JuBella.com – Get Your Creative Dose

Oh Me! Oh My! I really feel bad about this post. I totally feel like an abusive blogger..you know the ones, who fill your eyes with eye candy and then disappears without any notice, then they come back for a bit and BAM!, they’re gone again. The type that always has an excuse of why they have not updated their blog in months…life, kids, exhaustion, forgetting they were a blogger…yes, that sums me up pretty well. Anyhow, I really have good intentions on blogging daily….I really do. I even have a great “Let’s Go Visit” post sitting patiently in my que…le sigh (can you hear my frustration). I’ve been so busy playing homemaker, homeschooling our seven year old, entertaining two toddlers, daydreaming, cooking, baking, daydreaming, budgeting, organizing, oh did i mention daydreaming. To sum it up, by the time I have any form of peace and quiet, I become comatose on the couch as I post a blog here in my head, but never physically in my admin…lol.

Ok, So I will spare you all with my excuses and get right to the peace offering…pretty photos and inspiring people! First up is Henry Road. I have always wanted to visit this shop! It’s chock full of fabulous finds; and for some odd reason the name makes me think of that old movie with Angela Lansbury called “Bedknobs & Broomsticks” and entices me to say the name “Henry Road” with an English accent. Now that I think about it it would be sort of fun to fly into a make believe world via a vintage bed covered in some fabulous textiles. Ok, I digress. On to Henry Road we go!

These are some of my favorite pieces from Henry Road. I absolutely love the chairs, and apparently so does everyone else, as most of them are sold. I posted them here for color inspiration. The camera sculpture and the ceramic candle holder (top right corner) are fantastic, and I think the number trays would look great in a little boys room or in a vintage kitchen along with lots of vintage milk jars!

Great vignettes and spaces by Interior Stylist Genneth Lyn. Oooh, and I would love to have that olive green file cabinet in my office!

Images via Genneth Lyn

It never fails to amaze me how much color can effect your mood! I am inspired by color from many different things whether it’s food, nature, or textiles, I just can’t get enough of it! I ran across the portfolio of Interior Stylist Irina Graewe. I thought that the photos in her portfolio were great examples of how colors can really set the tone of your mood and energy level. For instance, the set of blue photos give me a dreary, old, Victorian feel. While the white and cream photos makes me feel light and low key; and the rooms with pops of pinks gives off a feeling of warmth, energy, and fun! I find that I am inspired by aqua-blues, pastels, bright whites, and earth tones! What colors inspire you?

I wanted to post this earlier this week, but as you all know, with so much going on, I never know how my days will pan out. Nevertheless, there is so much being siad and debated about the disaterous incidents in Haiti. Most of the imagery that we see of Haiti, even before the earthquakes, have been filled with poverty and distruction, which does exist, but by no means is that the only side of Haiti. So, with that said, I wanted to take a moment to show the beauty of design/decor within Haiti amidst so many spectrums of heartache. Even in the smallest of homes, you will find bright and spicy colors that I am sure brings joy to their families, even when times are bad. It just goes to show that home really is where the heart is and no matter what type of abode you are given, you should always make it beautiful for yourself and for those who live within it…true thankfulness at it’s best!

The images within this post are form Marie-Louise Fouchard’s and Roberto Stephenson’s book: “Interieurs d’Haiti. I immediately noticed a common color palette used within the larger and smaller homes, and thought it would be fun to celebrate the colors of Haiti’s design for this post. Most of the homes here were adorned with: rust orange, mustard/golden yellow, cobalt, turquoise blue, seafoam green, rose, brown, and of course green! I am in love with not only the colors but with so many of the elements that are used within these rooms, and the art and textiles are fabulous!

I have been posting a bit about the beauty of Haiti on my other blogs as well. This past weekend I made a Haitian Tea Cake, which I enhanced with warm spices that you would find in chai. If you get the chance, do try out the recipe: Haitian Tea Cake Recipe.

I love magazines, I think they are like monthly treats of eye candy and inspiration. They really can make you feel special and offer up some wonderful dreams and ideas. So I recently scooped up the Christmas Issues of both Martha Stewart Living and Inside-Out(which I totally love). I recommend both issues to all of those who do not subscribe to or who have not picked a copy yet. They are filled with so many wonderful images and recipes and cute little gift ideas. I mean we all know that Marthas team will offer up some tantalizing ideas right? Anyhow, here are a few of my favorite images from them both! Unfortunately I will not be using any of these ideas this year, as the holidays just sort of sneaked upon me, but I made sure to grab them to hopefully pre-plan my festivities for next year! Hope these inspire!

“Your home office is your hub, the place where you get your creative juices going, and it should be as stylish as every other room in your home.” -aphrochic.blogspot.com

The lovely Jeanine from AphroChic along with Delight.com & Write Robinson are hosting a contest all about your office style! Read the details below!

“I know there are some fantastic home offices out there, and from now until October 31st, AphroChic, Delight.com and Write Robinson, are asking you to show off your office style. “On November 1st, there will be a random drawing, and one lucky reader will win a set of Eco-jot Recycled File Folders from Delight.com, and One more lucky reader will win a custom set of couture stationery from Write Robinson.”

How to Enter:
1. Send a photo of your stylish home office.
2. Provide a brief statement on what inspired your office style.
3. Enter to win one of the fantastic prizes below by sending the photo and statement to aphrochicblog@yahoo.com, Re: Office Style Contest.

Loving these pieces from Rockett St. George’s Kitchen & Table collection! and check out these inside out wine glasses…fun fun & pretty too! Ugh..I just wish I had a super cute apartment or house to decorate my space the way I really want…Argh!

UK Photographer James Merrells portfolio is absolutely delightful! The image above is so simple, colorful, and composed just perfectly. It really makes you stop and observe each individual element in the photo don’t you think? And I love the light roses and pinks paired along with the yellow/mustards!

The shades of blues and olive greens in the rooms below are so soft and elegant. and I love that sofa with the baby blue, teal, and olive pillows and eggplant. The chair works quite well with such a formal design, and the same goes with the hint of eggplant in the bedroom in the top right hand corner.

While the first composition below is not quite my style, I think that pop of red of the milk carton up against the grey/blues, browns & tans, and black is perfect!

Simply perfect! The bedroom & parlor/living room below gives the essence of Marie Antoinette don’t you think? I love the way the lighting just softens and brightens the rooms…it really is eye candy! And once again the compositions in the rest of the photos are so sweet and simple…very much telling a story in many ways. Bravo to James for having such a stunning photography portfolio!

Have any of you been to the ABC Home store in Manhattan? I would love to step foot in such a textile rich abode! I am in love with the eclectic patterns used on there chaise lounges, chairs, and sofas, such bright and rich colors…I love it all! Gotta Get There!

Brooklyn based Photographer Melanie Acevedo’s Interior & Lifestyle portfolio is quite lovely. I am sure many of you may recognize her work from editorials, including Elle Decor, Real Simple, and Domino spreads. That white canopy bed is so fantastic and the deep turquoise in that kitchen is divine…I heart turquoise of all shades!

I really like the Indian inspired textile line of Les Indiennes by designer Mary Mulcahy. The color waves are rich, neutral, and simple, and carries a nice quiescent feel of India, and if you love to collect lovely photography of interiors and textiles then be sure to order yourself a copy of their 50 page “coffee table” catalog for only 10 bucks!

I love the enchantment and serenity that London Based Interior Stylist Lucyina Moodie brings to her photo shoots.

I love the imagery, products, and the philosophy of the Side Attraction 3 collection. Based out of South Africa, their pieces are rich in color and texture, embroidery, beads, leather, and tie dyeing; and to top it all off they outsource work to the local crafters in disadvantaged communities. A percentage of the proceeds of the sales are channeled back into the community! I scanned these images from their catalog that you can order for free (psst…they send you a nice little coupon along with it too!) I only wish that I had those “Blooming Pillows” The flowers are made from felt and the centers are crocheted!

The lighting, the chairs, the clean lines, that archway, the floors, the table, the color…I love it all(except the pictures on the wall…LOL). I am usually one partial to bright and eclectic colors but I also love crisp clean modern palettes. That chandelier is fantastic. I have seen them before, but it looks extra nice in this room designed by Musa Design! I believe this lighting fixture is by designer Ingo Maurer but I can’t be sure. I like a few of his designs that are light and airy with a touch of futuristic elements! Nevertheless, I am sure you could easily make this on your own without paying the designer price tag over at Unica Home! This could also make a nice fixture without the lighting and just as a mobile!

This kitschy kitchen by Designer Kahi Lee has been one of my color inspirations for quite some time now. I remember first seeing this on HGTV, and I just fell in love with all of the eclectic and cheerful colors. The stenciled birds on the cabinets are too adorable & I love Kahi’s sense of fashion style as well!