Posted February 24th, 2010 by rachelh
Guest blogger Christina Fluegge, of My Sparrow, is an accomplished interior designer who also has a line of beautiful and sustainable furniture and accessories…
At My Sparrow we believe that design and décor are about the way that you bring items together in a space to make it feel comfortable, functional and enjoyable. In your home you want to see a reflection of yourself – your hopes, dreams, travels and family. We also believe that buying quality furniture and one of a kind pieces will help you build an amazing collection of your life and its many stages. It may also provide your family with wonderful things and memories to pass down. Shopping at Flea Markets near your home and when you travel is a great way to bring unique and interesting objects into your home at great prices while saving them from the landfill.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted February 2nd, 2010 by rachelh
One of my fondest memories from childhood was visiting my Grandmother Jean’s home in Alabama. A talented architect, she had designed her house with plenty of character, including a living room where a large pine tree grew up from the floor, and right through a hole in the roof. It was pure magic to a girl of nine. Every once in a while a squirrel would squeeze through the weatherizing that circled the tree, climbing down for a looksie. Next to this tree was a window seat, where I would spend hours curled up, reading stories like “A Secret Garden”, imagining how I would one day have my own home where the outside was invited in.
If I ever do build that home of my imagining, I will ask artist Laura Spector to make me a stairway as enchanting as this one she created for the Singer Home in Pound Ridge, New York. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted January 19th, 2010 by rachelh
All images from Fire Farm
When the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI asked Fire Farm to create light fixtures for the new addition to their historic Frank Lloyd Wright Meeting House, they had an unusual request. Would the designers at Fire Farm please find a way to recycle the old copper roofing from the original building into the new fixtures?
Over 50 years old, and weathered to a soft green, the original roof tiles had character to spare. Turn them over though, and the beautiful warmth shown out like a new copper penny. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted November 12th, 2009 by rachelh
Pumpkins and Autumn leaves may signal the changing of the seasons for most people, but for me nothing says Fall like a bowlful of persimmons! Their beautiful reddish orange glow with contrasting sage green leaves provides such a welcome dash of color when the sky is overcast, as it is so often this time of year.
Inspired by the rich color, I decided to quickly pull some samples from our library and see if I could replicate the feel using sustainable materials. I thought I would share the results…
Clockwise from the top: Q Collection Satin Wool in Paprika, Tree Frog Veneer in Green Willow Crown, Lulan Sun Series Silk in Sunkissed Orange, Lumicor Celery Taipei, Lumicor Manderin Iridescent, Q Collection Dandy #1005 in Olive, Daltile Wausau Terrazo Tile in Driftwood, Hakatai Ashland-E Series Sterling Blend
So what did I learn from this little exercise? Well, first off, it was fun and I think I will try to make this a regular series. Second, there is an amazing array of color to be had in the world of sustainable interiors, if you just know where to look. Lastly,… I am finally going to have to break down and buy a better close-up camera! These images really don’t do justice to how lovely the materials are, not to mention those inspiring persimmons.
