Friday, November 30, 2012

SPEAKING OF ELEPHANT GARDEN STOOLS....

Life is just weird.  I've come to be a true believer in the idea that if you put something out to the universe, the universe will answer.  Hopefully it is the answer you are looking for.  Yesterday morning I did a post on Chinoiserie garden stools and how I was specifically obsessing over the elephant version.  Shortly after, I receive an email from a neighbor asking me if I had been to the estate sale in our neighborhood because it was full of items from the 60s/70s that I might be interested in.  She forewarned me that "digging" would be involved.  Since I had no knowledge of said estate sale (I'm off my game), I hopped in the car to check it out.  She was right.  Let's just say this person had a collecting problem and not the good kind.  After doing an initial once over and seeing nothing of interest, I decided to do a more thorough inspection of the back room that was piled high.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a trunk sticking up out of the pile.  I hurried over and pulled back the boxes to unearth a very cool vintage elephant garden stool.  THANK YOU UNIVERSE!
 
Here's a quick look at my current selection.  Don't you need one of these under your tree?  Have a great weekend everyone!
 
 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

CHINOISERIE: THE GARDEN STOOL

Ever wonder the history of the oh so popular garden stool that is showing up today in all types of interiors.  I grabbed this quick history lesson from one of my favorite sites:  Circa Who.
 
"The garden seat, or garden stool, first appeared in elite Chinese gardens as early as the Sung Dynasty (960-1279).
Su Han-ch’en scroll painting CIRCA Sung Dynasty via National Palace Museum
Garden seats can be used as either a table or seating indoors and outdoors. Styles of garden seats range from elaborately ornate to beautifully simple and are usually made of porcelain, ceramic, terracotta, or wood. Garden seats are a stylish way to add color, texture, or a touch of Chinoiserie. "
 
 
I love the garden stool especially the elephants.  I have to admit I'm becoming a little obsessed with them.  I currently have two elephants and one blue and white drum in stock.  If you are interested let me know.  I've taken Gogo Studio down for now while I get new inventory loaded.

 

Source: teenvogue.com via Sunny on Pinterest







Tuesday, November 27, 2012

WHAT THE FLOCK!

I could not resist on that post title.  We get a flocked Christmas tree every year.  At first I was afraid I was warping my children by not going with the traditional green tree and they would wish our house looked like "the Joneses" (read the Gogo Manifesto to get that joke) but every year they get really excited about the flocked version and love showing it off.  I always had green trees growing up and they are beautiful but somehow flocked seems more Gogo Style.  I am stumped on the tree topper this year.  I'm thinking about trying a DIY gold styrofoam sunburst thingy.  I'm not a very good DIYer so we shall see.
 
What is your Christmas tree style?




Monday, November 26, 2012

FAUX CROC.....GOOD OR BAD??

OK I know I said I wasn't going to shop while home for Thanksgiving but my Alabama Picker (aka Mom) "forced" me to do a little picking at a local favorite spot.  I am the first to admit, I'm still on the fence about my purchase.  It's one of those pieces that at first glance you are like "hello" but then looking closer you start questioning the quality and whether or not it goes cheap.  In the end, the price was cheap, $50.00.  So I decided to take the risk and see if this piece will work in my office.

Without further adieu......



It is hard to tell in the picture but the entire piece is covered in black faux croc.  Is this cool?  I'm not sure.  I mean Jonathan Adler has several pieces in faux croc so it can't be all bad.  The brass plated finish detail is also very shiny but like I said, I'm only out $50.00.  I was drawn to this piece because it reminds me of the Mastercraft featured in Elle Decor months back.  My friend Kathy actually scored one in Nashville and I've been coveting ever since.  Mine is nowhere near as cool as the Mastercraft piece but it will have to do for now.

downloading...

Monday, November 19, 2012

FUN FINDS IN BIRMINGHAM

This week I'm in Alabama for the Thanksgiving holiday.  I decided to quickly review their Craigslist offerings and here are just  few that look interesting. I just keep reminding myself, "I'm not here to shop, I'm not here to shop".


Brass plated shelving unit:  $25.00!!



Pair of Faux Bamboo Mirrors - $225.00





Set of 6 Mid Century Dining Chairs (Charmaine, are these like the ones you posted about??) - $500


Vintage Hand-Carved Mirror - $350.00 or OBO


Faux Bamboo Hutch - $250.00



Friday, November 16, 2012

FLOORING UPDATE

Well wonders never cease.  I had two different floor installers come to the house last Friday to give quotes on wall to wall sisal/seagrass/jute for the den/bar area. BOTH of them said I shouldn't do it.  They said natural fibers are not meant to be installed wall to wall.  They do not seam well.  You would see the seams and over time they would start fraying.  They also explained issues with cleaning, staining, shedding, etc... The list went on and on.  I've never had an experience where a business let alone two, didn't want to take my money.  So with that said, they convinced me that wall to wall natural fiber was not the way to go.

This leaves the following options:
  • Cement floor painted in the hexagonal pattern; or
  • A poured Terrazzo floor IF I can find someone locally that does that work (I've heard it is a dying art)
I think I'm leaning towards the Terrazzo option if I can find the right contractor b/c of it's classic look and durability.  See all the inspiration shots below and give me your thoughts.




Examples of poured Terrazzo; very common in mid-century homes.

Source: latimes.com via Joanna on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Cameron on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via J on Pinterest


This would be my vibe if I go with Terrazzo (layered rugs)
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

WHO KNEW ABOUT THE FOO?

Not me.....Here is a little lesson on Foo (or Fu) Dogs that I found quite informative.

"Imperial guardian lions, also known as "Fu dogs", are powerful mythic protectors that have traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, temples, emperors' tombs, government offices, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) until the end of the empire in 1911. Imperial guardian lions are still common decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, and other structures.

The lions are traditionally carved from decorative stone such as marble and granite or cast in bronze or iron. Because of the high cost of these materials and the labor required to produce them, private use of Imperial guardian lions was traditionally reserved for wealthy or elite families. Indeed, a traditional symbol of a family's wealth or social status was the placement of Imperial guardian lions in front of the family home. However, in modern times less expensive lions, mass produced in concrete and resin, have become available and their use is no longer restricted to the elite.

The lions are generally present in pairs, with the female on the left and the male on the right. The male lion has his right paw on a globe, which represents his "feeling the pulse of the earth." The female is essentially identical, but has a single cub under her left paw. Symbolically, the female "fu dog" protects those dwelling inside, while the male guards the structure. Sometimes the female has her mouth closed, and the male open. This symbolizes the enunciation of the sacred word "om". However, Japanese adaptions state that the male is inhaling, representing life, while the female exhales, representing death. Other styles have both lions with a single large pearl in each of their partially opened mouths. The pearl is carved so that it can roll about in the lion's mouth but sized just large enough so that it can never be removed.

Interestingly, the lion is not indigenous to China. When Buddhist travelers, probably out to trade, brought stories about lions to China, Chinese sculptors modeled statues of lions after the travelers' descriptions--and after native dogs, since no one in China had seen a lion with his or her own eyes.

The beast is sometimes associated with feng shui or Buddhism. Fu means "happiness" in Chinese, however, the term "Fu Dog" and its variants are not used in Chinese. Instead, they are known as Rui Shi ("auspicious lions") or simply Shi ("lions"). "

Source: bhg.com via PD on Pinterest

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF EVERY TIME

This weekend I sent out a plea to identify the wallpaper Meredith Heron used in her entryway.  For lack of a better word, I kind of became obsessed with getting this information.  What can I say, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Decorating) struck again.  I suffer from it quite frequently.  This story could get long really fast so I'm going to try and bullet the highlights:
 
  • Charmaine (My Best Friend Craig) sends me a link to Meredith's blog which identifies the paper as York.
  • I search the entire York website with no luck.
  • I call York and send them the image of the pattern.  They are 95% sure it is not theirs.
  • I call Meredith Heron design firm and leave a message with her Assistant.
  • Within 10 minutes Meredith Heron emails me to say unfortunately the pattern was discontinued shortly after being installed (of course) but it came from Crown Wallpaper in Canada. She recommends I call them directly.
  • I call Crown Wallpaper.  They are investigating pattern status (ie whether a discontinued pattern can be resurrected.....highly unlikely).
  • In the meantime, I forward Charmaine Meredith's email regarding the discontinuation with a big frowny face.
  • I exchange emails back in forth with Meredith Heron about other options and how great the wallpaper looks in her house. She agrees and says it's one of the best patterns she has ever used.  We get on short name basis.  She signs her email "Mer".  I sign mine "Bran".  We are new BFFs (not really, she probably thinks I'm a stalker from the hills of TN).
  • All of a sudden I receive an email from Charmaine with an eBay link to 2 double rolls of the over sized black and white fern print!!!!  SHUT UP!!  Yes, there it was on eBay just waiting for me to purchase it.  Which I did in a matter of minutes of receiving Charmaine's email.
I owe Charmaine BIG TIME and the moral of this tale is to never give up.  Persistance pays off!
 
I'm still on the hunt for a few more rolls but at least I have 2 double rolls.  Surely I can find the perfect spot for it.
 

ANTONINA VELLA BLACK & WHITE LARGE FERNS

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Monday, November 12, 2012

CHINESE MODERN

Charmaine would be proud.  I scored on Craigslist this weekend.  Meet the newest furniture pieces soon to be restored by Gogo Studio.
 
Drexel Furniture's Chinese Modern line: two bedside/end tables and chest of drawers with amazing lines.  The brass Greek key hardware isn't too shabby either.  Now I just have to decide on two things; color: black or white and finish: high gloss or satin.
 
I am definitely starting to see a trend back towards satin finishes but I also think it depends on the piece.  What is your vote?





Here are some ideas on how to use/style these pieces.


Source: decorpad.com via Debora on Pinterest


Source: houzz.com via Worlds on Pinterest

Source: 1stdibs.com via Lea on Pinterest

Source: 1stdibs.com via Evan on Pinterest



Saturday, November 10, 2012

NAME THIS WALLPAPER PLEASE!!

I seriously need this wallpaper in my life. If anyone knows designer/pattern, please let me know.  I do know this photo is from designer Meredith Heron's entryway.   I mean seriously......I'm dying.


 

Mereith Heron Holiday Deck the Halls

Thursday, November 8, 2012

LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING

I have been on Pinterest overload this week working on client boards.  It is about time for a break but here are some of my favorites.  I seriously need the Turquoise Glass Pendants in my life.  Which is your favorite?


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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

ANOTHER FLOOR OPTION

Ok, while doing research for another client project last night, I stumbled upon this image:



Hmmm......could this be an option for my breezeway/den/bar area?  I love a black and white hexagonal pattern.  I got so excited about this option, I immediately researched a source in Nashville to pull this off and I think I found one.  The above picture was done over hardwood.  Mine would be done over concrete.  I have to find out if I can get the same affect but if a I can, I think this is a serious contender.