Gleaming possibility...

I am off to relish laughter and adventure for the next handful of days {or weeks?}.  When my feet land firmly in two thousand eleven, I'll be back.  

two thousand eleven!

 

One of my favorite images holds all the nuances of my wishes for your new year.  History for a strong and weathered foundation.  Sunlight and Gothic arches for hope filtered through nostalgia. A coat of plaster for a fresh canvas.  A sprinkle of mold for brushes with nature.  And room for huge, gaping potential and possibility.   

 

Wishing you a new year 
gleaming with laughter and
glistening with adventure.

{Get the details on this blissful image at the original post Mortar & mold....}

Center stage...

As a designer, I live with an occupational hazard.  My eyes always drift into the background, scouring the details.  Whether watching a movie, perusing an ad, attending a dinner party, or scrolling through my google reader, regardless of what is happening in the foreground, my eyes always seem to elevate the materials and furnishings of the background into center stage. 

Classic example, this beautiful collection of images was lingering over at Little Blue Deer.  For a background set to rival a dramatic and intricate wedding dress, it has to be stunning.  The worn walls, glamorous mirrors, typography props, and exposed brick have definitely danced into center stage.  Hmmm...what wedding dresses?!?

Mortar & mold...

This photograph by William Waldron has me completely captivated; the textures, the light, the history, the mortar.  Even the mold.  I am nearly speechless - which {as you know} is rare.

{My endless gratitude to Hvitt for sharing this alluring image.}

Almost lofty...

I have obsessions.  Exposed brick, upholstery tufts, lofts, tolix chairs, tea towels, and raw concrete are just a sprinkle of the things I covet.  You can imagine how I swooned over this wallpaper by Concrete Wall.  Photographer Tom Haga's work makes a lovely finish for walls.  Of course I am still yearning for walls actually made of concrete and brick {preferably in the form of an industrial loft}, but this should hold me over. 

And {drum roll, please}...

{Thank you Design Shimmer for the introduction to this glorious wallpaper.}

Every single time...

Exposed brick; it gets me every single time.  My life feels significantly more complete knowing this space exists.

{Thank you Greige for reminding me of the vast talents of photographer Pia Ulin.  Image from Agent Bauer.}

Oh, those walls, too...

Exposed bricks make me smile.  I adore the texture and history they communicate.  One day I will have walls like this.

{Images originally from Anthropologie, as seen on The Goods Design - one of my favorite blogs.}

Oh, those walls...

This living room is the epitome of casual grace.  The exposed brick walls anchor the large windows brimming with sunshine; the high ceiling perfectly opposes the low furnishings.  Perfection!

{Original image from Marie Clair Mason, as seen on the lovely Harmoni og Kontrast.  I am completely smitten with Harmoni og Kontrast, or harmony and contrast; it's full of beautiful things.  Expect to see many references to the adoration of Laila.}