Dannijo Jewelry

I loooooooove Dannijo's jewelry and their short film debut!

A sustainable city.

{photo via The New York Times}

While reading the New York Times this morning, I came across this interesting article which discusses the world's first zero-carbon city.

Masdar City will be built in Abu Dhabi-- a place best-known for its ridiculous architecture and man-made, palm-shaped archipelagos. It's a pretty awesome concept, and it's a concept that is actually being realized- Masdar City combines the aesthetic of old Arab settlements with old-world techniques to cool the city down (interesting facts: most communities in this region (1) were built on hills to take advantage of stronger winds, and (2) had tall, hollow "wind tunnels" to funnel down air to street level).

So, you ask. Where's the new? 90% of power for the city will be solar, and the other 10% will be generated by incinerating waste. Masdar will be closed to combustion-engine vehicles, and the electric cars that replace them will be underground. Pretty neat, huh?

I think it's such an interesting idea, and it's one that's actually taking place. What do you think about this project? What kind of city will Masdar actually be?

Check out Masdar City's website.

Speaking of Colors...

This is what my wedding is gonna look like. Pretty sweet, No? I LOVE having no color scheme.

The Heidelberg Project

The Heidelberg Project is this amazing community project in Detroit, Michigan that I happened to come across while futzing around on the internet. What a great program.

Check out some history:

The Heidelberg Project, bearing the name of the street on which it exists, was started in 1986 by Tyree Guyton. He was assisted by his grandfather, Sam (Grandpa) Mackey (deceased), and his former wife, Karen Guyton. Tyree was raised on Heidelberg Street and, at the age of 12, witnessed the tragic effect of the Detroit riots - from which he claims the City of Detroit never recovered. Though once racially integrated, many neighborhoods have become segregated urban ghettos characterized by poverty, abandonment, and despair.

Armed with a paintbrush, a broom, and neighborhood children, Guyton, Karen, and Grandpa began by cleaning up vacant lots on Heidelberg and Elba Streets. From the refuse they collected, Guyton began to transform the street into a massive art environment. Vacant lots literally became “lots of art” and abandoned houses became “gigantic art sculptures.” Guyton not only transformed vacant houses and lots, he integrated the street, sidewalks, and trees into his mammoth installation and called his work, "The Heidelberg Project", after it's location on Heidelberg Street.
Despite numerous awards, the city demolished parts of the Heidelberg Project installation in 1991 and again in 1999. Still, the Heidelberg Project continues to exist, evolve, and grow - providing hope and inspiration to the local community and the community of the world.

Today the Heidelberg Project is recognized as one of the most influential art environments in the world.

To donate, and check out more facts, go here.

Apartment Therapy

(What I'm imagining one of my 2 bathrooms will look like)

I'm moving! After two years in my lovely studio loft apartment (which I so generously shared with my fiance), it was time for a change. I start law school on Monday (eee), and had been begging John for a place with at least one door, and maybe, possibly, a teensy office for me.

Well, we found one, and I'm at a loss for how to decorate it! You see, we're moving into a handicap accessible apartment, and we now have two MASSIVE industrial-looking bathrooms and low counters. While some people may balk at this, John and I jumped at the challenge, especially since one of us is tall and the other one is short (but the dr. said I was 5'5"!)...

...Except that now I'm starting to doubt my apartment decorating abilities. Tell me, do you have any tips or suggestions for how to make awkward spaces work??

(P.S.~ I don't know how confident I feel about chalkboard paint, but isn't this table awesome?)

PC: Design*Sponge

Color in my space.

{Photo: Apartment Therapy}

On Monday, Erin challenged me to find one image that best describes my design style, and I finally found the perfect image (a whopping 3 days later, sorry Er).

I am attracted to bright colors, mismatched prints, florals, and monochromatic looks, so when I came across this bedroom on Apartment Therapy, there was no question that this was THE image.

The mix of patterns might make some people a little crazy (stripes and florals, what?), but I enjoy the chaos of mixing prints, patterns, and textures. I'm borderline obsessed with the lipstick red and turquoise color scheme, and those of you who read my blog know that I'm obsessed with big, puffy flowers.

I like the idea of coming home to something bright and cheery (I once painted a room Pepto-Bismol pink) and a little manic after a long hard day. It would be impossible to be sad in this room, no?

So tell me dear reader(s), what rooms/designs make you happy?

color + photo

I love Sandra Juto's photographs.
{I also like the varying shades of purple in the first photo...wedding colors?}
smosch.com

Erin, get on Etsy!

I've said this before, but I'll say it again...

Erin, from reading my tea leaves needs an Etsy shop!
{Er, are you listening? Maybe you can do my Save the Dates.}

These people are Sofia Achaval and Thibault de Montaigu...

...And when I go to Paris, I want to live in their library.

{courtesy of The Selby}