Almost Down the Rabbit Hole

I have been friending a bunch of Japanese bass anglers on Facebook lately. I am discovering a fair number of them have bass fishing blogs and I have been adding them to my Foreign Language blogroll. For some reason on one of the most recent blog finds the Google translate option came up and so I used it. All of a sudden the blogrolls of Japanese bass fishing bloggers were opened up. I think I

More Chic Stripes

As much as I love them, I don't think I have the patience, energy or budget to have stripes painted in my new apartment.  But I was thinking that maybe I could handle them in the bathroom.  Black and white seems to be a popular choice as seen by Stephen Shubel, above who used them twice.  I love the yellow although that color won't work in my space, the teal blue shade could be a contender.  I definitely see some paint samples in my future.

J.Crew Collection store in Lonny

unknown

Stephen Shubel

Alessandra Branca via Elle Decor

John Learner via Elle Decor

unknown

Jamie Creel via Elle Decor

House Beautiful

Leslie Klotz via House Beautiful

unknown

Krista Ewart via Domino Book of Decorating

Joe Nye via House Beautiful

Toad for Micropterus

Read about this beast here...Check out what is going on at the Bass Pundit Minnesocold Bass Bloggers Derby 2011

Chic Striped Studio

I've received so many lovely comments and emails about my upcoming move but one reader from Amsterdam took things a bit further.  She emailed me photos to prove that you can live chicly in a studio.  Marijke Beumer is an interior designer in The Netherlands and lives in a beautiful studio that she decorated herself. She has not only made me realize that I have a lot to live up to but has me absolutely desperate to paint stripes on my new walls.  Her website isn't up yet but I expect good things to come from this talented designer.  I also want to know what came in all those Hermes boxes!  Chic indeed! 

Japan Is In On B.A.S.S. All-Star Voting

Who knew Mark Davis was Japanese? Also looks like Tak is the odd man out with this Japanese bass fishing blogger.

Wading Bust

I got to thinking that wading to the East of the Grumpy Old Man Hole on Platte might be productive with the high water. I didn't get up until about 6PM today and didn't make up my mind to go fishing until about a quarter to 8PM. Since it was getting to be so late I didn't hit Jenny's and went right to the GOMH. I had the Lamiglas Excel rigged with a Spro Rojas Poppin Frog and my 2 St. Croix

New Apartment Inspiration

In between changing my address everywhere and fighting with Time Warner Cable about why as an existing customer I don't qualify for Triple Play, I am mentally redecorating my new apartment. What's funny is that I think the owner chose me to rent the place the minute I told him that I was an interior designer.  He owns a company that works on high end commercial projects and we have a lot in common.  He has already joked that he thinks that I am going to make it so nice that he's going to want it back.  I hope he's joking. Note to self: do not invite him over after it's finished.

I'm still inspired by Tori Mellott's apartment that was featured in Domino magazine.  While I don't think I want to paper the walls, I do love the color scheme.  I plan to keep my new apartment neutral with some pops of color such as my blue French chair and patterned pillows.  I also can't wait to rearrange my art and create a new gallery wall above my sofa.  Packing it up made me realize just how much I own.

I'll have a lot more wall space for art and look forward to creating new compositions.  I still love this Jonathan Adler designed room and might be inspired to hang art lower in my new apartment.

I currently have a small wood coffee table but I really want a glass and brass to replace it.  They seem to be harder to find than I thought, at least in my price range, so maybe I push two smaller tables together like Grant K. Gibson.  I keep hearing that Fig trees don't do well in New York but I definitely want to add some greenery.

I'm moving from a long and narrow one bedroom apartment into a wider studio.  In all the years I've lived in New York, I've never lived in a studio so concealing or at least taking the focus off the bed will be an interesting challenge.  Tori Mellott separated her old studio with an Ikea bookcase.  I'll have to see if I have room for one after I get everything arranged.

Lizzie Baily also separated her living and sleeping areas with a bookcase as seen in Lonny magazine. What I also like is that she skirted her desk.  I have been thinking about doing the same after I move.  I will then be able to hide my printer and files.

Lonny editor in chief Michelle Adams also had a skirted desk in one of her old apartment.

Grant K. Gibson devoted an entire post to the skirted work table in his apartment.  Since my mother sews, I'm hoping I can talk her into making one for me while I'm visiting next week.

Grant hides a lot under his skirted table including a printer on a rolling stand. 

I've already been scoping out bar carts online too.  I love Deborah Needleman's and hope there is room for one since my kitchen is a little too small for mixing drinks.  

I already bought a tortoise shell ice bucket that I found at Aero which will look great on a bar cart.

Since my kitchen is small and close to the entrance, I will have to decorate it as well.  I have been wanting to mirror a backsplash for a while and this might be the perfect place.  I've always loved this one that I saw in House Beautiful. The mirrors definitely expand the space.

Here is another mirrored backsplash as seen in Lonny magazine.  I also own those bamboo folding chairs that will come in handy for guests.  Since I barely cook anymore, I want to cover the kitchen floor with a sisal rug.

In the other shot of Tori Mellott's living room, you can see that she has her television sitting on a dresser.  My television armoire served me well for years but I decided it was time to also find a chic dresser for my television.

I have a rule of not buying new things for a new apartment until you move your existing pieces.  I've gone overboard with excitement before and ended up with too much furniture but I did buy one piece.  I've been wanting a marble top dresser for television display and found a fabulous John Widdicomb one online for $250.  I couldn't even find a new dresser for that price and can't wait to see it.

What sold me on it was the top drawer with separate compartments that will be perfect for jewelry since it locks with a key.  Or I could always organize all my office supplies. 

The one thing that I will miss about my old apartment in my bedroom.  It was a lovely robin's egg blue color that that was so relaxing after a crazy day in New York.  I'm hoping that my entire new apartment will now be a relaxing retreat instead.  I can't wait to get in there to start decorating for real!

I'm FB Friends with Brody of the Lake

It's true! Brent "Brody of the Lake" Broderick has accepted my friend request.

Perfectly Imperfect

The Domino Book of Decorating continues to top the list of best selling home decorating books and I have no doubt that former editor in chief Deborah Needleman's new book will also be a big hit.  The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well is billed as "the must-have guide describing 80 items that are all one needs for a livable, comfortable, and undeniably stylish home."  It's too bad that we have to wait to buy the book illustrated by Virginia Johnson until November 1st.  Guess I'll have to make due with my back of issues of Domino magazine in the meantime.

Unimpressive Float Tube Fishing Trips Lately

Tonight I headed out of the house a bit after 7PM, it was cloudy warm and humid and conditions seemed right for the fish to be on. My first stop was Jenny's. Right away I got a bite but didn't hook up off to the right. I threw back and it boiled on it again. 3rd time was the charm and I brought in this skinny 16" class fish.I thought this was going to be a much smaller fish from the way it

Tennis Anyone?

I have absolutely no hand eye coordination so I'm terrible at racket sports but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching them. Wimbledon at The All England Club is always a favorite each year.  As a tradition, the players are required to wear white but some of the outfits this year have gotten a little out of control. I'm not quite sure what Serena Williams is wearing but it doesn't look nearly as chic as some of these ensembles.  I'm sure the ladies are happy they no longer have to wear stockings but I wouldn't mind if the men brought back those short shorts.  I bet more people would watch if they did!

William Tilden and Rene Lacoste

Bjorn Borg

Roger Federer

The Duke of York at Wimbledon 1926

Arthur Ashe

Tracy Austin

Roger Federer

Suzanne Lenglen

Not sure of the names of these two ladies but I love this photo!

John Newcombe

Bjorn Borg

Boris Becker

Jimmy Connors

Fred Perry

Evonne Goolagong

Helen Wills Moody

Arthur Ashe

Jimmy Connors and Chris Everet

Fred Perry

Bjorn Borg

Roger Federer

Helen Wills Moody and Helen Jacobs

Rod Laver

Rene Lacoste

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club