{at the shops: mariage frères, paris}

. . . after one too many cups of morning coffee, one of the best ways to spend wintry afternoons while working, is with the intoxicating scent of french candles and a perfect cup of tea, especially if the tea is from parisian salon mariage frères, steeped in history and a staggering number {over 500} of varieties to choose from, and best of all, the most beautiful hand-blown glass teapots one could ever hope to find . . .

{p.s.} for vintage lovers, they also have 1930's art deco tea pots

{image & layout by life.style.etc}

{home inspiration: scandinavian style}

. . . there is so much to love about this workspace -- the modern desk juxtaposed with the grand gilt mirror, the stacks of magazines for inspiration and the candlelight, the luxurious pools of drapery, and of course and most of all, the herringbone floors . . .

{p.s.} more beautiful glimpses, including a cozy settee and crackling fire, and elegantly wrapped gifts strewn about:





{photography by joakim bergström for sköna hem via the sweetest occasion}

{at the shops: rothschild & bickers, uk}

. . . can hardly tear myself away from these stunning arts & crafts style floral pendants, designed by victoria rothschild & mark bickers, the royal college of art graduates who combine traditional glass techniques with contemporary design, creating signature as well as bespoke pieces; each is beautifully handmade at london glassworks, one of the last workshops in the uk, and can only be described as a work of art . . .

{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* mrs. press, australia
* billy bride, australia
* satomi kawakita, new york

{images: rothschild & bickers}

{design: wine decanter + water carafe}

. . . shall never fall out of love with antique cut crystal decanters, but have become quite smitten with a beautifully modern design series of kitchen tools that includes a water carafe and wine decanter with turned oak stoppers -- the series, a collaboration between stokkeaustad and frost produkt, is also a wallpaper design awards 2010 winner

{stokkeaustad and frost produkt via design shimmer}

{holiday inspiration: black glass + crystal}

. . . really quite taken with this yves saint laurent black glass bead and crystal necklace, and especially with the golden clasp . . .

Glass. Flowers. Doilies. Jazz Hands

so cal farm wedding photo by max wanger (more gorgeous images in the link)

With a little bit of glass, a little bit of light, a little bit of ingenuity, a little bit of floral influence~ you can turn a small space into a magical realm of whimsy and escape. Truly, I use spaghetti jars, old teriyaki bottles... I keep all of that stuff and reuse them as vases, and even drinking glasses. Isn't is amazing to see what can be done with old doilies, lace, bottle caps  and an end table?

lisa congdon's show display via feepeople

  country living lace garland window treatment 

Take just a little bit of time and redefine a small space today with something you already own in your home or office~ a shelf, corner, night stand, windowsill, you will be glad you did. It's relaxing to sometimes set a stressful thing aside for 20 minutes to spend on beautifying something small and serene, without having to leave the house and go shopping. You can do it for free in your jammies. Sounds nice to me!

justinejustine's gorgeous bottle cap earrings (ps i love these and christmas is around the corner)

{flight of fancy}

. . . quite taken with the idea of a glass staircase -- as with lucite, glass is light and airy, with a little dash of fairytale glamour . . .

{image: october 2007 issue of Livingetc; via dress design decor; similar staircases available at bisca}