Elegant Easter

Elegant Easter by thesewallsofwhite featuring Buccellati

Spring Refresh

Spring Refresh by thesewallsofwhite featuring Pier 1 Imports

Seeking Peace and a Makeover

Lately I've felt a bit bombarded with to-do's, events and just general chaos. So sadly, I haven't had much down time to think about architecture or interiors. Niseko was a nice respite but getting back to the quotidian grind has been exhausting. I'm generally not one to complain but boy, I could use a nap! This looks like a good spot.

In spite of my best intentions, I find myself surfing the web in the few quiet moments I have. I've been really drawn to ivories, whites and neutrals lately. This is my favorite new scarf.

Some inexpensive vases I've been thinking about

Maybe a little comfort food while we're at it? I've been wanting to try this clafoutis recipe from one of my favorite food bloggers, Mimi Thorisson. By the way, have you seen her book? My copy finally arrived and it is sumptuous.

I have been starting to shop online a bit for somethings for our US House. I'm absolutely over our Japanese apartment. I once read that babies were usually the end of blogs. I can see that, they certainly require undivided attention for many hours of the day. But I think more so my decline in frequency is attributable to life being more complicated, and really not being excited about our very utilitarian house here in Japan. I find myself surrounded by what was a normal, even Spartan, amount of stuff which suddenly seems overwhelming. I'm not sure if you've ever shopped in Japan at places like Homac or Nitori but furniture here is more of the Ikea variety, maybe not as nicely made. I would say Muji is the exception as their things are very nicely made, but even they are quite minimalist. Occasionally I'll stumble upon a handmade furniture maker of cabinets or chairs or even the odd antique shop. These are exciting finds but otherwise, function tends to dominate form. But in that spirit, did you know Muji Japan keeps a design blog? It is called Idea Park and I saw this makeover the other day.

Before:

After:

Alright, off to finally get that nap!

high - low english roll arm collections

I've been browsing for a new sofa lately. I still absolutely love our chesterfield from Chesterfields of England. We've had it for several years and it gets better and softer every day. But I would like to move this into a study in the next house. Who knows where that will be but certainly bigger than our house here in Japan - most are! So we'll need something else for a family space.

Today I noticed that Ikea is debuting an English Roll Arm collection called Stocksund

It can certainly give the look for less compared to the Pottery Barn Carlisle collection.

Love these rooms with Roll Arm sofas.

 

sourced from Pinterest

sourced from Houzz 

sourced from Phoebe Howard's portfolio

And even in color, so fabulous.

sourced from Lauren Leiss's portfolio, her first house

sourced from Sophia Coppola's apartment

Here's the Ikea one in action

sourced from Ikea

bunny williams at ballard designs

Just browsing online and I noticed that Bunny Williams has a collection debuting for Ballard Designs. Really, some sweet and affordable pieces.

wish list - new books

I'm a wish list hoarder and it is disgusting. My Amazon wish list currently has over 400 items on it. I'm not elaborating in the least. But today I've added a few more titles:

Central Park NYC: An Architectural View by Bernd Dams and Andrew Zega

Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration by Mario Buatta

The Book of Fine Linen by Francoise De Bonneville and forward by Marc Porthault

And last but most assuredly not least: An Invitation to Chateau du Grand-Lucé: Decorating a Great French Country House by Timothy Corrigan with Eric Piasecki and Marc Kristal

When we arrived in Japan, one of our movers told me that I needed to get a big television because I had too many books and he was tired of carrying them up the stairs... He should see my wish list. So what's on your wish list?

cover images from here, here, here and here

india hicks at hsn

Spotted on India Hicks' blog that she is doing a line for HSN. I've been a long time reader of her blog, which is a little slice of vicarious beach living.

 sourced from here

Some fun items, all really reasonable, here are my favorites:
 
Diamond Throw, $29 (I just ordered one, the weave reminds me of my favorite baby blankets, Shi Shu):

Harbour Island Pillow Pair, $49:

Seagrass Trays, $109:

Bradbury Seaweed Prints, $69: