Mandatory Break Time & News

Whoa!  I can't believe it's almost August.  Forgive me for the sporadic posts this month?  I've been working on several design projects, including this portfolio website for a client, a complete re-design of my Rive Gauche Craft blog, massive tweaking of my  illustration & design studio website (design tweaks and making room for recent projects), and plenty more.

I've been pretty stressed lately (entrepreneurship is basically a massive can of worms), so today I took a much needed break from all work.  It was really hard to do, believe it or not.  But it was great to spend the whole day with  my man... embroidering. (!)  I taught him how to do a couple of basic stitches, and we each made a little something to frame for the walls- his is a favorite math equation (so nerdy!)  and mine reads "Go Away" in fancy curly pink lettering.  Photos?  Perhaps; I hate to make this story glum again, but its actually been raining for the past few weeks around here, and I haven't had enough light coming through the windows for photography.  Poo.  Yes, I said poo.  

On a much lighter note, I'm psyched to announce that StyleMachine was featured on the very fab Pugly Pixel's "Launched" Series this weekend!  Also, check out Rive Gauche Craft on the Pugly Pixel blog/web designer directory.  (Awesome!)

P.S.  If you're a blogger or web design lover and you haven't had the glorious aesthetic experience and wealth of resources that is the Pugly Pixel blog, let's change that.    

Photo by Yale Joel via Life Magazine Archives

Decor Guide | Eclectic Interiors

Is it just me, or do bohemian style interiors seem so much harder to replicate in your own space at home?

One of my personal on-going projects is the arrangement of my apartment.  While it's generally the sort of project I devour with gusto, I've often found it frustratingly tricky to create this kind of eclectic look and still maintain a sense of order.

Maybe it's just a personal peeve of mine (doubtful), but even though I crave a space filled with wonder and curiosity, I seriously need a space that's organized and free of clutter-y distractions.

That's what makes this whole bohemian-modern thing so perplexing (and alluring).  It offers a richly lived-in and well-loved vibe, and for the masterful few, a calming sense of unobtrusive order.

For the rest of us, I've pulled together a few common denominators, derived from careful observations of the best of the best (see sources below).  Look out Kelly Wearstler, I've made us mortals a cheat sheet!

Instead of talking specifics (i.e. "this lamp" or "that rug"), I've divided everything into key elements... color, texture, and pattern, and given quick explanations for why and how certain details can be used together.  Understanding the basics is half the battle, no?

Hopefully, you can use this guide to take a look at what you already have in your decor arsenal at home to see what fits the bill.  The next step is mixing old (playful vintage charm) and new (sleek, modern, and effortless).
     

Be sure to make use of these:

•  thrift stores - Oh the endless retro tchotchkes!  And be on the lookout for things that can be transformed with a simple coat of paint

•  patterned fabrics - perfect for "customizing" the look - pillow covers, and even curtains are a cinch to sew

•  Grandma's vintage hand-me-downs

•  DIY's - but only the ones that end up looking like something that would fit right in at Anthropologie.  No "loving hands at home", in the words of my fashion illustration professor.  You know what I mean.

•  Anthropologie - my favorite shop for beautiful/retro home goods.

•  Target - inexpensive and full of sleek/modern options for the home (*ahem* Nate Berkus )   But be wary of anything too campy or dormitory-esque.

•  Ikea - The Swedes have quite a handle on modern and minimal


Finally, gorge your eyes on inspiration from a few of the very best...

/  1. Furniture Workshop Co-Op founders Poppy Lane & Scott Gibson's Melbourne home via The Design Files, photo by Sean Fennessy, styled by Lucy Feagins  /  2.  blogger guru & designer Bri Emery's home via Design Love Fest  / 3. artist Mary Nelson Sinclair's New York City apartment via Lonny  /  4.  Swedish designer Lisa Marie Andersson's home via Mackapar (visit Lisa's adorable dress shop, Up the Wooden Hills)

Summer Sweets | DIY Ice Cream

Ah, helloooo... It's summer!  Apart from being one of the prettiest sweets (yes dah-ling, that triple-scoop mint chocolate chip looks fa-bulous with that dress) ice cream is also one of the most sensible things left to eat.  I mean, I can't even manage a hot dog in this 110 degree heat.  Are you with me?

So here we go, 4 ice cream recipes you can make at home without an ice cream maker!  One of which is an admittedly non-edible, but very fabulous DIY.  Without further ado, please enjoy these tasty treats gathered from a few of the craftiest ladies (and ice cream magicians) of the blog-o-sphere.  Get the recipes below, and be sure to plunder through the rest of these bloggers' culinary gems...    

1.  fruity summer sorbet via Lunchbox  2.  blackberry ice cream with amaretto via eCurry  3.  Rhubarb ice cream with meringue via Zucker Zimt & Liebe  4.  DIY ice cream cone pinatas via Oh Happy Day