Rule: a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, furniture arrangement, my every thought, etc

I am at last willing to admit my love of rules. I always thought I disliked them but I'm learning that I love them. This is a positive and a negative thing. In the world of design and decor, guidelines are incredibly useful (I'll speak to the not so useful another time). I believe more than a few of you have heard me state the distance that should remain between your sofa and your coffee table, and I suspect that many of you have implemented it regardless of how crazy you think I or the rules I embrace are. A few examples:

• 'Twinkle lights' are for Christmas. They are not for weddings, to be wrapped in tulle, or strung along your living room ceiling.
• White grout is not for public restrooms.
• CFL bulbs (like florescents) are bad for you. Well, they're bad for ambiance, but I shall wield the general statement with all my might.
• Light fixtures hang 28 to 34 inches from the top of your table, are no wider than the diameter of the table less 6 to 8 inches, and so on...
• Proportion, scale and spacial layout are 75% of the feel of your space. No wall color will fix poor space planning. 
• Everything is not worthy of chalkboard paint, mostly because I'd like it's appeal to last more than 4 years.

They may seem like pet peeves, and I know they are kind of funny. It's a sample of the way my mind works minute by minute. The visual dsicrminations that allow me and many others to see things for what they could be. I'm open to new thoughts and a changing design landscape, but I think the little things go a long way in impacting our day. From the coffee shop, to the park, to the grocery store, we go in and out of well or poorly thought spaces. Take note, those of us who think this way hope you enjoy our work  ... without noticing the work.

Oh and the coffee table, approximately 18 inches.

"An apple a day ...

...keeps the doctor away." I actually once had a doctor tell me this was true. I did it, it became redundant, but I felt great.

"A vacuum a day... keeps you from having to change your rugs and carpets." It may be a stretch, but I thought of it while I was vacuuming this morning and it reminded me to eat an apple. It is more likely that you will be eating an apple and it will remind you to vacuum, unless you had a mother like mine or my good friend Taylor Stevens ... wait, Thornton! (gosh, I must mention that 2 of my dearest friends got married to eachother this weekend:)

So, both carpets and rugs can be very costly and difficult to replace. With a good and regular vacuuming, you can add years of life to your flooring. Really, years! And when kept in good shape, rugs can make great family heirlooms like this one from my great grandma.

There it is, a new pearl of wisdom. I didn't even talk about the fantastic life of cleanliness added by a vacuum. I'm only looking out for your decorative investments today.

Spectaclace: an optical instrument that is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen; an ornament worn around the neck; a gift from a couple of kind friends.

This little treat is my new spectaclace, as I like to call it. It's a pair of vintage specs that my very thoughtful friends turned into a necklace for me. It was the sweetest 'just because you love to help with Milano and we love you' gift. 

I don't need them to see, but they have become part of my everyday ensemble. They are a perfect replica of the specs in my soon to be logo and blog header, which is being created by another talented friend at homeseed.

Music, paper, writing, paintings and so much more to share. I'm surrounded by people who make pretty things.

Secret: kept from knowlege or view; marked by the habit of discretion; I love to plan parties!

Ooops. That title doesn't make much sense and I might be getting in too deep, but I just can't contain my excitement.

I really enjoy parties. I enjoy big parties, themed parties, birthday parties, music parties, no reason parties and most particularly wedding parties. There's nothing quite like having friends and family together to celebrate ...the splendor, the imagination, the chaos! Like my thoughts on facilitating life through the spaces around us, I do the same for said get-togethers. These are some shots of a one year old birthday party I prettied for a lovely friends daughter, followed by a wedding where I just made sure things were getting done. I fancy myself a seer and a doer, and on your wedding day, it's really helpful to have one of those :)

Hope you have some celebrations of your own planned. If you need a little help ... kellymarie@certainspectacle.com ;)

 

Find: to discover by the intellect or feeling; to meet with; a particular object of my affection.

Inspiration is quite tangible for me, meaning, I like to be able to touch it. I am in an industry (if it's not clear yet, this Certain Spectacle is my work) where what I produce is highly affected by the work of other dreamers and creators. If I could, I would build, stitch, paint and weld every last detail, but as it stands I rely heavily on talented furniture designers, artists, carpenters, lightologists, etc.

What I love about the way I do what I do, is that I get to see, touch, smell, and even hear the stories behind the goods that will be the basis for a new space. A space that will have it's own sights, smells, tastes and stories. These are a few new finds I am particularly fond of.

I brought the farm table, old red amunition box, and mirror home that day. The mantle from an old mansion on Logan Blvd would have come with me too if I could have carried it.

Granite: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture, formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for beauty induced moments of awe.

I've seen so many good things this week. A smattering of happy faces at the sight of new furniture, a new home, and new work space. I truly enjoy getting to share those moments with people. Spaces excite me, and I am even more pleased when they excite other people.

With all of that going on, as well as some fantastic finds, I had a moment. It happened at the end of a long shopping day with a client in Naperville. Hoping to find just the right bathroom counter, we wandered over to a granite warehouse. I thought I had my mind wrapped around granite, but no, I have never seen so much natural occurring beauty in my life. This stuff is just sitting under layers of dirt! It's incredible to think that there are things like this out there that have been created for the sheer goodness of beauty, to be seen, or maybe not.

My absolute favorite slab. After twenty two rows of piece after piece I turned the corner to find this one standing alone. I thought at first that it was a photograph of the surface of the earth. Friends, this is a solid, one of a kind, slab of honed and polished rock. Oh how he delights.

Caliper: any of various measuring instruments having two adjustable arms, legs, or jaws used especially to measure diameter; also for the purpose of wall art.

Sharing some of my latest finds. The Calipers are ... well, explained above. The metal objects that appear to be little shoes, are shoe molds. Otherwise known as $1 paper weights, rustic display decor, or my next and most outrageous undertaking of becoming a cobbler of children's shoes. (The latter is quite unlikely.)

 These fancy finds will be landing in a space that is in process, the studio space that I am currently writing from. Hope to share it with you soon!

Lounge: to pass time idly; an expensive bar; living room of a private home or city apartment in Chicago

Once again inspired, well often inspired, but more often hesitant.
Today, we are pushing through.

I would like to share with you a little project I completed a few months ago. I have a friend who commissioned me to update his apartment this past winter, and ever since, I have been working on spaces and weddings galore.

Here is one such example: The Lakeview Lounge. Two Florida natives trying to stay warm in one wretched Chicago winter, thus making the burnt orange ever so appropriate.

Before:


The pillows and metal frame chairs were my addition that day.
  I was confirming my vision.


Final staging and reveal:

Chalkboard hallway. For notes and quotes and friends.

Living space by day, bedroom by night.
This is also one of the tenants sleeping quarters.



Bar. Shovel. Boston fern.

Library corner.
Even if most of the books are about football.



 




Tufted leather chair was a thrifty find at $50.



Found these perfect visuals at Posh.



Yes, I do need an interior photographer.

Oh, and did I mention this was all done on $400 budget? Happy styling!

Covet: to wish for, especially eagerly; particularly when referring to one's bed

I have recently encountered a few people who covet my covers. Some of them online viewing pictures I have posted on facebook, others are friends visiting my apartment and room. Some have even attempted to try it out and are dismayed when I shoo them away.

You see, one of the things that makes this bed so delightful is the clean sheets rule. No clothes that may have ridden the 'L', sat in gum, or been worn when cooking onions are allowed. Pajamas Only. Preferably ironed ones (a little much, I know)

Whenever someone suggests they may covet my covers I think, "everyone deserves a bed so delightful, restful, and retreat worthy!" I would like to help. Listed are some of the things I have learned in my bed making days at Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn, as well as my own tested tips.



1. Make the bed everyday. I understand things come up, but make everyday the goal. The visual impact of walking in, after a long day, to a fluffed bed is the first step to certain comfort.

2. Go in clean. I aim to wash my sheets every week. Also, only allow pajamas or freshly cleaned loungewear.

3. Cotton is best. Thread count is deceptive. Cotton is the most breathable type of sheet you can use, making for a less sweaty sleep. Although we think bigger is better here in America, the highest number in your thread count doesn't always mean the best sheets. The best sheets are found in the types of cotton used...egyptian, and pima are best. Oh, and please read the fine print because some try to trick us by actually only including 5% of the good stuff.

4. Vacuum your mattress. Cleaning the bedding itself is easy, but the mattress is a different story. Grab the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and let it go to work on dustmites. Moisture is a mattress's worst enemy so don't ever use liquids here. Invest in a mattress protector that won't allow water or tea spills to leak through on those Saturday mornings spent reading in bed :)  Also, do rotate your mattress from head to foot every 3 months.

5. Add layers.This one began in highschool for me with another flurry of fabrics, my clothes. First of all, layers are how Pottery Barn and the like achieve that cloud like look. It adds depth and demension. Second, many of us layer our clothes. If it's a tried and true approach for what's on you during the day, why not follow suit at night?

...more to come on bed dressing, layering, and selecting bedding at a later date...for now, let's all get some shut eye.