Turns out my last post was lucky 100 and I missed it! I guess that I’d been anticipating it for so long the moment just escaped me. To commemorate this event I’d like to get back to the roots of this blog with a before and after reveal!

Behold the white coffee table, before any work was done.

Renewed with a slippery black sheen.

I buffed the tips of the legs gold and applied countless coats of black paint with a foam roller, all the while perfecting my smooth roll, I’m on a mission to accomplish. Then, I applied two wonderful coats of an oil based polyurethane gloss. That’s our living room, you see in the background.

I like how the table top really reflects the light and it’s modern feel too. You can see our new Vera pillow has found a home. Have you got any pics of updated furnishings you’d like to share? Send me a pic. I love to see your creativity.

Tonight, I’m off to Grand Performances to see Caravan Palace, a popular Parisian group…

more Metamorphosis pics Monday!

The sculptural entryway assemblages were a feast full of wonder from the welded hanging lantern-shaped pendants

to the sculptural vessels woven from Street Sweeper bristles.

and then there were the “Moneyballs” made from from thousands of tiny shreds of discarded treasury notes.

I’m absolutely amazed at the way that Kramer glued those and to that effect.

The Page Museum was also free for the day so I got a glimpse of other green creatures…

Enjoying a swim.

On to the ultimate curiosity; Kaya Toast at Susan Feniger’s restaurant Street. The dish offered thick fried toast with coconut jam, soft-fried egg (which I neglected), dark soy sauce, and white pepper.

What sounds exotic couldn’t taste more delicious. Toast that literally melts in your mouth. Here Katie and Ashish bask in the glow of the orange umbrella.

It’s been yet another fabulous week!

Tomorrow morning, May 26th, is my birthday and I can’t wait to arise and look into the sun and sky for one more day.

Sunrise by Monet. For breakfast, I may celebrate with these because Macarons are just so tasty and colorful!

Friday, I’ll throw a little party and I’ll be sure to post pictures. I’d love to decorate with a crocheted garland like this one from Dottie Angel, she is a new favorite to read.

I will also do the all things I love like visit blogs I love and ride my bike…

and talk to the people I love. Have a sweet May 26th! I’ll be back next week with more rug designs to inspire you.

I am happily recovering from a cocktail of jet lag and a desert music festival. I have rejuvenated enough to share with you an insider’s glimpse of the backstage art at the Coachella Valley Music Festival held annually just outside of Palm Springs.

This is my third year collaborating as an artist and 2nd year in the Art Department backstage. I designed 8 paintings for the event in all, most of them sitting in a little office from a window in Mumbai.

I also spent lots of time styling the trailers with a team of amazing artists led by Mary Anne Campagna. Here is a slideshow of my favorite little tableaus from the dressing rooms. These are the ones quickly styled by me.

The artwork is contributed by many talented artists, whose bios I hope to share soon! In this set I designed art for She and Him, Infected Mushroom, and Florence and the Machine.

Her songs are catchy and edgy at once. She has a great energy and her performance did not disappoint.

The polo fields are full of large light installations that you can see here!

I’m sure many have heard of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, but man, I am in love with this band!

I really enjoy the Art Direction in this video.

What can I say?
I. dig. these. guys.

Now that I’m back, this weekend I have so much to catch you up on, I will share my collection of finds from Mumbai along with a sweet photography shop and DIY photo collage for that vacant wall you’ve been needing to fill.

Happy New Year, Friends!

“I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point,’If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

A lovely glance around the stainless steel kitchen.

Happy Friday friends!

I’m working all weekend on gifts at my Etsy site.  Plus, I have tons of holiday DIYs for the weeks to come.

Let’s make this weekend count!

Bon Appetit!

Oh, the joy of another show has come and gone! I always seem to have a good time, but this sale was especially nice having a green canopy and garland overhead. April and I had a blast on Saturday crafting these merry signs that  I will teach you to make later this week.

I love to create and earrings are so much fun! Here’s part of my new display.

These silk tie necklaces on salvaged wood floors are the best look yet. I tried plywood before, but I prefer to use these floor samples for their size and color.

My shop has lots of goodies in store.

HaPpY MoNdAy friends!

xo.

I will be here tomorrow in Silverlake all day spreading the holiday cheer.

On the corner of Glendale and Silverlake Blvd. This show has gotten some great reviews.

Would love to see you one and all!

xo,

Hilary

by Sri Chinmoy

I have felt so lucky to be surrounded by the warmth of friends and good food this holiday weekend. Our simple dinner felt like a complete success. In a vegetarian twist, we made ratatouille and pizza. Plus, apple pie with a nut crust for dessert.

Today, I’m off to see the holiday homes from Heritage Square Museum in South Pasadena. They are old Victorians completely done up in the spirit of the season.

I can’t wait to share them with you later this week!

I came across Rachel Follett’s blog, one day while I was bouncing around the web.

A month later to my delight, I was paired up with her as part of Structured Chaos’ Shop, Swap, and Blog event.

Rachel went into business because she was constantly inspired by all the beautiful things that people make.  She mainly works as a graphic designer and found herself looking for things to do off the computer. That’s when she started making cards. Most of all, she likes seeing people happy when they receive her cards.

Want to spend the day at the beach with someone you love?…

or wish them Happy Birthday from the bottom of your heart.

Based in Maui, her unique cards often express her love for vintage.

In the future, she sees herself branching out to handmade items like sewing pillows and buntings along with vintage housewares. She likes the smallness of it and selling to local stores.

Rachel runs a well curated shop, Lovely Clusters that  culls the very best from the handmade world for all to see. She has many favorite online stores, but one of her favorite sellers is Dani from Oh Hello Friend, whom has a fabulous blog, makes beautiful jewelry and does such a lovely job with styling and packaging her products. Such a great source of inspiration!

Thanks so much to Rachel for sharing with us a glimpse into her world.

I had planned to give away three of her cards today as samples for you to share. If you would like to play, please visit Lovely Clusters and tell us which shop inspires you and why.

You may also enter by tweeting this post using any of the buttons below, don’t forget to tell me you did this.

The winner will be selected at random from all the comments and announced this Friday!