Aesthetic Outburst

Old lady...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Another photo from this summer. I'm going to print this on tea towels. Yesterday I was telling PRH today how odd it feels to love things like tea towels, measuring cups, and rugs...things I used to think were only for old people. I guess being in your early thirties with two babies and a husband will do that to a gal, right? Does anyone else feel like that?

Describing color...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

We're having our couch reupholstered this week and I was trying to describe the fabric I wanted to the upholsterer. I said 'heather grey' and the guy was like, "heather?". Then I said, "a tweedy sort of grey...sort of like a man's suit material", and he still didn't get it. I'm going to just show him this photo but, just out of curiosity, how would you describe the color of this couch?

Fabrication...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

We recently picked up an interesting book called Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques and this piece, called technicolor bloom by Brennan Buck, was on the cover. Wouldn't you love to walk through this?

Small towns...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

I just found this funny photo of the dairy barn at our local fair that I took this summer. These are wooden cut-outs nailed to the gable. Weird, right?

What to wear...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

I was reading The Lettered Cottage blog recently and she mentioned that their house was being photographed for a magazine. The magazine editors wanted her and her husband to send photos of outfits that they liked so the wardrobe crew could bring clothes for them to wear. I guess I never realized that magazines did that and then I started thinking about (OK...obsessively thinking about) what I'd wear if a magazine ever came to photograph our house (not that I ever expect this to happen). Here are a few of my choices from JCrew (middle and bottom) and a photo from The Sartorialist (top). What I've come to discover is that I like layers and that I'm not very good at making fashion decisions. If left to my own devices, I'm confident that I'd end up looking like a pile of frumpy cardigans thrown over old-lady necklaces and crappy jeans. What would you wear?

Fueling the fire...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

This is the rug that has been in our living room for a few years now (above). It isn't very clear in the photo, but it's a light yellow wool rug with a faint, cream-colored floral pattern. It's a great rug but it's SO damn boring...and square. I'm looking for something a bit more colorful and have been obsessing over kilim rugs. Here are a few photos that have been fueling the fire. The image directly below is from one of my favorite blogs, The Brick House. Love it! I can't remember where the image under that came from (let me know if you remember). The bottom image is from design*sponge. I found a couple of cheap rugs on ebay and I think I'm going to try cutting them into circles. We'll see.

On paper...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Aren't these paper doll animals from Oh My Cavalier beautiful?

Regularly scheduled...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

We had a very productive weekend and things seem to be settling down. Most importantly, EZ E and Kicky are getting along great. So that means that we are returning to our regular scheduled program around here. Hip hip hooray!

*photo found via The English Muse

I'd like to know...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Today is Monday, so that means it's time for I'd like to know, a weekly post dedicated to talented artists, designers, etc...all people I'd like to know and who I thought you may like to know of too. Today I'd like to know...the famous etsy knitter, Yokoo. I absolutely love her work and LOVED her featured seller interview. Her answer to the question 'Apart from creating things, what do you do?' (below) was brilliant:

Oh, I imagine I’m just like everyone else. I check pockets. I roll socks . I give tips. I skip pages. I fall asleep. I turn it off. I give directions. I scroll down. I make sure its even. I leave it out. I lock eyes. I write it down. I say thank you. I walk away. I pretend laugh. I for real cry. I say I voted. I wonder if he really loves me.

Her interview at YellowGoat is also genius. Yokoo is truly someone I'd like to know. You can check out her shop here.

This weekend...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

This weekend came very quickly...thank goodness. I'm exhausted and I'm ready for a little break. We have to do some stuff around the house, but once that's done I'm going to climb back into my pajamas, be super lazy, and peruse my favorite blogs. Hooray! Have a happy weekend and I'll see you all on Monday.

*found via party perfect

Another year...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Our dear friend Rachael of Pistachio Press recently released her 2010 calendar and it's beautiful! This calendar is definitely my favorite yet. The artwork was inspired by patterns found on vintage teacups and saucers, which is such a fabulous idea. There are two versions available, so head over to Pistachio Press and check them out. Congrats on a job well done, Rach!

The hunt is on...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

My favorite thing about moving is hunting for furniture and then arranging and rearranging. When we left Buffalo we unloaded a ton of furniture and we've spent the last few months searching for replacements at auctions, thrift stores, and antique sales. We've come across some good finds, but still haven't found decent dressers. I would love to find something like this armoire that I saw on sfgirlbybay*. I'm a sucker for that grey/pink combo lately. Keep your fingers crossed that we find something good soon. In the meantime, I'm off to arrange and rearrange.

*originally from beach studios

Patience...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 +0000

We moved to Buffalo when EZ E was 3 weeks old and it seemed really easy. This time around has seemed SO much crazier. Everyone has been doing really well in the A.O. Household though (aside from the fact that EZ E's ears have turned off). I've been doing a relatively decent job at keeping myself from completely losing my mind. My secret? Lists...lots of lists. I'll be easing back into blogging today and tomorrow and then back full-time next week. Thank you all for your lovely comments and for your patience! xo, Abbey

A bit more time...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The last two weeks have just flown by! I know said I'd be back today but, in addition to having a baby, we moved to a new house this week. Needless to say, I need a few more days to get back to normal and will be back Thursday morning with my usual posts. This gorgeous room* is from my inspiration folder for the new house. More about all of that on Thursday. See you then!

xo, Abbey

*found via Hidden in France's photostream (originally via Living Etc)

Latest arrival...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:45:00 +0000

As you may have guessed, Kicky is here! Our little girl arrived swiftly and safely with the sunrise on Sunday morning. EZ E has been really great with her and is very curious. The first thing he said when he saw her was, "Is she my present?". Mostly he's been enjoying the flood of gifts that friends and relatives have been bringing for him (thank you, everyone!). It's safe to say that we're all madly in love with the newest member of our family. I'll be taking some time off to adjust to life with two babies, but will return to Aesthetic Outburst on November 2nd. See you then! xoxo, Abbey

This weekend...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

We have nothing planned for this weekend...thank goodness. Rather than focusing on (and getting nervous about) impending labor, I've been trying to soak in and enjoy every moment with EZ E. It's snowing here today, so we're settled in listening to music (or as EZ E calls it, mucus), playing with playdoh, and painting his cardboard box house. Hope you all have a great weekend and I'll see you next week!

*photo from Demoiselle Libellule

Paint chips...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

This paint color would look great with dark wood, wouldn't it? I think it's difficult to find paint colors that go with dark wood without looking too country or too craftsman. I also love the chairs. Ever since finding that baby Bertoia at the thrift store I've been wanting the grown-up version. Now that I've said it out loud, I'm hoping the thrift-store gods are listening and we'll happen across a set.

*photo found via indierocket

Twiggy...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I've reconsidered the terrarium idea and have decided to recruit my father-in-law to help me make some of these twig coat hooks that I saw on Country Living. Long-time readers may remember that my father-in-law is the king of twigs, so I'm confident that he can help me out. What do you think...would you like to receive a few twig coat hooks as a gift or no?

Spotted...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Did you see this gorgeous party hosted by simplesong? She has the best taste.

Clever...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

My mom wants to make a wreath for their front door, so we were trying to find ideas online. We didn't really find anything that would work for my parents house, but I did think that this idea from good housekeeping was clever. I see cute ties at thrift stores all of the time and they're so cheap!

Collected...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Our friend Joetta posted artist Anu Tuominen's work recently and it's amazing. I couldn't resist sharing it here. I love it when art and collecting collide. You HAVE to go see more of her work here. She's definitely a new favorite of mine.

Birthday wishes...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:01:00 +0000

I couldn't end the day without wishing Emily, my best friend since kindergarten, a very happy birthday. I hope you got to stay in bed all day (even though I know you didn't) and that your sweet husband picks up a large, quality bottle of wine, puts the baby to bed, and makes a lovely dinner for you...and then remembers to clean up afterwards. :)

*photo from amy bernier

Quirky...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

I like this quirky collage from Native Vermont. It reminds me of this wall paper that I love.

Outside...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

I kind of imagine the exterior of an Abigail Ahern-designed home to look like this. Originally featured in the October 2003 edition of now-defunct Budget Living magazine, you can see more photos of this house and read more about it on door sixteen's flickrstream.

A much cooler Abigail...

hownowdesign@yahoo.com (Aesthetic Outburst...) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I don't know if it's the darkness that's been creeping in via fall or what, but lately I've been thinking a lot about Abigail Ahern's work. I'd love to settle into one of these rooms with a chai latte and a great magazine. Her interiors are so damn fabulous. She has a book that came out recently that I almost ordered the other day (I opted for christmas gifts for other people instead). I'm dying to see it though. If you'd like to see more of her work take a look at her website, her sneak peek at design*sponge or the sneak peek of her sister Gemma's house (also on design*sponge).