Modern Girl Style

Green Your Home

Brad Pitt might have purchased this $14M Eco-home in Cotswald, England (The design — which is based on a bee orchid found on the reserve where construction will take place — is expected to produce more energy than it uses, with an underground heat pump, geothermal heating and cooling, rainwater and solar and wind power), but that doesn't mean you've got loads of cash to start from scratch. The folks at Alive & Well TV have redesigned a home in SoCal with Green living in mind. Grab some new ideas here:

Need tips that more tips? Treehugger, the classic Green website, has got all the moves you've got to try naked! Maybe, Brad Pitt can help out, too!

If inviting people over to shower isn't your idea of saving the world, then think about the products you do buy for your home.
Buy bamboo products, recycled materials, and all natural cleaning products. It's that simple! So go for it!

Whiteport & The Allure of White in Design

Whiteport is Australia's newest website shop for home goods and it's overflowing with beauty and style.

The Allure of White

Everything selected at Whiteport is white. There are occasionally hints of silver, glass, or reflective surfaces like mirror, but one quick glance through the website will let you know that this wasn't a mistake.  Like Oprah's Santa Barbara Guest Retreat house (pictured above), the presence of white adds serenity, calmness, and hypnotic allure to a room. White is also a color often found in shabby chic London boutiques and French country homes. It's a bold color that adds definition, lightness, and timeless style!

Meet Jennifer McCabe, Founder of Whiteport

Whiteport was founded by Jennifer McCabe in 2007. A Sydney girl who lived in London for six years, Jennifer returned home to find an overwhelming absence of quality Australian homewares stores offering online shopping.  "While Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to online shopping, there were few options here that offered beautiful homewares, delivered to your door, hassle free,” says Jennifer. “We’re all busy working and raising families, so why not make buying gifts and homewares easier?”

So she started Whiteport, an online store offering an extensive range of home decor, gifts and accessories, themed around a stylish white palette.  Why white?  Because Jennifer feels the Australian landscape lends itself perfectly to white’s simplicity and purity. “Our products look equally good in a city loft apartment or a sprawling beach house,” she says.  "White products are simple, timeless and complement any colour scheme.”

The Interview
Dreams happen & Jennifer shares her story with Modern Girl Style!

1. What motivated you to take action and jump into the process of opening up an online store?

My husband and I had been toying with the idea for several years of starting a business together.  There were lots of different business ideas that came up in our initial brainstorming sessions, however Whiteport was the one we got most excited about.  I guess as I’ve always had an interest in interior décor & design, it was the business idea I related to best.  In Australia, there are not a lot of online homewares stores offering good quality yet affordable homewares so we felt it better to start with an online store versus a physical retail store (tho there are plans one day to open one !).

2. How has London & Australia influenced your style? What individuals, artists, or shops have inspired you the most?

In London, my favourite homes were the restored country manors with soaring ceilings, generously sized rooms, massive eat-in kitchens and park-like gardens.  In Australia, I’ve always favoured older style beach houses renovated with modern finishes (like the house we currently live in).  And with my mum living in France, I’ve seen some truly stunning French chateaus.  So I’ve had a lot of varied inspiration.  I guess my ideal home would be a blend of all 3 – modern country? - somewhere near the sea.  The shops that have inspired me the most are second hand ones.  You can create such interesting displays with a mix of old and new and it’s always more special when you get a bargain.

3. Whiteport is themed on a “stylish white palette.” I love your concept! What inspired you to be so selective?

Why white?  Because white products are simple, timeless and complement any colour scheme.  You see so many fads come and go in homewares, but white is classic and never dates!

4. What are your top three favorite Whiteport items and why?

This is a hard question as there are so many of our items that I love, but you made me select 3 so here they are:

Monogram cushion covers

These are gorgeous with their cream stitched detail & piping.  Very French.   I have these on my own bed.

Plympton leather boxes

The heart shaped box is my favourite.  It’s great for storing jewellery and cuff links and looks great on a bedside table.

Dragonfly pitchers

 

These have a lovely country feel to them with the cute dragonfly motif.  Perfect as a water jug or a vase for flowers.

5. What words of wisdom do you have for other women that dream of launching their own business?

Don’t die wondering what if!  Sometimes you have to take a risk, but you can minimise the risk by doing your homework including proper research and market analysis before jumping in.  If you can’t afford to quit your day job and go full time into your new venture, do it on the side until you start making some money and get to a position where you can work on it full time.  And remember, if it was easy, everybody would be doing it !  And get a mentor.  Preferably someone who has been successful in their own right so you can learn from their successes and mistakes.

BONUS QUESTION!!
What celebrity home would you love to style?

Oprah’s Santa Barbara guest house.  Can you imagine the fun you could have with a budget that size ??!!  Plus I’d like to see less chintz and frills in some of the rooms.  I think her guest house is the perfect backdrop for Whiteport products !!

(Check out that monogram pillow! I can see the style inspiration as reflect in the goods offered at Whiteport!)

Okay, I've totally fallen in love with Whiteport!!!

 

A Creative Lesson in Print, Pattern, & Texture

People can be so frightened to include print, pattern, and texture into their homes. Why? There is the argument for simplicity in design, but browse through this Marrakesh home and discover the refreshing values of PPT (print, pattern, and texture).

Creative Project Idea

One great technique that can get you over any fears that you might have is to create a collection of fabric swatches. Head down to an interior design fabric store and ask for a few samples or hunt through fabric stores. Take a folder, punch holes or use these plastic clips if you don't want to punch holes, and store your collection. When you've got a nice variety of fabrics. Use an artist color wheel and select three fabric swatches.

Ask yourself these questions:

What are the dominant colors of the first, second, and third fabric?
What are the values of these colors?
Are these fabrics complimentary colors?
What impression do these three fabrics give you?
How would you work these fabrics into a living room or a dining room?

Have fun, learn from the world around you, and never be frightened to try something new!

Post Resource: Browsing the internet can sometimes feel like an addiction until you find that one website that makes it all worth it. Today I discovered My Marrakesh. It's a lifestyle & design blog devoted exclusively to an American family living in Marrakesh.  This month she met a LA couple, featured in this months Elle Decor magazine, that recently moved to Marrakesh and started Popham Design, where they export tile to places like Ann Sacks. You've got to love their spirit & adventure which is reflected in every room of their house!

Studio 9one2

Architecture is more complicated than it has ever been. It is about ingenuity, resources, style and design  as well as redefining existing spaces and considering environment impact.  Yes, that's a tall order! Now try working in cities like Manhattan Beach to Malibu where the million dollar homes are being replaced with eight digit homes and every is one is a celebrity. Now that's starting to sound like environmental stress!

Studio 9one2 sounds like a scene from LA Story, but the man behind the scenes, Patrick Killen, Managing Principal of the firm, has made it his mission to reconstruct and improve the LA living experience.

Take a Moment to Think About The City in which you Live

Take a few minutes on your commute to work or your commute home to reflect on the condition, structure, and aesthetic quality surrounding your life! Studio 9one2 might inspire you to think differently about the city in which you live. Here are more highlights from Patrick Killen's portfolio and a few questions to consider:

When is the last time that you reflected on the homes and business in your community?
What do you like about your community?
What do you think about Patrick Killen's architectural vision? Would you like to live in one of his homes?

Patrick Killen won the Manhattan Beach World Trade Center Memorial.

On a different project, Killen's design concept helped a struggling daycare facility blossom into a state of the art facility with a wait list.

More residences with stunning design:

Could you handle this floor on a daily basis? I know I couldn't, but it's still exciting design!

 

Organic Bedding

Looolo Honeycomb Blanket

How often do you buy bedding?
If you're like most, it's maybe once a year or at the most twice. Now is the perfect time of the year to replace worn out sheets, blankets, and comforters. So why not go organic? The benefits are amazing! Wools made from toxic-free dyes, manufactured linens with a small environmental footprint, and COMFORT!

Go Green & Organic!

Beautiful & intelligent women, like Cameron Diaz, are bringing the influence of their healthy and active lifestyles inside the home. Organic bedding is also a great way to remain inspired by nature, when you can't make it outside.

The Organic Bedding Picks

Looolo Windows Blanket

The name LoooLo is a visual representation of "100%", symbolizing their commitment to every aspect of the design process – from using organic materials during development, to consideration of the environmental footprint their products leave. LoooLo sources the best organic fibers, dyes with the least environmental footprint and manufacturers who respect the philosophy behind the products. All looolo textiles products can be safely composted at the end of their useful life.

LoooLo blankets are made by hand using Climatex Lifecycle yarns (certified organic wool/ramie and toxin-free dyes) from Switzerland. Using special knitting techniques to render textures found in nature, these luxury pieces are quite unique. Wrap yourself up!

 

Area Mist Charcoal Organic Bedding
Most of the modern products we see today strive to announce their arrival through bold colors and graphic patterns. Area bedding, however, bucks the trend. Everything about the collection appeals to our organic, serene modern side. Basic colors that are always in style. . . whites, blues, greys, tans. . . on fabrics that feel like a breath of fresh air against your skin.

Area Pearl Organic Sheets & Cases

Area's mission is simple: original designs, natural fibers, and long-lasting beauty and comfort. Area bedding will make your bedroom more serene and simple. Classic even. 100% natural fibers make these sheets very easy to maintain and care for (even the linen lines) -- so both the appearance and quality will last.

Amenity Bloom Organic duvet cover in Cream and Cocoa

For as beautiful as it often is, sleeping outdoors can also be quite a pain. Maybe you enjoy trying to decipher your tent-pitching instructions by your headlights, and making sure your sleeping bag doesn't touch the tent wall (in case of rain), and waking up much more aware of that rock under your back than you were the night before, and burrowing into all your clothes before hopping outside the tent to shower. But you could stay home, with all the comforts and conveniences you're used to, and use Amenity bedding instead. Mother Nature will never know the difference.

In addition to talking about organic bedding, all the products featured in this post are items Modern Girl Style has found at Design Public. If you haven't stopped over to the Design Public
website, then check it out now! They also have a great blog covering furniture shows, interior design trends, & more! Click here to check out the Design Public Blog. Design Public has got an amazing website filled beautiful inspired goods. It's kind of like Dwell & Domino Magazines mixed into one source. Modern Girl Style doesn't often get excited about something, but when it happens---It's time to share.

The Camera Style of Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson is an amazing photographer I discovered from Dwell Magazine. Here's the link to the article, Houston, We've Solved a Problem. These are some of the amazing photos from that article & many others. This guy knows how to capture mood, texture, & light. Now, I need to buy a LEED friendly house, filled it with eco-friendly products, & invite him over for coffee! Don't forgot your camera!

Here are images from his Interior Portfolio:

These are great images from his Environment Portfolio:

The Sensual Design Traditions of Sills Huniford

Interior Design Duo, Sills Huniford, (photo posted below)

These design stars source much of their modern taste from furniture & painting dating from the 17th-20th century.  As they describe it in their company bio:

"{Sills Huniford} have a keen sense for the backbone of a room including the structure and architecture. They enjoy working with rare materials such as parchment, shagreen, honed stones, limed oak, and tooled leather.

Get inspired to add some antiquities-glam to your bedroom, living room, & more! Let's start with their
client rooster that includes Starwood Hotels, St. Regis Hotel, (picture as follows)

Vera Wang, (Bridal Suite photos below),

The Rockefeller Family, Linda Wells, Tina Turner, & tons of their projects have been in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House & Garden, World of Interiors, Vogue, Maison & Jardin, W, Italian Elle Décor, French Elle Décor, British House & Garden, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar and the Herald Tribune. Yeah! Impressive! Modern Girl Style loves Sills Huniford & their sensual, beautiful, and iconic designs!

Sills Huniford have even recently published a book!

This book brings the luxury and sensuality of Sills Huniford's signature style to a practical level, addressing concerns like integrating technology into the home, devising the most flexible floor plan, and getting the most out of a small space and modest budget. Every aspect of style is addressed in clear language detailing the basic lessons of design. Their unmatched understanding of atmosphere, color, and design is brought to life in stunning and never-before-seen color photographs that prove both inspiring and practical. DWELLINGS is certain to become a touchstone for a generation that is searching for a new level of style and sophistication in the way they live.

DWELLINGS goes beyond your typical interior-decorating coffee-table book. Not simply a compendium of Sills and Huniford's work, the book provides real guidance and insight on how to think about the home you want to create and gives specific knowledge, from sources to techniques. Considering the lifestyle of today's consumers, Sills and Huniford explore integrating technology - like computers, faxes, and big-screen televisions - into your home; coping with small living spaces, and adapting rooms for multiple purposes; as well as deciding what's important - and what's not - to include in your budget.

Capturing Sills Huniford's unmatched understanding of atmosphere, color, and a room's sensuality, this innovatively designed book will serve as both inspiration and a reference tool for creating a beautiful home at every budget level.

Here are more photos to get you connected!

Modern Girl Style Design Idea: Make your own chalkboard on masonite board cut to the measurements of the space. Use  chalkboard paint that is pre-made or  follow Martha Stewart's directions on how to DIY. Have fun with friends, add notes, & draw pictures. This would also be great in a family room, maybe in a location where you don't have to step on the couch!

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Friday Field Trip: Meet Artists Hunt Slonem & Michel Blazy

Hunt Slonem Studio

Welcome to Friday Field Trip at Modern Girl Style. Let's get a little bit out of our element to find out what's happening in the world! First stop is New York City.

Hunt Slonem is a West Side Village dweller in NYC.  His home and studio contains over 89 rooms that are equivalent to walking into a Lewis Caroll novel or Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. One might just say that his art is a little bit of obsessive, but maybe it's just that he has 89 rooms to fill! Check out more of his art, living space, and a great interview at New York Social Diary.

 

Michel Blazy is a French artist that was born in the upper crust town of Monaco. Yeah, speaking of crust his art is seed for thought! "Blazy creates out-of-the-ordinary spaces with mold grown on vegetables, germinated grains, toilet paper, and other materials. An installation using germinated grains is planned for this exhibition. Blazy has come to Japan to see the exhibition space in spring and now is working on installation ideas in Paris." reports The Muse. We just might think of him as the architect of the bizarre!

Here is an interview, dans Francais, with Blazy that document the organic activity of his art.

Field Trip Discussion Questions

1. How can these artist be compared, if at all?

2. What are some conceptual ideas behind Blazy's work? What do you think that he intends to communicate to the viewer?

3. What are a few of the technical issues in Slonem's paintings that make them successful? Think about color, repetition, etc.

4. Do you think that these artists are creating art? If not, explain.

5.  What artist do you prefer? What art would you own? Who do you think this art is intended for?

Awesome, it's time for lunch! Nothing is better than the smell of PB & J in a paper bag! Ah...the memories of childhood!!! Have an awesome Friday & don't forgot to discover the beauty in the world. It's everywhere, even in the most unexpected places!

Homemade Holiday Gifts

Rudy the Pink Nose Reindeer

Holiday gifts don't have to come directly from the mall, but it's rare that they don't. Why not make an exception this year and follow a creative inspiration to craft gifts for your loved ones? If you don't have time for that, then there is always Etsy.com for beautiful, humorous, and lovingly made objects!

Any that you choose to give, give something inspired!

Polka Dot Christmas Stockings

Pax Holiday Hippie Bear


Sweet Treat Earrings


Green Hand Knit Neck Scarf

Christmas Tree Cards


Felted Bird Fuzzy

Cutest Fairytale Ornament Set




 

Oh, Deer!

The Holidays are in full swing and so is your front door! You might not have time to completely redecorate your living room, nor make it as damn interesting as the Tokyo-created ilhola designer climbing wall, but need not worry. Here is a list of some of the fine things to make a statement in any home. Better yet! Impress friends with unique gifts that will leave them wondering if maybe you ate some mistletoe.

Greet your guest & hang up their jackets. Dutch by Design has got a coat rack solution.

Of Course, candlelight sets the mood for any Holiday! Go ahead-light up!

If you want to strike a different note, try this light up wall mounted deer head by Unica Home.

Deer Door Mats by Backyard & Veranda

Salt & Pepper Shakers by KikkerlandCandlelight Forest by Adam Frank

For company that has got you stuck like a deer in headlights. This
has to be filled with Jagger!

Last but not least, why not use this Erich Ginder Ghost Coat Rack as a toilet paper holder? Okay, all kidding aside, I bet you could find the perfect place to display this trophy!

Most importantly, the holidays are what you  make of it. Now, scurry out & start hunting for the right decor to make this season a blow-out!