The Estate Of Things

Groups of Frames

Betsy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:08:19 +0000

Lack of posts is b/c I’m moving, and moving is hard. I just packed up 20 black Ikea frames to take with me to LA. I mean, the $2 ones. They aren’t fancy at all, but I thought that 20 of them could make a big statement! The original idea was that these 20 frames will line up vertically in five rows of four over the full bed in my guest room, but now they may just be doing their best to hide some ugly beige walls in a crap apartment. (Apt Hunt isn’t going so well lately).

So on my 36 hour drive I think I’ll brainstorm about what I’m gonna put in them. Here are just a few ideas so far. You have any ideas for how to fill 20 frames to make one wall piece!?

Option #1 - One large cut up Map
Option #2 - Botanicals on a black background
Option #3 - Audobon Birds Illustrations
Option #4 - Vintage Underwear Advertisement Illustrations

The Cut up Map from Elements of Style

Some Male Fashion from Apartment Therapy

Shortcut to Fabulous

Sarah — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:51:14 +0000

Is this kick ass for an entryway or what? Dining room, powder room-instant upgrade. Its on sale at Shades of Light for $199.

A Favorite

Sarah — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:49:53 +0000

One of my favorite “things” is this shoe storage that was fashioned out of mail slots from an old hotel, if I remember correctly I think it was from Paris.

The piece was feautured in a home that I think was styled by Kim Ficaro who was a Style Editor at Domino. Since then, I have scoured flea markets, antique festivals and Ebay willing to settle for a chicken coop but never felt as though I could commit.

Ficaro still works as a prop stylist in New York where she shares a studio with Christine Rudolph on Crosby Street. If you are interested in reading an interview with Kim to find out where she’s been since Domino visit the Daily Imprint.

Mark the Date

Sarah — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:18:44 +0000

A calendar is an important fixture on my desk at work. In 2008, I enjoyed my Linda & Harriet letterpress calendar. I hung all twelve months on the wall in a horizontal line and kept the current month on my desk for easy viewing.

This year, I have a JHill Design desk calendar which I’ve really enjoyed.

At home, I have the Avie calendar that I received as a Christmas gift.

This year, I’m thinking about this beauty from Cat Seto.

Modern Thanks

Sarah — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:17:50 +0000

A modern Thanksgiving tablescape from Christian Lemieux of Dwell Studio. Originally spotted at Ohdeedoh.

The Bodoni ink napkins used in the setting are on sale at Dwell now.

These hedgerow placemats (not in the image) are also on sale and would be great for a harvest themed table.

Just Put It Anywhere

Sarah — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:57:13 +0000

One of my favorite parts about remodeling is restructuring the space and if the budget allows; adding new architectural elements like bookcases or hidden storage.

The idea of the “not so big house” coined by Sarah Susanka and putting every bit of space to work in a house is a popular one and part of the green revolution. McMansions are becoming less popular in some areas and circles, and for some folks less than 2000 square feet of living space is where it’s at.

As houses are being scaled down the need for unconventional storage space increases. In older homes, the hallways and stair landings are generally empty space. I love the idea of popping in a bookcase in these spaces.

reading nooks can emerge in many different places, image from The Cottage Company

a beautiful hallway, Steven Gambrel

Ilse Crawford design for the Gorgeous Production Co.

Update: I found a good article called “Downsizing the McMansion” in remodeling magazine, click here to read it.

Lena Wolfe

Sarah — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:54:47 +0000

The beautiful work of Lena Wolfe.

From her website,

Lena Wolff is a Bay Area artist who works in paper cut, pinpricks and collage on paper. She draws from folk-art traditions, anthropomorphic fables, organic abstractions and veneration for the natural world.

You can purchase a Lena Wolfe postcard set at the Klein Family Etsy shop.

Attic Rooms

Sarah — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:16:46 +0000

I’ve been thinking about attics mostly because I’ve seen a lot of creative uses of the space that often times is wasted. Remodeling an attic can present many challenges. The challenges can range from no flooring and slanted ceilings to stealing enough space for closets.

I have an attic that has plenty of head room and dormers at each end. Currently the attic is accessed by a pull down ladder, but I often fantasize about carving out some stairs and finishing off the attic. Here are some images of attic spaces and attic conversions I’ve been collecting.

Coastal Living

Ep. 5: LA Apartment Hunting

Betsy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:59:33 +0000

Okay, hopefully those last few posts got all the irrational options expunged. And since its time to get serious, this post is going to be about compromise. First I’ll start with the Wish List.

Dogs Allowed
Hard Wood Floor
True 1 Bedroom (distinct private sleeping area)
Full Kitchen with some aesthetic appeal (hopefully white cabinets)
Character / Charm
Close to Work
Will re-consider proximity if the dog has an outdoor area that he can access without me!

The first time I moved to Los Angeles I was 24. My friend Joel lived there in a Studio Apartment in KoreaTown. He was working his way into the Television Industry. He allowed me and another girl friend to come live with him temporarily in the Studio. The 3 of us shared that tiny space for almost two months. It was pretty awesome (probably more in retrospect than in reality) Joel’s rent was like, $600/mo. So the moral of this story is that compromise can be fun, but more importantly its that KoreaTown is a really affordable place to live. Not only is it affordable, but its stacked with awesome Art Deco apartment buildings.

Here’s what you could get for the Money

The Historic Chateau Duval
$1250/mo.
Check out the soaring ceilings and dark wood floors in this place. The kitchen is also pretty rad with its Stainless Steel appliances. I love the 1920’s. The description says that the Dining Area includes a concrete wall, so clearly we are banging on charm and character here.

This place meets everything on the list, except for being close to work or having access to the outdoors for my monster dog. and again, we’re looking at a hefty drive during rush hour.

The search continues, I guess!

Everywhere: Painted Vintage Furniture

Betsy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:46:42 +0000

This solution is the answer to high impact on a low budget. Making a colorful statement with an old piece of wooden furniture goes beyond trend. Its a really practical way to recycle old furniture and get excited about it again, not to mention save some duckets, something I’m sure I’ll push hard to do as I’m thrifting my way into new apartment decor. (If I can ever find a suitable apartment!!)

I caught a feature noting a few before and afters of this trend in my new Fresh Home magazine that arrived in the mailbox yesterday. I mention it now, not b/c I have these images to share with you, but because I figured that if you are into painting furniture, then you may be interested in keeping an eye out for this mag. It’s similar to ReadyMade in that it includes guides for easy DIY projects around the house - its a little less hipsterish and more homemakerish.

Jenny of Little Green Notebook might be into it. I noticed today that she snapped a pic of the magazine cover and posted about an Ikea Expedit project. She is an example of someone who has turned some old furniture dogs into vibrant statements. Check out a few projects we grabbed from her site to show you!

Jamie of I Suwannee is about it as well. Not only is she refurbishing furniture for her own home, but she’s made it a valuable part of her Design Services and now the exciting new store front that she is opening later this month in Raleigh, NC. See this great “day in her shoes” post from a fellow blogger, High Heeled Foot in the Door.

The grand party of the Furbish Studio opening is November 21st. Please go in my absence, and tell her that I love her and I’m so excited to see this coming together. Here’s one of many pieces that you can buy while you are there!