Rosenthal Mini Vases

I recently celebrated my 31st birthday and one of my favorite gifts I received was a Rosenthal mini vase. Legendary tabletop brand Rosenthal, a 130 year-old company, is staying hip and relevant with this rather new and somewhat edgy collection of mini vases, of which mine is a part. I was given the one called Surface, which is a matte white Cubist-looking little cutie. All of them are an adorable and utilitarian 3-4" tall (bud vases are fantastic for extending the life of cut flowers). Here's mine on my desk...

I totally want to collect all of them now because they'd look stunning as a collection, especially against a dark table or backdrop (I'm picturing them filled with hot pink buds on a marble mantel against black walls)!

If you're itching to collect them too, the itty bitty vases can be purchased directly from Rosenthal or at Bloomingdale's.

Kim Parker Art + Textiles

If your home is in need of a jolt of color and vitality, then consider bringing in some of Kim Parker's creations. A painter whose work has attracted attention from heavy-hitting retailers like Bloomingdale's and licensing deals with companies like Spode and the Rug Company, Kim Parker has built a little empire with her art. Not only can you purchase KP's original works and prints for your walls, you can also buy her pillows, rugs, fabric, bedding, accessories, and stationery.

Not surprisingly, I really like her bold, quirky textiles. Pillows, rugs, and fabrics are produced under her own label,  and can be purchased directly through her online store. These hand-embroidered 100% New Zealand wool pillows are super fresh and fun:

Kim Parker Home® Designer Pillow Collection

KP's Jeweled Garden fabric is available by the yard in silk shantung, linen, and velvet. I love this for draperies in a girls room:

Jeweled Garden from the Kim Parker Home® Fabric Collection

Now produced by hand in India (she talks about this on her blog), Kim Parker Home® rugs are packed with the same exuberant, colorful original designs as the other textiles in the collection. Add one of these to a bland space and trust that it will no longer be boring to the eye. As you can imagine, many of the styles are floral but I'm more partial to the geometric and abstract ones:

"Cantaloupe Stripe" Throw Rug

Kim Parker Home® "Samba" Plush Designer Rug, © Kim Parker 2009. All rights reserved.

I loved this one that the Rug Company produced when KP was collaborating with them:

Blue Rink rug, © Kim Parker 2009. All rights reserved.

Kim Parker Home® produces lots of bedding. The "Anil's Garden" design is available in a Kantha pillow and quilt set. I love its funky boho vibe:

Kim Parker Home® Kantha Quilt "Anil's Garden"

And to wrap up, we have to go back to the brand's foundation, Kim's artwork. I'm a fan of Kim Parker's paintings, which can be viewed on her online gallery. She is a brilliant colorist and has a knack for creating movement, life, and texture. Her floral pieces area really beautiful...here's one of my favorites (it's for sale):

"Morea Garden" ©Kim Parker 2010. 20'' x 26"; acrylic on canvas.

And I was immediately drawn to many of her abstract works...most of the ones on my wish list are from her Urban Essay series. I'd love to have a set of them hanging in my house. Although I insist that you go look at the whole lot, here are a few examples:

"Urban Essay No. 1" 22'' X 30'' ; Acrylic on paper ©Kim Parker 2012. All rights reserved.

"Urban Essay No. 24" 22'' X 30'' ; Acrylic on paper ©Kim Parker 2012. All rights reserved.

"Urban Essay No. 3" 22'' X 30'' ; Acrylic on paper ©Kim Parker 2012. All rights reserved.

What do you think of the Kim Parker Home set? I can't help but love all of the color and flowers. And it's so great to see an artist's work used in so many different iterations. It must be pretty wild to see your art on everything from plates to pillows! 

I also applaud her for progressing beyond the licensing deals with the larger companies. With her own brand, she decides how her products are manufactured and distributed which puts her closer to the artisans who produce everything. That freedom and control helps ensure that her vision is executed and I'm sure it will keep the brand from becoming overexposed and generic.

Poppy-Colored Impulse Roses

I picked up the prettiest color of roses from the grocery store yesterday. The variety is called Impulse and they are a gorgeous, rich red/orange, poppy color. Next time I order flowers for someone, I'm definitely requesting these because they are like a fun, sassy version of a red rose...and with no romantic connotations!

I love how they look in my den. I didn't think about it until placing them in the room, but they really bring out the same shade that's in the Chiang Mai Dragon pillows and in the kantha throw draped over the arm chair. This might be my new favorite color of roses...

Aren't they pretty? I love getting fresh flowers and don't feel so guilty about the indulgence when they only cost $9/dozen. Hopefully my store will keep stocking this type/color. 

Do you have a favorite rose color? Or do you buy a different type of flower altogether? I love hydrangea and I'll also buy peonies when they are season, but unfortunately they are much more expensive and never last quite as long!

Bloomin' Time

Don't you just love having fresh flowers? I'm obsessed with flowers and love this time of year because everything is blooming in our yard and I can just walk outside to cut roses and hydrangeas for the house. The roses are especially amazing because they actually smell like roses unlike the ones you get from the florist or grocery store. Here are some in our dining room...

I like to group a few different sizes and shapes of bud vases together...

Pink ones for our kitchen...

This is my favorite vase not only because it's pretty and blue, but also because it was my grandmother's.

Finally, here are my hydrangeas...it's too early to to cut the blooms but soon enough I'll have plenty to scatter around.

Are any of you into gardening? I've become infatuated with it since we've lived in our new house. It's especially rewarding during this time of year when everything is blooming and full of color.

Have a great weekend!

The Great Outdoors

Now that the weather has warmed up, I've been on a mission to get our yard in shape. One of the tasks has been adding some new landscaping. I bought lots of begonias, geraniums, and roses for color. I have a black thumb, so I'm praying that I don't kill it all!

Bed of Begonias, these hold up in our hot Texas summers

Double-Knock Out roses, supposedly these are bullet-proof. The real question is: are they Knight proof? Only time will tell.

Hot pink Geraniums

Climbing roses

We are blessed to have a yard full of azaleas. I only wish that their blooms stuck around for a bit longer!

 

Another duty has been cleaning up the outdoor furniture. I'll report back when this project is finished up!

Birthday Flowers

My sweet in-laws sent me this beautiful arrangement on Wednesday...thought I'd share since it's so pretty.

  

Looks great in our dining room, doesn't it?

Happy weekend!

Saint Valentine's Day

Happy V Day everyone! If you're the History Channel-watching type, click here for an over-abundance of background info on the holiday. You'll find riveting nuggets of knowledge such as:

It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

Other helpful information on the Wikipedia page includes a pic of a child wearing Valentine's themed clothing. Hope all of your confusion has been cleared up ;)