Inspired by Cynthia Frank

.01 Abstract painting | .02 Regent demilune table | .03 Orange chair | .04 Horn accent table | .05 Casa Bello Sofa | .06 White floor lamp | .07 Rope coffee table | .08 Seagrass table |.09 Grey velvet pillow

I know, I know....I took a very long break from the blog - But let me say this: When one steps away from the internet for a bit and focuses on business, one gets a whole lot accomplished and finds new sources of inspiration!  One also ends up swooning over other people's homes and contemplating selling everything you own and starting over!

One such home is that of Elle Decor contributing editor, Cynthia Frank!  I've loved Cynthia's style for a while now and didn't even realize it - turns out photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank consulted Cynthia, her mother-in-law, while decorating her lovely New York apartment (blogged about here).  Now I'm being a little exaggerated when I say I now want to sell everything I own and start over - I just really love this home.  Those vintage plaster lamps made me sigh and the black and white marble floor! This inspired me to add a little bit more color to my home for summer and was the overall style inspiration for my "Girl on a Budget" project (which I share more on later) - think lots of white and pops of color!

I put together a Cynthia inspired board above with some great pieces from Horchow (they're having an incredible sale right now), West Elm and Etsy.  That rope coffee table has my name written all over it!   Granny chic, what?

Where do you get decor inspiration from?

Totes Adorbs

Now that Kristin Kerr Interiors is in full swing I feel like not a day goes by that I don't have a random notebook, paint swatch or fabric memo poking out of my purse.  Enter my need for the perfect tote to corral my finds. The requirements?  Extra large, black, durable, and affordable aka no name-brand needed. I thought about this one from The Gap but it wasn't big enough so I continued the search and stumbled upon this super chic black ostrich bag by Patkas on Etsy.  This European shop carries a ton of affordable leather goods and accessories.  I haven't pulled the trigger on the purchase yet but if I do I'll most likely HAVE to sneak this faux fox fur scarf into my shopping bag.  Totes adorbs, right?

Gift Guide | The Etsy Lover

Why not give the ones you love a gift made with love?

1. Ultramarine blue painting by The Colour Store $140 | 2. Porcelain sweet pea vase by Kim Westad $40 | 3. Creme de la Creme gold foil print by Smile Baby Studio $18 | 4. Geometric square with green circle stud earring by Vivid By Esther $24 | 5. Impossible Triangle original watercolor by Geometric Ink $80 | 6. Prada Marfa by Kristin Kirkley $100 | 7. Concrete wall clock by Wert Werke $250 | 8. A pair of dotted dishes $48 | 9. Doha metallic copper and offwhite handprinted organic by Melongings $70 | 10. Urchin Bowl Porcelain Ceramic Textured Sea by Element Clay Studio $82 | 11. Folded Paper Furoshiki by The Link Collective $44 | 12. Golden cloud porcelain wall pillow by Stepanka $66 | 13. Top Knot print by Elizabeth Mayville $20

Smitten | Waterstone Succulents

 I love plants and the layer of interest and texture they add to a space but I just can't seem to keep them alive.  Does anyone else have this problem? I bought a succulent last year because someone told me they're the "masters of survival"...I proved them wrong and I killed mine in a month.  So when Etsy featured these lovely Waterstone Succulents last week I thought, finally, a beautiful faux plant!  Such a genius concept - a plant you can’t over or under water!  I purchased this gold one but I have a feeling that once it arrives I'm going to want more!  Brown thumbs rejoice!

Emma Lawrenson

I'm absolutely loving these vibrantly-hued prints by UK artist Emma Lawrenson.  I stumbled upon Emma's Etsy shop, Little Print Press, while working on an interior project and was instantly drawn to her sensibility of color.  The bright colors and abstract shapes have a very 1970s Ellsworth Kelly vibe which I'm totally digging. Any one of these think will look great paired with my more traditional furniture.  I'm thinking yellow for my office.  Which one is your favorite?

Amourouse!

I Amour Amourouse! I know I just posted one of designer Eva Elz's fabulous swimsuits on Friday but these bikinis are so good they deserve their own post! These suits are by far the most stylish (and affordable) I've seen this season...that big bow had me at hello! I already have quite a few weekend trips in the works for this summer so new beachwear is at the top of my wish list. Would you go for the sailor stripes, preppy seersucker, classic black, wholesome polka dots, or nineties floral? Oh man, I kind of want one of each…

Currently Coveting | Etsy Finds

It felt like the rain and clouds were never going to leave Chicago but the sun is finally out just in time for the weekend!  Although summer is technically still over a month away, today's sunshine is making me dream of beached and bikinis.  I've got the summer itch so today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite warm weather finds from Etsy.  To me nothing says summer like nautical stripes, white porcelain, sea creatures and a pop of pink.  Happy weekend!

life is beautiful linocut print // sweetgum porcelain bowl // seahorse tea set // large purple barnacle // green cube from the colour store // knot your momma's earring // navy and white striped bow bandeau bikini //

Happy Easter!

I'm just stopping in to wish everyone a very Happy Easter!  See you tomorrow!

(Image via feltjar)

Flatfile

A less expensive yet equally beautiful alternative to the Donald Baechler silhouettes I posted yesterday. Can you tell I've got art on my mind? Be sure to check out the rest of Flatfile's work on etsy + let me know what you think! 

Currently Coveting | Sukan Pillows

I sort of died and went to pillow heaven when I found my new favorite Etsy shop, Sukan. Pictured above are just a few of the thousands (yes, thousands) of pillows available.  Made from authentic silk ikats and antique Turkish wool kilims and suzanis, I'm in awe of the colors and patterns.  I want to be over ikat, I really do, but to me the lazy boho chic vibe of these pillows is just too inviting.  I picture them in a room like the Marie Olsson Nylander designed living room pictured above -- white walls, rustic woods and bright Sukan pillows sprawled all over.

(Photography by Sara Svenningrud)

Rock On

I'm in love with these wood candle holders from Etsy shop, Pelle.   I'm going to contact the shop owner this weekend and see if he'll make more because I think they's look great clustered in the center of my dining room table!  I have a thing for mixed metallics...and rocks.

I hope you have a rockin' weekend!

Paris is a Feeling

....quite smitten with this photograph - hot air balloons floating over the streets of Paris seems ideal, don't you think?

Le Chignon

Say hello to Chelsea, Bridgett and Rebecca.  I love these simple yet intricate prints from Madrid-based Etsy shop Nosideup.  The detail on the first drawing, Le Chignon, is absolutely stunning.  Wouldn't a few of these  look chic in a girly dressing room?   

Vélo Noir

I'm kind of obsessed with this Rue Montorgueil Bike print from Little Brown Pen, a fine art photography Etsy boutique.  In January of 2009, the photographer and her husband left behind a New York "live to work" mentality and bought one-way tickets to Paris.  Sounds heavenly, right?  Luckily you can have a piece of their idyllic Parisian life for about the price of a croissant and a cappuccino! 

Cocktails Anyone?

I love a glamorous home bar, and I'm not talking about a leftover stash of liquor in your kitchen cabinet.  I like a bar that is both functional and beautiful. Once you have a nice variety of liquor there are so many fun things you can add to your bar: a great array of mixers, gorgeous glassware, a beautiful tray, colorful cocktail napkin and chic bar tools. While it may not always be practical to give up precious real estate in an apartment to a bar, with the holidays right around the corner I can't think of a better time to make the space for a few of these "gilty" pleasures.

1. Kate Spade Twirl Larabee Dot Fete Mini Saucers (Set of 4), $75  I 2. Kate Spade Cocktails Anyone? Tidbit Plates (Set of 4), $50 I 3. Decorator Tag Sale Gilded Console, $650 I 4. The Elegant Setting Embroidered Linen Cocktail Napkins (Set of 6), $80 I 5. Target Rattan Tray, $40  I 6. Sunny Day Vintage Etsy Shop Tortoise Shell Ice Bucket, $26