Get Delfty

After Friday's post it has become clear that curtains are a controversial topic. Some love the sweeping luxury of cash, and some prefer the crisp modern asceticism of roman shades. I myself used to be firmly anti curtain -- that is until I bought my first pair of white linen curtains from Ikea (Aina) and saw what they could do for me. They gave soft edges to my skimpy windows and no frills architecture, and somehow the texture just made everything look more expensive -- mostly because it was. Curtains are pricey, and it's going to take a while to sort out exactly what I want to happen in our great room. I can't afford to make mistakes and do things twice over. So while I'm busy mulling the finer points of pinch pleats, and agonizing over white vs taupey natural vs soft indigo, have a look at these pictures and let's talk Delft.

I know some of you think that blue and white porcelain is headed down the primrose path of grandma regency, but I give you Exhibit A in its defense. Everything about that picture is genius. Except for the sad clam. Sad clam wants to go home.

And just look at that kitchen -- it's ridonkadonk. Am I planning to go out and swath our kitchen in billions of expensive blue tiles? No. But the world is a better place now that someone else did.

I don't really need to defend this, do I? Except that I would use those roses for kindling.

Apparently this is tiny picture day. Sorry about that. Although I do not care for Tory Burch's clothing or shoes, I find her living room to be utterly charming. Mossy green + delft + tigre = yes.

Here is Mary McDonald on better behavior. I want a pair of giant Chinese porcelain planters with lemon trees in the worst way. And just in case you were wondering -- I do know that China and Delft are different places. I am just not particularly picky today.

ps: did you notice the curtains? I like them.

Now this shit be kinda crazy. I do not like matchy matchy -- pretty much ever -- but there are some nice elements here. I'll leave it for you to decide what they are. Just choose wisely else the swift hammer of my judgement and condescension shall fall upon ye like the mighty thunderbolt of death.

Perhaps I got a bit carried away there. Many Rush Limbaugh jokes were discarded in the making of that sentence... I decided that death seemed a little safer.

And anyway, I'm just kidding. I love reading all your comments -- whether you agree with me or not.

You guys make bedrest tolerable, and I thank you for that.

[House Beautiful, Yoko Only's pinterest, Grant K Gibson, Tory Burch, Mary Macdonald, Jorge Elias via AD]

Let's Stare at My Fireplace and Solve all of the World's Problems, or at Least Mine

Because that's what I've been doing -- sitting on the couch and staring at the fireplace. A lot. You may recall that when we moved in the fireplace was a disgusting orangey brick atrocity, a horror of mid 70s suburban design. Well, it's still brick and it's still overwhelming, but at least it's not orange anymore.

Does this fireplace make me look fat? Thanks a lot, wide angle lens. But I digress. Look! It's white now. Simply White, to be exact. And the wallcolor is Cappucino Froth at 50% formula (thanks, Sanders!). I don't exactly hate all the whiteness, but what I really want to do is rip out the entire fireplace and have a smooth wall with a regular old mantel. Sadly that's not going to happen, what with me on bedrest and Ike throwing cookies all over the floor in a mad rush to beat me to the tv (my parenting skills are without parallel).

So let's discuss what I could do with this white wall of shame. Here's another view:

Let us not discuss the peskily persistent speakers, the hideous magazine rack, or the fact that my house looks like a dorm room because I can't have anything on the coffee table but toys. You are allowed to notice our West Elm Niche tv credenza. I think it looks ok, but that wall definitely needs some spicing up. Oh, and we have a new coffee table.

Ok, back to the fireplace. We can't rip it out, so I'm thinking we need layers. Lots and lots of layers. Perhaps something like this hung just below the top of the fireplace from a quilt rack thingie:

And then maybe a mantel on which picture(s) and small lamps might rest in front of the tapestry:

I would prefer something a little less chunky, but I think a reclaimed beam could add some warmth... not sure how difficult it will be to mount onto brick without cornices, though. Moving on:

A pair of Delft planters (with neato plants in them) flanking the firebox, to cover up the hideous vents that I want to rip out and destroy with the hot heat of my hatred.

You do know that delft is the new black, right?

Whoa there, Mary McDonald. You a little crazy.

And I don't know. That's all I've got so far. Maybe a sheepskin on the ledge between the potted plants to add some warmth? Maybe the Moroccan tray from our old kitchen, this time perched above the very tip top of the fireplace?

Sigh. I miss our old fireplace.

It might draw your eye up in a weird way, but the space above the new fireplace between the windows just feels blank.

Ok, what do you guys think? Any interim solutions to turn this sow's ear into a silk purse? Please let it be relatively inexpensive...

Team Multiple Oriental

Thank you, Rebecca, for making my day with that comment. I started to google TMO just to see what popped up, but decided I'd like for my eyes to live to fight another day. Anyway I am moving forward with TMO, mostly because I can't think of what other type of rug might come in such an odd size as 5x11 or so -- except for a custom job, of course. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. In the meantime, I'm wide open to alternate suggestions if you happen across anything amazing! and spectacular! that simply must be shared.

Let's all take a moment to assess the potential for TMO success.

Some of these images came from The World of Interiors, and some came from this silly post I wrote a while back. Read it. I used to have a sense of humor.

And now friends, I have to scoot. Must see doctor about increasingly scary pregnant stuff. Please cross your fingers and toes and eyes and boobies and man parts for me.

Thanks.