Impressive: January 1

Well, that was quite the hiatus. I'll try to do better. 

To start of the New Year, I am proposing a new segment on inspiring interior spaces, vignettes, and details. I'm not really sure what to call it so for now it'll just be known as 'Impressive'.

This clever art installation of vintage equestrian helmets above the fireplace is simple and creative.  In the home tour, featured on Design*Sponge, the owner says, "We were one short of having three neat rows, so we drew out one more to fill in the grid." The mini Windsor chair is a great find, as well.

This lovely handmade shelving unit from The Kitchn houses beautiful kitchen supplies, look at the wood bowls and tea kettle collection! The warm colors and varying textures create an inviting space that I just adore.

Art dealer Patrick Perrin's study, featured in the November 2013 issue of House & Garden, has a beautiful collection of illustrations, paintings, and prints, along with an amazing assortment of frames. The disarray of the placements works and comes together well. I like the panoramic frame along the bottom, it anchors the gallery wall and lifts the desk up. 

-E

[ sources: helmets, pantry, gallery ]

Instagram Crush: Lizzird

I have been following lizzird for a while now, and although I am not sure how I found her, but I'm so glad I did. Although her posts vary between cats, coffee, plants, and the occasional rug, I mainly follow her for the stunning Victorian homes. To my knowledge, she doesn't have a blog, etsy, or anything.

The Fat Tabby: Tom

My cat Tom, whom I have had for 12 years (I was 6 when we got him!), is a fat tabby. Being the namesake of this blog, I figured he deserved his own post.

A few facts:

Tom loves to sit.

He is always sleeping. 

His best friend is also his faux dad.

He always sleeps next to me at night (no matter the season).

He is lazy as heck, hence the weight.

Tom loves to help!

Ok this turned out much cheesier than expected, but oh well. Tom and I are planning on renting a house together in a year or two, probably with a roommate. We are very excited (and I really want a Victorian).

-E

Marble Tray DIY

About a month ago, I saw this lovely DIY on Almost Makes Perfect. I realize my version looks incredibly similar, but if Molly had made hers in a green marble, I probably wouldn't have even looked twice! There's just something about Carrera and gold (or bronze) that I adore. I loved all the veining in my piece, there are hints of gold and grey, it's beautiful! It was super easy and pretty cheap to make (about $4 for the marble, $15 for the handles, and I already had the gold acrylic and paint brushes. It would have been easier to spray, but I super love the brush stroke texture on the handles). I plan on this tray being on my desk, either corralling succulents or desk and art supplies.

I spent last night shopping with one of my very good friends. Our friendship started a few years ago in English when I noticed she was wearing tennis shoes and a raincoat from Madewell, and then we started talking about Nylon magazine. So last night we went to Madewell just before it closed (and also a cupcake store, H&M, and Anthropologie). We decided to buy each other the same pack of Rifle Paper Co. notebooks and then gift them to each other. How cute are they? They're going to be such a special and colorful addition to my dorm. (Also, how lovely would this yellow clock be in my room?)

-E

Artist Spotlight: Kai Samuels-Davis

After reading about Kai on Emily Henderson's blog, I became an instant fan. Almost a year later, I finally bought two of his pieces for my dorm. I'm incredibly happy with the quality and cannot wait to hang them up.

He studied at Woodstock School of Art before getting his BFA at SUNY Purchase, and then earned his MFA at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Since then he's been living in Northern California overlooking a river and the Pacific Ocean.

What originally drew me into his work is the elements of traditional, while still having a new take on it. I'm also obsessed with his use of color, it's absolutely amazing.

I bought the two portraits of the girls above, and I'm freaking out. They're going to look great on my wall in their (spray painted) gold frames (from Ikea). They also encourage my love of portraits of people I do not know (I'm hoping to build a serious flea-market and Salvation Army collection of rando's over the years). I'd also like to incorporate the empty bottle of rye in my dad's new office when they move to Kentucky soon, but more on that later.

[ sources: his etsy, his website ]