Category: <span>Finds</span>

stationery-ideas address labelsI don’t know when this became a thing in the stationery world–but as of recently, I discovered the wonders of wrap-around address labels. In one handy and pattern-fabulous strip, it takes care of the mailing address and the return address! So when looking for a mailing solution for our save the dates, we said forget those skinny return address stickers and feeding envelopes through the printer, and sought out the perfect wrap-around labels.

blush printable labelsAfter some furious Googling and researching on Etsy, I discovered Blush Printables. The site is run by this lovely graphic designer Jen who has created an array of wrap-around label options as editable PDFs. I fell in love with the graphic teal #017 and placed my order. For a meager $10, I figured I was on my own from here, but she was actually nice enough to put my return address throughout the template and change the text to blue so that it would match my navy save the dates! (If you caught the last blog, we chose the Speckled Stones stationery and had them printed in Baltic blue. Adore them!).

stationery-ideas-cutting-labelsThe next step: typing in the addresses, printing the PDFs on big sticker sheets (like these from Avery), and cutting them into long strips. With our trusty paper cutter, this went smoother than expected.

stationery-ideas-save the datesAdding color, pattern, and total efficiency to the average white envelope, these wrap-around labels will make our save the dates feel like something special even before guests open them.

Finds

I’ve never purchased art for the matting, until now. Set a quarter-inch deep with a massive white border, the matting makes this tiny picture seem so grand. Prints rarely even come this small (or warrant such a big frame) but if you look into the collectible world of early 20th-century cigarette trading cards, you’ll find more. Scenes of beautiful women, baseball players, cinema stars, and other popular imagery used to be printed on stiff pieces of paper and slipped into cigarette packs to keep the fags from bending and add a little Cracker-Jack surprise to the smoking experience.
Art idea--cigarette-cards from japanThough I would have probably purchased this frame even if I didn’t adore the card inside, the 1940s subject matter was a definite selling point. A Japanese woman lounging nude in a living room, with jelly rolls proudly exposed, sitting on a side table admiring her red high heels—what’s not to love? Plus, the Marimekko-like blue floral carpet is pretty spectacular. The simple pen drawing is wonderfully graphic and the scene a bit mysterious.

I found this piece of art at this adorable boutique called Bucks County Dry Goods in Lambertsville, NJ but you can be sure to find antique cigarette trading cards on eBay, as well.

Finds

unique silver serving bowlsWhenever we are near the Quechee area of Central Vermont, Mike and I always make a point to stop into Simon Pearce. The river-powered glassblowing and pottery workshop is endlessly inspiring and its retail store…irresistible (click here to read about my initial love affair with the Quechee Mill).

There were about ten things in the shop that I desperately wanted but with our wedding around the corner (and in turn, our registry), I found the restraint to just buy one piece: the Artisan metal bowl. Part of a four-piece collection, the cast aluminum dish has the texture of a wave-beaten conch shell; rough in parts but smooth in others, it feels amazing to the touch. This olive/nut/nibble bowl may only be 4″ x 2″ but its shimmery nickel hue gives it big glamour and at $20 it was a total steal!

unique serving-bowls in metal

Finds

lighting ideasWhen it comes to modern design tradeshows, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is by far the biggest and best in the U.S. The four-day New York show ended yesterday and held up to its reputation with a slew of inspiring products and displays from around the world.

A few of my favorite finds…

Above, 13 wood-veneer pendants from LZF Lamps cluster together to form a show-stopping installation.

modern outdoor seating ideasKenneth Cobonpue’s new canopy lounger for Hive is so inviting, it’s worth the funny tan lines.

unique ideas for bookshelvesBrooklyn-based Faktura turns traditional shelving on its head with the V Bookshelf.

best votive holdersA sweet floral design appears within these bone-china votive holders by designer Hanna Tonek Bonnett. The best part? When lit, the pattern shines through and casts shadows in the shapes of roses.

modern kids chairsBaby Acapulco by Innit Designs is one hip kids’ chair. I took a seat in the little chair and the durable vinyl cords made for a surprisingly comfortable seat.

modern double-use furnitureWinner of ICFF’s New Designer Award, Objeti has come forward with a very clever line of multipurpose furniture. My favorite within their new Aerialist series is the Line bench/table/console. The three powder-coated steel panels can flip to become a cushioned seat, tabletop, or a combination of both.

modern lighting ideasSpanish company Fambuena had a number of gorgeous lights but this geometric pendant was the most dramatic.

modern baby cribFor the modern urban family, the Koo bassinet could not be more functional. Made by Lunar, the front folds down to become a rocking chair.

Which design is your favorite?


Etc Finds