Posts I like
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Christopher Kane s/s 2013
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Autumn in full swing. Central Park, New York City.
After nearly 6 weeks of dealing with a fairly intense leg injury, I was finally able to go...
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lindsey thornburg photographed by fashionista.
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Pantone Colors for Fall
I always take a look at what colors are popular for the next season and try and incorporate them into my designs at home. I’ll be keeping an eye out for accessories to sell on Joyus that will get your house ready for Fall, with these colors so that we can stay on trend.
By the way, it is my favorite time of year because it means the holidays are around the corner!
DIY Camping Chair
As the weather warms, I’m less and less inclined to eat meals inside. In fact, I want to do everything I possibly can outside! This inevitably means that we’ll be entertaining outside more, and no one wants to sit on a raggedy, ripped-up uncomfortable patio chair.
These canvas fold-out chairs are inexpensive, classic, and easy to set up and stow away … and they are, literally, blank canvasses for design. Here’s a faux bois finish I did recently, and not only did it turn out but it was also super easy.
Tools you’ll need:
2. Wood Grainer Tool — This can be found at most paint stores; I bought mine at local Seattle paint store Dalys for about $5.00
3. Gold Matte Medium — This general purpose, easily pourable medium is useful for extending colors, decreasing gloss and increasing film integrity; basically, it’s a magic in a jar. It works great as a base or primer; a fantastic replacement for gesso, indeed. You can typically find it in art supply stores.
4. Acrylic Paint — I mixed this with my matte medium, which lightened the paint’s color for that distressed finish I was going for.
5. Paint Brush — A medium to large brush will probably be the most convenient for this project. I used an interior paint brush, but your typical “artist’s brush” will be sufficient as well.
The process…
1. Tape down your canvas. This will keep it in place and give you a nice, clean border to work with.
2. Brush the canvas with a coat of your Matte Medium and allow to dry for 20-30 minutes; you now have a sturdy surface for your faux bois!
3. Once the first coat is dry, mix your acrylic color with some Matte Medium in a plate or tray. Going along the left edge, brush on a coat of the colored mixture about the width of your grainer tool. Then, drag the grainer from top to bottom of the colored streak, rocking the tool back and forth to create the wood grain effect. If you’re unhappy with your “grain”, no frets! Just brush over it with your paint brush and try again! Repeat the process until you’ve covered your panel in lovely wood-grained panels.
NOTE: If you feel your paint mixture is too thick, feel free to add a bit of water to dilute it; also, it definitely helps to practice on art canvas to get a feel for how the material interacts with the paints and materials.
4. Un-tape and let dry on a flat surface for 20-30 minutes.
5. Once dry, assemble chair as told in the chair’s instructions. Sit back, relax in one of your new chairs and admire how beautiful the other one looks!
Outdoor Entertaining
It’s Summer, and frankly that means a lot of outdoor entertaining for me. My essentials: an ice bucket, a fun tray to serve my cocktails, and a place to hold my flatware and napkins so they don’t blow away in the strong San Francisco breeze. I’m also loving the freshness of the nautical theme of Navy Blue, Apple Green, and Pale Blue.
The flatware caddy is handy outside, or on a buffet indoors, I even like to keep it on the kitchen counter as another way to store flatware and napkins.
I have a few trays at home - I’m also searching for a variety that I want to offer on Joyus. A tray can be used for so many things, and with this “cocktail” tray if you place things on top of it it’s easy to use in other areas of your house too.
- coffee table tray for magazines and books
- adorn with flowers in vases and candles as a centerpiece during your next dinner party
- vanity accessory for holding all your beauty products
Happy Summer - and here’s to a relaxing Summer Soiree!
My interview with Jonathan Adler
I had the honor of interviewing one of my favorite designers, Jonathan Adler. His contemporary design, infused with humor, is something I do my best to infuse into projects I work on too. He designed The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs too and I am dying to go check it out. I’m hoping one day we will be able to work with him on Joyus, on a special offer or an exclusive. Hint, hint Jonathan. ;) In this interview I ask him about his guilty pleasures, and what he would do if he weren’t a designer. Check it out!
Bringing a Bit of My Italian Adventure Home
My first vacation in a long time was to Italy and Eastern Europe. It was a dream trip, and I am currently thinking about planning a trip back to spend even more time there. The simplicity of the food, fabulous wine, architecture, beauty in the craftsmanship of their artisan pieces - did I mention the gelato?
The view from the house in Tuscany that we stayed at…AMAZING!
As you may know, we work really hard to curate amazing things at Joyus and when I met Raulf who sells Olivewood in the back of his van - it reminded me so much of my Tuscan dinners - not the van part. You should check the Olivewood pieces out, each one is unique and he works with the craftsman in Italy to create them.
I am working on a party, Under the Tuscan Sun, wait until you see what I’m up too. Lets just say that Lemoncello is involved. I hope you’ll join me!
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Recently I realized that I have been working so hard for so long that I keep saying I want to do this, I want to do that. Well, finally I am doing it! I have decided to jump into another creative outlet - acrylic painting.
I walked into class and let the instructor that I was terrified because I had never painted before. She reassured me that this class is just about learning technique. I remembered my first television segment - I felt like a fish out of water. I used that experience and dove into the class.
I loved the feel of the room - like famous painters had been there making a mess and creating their masterpieces. Here is my easel…
Doesn’t it look like I’m a master already and there isn’t even anything on my canvas. Why do I share this with you? Well, I have learned that life is much more than our work and although I love my creative outlet here at Joyus - I’ve learned that stretching my creativity only makes me a better designer. I am learning to see the world from another angle, and I hope you start to see that in the items I am curating here for you.
I’ve always wanted a fancy fireplace in my outdoor space like the above, but right now its not in the cards. So I went on the hunt to curate something that I would want on my deck, and I bought it: something more streamlined, that showed off the flickering flame, and could fit within any decor. Then I found these fireplaces that not only fit outdoors but you can use indoors as well. If you have a space that doesn’t have a fireplace but you want one, put it in your living room, bedroom, dining room. It’s safe and beautiful too. Check them out on Joyus under Home and Anywhere Fireplaces.
Written by Kelley Moore
Wednesday Exclusive: Eco-Friendly Discoveries
We’ve recently discovered Blissmo - a subscription service for organic goods. We’re loving that you get to choose your box each month from home, beauty or food! The products are awesome, and you can feel good about yourself while using them.
Historic Tabletop
I have always loved to antique and scour thrift shops for fun items to include in tabletop designs. Wait until next month when I take you on my shopping spree at Alameda Flea Market! Anyway, a good mix of vintage flatware can take forever to collect until now. Check out my latest video on Joyus.
As I was working on this segment I was thinking about how I have incorporated other vintage elements into a tabletop in the past…here are a few ideas of charming centerpieces utilizing vintage elements.
Love the gorgeous sliver urn - not only is the vintage factor cool but the shimmer from the silver makes it feel glamorous.
via Laury Lane
A cloche is a fun way to create a vignette (a small grouping of items) down a table, and it gives it the feel of being vintage without having to search for that perfect piece.
A darling way to spend less on flowers, using one bud, in vintage cream and sugar containers.
This is something that I get so much satisfaction doing - making over a vintage piece. You want to make sure the pieces you select aren’t investment pieces (expensive), select your favorite color spray paint and spray away.
The variety of shapes and sizes adds interest, and the monotone color palette gives the old version an update.
These traditional jam jars are given a modern twist with a metallic spray paint!
Sometimes, I like to decorate the center of the table without flowers but use other elements that are a part of the menu. This is a vintage dessert tower, I have incorporated some macaroons (the best ones are honestly found on Joyus). Then added an acrylic ice bucket with some bubbly, and a wrapped candle for each guest to take home.
Whether it is vintage flatware or your favorite vintage objects, throw them on the table and play. It adds a bit of history and makes everything feel a bit more special and unique.
Get a Bikini Ready Body in 30 Mins
We’re loving these quick and focused workout DVDs from celebrity fitness trainer and star of Bravo’s “The Workout” Jackie Warner.
To help you stay healthy all summer long, here are 3 easy eating tips from Joyus Fitness Expert Leandra Rouse:
1. Eat protein before 10am
2. Cook at home whenever possible
3. Fill your plate with a rainbow of veggies
Creating a Cheese Board
Love cheese but need a little guidance? Kelley shows you how to pick out cheese and arrange it to impress all your guests.
MY PARISIAN EXPERIENCE
One of my favorite trips in my life thus far was to Paris. I love everything about it. The sidewalk cafes…
…the fabulous Parisians and their passion for beautiful things.
From the clothes, to the interiors, and the food - it is true that design is all in the details and the Parisians don’t miss a thing.
That brings me to my first impression of Paris. I stepped in to my hotel room to find a little plate filled with macaroons. I had never had one before and I fell in love. I immediately asked the hotel concierge where I could find these decadent pastries. I walked directly to Lauderee.
By the way I found out quickly, never call them a “cookie.” They are pieces of art that are full of texture from the slight crunch to the soft creamy center - the flavors dance on your tongue.
Since then I have been on the hunt for a macaroon that would bring the experience I had in Paris to the U.S.. In my search I have never come across a macaroon that compares, until now. I met Chef Alex from L’Artisan in SF and he changed my world. His macaroons are seriously better than the ones that I had in Paris. They are visually gorgeous, and the flavors and texture are absolutely perfect. Check out this video of Chef Alex and me where he shares his passion and talks about the various flavors that we are offering at Joyus.
Girl Scouts Turn 100! and now Space Cookies too..
by Sukhinder Singh Cassidy
So tonight I went to the 100 year anniversary celebration of the Girl Scouts at the Ferry Building is SF; that’s right 100 years! It was amazing to learn that over 50 million girls in the US have been a part of the Girl Scouts during this time. I’m not sure there has been a more impactful program for developing young girls globally over the last century.
It made me think back to my own years as a Brownie and Girl Guide growing up in Canada . I was always the worst one of the pack; missing parts of my uniform, arriving late to troop meetings and the last to leave with parents running late to pick me up. Yet on and on I went, learning how to camp, take care of nature, get along with other girls, and strive for every badge.
Early on, embarrassed to be the disorganized one, I decided to quit. I was only 7 or 8 and thought I was done. Three days, later, racked by guilt, I cried my eyes out and decided to return, as Brownies had taught me one more thing - to persevere:) I graduated Brownies and made my way through Girl Guides with slightly more grace, but still as disheveled as ever.
Thinking back to this experience, it was no surprise to me to hear the stats that two-thirds of female senators and congresswomen and something like 80% of female business owners in the US were Girl Guides . When it comes to developing leadership traits in young girls, it works.
Most importantly, tonight I got a lesson in how far Girl Guides has evolved in driving new opportunities for girls to lead. I heard from one of the Space Cookies - i.e. an all -girl Robotics Team created through a collaboration between NASA and the Girl Guides - who’s on her way to MIT to study Biomechanical Engineering thanks to her involvement in Girl Guides. As I left the dinner, I couldn’t help but think - Girl Guides in Space - I love it:)
In honor of International Women’s Day, here’s an interview with one of our favorite women, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Leymah Gbowee.
