5/23/09

Come On In!

I've long been a fan of decor8's Flickr feed for its fantastic sampling of interior design, etsy finds, indie artist features and even crafty ideas. You may already be familiar with Holly Becker of decor8 but if you're not you're in for a treat. She's a maven of beautiful things! She was kind enough to feature my newly rearranged dining room on her blog earlier this week, along with a few other images from my house set on Flickr. I loved reading the comments from readers and feel really grateful to be able to share a piece of our home to such a big audience. Thanks, Holly!

Speaking of inspiration, I wanted to share a few images that have been inspiring me this season. I'm not sure of all of the sources anymore but I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

This is from the Denyse Schmidt workshop. Not sure where I found this image originally but I love this old church message board and would love to find one of these in a flea market someday!


You've been meaning to write, right? Why not make it even more enjoyable with this camp correspondence set from Yellow Owl Workshop.

These fantastic albums have sweet, cross-stitched hearts nestled in the covers.

I found this on Holly's blog a few weeks back and loved the brilliant colors in each granny square. Once we find out if we're having a Mr. or a Miss, I plan on starting in on a larger version of one of these. Similar to this one. Being due in early November means the little one will have the need for warm blankets so I might as well make them beautiful.
This pretty ditty feels like a fun take on the necklaces my Meemaw wears. I love the sunny yellow and think it would be a nice addition to a summer wardrobe. Brought to you by Anthropologie.

The art above the couch can have a place in my home any day. It's so calm and beautiful. Unfortunately, I can't remember my source for this one. Feel free to share if you're in the know.

Felt camera pouches for your point and shoot or cell phone. I love how the flap comes up like a flash on the bottom two.

I've seen ties used for many DIY projects but these may be the most creative AND beautiful transformation from forgotten to fantastic. No source.

Yowza! I love the colors in this room.

I think black and white, geometric quilts are incredibly beautiful and I'd love to have the wall space to hang something that huge and industrial.

Before I leave I want to tell you about Friday afternoon. Sebastian is in a wedding next month so we ordered him a formal suit last week and have been expecting it in the mail. We were in the living room when the regular mail man came by with a big, brown box. I told Sebastian it was his suit and we did a little dance because the role of ring bearer needs a lot of positive reinforcement, right? Well, he was a little disappointed when it was just some silly throw blanket that I'd made for a magazine in January being returned to me. I set it aside and we got on with playing trains.

Not thirty minutes later did the UPS man pull up carrying a larger brown box. We did the suit dance while opening the second unmarked parcel of the afternoon but I soon realized it was another mystery package. This one also had something in it that looked like a big blanket but wrapped nicely with a little tag on it that read Anthropologie! WHAT?!!!

I was trying to figure it all out when I remembered that part of my home decor presentation at the RVA craft weekend involved an example of how it's important to invest in special pieces for your home even if you have to wait awhile. I gave the example that we were saving up for an Anthropologie duvet and making it work in the meantime with several layers of vintage quilts and a throw from Urban Outfitters that I found on sale for $8.00. Not too shabby but in no way close to that dream bedding.

The mention that we were saving up for an Anthropologie duvet was merely an example but somebody took note. When this new friend requested my mailing address in an e-mail I thought nothing of it but it all came together as I unwrapped the most beautiful duvet and spread it across our bed.I kept saying, "Oh, Sebastian. This is so pretty. This is really special." He started repeating it and fanning his arms across the patterns.

"Really special. So pretty!"

I called Brett right away and promptly found the sender's e-mail address to let her know how much her thoughtfulness and generosity meant to me. I'm really humbled that someone that I've only known for a short time would do something so kind and unexpected and it truly speaks to the beauty of this person's heart. But I knew she was a gem before the box came.

I love that it now carries with it a beautiful story, much like each of the handmade quilts that used to belong in its place. WE LOVE IT!

The other part of my Friday afternoon included a long line for the womens' dressing rooms at Target, a handful of potential ensembles to wear to my cousin's wedding, and a vocal little boy that proudly declared to everyone within earshot, "Those are Mama's boobies!"

Thank you, son. That one is going in the books.

27 comments:

Jamie said...

Oh, Rachel! What a beautiful post!!! I love the story of the duvet!!! And super inspiring decor ideas!!! Love them all! Congrats on the feature!!!

margot said...

awwwww, that story is so nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mollie said...

Fun stuff! Those amazing felt camera cases are from hine.etsy.com

She is soooo talented!

RachelDenbow said...

Thanks, Mollie.

Leigh-Ann said...

i'm feeling lots of jealousness for those tie things! you know by now i'm so addicted to ties. just had to tell you, next time you're out doing a b&e , we're going to go get those ties!
now back to reading this post, i couldn't even wait to finish reading to write this comment; the excitement was bursting out of me.
ps. you're even more beautiful without makeup. really.

Leigh-Ann said...

ps. tie girl has great hair too, lets ask her for tips while on said b&e.

RachelDenbow said...

Leigh-Ann!

You're really making me rethink buying new mascara. HA!!! I'm not sure the world is ready for that yet.

(What's a b&e?)

I thought the same thing about tie girl's hair.

Leigh-Ann said...

shutup! thats a compliment! lol.
breaking and entering, referring to your b&e history here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/frecklednest/3512486108/
and this comedy-thing that will make you pee your pants, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LcsZ5DDS7U

next topic, loved this post! and the bedspread is so pretty and such a special story! love :)

Emily said...

Such a lovely & inspiring story! Thank you for sharing!
~e

jessica g. said...

ooo i know! those amazing ties are from here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6962917

Anonymous said...

Oh my! That is one of the nicest gifts ever! How sweet. I do hope that Sebastian does a dance in his suit when you do finally get the suit in the mail! Haha that is too adorable.

Sandy said...

What a beautiful gift and how sweet. I love this post and thanks so much for the links. I love the felt cases and have contacted hine to see if more will be in her Etsy soon. I love your stories.

twinkle teaches said...

Love this post! What a sweet story about the bedding. I love the granny squares,too. :)
tina

Alicia said...

Yay for amazing women!!

Unknown said...

Love this post!!! I hope Sebastian gets his suit soon so you guys can dance around in celebration.

Christines memory said...

Gifts who are unexpected are the best:)

I tried to find your mail adress, but faild, so I guess I'll just ask you my quetion here.
I have a project on my blog caled Picking Pockets who mainly is about what differnet people got in theis pockets.
And I would realy love it if you would join!
I am such a big fan of your blog and you are a great source of inspiration to me.
Anyway, if you want to know more about the project, wisit my blog and leave a coment. Or write me a mail.
<3

Anne Esquibel said...

Gorgeous duvet and precious son! x

Nikki Schreiner said...

Haha! Great post. One time I was in Target with my 3-year-old and as we passed the bra section, she loudly said, "look at all the booooobs!!"

Tigerlily said...

thats so great! my anthropologie duvet has a similar story! its just something about them, i guess. :) i bet sebastian will look so sharp in his new suit :)

Ashley Ann said...

Loved the link to the Decor8 post on your house...led me to your flickr account of house pics. Can I move in...you have room for a family of 6 right?

Shyla said...

That is such a sweet story!

Rachel said...

Such a great post - I love all your finds. And that quilt? Gorgeous!

Holly said...

super post Rachel! <3
I realized that I didn't link the photo that you saw on my blog, so here's the link so it gets the recognition it deserves. (soooo beautiful!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mundoacores/3488522436/

those camera cases are the cuutest!
xo
ps: congrats on being on Decor8!!

Katja said...

What a lovely story and gorgeous duvet!

Ordinary Girl said...

Hello Rachel, I just stumbled upon your blog today and I want to say how much I totally lurve it! Your style and ideas are so inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!!

cara. said...

that is the best story. totally made my day and challenged me to do something kind anonymously. thank you.

lacy said...

You are so so special. What a wonderful blog post! <3