Charming home in France

Take me to France now and I would work out my issues with chipping paint later. Seriously is this not the most charming place? Straight out of a movie.

The above space designed by Isabel Lopez-Quesada.

passionate on friday

First of all when I close my eyes I am seeing really cool shades of purple. I thought I had got that out of my system when I painted our guest room Peace & Happiness (Benjamin Moore)..do I sound like I have been taking or inhaling some brain altering substances..you know because I am seeing things and using colors called peace & happiness. Anyway today I not only feel passionate about the above colors but I also feel passionate about the following:

*Flowers and the prospects of the upcoming wildflower season, (above wildflower picture taken by me..I think I might blow it up).

*Oh mercy can we please discuss the new Mish jewelry shop in New York?? Look at those walls that were painted by Mark Uriu...what a hugely talented artist. I want those walls in my house. Images via The Style Saloniste.

*How about a new water-based nail polish by Scotch in Morning Glory Fizz (that is exactly the color of morning glory that grew in my back yard). Love the packaging too.

*Ok and sign me up for my bogging friend Jess's new hardware. Seriously can I be first in line? I love the shapes and especially that acrylic brass combo pull. Go here to see more.

*AND finally the above quote by Elisabeth Kubler Ross really is striking a chord with me and is especially meaningful...thanks Mara.

Happy Presidents Day weekend!!!

P.S. - My main objective this weekend is to gather a bowl full of lemons...and then I just know every thing else will fall into place...

Black and white done right (a space designed by Betsy Brown)

I have always loved the above space because I think it represents a black and white space done right. I have recently revisited the thought of black and white because that is what I currently have to work off of in my own home. Due to our home potentially becoming a rental in the near future it only makes sense to work with what I already have.

A few thoughts on why I think the above space is a great example of black and white done right:

The above space has a timeless and classic feel.

There are many organic and natural elements that have been incorporated.

Lots of added texture into the mix with aged woods & antiques. Woven baskets are another great way to bring in some texture.

Make the focus of the room be about items that are sculptural....one of the best examples is that tri-arm floor lamp in the first image. Also take note of all of the black and white abstract prints (I am a big fan of Eduardo Chillida for black and white absract), wooden ball and other knick knacks with great shape.

To keep a room fresh do not forget modern and very straight lined pieces to add to the mix. A clean modern white sofa is very good starting point. The above space is such a great balance of so many things..it is neither too modern or too traditional. The space still looks very clean but collected. A great mix of both feminine and masculine elements.

Fresh plants and flowers keep a place not looking too stale. Also a great way to bring life and color.

What do you think about the above space?

1- woven baskets 2- Eduardo Chillida art 3 - floor lamp 4 - green velvet pillow 5 - white modern KIVIK sofa 6 - brass and wood top side table 7 - barnacle cluster 8 - Eduardo Chillida art 9 - fresh cut blooming branches

The above space was designed by Betsy Brown.

glimpses of heart day

Most of the time it is the little things that bring so much happiness and joy. I have really enjoyed my children lately for that fact. I love the way they put so much heart into all of the items that they handcraft..it's just fantastic. I also love that overall they are just happy people. I've reimplemented their approach lately in my life by trying to see the best in things. Want to know how it worked out like say for example on Valentine's Day...

Around 4pm on Valentine's Day a clean cut man knocked on our door with a clipboard and asked if there was a Christina Brian at home. I answered "yes". The man then said, "would that be you?". I responded "yes" again. The suspense was killing me as I immediately thought that I had been gifted some sort of beautiful valentine that I needed to sign for. I pictured something a little expected like flowers and I would have gladly accepted the expected (as opposed to the well thought out unexpected) as I secretly rejoiced inside...that was until the man then handed me a piece a paper saying that I probably had already received a copy in the mail but that he wanted to make sure that I got it. No biggie just a piece a paper with my picture on it saying that I had broke the law somewhere around town...Feeling a little silly I shut the door and was teetering with wanting to be really ticked or lightly entertained. Ok so this really has nothing to do with how a kid would handle a certain situation or finding the best in something because any one of my kids would have been really ticked. I know because it never works out so well when I try to get my kids all excited about something right before I punish them. So apparently I chose to be lightly entertained just like I am lightly entertained at the fact that I just said that I try to excite my kids before I punish them. The nerve of that man with the clipboard.

I really did not intend on writing all of the above but sometimes it just comes out...

Happy day after Valentine's Day all of you love muffins!!! Promise to be back tomorrow with some other ideas that have to do with design.

P.S. - I sort of think my kids are genius for wanting to make a heart out of circle stickers.

A little pink house by the volcano

Looking at the above pictures make me think that I could still relax even if the place was right next to a volcano. I love that little pink casita..adorable.

The above space was designed by Robert Couturier Inc.

I will be BACK later this afternoon just like that rug in my boys room. Phew, finally a rug I will not be sending back. I guess it's true when they say third ones a charm.

P.S. - I got braces in my old years.

HellofromNavajoNation

Of course people expressing themselves through the art of graffiti is expected in a city but certainly not in the middle of Navajo Nation land. I am very curious about all of these little random expressions of art that are spread out over 120 miles or so...they are so peculiar. My camera can not fully convey the size of some of the decals...like that of the elderly Navajo man and woman. I wonder who designed these? They make me smile. It also makes me smile that as per my little Maile girl we had to stop at one of Butch Cassidy's homes that is still standing (barely). My husband must be successful in feeding her little mind with adventures of what some consider the Robin Hood of the Wild West.

I'm glad to be home.

Happy Monday!

Bright and happy {Lilly Bunn Interiors}

{above photos by Emily Gilbert via Lilly's Notebook}
How about some bright and happy photos for Friday. On our drive to Utah last night I got minimal internet access but I believe right out of Flagstaff, AZ I recieved an email to one of the blogs I subscribe to which happens to be Lilly's Notebook. Have you seen these? Lilly decided to have Emily Gilbert come and photograph some of her projects for her portfolio. All I can say is I can't wait to see more.

Happy weekend!

Go here and be sure to tell Lilly how talented she is.

{hearts of pink}

I could tell you about how much I can't stop thinking about hot pink..or how much I love the above angular ornaments but alas I feel more like talking about the fact that I lost track of my kids for 6.2 minutes while I was on a mission to finish the dishes only to go outside and find them exiting our neighbors house with a white basket full of money (they had already made it to 3 homes). Apparently they were collecting it for the poor. I wonder what my neighbors thought when these little kids knocked on the door saying they were collecting money for the poor...They must have taken pity or felt REAL generous that day because they didn't do too bad for being such fine young beggars. At first I didn't know how to handle the little scenario..I mean, should I have made them return the money??? In the end I decided they were pretty darn adorable so we took all $12.32 to the homeless shelter that evening. The folks at the shelter told my girls that they could come back when they were 10 to help make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They made them feel like such little contributors to our society. It was a win win for everyone because of the feelings that beamed from all of our hearts.

We are going on a unexpected journey to see family so sorry for the silence. Sometimes there isn't much one can control in life....except not breaking the law..and that may even be debatable...darn photo police camera.


P.S. - Can we discuss how awesome Erica Powell's skirt is. I think I may want a pink article of clothing that fits my bottom half.