Category Archives: Interiors + Architecture
It’s been a work in progress but the shop is really shaping up! Reclaimed pine countertops are installed, vintage chairs and tables have replaced the dining table (just in time for holiday dinners, too!), and a final installment of shelves are under way. And while Pop was taking care of those things, I’ve been curating a small collection of handcrafted items from some favorite vendors for the season:
Chase Studios: Fellow coffee addict, Heather Ossandon, invited me into her studio to co-design the custom mugs for the shop. She also brought in some of her recent pieces – vases, carafes, mini cups – and has some more exciting things in the works for us. Currently based in Haddonfield, New Jersey, but she’s actually a native of the Medford area where the shop is located. Small world!
Chez Sucre Chez: Kimberly Scola’s “handcrafted miscellany” has been on my fave list for years. Her embroidery work is simple and perfect every time, but she’s been getting some high praise lately from Martha herself with her pretty and functional sewn goods. But I don’t need Martha to tell me that her bowl covers, mulling spices, and other goodies are great, because I already knew that. And it happens to be that this Thornton, Pennsylvania, transplant is yet another native of the shop’s location. Even smaller world!
Melo Studios: I met co-owner Olivia Lotz through Craigslist. After an exchange of quality furnishings, we soon realized our meeting was meant to be – her husband, a contractor, and I started networking for future projects, and I knew I’d find a way to get her candles into my possession (muah-ha-ha). She and her partner, Jess Lee, hand pour each candle in their Germantown studio – not Medford, but still local.
To put it all together, I spent an afternoon with Stacy Jackson at Meadowsweet Vintage in Manayunk poring over her treasures. The various crates and hardware drawers assembled on the wall are from her shop, as well as the Neapolitan flip coffee pots added for good measure. So one wall down, one wall to go!
Tags: ceramics, display, easy, eco-friendly, handmade, interior design, sewing, styling, vintage, wood
This image greeted my this morning in my mailbox from Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., making me wish for sunshine, fresh flowers, and brunch with friends and family. Despite springtime palettes on my Pinterest boards, this shiny black is doing the trick. All handmade in the US of A, too? Bruce would be proud.
Tags: event, handmade, lighting, music, styling
I’m doing research on pieces for an office today and am in love with the NY showroom WYETH. This Edward Wormley for Dunbar desk and chair are gorgeous.
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Tags: antique, furniture, nyc
Just as the summer comes to an end, I suddenly want it last a little longer. And I want it to be in this beach house. Mona Ross Berman, a Pennsylvania-based interior designer, was recently featured in the latest House Beautiful issue for her “Retro Beach House” project. The colors and patterns used bring a fresh energy to beach house design (no offense Pottery Barn). The painted chevron pattern on the dining table (above) gives a clue to what I’m talking ‘bout here. Click below to see some more of my favorite views:
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Tags: color, interior design, wallpaper
I’m an interior designer, in case I never mentioned that. I live and breathe design in any form, really. Life is a composition for me. So trying my hand at photographic styling should come naturally, right? Well… sort of. I recently (translation: months ago but am just getting around to posting) borrowed my friend Gavin’s amazing kitchen and sweet camera skills to get creative. I severely underestimated the amount of time in preparation, which compromised our available natural light. I guess it’s because I’m pretty specific when it comes to lining things up, assembling items on trays, etc. It’s what a designer does, right? We go crazy getting things just perfect. Luckily, Gavin’s kitchen (one of the many highlights in the 869 Compound) was rich with natural finishes and, being home to two skilled chefs, was also filled with fun accents like vintage baking pans and fresh produce to arrange (and rearrange several times).
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Tags: interior design, philly local, photography
This a common phrase my other half hears me say often. It means that I have found a new project or cause to take on. It doesn’t mean that I will come anywhere near accomplishing them most of the time, but it is a moment where I dedicate myself entirely to something, however fleeting. The famous decision he teases me about is, “I’ve decided I need to make a sofa for this room.” So that has been the running joke in our house, though I still intend to make a sofa one day! It’s on my life list, I swear. Anyway, I think I’ll share my decisions with you to give him a break once in a while…
So today, in this moment, I have decided that I want to find a project with an open space plan to lend my interior design skills (anyone in desperate need of how to outfit their huge space?). This home by Postgreen and Interface Studio featured in this month’s Dwell, inspired the “decision”:
[Photo by Mark Mahaney]
Basic materials with little clutter – the way living should be. I’m in a purging mood, so bare and simple-to-manage interiors are drawings me in. The balance of this kitchen come together so beautifully – the equal-width upper and lower cabinets, horizontal straight lines of all the surfaces, and the character in the dining room table and concrete floor against the clean white and black. (I’ll take two, please.)
[Photo by Mark Mahaney]
This nursery just speaks for itself. Clean and simple, though the other side of the room is a more realistic view of the needs of a babe. Now I find myself wanting to re-do Lucy’s room for a fresh start. She’s a toddler now and has seemingly outgrown her baby toys. She needs rooms for her growing book collection (and dress-up stuff she’ll soon be amassing, the diva she is!).
Be sure to check out the rest of the home here and try their Project Customization tool to create your own house, learning how to keep a budget with REAL pricing. You can check my design out right here.
Tags: Architecture, interior design, kids, philly local
A few weeks ago, my friend Gavin brought me to this cafe he’d been telling me about in Northern Liberties – One Shot Coffee. We walked in and I was amazed – salvaged tin on the ceilings, suiting textiles on the banquette, and warm wood tones throughout – I felt home. We ordered up some grub and he told me there was an upstairs. “An upstairs? This gets better?” I thought. We passed local hipsters converging on social and business matters, and settled down in the lounge with worn leather mid-century sofas, layers of rich oriental rugs, and walls of gas pipe shelving (a la Ace Hotel and The Brick House). The food was quite delicious, as well. I ordered a grilled cheese with tomato on rye (a special request despite all the yummy daily specials) – almost bit my fingers off it was so good. And I’m dreaming about their Tom’s Dirty Chai (with 2 shots of espresso) – I’ve begged my local baristas to make it for me but it just ain’t the same (sorry dudes).
As you can see, I firmly approve this place and hope you visit there soon!
Tags: interior design, philly event
Scotty Reifsnyder’s Heroes of Folk limited edition series depicts six of America’s true champions. Here’s my fave – Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox. I loved it so much I created a kid’s room around it [clockwise from top left]: String 10 by Areaware; Naked Line by Mio Culture; Surfin Twin Bed by Ecotots; Draper Stripe Rug by DwellStudio; Bryson by Diane Koss; Soft-Map Quilt by Haptic Lab; and Pop-Up Basket by Mio Culture.
Tags: art, color, etsy, interior design, kids
Hello. I'm Jamie. Welcome to my happy place – where past meets present for meaningful design.