Brook & Lyn

I've been on a search for a piece of art for this one wall in my living room since I moved into my apartment in June. The space demands for something big and full of texture. I haven't had any luck finding a piece that's right for the space. Nothing seems to be large enough and still affordable for my current budget. There's plenty of $10,000 plus pieces that are perfect, with the exception of the price tag.
When I first saw these woven wall hanging from Brook&Lyn I thought these would be perfect! With one important exception, they are way too small! I'm now thing I have to make one myself. I've seen so many of these hanging in friends parents homes growing up and they kind of creeped me out. However, these are modern and fashionable, nothing creep about them! I think I have a new project to work on now.  

Man Pillows!

Just in time for the holidays, Man Pillows! Available in 3 sizes with or without a pillow insert, starting at $20, now at my Society6 page!

Moth Proof!

When you move into a new apartment you are bound to inherit some unexpected things from the former tenants. When you sign the line at the end of your lease you don't really know what you're getting into. For some it's a noisy neighbor, a sticky window, or even the ghost of a former tenant. My unexpected inheritance is a group of squatters! More precisely, Moth squatters!
I didn't even realize that was a problem that people had. Apparently the annoying little pests love hanging out in pantries. They just adore flour, rice, tea, pasta, you name it. After an initial sweep of the cabinets they are still appearing, fluttering across the room like they pay rent. Enoughs enough! The apartment has been baited with moth traps and a few has been caught but a few survivors remain.

In the meantime, I've taken this pesky situation on as a reason to act out my Martha Stewart fantasy life. I stared a moth in it's ugly little face and said "I'm going to organize, label, and seal up ever bite of food you will ever want to eat and it's going to look amazing!" To the Container Store I went and picked up a dozen glass canning jars. Then to Staples to get the perfect labels ala Martha Stewart for Avery. These lovely chalk board labels are perfect! Now things look great and there's no little moth babys wiggling around in my rice (that never happened and I know it sounds disgusting, but they really do that.)
      

The Great Kitchen Facelift: Part I

I moved into my new apartment this past July. Which is definitely the best time to move. longer days, typically good weather, and no snow. However, mid-summer humidity and warm temperatures do not make for good painting conditions. Despite this the roommates and I painted the entire apartment from baseboards to crown moldings. Except for one spot, the kitchen. When negotiating the lease I was granted permission to refinish the kitchen cabinets. Our landlords were the former tenants of out top floor apartment and left it in kind of a mess. Especially the kitchen cabinets which were still filled with food, dishes, and general neglect.

This is the way the kitchen looked when we first came to see the apartment. Things didn't look much different when it was time for us to move in.

Shortly after settling in we started up the refinishing the cabinets. However, after sanding down and painting two doors we realized we will never get this done at the rate that they were drying. Two weeks later the doors were still tacky! I know oil based paints take longer to dry but this was insane, the heat and humidity were fighting against us. So we said lets get back to this project in the fall when things cool down.

A work in progress. You can see how dusty it gets, the bottoms of my feet and ass are filthy.

Appropriately, yesterday marked the first day of fall and the beginning of the Great Kitchen Facelift! That's what this cabinet refinishing project is officially going to be called for now on or GKF for short.   The first part of the GKF, removing the cabinet doors and sanding everything down. I have to break everything up in sections so life can still continue on somewhat normally.
So I started with just the upper cabinets. My little electric sander and I almost sanded down all of the cabinet frames. Even getting into all those little annoying grooves in the moldings!

I think it already looks a ton better despite all of the cabinets contents being out on display. Next, more sanding and hopefully some paint!  

Guest Post: Choosing the Right Flatware

Here's are wonderfully informative Guest post from Bering's Hardware about choosing the right flatware. Enjoy!

Choosing a Flatware Pattern: The First Step
By Julie Shuford, Bering's Hardware
The decision to invest in a flatware pattern that will last for decades without looking dated may seem like a challenging task. Don't worry -- its not! Whether you're in the market for a new flatware set or in search of new pieces to update a preexisting collection, the task can be simple and fun. The trick is to educate yourself about the different options and to know, and stay within, your budget.
The first step is to decide whether you prefer stainless, silver-plated, or sterling-silver flatware. Making this decision early on will help to narrow your search and keep you focused on only the patterns that meet these criteria.
Stainless: Shoot for 18/10 quality (chromium/nickel). Although occasionally disputed, 18/10 typically represents the finest chromium to nickel content. The pattern options are much more varied in terms of style with stainless flatware. Stainless patterns are generally priced as five-piece place settings. In 18/10 quality they range from $30-$90.

Lyrique by Jean Couzon $75

Also, most stainless patterns usually offer additional serving pieces such as a meat fork, tablespoon, pieced tablespoon, etc. They are either sold individually or as a hostess set.

Allora Hostess Set by Reed & Barton $60

Silver-plated: Most silver-plated patterns will have more of a mirrored finish than stainless steel pieces. A term to familiarize yourself with is electrosilverplated stainless steel (EPSS). While some manufacturers will utilize a different process, companies like Sambonet use EPSS which makes their product twice as hard as traditional silver plating processes. Silver-plated pieces can either be made with a hollow handle or solid handle. The hollow handle is said to provide a balanced feel while in use. Like stainless, silver-plated flatware is typically dishwasher safe, although some manufacturers will urge you to hand wash to avoid spotting. Silver-plated five-piece place settings will cost $100-$300.
Sterling silver: Sterling-silver flatware is an entirely different ballgame. Before beginning the hunt for that perfect pattern, be aware that five piece place settings currently start at $700. Two-years-ago, a Francis I five-piece place setting was $450. Now, it is at a whopping $945! Because of fluctuations in the silver market, the price of sterling-silver flatware is constantly changing. If you have or are about to inherit sterling flatware I'd definitely use it. Life's short! You don't necessarily need a grand occasion to entertain with sterling. Many people will say that they hand wash their sterling flatware, but others just throw it in the dishwasher with the rest of their tableware. If you feel inclined to use a dishwasher avoid washing sterling pieces with other types of metals because a chemical reaction could occur during the cycle, causing your sterling to become damaged.

Chantilly Five-Piece Place setting by Gorham $910

Another great way to entertain with sterling-silver flatware is to purchase serving pieces. Buying a cake knife at $200 is an investment, but it is a far more conservative purchase than a $12,000 sterling-silver set. Some people like to match their serving pieces with the five piece place setting, but I think it can be fun to collect an assortment of patterns as well.

Queen Elizabeth Dinner Fork by Towle $270 A cake knife in Queen Elizabeth is $170

Whether you are assembling your flatware collection piecemeal or in one fell swoop, you will end up with a more personal set that fits your needs if you carefully consider the type of flatware beforehand. Examine your personal desires and budget, then go out and start or finish your collection with confidence.

About the Author:
Julie Shuford is the Marketing Manager for Bering's Hardware in Houston, TX. Julie is a girl's girl who loves a good sale, a long run, and time with her husband and new baby boy. Bering's Hardware is a unique retail store that provides everything from hardware to housekeeping products including fine sterling and stainless flatware.

What a Tent!

I want this $8,998 tent from Anthropologie. I don't have the money for it, the space for it or the time for it, but wouldn't be fabulous?

The Neighborhood Fortress: 23rd Regiment Armory

23rd Regiment Armory in 1922 looks very much the same today.

The move happened this past weekend. I've left the apartment that I called home for close to five years. This week has been crazy with painting, moving, and working, working, working! I've had little time to do anything these days and with the lack of internet access I'm currently experiencing, keeping up with IamDavidj is very difficult. However, things will soon change.

My recent move has positioned me in a new part of Brooklyn that I've seldom frequented in the past. I'm situated on the boarder of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights,  just between Fulton and Atlantic Ave. On a surprisingly quite street lined with brownstones. From my bedroom window I can see the tower of a red pressed brick castle. Strange enough a few blocks away stands a massive brick fortress. That tower I can see from my window reaches 136 feet into the air and is the tallest of 8 similarly styled structures attached to the 23rd Regiment Armory.

Postcards of the 23rd Regiment Armory, once a source of great pride for Crown Heights residents.

The building located on Bedford Avenue and Atlantic took four years to completed starting construction in 1891. The building is one of eight armories constructed in Brooklyn before 1900. The 23rd Armory was noted to be "the product of a considerable expenditure on the part of the state and country." (New York Tribune, July 18, 1897) The interior was so grandly furnished and decorated that during the during the Spanish American War (1898) the 23 regiment was accused of not being call to the front line because they all wished to stay home in the company rooms, which were known for being the nicest in the state.

The grandeur of such a structure would leave one to believe that this building that once house soldiers doing drill calls and artillery at war time was now a grand museum. Or at least a public building offering Crown Heights residents an opportunity to peeking into the building designed by architects Haisted Fowler and William C. Hough.

But you would have thought wrong if any of these thoughts crossed your mind. The 23rd Regiment Armory, a "handsome and Imposing Romanesque Rival armory" is the currently a shelter and assessment center for homeless men ( Landmarks Preservation Commission, March 8, 1977). Sadly the over-the-top grandeur of this landmarked structured is marred by the often frightening homeless men of New York. It's quite ironic that the Armory which once housed American citizens who fought in the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II now takes in hundreds of homeless men for addiction and mentally and physically wellness assessment. One can only hope that things will soon change, for the men of the Armory and the Armory itself. 

A New Set of Bones

Margot Sofa in Midnight via Crate & Barrel, Antique Persian Rug, Knitted Graphite Pouf via CB2, Fish Pillow via Z Gallerie, Couturier's Chair via Restoration Hardware  

I've been on edge lately. Between the stress of pulling together Alder's Spring 2013 collection before our quickly approaching look book shoot and the chaos that accompanies moving, I feel like I could lose it! But somehow I haven't, completely, that is. Despite the packing, selling off odds and ends, and extra hours in the studio I still found some time to draft up a floor plan and general mood board for my new apartment. Just the living/ dining room really. I'm very excited to get started on a new set of bones to paint, spackle, and decorate. I already have a list projects to get started and can't wait to get things going! The vibe is cosy, modern rustic in shades of pewter, navy, and burnt orange and it's going to be great! Without question, more posts on the subject will soon ensue.      

The new apartments floor plan.

The Ramsdell Home

The Ramsdell home, 342 Convent Ave. Harlem, New York City

I've become very interested in the history of architecture in New York City. Rather, the history of the destruction of architecture in New York City. My interest really started to peak when talks of created new historical districts in Bed Stuy started to surface. But even before the Bed Stuy talks, I always spent my morning walks to work looking at the many historic homes here in brownstone Brooklyn looking at what is missing. Looking at where vinyl siding has been used to cover once gorgeous cornices, when grand brownstone stoops have been replaced with ground floor entrances, and where "modern" apartment buildings have been squeezed between 1900's structures. I pass through Bed Stuy, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Wallabout, and the Navy Yard always thinking how terrible it is to see such destruction.  It's unfortunate but I must accept that it's a part of living in a constantly evolving city.  A once wealthy neighborhood is not always bound to its affluent roots, and with poverty comes destruction and an interest in self preservation rather than historic preservation.

My interest has focused mostly on the neighborhoods that I live and work in, but the situation is wide spread. As one can see in the case of the Ramsdell home. The picture above was found among the many family photographs and documents from my mother's side of the family. I've spent many hours documenting the many items in an effort to create a comprehensive family tree dating back to the Mayflower. On the back of the above images states: Ramsdell Home Convent Ave 342 NYC. The address, written in a barely legible cursive, is that of a Harlem residence belonging to my mother's great uncle Edwin Ramsdell and his family. Edwin was a doctor and his brother Homer, a lawyer, was my mothers's grandfather. 

Young brothers, Homer Ramsdell (left) and Edwin Ramsdell

Upon finding this photo, which must date from sometime in the early 1900's, I grew excited about visiting the former home of my ancestors. I imagined comparing the photography to the actual structure and marveling at the tangibility of history. The excitement of feeling connected to my past.

However, my excitement was quickly squashed by a quick google map search which resulted in the images found below. A driveway, a brick addition, and a neighboring home is all that is reminiscent of the photo of the Ramsdell home. One can see in the picture of the neighboring house the stone pyramid capped wall that is also present in the old photo. I try to imagine what it would have looked like. Comparing the neighboring house to the photo. Flipping it in my mind. Adding back the brick details that have been covered over. As I work so hard to create something that isn't there, I wonder, is an empty driveway really better? Are all structures (our physical histories) at risk of becoming pavement? The answer, is sadly yes. 

Modern day street view of approximate address, 342 Convent Ave. and neighboring property, via Google Maps.

The Maryland

I love the dark moody interior of The Maryland, photographed by Phillip K Erickson. I love the marble counter top with adorable wall scone, metal fan, and small potted plant. It's such a lovely little vignette.

Found via Desire to Inspire

Down Sizing

I'm moving to a lovely brownstone on the boarder of Crown Heights and Bed Stuy. The apartment building is beautiful. It's filled with original moldings from 1905 when the structure was first erected. However, the building is much smaller than the current 25 foot wide full floor apartment I'm currently in. (By the way, if you are looking for a massive four bedroom, one and a half bath apartment on the boarder of Clinton Hill and Bed Stuy my current place is still available.)

So, I'm down sizing. Which means I'm getting rid of a whole boat load of stuff! I've gone through seven years of I-Ds, Paper, and Surface magazines ripping out inspirational images and tossing the bulk. I've trashed so many strange things I've been holding on to for way to long. I've also posted a small collection of beautiful art books, text books, and coffee table book to Amazon. You can buy my books for nearly nothing here but you can also pick them up if you live in the area.  I'm also getting rid of some furniture including the wood table above ($100), this chair ($30) and the blue sculpture below ($10). Please contact me if you're interested in anything!

BBG

Yesterday my family drove in for a day at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. I absoulutely love the BBG and spent nearly the entire summer a few years ago laying on the lawn below the cherry trees. It's amazing to think that just behind a grove of trees is the cramped and congested streets of New York. I was very excited to finally check out the new visitor center, designed by architectural firm Weiss Manfredi. It's a great addition to this Brooklyn treasure, bring a little modernity to grounds. I unfortunately didn't get any great shots of the center but I got tons of others worth taking a look at!

Room for Plaid

Country Living & The Shiny Squirrel

You many remember my recent post about my annual spring time redecorating desires. Well it looks like I'm going to have more than just a little redecorating to do. Come June 15th I'll be in a new beautiful apartment in brownstone filled Bed-Stuy. I can keep my mind on anything than sofa placement, paint colors, and room configurations.

Just before I learned of my apartment move I sewed up a pair of plaid pillow shams. These lovely wool blend shams (I know wool, not the best for the upcoming summer weather) will probably be the starting point for my new bedroom, so I've been hunting for some plaid room inspiration. Here's a few tasteful examples of rooms with just a touches of plaid from around the internet.

Unknown Source

HommeMaker

Lonny

Why Not Throw it Up on the Wall?

Happy Memorial Day! Today is the marker of the beginning of summer and a day to remember the fallen soldiers of the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day was first celebrated after the American Civil War by visting grave sites of loved ones that fought in the war. Today it has become a more genreal celebratory day with parades, picnics, and American flags! Which leads me to the subject of this post, the American flag.

A symbol of freedom and the American dream, this image of Americana is also an excellent motif for the home. I recently purchased a 48 star American flag on ebay and have been looking for inspirational spaces that incorporated the stars and stripes. What I love about vintage American flags, are the subtle aging that they receive after years of use. The 48 star flag was the official flag from 1912 to 1959, which means my flag is between 100 and 53 years old. It's so exciting to see the little spots where one has mended a hole or the small fraying edges of the cream and red stripes. A vintage American flag has as much of a story as a narrative painting. So why not throw it up on the wall?

Unknown Source & Design Sponge: Husky Ranch

Red Wing Store, Amsterdam

Design Work Out

These home fitness videos from Wallpaper* by Black Dog Films are just amazing. They combine one thing that I obsessed with, design, and one thing that, well, I couldn't say I'm too fond of, into a spectacular case of form meets function. I am dying for a full length work out session! I would look as cut as Tom and Nathalie if I had more of these to work out to!

Shelter Co.

I grew up camping. I've camped in canvas tents in thunder storms, cabins in blizzards, and leantos in summer heat waves but never in a fully carpeted european tent with 400 thread count sheets, Pendelton blankets, and seating area. But I sure can if I where to go camping with Shelter Co., a California-based pop up lodging service providing high end camping for luxury campers. I think I'm ready to go camping again!

I can't believe that the interior of a tent could be nicer than most peoples home!