Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a lovely one. I'll be checking out the huge neighborhood-wide garage sale happening over the weekend — should be both crazy and fun. How about you?

(photo via pinterest — still sourcing credit)

Milan Minimalism

An elegant blend of old and new, this beautiful Milan apartment has been sensitively renovated by architect Francesco Rota. Details such as the original period doors, moldings, hardwood floors and entry way tiles have been retained, forming a striking contrast to the furniture — much of it classic examples of 1970s Italian design. The one note of colour to the black and white scheme is the deep red dining room table. And on the living room wall — a large photo of the 1950s-era Pirelli skyscraper by architect Geo Ponti, a symbol of the city of Milan. More here on Côté Maison.

Smile

The Magic Bus, an utterly charming print by Blanca Gomez, is making me smile a lot today. Available from her Etsy shop here.

Sweetness and Light

A lovely fluttering detail, full of delicate colour and movement.

(photo by alfonso ohnur for harper's bazaar spain, june 2010. via daily styling deluxe by way of pinterest)

Buffet

This week's links. Enjoy.

The Queen of Sicily's Paris Shopping List, 1277
Fascinating glimpse of the domestic side of being a medieval queen — and who doesn't love reading lists?

Seashell Sound
Anyone who's spent time by the sea has put a seashell to their ear to hear the roar of the sea — this thoughtful essay looks at how we've listened throughout history and literature.

The Tower House
Check out this lovely skyscraper-style treehouse with a view of the mountains, designed to reflect the leaves of the trees around it.

Good Advice
Great selection over at Brain Pickings of inspiring advice on: how not to worry about money, courage and the creative life, fueling the inner engine of learning and making good art.

Weird and Wonderful Fruits and Vegetables
Celebrate Vegetarian Week with this selection of oddly (and at times rather rudely) shaped fruits and veggies.

5 Celebrity Favourite Natural Skincare Products
Check out how get Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Nichole Kidman and other celebs get their radiant glow with this list of their fave natural skincare products. 

Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man
Just found this and can't wait to see it — a 2005 documentary that revisits Shakespeare and Company, the most famous bookstore in Paris. A and I visited when we were in Paris — it's utterly atmospheric.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Lovely recipe for a late spring dessert from Cookie and Kate.


(photo from alison milne design via escapade)

Smitten

I'm smitten with this lovely Onion print by Tokyo-based illustrator Ryo Takemasa — gorgeous design that just makes me smile. Available on Etsy here.

Covet Garden Home

I'm a huge fan of the beautiful Canadian e-mag Covet Garden, so it's exciting to hear that they're working on a special print edition, Covet Garden Home. Designed as a half magazine/half book, it will feature brand-new content plus favourite spaces from past issues — all printed locally on high-quality paper stock. You can help Covet Garden make their lovely publication a reality through their IndieGoGo campaign — find out more about their print plans and fundraising campaign on their IndieGoGo page here. The print version will ship in Winter 2013.

Moments of Beauty

Jewel toned summer wear instead of the usual brights or pastels, modeled by Li Wei and photographed by Zhang Jingna.

(via fashion gone rogue)

Light and Spacious

A stunning apartment in Rörsjöstaden, featured on the Swedish Bolaget real estate site — more of it here. The natural light, architectural details and floors are wonderful.

Sponsor Spotlight

Tinder is having a Yard Sale — and you're invited! Check out lovely items for you and for the home, such as the eco-retro fabulous Sheila Maid shown here, which was recently featured in Martha Stewart magazine. Perfect for adding style to your laundry room — and handy for small apartments or cottages too, where space is at a premium. The Yard Sale is on to the end of May — start shopping at Tinder here.

Tired of your functional but dull office chair? Make your work day one to look forward to with one of seven classic early 20th century office chairs from Rove Concepts! These high quality reproductions feature hand stitched Denmark Bouclé Wool and/or 100% full grain Aniline Leather imported from Italy in a huge range of colours, poised on a high quality aluminum base in a chip and flake resistant satin finish. Well made, these pieces will give you years of stylishly comfortable seating. Visit Rove Concepts here and get ready to make your office one that would be the envy of a Mad Men exec!

Recognizing that the world of technology is ever changing, interior designer Jamie Herzlinger is staying on trend with JH ONLINE, an online design service that is tailored to your personal design needs. Unlike other online interior design services, you become a personal client of Jamie Herzlinger, giving you access to a nationally renowned interior design firm at the click of a button! JH ONLINE also offers you a variety of different ways to work together to make your project a success — they'll happily look through all those beautiful inspirational photos you've collected from your favourite shelter magazines to help you achieve your vision. To get started, just submit a request here — warm, courteous and professional interior design service is just a click away!

Simple Pleasures

A new houseplant or two, to add a little nature to one's space.

(photo by kristofer johnsson)

Atelier: Julia Geiser

 

 Today I'm admiring the beautiful collage art of Julia Geiser, which mixes vintage images to both comic and disturbing effect. Wonderful. See more of her work here.

Monday

A lovely still life of peonies to start your Monday beautifully. Have a good one.

(photo by christopher broadbent via pinterest)

Elegantly Minimal

I can't think of a better way to start off the week than with a tour of the stunning home of designer Lucas Jimeno. Gorgeous.

(photography by the ortitz for wish casa magazine. via 79 ideas)

Weekend

Happy weekend! Hope it's a lovely one. It's a long weekend for us here so we're really looking forward to a little extra relaxation time. How about you?

(photo by siren lauvdal with styling by kråkvik/d’orazio. via elle decoration)

A Cosmopolitan Loft

The beautiful Brussels loft of Fatti and Peter, a former hat factory in an industrial building a stone's throw from the Gare du Midi, is an elegant mix of Peter's interest in modern architecture and Fatti's cosmopolitan background — Iranian in origin, she travels extensively between Paris, Brussels and New York. Now a light-filled and relaxed space for the pair and little Romana, it's filled with art, books and modern furniture — and with plenty of room for the little one to scoot around in, too. More here on MilK.

(photography by louise desrosiers)