the vintage vogue

Hello Spring!

thevintagevogue — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:41:29 +0000

there’s something about three inches of snow when you’re prepping for the full color blossom of spring that really makes you long for flowers, warm weather, and sandals! spring is finally here in baltimore and i’ve got the photos to prove it. forsythias, hyacinths and magnolias – oh my!

hope wherever you are you’re enjoying the beauty around you…

charlotte

The Vintage Shop | 60′s Mid Century Blenko Lamp

thevintagevogue — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:57:27 +0000

If you know anything about me, you know I have a slight obsession with lighting.

See exhibit A: Let There Be Light..

On one of my intermittent vintage shopping trips, I stumbled upon this tall glass of water… A gorgeous Amethyst glass Blenko lamp. This classic Mid Century lamp has a minimal silhouette and elegant proportions. I love, love oversized table lamps. They accentuate the height of the room and can stand alone as a beautiful piece of art. Set on a 3-way switch, this lamp is perfect for setting the mood.

Available in The Shop for $159.

In the Studio | Botanical Romance

thevintagevogue — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 01:48:11 +0000

I’ve been spending some time putting pencil to paper in an ode to one of my favorite flowers, the iris. A few weeks ago a catalog advertising gorgeous iris buds arrived in my mailbox and sprung my latest endeavor into life. I was stirred by the organic free flowing lines of the iris silhouette. I love the purity of the black and white sketch, but was drawn to the idea of adding a modern accent by way of a splash of watercolor.

There’s something quite timeless and classic about botanicals and floral art. To make it that much more personal and touching, I added a few of my favorite classic lit quotes. Every time I look at them, they take me back to heart of the novels and a warm memory of being enraptured by the story.

“Whatever our souls are made of his and mine are the same.” – Catherine Earnshaw, Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

All prints are available in The Shop.

You Oughta Know | Timeline Wood

thevintagevogue — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:40:42 +0000

I’m always looking for reliable sources of quality reclaimed wood. There’s nothing like the beauty of imperfection in all things, but in wood I find it particularly endearing. I love to see a custom island or vanity in reclaimed wood – there’s something very elegant about the juxtaposition of clean lines and time-worn texture.

There happens to be an amazing local spot here in Baltimore called Second Chance where you’re very likely to find reclaimed wood in house. A veritable mecca of reclaimed building materials, it’s absolute heaven. For some projects, however, you have a certain aesthetic in mind, and perhaps the offering just isn’t hitting the right note. Enter Timeline Wood. I stopped dead in my tracks when I came across this new company. While they use fresh wood products, their color formulas immaculately duplicate the nuances and hues of reclaimed wood. They offer an amazing selection of indoor and outdoor wood products, suitable for flooring, construction or furniture.

Reasons why Timeline is amazing:

1. Beautiful finish selections

2. Low VOC’s

3. Contribute to LEED Points

4. Great sampling system

5. Made in the USA (Los Angeles)

Here’s a selection of their beautiful line. To find out more visit Timeline Woods.

And now you know.

Etsy Love | Clamshell Book

thevintagevogue — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:14:49 +0000

Have you ever seen anything like this? Kudos Erica of Odelae, this morning you have officially blown my mind.

Functional sculpture. A beauty.

Watercolor: A Stroke of Genius

thevintagevogue — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:11:28 +0000

In college I had a design professor who often told us of elaborate watercolor painting he’d create by a river of a French countryside. Each stroke soft yet thoughtful, painting impressions of the landscape with beautiful abandon. At the end of each session, once the painting was complete, he’d gently slide it into the river and watched as the flowing waters reclaimed the liquid strokes as one of their own, the hours, even days of work dissipating into nothingness as it floated away. For him it was an exercise in letting go and not being afraid to start all over again.

I think of that story now as I contemplate my own love of watercolor. At once a romantic wisp of color and a graphic show of mixing and bleeding colors, watercolors are my favorite of mediums. By their very nature they are untamed and organic, yielding “happy accidents” all about the canvas. I love their range of semi-opaque to opaque hues with colors over lapping in layers that create new colors. Their applications are endless; a fabric, a painting, a kite, a postcard, a rug, a brooch, a pillow, a wallpaper, a tea towel and so the list goes on…

They are a beautiful marriage of manmade and natural.

To say I have an artistic crush on this liquid chroma is something of an understatement. Please enjoy some watercolor lovelies I’ve assembled…

A Study in Rustic Elegance

thevintagevogue — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 19:29:18 +0000

Perhaps it’s the turn of summer, the BBQ’s and the campgrounds. The lakes, the fires, the lounging outdoors under a ceiling of bright, sparkly stars that has me in the mood to appreciate the beauty of nature. Here in Baltimore the summer has made itself well known with temps in the high 90′s as of late. I dream of retreating to a lake house or being dappled by the shade of an overhanging oak. Until then, here’s a serving of imagery that touches on the casual ease of designs that are inspired by the lovelies of nature.

Cast your cares to the wind and enjoy…

The Elephant in the Room | Designing Around Awkward Spaces

thevintagevogue — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:42:36 +0000

I’m in the process of designing a House Call for The Washington Post and have run into a challenge I most openly welcome. You see, the home in question is a 1930′s Sears Kit Home located in Silver Spring Maryland. It is an itty bitty cottage that’s as cute as a button. The floor plan of the living room, true to it’s 1930′s roots, is a layout you’d typically see for the period. The front door opens into the center of the living room, effectively dividing the space in two. And while I’m all for charm (perhaps why I love being an Interior Designer in Baltimore / Charm City) the layout presents some challenges with regard to furniture placement and circulation. Stay tuned for the final design…

Just for kicks, here are some other non-square or other wise architecturally unique interiors that pose their own design dilemmas. With skill and thoughtful planning, what could have been an eyesore is now a wonderful complement to the overall design.

Artistic Obsession | Cade Martin Photography

thevintagevogue — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:23:32 +0000

There are times when I’m rummaging about online that I happen upon an artist whose work strikes a deep and resounding note in my soul. I become immediately obsessed seeking everything the artist has created, gawking shamelessly behind the screen of my MacBook Pro. Shall I share with you my latest delight? Cade Martin’s Photography is nothing short of magical. The manner in which he uses a camera to transports us to another world, one which could be likened to an aristocratic, highly sophisticated version of Alice in Wonderland, is astounding. I discovered Cade Martin over a year ago when he collaborated with the brilliant graphic design studio Design Army to create a commemorative book for DC’s The Washington Ballet.

Cade Martin Photography, je t’aime <3

Design is in the Details | Steel Windows

thevintagevogue — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:45:45 +0000

If you have never seen (or recognized) steel windows there is an entire element of your architectural life that has yet to be fulfilled. You can thank me later. What’s so special about steel windows? Well, because the steel is inherently stronger than other window types, wood, vinyl, etc. this allows the mullions to be pencil thin and delicate while supporting vast amounts of glazing (or glass), at a ratio far greater than the other window types. What does this mean? More natural light! Natural light is everything when it comes to design. Take an empty white room, flank it with a wall of floor to ceiling windows with natural light pouring in – suddenly you have a hip loft, a gallery space, a ballroom, an office? With a few pieces of furniture it could be anything. Life happens with natural light.

I submit for your consideration, the 8th wonder of the world … steel windows. You’re welcome.