Inspired by Life.... and Catalogs

It's the start of catalog season, and as I'm gluttonous for all design, I eat catalogs up. Since the internet now houses the inventories of actual products, the format of catalogs (for the companies who still bother to produce them) has the shifted dramatically. Rather than listing products, they act as inspiration, and sell lifestyles.

The Restoration Hardware Fall Collection catalog arrived this week—
The chairman/CEO opens the catalog with a powerful letter, which struck me because it's message I agree wholeheartedly with. Here's a snip:
"Introducing over 500 new pieces that are a personal expression of a lifestyle that reflect the juxtaposition of form and function, past and present and an environment that is both relaxed yet refined."

This is exactly the ambiance that I am striving for in my house (but with brighter colored walls, the catalog displays a lot of taupe—Martha and her palette should pay their studio a visit. ).


It's a vintage, yet modern feel—placing antiques (or in the case of Restoration Hardware, pieces inspired by antiques) in the home amidst contemporary pieces to create a fresh look.

The CEO's letter places the company in a new era, calling them "'curators' of the best historical design has to offer."

I'm not an expert on history or historical design, but I love this tribute to the past. So many admirable and beautiful pieces have already been designed, and it's time we embrace them and continue to use them in a functional way, rather than turn our back on them.

Check out the Restoration Hardware website (and request a catalog!—the website is nice, but doesn't do the printed catalog justice with it's call outs and historical notes.) I direct you here, not with the goal of getting you to drop a bunch of cash and purchase the RH Fall Collection (it's not like I'm on commission or something!), but to encourage you to incorporate pieces from your community, family, flea markets, etc. into your daily style. Take the pieces from your past and use them to inspire the present!

The Secret Life of This Designer

This quilt won the Youth Best in Show at the State Fair in 2001. After completing the 25 squares necessary and sewing them together, I said I would never make another quilt. And I haven't But it looks stunning in my carrot orange room!

Little known fact about me—I've got wicked embroidery skills. I don't get a chance to do much needlework anymore, but whenever I do, I'm reminded how much I like it.


Here's a piece I completed this past week for a friend. It was based on her wonderful chalk work done back in June at the GR Chalk Flood.

If you're interested in doing some embroidery, here's a book of stitches I highly recommend.

Awe in Miniature

If you haven't already seen Dalton Ghetti's insane miniature graphite sculptures. They are a MUST. There are no words to describe how in awe of these I am.

Check them out on:
• Kronikle
• Buzzfeed

For Gals Who love their Veggies too!

Meat Club Cookbook [Girls Only]: For Gals who Love their Meat

I just love this book! Perhaps it's because I'm officially calling myself a vegetarian these days and I'm naturally drawn to anything to do with meat—aside from eating it.

Or perhaps it's because it's graphically brilliant.


All the imagery is created out of fabric, paint and embroidery (which I have a secret love affair with—more on that next week). It is also laid out cleanly, using smart fonts and colors, and functional bindings and paper folds.

I do not have to be a meat lover to love this book. It has a vintage, handmade quality to it that transcends dietary differences!

Look What I can do!

Have you ever wondered how to install a dimmer switch, escape from a panther, or properly fold a fitted sheet? Well thanks Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know Instructions for Life From the Everyday to the Exotic, I don't have to wonder.

This book is extremely informative, cleverly illustrated and wildly entertaining and covers instruction for tasks spanning 11 categories (Make, Eat, Drink, Style, Love, Nest, Thrive, Go, Survive & Wow.)

My head is still spinning from everything I learned, but so far my favorite skill that has settled is from the Make section, "Stencil Stealthily"



And look! It works!

That's right, I tagged my floor.
And now I exit nonchalantly.



PS: Speaking of Street Art, I saw a great film at the UICA last week, Exit through the Gift Shop— dubbed "The world's first Street Art disaster movie". Really great. If you get a chance check it out.

Me against the Alarm Clock(s)

So it's been about 2 months since I first posted here telling you that I was doing the full-time freelancer dance.

Reflecting back, I see measurable progress in my basement renovation, though it's still far from finished; my garage trim remains un-trimmed; and my bike tires sit flat and un-biked. I do, however, have a fairly even tan (and I've reached book 7 of Harry Potter! (don't you dare tell me what happens)).

Well... much like the students heading back to school, it's back to work for this designer. I've accepted a full-time position at Wolverine World Wide in Rockford. Tonight I will set my alarms (all 6 of them) and prepare to face the morning bells with the rest of the worker bees.

This is not the end of fivefeettall. The freelancing will continue; the blog will live on and Weekminds will progress. So if you need anything, you know how to reach me.

In the meantime, I'll be in Rockford, designing.

Saved by PB+C

Glass arranged in a gradient of color at the Peddler's Market in Greenville.

Trufant is a small rural town, about 20 miles north of downtown Grand Rapids. Every Thursday throughout the summer they have a giant flea market/swap meet. I went up there yesterday in hopes of scoring some treasures. It was a big fat fail.

In effort to redeem the trip, we stopped at two antique stores in Greenville on the way back to town: Peddler's Market and Back Alley Antiques and Gifts. They were ok, but don't warrant addition to my antique store recommendations list.


It was my turkey-less Turkey Reuben and heavenly peanut butter chocolate malt from Rosie's Diner in Rockford that did however save the day!

Controlling my Gag Reflex

My mother came across this 1935 New Series edition of Poetry and Prose Adventures the other day, and in effort to clean crap out of her house, she brought it to mine. Normally I have no problem dumping said crap straight into a box marked "Goodwill", but there was something about this book that kept it sitting on my dining room table for several weeks.


It may have been my grandfather's sloppy, 8-year-old cursive in the front cover or the fantastic Art Deco font that all the headers were set in (it certainly wasn't the slight mildew basement smell that it emitted), but as the book continued to linger, I began to flip through it.

Hidden away between pages 554 and 555 were a pair of die-cut wedding placecards dated 1951. The little brides fold together to stand and from their bouquets stem ribbons where the guests names are written. There's something so pristine and pure about them that even this cynic couldn't resist their charm.


I felt like I had found an absolute generational relic. If I saw bride placecards at Hallmark or Target today, I'd undoubtedly gag. Yet these girls won me over with their innocent details. So I pressed the pair back between the pages and gave the book permanent residence on my shelves.

Stache Love

A few weeks back I wrote about the cupcakes growing popularity. This weeks trend watch is on facial hair. That's right. Mustaches are back*.

I was rather appalled this morning when I realized that I have yet to mention French Paper via my blog. French is a mill out of Niles, Michigan and what I love about French, in addition to their paper, is their promotional pieces.

Last year they played up the idea of specking paper by giving out paper specs. This year, they're celebrating 6 generations of staches.

But the French Paper Stache certainly isn't the first stache sighting I've taken note of recently. Some other stache trends I've noticed:


Top row: 1. Mustache mug from Paper Source. 2. This character was wandering around Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago a few weekends back. 3. And he was giving out temporary tattoos of his likeness. Bottom row: 4. Bride and groom under the stache spell. 5. Mr. Moustache Pillow with interchangeable velcro staches. 6. Even my nude troll friend has decided to jump on the trend train!


Please note: this is not a commentary on whether you should or should not shave your upper lip. It's merely an observation on a pattern. As far as staches in design and on product go, I give it a thumbs up. However to anyone considering sprouting a furry facial friend, Cracked.com provides this warning. Perhaps consider a finger stache instead.

*Back AGAIN actually. Click here to read about it's other recent resurgences.

Out and About: Phil's Stuff

There's no better place for stuff than Phil's Stuff, at the intersection of Wealthy and Charles in Grand Rapids (across from the home and garden boutique aptly named Wealthy at Charles).

The shop is full of antiques, collectibles, oddities and notions (it's all honestly "stuff"—he's not lying, there's no better way to say it). My favorite section is the low ceilinged room in the basement full of old hardware and fixtures.

Phil always asks me when I'm checking out with my "stuff" what I'm going to do with it. (He really must wonder why people buy some of it.) Today I bought some fabric patterns, which I will use to create my fabric pattern notebooks. Time to start building up inventory before the holiday season!

Oh, and if you're looking for your own pair of Fashion Sunglasses, Phil has a whole stash. Only $8 a pair!

It's your Birthday. [Insert Insult Here].

It's my good pal Kristin's birthday this week, which means it's time to go card shopping.

Perhaps it's because I don't come from an overly sentimental family (this is not a deprecating comment, it's self aware) but I sincerely believe the purpose of a birthday card, or any greeting really, is to deliver a well-crafted insult.

I have a few go-to sites to help me choose the appropriate affront for any occasion.

• Uncooked: I discovered these beauties in a little shop in Lincoln Square in Chicago. It was one of those situations where I was laughing so hard in the shop that I think my friend Lindsey was slightly ashamed. (I don't recall the name of said store, but perhaps Lindsey can leave the name below.)

• Selfish Kitty: These have been a stand-by of mine for a long time now. They never get old.

• Yours Truly: If you're a devout follower of this blog, you will know that I just discovered these a few weeks back. I intend to add them to my Rolodex of card resources. I'm also eager to browse the other card lines on Quidlip. (Sock 'ems??)

• Hard Cards: What I like about these cards is how sweet they seem on the outside, but when you open them, it's like a swift punch to the face. Happy Birthday.

In addition to these web resources, I do like to buy handmade, one-of-a-kind cards from local shops and art markets whenever possible. If a card isn't going to be funny, pretty is good too! Shop Local!

Coffeebreak: The Buzz about Honest Simplicity

As I was waiting on my latte at The Sparrows Coffee Tea & Newstand I browsed the business cards and brochures displayed around the register. (As an obsessive compulsive observer, I love when stores surround their registers with these visual treats. I dig bulletin boards for the same reason.) Near the tip jar was a teetering pile of cards that were slightly misshapen.

I could not snatch this card up quickly enough! Handwritten in ballpoint pen and marker, it is one of the most intriguing cards I've even seen, and it appears to be made out of some old Sony packaging. A kindred recycler.

I applaud ryanplz for doing exactly as he advertised:
All handmade. All recycled. Kudos.

When Life Gives you Cucumbers, Make Pickles!
Today I picked 14 cucumbers from my little side garden. Since that's more cucumbers than any rational person needs, I did the only sane thing, I made pickles! I thought I'd share my mother's simple, yet delicious Refrigerator Pickle recipe with you:
3 - 4 cucumbers
1 bell pepper (green or red)
1 onion
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon dill seed
Fresh dill sprigs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar

– Slice cucumbers, pepper and onion. Combine in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt, dill seed and fresh dill. Set aside for 1 - 2 hours.
– Stir sugar into vinegar until it dissolves. Pour over cucumber mixture. Stir together. Refrigerate 12 hours.

I'm not the only one having an Awesome August Pickle Extravaganza. Check out these plush pickles from Plushoff on Etsy!