Say Anything

Typography is going to be big this fall.

The Alphabet pillow in black, $79 at Room and Board.



Custom quote wall decals from Blik.




Screen-printed city names, $135 from Granada Design.

Black in the Kitchen

We're thinking about a kitchen makeover for our home. I'm a huge fan of dark wall colors, but have never really considered them for my kitchen. In fact, I've never done anything to the kitchens in any of my homes. Which makes no sense since I cook almost every night. That's a lot of hours in a room that has no visual appeal.

This fabulous modern kitchen in black really has me thinking about going dark. I love that there's nothing on the walls. Trying to clean grease and dust of anything other than my stove and counters is more than I can handle. But the chalkboard paint allows for some creativity without extra dusting. And I love that white marble island.

See more dark kitchens on Girl Meets Glamour.

Fairy Tale Lighting

A tree with fruit made of light? This is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. Well decorated fairy tales, of course.

Did anyone else read The Twelve Dancing Princesses growing up? The Illustrations of the underground forest are amazing. I used to check it out of the school library every week just to look at the pictures. But I never owned a copy.

Minted Greek Wine

This sounds like it would make a great summer cocktail:

• 2 bottles dry Greek white wine
• mint syrup (recipe follows)
• mint sprigs for garnish

Combine 4 parts wine and 1 part mint syrup in a glass over ice, then garnish with a mint sprig (using these proportions, you can also make a pitcher ahead of time). For the wine, we recommend Domaine Spiropoulos Mantina Moschofilero, which is light and crisp, with hints of honeysuckle and subtle minerality.

Place ½ cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 20 fresh mint leaves in a bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for two minutes. Stir until sugar is dissolved; let cool. Strain into a small pitcher, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Via Domino.

Dark and Lovely Vintage Tumblers

I really like black glassware for it's old-world feel. But I like this set from UMA for its wittier and more casual vibe.

I've had several sets of stemless wineglasses and loved them. This may be my next addition.

Vintage Tumblers, $22 for the set of 4.

[Source]

Fashion Obsession: Bling Bling Peep-Toe

Ignore the hopeless name, because, otherwise, this Bling Bling Peep-Toe pump by Christian Louboutin is absolutely stunning.

$1,325 at Saks.

[Source]

All in the Details: Ottomans + Nailheads

Moroccan inspired ottomans are a nice trend. But add a nail-head accent and you've got a really striking centerpiece.

Girl Meets Glamour has collected several fabulous ottoman + nailhead options here.

Shelf Shelf

This is a very cool shelf that spells out shelf. I ran across this design by Da-Eun Song on Yanko Design, but can't find anything about where to buy it or if it's available for sale.

Frozen in Transition

Artist Martin Klimas breaks recognizable objects and photographs their moment of transition. I like the exotic kitchiness of the Asian-inspired figurines he favors. There's an irony to displaying photos of the fussy figurines we had to tiptoe around as children in pieces on our walls. It looks and feels like a well choreographed rebellion.

Leaving aside my urge childishly celebrate knick-knack destruction, I also like the aesthetic of the images. They are serene and kinetic.

Via Joshua Blankenship.

Beds in Nooks

Girl Meets Glamour has a up several images of beds in custom-made nooks. They're so cozy. It's the adult's answer to that girly canopy bed you always wanted.

Sunrise Lampshade

The sunrise lampshade by Lauren Moriarty changes color as the shade is heated by the bulb, revealing the London skyline. These won't be available until falls. I'm hoping that they add a few more cities to the repertoire.

DWR Goes Softer and Prettier

Sfgirlbybay posted these photos from the new Design Within Reach catalog. As she notes, the look is a complete departure from DWR's stark, museum-like style.

For once, I can see incorporating some of their furniture into my own home. They've made these modern classics look warm, inviting, and livable.

Worth Watching: Welcome to the Parker

I did a lot of channel surfing this weekend. And something that caught my eye as I flipped through the stations is Bravo's series, Welcome to the Parker.

The show follows the staff of the Parker, a gorgeous Palm Springs resort hotel, as they bend over backwards to cater to their demanding guests. But what makes it so worth watching is that the whole place was designed by Jonathan Adler in a style that he calls "Happy Chic."

I loved the second episode, in which Adler himself heads to the Parker to check in on the decor and offer advice on how to keep it up to his exacting standards. It was a great peak into what Adler was thinking when he created the design and the drive that makes him so successful. Plus, he plays the property manager at ping pong. Bravo is streaming the episode online now.

I love this "Periodicals" sign!

Evil Rock Quilts

QuiltsRyche is a site selling amazing, heirloom quality quilts by Boo Davis. These quilts just happen to be a little bit evil and a little bit rock 'n' roll.

I ended up liking these way more than I thought I would, even though they're pricey. They're beautiful and hard-edged and crafty all at once. Plus, they're one of a kind and they'd look as great hung up on a large wall as they would on a bed.

Thanks to my friend Jeff H. for the tip.

Some Style for your Kitchen

Spice up your walls with a series of 30 Patchwork plates by Marcel Wanders. [BLTD]

Preview MoMA's fall food fashions at the Kitchen.

Get a color and a cut with bicycle handle knives from MKS Design. [This Next]

King of Tables

This is the Arthur table for 12 by Extremis was designed to stimulate togetherness while eliminating the problems usually inherent in large tables. The table's diameter is 2.4 meters, the maximum distance that allows good communication between two people. The tables center rotates, to allow everyone access to everything, not that anyone is too far away to hear a request to pass the salt.

€4,799 at P.O.A.A.

Via Design Milk.

Album Art via RSS

Don't let digital downloads prevent you from appreciating the full glory of album art. Check out Sleevage, a new blog about the greatness that is cover art, from the 60s to today.

The site is currently in Beta, but is looking pretty good. Today's post was about one of my personal favorite's, the cover of Keane's Under the Iron Sea. I love those horses.

Via Joshua Blankenship's Weblog.

Oh How I Love You, Nelson Miniature Nine Drawer Chest with Pedestal

When I saw this photo from Amy & David's House Tour on AT: Chicago, I was instantly enamored. I've read that when we see something beautiful, our pupils dilate. And that rings true since I felt a brightening sensation that almost made me teary eyed as I took in this image. Of course, that teariness may also have been cause by our famous Dallas allergens.

This particular Nelson pedestal chest, which reminds me of Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, is a vintage piece. But ATC discovered the chest has been reissued and is available with pedestal via special-order at Room and Board for $1395.

Ottoman Script Vase from Gaia & Gino

I just saw this Cali vase from Gaia and Gino on Design Milk. It immediatly made me think of old Ottoman script.

I went to the G & G site to check it out, and, sure enough, it's a Turkish company. The Cali design is based on The amazingly beautiful Ottoman calligraphy I've seen in Turkish museums and mosques.

No More Slippery Slippers

I have dogs. And because I have dogs, I've learned that barefootin' it is no longer an option. Mysterious drool puddles have a tendency to appear on my wood floors, and I'd rather not discover them with my toes.

As a result, slippers are part of my at-home uniform. But they too have a tendency to end up in unexpected places. Like way, way under the bed, behind the sofa, and under my sneakers in the back of the closet.

This rug is a handy, whimsical solution. Although I strongly suspect this slipper rug would become my dogs' new favorite place to sleep.

Bedside Slippers by Yanko Design. Via This Next.