Happy Thanksgiving!
May the holiday bring you time to count your blessings, give thanks and share a delicious meal with family and friends.
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Archive for November, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26th, 2009Holiday Helpers
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009by LuAnne Silvia
You will find unique handcrafted items at the Fifth Annual No Coast Craft Rama at the Midtown Exchange December 4-5. Many of the items would be great holiday helpers – great hostess gifts or keep them for yourself! I had the pleasure of meeting many of the artisans at the Nokomis Craft Fair a few weeks ago. It was inspiring to see the creative, inventive and superbly crafted items and hear the enthusiasm, passion and the stories from the artisans themselves about how they started their business. Here is a sampling of what you will find:
Vintage Style Aprons by Janet Lewis, “Neighbor Lady Creations”
Oven Mits by Neighbor Lady Creations
Note Cards by Courtney Williamson, “Just Another Day Designs”
Cleaning Gloves by Julie Meyer
Machine wash/dry reusable Snack and Sandwich Bags by Julie Meyer
great for turkey sandwich leftovers!
Setting the Table
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009by LuAnne Silvia
For unique finds to set your Thanksgiving table and in doing so give thanks at the same time…you will find handmade items to dress up your home and support fair trade women artisans from other cultures through Ten Thousand Villages. This holiday season you can find two shops in the Twin Cities, the St. Paul location on Grand Avenue and a pop-up shop in Richfield on the west side of Lyndale Avenue just north of 494 next to Chipotle.
Glass Pitcher with Palm Sleeve from Bangladesh
Printed Napkin from India
Silk Table Runner
Woven Grass Placemat from Bangladesh
Tablecloth from India
Recycled Aluminum Bowl from Indonesia
Recycled Paper Hot Mat from the Philippines
Attitudes of Gratitude
Monday, November 23rd, 2009By LuAnne Silvia
Every Monday at LiLu Interiors we start the week with a staff meeting. We reflect on good things that happened the week prior, take note of people who have helped us out and share things with each other that we find inspirational. By coming together as a group and taking time to give thanks we are taking time to acknowledge the moment before we continue on with our journey. It is the act of being in the present, and more importantly being awake to the present. We wrap up the meeting by sharing inspiration. It isn’t required and we don’t have a schedule outlining whose turn it is to share. And each week it is a pleasant surprise to discover who brought something to the table and what it means to them. More often than not the inspirational stories are tied together, simply reinforcing our teamwork and attitudes of gratitude. It is a wonderfully renewing way to begin the week.
Two of my favorite books that keep a constant home on my night stand are gifts I have received from others. The first book, Attitudes of Gratitude, I received from a friend in the year 2000, and the second book, Giving Thanks, from my Mother several years later. They both happen to be written by the same author, M.J. Ryan. Here are some of my favorite quotes and excerpts:
That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet. – Emily Dickinson
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. -Albert Einstein
It is not hard to live through a day if you can live through a moment. What creates despair is the imagination, which pretends there is a future and insists on predicting millions of moments, thousands of days, and so drains you that you cannot live the moment at hand. -Andre Dubus
“With every leaf a miracle…” writes Walt Whitman in his poetic tribute to lilacs, and this is what he is talking about – when we are in touch with a profound sense of gratitude, we connect to all of life, recognizing the miracle in the tallest tree, the smallest bug. -M.J. Ryan
Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. -Francis P. Church
Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. -Margaret Cousins
Our work-a-day lives are filled with opportunities to bless others. The power of a single glance or an encouraging smile must never be underestimated. -G. Richard Rieger
Reclaimed Holiday
Friday, November 20th, 2009by Lisa Peck
At this time of year I am starting (instead of finishing) my holiday shopping. I always look for unique gifts and handmade, artisan gifts are sure to hit the mark. In that spirit, I took a look for reclaimed fabric gifts that could be given for the holidays!
These sweater balls would make a great winter bowl filler. The cherry colors can’t help but brighten a gray day.
This beautiful bauble is made from reclaimed silk and can be a hair pin or brooch.
This headband uses the age old fabric yo-yo for an adornment…adorable.
A great, modern tote bag from old clothes.
Upholstered Again
Thursday, November 19th, 2009by Lisa Peck
Fabric originally used for quilts, tent hangings, clothing and other uses can find new life as upholstery on furniture. The results can be artful, quirky or elegant. Consider a quilt you that is frayed around the edges to be a chair in a sun room or child’s room, an old camel bag could have a new use as the upholstery for a pair of bar stools. A little creative thought and you can have a totally unique piece.
Quilt reused on chair.
Dining chairs done with a patch work quilt.
A local shop where tent hangings and other traditional textiles can be found for reuse is Alsadu.
A chair that uses reclaimed and very fine kimono fabric from Kimono New York.
This beauty upholstered in mud cloth was originally placed in the Kipps Bay Show house by BKH New York.
Reclaimed Pillows
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009By Lisa Peck
After meeting Mimi (see yesterday’s post) I starting thinking about all the ways that reclaimed fabrics have been used in interiors now and in the past. It has changed vastly over the years. In the past thrifty housewives used old clothes or fabric scraps to make braided rugs and chair cushions. Used clothes were re-cut for cushions, coasters, or used to tuft rugs. An old dress could become kitchen curtains.
Today’s green movement makes it desirable to reclaim fabrics but today’s home wants to be fresh not homespun. Beautiful, hip, and sometimes sentimental the following pillows are great examples of reclaiming fabrics for a unique interior today!
Jigsaw pillow made from reclaimed ultrasuede.
Pillows made from reclaimed blankets and sweaters from Cherry Lane Jane.
These tie pillows might be a great way to use the ties you have but wouldn’t wear! Have a local artisan work on one or just buy one that tickles your fancy.
These great felt pillows are made from fabric reclaimed…it’s original purpose? To tailor the inside edge of a man’s suit! Creative.
Fiber/Art
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009By Lisa Peck, ASID
Our new studio home IMS sponsors seminars for interior designers to learn more about sources, business and design every month. This fall Visual Arts had an artist, Mimi Damrauer, in to talk about her creative process and how she approaches her fiber art. Combining fabric with art is a sure hit with designers. She had her original pieces, with original fabric and some art she had created using reclaimed sari, mud cloth and kimono fabrics.
Mimi draws her inspiration from a childhood home filled with creative cooking and art projects. Both she and her sister grew up to be fiber artists.
The colors, shapes and creativity found in her work is inspiring and it made me smile…what more could you ask?
Original pieces with original fabric my Mimi Damrauer…
Original artwork featuring reclaimed fabric by Mimi Damrauer
LiLu in Twin Cities Statement Magazine
Monday, November 16th, 2009by Lisa Peck
This month in Twin Cities Statement four design firms were asked to create unique looks using the same two basic pieces. The same sofa and coffee table were used to create a Transitional, Traditional, Eclectic and Contemporary look. Check out the article!
See the article on pages 22-23.
LiLu Interiors created the contemporary look. We used the following resources…
Throw from Roam…a great resource for the modern home.
Painting from Circa Gallery.
Glass sculpture from Art Resources.
Rug from Aubry Angelo.
Candlesticks from Heinrich + Schultz.
Pillows by LiLu Interiors. (custom design)
All of the other furnishings and accessories are from Holly Hunt showroom…thanks to them for their help.
See you tomorrow for more inspiration!
The Forgotten – Closets
Friday, November 13th, 2009By Emily Anderson
Ladies, close your eyes and imagine your dream closet. Is every every pair of shoes lined up in perfection? Is there a spot for every belt, bag and pair of boots? Is your jewelry organized in a way you can find it and where it is protected? Guys, are you dreaming of seeing every tie you own in plain view? Every suit, shirt and pair of jeans visible?
Closets are often a forgotten room in the house. By giving closet design some thought, we can help protect a big investment in our home – our wardrobe. Well-designed closets work with you and can make life easier. By having things organized, you won’t waste time looking for the matching shoe or that belt you wore last season. Become inspired by these closets.
www.laclosetdesign.com
California Closets
www.laclosetdesign.com
