Assemblage of Curiosities

A Victorian cottage built in 1936 for a blacksmith tucked away near the seaside in Queenscliff, Victoria Australia sits a shabby, yet charming collected home of second-hand dealer, Deb Kavaliunas.  Deb’s passion for collecting obviously has made her house feel somewhat like a museum.  Her vintage assemblages and vignettes of bird nests, pottery, books, bottles, cages, toys and marine treasures have created this fantastical whimsy of a home.  Deb says “You learn to trust yourself.  Not long ago this way of living and collecting was kind of frowned on – nobody wanted this stuff.  But I persisted because it felt right, and now it all naturally connects as if it was collected in one go.  

Your own way of seeing the world will always work best.”

Read more about Deb's home in Home Life.  The amazing photography is by Sharyn Cairns

Trio of Vases

Set of three vases with hand carved texture I just finished!

My Pottery Shop

Patrik Lonn

Interior designer Patrik Lonn creates clean sophisticated interiors.  Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic visited the Hamptons Show House where Patrik designed the room below (first photo) which was inspired by the recent move of his horse to Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut and even included his own Hermes saddle.  The other images are spaces that he has created throughout the East Coast area.  

I love his use of the neutral palette with lots of different textures!

Photo by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Simple + Honest - Crangi + Selby

One of my favorite photographers and one of my favorite jewelry designers get together for a day of fun!  Photographer Todd Selby visited designer Philip Crangi at his NYC apartment and work room last month.  I don't know how didn't catch these images sooner.  Anyhow, you all know how I love a good collection of stuff and really enjoy seeing how people display them.  Well, Crangi has got a rather nifty assemblage going on himself from his vintage pocket squares to his vintage pottery and vintage art work.  It’s such a treat for me to see how creative people have nested, both in their living space and work space.  Here, Todd has captured Philip in such an honest way, as always with no Photo shopped images, no special lighting and no styling.  In this case, both the capturer and captured have so much in common – both have a straight forward design process I believe, no fuss and no frills.  What you see is what you get!  Simple and honest… 

 

 

Sisters Agency

The amazing photography of the Sisters Agency!  

Truck! Vintage or New?

Truck!  A furniture line founded by Tokuhiko Kise + Hiromi Karatsu in 1997 in Osaka, Japan.  Using quality materials such as solid oak, maple, cedar woods, leather and steel, Truck develops furniture that looks vintage from the mid century with Scandinavian influences.  They say "We design the kind of furniture we want ourselves regardless of fashion and never pursue novelty for it's own sake"  

Unfortunately, the line can not be found in the U.S that I know of, but have a look at their showroom and furniture below.  It's so beautiful!  These pieces look like they are from the 1940's, 50's and 60's!  I think it's very important to gather inspiration from across the globe and see what other corners of the world are doing.  It's so helpful with expanding my own creativity.  I hope you agree as well!  Here is wishing you a day full of inspiration!  and truck yourself on over to Trucks website here.  I hope you enjoy!

Modern Day Downton Abbey

Set in 18 acres in the heart of Somerset, England a modern day Downton Abbey called Babington House is everything I need right now for a holiday.  This oasis of a hotel is a two and a half hour drive from London.  While retreating at Babington you can spoil yourself by relaxing in the spa, experience their Cinema, brush up on you tennis, or perhaps cricket pitch, croquet or a walk around the lake.  There is also a charming church which is shown in the second to last image.  Check it out here. Enjoy!