kinda inspired: kerry cassill

I am a big fan of mixing prints in my home, and I'm constantly being inspired by the prints of bedding and clothing designer Kerry Cassill. All of her prints are block-printed by hand in India on the some of the softest cotton around. The block printing gives her prints an imperfect, handmade look that I love.

She releases about six collections of prints per year in a wide array of florals, geometrics, stripes, and traditional Indian motifs. In spite of how often she releases new prints, she is able to keep her aesthetic constant enough that it's possible to mix and match between collections and have it all work together. 

My current favorite prints are (from top): pink taffy, teal small multi, pink plaid, putty ash, and stripe floral. I want to combine them all to make a totally crazy (and very pink) bed! 

[All images via Kerry Cassill]

kinda inspired: offbeat geometrics

Highway print pillow by Leah Duncan

Hello Friends! I thought I'd switch things up a bit this week and introduce a new series: Kinda Inspired. I'll be sharing a peak at whatever has been catching my eye, in the hopes of getting your week off to a creative, inspiring start. 

This week I'm feeling inspired by offbeat geometric patterns. They're not quite traditional geometrics, as they all share an imperfect, handmade quality. Some of them seem simple at first glance, but the irregularities of the artists' handiwork are what make them interesting: the overlaps in printing, the subtle asymmetry, the lines that don't quite connect. And of course, the layering of bold, gorgeous color draws me in like a moth to flame...

Katherine Sable, Show a Little Ankle, 2011, oil on linen, 66 x 54 inches

Nathalie du Pasquier

Mid-Century Modern Wrapping Paper

Hans Peter Sundquist, Untitled #1303, 2013, spray paint on fabric, 9 x 12 inches

See more patterns I'm loving on my Pinterest page.


[From top: Printed Pillows by Leah Duncan, Katherine Sable via Two Coats of Paint, Nathalie du Pasquier via Patternbase, Wrapping paper from Normans Printery, Hans Peter Sundquist]

rifle paper co. wallpaper

Rifle Paper Co. wallpaper is here! They have partnered with Hygge & West to create a collection of six wallpaper patterns, with each available in 4-5 colorways. And of course, they're amazing.

I have literally been counting down the days until these were released, even though I'm really in no position to be putting up wallpaper in my rental. That won't stop me from daydreaming about which patterns I would choose for my future dream house though...

Not surprisingly, the florals are right on point. Two of Rifle's iconic floral prints were included in the collection, Peonies and Rosa. My landlord couldn't possibly get mad if I covered my walls in something this gorgeous, right?!

I was a bit surprised by how much I am in love with the patterns available on a black background, like the Pineapple and the Queen Anne. I'm usually drawn to lighter colors, but I can't resist the high contrast with that metallic gold! They're so moody and dramatic! I think these would be perfect for a small powder room. Or the world's prettiest closet. 

Someone with kids needs to get the Safari print installed tout de suite! Just look at that little elephant!

Check out Hygge & West for the full collection. For fellow renters out there (or those afraid of commitment), they do sell some removable wallpaper tiles. No Rifle prints yet, but there are some good options (my fave is the Otomi). Hygge & West, if you're reading, maybe you could offer removable options in some of the Rifle prints? Pretty please??


[All images via Hygge & West]

orla kiely cosmetic bags

I'm pretty sure that Target is trying to bankrupt me. Every time I turn around, they seem to be launching another amazing designer collaboration. The other day I stumbled upon the Orla Kiely collection of cosmetics bags in my local Target and was suddenly overwhelmed with the need for a new makeup bag (or five). I love Orla Kiely's beautiful retro prints, and these do not disappoint.

The line at Target is called "Orla Kiely etc". After examining these in person, I was impressed with the quality. The details (like the zippers) don't seem quite as nice as those on her eponymous line, but at less than half the price, it seems like a good trade-off. Most of the bags are made from durable coated canvas and are lined with all sorts of mesh and zip pockets to organize your brushes and accessories.

The collection is available in three groups of prints- most of which feature fun bright orange accents on the zipper pulls and handles. The only problem is going to be deciding which ones to buy. Fortunately, the collection is pretty inexpensive (the pieces range from $10-$30), so I may be able to justify more than one...

[All photos from Target]

monday links

Happy Monday! Have you finished your taxes yet? Better get on it, procrastinators! If you're in need of a little break this afternoon, watch this silly video featuring Superheroes as the Golden Girls.

Who wants to see Only Lovers Left Alive, Jim Jarmusch's new movie starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as hipster vampires? I'm intrigued by the idea of vampires using their hundreds of years of immortality to read and listen to music rather than being scary ghouls (or sparkly permanent highschoolers, I'm looking at you Twilight). It actually makes the idea of being a vampire sound kind of appealing- imagine having all the time in the world to read every great book there ever was!
Check out the NY Times review, and an interesting interview with Tilda Swinton.

Have you seen Coral & Tusk's new line of embroidered fabric? The first collection features three whimsical prints on upholstery weight linen. It's only available to the trade (arg), but if anyone wants to send me one of these pillows, I'll happily accept.

I recently came across GUDRUN SJÖDÉN, a Swedish brand of clothing and home textiles. They have some really fun floral prints for Spring. A lot of their clothes are a little too older hippie lady for me (think flowing tunics layered over skirts over pants), but there are some gems to be found- like these printed sneakers, asymmetrical jacket,  and boatneck dress.  They just opened their first US store in NY, but I think their next shop should probably open in Berkeley (the ladies of 4th street would be all over this). They also have gorgeous prints for the home- I love everything in the Gökotta print.


[Super Golden Friends photo from L7World, Only Lovers Left Alive photo from Sony Pictures Classics via Buzzfeed, Coral & Tusk photo by Geoffrey Sokol via Daily AD, Girl in garden photo from GUDRUN SJÖDÉN]

trendspotting: florals on black

Floral prints have been big for some time now, but lately I've been noticing floral prints with black backgrounds cropping up everywhere. From clothing to art and accessories, the bright flowers really pop against the dark background. These prints seem great for this early spring time of year- the black background means you can still pair them with your darker cold weather clothes, but the flowers give you a punch of springy color. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Clockwise from top left: photo from fashionsalade, tie, phone case, hat, photo by Justina Blakeney, dress, pants

This trend seems to be part of the resurgence of 90's grungy style- taking Grandma's floral prints and toughening them up to make them more current. The florals can range from classic cottage garden floral prints to more modern photo-realistic florals. These prints are showing up in menswear as well (remember when I said men were wearing florals?).

Clockwise from top left: girls photo via Genny Wilson, phone case, journal, Doc Martens, jacket,

 Susan Farrington Print,  dress, heels

As a devoted lover of all things flowery, I'm liking this new take on floral prints. What do you think?
For even more floral prints on black backgrounds, check out my Pinterest board.

[Top photo via Where Did U Get That]

reconsidering animal

For years I have been staunchly anti-animal print, but lately I've begun to have a change of heart. Don't get me wrong, it can easily be gaudy and overdone (case in point), but I think a small amount can add a great pop of pattern to an outfit.

Here are my tips for keeping animal print out of Snooki territory:

florals for men

From top left: beige hat, lt blue hat, navy hat, chambray shirt, floral jacket

I have often thought I would die of boredom if I had to wear men's clothes, but things do seem to be getting a little more exciting over in the men's section lately. Menswear designers are embracing color and patten- even florals! Hawaiian prints seem to surface every summer, but these florals are a new take on traditional floral and ditsy prints. They've been modernized with a darker, more muted color palette to keep them from looking too grandmotherly.

From left: paisley tank, button-up shirt, cream socks, olive socks

I'm all for men adding some flowers to their wardrobe. It seems only fair that they get to have some fun, especially with the color and print mixing free-for-all going on now in women's fashion. I think this trend is most successful when guys keep the rest of their outfit more casual and rugged to toughen up the florals a bit (side note: since when does Nordstrom use models with mustaches and sleeve tattoos??).

For more of my floral picks, check out my Pinterest page.

What do you think- are men ready to embrace floral prints?