Consider Yourself At Home

Apr 13, 2012

Weird. Scary. Cool. Delightful.

The wonderful online antiques resource 1stdibs always brings me joy. Whether I'm salivating over pristine English furniture or Aubusson carpets, I always have a great time on the site.

But sometimes the joy comes from gawking at the unusual pieces that catch my attention and make me smile wide.

Animal vertebrae. It's a desk lamp!

Huge lucite wardrobe chest. Put your things away, but never lose sight of them.

c. 1940's Fred Johnson Signed Sideshow Banner

Circus banner from 1940s. A five-legged horse?!?

Life-size monkey sculpture in welded steel. A terrifying conversation piece.

set of 7 crochet educational charts on original dowels

Educational chart of crochet techniques. A set of 7.

Pair of Michelin Men. Ummm, these are so creepy, they're cool.

Late 19th Century Prosthetic Hand with Leather Glove

Prosthetic hand from the late 19th century. Leather glove included, because who wants a naked prosthetic hand?

Delight yourself sometime by browsing the 'Other Categories' section of the site. 1stdibs presents more than 1,200 dealers' wares. Many of these weird wares get me thinking of a room that I want to design around one item. For example, how awesome would it be to have that huge metal monkey standing in the center of a foyer, greeting homeowners and freaking out guests. Love it!

Cheers,
Whitney

Mar 20, 2012

Hello, Mr. Kitchen!

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Hello, Mr. Galley Kitchen. You are perfect for me. I love how your smaller proportions encourage only a single cook in the kitchen.

Source: themustardceiling.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I love how your corridor-like layout allows for such well-placed workstations. And I love that everything I need is within reach of only 2-5 small paces.

Source: thisoldhouse.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: myhomeideas.com via Whitney on Pinterest

You, Mr. Kitchen, are the superior space to those huge, sprawling McMansion kitchens. Those Real Housewives have to take 37 steps to get from the fridge to the sink, plus an extra 14 steps over to the cabinet where the colander is stored, just to wash some darned spinach. But not you, Mr. Galley Kitchen.

Source: tumblr.com via Whitney on Pinterest

The layout of your cabinetry and appliances are more ergonomically-sound than your counterparts, which inevitably lends to better organization and storage.

Source: simplyseleta.com via Whitney on Pinterest

You are the real deal in efficient cooking spaces. I have been dreaming about you all my culinary life. Hello...

via Vimeo.

Give galley kitchens the respect and love that they deserve!
Cheers,
Whitney

Mar 16, 2012

Shake It Up

Why not come back to the blog today to celebrate & commemorate something oddly special....?

image via Flickr

Apparently, the McDonald's 'Shamrock Shake' is this bizarrely elusive fast-food leprechaun milkshake that only comes out for St. Patrick's Day, and in recent years is even regulated to select McDonald's venues.

It's a big deal, people....
image via MOCNI

So if you're looking to fill this fix for yourself at home (which I highly suggest), try this surprisingly easy little recipe!

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups high quality vanilla ice cream
1 3/4 cups skim milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1-3 drops green food coloring
DIRECTIONS:
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, thick and cr-aaazy delicious.
Top with homemade whipped cream and green sugar sprinkles, if desired.

Cheers,
Whitney

Jan 16, 2012

Stumble... and Fall.

At the beginning of Christmas week, I vowed to blog a bunch of personal photos of our Yuletide celebrations; festive tablescapes and succulent meals. But I didn't. My camera was in my purse. Or the food was eaten before I remembered.

Same for New Years week; I had wanted to blog about the awesomeness of a new start, a fresh canvas, a blank slate, yadda yadda yadda. But I didn't. Instead I went through all the clothes in my closet that I should donate to Housing Works, or I went to bed early.

Then 2012 was upon us, and for lots of reasons I was not on my blogging game. Between picking up new work and running around with all these Resolutions to achieve, I have wavered in finding my rhythm for CYAH (and Twitter which is even more inexplicable!).

Am I talking in circles here? Please, allow this gem to serve as a visual interpretation of my blogging stumble:

Yup. I'm that ponytailed leggy model (yeah freakin' right) and my wonderful little blog here is that
fabulous-and-sexy-but-apparently-life-threateningly-dangerous pair of platform heels.

You see, once you start stumbling, the momentum of the mistake chases you for a bit until you crash. And even after the crash you're a little wobbly on your upswing.

I'll be back as soon as I can with pretty pictures, fun stories, and some optimistic humor. Promise.
Cheers,
Whitney

Dec 19, 2011

Water for Christmas

Water.org, baby.

Cheers,
Whitney

Dec 16, 2011

The Nutcracker

The holiday season is benchmarked by many things to me.

The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - image via Kelly-Mooney Photography

But this classic ballet set to Tchaikovsky's exhilarating score is the most elegant of Christmastime traditions. Many people say it's slow and a bit schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for 'The Nutcracker.' I've attended countless performances of the ballet by different dance companies in many different venues. No matter if they're local children or world-renowned ballerinas, the performers always tug at my holiday heartstrings through dainty dances and the wonderful plot of this classic story.

There is a holiday party at Clara's house. She and all the kids play and dance.
image via Cho Photography

Clara's mysterious godfather brings her a gift, a handsome wooden nutcracker.
image via Peter Norvig Photography

Clara is absolutely smitten with the gift. She falls asleep in the parlour under the Christmas tree with the nutcracker.
image via Hong Kong Ballet

Clara dreams that the Nutcracker comes to life to defend her against the invading mice army.
image via Will Brenner Photography

The Mouse King and his army are really scary, but Clara is saved
by the Nutcracker's heroic bravery.
image by Rosalie O'Connor via Faster Times

The Nutcracker turns into a Prince, who whisks her away to a magic snow kingdom.
image via Hong Kong Ballet

They are greeted by dancing snowflakes in the enchanted forest.
image via Mazzaferro Photography

The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. They tell the fairy about their daring battle with the army of mice
and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
image via Will Brenner Photography

image by Carol Pratt for the Washington Ballet

Mother Ginger, a gingerbread house-like apparition,
opens her skirt to free dozens of dancing gingerbread cookies.
image (and very cute backstory) via Dumping My Purse

image via Brio Dance Company

The Land of Sweets send Clara and the Prince off with a stunning parade farewell.
image by Jim McFarlane via the Berkshire Review

Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
image via Carlos Echenique

If you have a chance to see this classic Christmas performance (and there's probably one in your area), support the Arts and treat yourself to this magical tale with superb orchestral score.
Cheers,
Whitney

Dec 15, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree

Despite being a major Christmas person, I opted out of getting a tree this year. My husband was shocked that I didn't want one. I'm not completely sure why I'm not feelin' the tree this year, but perhaps this fantastic, award-winning little film nods to my apprehension.

How lovely are thy branches.....
Cheers,
Whitney

Dec 14, 2011

An Open Truss

When I was in design school at the New York School, I took a terribly difficult lighting class that challenged my embarrassingly basic mathematics, physics and chemistry knowledge. Through the semester, I learned so much about the science of light, about color temperature, kelvins and electric wattage. But perhaps most importantly, I learned about the importance of lighting placement. Yes, we all know that lighting is more than the basic builder's-grade flushmount popped into the ceiling of a hallway or kitchen. It's about creating zones of light: Overhead, Task and Ambient.

In a project for that Lighting class, I designed a magnificent beam ceiling for a private club of a racetrack. The room was to resemble the interior of an equine barn, and so I used an open-truss ceiling, with the beams of the structure fully exposed in their structural glory. As it was a lighting class, I devised a system so that the room's overhead lighting would be built into the beams. Man, I love wood beams...

Of course I have emphasized my love of exposed beams on this blog, as well as the cozy cool look of the American lodge, but let's take yet another look at extraordinary ceilings. The exposed beam truss ceilings shown here give me goosebumps.