I’m glad to be back home in L.A., after an extremely windblown, relaxing, and gorgeous weekend at Gaviota State Beach camping with friends!

“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.”Buddha. Here was a moment like this.

Below the kelp grew naturally on the rocks as beautiful as any painting.

In the background, lies the train bridge and pier. I truly love is the subtle play of a man made presence within nature.

Look out this week, I’m well rested and ready to go! I promise to delve into a new studio piece and a facelift on a dresser.

I have also just joined Bloglovin’, so you can Follow my blog with bloglovin, so many talented writers are there!

Content as ever to be back here with you all:)

When I got home today, I was thrilled because the order I placed last week finally arrived!

I decided that some porcelain palettes and nesting bowls would help me get my dresser top into order and provide a welcome change. Sometimes all the junk tends to pile up here in the bedroom and this one of my favorite spaces to showcase.

While it’s super embarassing that I’m showing you all the clutter on my dresser, I think I am liking the way these palettes can organize the space.

I first saw the idea of using a porcelain palette in Martha Stewart Living. Since I am a painter, who also makes jewelry, this idea immediately appealed to me.

I looked around at all the local art stores for inexpensive porcelain palettes but found them to be all overpriced! $23 for a palette, C’mon, I know there’s gotta be somethin’ on Amazon. As it turns out Blick online had the most affordable option and I even scored some nesting bowls.

Kinda’ cool that we have nesting dolls (top pic), nesting tables, and nesting palettes all in one room! Which means you can stack them up, like the one pictured below right.

Although, they are originally intended for paint, I think they’d make a great storage for beads. There are even grander palettes out there that could store lots of tiny earrings and necklaces. I could see them going in fabulous directions!

Having things all tidied up reminds me that I own a unique pocket watch from Malaysia! It is probably not valuable, but was the sweetest gift that my boyfriend got for me ’til date. While on a long layover in Kuala Lumpur, we ventured out to bargain for lovelies out in the market. I tried to haggle my best, but couldn’t get the vendor to budge a bit on the price of this watch. As foreigners, we knew were being had, so sadly walked away from the piece. As a surprise on a return trip alone, he went back out in to town an scored the same watch for me!

Now, I should really find more occasions to wear it!

Here are the lastest pieces that I’d love to add to this sweet little collection I have got going.

Do you know of some great jewelry designers or organizers?…please share the link!

I love the crisp clean lines of an all white office. Does it just seem easier locate the important paperwork, when the backdrop is clean and all in white? Below is a collage that I created featuring several elements that I am considering using for an upcoming project.

• Linen wrapped corkboards
• Round white table
• Round white rug
• Sturdy white chairs with backrests
• White organizers, files, and bins
• Soft brightly painted walls

This reading room in this months Lonny Magazine grabbed my attention with the shiny white table surrounded by bright cushy stools, which would be practical for short studies, but not so much long work sessions…Another great detail is in the artwork propped up atop the bookshelves.

As for IKEA’s 2011 catalogue full of organizational splendor, I am loving the white magazine files, drawers, and storage tubs.

Meanwhile, I am desperate to reorganize my own office! Please share, what are your favorite ways to organize your workspace? We could all use a few simple tricks! In fact, maybe we can even get a little bit more work done:)

I was a little thrilled when I came across this designer on the front page of Etsy last week. FreyaArt creates these wondrous and colorful prints for the home.

This artwork clearly describes how I like to feel at heart.

Wouldn’t this make sweet decor for a child’s room?

The colors in this one POP! I’ll bet you have a few strange and magnificent creatures in your life!

Hope your week  is off to a vibrant start!

So, I bet you would’ve never guessed that I’ve been hiding out in my studio all week, since I’ve been back, working on this vintage, soon to be antique, Secretary’s Desk. When I got it, it was a sight for sore eyes! My neighbor thought that I would enjoy restoring it and fixing it up more than he would, so…I got to work!

I loved the shape of this piece especially. I thought of a dark wood Jacobean desk with shiny gold knobs, I had seen a while back.

Inside there is plenty of built-in storage, aplace to hold papers, letters, books, a envelopes. For a stationery lover or a writer, this would be a dream!

I almost put shiny gold knobs here, but when I came across these brass pulls, I changed my mind. I had to include this photo because of the blue light in the background. I buffed and shined the surface of the wood with Howards Feed in Wax. It is a natural way of sealing wood and does not emit any harsh fumes. The wax simply penetrates the grain of the wood and hardens. Then, the surface can be polished to a high shine! I prefer this method of finishing wood these days.

Overall, the color of the desk is dark, rich, and stately; but in direct sunlight the stain becomes warm allowing the wood grain to stand out.

Why don’t they make more beautiful carved wooden furniture these days?

I would buy it;)

Lavender Fields is a 6″ x 6″ oil painting from a series called Snapshots that I have recently gotten FRAMED! Yes, it’s true. I finally found the time to do this while on vacation.

I was incredibly happy with the reverse lip frame that is deep like a shadowbox. You may notice the wood even has a hint of gold in it that made it irresistible in my opinion. It will be auctioned of next month as part of the Rocket Spectacular.

On a family golf cart ride I was enamored by the chickens and coop in a neighbors backyard.

Thoughts of dandelions blowing in the wind reminded me of long summer days growing up.

there’s notepaper too!

A quick trip to Paul’s fresh Fruit Market inspired this Beet salad served over Boston lettuce and oil rubbed Kale tossed with Couscous, roasted corn and goat cheese.

Then, there’s always a swimming hole there to cool me off!

I wish these days could last forever.

I also drank lots of Heine Brothers Coffee and ordered takeout from Ramsi’s Cafe on the World. They have a delicious dish called the Shanghai Stir Fry.

Later this week, I have a surprise for you.

These rooms have been 4 months in the making. Just look at how everything has turned out! I love this laid back beachy interior accented by the glow of the coconut shell lamp.

The markerboard tree just grew and grew! First, I taped off the area on the wall, literally taping the curves and lines of the trees branches. Then, I rolled out the dry erase paint, which took a few coats. Another thing to note, is that it sets up very fast, so when working with the mixture be prepared to paint one layer, then allow it to dry 15 minutes between coats. Using a smooth foam roller provides a flat finish on the wall. I did a simple outline in light brown with sunshine yellow and sky blue accents. The leaves are wrapped in shades of green linen and made from cork, so they double as a place to hang up art as well.

I am also happy with the outcome of the custom made bench! We designed the seat cushion to be sewn from an Amy Butler fabric called Knots.

The drawer pulls are glass from Restoration Hardware. I love these!

One more detail that finishes the room are the capiz shells that line the curtains.

If you missed the before pics from this series, click on the Metamorphosis button to the right. Mia’s room is glowing with shades of lilac and silver and I really like how the two-tones or purple allow the architectural details such as the chair rail to pop out.

The lofted ceilings are so beautiful on their own, but the new Maskros light made of wire and paper from IKEA sure does hold it’s own in the space. At night, the light casts tiny little circular reflections on the walls.

We are really happy with the way the rooms have turned out. The Fatboy beanbag and silver cubes are the perfect accessories for a teen ready to chill out with her friends. I’d even love to have  the black dress form to dress up the night before, when planning tomorrow’s outfit!

Did I mention that there’s also a disco ball?!

Oh and coming soon, I can show you Mia’s bed, which is amazing. It will be assembled, when I return from my vacation. Of course, there will also be professional pics of both rooms. We are currently seeking an interior photographer looking to build their portfolio of work.

It would be hard for me to choose which room I like the best because the styles are so different! Which elements of the design do you prefer and why?

It is rare that I find the time to promote my PinkPianos shop on Etsy. Perhaps, now that I am on vacation in Kentucky, I can really get to work!

It has taken me some time to launch, but keeping the doors open I have had lots of lovely visitors trickle on in which makes me happy.

My shop is a bridge to all the furniture and design work that I do. Here I offer home accessories, vintage finds, hand painted knobs, along with original artworks. As always, custom pieces are available simply email me at hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com to talk about what you envision.

Just look at what the creative people on  The Wedding Channel did with peacock feathers.

Isn’t that sweet?! Then, there’s also hair clips, bookmarks, and I’d love to see a peacock feather garland!

Well, I’m going back to relaxing and catching up on all the blogs that I love to read. I promise to share inspiration from my visit to Kentucky before I leave and to post the final pics of the Girls’ Room Metamorphosis for those of you that have been following.

What could you make with feathers?