Mod Green Pod

Saved on my computer desktop for what seems like an eternity is a very informative article from Apartment Therapy relating their visit to Mod Green Pod to observe how wallpaper is made. I'm wishing that our field trips involved more of these adventures in elementary school but alas! we had to go to the museum of natural history. How I would have loved to run around the factory and hide between rolls of fabrics like these two lucky children above (still would by the way)!

The article included photos of the factory, the paper, the ink, etc. as well as a brief interview with the owner who spills the secrets of her inspiration. Before I go on though, I must stop to tell you that this intro is a bit of a tease because I am not about to describe in great detail how wallpaper is made---that post is not quite ready yet! Soon! However, I will show you a variety of Mod Green Pod's fabric and wallpaper selection that will most likely make you drool.

Fabrics

For the record, companies should always, always include shots of their fabrics used for curtains, cushions or any type of reupholstering in order to give an idea of a finished product. I know I certainly appreciate it.

Just to make me like them even more, Mod Green Pod has a section on their website called: Select Your Design-Choose Your Color. The title is pretty self-explanatory so I probably don't need to explain it to you but if you are anything like me, you are getting a little giddy right now just thinking of the many options at your disposal. How many times have I seen a gorgeous pattern that was simply the wrong colour only to find out that it was the only choice available! I feel like writing a thank you letter to the Mod Green Pod, followed by a mass email to all their competitors in the hopes that they may follow suit. Here are a few patterns from their selection, though there are many more to choose from and hundreds of colours.

Some of their fabrics are also available in wallpaper, which is the reason I came across the company in the first place. Their selection is a bit more limited and quite centered around images of butterflies, but I could easily imagine at least five of them on my wall, especially the last option posted below.

Worth a mention is the fact that their products are VERY eco-friendly. The fabrics are made of 100% organic cotton grown in the USA and are printed in Austin, Texas as well, with non-toxic low-impact printing pigments using methods that will put conventional textile companies to shame (not to mention makeme feel guilty for simply falling in love with a fabric and rarely asking the right questions. My education starts here.) As for their wallpaper, nothing but the best for the environment: water based inks and glaze, Forest Stewardship Coucil certified paper and absolutely no damaging plastics. I will sign off with a promise to write more about wallpapers of all kinds, the conventional and the environmentally-friendly options, along with the facts you need to know about both very shortly. Happy Thursday.

The Making of a Store, Part 2

The Design Sponge listed three different store makeovers this month. While neither of them would instantly capture my attention if I were walking by, there are certain little details in each of them that has caught my eye and you all know how much I like a good makeover so any excuse to post one is acceptable in my mind! To be honest, the most interesting aspect in these renovations is a creative one, seeing that the first space, ACME PArty Box Co., more of a temporary spot, a pop-up store if you will, took on its new appearance for under one thousand dollars. One. Thousand. Dollars.

Store # 1

ACME Party Box Co.

Co-founder Lisa Fulke shared some secrets and her insightful advice is definitely worthy of copying and listing here for you:

Worked with their local antique store to borrow some of their furniture and lighting in exchange for selling the items for them if customers were interested.

Moved furniture from their houses and used them as display pieces.

Bought inexpensive sheets to use as a store divider and adorned them with vintage millinery that they use for the corsages they make for the store.

Had their local florist create a large boxwood swag to highlight the center of the store around their checkout desk.

Made large blackboards out of lightweight masonite chalkboards they framed with door casings they spray painted and cut to fit.

Bought display items from their local flea market and eBay.

Created displays using their shipping boxes.

I spend a little time on their website and looooooved it, I can't wait until my next party. Yes, I know that I am an easy target when it comes to such issues as setting a table and throwing a game night or dinner party but come on! (Is it too late in my life for me to become a party planner? I'd be so good at this!) Trust me, these ladies have it figured out. They offer up super fun settings and decorations for your party, all of which, in their eco-friendly motto, is meant to be reused in your home or as a toy (for the children's parties). The kids' themes cover every child's dream party, from rodeo to the kingdom bash, without forgetting the all-time favourite (I'm sure),...the circus party! But before you start feeling too jealous of your 8 year-old, they have grown-up party boxes as well, which are quite tasteful but also include a bit of themed fun: Moroccan, Vintage Chic, Botanical, Forest Floral, etc. I know that I am getting off topic here but I couldn't resist adding a photo or two from their website. For you, of course, loyal readers (all 4 of you).

Store # 2

Noon Designs

These ladies are opening their second location for Noon Designs and, with the addition of a brick wall and as it is a more permanent location for them than for ACME Party Box, surely the budget must have gone over one thousand dollars. Nevertheless, the finished product looks very good. I like the black wall in the back of the store. I know that everyone is into black walls lately but, if everything else around it is kept simple and classy, I don't think it will go out of style quickly. I can be proven wrong, though.)

Store # 3

Red Velvet Art

According to Design Sponge, these ladies turned this disaster of a space into a beautiful store that sells cupcakes, vintage and art for under a thousand dollars as well (6000 square feet renovated in less than three months, under 1000$.

I am seriously impressed by all of these ladies' vision and hard work. Congrats to all of them, it has been a very inspiring Tuesday for me!

George Nelson Bubble Lamp

Initially designed by George Nelson, these lamps have been around since the 40s but somehow have never caught my attention until my sister started looking for a pendant light for her living room over the holidays. I had a specific idea of what I thought would look good over her coffee table but couldn't seem to find it in any store. Then I spotted these lamps in an office upon my return to Vancouver and they magically appeared in an online ad just a few days later, right on cue. Exactly what I had in mind, and reasonably priced, with free shipping! (Are you reading this, Sister? Perfect!)

Nursery Gallery

When I decided to leave my job and finish my University degree full-time, I had big plans for myself. I was going to write here everyday, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, keep the house clean and tidy, study hard (and get good grades), walk and train the dogs more actively so they know more than just the "sit" command, start yoga and be fit (BIG plans, I tell you!), and, on top of that, make time to relax, clear my mind and contemplate future goals, more specifically, the ones that involve me getting closer to an interior decorating career.

While this schedule may appear overly ambitious to some, I really thought that I would be able to make it happen. Yes, I know, I know, what was I thinking?! It was naive of me to assume that removing 40 hours of work a week from my schedule would turn me into a superwoman overnight.

The reality check arrived express-post the first week of the semester, like a nice big slap in the face. Lately, my days actually mainly consist of reading, writing, studying and then more studying. Although I do make breakfast everyday and have tried yoga (twice...with a dvd in my living room...in my pyjamas. Still counts!). I also have to admit that I have allowed myself more too many breaks in between readings to make a batch of ginger-molasses cookies and some chocolate-bourbon-orange cupcakes...and maybe a quiche or two but really that's it, I swear! The rest of the day is entirely dedicated to waaay too much studying. All work and very little play. My poor brain. I shall give it a rest from research for tonight and simply post a selection of my favourite nurseries for a friend of mine who is expecting a baby of her very own in the next few months. Photos of children's rooms are so much fun to flip through and I have always thought that they would be the best room in the house to decorate because you can go completely nuts with colour and patterns. I have seen many sweet, whimsical fabrics and furniture pieces that are just waiting to make their way into a little boy or girl's nursery.

Have a great day.