BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Back in September I posted about the vintage chandelier I was planning on hanging in the bird's room. Well, it took me about 5 months...but I finally got it up. I was waiting until I had a few more fixtures that needed hanging. That way I could have an electrician come and do it all at once. (I replaced one of the fixtures in our old apartment myself...but it was seriously scary and I kinda got electrocuted a few times...hence my decision to leave all future electrical endeavors to the pros.)




The lamp looks great in the room and it gives off a much prettier light than the old one. Unfortunately, I was so excited to see the old lamp go that I forgot to take a 'before' photo...but it looked just like this cheap thing from Home Depot.

Seeing what a difference a new fixture can make is really motivating. Lord knows there are several other rooms in this house that are begging for a lighting makeover. One down...MANY to go.

CRAIGSLIST FIND: ANTIQUE RUG **

Justin and I picked up this beauty a few days ago. We bought it from a lovely couple who live in an AMAZING house right around the corner from us in Kingston. I've never seen a rug quite like it. I have no idea where it's from...when it was made...or what it's worth. But I know I like it.

The pattern is embroidered on top of a plain woven base. And it definitely looks old. Anybody have any idea what kind of rug it is?

**UPDATE: After some SERIOUS googling I finally figured out that this is called an Arabi...which is a type of tribal kilim made by nomads in Southern Iraq. You can see more here and here. God, I love the internet.

SALVAGED GRACE

A while back, Erin from Salvaged Grace contacted me about writing a little something for her Sentimental Salvage feature. It's up today! I wrote about finding my dad's hysterically weird art from the 1970s...which is now all over our house. Check it out here.

WATER PRISMS

Okay, so since writing my last post I have gotten on a serious prism kick. I want MORE. I mean...why not? We have so many rooms that get great sunlight. And great sunlight = great rainbows. And who doesn't like rainbows?

While combing the internet for all available prism options I stumbled upon waterprism.com. I am LOVING the looks of these. Perfectly new-agey and magical-mystical.

I've never seen one in action...but judging from the pictures on the site they seem to make some pretty sweet rainbows.

I think I need one. Or two. Or three.

RAINBOW MAKER

Okay, so I am currently OBSESSED with this Kikkerland rainbow maker. I bought it last month at Hammertown in Rhinebeck...and it has made every morning since then magical.

It's a solar powered prism that you stick on a window....and it turns when the sun is shining. Pretty genius! Right? Ours is in the bedroom...which has east facing windows and fantastic light all morning. So now we get to wake up to a parade of rainbows every day. Love love love.

CEILING PAPERS

I grew up in a house FULL of wallpaper. In just about ever room. On just about every surface. Ceilings included. My mom studied textile design at art school and she does NOT shy away from pattern. Since my parents have a Victorian home she used a lot of beautiful William Morris style papers from Bradbury & Bradbury. I remember it would always take a really long time to get the paper because it was hand printed. But it was definitely worth the wait. You can see and feel the handprinted layers and the pigments are super matte and beautifully saturated.

Some of the Victorian stuff can get a little heavy for my taste but there are a few real gems in there. And some of the ceiling papers are particularly up my alley. Like the Ice Blossom pattern at the top of this post. I love how quirky and modern it feels! And the gold is printed with shimmering metallic ink which is really stunning in person.

And I also love the Stardust pattern -- based on stenciled motifs from New York's deco-era Cloud Club. I want to put this subtle silvery version on the ceiling in our upstairs bathroom. Tub-time with a view!

FAREWELL 2010

Happy 2011! Justin and I had a low-key New Years celebration at home with a few friends, lots of delicious Indian food, funfetti cupcakes and a slew of champagne.

So, anyone make any resolutions yet? I'm thinking...don more festive headwear. I have so many great old sparkly cocktail hats, flowered headbands, and crazy feathery fascinators...but I almost NEVER wear them. And I should. So, hello 2011! Hopefully the next time you see me I'll have something ridiculous on my head.