Fall Out of the Ordinary

When the warm weather leaves, warm colors arrive. Oranges roll into yellows and a tint of red is added to almost anything this time of year. Dressing up your home in these colors often screams “Fall!” and it doesn’t have to.

Rhodes  Architecture + Light modern kitchen

You may have fall colors year-round without feeling like Halloween or Thanksgiving is right around the corner all the time.

Here in “Colorful Colorado”, we are blessed with blues, purples, and whites this time of year. It may just be a colorful segue into winter, but it gives us a small handful of softer hues to play with.

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Inspiration isn’t hidden here. It explodes out of the earth in beautiful snow-capped mountains. As the air gets more crisp these next few months, all the colors of the landscape surrounding the mountains are defined by the white and sky-blue backgrounds.

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Freebie

I thought it would be fun to use Linoak on Seventh for my Twitter background. And then I thought about how fun it would be if anyone who wanted to do that could. So, without further ado, your Happy Halloween present.

Just right click and save! If you’d like some fabric, wallpaper, pillows, or light fixtures, hop on over to Alluminare and go at it! (Sans skulls, of course.)
All images ©2009 Libby Unwin.

New T-Shirt From Design Hole

Remember the Crafty Wallpaper Contest? (I won!) Part of my winnings was a Design Hole T-Shirt, and I received it today!

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Thank you, Jennifer!

We move into our new house in 9 days, and I have plans for the wallpaper I’m going to order from Alluminare (including, but not limited to, the idea that won me both the wallpaper and the shirt). I’m so excited!

Blue & Red

I am really loving this shade of blue lately. It’s showing up in random places and complimenting colors I wouldn’t readily pair with it. Bright, but sultry, a cool blue that warms up a room? What would you call this?

This image is from Apartment Therapy’s Color Contest 2009, Kristen’s Castleberry Hill Loft entry.

Speaking of color, check out this ladybug I just found on my back porch. The red looks awesome against the slate gray of our crappy porch slats. :)

ladybug

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Blogs

Happy Friday, everyone! This week has been an “Ooo! Ahh!” week in Blog World. Fall is upon us, and my Google Reader has been ablaze with some serious eye candy. (Really puts a [worthwhile] dent in productivity!)

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy has been running their “Room For Color” contest, and, as you know my affinity for bright colors, it’s been gorgeous to watch (mostly – I’ll be honest). Here’s a fave:
Katie’s ‘Apple Green’ Studio
Katie's Apple Green Studio
*Photo from ApartmentTherapy.com

Stepmodo

Stephmodo has rapidly become a favorite blog of mine. Ever since Design*Sponge mentioned their remodel of La Maisonnette du Coteau, I’ve been hooked. Lots of excellent before and after shots, and the attention to detail is inspiring.
La Maisonnette
*Image used with permission from Stephmodo.

Katy Elliot

Katy Elliot’s blog always makes me think. For days. I was watching TV the other day, and this blog post came to mind. I was analyzing a living room on some show’s TV set, wondering if this painting technique would work…or what if they tried to…or maybe if… I love a blog that sticks with me well after I’ve left the computer.
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*Photo by Simon Watson, whom you should also check out, even though it’s not a blog.

Enjoy!

New Pattern Collection: Alice

Alice One

While staying at my grandma’s this summer, I was drawing while we watched TV, and she asked what I was doing. It was really just a page of doodles, but she honed in on one in particular. Her first name is Alice (she goes by Ann), so I named the collection after her.

Check it out!

Contact me for licensing options.

Beauty from Grandma Hosp

My husband’s grandmother passed away earlier this year, taking us to Illinois for the weekend. One task before the family was sorting through her possessions. We went to her house and despite the sadness of the situation, were filled with delight as we looked through her things. I’m always looking for visual inspiration, and her stuff sent my hungry creativity into overload. Here are some things I photographed:

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“Everyone loves Carnation’s economy, of course. But what a bonus it is to find that Carnation brings superior goodness to cooking!”

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It is cheaper in the long run to buy one good item made by a reputable manufacturer than two of questionable quality? Ask these questions: 1. Is it colorfast? 2. Is the color affected by light? 3. Is it pre-shrunk? 4. Is the finish permanent? 5. Does it have a close weave? If the garment carries the “Certified Washable Seal” of American Institute of Laundering, you’ll know it has passed exacting tests for launderability, shrinkage, color-fastness and numerous other qualities. © 1961, American Institute of Laundering

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Gorgeous design on a candy box.

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Tested Milnot Recipes for Thrifty Cooking. Because no one wants untested milnot.

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Little piece of wrapping paper, framed. I love this little 1960s bird!

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She did a lot of needlepoint. My favorites were the ones with lots of color and curls.

I Need This Scarf

I saw this post on Katy Elliot’s blog earlier today and I’ve been thinking about it all day. I love this scarf by Anne Willi. (And it’s only about $40USD)

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OH that blue! And I’m really not much of a fashionista, so if something you have to wear caught my eye this strongly, it must really be something. I was plotting tonight to take up knitting just so I could make one. Then I realized that would involve sitting still so I abandoned the idea immediately.