Sneaker Series

Suzanne Cabrera from an open [sketch]book just opened up a new Etsy shop featuring 10 retro-inspired sneaker illustrations straight from her husband's closet. You get all the fun and style with any of the sock smell! :)

To celebrate Suzanne's opening and twin baby announcement (congrats!!!) she is offering a 25% discount if you buy two or more prints with the coupon code TWOISMAGICAL in the notes to seller at checkout. These prints are a great addition to a bedroom, kid's room or holiday wish list!

Link - an open [sketch]book shop

Vintage Find: Atomic Warehouse

From transistor radios to mid-century modern furniture, Atomic Warehouse has a huge selection of vintage goodies to delight your home. If you aren't lucky enough to live near their store in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (like me...I wish!) then browse their daily selection of merchandise for sale online. The color and furnishing ideas are endless and you may even discover desires you never knew you had...like a love for mod red fireplaces.

On a side note, I'm here...really I am! Things are sort of up, down and all over the place. I've been diving into work projects and focusing on the behind-the-scenes necessities for Please Sir. I greatly hope to get back on a daily blogging schedule and catch up with the blogosphere...believe me...I miss it very much. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this sporadic state of mind!

Link - Atomic Warehouse

Natural Curiosities

Marius by Paule Marrot

Red Sea by Paule Marrot

Fernando Boher Collection

The High Point Furniture Market is in town, which means two things. One - I've had the pleasure of checking out the latest home trends and two - my feet are killing me! With so much great design to see it's easy to soldier through the pain, especially after viewing the unique art selection from Natural Curiosities by Christopher Wilcox. They have a team of over 15 artists and house a collection of over 60,000 images, textiles, textures, plants and other creative objects. Plus, their often large art pieces are "meticulously handmade in America and supported by the environmental vision that walks hand-in-hand with true art."

My favorite ideas ranged from over-sized sea patterns to small groups of sketches. I believe they exclusively sell to wholesalers, but one can still be inspired by their art and message!

Link - Natural Curiosities by Christopher Wilcox

Welbeck Tiles

Welbeck Tiles prove that not all tiles are alike. Based in Britain, this handmade tile company designs all of their tiles in a small workshop in Cornwall using traditional pottery techniques. Their Coastal Collection includes tiles inspired by vintage postcards and advertising signs from British seaside landmarks. Their latest Vintage Collection also adds charm to your space with a mix of antique floral designs against various tile backgrounds. Plus, they can even print your own mementos on tiles! Hmm...handwritten notes, old movie tickets...the possibilities, right? I think the key to personalized tiles is to find a special spot for them in your home. When used sparingly they can look beautiful in areas that need easy-to-clean art like bathrooms and kitchens.

On a side note, congratulations to Melisa from The Lil Bee for winning the Paperwork giveaway (ps. new prints added)!

Link - Welbeck Tiles

Rose & Grey

Hi there! I've missed you all and I'm back from a short blogging break (actually more like a so-busy-at-work-no-time-to-blog-sad-break). I'm uncertain how the work insanity will be this week, but I hope to catch up with everyone and get back to a normal schedule (big hopes!). Let's start off with vintage inspired goodness from Rose & Grey, a family run online shop filled with wonderful items like furniture and decorative accessories. The studio shelf unit is a neat addition to the bedroom and perfect for nightly water, an alarm clock and bedtime reading storage. My other favorites include the rustic drawers on wheels, button cushions, retro storage trunks and lemonade boxes. Currently they only ship in the UK, but I still love browsing through all the fun ideas and products!

Link - Rose & Grey

Ethnic Accents

Ethnic touches within the lighting and bedding. Aren't those exposed chair backs amazing? House Beautiful

Sweet furniture and textiles from Sang and Serena.

Ethnic rugs and accessories even work in the kitchen. Lonny Magazine

Unique objects, like Balinese baskets and mantel banderas, from The Loaded Trunk provide a warm touch.

Last week we explored exotic sites for ethnic inspired ideas, and I would like to continue our journey with more objects and spaces using ethnic accents. As I mentioned before, the key to incorporating ethnic style in your home is through a moderate use of accessories. As you can see from the examples above the ethnic touches are simple, yet still bring a sense of warmth and comfort to the space. Plus, you don't have to go to faraway lands to find unique pieces (unless you want to of course!). Small furniture, blankets and objects can be found through the web or even at a local shop or fleamarket. Find the perfect piece that adds another layer to your story.

Do you enjoy ethnic accents? If so, I would love to hear how you incorporate them into your style...

Ethnic Inspired

After Kathryn M. Ireland's post I'm still thinking about ethnic inspired prints, colors and places. If you're a daily reader of Please Sir you know I tend to like retro-modern-cozy spaces (or I'm all over the place!), but I see the potential for ethnic touches in an interior for conversation and comfort. Let's go in a different direction this week and explore the possibilities of ethnic inspiration. Anthropologie is a great start because they always have a fresh take on using ethnic influence in fashion and home without going overboard. I think that's the key...ethnic is a great look, but in moderation. Pack your bags for a little sightseeing!

Link - Anthropologie

Kathryn M. Ireland

Designer Kathryn M. Ireland's unique look has been described as "comfortable, bohemian, and family friendly with large doses of color and a lack of orthodoxy." Wow, I couldn't agree more! I enjoy seeing a hint of ethnic style in an interior space, and Kathryn's style is the perfect inspiration. Imagine her gorgeous Mexico meets Morocco fabric on pillows or window treatments, and instantly you add subtle, ethnic appeal to your current style. Or if you live in a wonderful exotic abode you can go all out. But, if you're like me in a small city home then I guess we'll have to get our exotic escape through fabrics!

Link - Kathryn M. Ireland

Fey Handmade

I could accessorize my entire apartment with all the lovely and unique items featured on Fey Handmade, an online shop inspired by nature and passionate about design. Seabound accessories in the bedroom, vintage plates in the kitchen and natural objects strategically placed throughout. Ever since I found the oh-so-neat vintage ship painting I've been sea obsessed. Maybe it's the nautical stripe trend or my craving for the ocean? Either way, the ship pillowcases are at the top of my list!

Kitsch Kitchen: Five Fork Print, Lilak Rose Clock, The Heated Tea Cup Dishtowels, Set of Vintage Plates

Seabound Bedroom: Ship Pillowcases, Splashing Photograph, Cushion Cover

Natural Geometrics: Northern Flicker Print, Apartment Feeder, Wall Mount Vase

Link - Fey Handmade Shop

Air Plants

My new plant obsession is tillandsias, also known as air plants. They are affordable, easy to maintain and lovely by themselves or paired with other plants. Flora Grubb Gardens provides stunning photographs to get you air plant inspired including beautiful wedding arrangements and a web shop. By the way, the wedding decor is amazing and you can see even more fantastic photographs at Feather Love Photography. If you want to start small (like me!) then check out Tortoise Loves Donkey, an Etsy shop filled with a variety of air plants and terrariums. I can't wait to start experimenting with these little plant joys...the possibilities seem endless!

Do you like air plants? Have any ideas or tips on air plant care?

Link - Flora Grubb Gardens