Happy New Years Eve!

Hope you bring in the New Year in the most glamourous, fabulous way possible. Cheers to a fresh start {with some champagne and strawberries}!

New Year's Resolution: Creative Inspiration

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions this year to be more creative?  These '1000' books are sure to inspire you about anything from signage, graphic layout, business cards, packaging, greeting cards, color schemes, etc.  I'd love to fill my bookshelf up with these!

1000 Graphic Elements

1000 More Graphic Elements

1000 Type Treatments

1000 Package Designs

1000 Bags, Tags, and Labels

1000 Restaurant, Bar, and Cafe Graphics

All of these books can be found on the Fourteen Feet Ceilings Blog Wishlist at Amazon.

Beautiful Staircases

An element that is commonly overlooked in interior design/architecture is stairwells.  They can become beautiful with a little attention to detail.  Here are just a few that I have found that make some beautiful focal points.

Spiral:

Floating:

Apple Store, NY

...and my favorite, at the Longchamp Store

{Images courtesy of Just Stairs, UK Home Ideas, Trendir, Seidler, De Clubz, Momoy, CAD Tutor, Wikipedia}

Engagement Photos

Jose Villa is a wonderful photographer who specializes in wedding and engagement photos.  Just browsing through their blog today gave me so many ideas for potential engagement photos {once I do get engaged}! The soft quality of the photographs sets the mood for the couple, and I love how each idea for the photograph isn't something you've already seen before.

I hope your Christmas is filled with joy...

Remember that feeling when you were younger when you couldn't even fall asleep on Christmas Eve because you were so excited?  Well I hope your Christmas is full of that magical spark and excitement.  Merry Christmas

*****

Casual Holiday Look

This Casual holiday look would be festive enough to go to a New Years Party while versatile enough to wear down a fall street.  I love the texture difference between the light chiffon dress and the structured military blazer.

Ralph Lauren Rugby Cora Admiral Jacket, $428

Urban Outfitters Lucca Couture Crepe Chiffon Dress, $68

Aldo Spizer Cognac Pumps, $54.98

Etsy Zippy Zipper Necklace, $14.99

Coach Script Button Earrings, $148

Kate Spade Colby Sunglasses, $108

Get to know an Interior Designer: Christopher Coleman

Christopher Coleman is a fresh, funky designer who works out of Brooklyn, New York.  He does mostly residential spaces, with an emphasis on colorful, playful children's rooms.  I love his luxurious bathrooms and dressing rooms too.  His play on textures and new uses of materials {like newsprint wallpaper in the office} is so imaginative and modern.  His goal is to bring affordable, good design to everyone.  His website is graphically beautiful and so easy to navigate.

Holiday Montage

This weekend I had the pleasure of spending with my family for an early Christmas.  Both of my brothers traveled in to see us: one from Boston and one from Williamsburg.  We had so much fun making snow angels, decorating our back deck like a tropical beach, making chocolate dipped strawberries, and spending time as a family.  Here's a snapshot of our early Christmas.

The prettiest tree I've ever seen...

...is not one in the middle of Times Square or the in the White House.  The most beautiful tree I've ever seen is the one my mom decorates every year in our own home.  She calls it the "Angel Tree" because most of the ornaments hung on it are angels.  The strands of pearls, white lights, and gold twig garland make it look so elegant.  Here are a few closeups.

Song of the Moment

This holiday song is perfect for cozying up to the fire on a snowy winter night.  Clay Walker's All Wrapped Up in You.  Rhapsody doesn't have this song so you'll have to preview it on itunes!

My not-so-academic Wishlist

This is my fantasy wishlist, a good mix of sports gear and girlie luxuries!

Chase Authentics Kasey Kahne Big Number Cap, $9.98
Junk Food New England Patriots Womens Distressed Thermal, $29.99
Kate Spade Cornelia Street Noel Zippered Chrissy, $125
Women's Mossimo Kady Boots-Cognac, $29.99
Zales 1/2 CT. T.W. Princess-Cut Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings in 14K White Gold, $299.99
Play On Album by Carrie Underwood, $9.99
Revolution Album by Miranda Lambert, $9.99
Vera Bradley Small Duffel in Puccini, $51.75
Apple's ipod Touch, $199

Interior Design Books Wishlist

I would love to find any of these books under the tree this Christmas!

Hip Interiors: Shops and Showrooms by Kelley Cheng, $21.43

1000 Retail Graphics by JGA, $26.40

Stores and Retail Spaces 10 by Retail Design and VSMD, $34.15

One Off: Independent Retail Design by Claire Dowdy, $32.85

Space Planning Basics by Mark Karlen, $49.20

Interior Graphic Standards, Student Edition by Maryrose McGowan, $68.85

The Codes Guidebook for Interiors by Sharon Koomen Harmon, $54.35

A beautiful, simple sentiment...

As soon as I saw this image on another blog, I knew I had to post it.  Its a perfect saying and a perfect snowy background- especially for all the snow they are calling for tonight!  Up to a foot!

Get Well Soon Kristi!

My dear friend Kristi had surgery yesterday, what a way to spend the holiday season.  Wishing her the best of luck.  Get well soon!