Retail Odyssey: The John Robshaw Sample Sale

fergana lotus duvet cover by john robshaw - blanket stitched edges

My intentions were noble. Swing by the hallowed annual John Robshaw sample sale, locate a Primrose decorative pillow sham, buy it at an awesome discount and go home. If there were no Primrose shams on hand, I was to leave empty-handed. No other purchases, since more bedding is the last thing I need. 

That was the plan going in. Unfortunately, there were no Primrose shams to be had... To my credit, I only spent $20 on the duvet above.

Color Texture Pattern: Modern Kuba Prints

bright and beautiful: kuba napkins in persimmon by serena & lily

The first time I learned about Kuba cloth was in the Marche Puces in Paris. My mom and I had a lovely conversation with a vendor who had once lived in Ohio. He tried hard to sell us some wares, among them a rough-hewn fabric in contrasting shades of brown. When the vendor called it "kuba" I was confused, but my mom - who was an endless font - assured him she understood. Since that vacation, I've always considered actual Kuba cloth a little too rough (the raffia palm) for my taste. Wool is fine, but I tend toward softer hand-feels. 

It's a simple pattern from classic tribal cloths, which modern designers have really taken to updating with color, texture and scale. Certainly the pattern is an uncomplicated one that's easy to play with.

And it works really well...

Lotus & Fig: Palampour by Zara Home

pink + orange: one of the ones that got away at zara home

Of the many Zara Home items I couldn't get before they began shipping to the US, this lively palampour was one of my favorites. The lightness of the paisley allows you to see the complementing background orange so well. The pinks are searingly bright but not over used. The deeper shades of orange (sienna) and browns ground both feature colors, neutralizing their vibrancy. A perfect accent for a calming room. 

And they didn't limit this pattern just to a pillow, oh no...

Color Story: Celiosa in Bloom

a closeup of celiosa plants with burgundy leaves

For about a dozen years now, I've been enjoying the cerise variety of this flower in pots and plots along my street. Downtown Brooklyn is pretty competitive about gardening and it's hard not to appreciate the efforts every summer. Of all the varieties on display, I get the biggest thrill from the Celiosa. It's eye-searing shade of deepest, deepest cerise is transfixing! One year I thought they'd been skipped, but the plants only came up late. Whew! 

So a few weeks ago I was strolling around upstate and found these potted in downtown Rochester (State Street, to be exact). There was not only cerise, but also orange, yellow and pink! Too much beauty to ignore...

Lotus & Fig: Charming Charlie's Moroccan Muse

pattern perfection: moroccan muse jewelry box

A few months ago, I wandered down a quiet wing of a shopping mall and discovered a store called Charming Charlie - and was promptly ensnared by the siren call of their Moroccan Muse collection. It had it all: color + texture + pattern: glorious shades of hot pink, bright orange and gold; airy cotton, gauzy weaves, glossy lacquer, smooth beads, rough straw. Good thing there's a store right on Fifth Avenue, NYC 'cause I didn't have very much time to spend in that mall.

But I did not leave without that gorgeous box...

Lotus & Fig: Pink + Orange Accessories

colombian handmade love: san andres tote by guanábana

Summer is rolling along - a bit too forcefully it sometimes feels - and the orange and pink union continues to indulge it's relationship out in the open for all to see. What should be a competition of vibrant fellows often plays out like a loving partnership, with real partnership.

Their shared goal? To make much life less ordinary.

Lotus & Fig: Shades of Summer Sunset

the fergana ikat beach towel by john robshaw

They're at it again. Those eternal lovers, pink & orange, are running wild in decorland. Nothing calls out the brights like summertime. From earthy to neon, modern to eclectic, you're sure to find a version that suits your style.

Retail Odyssey: David Bromstad Home

medina laser cut pillow in magenta/pumpkin

Known King of Color, David Bromstad has a home collection at Grandin Road, inspired by the vibrance of his native Miami. Loads of shag, shine and color color color! Despite my own love of color, I'm not particularly flashy. That said, some of these pieces are pretty fabulous. Perhaps I can set up a corner with my four mirrorballs to listen to Donna Summer in the wee hours, with the lights down low...

Summer Song: Light & Airy Inspiration

simply styled textiles from hardtofind.com.au

While Spring has toyed with us these past few months, I've been trying to get ready for Summer. Along with purging magazines, there is a lengthy deep-clean underway. A few inspiration photos really help keep me focused on the end goal. They also help me recognize and appreciate my own progress. 

Light, bright and airy. That's the goal!

Lotus & Fig: Moroccan Tile Goods

moroccan tile in pink by micklyn at society6.com

Recently, while pinning away, I came across this beautiful print by Micklyn at Society 6. Obviously the combined color + pattern are exactly my jam:  varieties of pink, orange, lavender combined with a crisp Moroccan trellis lined in shiny gold. What puts this pattern over the top are the stencilled illustrations within each quatrefoil: wings, flowers, birds and lotus! 

Is it not the ultimate?!

Fuschia + Aubergine: Peacock Towels

peacock feather jacquard towels

Unexpected combination of color and pattern, but these World Market towels are quite lovely. Feminine, interesting and the contrast between the two colors is not jarring. Of course, the real test of a towel is plushness and softness. (Back when I couldn't afford them, I used to think that Turkish towels were the way to go. Then the Thomas O'Brien collection dropped at Target in some irresistible colors. Large, soft and plush. Still love 'em.) 

Imagine mixing these up with some other patterns for an eclectic look. The Thomas O'Brien experience taught me that you don't need to limit yourself to two colors. 

Lotus & Fig: New Homewares

the paz pillow from crate & barrel

Not sure when I last set foot in Crate & Barrel. In recent years, I've seriously curtailed my window shopping. Much easier to keep what you make if you steer clear of temptation, right? But I may have found my 2014 birthday present! It encompasses so much of what I love in color + texture + pattern. The watercolor designe makes it seem like a rich silk, but it's actually printed cotton. Maybe I'll get rid of (sell off) all my other throw pillows and add this to the couch. Move forward with a lighter load and a fresh update at the same time. 

Maybe...

Color Texture Pattern: Bright & Quirky Scarf

close up of my new favorite neckwarmer

It was supposed to be a quick stop at Target for some cheap (well-priced) body lotion. Y'know, the big pump bottle. Somehow I wound up in the accessory section - stay on the tiled floor, stay on the tiled floor - and suddenly this flaming beauty just popped up from the rack. A scarf that radiates spring in every fiber with it's searing colors, fine-gauged texture and quirky pattern.

Pink and Orange Bedding

slip into spring with a little exotica

It's official: I have a weakness for bedding that may require some rehab. After the recent IKEA acquisition, I took a good look at the new Bar III line at Macy's. Like the Style & co. line before it, Bar III has some real lookers in it's catalog. And of course that led to a store visit to handle the goods in person. 

Single-Girl Style: Global Mod Living

move-in ready, just needs one tweak

Seeing this livingroom in Cottages & Bungalows magazine last year was a jolt. What a an inspiring room. It's very casual and comfy, heavy on paisleys and blockprints, the colors are fresh and feminine and the bones have simple lines for a simple, modern feeling. 

The only thing I would change is that stuffy rug. 

In Print: Bold Color

eye-popping graphics, adore home (feb 2012)

Much gratitude to the overseas online magazines out there. While we're shivering through deep winter (shrieking, when the wind is fierce), they are serving up gorgeous summer rooms and bright, uplifting color. I'm thinking of making "it's summer somewhere" my new catchphrase.

Color Texture Pattern: Jewel Tones

rich indian bedroom with boldly painted walls

I gravitate toward warmer colors in my home choices. Even my teals tend to have warmer undertones. But there's nothing like some jewel tones for luxurious intensity that doesn't burn your retinas.

Retail Odyssey: Springtime at West Elm

new organic bedding: bead print ikat

How they tempt me. Somehow, West Elm just keeps bringing the interesting and cozy homewares, season after season. It's no secret that their Moroccan and Indian offerings are my favorites. But I also find their Modern, Greek, Japanese, etc. compelling. Their latest goods zing with color, pattern and shape. How not to be impressed?

Single-Girl Style: Studio Living

photo: ngoc minh ngo

For the umpteenth time I was considering this delightful room that has been floating around Pinterest for months. How beautifully the colors blend with the patterns and textures. Yellows, reds and pinks grounded by whites and tans. Wools, silks, canvas and crackled ceramics. Paisleys, swirls, dots, geometric florals and African mixes against stripes. Wouldn't it be nice to see the entire room?

And then it hit me. We already have.

Fuschia + Aubergine: Cool, Bright Bedrooms

luxurious winter retreat

Turns out my obsession with the deep purple and fuschia Lanvin gown from 2012 has not abated. And here's how I'm feeling during the current deep freeze: