natural curiosities

One of my absolute favorite vendors from Market was Natural Curiosities. Started by Christopher Wilcox in 2005, Natural Curiosities is an art production house based in LA. Wilcox, a former antiquarian book dealer from London, started the company with only "curiosity boxes" - a boxed selection of marine life - and has since grown the business to include a collection of 75,000 images with 350 pieces created a week. Using digital design as well as hand techniques, Wilcox's team of artisans manipulates antique prints and images enlarging and framing them for sale to the trade and most recently direct to consumers. I love the selection of images but what I think really makes their prints unique is their framing. Using three styles of framing - straight framed, floated and floated space shadowbox - the old imagery is made modern. I especially like the floated, in which deckle-edged paper hovers above a linen substrate, and the floated space shadowbox - in which the paper is recessed back away from the frame creating a shadowbox that is lined with linen (floated pictured below).

Seeing the images online really doesn't do justice to them and unfortunately the showroom lighting was not ideal but below are some images I took as well as some of my favorite prints. 

To purchase a select number of pieces online visit WILCOX or search for a local retailer here. 

american dream builders episode 6

Lets start with the positives from this week's episodes - the exteriors. Jay Riordan was once again responsible for the facade design and landscaping on the blue team while it seemed to be a group effort on the red. Riordan who is the only contractor on the show has been doing pretty well thus far and while I don't completely love his work I think the blue team would be lost without him. Personally, I prefer what the red team did with their exterior design (especially the lighting on the front - see below) but a good effort all around. 

Other positives include Nina Magon's kitchen. Nothing particularly new or exciting but a good layout and use of space. Ultimately, I think it was this space that gave the blue team the win. 

My favorite element from the red team was Lukas Machnik's dining room built in. I love the simplicity of the design and styling and I thought it worked well in the space. 

Overall, the red team had the better design in my opinion (and Nate Berkus might I add) but I think their design was a bit inaccessible for the neighborhood council. I don't think anything they did was that outrageous but the TV was not in a very ideal spot and the little boy's bedroom was too sophisticated. Erinn Valencich was sent home which is a shame as I think she was one of the strongest designers. I fear that the show might have peaked and I think the fact that the show was moved to 7/6 central is not a very good sign. Hopefully, I am pleasantly surprised with next week's episode but I am not holding my breath. Have a good Monday everyone!

easter tablescape

Jeff's family is visiting this weekend and we are planning a big family meal for Saturday night. Jeff has his heart set on lamb and I would like to find some spring appropriate veggies at the farmer's market tomorrow. Maybe fresh asparagus? I am also hoping that there might be some early rhubarb so that I can make this delicious cobbler from Seasons & Suppers. I made it last year around this time and it was so yummy I have been dreaming of it ever since. 

It looks like it will be nice enough to sit outside at our picnic table and to have a fire going as we eat. I plan to set the table with the family china that got passed down to us for the first time, a tablecloth given to me by my Mom, two porcelain eggs I got in Barcelona and to complete the look - a simple vase of tulips. For me, a beautifully set table is the perfect primer for a delicious meal and in the spring I love a tablescape dominated with pastels and fresh flowers. Sort of like these pictured below. 

1. source unknown  2. via Daily Dream Decor  3. via Martha Stewart  4. via Style Me Pretty Living  5. via Simply Chic Events  6. via BHLDN

How cute are those bunny place card holders! Have a great weekend everyone!