Black and White and Mine All Over

As much as I feel daffodil yellow and spring green demanding that I redecorate my entire home in a blaze of screaming color, I am ever so slightly resistant. Actually, I'm totally digging my heels in (today). I think I can handle a little color here and there -- a floral pillow maybe, or perhaps even a fancy new chair (just wait 'til you see my latest thriftacular find) -- but I know what I never tire of is black and white. So cool, so classic. So endlessly versatile. I always like it in really graphic prints so it comes off as op poppy, not tired and droopy. Check it.

Yeah, I know. THE CHAIR.

Two houses, same zebraesque fabric:

If I lived here, I would probably want to redecorate every other day, but right now I kind of love it. Wait, now I'm talking myself back into liking color...

I like all of it. What's happening to me? Am I secretly a waspy sailor with a cottage in the Hamptons? I hate myself already.

This is what I will wear whilst sailing my 500 foot yacht around the world. Actually, I just snagged this suit from Old Navy and it's pretty dope. Now I just need to do 80,000 leg lifts.

Sorry to make you read the most disjointed post in the history of DC. Obviously I am feeling some style conflict. There's this big sea change blowing in and I'm not quite on board. Color scares me. Maybe it's because my adventures in paint colors have often ended badly -- like macaroni schoolbus bathroom of death badly. But other times, not so badly. I did like my red dining room... for about 6 months. And then I was so fatigued by the COLOR that I painted it -- hold your breath -- black and white.

What do you dudes think? Are you prepared to go whole hog colortastic? Am I just being a wuss?

[Elle Decor, Diamond Barratta]

Save Me From Myself

Not even 4 days back into the design blogging lifestyle and I'm already trying to justify a $650 coffee table purchase.  Let's start with some back story:  Some of you may remember that I've been living large with the panthers for the better part of 2 years:

But since the introduction of the tiny blessing baby Eero into my life, I've come to realize that the wobbly glass topped felines may not be the best-baby-walk-trainer out there.  After several frantic craigslist and ebay linked emails with Erin I found this:

$650 of pure, swirly, formica and bronze cocktail table magic (plus $180 shipping).  I tried.  I really really tried to justify this purchase but if I were going to spend $830 on a coffee table, would this be the one?  Ok, yeah, probably.  Can you guys save me from myself, or is this actually justifiable keeping in mind that my budget was $200? Share your wisdom.  Pretty please.

Howl Interiors: Decorate Like You Give a Damn!

Last Saturday Karly and I accompanied our bff on an alcohol soaked wedding dress shopping extravaganza (holy jeebus, Sunday sucked), and we happened to pass by Howl's new storefront on South Lamar while hoofing it across Unbridaled's parking lot. I've driven past this place a few times and their siren sign always calls to me. Each time I've fought the urge to U-turn in the middle of Austin traffic, fishtailing and tires squealing all 70's car movie style. Did I mention that the sign is eye catching?

It promises a carnivalesque good time, and it delivers. Come on, let's take a little tour.

The first thing you need to know is that this place is dark and moody, and my ancient point and shoot just can't handle anything other than rainbow flecked crystalline sunlight with grace and aplomb, so sorry for the janky pictures.

I'm going to go ahead and say this place is one part Uncommon Objects, one part Uptown Modern, and no parts Room Service. If you aren't an Austinite, let me translate: there's some rust, some burl -- both 70s and antique, and there are zero ceramic owls.

Karly already has her first purchase wrapped up and ready to go. Too bad we are po bitches.

We both deemed this lucite couch worthy of our love and affection. I am burning that pillow with my mind, though. Firestarter style.

Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam.

Cousin It the goat wants to live in Ike's room.

A gorgeous olive burl Baughman table just like the one I found for my buddy's house. The elephant is trumpeting his seal of approval.

I found the store to be charming, and the proprietor to be adorably adorable. The prices ranged from holy %^* expensive to quite reasonable -- they had a flossy Paul Evans/brutalist barrel chair in dire need of upholstery for about $250, which is not bad for Austin prices. I was hoping to find a bit more modern in the mix, mostly artwise. I'm on a big antiques jag right now, but I feel like all that patina needs some edge to sharpen it up.

Hopefully Howl is reading this and will call me with a bargain basement de Kooning or Sol Lewitt... fingers crossed!