pia jane bijkerk via anthology magazine

I’m in the mood for all things Spring, are you?

Bring on the white linens, the smell of freshly mowed grass, wet soil, and pine mulch, and little fingers purple from backyard blackberry picking.

While I was writing an entirely different post, I discovered Pia Jane Bijkerk, whose work is pictured above as seen in Anthology magazine a couple of years ago.  Bijerk’s site is beautiful, and now I’m itching to get my hands on her books, which are filled with fresh, handmade, nature-inspired decor.

When I was younger, I would dry and press flowers, and tape them to manila construction paper pages.  I would even tear the edges to make them look old, punch a couple of holes, and use ribbon to tie the pages together to create little books.  At the time, I was imagining that was something Victorian women would do, or a character from a storybook like one of the March sisters.  I attempted to label my dry dainties, writing neatly in black ink – I so wish I still had one of these collections!  It’s interesting now to look back on these little memories and see how I connect still with my young mind.  The simple beauty of nature, I am so drawn to it.

Pia Jane Bijkerk

It’s amazing how a collection of dried botanicals taped on a wall with masking tape can be so interesting.  These photos are from Pia Jane Bijkerk’s houseboat (I know, instacool), and I love how she describes her thought process behind these little vignettes,

“I just loved the pose these flowers struck in their deceased state, and I so wanted to display them.  I found them each so inspiring.”

Indeed.

Pia Jane Bijkerk

I realize this may not strike everyone’s fancy, but its simplicity strikes me.

After being inspired by Bijerk’s flower wall designs, Rubi, a hairstylist in Paris, and the author of the blog, She Lets Her Hair Down, created her own in her salon.  The pale pink tape she used adds an element of pure loveliness.  I love how she explained her reasoning behind her creation:

“You know how when you get your hair cut, your hair is wet and you’re wearing a cape? So you’re basically a wet floating head? Nobody really likes to stare at themselves as a wet floating head for a whole haircut appointment, so now my clients can stare at these flowers instead.”

she lets her hair down

For something a little more bold, check out this Elsie May design featured in Apartment Therapy.

elsie may via apartment therapy

elsie may via apartment therapy

Or for even more color, feast your eyes on Tensta Konsthall Art Hall in Stockhold Sweden, designed by Front Design.

tensta konsthall art hall – stockholm sweden – front design

tensta konsthall art hall – stockholm sweden – front design

I think this idea may be perfect for your favorite roll of washi tape, a blank nook, and that stack of special flowers you’ve been hoarding.  Or for a pretty outdoor party?

Yes?

subtle revelry

You may also like:

kelly wearstler

I have had a major crush on Kelly Wearstler’s Gordian Weave fabric for awhile now.  It is such a classic look, and in real life, the fabric is incredible.  It is weighty, luxurious, and the embroidery is beautifully done.

Of course, that is probably why it is $400 a yard.  (Update:  I did find it here for $326.40 a yard from this Etsy seller.)  It comes in three colorways, but the Ivory on Walnut is my fave.

I search Ebay every once in awhile for a remnant, and Shannon had it on her site this past summer.  (no, I didn’t get it, boo)   But on a quick little stop at Childress Fabrics in Dallas (for DFW folks, I went to the Midway Road one) last week, I spotted this beauty.

$21.95 a yard in all of its navy glory!  They had it in tangerine orange, too.

The fabric was called “Looped”, I believe, and a little more searching through Childress’ giant warehouse led me to the discovery of these more neutral colorways.

Can you believe it?!  The fabric is not as luxurious as the Kelly Wearstler, but for the look and $300+ savings, you can look past that, right?

Have you made any awesome “Look for Less” discoveries lately?

You may also like:

If you are a Downton Abbey fan like me (see this post), and are dying to get into another season, I have hope for you.  I have a way to curb the eagerness, to make the wait until NEXT YEAR (argh!!) a little easier.

BBC has created something beautiful, yet again, with their series, “Call The Midwife”.  The stories are taken from Jennifer Worth’s memoirs about her time as a midwife in the poverty-stricken East end of London in the late 1950′s.  Her tales touch deeply; at times, funny, and at times, gut wrenching.

It has been my new laundry folding and bathtub watching series, and I made it through the first season fast!  But hey, the laundry was done, too.

Of course, you don’t come here for my reviews of television series so let’s get to the point.  Take a look at this screenshot from the second episode of season 2, where I stopped in my tracks at this graphic feather wallpaper on the walls.

It’s delightfully bold and large in scale.

You can see in this shot that the colors vary and are layered, but I like the thought of the large feather on a solid background best.

Unlike Downton Abbey, I don’t have to tell myself to pay attention to the storyline due to distraction by beautiful gardens and interiors.  This series is more about the facets of love and the stories of the people, and less pomp and circumstance.  Nevertheless, I set out in search of a wallpaper that could catch my attention like the pattern in “Call the Midwife.”

A few years ago, Ferm Living’s Feather Wallpaper, had its fifteen minutes in the blogosphere, and I still appreciate the richness of the blue in it.

ferm living, feather wallpaper

It looks a little darker here, almost black.  I could only find it in one colorway – it may just be the photo.

Perhaps this type of pattern is best left to an accent wall?

design sponge

Although these people went all out, and it is pretty fabulous.

apartment therapy

I didn’t recall this image from Domino, but it is so beautiful.  Quite the mysterious, exotic feel.

domino

This wallpaper pattern, featured in BHG, may just be my favorite.  I am a sucker for that shade of blue, and the gold, oversized feathers are whispy and romantic.  I totally love this.

better homes & gardens

This Venetian style wallpaper (reminds me of marbled paper, which I adore) is mesmerizing.  Gorgeous!

design your wall

This is quite the find – an Etsy seller who will handprint your wallpaper in any two or three colors you choose!  The possibilities!!!

etsy seller, elisabethkdesigns

Which is your favorite?

P.S.  I bought the entire first season on Amazon Videos of “Call the Midwife” for $6.99 (non HD). You can find the HD version here for $2.00 more. Of course, you can always buy the DVD.  The second season is online for free at the PBS website until June 18th.  Happy watching!

P.P.S.  Twenty dollars to any reader who can identify the wallpaper in the BHG photo and Domino photos.  Okay, maybe not.  But you will get major props.  MAJOR.

You may also like:

I was talking to a friend yesterday about her recent trip to Round Top and went back and looked at my photos from our trip last year.  (we didn’t make it this spring)  You can read all about it here:

Round Top Day 1 – Collections

Round Top Day 2 – Out With The Old

Round Top Day 3 – Simply Swedish

Round Top Day 4 – The If-Only’s

Round Top Day 5 – A Visit to Royers

P.S.  Round Top is like Brimfield for Southerners.

Then I saw this photo and remembered how neat this table was.  (And I also remembered how big I used to do my watermarks because I couldn’t figure out how to size them.  Blogging = GIANT learning curve for me when it comes to graphic design elements)

Isn’t it so neat?  Of course, I took to the World Wide Web to see if I could find any of these vintage factory/cafeteria tables for our addition.  You can see in the photo below where the dining area will be, and the table needs to be a bit narrow.  When I was measuring and mapping things out, I think I need something 30″ deep or less.

Immediately, I found this one on 1stDibs, but it was sold.  That green makes me very happy.

1st dibs

These old factory tables are all really narrow so that is good.   My research led me to the discovery of a company called Hudson Goods - they make reproduction versions of these tables in any size.  (and also have lots of really neat industrial items)

hudson goods

The table above is $4000, and this one is $3000.  They have a four seater for $2000, too.

hudson goods

The wood tops are reclaimed, and you can bolt them to the floor, or to boards they will send you.  You can see these seats swivel out, but there are other versions where the seats flip out and in.  Like this one from Urban Remains Chicago.  ($3200)

urban remains chicago

This is not a reproduction, but is the real-deal table from the 1930′s that they have refurbished.

urban remains chicago

Of course, these are beautiful and wonderful, and also way out of my price range.  Is it silly to hope I will be driving by and find an old, dilapidated table like this for me to revamp?

And then, there is practicality.  Is this practical?  Will kids fall off of the seats?  Will they kick each other when they are older since the table is narrow?  Will this look neat and different, or weird?  After way too long searching, the only thing I found with this type of table in an actual HOUSE was this vacation home in Georgia.  (which is beautiful by the way, you should check it out)  Has anyone ever heard of St. Simon’s?  It looks awesome!

source

I did find several photos of these types of tables in restaurants and pubs.

hudson goods blog

And just for fun, Restoration Hardware has a similar kids version.  I think it’s pretty neat.  Is anyone else slightly mesmerized by the big people furniture they morph into Lilliputian size?

restoration hardware baby & kids

So what do you think?  Would you have one of these in your home?  Or am I out of my mind, ha!

You may also like:

How was your weekend, everyone?  Mine was full of baseball games, home planning, baking cookies, and being with my favorite little people.

It was nice being celebrated yesterday – staying in bed a little longer, getting breakfast cooked for me (thanks hubs!), eating brunch (my favorite meal) at my favorite brunch spot, looking at sweet pictures my little ones drew for Mothers Day, imagining where I will put my new, too-pretty-to-be-in-a-cabinet watering can, and planning our garden for this year.  It may seem a little late to many of you to just now be planting, but we have had a bit of a strange Spring in Texas (we have had two freezes in the last month!).  I planted a few things, and the cold killed them, so I have been waiting to plant our big garden.

I am moving it this year to our little, forlorn side yard in hopes of making this space a little easier on the eyes.  Plus the new location will be closer to the house, and I think I will take better care of it.  When I was working on my Home Depot Style Challenge, I saw these raised garden bed kits in the store, and thought they could be so great for our garden!

home depot

They had good reviews online, and hey, they will look pretty!  So we purchased four of them, and I am going to get to work this week.

Since we’re talking about gardening, have you checked out William Sonoma’s Agrarian line?  I was mesmerized yesterday looking at all of the beautiful tools to garden, compost, raise chickens, make your own cheese, harvest honey, and more!  Something I LOVED on their site were these raised bed Plant-A-Grams.  They are set up for 4×4 raised garden beds (just like the ones I bought at Home Depot!), and they tell you the varieties to plant for a Salad Garden, a Canning Garden, a Vegetable Garden, etc.  GENIUS!  This is a terrific tool for beginners, or for people like me, who like concrete plans!

williams sonoma plant-a-gram

Williams Sonoma also has Plant-A-Grams for Vertical Gardens, too.  Of course, now I want to go back and get more raised garden beds so I can plant more garden types.  Ha!  Ah, the rabbit hole…how often I go sliding down…or want to.

We do a garden every year (the size has varied with how new our baby is, ha!), and the kids are super excited about planting the seeds they have chosen, especially my oldest.

Speaking of my oldest, I had a “motherhood moment” this week with him.  I was on my way to the doctor, and our sweet sitter, documented the situation for me.  You see, he is 5 now, and he discovered after biting into an apple, that he had a loose tooth.  I had never explained to him about losing teeth, and I guess he had never noticed older kids with missing teeth, so needless to say, he was upset imagining that all of his teeth were going to come out “so he wouldn’t be able to chew”.  Just consider this a PSA to talk to your kids about losing teeth before it happens.  Also, don’t google “kids with missing teeth” and show him pictures thinking this will make your child feel better.  Bad idea.  You can see in the last photo that we are sharing the news with Daddy.

Luckily, he eventually felt okay about it, especially after his little brother informed him that “when your Daddy teeth come in after your baby teeth fall out, they are going to be GOLD!”  (??!!)  The very next morning, the tooth came out.  All is well.

Oh the drama!  And joy.

You may also like:

Just a little housekeeping blurb today…

I’m working on a couple of new posts, and I need your help.

The first one is about questions.  The first time I went to a blogger’s conference, I noticed there were a few sessions on emails and how to keep up with them.  I thought it was a little silly and not near as stressful as it was being made to sound until recently.

image source

Here’s the thing, I LOVE reading your questions and answering them.  I read every one (eventually, ha), and I really enjoy the interaction with my readers.  I also really appreciate when people take the time to make comments on something I have written, and I try to answer every one.  But this takes so much time.  So. much. time.  I don’t want to stop answering emails  or questions or comments, but I’m wondering if a FAQ page on my site will cut down on some of this.  Therefore, I am constructing one, and was wondering if you had any thoughts or questions you had always wondered about, but never asked me.  I have a good list of FAQ’s going, but I thought it might be fun to send out a query for questions, silly or serious.  You can ask me anything!  Feel free to leave them in the comments or email them to submissions@astoriedstyle.com.

The second order of business is another post I’m writing on “elements your man wants in a room or for home decor and how to deal with it”.

Like this.

Look how happy these people are?!  This could be YOU!  Sipping your lemon water from the cupholder (who needs side tables anyway?!) of your overstuffed, bonded leather, double seater throne.  What better way to catch up on Elle Decor?

So…send me your questions and let me know what your man wants that you’re not sure how to deal with.  Again, you can leave this info in the comments or email it to me at submissions@astoriedstyle.com.

Have a great weekend!

You may also like:

Since I already shared the first eleven spaces from the Home Depot Style Challenge, I had to show you all the prettiness and ideas from the last seven participants!

12.  Alex of Things That Sparkle – see her Style Challenge post here – Why I love it:  Since Alex is a native Chicagoan, I’m sure she is used to it, but I immediately felt inward sympathy when I saw where she lived because I associate Chicago with the place I nearly froze to the death.  Although I also associate Chicago with the place I had the yummiest brunch (my favorite meal) of my life (at the Drake Hotel).  I digress…  She really had me at that awesome boheme-vibe pillow she placed on her set, along with the David Hicks fabric on her throw pillows.  The photos of her space at night show how that small space would be a great place to sit and chat with friends!

Alex – Things That Sparkle

13.  Grace of A Storied Style – see her my Style Challenge post here – Why I love it:  I just like staring at the hunk in the photos.

Related Posts:

DIY Acrylic Curtain Rods With Plumbing Hardware

DIY Pallet Planter Tutorial

DIY Hand Blocked Fabrics

Detail Photos From the Home Depot Shoot 

Grace – A Storied Style

14.  Tobe of Because It’s Awesome – see her Style Challenge post here – Why I love it: Pretty plants in a cluster of brightly colored pots paired with worn terra cotta containers accent this space so nicely!  Her pops of color through outdoor pillows are fun, plus her adirondack chair makeover turned out great!  Admittedly, in my mind, she has an instant “cool factor” because her name is Tobe.  Funny how that works, isn’t it?

Tobe – Because It’s Awesome

15.  Erin of House of Earnest – see her Style Challenge post here – Why I love it: Um, did you see her yard?  How beautiful is all of that wide, open space?!  I thought her striped rugs and striped coasters were so cute, plus those drinks look yummy!  And I always love flowers in mason jars!

Erin – House of Earnest

16.  Lauren of Pure Style Home – see her Style Challenge post here – Why I love it:  I adore Lauren’s work, and I have written about her before.  She designed one of my favorite rooms of all time, and I seriously love her fabrics.  You can see some of her textile designs on her sofa pillows in the HD post, and although the fabrics she pictured are not outdoor friendly, I hear her patterns will be available in outdoor fabrics soon!

Lauren – Pure Style Home

17.  Hannah of Maple + Shade – see her Style Challenge post here – Why I love it: Any girl, and dude, for that matter, that appreciates a good pair of rattan peacock chairs, are friends of mine.  Plus how adorable is the fence she striped?  I also really like how she used a bench on one end of her round table, and repurposed the fourth chair elsewhere.  A charming space indeed!

Hannah – Maple + Shade

18.  Dana of House Tweaking – see her Style Challenge post here – Why I love it:  I think a mix of chairs at table are really interesting – indoors or out!  Her style is very cool and contemporary, and really, my favorite parts of her post were the peeks into her house, which looks incredible!  The crisp white accents in Dana’s outdoor space really brighten it and make it happy.

Dana – House Tweaking

So there you have it, friends!  All 18 of the Style Challenge participants for Spring 2013!  I have really enjoyed doing these recap posts because it has given me a chance to read new blogs and explore the blogging world more in general.  I have a few blog favorites – some I have been reading for years and some I have been reading for the past year or so – and it has been nice to “get out a little”.  I am torn as a writer about reading too many blogs because I feel like it can skew your vision a bit as a blogger, which basically means I don’t want to have something in my head because I have seen it in the blogosphere, and then you are reading about the same thing over and over.  Although this happens purely by accident sometimes!  I try to keep things fresh here, and write about my original ideas and thoughts.  All that to say, because of The Style Challenge, I do have a few new reads!

What was your favorite blog to discover from the Style Challenge?  Do you have a favorite idea or set you want to infuse in your outdoor space?  (No, I’m not fishing here, ha!)

You may also like:

martha stewart

Another “Picture To Ponder” post from my “Home Ideas” file circa 2007/2008.  If there is a letter with special meaning to you or your family, and you still have the envelope, I think this is a precious way to display it.  You could have your envelope enlarged at a local print shop, or there are several online resources.

I originally saved this because my husband’s grandfather wrote a letter and asked his sweet wife, my husband’s grandmother, to marry him shortly after World War II.  Wouldn’t it be neat to frame that envelope?  When I slipped it in a conversation that I wanted to see the letter, I was sadly told the whereabouts were unknown.  I still have hope though!

This kind of artwork is right up my alley – special, sentimental, unique.  A great way to share a piece of your story in your home.

Do you have a special envelope you would frame?

You may also like:

source

With the release of The Great Gatsby coming this Friday, May 10th, I feel a trend coming, if it’s not already here.  A flurried rush and need for all things 1920′s.

When I opened my new Veranda yesterday, the inside cover shows this advertisement – Tiffany & Co.’s Great Gatsby Collection.

The beautiful Savoy headpiece, seen here, is the one worn in the movie and retails for a cool $200,000.

Gorgeous, yes?

source

I could definitely get into the headpieces.  Maybe I could wind up my long hair and pin it to really set them off.  A bob is not in the works for me or my face shape.

Want a touch of 20′s fashion in your life?  I have identified five easy ways to get into the look and still maintain your modern flair.  Here they are.

1.  T-strap shoes

There are millions of styles and colors out there right now of T-strap shoes.  I like them because they can look cute whether the heels are flat or tall.  (And being 5’10″ and chasing after kids, I mostly wear flats.)

I bought these last year from Anthro, and I LOVE them!  They are probably my favorite pair of shoes.

anthropologie

If you want something colorful for spring/summer, Anthropologie has these on sale.

Although my heart is secretly pining for these for fun date nights and special summer occasions…here’s to hoping they go on sale soon.

2.  Drop-Waist Dresses

source

The drop-waist flatters all types of body shapes, and this season, you can find them in varying lengths.

Piperlime has a few cute ones, like this little blue number.  You can see all of their drop waist selections by clicking here.

piperlime

3.  Art Deco Accessories

source

Art Deco influenced nearly every section of 1920′s culture from art to architecture to accessories.  What is art deco exactly, you ask?  Art deco is generally defined as anything denoting geometric shapes, lavish decoration (i.e. bling), and rich, deep colors (think ox blood).  To infuse a little art deco in your style,

think this

etsy

or this

etsy

vs this.

Urban Outfitters has some darling Art Deco-y crossbody handbag options.

Like this one.

urban outfitters

Or for something a little fancier, this clutch from Whiting & Davis, is really beautiful.

nordstrom

4.  Pattern, Pattern, Pattern

source

Women’s fashion got a little crazy in the 1920′s.  The more pattern, the better.  Women felt the need to express themselves, and their demureness was replaced with…well, a little loudness.

Get some pattern in your life by using a headscarf as seen here.

Nordstrom has a great collection, and they start at around $30.  Of course, Target and places like Forever21 are good places to find headscarves, too.

nordstrom

5.  Demure Collars

source

If you haven’t seen “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert (photo above), you should.  It is a prime example of classic American cinema and chock full of great 1920′s womens wear.

See her cute little Peter Pan collar?  This is an easy way to incorporate 1920′s Great Gatsby fashion into your wardrobe!

Anthropologie’s Novelty Collar Tee ($48) is super cute, and it comes in four different colors!  (great reviews, too!)  More collared Anthro clothing here.

I also love this top.

jcrew

Of course, you can add a collar necklace to anything, and you will be trendy and classic all at the same time!

Oh wait, hello little cute dress for $45!

modcloth

 What about you?  Are you a flapper at heart?  Are you excited about the movie?

source

P.S.  You do not even want to know how long it took me to write this post.  Do you like a fashion-y post every once in awhile?  Was this fun?  Or should I never do this again?  Please tell me, I’m all ears!  And please feel free to share your real opinion.  No hurt feelings, promise.

You may also like:

I have so many great photos from my porch makeover, thanks to the lovely Kat of TheGrayAttic.com.  Since I couldn’t put all of them in my article, I thought it would be fun to share them here.

We didn’t let the kids see our newly revamped porch until they ran out for these pictures.  They were so excited and kept talking about how beautiful it was.  It was very fun and exciting.

Seeing her in her sunshine yellow tulle skirt with her apron and pigtails completely melts my heart.  If you follow me on Twitter (please do!), you probably saw my tweet about me “watching a Lifetime movie and being reminded about how terrified I am sometimes to have teenage daughters”.  Eeks, wish she could stay two forever.  (Oh wait, she’s turning three today, sigh)

By the way, this is how she eats raspberries.  Always.  She thinks it is hilarious, of course.

And this was published in the original article, but how handsome are the men in my life?  Yup, I’m a lucky gal.

Let me tell you, these photos were taken nearly two months ago, and those quirky, beautiful billy balls are still on my table, and they look great!  Love them!

Isn’t that milk bottle adorable?  It looks vintage, but it is not!  I got it from World Market, and the kids think it is so fun to use it.  By the way, the wood charger is from World Market, too.

I will admit that we did “Pancakes on the Porch” for lunch the day we did this photo shoot.  The kids were soooo hungry as it was past lunchtime, and they gobbled their pancakes right up.

It took a great deal of work to get this makeover together, but I am so thankful for this space as a pretty, restful place to gather our family.  A few trips to the hospital the past couple of weeks with my oldest son have reminded me how precious these times and days are.  We always tell ourselves that, right?  These days are few, I need to treasure them, cherish these beautiful moments.  The truth is, yes, there are wonderful moments, but then there is laundry and bills and crying babies and laundry and bills and spills and taking your screaming child out of a restaurant and laundry and bills and trips to the ER and blowout diapers on the way to church and spit up in your hair.  This is Life, and it makes silly moments, happy moments, tender moments, teaching moments, all the sweeter.  I’ve been talking to my kids this week about something my Mom taught me – making memories.  Taking sensorial inventory of special moments you are in and cementing them in your brain, making snapshots you want to remember.  I hope these times on our porch are happy childhood memories for them.

Hope you make some memories this weekend!

You may also like: