderwarker for Architectural Digest 2-5. Photographer Christopher Baker for House Beautiful,

Fabric and bag by Ralph Lauren.

The rope beds are what make this room . . . we do have a vendor for those as well !

But my favorite part of the "walk down the north-east memory lane" . . . 

the beach side crab boils.

Happy Monday !

Spotlight: Ashley Childers

Hey There . . .

I am in Atlanta - at summer market.  Love to come down every summer and check out what's new..  So far I have come across two vendors I would like to show off.  

Ashley Childer's "Emporium Home" is committed to "unique and beautiful products that bring inspiration and edge to the environment in which they inhabit."  I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Ashley today and will agree, what she brings to the table is inspiring !  Take a look at a few images I took of the gorgeous pieces she brought with her !

Ashley, a native Arkansan, does a beautiful job of offering an artistic edge and eclectic design to not only her space, but her pieces.   So chic and timeless, modern with a traditional sense.  

I especially love this chandelier . . .

Natural agate slices and satin brass - a show stopper for sure ! (also available in a sconce)

This particular lamp has a beautiful shape, with a pop of Turquoise magnesite stones inlaid. 

I love that her product line includes not only jewels for your home, but jewels for your person!  Take a look at a few choice pieces . . .

The soft colors, and unique shapes would truly be those key pieces in the room. 

Thanks for your time Ashley . . . love the line!

We at Lucy and Company will be happy to source for you !!!

Give us a call or email!