Little MeMe » Inspiration

Web Extras

gretchen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:37:45 +0000

Have you heard about retailers setting up websites devoted to inspiration? An article in Inside Out brought this to my attention. Anthropologie and Kate Spade have each set up websites separate from their e-commerce sites that feature inspiring photographs and stories.

The Anthropologist currently features photographs, film, and stories from three artists. None of the art is product placement, or seems to have anything to do with the store; rather, the focus is on art and inspiration. Donna DiMari’s photos and audio clips tell the story of her two dogs, David Eustace’s photos and film document a road trip taken with his daughter, and Andrew Zuckerman has done a series of video profiles on people he trusts.

Images: Donna DeMari

Images: David Eustace

Behind the Curtain is the theme of KateSpade.info. Want to know all the details of what happens during photo shoots, or what inspires the folks at Kate Spade? This website is colorful and fun, just like the Kate Spade brand.

Images: katespade.info

It’s fun to see what gets the folks at these stores inspired. Stores like these often help set the trends, so it’s a treat to get ahead of the curve.

Libraries

gretchen — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:25:08 +0000

There’s just something about libraries that keeps me coming back- free books, perhaps? Okay, I do appreciate the whole free concept of the library, but I also enjoy libraries for the spaces they are: a place to elevate yourself with learning (this is why older libraries all have stairs leading to the front entrance). I also admire the architecture of libraries; the building needs to entice people to come in, but also set the tone of a place for quiet study.

Here are a few libraries from around the world:

Carnegie Public Library, Hokitika, New Zealand.

K.B. Center Library, Gorizia, Italy.

Ballard Library, Seattle, WA.

Waynoka Public Library, Waynoka, OK.

Carnegie Library, Dawson, GA.

Geisel Library, UC San Diego.

Downtown Seattle Library, Seattle, WA.

Images: TeAra.govt.nz, architecture-page.com, dexigner.com, waynokapl.okpls.org, tchps.org, libraries.ucsd.edu, faculty.washington.edu

Balloons

gretchen — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:11:01 +0000

For no particular reason: Balloons.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakobesben/2431770977/

Image: JoyErickson.wordpress.com

Image: Dorthe Alstrup via Linda & Harriet

Image: ChelseaVictoria

Image: Apartment Therapy

Okay, the reason is to make you smile.

Inside Out Magazine

gretchen — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 05:53:25 +0000

Wow, I think I have a new favorite design magazine. All the way from Australia comes Inside Out. I have a soft spot for anything Australian (I spent a semester there in college) but this magazine just rocks my design world. My local Borders is a few months behind the current issue, but considering the seasons are reversed down there, all of the weather related articles just about match up to the northern hemisphere.

Okay, enough blabbing. Enjoy the photos!

Free Closet Makeover

gretchen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:55:12 +0000

I came across this closet transformation by Freckles Chick via Nicole at Making It Lovely a few weeks ago, and it inspired me to look at my own closet. Even though the space itself is large enough, I really hadn’t set it up too well when we moved in a year ago. I’ve been known to suffer from Wardrobe Amnesia- if I can’t see it, I forget I own it, and I never wear it. My focus was to have my purses and accessories in view, and easy to reach. I’m doing my annual “Don’t buy anything in April.” experiment, so all of the changes I made were simply rearranging things and using some unused organizational items.

Before:

Okay, all of the focus is on storage bins that store stuff I rarely use. Meanwhile, my purses, scarves, and belts are hiding.

After:

Oh, it’s so nice to feel more organized! I can see all of my purses and bags, and there is a place for everything. I tucked the smaller storage bins under the little table, and the larger bin (quilt we haven’t used in a year) and garment bags (flight attendant uniform) are going to our storage unit.

I may buy some things later on to improve upon this, but in the meantime, I’m quite happy with the new look.

Mate Picnic

gretchen — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:43:30 +0000

One of my favorite memories of Argentina is wandering through the park watching people picnic. It seems everyone in Argentina heads outside on the weekends to enjoy the weather and drink mate (ma-tey). The picnics go on for hours, with everyone enjoying a sip of mate.

Now that the weather is getting better, I’d love to have my own mate picnic in the park.

This Cath Kidston picnic basket comes with all the accessories, just add the snacks.

Pendleton provides the perfect picnic blanket.

You don’t even want to know how long I’ve been wanting this radio! Perfect for a picnic.

Mate cup and slotted straw for drinking the loose tea.

Hoorah for a cute Thermos!

Large Prints

gretchen — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:30:37 +0000

After the Spoon show in Vancouver got out, we were trying to find our way back to the highway. I’m so glad we got a bit turned around, because we drove by the Vancouver Art Gallery, where there is an outdoor installation by Michael Lin. I was reminded of when Liberty of London covered their store in one of their prints. Wouldn’t you love it if more buildings were covered in prints for special events?

Michael Lin installation at Vancouver Art Gallery. Image: Vancouver Art Gallery.

Carnaby Street entrance of Liberty. Image: Liberty of London.

Nuit Blanche event in Toronto, 2007. Image: I Heart Sensible Shoes.

Series of printed shacks by Samuel Francois. Image via Aesthetics of Joy via Oh Joy!

Pack It Up

gretchen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:35:19 +0000

I’ve been daydreaming about taking a long weekend away. In my dreams, the car has just been detailed, the weather is sunny, and all of my things fit into a cute weekend bag. I could see one of these popping up in real life:

Ooh, all of my prep fantasies coming true! Image: DNTX.

These look like they could handle more than their share of road trips. Image: Overstock.com.

Sequins add just the right touch of glam when you check in. Image: Net-A-Porter.

Love the print, and super-roomy to boot! Image: Baby Me Bags.

At more than two feet long, this has more than enough room to bring home souvenirs. Image: American Apparel.

Making Plans

gretchen — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:26:25 +0000

We’ve been daydreaming about building a cabin in the mountains. It’s always fun to let your imagination run wild with the prospects of “What ifs” and “We coulds”. There are lots of plans and kits for building a log cabin on the internet, but so many of them look… cabin-y. Don’t get me wrong, they look inviting, but once I started thinking about how I’d like to decorate a cabin, not once did the thought of bear skin rugs cross my mind.

Luckily, there are some cool, modern cabins out there.

From Houseplans.com

From The New York Times

From Houseplans.com

From MarbelQuarry.com

From Houseplans.com

Lightness

gretchen — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:25:42 +0000

I don’t think I’m alone in feeling more creative once spring begins. Flowers are blooming and the world is getting colorful again. I get the most excited from the light, though. The longer days keep me going- the sun is up when I wake, and it makes it easier to get out of bed and get going. The light sticks around longer in the evening, and I don’t feel like I have to wrap up whatever I’m working on and power down.

Of course, springtime brings more sun and less rain, so I’m more inclined to get outside, where I’m more likely to see something that inspires me. My to-do list is filling up with fun projects. What has the spring weather inspired you to do?

Image: Gretchen Lilly for littlememe