Retro Wonderful

Obviously, one look at this blog ~ and it goes without saying, I'm a kitten for vintage kitsch.  I love it all.  In my book, if it is retro, it is wonderful.  I'm not a stickler for one era, though.  Give me the twenties, the thirties, heavy on the fourties, and throw some other 'ies' in there, and we are good.  I like shabby chic, victorian treats, and mid-century diner style thrown in for good measure. 

Over the past year, my husband and I have been woking on re-decorating our home with 1. no money; 2. A lot of elbow grease; and 3. A fair amount of compromise.  (The hubby is a fan of modern clean lines, cool colors, and bare minimalism.  I... am not.)  However, we seem to have finally (after nearly a decade of cohabitation!) started to find our happy middle ground.  In the coming weeks, I'll start sharing those results with you.

In the meantime, since it is Studio Saturday here at Born Broken - I figured I would share a new favorite website.  It offers endless inspiration for working with retro decor and playing with vintage goodies.  Be sure and check out their blog too!

http://www.tpartyantiques.com/

http://www.tparty.typepad.com/

Here is a peek at some of their website goodies:

Be sure and check out the T-Party website and blog for even more vintage/retro fun!  Happy Studio Saturday, all!

Do you have any houses, studios or decor that you adore? Leave me a comment and a link. I love to visit new places, and I'd love to feature reader favorites on upcoming Studio Saturday days.

All of life's riddles...

You know what your problem is,

it's that you haven't seen enough movies -

 all of life's riddles are answered in the movies.

Steve Martin

So it is Studio Saturday, and I figured I would digress a bit, although technically, I am on topic.  I've been spending manty late nights getting my studio organized and able to house many of my art supplies, while serving as a comfortable guest room if needed at the same time.  All of you mixed media hoarders out there know  what a ridiculous task I've assigned myself.  Still, I plug aaway.  Meanwhile, keeping me great company is this laptop:

And, keeping the laptop company (thus making it even better company for  me) - is this:

Ah, Netfllix live streaming movies.  They are going to change the world, I tell you!  So,  I've been watching non stop movies.  Some sad, some funny, some a bit disturbing, and some completely lovely.  Here's a recap:

So there you have it.  My favorite of those above, interestingly enough - was the documentary 'following sean' - but any adult child of hippies would be able to relate to why.  So have YOU been to any good movies lately? Oh, well, I haven't actually been to them. They've come to me!

Have a  great weekend everyone!

White Linens...

The bed has become a place of luxury to me!

I would not exchange it for all the thrones in the world.

- Napolean Bonaparte

It is Studio Saturday here at Born Broken.  A day when I feature art studios, home decor, and the like.  Today, as I was browsing the web for some cozy decor pictures - I began to notice something interesting.  When talking about bed linens - it is helpful to match the color of your bedspread to the surroundings.  (Or at least, it should be complimentary).  Things get even more complicated when your linens have a pattern of some sort.  Then, it s helpful to match the color and the pattern to the decor of the room.  However - when it comes to the color white, it is universally apropriate in every style, matched to every color.

Here are some examples of different decor styles - having very little in common, other than the white bed linens. (Oh, and can you guess which one is my favorite, from below?):

I hope you enjoyed our little tiptoe through the white linens.  Oh, and as for my favorite?  Let's just say I don't mind small spaces, and gingham will win me over anytime.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Happy Studio Saturday!

*All images in this post came from copyright free sources.

O Happy Day!

It's Studio Saturday over here at Born Broken.  While blog hopping this week, I came across Happy Loves Rosie.  I don't think it will be any mystery to those who know me - why I just love this aesthetic!  Give me kitsch, polka dots, and lots of red.  I a happy girl!  Plus, my mother in law is British, so the British edge is nice too.

This blog is full of so many wonderful goodies, I wouldn't know where to start.  However, since it is Studio Saturday, I'll start with the fantabulous home decor, featured throughout.  Muted / natural colorscape lovers - beware! 

           

Woo Hoo!  I thin it would be near impossible to be in anything but a cheery mood when cooking in a kitchen full of such colorful cheer!   To see more (and bigger and better) images - check out the Happy Loves Rosie blog!

Happy Studio Saturday everyone!

All Gentleness...

A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the

rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring.

Ok, so I admit - they aren't in the rain - but still, look at what an absolutely beautiful bouquet of flowers was hand delivered to me yesterday.  My wonderful friend and artist, Lynne Wright, had lunch with me, and she brought me these lovelies from her garden.  (Except for the sweetpeas, which she took from a special bouquet splurge that was supposed to be all for her!  Generous woman.)

I put the bouquet up on the fireplace mantle, beside a vintage martini flass and a vintage bottle (ALSO a prior gift from Lyn!) filled with vintage buttons.  I had such a wonderful lunch with her, and it was a nice reminder of how precious friends are. 

Today is 'Studio Saturday' on this blog, so - in honor of Lyn's fabulous gift  above, I thought I would go in search of a good flower arranging resource.  OH MY!  Imagine my delight when I found this gorgeous blog.  Every post is fodder for floral inspiration.  Such incredible eye candy.  Enjoy!

SAIPUA

And, enjoy your weekend!  Here in Northern California the weather is absolutely gorgeous.  Get outside everyone!

Do you have any houses, studios or decore that you adore? Leave me a comment and a link. I love to visit new places, and I'd love to feature reader favorites on upcoming Studio Saturday days.

It's Studio Saturday!

A house is made of walls and beams;
a home is built with love and dreams.


Oh, home sweet home.  What does 'home' mean to you?  For me, it conjures up a myriad of thoughts and emotions. 

Many people have a warmth for their childhood home - but my childhood didn't include any one place that felt safe or constant.  Still, to this day I have an incredible longing to find just that feeling...  safety, solidity, warmth - all in a home.  I want to feel that there is a place such as that for me to return to, every night.  My launching pad.  My start and end.  And it is safe, and solid, and warm, and I am filled with all those things.

Of course, I do have a house.  And I love my house.  I love these walls, and the people and dogs and cats that roam within.  I love the laughter and the music and even sometimes the yelling. 

But I've learned something too.  Perhaps of necessity. Or perhaps, just because it is true.  Home is a place inside of me - its not the walls that surround me. Not here.  Not when I was a child, not anywhere.

It sounds cliched.  Well, it is a cliche.  But its true.  The warmest homes are not made that way because of their architecture, their structural integrity - their sleek lines or (on the other end) filligree and gingerbread.  In fact, the only real homes that I have ever been in, and ever seen - are those whose outer walls reflect the warmth of the people who live inside, and not the other way around.

I hope you will join me here at Born Broken on Saturdays, when I will feature some of my favorite studios, houses, and just general decor.  The internet is such a vast and fantasy environment - it amazes me just how much warmth I can find out there, and I am excited to share!

Today, I am just going to share a quick little shed that I totally covet.  Did you read that?  That's right.   I said SHED.  As in, for storage in your backyard.

How totally adorable is this:

I just love this tiny little shed.  Ok, ok.  It's maybe a little pink.  I'd probably prefer it in a yellow, or aqua.  But of course, pink will do in a pinch.  : )   This particular shed is from a store in New York.  Sadly they don't ship to California - but they do to many eastern states.  (You can find the store, here.) 

They have the one below too, which I also adore.  The prices for these range from $1,500 - $3,500+ - depending on the size of the main (and only) room.  I am not sure if that covers delivery - and/or if the house comes put together or not.  It seems that would make a big difference.  Ha!

I have always thought that playhouses are the greatest things.  I always wanted one as a child, and still like the idea of having a sweet little bungalow, one day - as an art studio.  A place to play.  It would have to have electricity of course - so that I could make tea.   Wouldn't you just love to come over - if I had a little play house studio?  We could have a tea party - you and me!

Do you have any houses, studios or decore that you adore? Leave me a comment and a link.  I love to visit new places, and I'd love to feature reader favorites on upcoming Studio Saturday days.