My Chair is Famous!

...And rightfully so, with its good looks and earth-friendly bones. Stop by Mod Green Pod's blog to check out founder and creative director Nancy Mims' post on my old hand-me-down chair that I had reupholstered in their Grand Jubilee fabric last fall. While you're there, be sure to check out their great online shop, where you can order their organic fabrics and wallpaper directly. [Note to Hable Construction: When will you start selling your fabric directly? Trade-only is so 20th century!] Best of all? Their prices are beyond reasonable (we're talking less than $40/yard for fabric), especially for organic products.

If you missed my original post on this chair (and the accompanying tour of my bedroom) back in January, you can find it HERE.

While reading through MGP's blog, I saw that they're debuting a line of Vans sneakers this month at select retailers. So very, very Austin. Love it.

Red, White and Turquoise

designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Outfitting a room in complimentary colors (which are two hues that are opposite each other on the color wheel), like red and green, has long been a designer's trick to achieving pleasing visual contrast in a space; however, these complimentary pairings (blue/orange, yellow/purple, red/green) can often read as very traditional. To get a more modern feel, try adjusting one or other of the hues slightly (e.g., green to turquoise or blue). Right now, I can't get enough of spaces with red and blue accents -- especially when the blue is cool robin's egg blue or a vibrant turquoise.

domino, May 2008

domino, June/July 2008

I love both of these guest/kids' rooms from domino. While the first is decidedly more traditional, the red chandelier and red picture frames keep it lighthearted. In the second, I love the graphic contrast of the black and white rug with the solid walls and bed linens. Such a great statement. And the best part is those red bed frames were from Target (and still available on their website here)! Now if only another American shelter magazine could integrate such budget-friendly items into its spaces....

designed by Tobi Fairley

The rug in Tobi's space is very Jonathan Adler to me, and I think it's such an interesting contrast to the very traditional furnishings and fabric. The differing scale of the patterns keep it from being overwhelming, though it's admittedly a busier look than a lot of people like.

This space is actually from Serena and Lily's catalogue and I love how the red/blue color scheme is tweaked to hot pink/robin's egg blue to suit a little girl's room. It's fresh and young, but still sophisticated, especially when paired with the white built-ins and Jonathan Adler ceramics.

designed by Katie Ridder

I know I posted this picture only a few days ago, but I couldn't resist including it in this post again. I'm just completely in love with this space.

LivingEtc, March 2009

Leave it to British mag LivingEtc to really turn it up a notch. Everything in this room, from the colors to the butterflies to the wallpaper is just completely on-trend.

This is actually from wallpaper purveyor Graham & Brown, but it's an excellent illustration of how a bright cherry red can work beautifully with a paler green-blue. By the way, the wallpaper featured in the photo is called Viva by Barbara Hulanicki, and is priced at a reasonable $60 per double roll.

And last but not least, a few of my favorite red and/or turquoise items, perfect for a pop of color just in time for spring:

Red, White and Turquoise - by averillh1 on Polyvore.com

Good Design for Less: Lit 101 Pillow

We're starting a new weekly feature here at Odi et Amo featuring great home accessories at even better prices (i.e., under $50). Today, we'll start with the "Lit 101" pillow from CB2, which comes in at a measly $19.95. Hopefully someday soon CB2 will start rolling out more brick-and-mortar storefronts, but until a store opens up near you, shipping on a lot of their items is reasonable and, for this pillow at least, S&H will run you only $6.95.

Pause for Real Life

I try to avoid "heavy" topics here at Odi et Amo because, well, don't we get enough of that on the news all day long? But ultimately, I feel like the longer I remain mute on the subject of the economic crisis, the more I begin to resemble an ostrich with its head in the sand, unwilling or perhaps even unable to face reality head-on.

On Saturday, one of my favorite blogs Decorno asked its readers to discuss how the current economic crisis has affected them personally (if at all). The comments are fascinating -- and I think a much better barometer for gauging "reality" than the overly-caffeinated CNN and Fox News correspondents. I urge you to head over to Decorno (click here) and check out the discussion for yourself. It just might change your perspective on things a little. As for me, it made me realize how lucky Dave and I are at the moment.

The effects of the economic meltdown have only recently begun to set in here in Houston. Sure, Houstonians lost money in the market along with the rest of the country, but until the price of oil plummeted last fall, we were still sitting pretty (relatively, anyway) in 2008. Moreover, Houston (and Texas generally) never really had a housing bubble that could burst to begin with. Accordingly, the patio home we purchased in 2006 is still worth more than we paid for it.

That's not to say Dave and I have been untouched by the crisis in our day-to-day lives. Dave works for a large oil field services company (we'll call it OFS, for short) that has gone through not one but two major layoffs since last summer. Fortunately for us, Dave has been spared thus far. But even small changes have been noticed around the office. OFS has slashed budgets across the board, bonuses, and even suspended the plant watering services and the office candy jars -- the latter much to Dave's chagrin. Back in the 1980s, OFS even resorted to suspending janitorial services (gross). Given Dave's employment at OFS, we, like much of Houston, are in the rather unique position of wanting oil and natural gas prices to rebound.

As for me, Energy Company continues to struggle (the economic losses we suffered due to Hurricane Ike and some other power industry-related issues were staggering) and the tight credit markets have only exacerbated the situation. Last week, Energy Company announced a sale of half of its business to a competitor, and I will be leaving (along with about 1300 other employees) to go work for this competitor. All in all, the sale was a good thing, not just for Energy Company, but for the transferred employees. We're all keeping our jobs, and in a major equity sale, that's highly unusual. I will say, for the record, that I have been incredibly impressed by Energy Company's treatment of its employees every step of the way. Employees were guaranteed at least 50% of their target 2008 annual bonuses and received nominal salary increases this year while officers and SVPs received their actual earned bonuses and no pay bumps. All these moves may not have made shareholders happy (Energy Company's stock has lost 95% of its value since its high in July 2008), but its kept its employees loyal, something I think is far more important in the long run.

If you feel like sharing, let me know how things have been for you. We're in this together, after all, and the bad times are always easier when the burden is shared (and we allow ourselves at least a little opportunity to bitch).

Get Behind Me Nordstrom!

Chie Mihara "Serena" Pump ($415, now $247.90)

For Lent, I gave up shopping in all its varied and fantastic forms. So for the next few weeks, it's no shopping for clothes, accessories, home decor and -- perhaps most importantly -- absolutely no shopping for shoes. As if to test my willpower, Nordstrom has just rolled out a great shoe sale, with many of their shoes 40% off or more. Oh Nordstrom, you think you're so clever, trying to lure me in with your sales and your stylish shoes. But, while I'm sorely tempted, I'm going to stay strong. After all, I can't give up now, I'm only a week and a half in.

In light of my refusal to give into my shoe cravings, I'll have to settle for getting my fix virtually. The sale has quite a few gorgeous jewel-toned shoes that would transition beautifully from winter to spring. Besides, you don't really need another pair of black pumps now, do you? I say, if you're going to shop right now, be sure and get items that you love, that are special and that aren't like anything you already own. If I've learned anything from the current economic crisis, it's that you can get just as good a shopping buzz by buying less, but buying only what you absolutely adore.

Pour La Victoire "Florette" Flat ($195.95, now $116.90)

A sophisticated black-and-white striped bow paired with a gorgeous russet suede? You had me at "bonjour". This flat also comes in a gorgeous teal with purple bow. Tres chic.

MICHAEL Michael Kors "Annabel" Pump ($138.95, now $82.90)

At 6' I have absolutely no business wearing pumps this tall, but I can't get over the gorgeous grape suede, made more casual with the contrasting white stitching and chunky heel.

Jeffrey Campbell "Vee" Rain Boot ($54.95, now $31.90)

Bright yellow rain boots are just the thing to get you through the rainy spring ahead. The shorter bootie style is also a great nod to recent shoe trends and practical for its easy on/easy off design.

Madison Harding Patent Mary Jane ($159.95, now $94.90)

I couldn't resist including this shoe; it just makes me smile. I especially love the idea of a shoe like this as a bridal shoe. What a gorgeous and fun "something blue"!

Nanette Lepore "Flash Me" Flat ($395, now $156.90)

It's a good thing this flat is sold out in a size 10, because I'm not sure I'd be able to resist. Gray suede and stud detailing are two of my absolute favorite things.

There are tons of more great options on sale right now so be sure to click on over here and check it out! If do you partake, let me know what you scored so I can live vicariously through you!

Yes, yes. I've admitted it before, and I'll admit it again: I'm a shoe junkie....

Somebody Stop Gareth Pugh

I blogged about designer Gareth Pugh's Fall 2009 menswear collection before, and I think my general reaction to his RTW collection (which debuted yesterday in Paris) is the same. I recognize this is more art than fashion, but art should be beautiful or important. This, IMHO, is neither. Besides, this collection is supposed to be ready to wear. My question to Mr. Pugh is, where would I wear these exactly? Beyond the undead make-up and Derelicte-meets-Matrix styling, these outfits are just completely unflattering. Who wants to look like a shapeless blob?

Outside Over There

I find this photograph by Sarah Diaz (available for purchase at UGallery) completely mesmerizing. It reminds me so much of one of my favorite children's books, Outside Over There by Maurice Sendek. In the book, a little girl named Ida flies through the air in her mother's yellow raincoat in search of her baby sister who was stolen by goblins. Does anyone else remember this book?

...There are days -- like today -- that I want the sense of security that comes from being completely enveloped in your mother's coat. All wrapped up in it, you can go out and face the world head on, knowing its magical power will keep you safe from harm.