Happy Monday everybody! I hope this next home tour takes the edge off of your Monday and leaves you feeling laid back and inspired.

Are you ready for a tour of Michelle and Rob’s mid-century modern space?

I met Michelle while working on the faculty of the Brentwood Art Center. Having Michelle as a good friend, I got to be a part of the design process firsthand because we both tend to obsess over all things design! As you enter their Santa Monica home the open-plan living and dining room is very inviting. Michelle chose all the paint colors and trim carefully considering the creams and whites to brighten and lighten the living space. Another great addition was her choice of a white modern fan.

The walnut dining table along with the white Modernica chairs offer great contrast and mid century modern living. I was lucky enough to catch the afternoon sunshine there with the curtains blowing in the breeze.

Here is Michelle at home in the room! I have always wanted to get one of these spine bookshelves too because they take up little visual space and hold plenty of books.

Throughout the home, you can not help but notice Michelle’s collection of fine art. As you may remember from Friday that Michelle is an illustrator and art instructor. Her creative space is clean and inspired from the vignette at her desk…

to the canvas at her work space. By the way, she is currently working on a watercolor dollhouse illustration, which I’ll be sure to share with you, when she finishes. I’m intrigued by the original sketch.

Clever styling and unique lighting adds charm throughout the space.

As graceful and clean as the studio space is nothing could be a cooler counterpart than Rob’s man cave. Where Rob intermingles toys, videos, games, and his first piece of self-painted of original art. How appropriate for him to have loft space above the studio where he can showcase his collection of action figures.

I know it has all been amazing to soak in, so I will leave you with just these. What are some of your favorite things about their Santa Monica space?

Later this week, check back in as I vow to post bonus pictures of kitchen appliances and stylish accessories- you will not want to miss!

On Saint Valentine’s Day, historically people wrote messages or recited poems to signify their affection for each another.

Hand made cards were written on decorative paper and often contained a romantic poem. These early cards were decorated with lace, pressed flowers or ribbons to increase their beauty. This tradition carried on through to the 1600s.

I have been saving this papel picado for a few months now, my friends Mark and Sara buy it in Oaxaca, Mexico. Isn’t it fun?

I hope your Valentine’s Day brings something sweet:)

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!

Okay, so I admit to not actually personally knowing this artist in my lifetime, but after a long and relaxing Memorial Day weekend, I thought he would be an ideal person to wrap up Artist Tuesdays with his careful curated collage and assemblage work. Thanks to all the artists who participated this month leading up to my one year blog-iversary and first complete series!

Joseph Cornell, born at the turn of the 20th century was known for the collages he created. Often placing boxes inside of boxes and arranging images amongst tiny collections.

His work was collected by many prominent art collectors in his time. Cornell spent most of his life living in Queens with his family.  He also kept some of New York’s most talented ballerinas as his closest friends. Sometimes in his work, these references appear.

I heard that he trolled around flea markets and antiques shops in search of pieces of a bygone era, in this way his art begins a historical recollection.

Doesn’t this remind you of a designer’s inspiration board?

Every time I style my mantle or set up a tableau on my desk his work inspires me, I feel like I’m arranging a narrative, just as Cornell would have.

Or when I look at a toy collection, I get a feel for his style.

You could make your own Cornell box. Shadowboxes are some of my favorite ways to display art these days. I will be doing this in Joelle’s room, working with her to arrange her own collections.

For that I have found, this white 12″ x 12″ Shadowbox frame.

I think it is the perfect depth and shape to hold a collage of memories.

What type of collections do you keep? Please send photos to hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com and I’d love to share them with other readers here.

I don’t care if Monday’s blue…

This week has been such a beautiful one. It started with the misty rain and ended with a sweet redo!

This table used to be yellow with rustic country charm. We had been using it much like a garden table filling it up with plants, watching as it quickly became dusty with soil. This little table is an antique, but was in no condition to be restored. I still liked the grace of it’s lines and the keyholes. A collector once told me it was probably a 1920′s wash table with a mirror attached. I always saw it’s original potential.

I think I like the pale pistachio paper and pink birds even more against the white.

I’ve been building a replacement for the garden, inspired by this tiny photo.

Now, I wouldn’t dare to set a dirty potted plant on this lovely white!

For custom pieces, please inquire hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com.

Happy Friday, folks!

There are no words to describe all the cool treasures I found in Goa.

This wall panel is functional as both art and a candle holder. I love the charm of the elephant carving and the colored stain on the wood.

This antique panel measures 11″h x 21″w . I have never seen anything quite like this!

These carved wood elephant bookends were my favorite. Just searching for the right books to display with them.

Now you can see the whole mantle with a painting by textile designer Mabel Martinez. I like to change up the mantle all year.

I think of the mantle as sort of an ongoing art installation, where I can add and subtract things for the season; according to my travels or (my favorite) display garlands and cards near the holidays. Since, we live in an apartment is something refreshing to change and style regularly.

I found these brilliant nesting tables in Goa.

I loved the colors and the composition of the design.

I think we are going to use these as nightstands. One large on one side and two small in a little stair step configuration for my stuff! Sometimes, perfect symmetry in design can be over rated, but balance is a must!

Some of these antiques,  I have to share and others have found a place in our home. I set this gorgeous wood carved mirror on top of a chinese butterfly chest, both of which are for sale. I can picture them together or apart, but I love the way mirrors look propped up on vanities or leaned against walls.

The ornate carving and color of the mirror make it a great focal point. It measures 14″h x 16″w.

For now, I am offering all items here, until I can add Google checkout to PinkPianos…a feature that is coming soon:)

If you want to see more contact me at hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com , I have a glass lantern, paper stars and an Indian beanbag (flattened and re-filled)  all of which need a home.

Believe me, were there not a limit on suitcases for travel I would have brought more. Literally, it was a sight to see us dragging all of the above through the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport! The nesting tables were the toughest to explain at customs because they had been wrapped and sewn shut in this funky looking burlap (too bad I should have snapped a pic!), people thought something was alive inside of there.

All in all, I know it was worth effort.

Weekend treats:

This picture of footwear designer Philippe Model’s bedroom from Paris Style is so sublime. I just found this book on sale. It instantly transports me back to the good ole days living sur l’Ille.

The subtle shades of each color like a value scale painted on the wall. Plus, look at the blanket! I love how French Interiors aren’t too perfect or over designed.

I have visions of doing a rendition of this to one of my living room walls. One day!

Now to really get in the mood francaise for the day, listen to Nouvelle Vague.

This past week, I missed them at the Oohlala festival. What was I thinking?

Have fun out there this weekend!

I’ll be sure to share a DIY and stories, when I am back.

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce to you and old acquaintance.

Once upon a time, there was a chair….

She’d seen alot in her time and her red velvet cushion was becoming shabby.

She desperately needed a little love!

After stripping the old veneer off her and sanding her down she looked a bit plain.

She glowed with hand mixed color, a combo of lavender, grey, white, and red; developing a brilliance that was all her own. Selective sanding lent an air of sophistication to her sheen.

Freshly reupholstered with a vibrant vintage inspired print from Martha Negley and comfy new cushion, she is ready to charm guests all over again.

Princess Chair, a sweet $125, ask about subscriber discount

Good things do come to those who wait. Contact me here, if you’d like to take her home with you.

Vintage frames are simple to find, elegant as décor, and cheap to boot!

The idea for this post came from the vintage bronze headboard that I completed last week.

On more than one occasion, old wooden frames seem to fall right into my lap. Once, while rummaging through the warehouse at Children’s Museum Los Angeles, I found a dolly full of them. This cache of frames has become my favorite DIY project like when I’m in between designs.

While surfing the net (I get a kick out of calling it that), I found some fabulous handmade artists who sell their own DIY frames on Etsy.

I like these plaster frames by Olivesomeday because the pastel paint gives them a modern update.

In my opinion, when scouting out vintage frames the more ornate the better.

Here’s how we dressed up Jon’s bedroom with a frame from Wertz Brothers Antiques, all it needed was coat of silver paint. You may remember her from the headboard redo.

This brass frame from Neawear is darling! What surprised and delighted me was the way she describes it as wall jewelry. These come with a chain attached and can be hung around your neck or on the wall. Soo Remarkable!

Additionally, I was stunned by Nea’s Verdi green patina necklace that reminded me of all the patinas I’d love to apply to frames. I haven’t tried the blue one by Modern Masters yet…

Finally~I wasn’t sure what to make of this, but check out these frames stitched into a textile design.

Do you love-love it..or not-so-much it? Let me know your thoughts on this one!