interiors

James took some photos of my place this afternoon. His photographs really put my previous attempts to shame, so even though this is a tad redundant, I’m posting them. Plus, we finally bought some plants and a rug for the bedroom. Looks much more… healthy with some green.

I used some old rope to tie back my curtains. I like how they play against my straw hat.

In my last apartment all the picture frames were painted to match my bedroom’s super graphic stripe and filled with sixties photographs and advertisements. I am not sure if it’s laziness, but I like them “open.” You can call it “After Hang Up” by Eva Hesse.

The print is by Igor Pantuhoff. The little bowl I saved from Morocco.

The chalk portrait of the boy matches his sister. I found both upstate for a song. They remind me of Don and Betty’s kids in Mad Men. I have that show on the brain lately. Did you see Hamm on 30 Rock? “I want to go to there.” Best. Moment. Ever.

Oh, and this little owl is a 60’s transistor Radio. Very Clash of The Titans, no?

The pastel portrait we also found upstate. I wouldn’t have put him there, but he hides an ugly converter box. Theodore’s quite a patriot; enjoys staring at our flag all day.

My wall of necklaces. Having them displayed encourages me to change them up.
The dream catcher I don’t wear, but he’s cute.

My kitchen’s floors are all distressed, but I like that.
We use the magnetic letters to create impromptu menus when we have friends over.

Metal Peacock feathers, James’ copy of Nirvana’s Bleach

I never sit here and read, because mostly I just internet. 2009 goal: books.

more photos of my place on le blog de james.

Share/Save

I think I have a new project that, if I complete in a timely fashion, will find its way into my bedroom. Since my apartment walls lack flair (I so wish I had wainscoting, chair rails, or molding like a Fort Green brownstone) I have to come up with ways to decorate and add to the space.

My bedroom is the most boring of all the rooms in the apartment. It doesn’t have wood floors, but instead low pile gray carpet out of a dull office building. Eventually I’ll find a threadbare Oriental or Navajo rug to hide it. For now… I am thinking it might be nice to hang something from the ceiling. Perhaps white linen scraps or fabric streamers or something like these triangle banners (in pale colors and faded fabrics).

the selby
door sixteen
christine
dédé au château

Share/Save

My apartment projects never feel “done.” After all, I am still in need of a rug to cover the ugly gray carpet, a coat rack, curtains in the kitchen, and to wire the school house pendant lamp that hangs over the dining room table. My bed is on the floor all bohemian style. I like it but a headboard is probably in order.

You can’t tell what’s missing in these photos because I’m only showing you bits and pieces. And maybe you wouldn’t notice anyway.

What you can see however is the great plank floors, my metal peacock feathers, some of my CT and PA flea market finds, and the cheap couch I cleaned and repainted. Enjoy!

Share/Save

One of the things I’ve been into recently, besides old beat up mirrors, blanc de chine and various white ceramics, is glassware. Glass water bottles, old vases in various sizes and colors, seltzer and milk bottles. And as of today, moonshine jugs.

I stumbled into Michelle Varian in Soho this afternoon. Amid all the tempting gift items were a selection of different sized, probably handmade, jugs. They started at $70 so I looked up equivalents on Ebay.

I need more excuses to display hydrangeas in my apartment. No, seriously! This is all Gossip Girl’s fault. “Hydrangeas!” And I think they’d look cool in one of these huge jugs. Also, I like saying how I need some “huge jugs.” Ok maybe not.

I also love these water bottles remixed in glass. I have really no use for one, but I like. They sell them at MV, Moon River Chattel, and Urban Outfitters.

Share/Save

stairs

Share/Save

My apartment desperately needs seating for future Gossip Girl nights. I was hoping to buy something used, but I’m afraid of bedbugs lest I opt for Craigslist. Ebay isn’t an option because most are for pick up only or have insane shipping charges. Which leaves brick and mortar stores in Brooklyn and the city.

But oh how expensive new couches are! I had no idea the cheap ones clock in at a grand. I want something Deco, Hollywood Regency, or early sixties. Soft, cream colored, sort of feminine, maybe velvet.

These sofas from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams are what I’m talking about. There is no price on their website, so I can only assume they are serious coin.

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams

Crate and Barrel

Share/Save

I found these 1930’s metal animal doorstops on Ebay. I’m sort of obsessed with the idea of getting some animal (in particular, that bunny) to keep me company.

Share/Save

New apartment means new furniture. I’m subletting my current place and keeping it furnished. The new place is hopefully going to have a feel that’s part Great Gatsby and Lyell lookbook (faded floral wallpaper, silk camisoles) (would that constitute Hollywood Regency?) meets London 1968 + some knotty wood and some of Charley Harper’s color palate. In my mind it all makes sense. I just don’t want it to see too precious (or in need of dried flowers and twenty cats)

I’m looking into installing wainscotting and beadboard, scouring ebay for vintage wallpaper, old cuppboards, and loveseats. Last night I painted half the rooms pale yellow and petal pink. Today it’s finishing up the rest.

I want these

Share/Save

The new apartment has closets in the bedroom and dining room each covered by flimsy white sliding doors. They desperately need some flair, but there are so many options I’m stumped.

1. Painting the doors an interesting color
2. Hand painting or stenciling patterns
3. Creating a mural
4. Covering them with my own wallpaper design via Wall Collection
5. Buying some of the pre-made stuff

From Walnut Wallpaper, Jonathan Adler, Graham and Brown, Geoff Mcfetridge’s line Pottok, Flavor Paper and Places and Spaces. Other cool brands I discovered but don’t think are for me: Louise Body and Palace Papers. The window films (image 2 and 3) might be great idea for the bedroom and bathroom window.

Share/Save

My carpenter and I met through mutual friends sometime last year. Stefan has since built us shelves, a desk, a storage system for my paintings, and most recently, a fancytime lightbox for my impending plexiglass pattern series.

He recently proposed a commission; I’m to create a painting memorializing his soon-to-be-vacated apartment.

James and I visited his live/work loft a few days ago and documented all the details. The walls are haphazardly painted blue, a giant jagged red stained glass partition separates his work area, and custom built-ins assembled from a crumbled watertower, house African figurines, a lofted bed, and dozens of art books and small artifacts. It’s quite a unique space, ripe with character and detail. After I figure out a composition, I’ll start drawing creepy tigers, quirky vignettes, and outsider art. Quite a fun trade.

Share/Save

In September I’m hopefully moving out of Stuyvesant Town and into a pre-war apartment. I’ll sublet my brightly colored sixties bedroom so I don’t have to worry about my furniture and can start relatively fresh. I felt inspired by Todd Selby’s series of photographed interiors and figured I should document where I’ve been for the last few years before I leave it all behind.

Share/Save