compact fun.

First of all - how cool are the stairs in this first picture?! They look as if they have been cut out of paper and unfolded. These pictures are from Marie Claire Maison's Petite Escapes. So fun! I love little spaces and compartments, although I'm not sure how long I would find sleeping in the bed in the second picture all that fun. 

what do silverware and the bellagio fountains have in common?

Check out Elise Rijnberg from the Netherlands. She's part photographer and part designer, with a whole lot of food influence. The tablecloth below illustrates a correct table setting for a formal dinner - something many of us could probably brush up on. Plus, her super skinny silverware are really cute!! She also has a really cool shot of the fountains at the Bellagio - one of my all-time favorite things to do. I've seen dozens of songs and I still get chills everytime! Check out number 64 in the travel section - it gives me chills too! 

[via style files]

jantze brogard asshoff

Some cool pieces by the Swedish team Jantze Brogard Asshoff - they've also designed some pieces for IKEA. I especially like the house trashcan that you open by stepping on the front porch. 

little stairs

I've always loved random little stairs and varying floor levels and I really enjoy this room by Brad Ford. 

new job, new city, new life...well sort of...

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I've been busy relocating to the Washington, DC area for a new job! This week will also probably be a little slow with posts but this weekend and next week I should be back up with lots of new fun things to read about! Thanks to everyone who reads pink firefly bites, I really appreciate all of the support! 

Solemates

Sometimes the tiniest little thing can truly make a world of difference. Becca Brown and Monica Murphy were tired of losing their shoes to the hazards of damp grass, cobblestones, grates, and even just the pounding of the pavement. The talented duo created the SoleMates High Heeler to eliminate the walking hazards women everywhere encounter when wearing high heels. SoleMates slip onto most stiletto and kitten heels, distributing the pressure more evenly - thus preventing the wearing from sinking into damp grass. Solemates also create a wider base so as to provide additional support and prevent the heel from getting caught in grates, sidewalk grates, and other troublesome crevices. 

[image via solemates]

what is old is new

I love this chair. I love the lines. I love the colors. I love the shape. Doesn't it just look like it would be so comfortable to curl up in or throw your legs over the sides?

And I love the fact that it used to look like this: 

An original 1950's Sears and Roebuck lounge chair re-done by Kyle. 

[via the love list]

ampersands. lots of 'em.

Caitlin sent this to The Ampersand and I thought it was pretty cool sketch of the ampersand symbol. Kinda random, but interesting. 

power to the poster

              

Power to the Poster is a "graphic design democracy movement" where artists can upload 11x17 politically motivated posters and the general public can then download the posters and post them up in places. Most of the posters are extremely liberal, but some are a little bit more mild like these two. 

EDR love

Employee Dining Rooms, or EDRs, are extremely common throughout the hospitality world. When I worked at a casino in Nevada we had one, and the food was akin to what you might expect to find at a [nice] gas station. Our EDR looked more or less like this: 

Sub-Zero's Employee Dining Room was designed by Jamie Drake. It features tufted leather couches and onyx counter tops. Oh, and did I mention a giant flat screen television screen? 

[images via flickr and sub -zero]

Yuppie Decor

So I found Yuppie Decor online a while ago and now that I am moving am even more excited about being in their neighborhood! They are a husband-wife team located in Washington, DC and I can't wait to start incorporating some of their stuff into my new apartment. I love their style - they mix bright colorful fabrics with traditional, classic styles to create very fun, one of a kind, pieces. Here are a couple of my favorite chairs... 

I heart yuppies. 

for all those bar photoshoots...

This has little to do with anything that I regularly post about, except that it is insanely clever. Its a bottle cap tripod for your camera. 

[via might haus]

see futon, think gate.

Apartment Therapy posted this garden gate that a reader created out of an old futon her neighbors threw out. How genius is this? If only I had a yard... or had even found my new apartment yet... 

Ivy Wars.

My parents have battled ivy at their house for years. For those of you not familiar with Ivy, it tends to dominate. There is no such thing as just a little bit of Ivy. Once planted, Ivy tends to run amok and leave no hostages. 

Perhaps my parents should just give up and let it win such as in this house? 

[via decorno]

wall monograms for renters

Sunny's Goodtime Paints is literally RIGHT beside my hairdresser- where I've been going for years- and while I've always loved their logo, I never had any idea that they had anything other than paint. These adhesive monogram wall designs are made to look as if they have been painted right onto the wall with a flat finish - yet are completely removable! I've always loved monogrammed anything, and I've seen this done in guest rooms and its a great personal touch. 

pink lily pads

Lily pad table by nervous system. I'm pretty sure I would love it even if it weren't pink. Although the pink color definitely seals the deal for me. 

[via design milk]

cool summer breeze, and a cold lemonade.

This is the beautiful, vintage inspired bedroom of Amy Zurcher, director of shop scad. I love the white dresser and can just feel the breeze coming through the windows on a summer day. 

[via design*sponge]

you can sleep here.

Architectural Digest has a slideshow of Hotels Around the World and it includes this beautiful little floating paradise hotel. Designed by Christina Ong, this 23 room hotel is located on Cocoa Island in the Maldives. Imagine waking up and diving straight into the beautiful blue water...ahh heaven. 

and the kitchen sink...

Very cool kitchen sink. This sink is from Mick deGiulio's "East Meets West" concept kitchen in Sub-Zero's Training Center in Wisconsin. 

[via material girls]

a pinch of perfection

This is designer Thom Filicia's upstate New York fisherman's cottage. I am in LOVE. The casual perfection is so inviting and I've always loved the water. The renovation was featured in Domino Magazine. Check out more pictures of the renovation at White & Wander.