h.d.buttercup unrequited

We've been conducting a long-distance romance with H.D. Buttercup, a one-of-a-kind furniture store. Sure it's one-sided – but don't we all have one of those relationships? When a recent trip out west coincided with the grand opening of H.D. Buttercup's San Francisco location, it was time to see if this long distance love affair (okay...obsession) had a chance.

The trip didn't disappoint. Here's one great idea from the store...wall of plates. It's been done a million times, but H.D. Buttercup took it to a new level.

H.D.Buttercup in San Francisco

Additional view at H.D.Buttercup in San Francisco

Below are a few home versions that are different, but offer an equal wow-factor

  

Here's a great example of a simple version for your home
from Homedit blog. I love the asymmetrical layout.

Another great example from Apartment Therapy's review of abchaos.
See the entire Abchao house tour here.

If you're wondering how to hang your own collection of plates, Sarah Richardson has a great tip – use epoxy adhesive to attach hardware brackets to back of plates. This will allow you to hang plates while eliminating those unattractive wire plate hangers.

If you can't find plates you love – and a little bit fearless – make your own. Sarah Chiat is the first one we saw use this technique. A few notes if you try it yourself:

• Not knowing what is already on the plate can make reglazing ceramics challenging. 
• Definitely don't use an underglaze. 
• You can use a china glazes, but it will make the plate not food safe. 
• An option we tried (but it is not the same ceramic-look), is acrylic paint made for glass and ceramics. You'll need to bake it or let it sit for 21 days. Then finish with a high gloss clear glaze.

If you decide to try it, share your results with us. If not, you can always live vicariously through the designs above. 

shesaid.shesaid.
Hilari's show is cancelled...

The hostess with the mostess isn’t invited to the party. HGTV will not be producing Hilari’s show.

As I watched this week’s Design Star, I thought to myself, “I wonder who is going home? Danielle or Brittany?” It never occurred to me that it would be Hilari. She was engaging, personable, entertaining and created rooms that were equally full of personality. The judges complained about her lack of design content in her camera spots. I’m confused. She said she was adding the decorative wooden elements to add architectural detail to the room – that seems like designer talk to me. I thought she should of won based on her addition to the front door alone.

I am chalking the decision up to editing. There must be more to the story that is sitting on the cutting room floor as to why Hilari is gone.

That being said, Danielle and Brittany are both skilled designers and the finally should be interesting to watch.

________________________________________________________

I can’t believe they cancelled Hilari Younger’s show. There are only 2 reasons I can fathom why:

1. She talks a lot, but never says anything.
2. Haters! Clearly, Vern and Genevieve are threatened by her.

The first may be the reason I like her so much. She is fun to watch. Her rooms are beautiful. At times, even a fantasy. In my opinion, that’s exactly what HGTV needs. Let’s not do another show chalked full of practical tips like “make an old piece new again with a fresh coat of paint”.  Let’s freshen up HGTV with a new coat of paint – the paint color being “Haute Hiliari”.

LOOKBOOK: Jonathan Adler

Earlier this year, we did a Genuine Faux interview with Jonathan Adler. In retrospect, we realized we failed to demonstrate why a faux interview with Jonathan Adler was worthwhile. We decided to demonstrate by sharing a few or our favorite pages from his recent books, Happy Chic Accessorizing and Happy Chic Colors (both available at Jonathan Adler's website). These books are full of whimsical twinspiration and worth the investment. They genuinely make us happy. 

We'll leave you with this...if our home were broken into by a criminally-bent-designer-want-to-be, these would be the books that person would steal. They are that good. And while we'd be furious that the books were gone, we would: 

• One, repurchase the books immediately. (We wouldn't even wait for the insurance check to come in.)
• Two, hope the books bring the criminally-bent-designer-want-to-be as much happiness as it has us.

Happy Chic Colors and Happy Chic Accessories

Liz Lange's country home. Love everything about this
room including the colors, patterns (just look at the
tufting next to the zigzag), and the floor plan.

Stairwell in home shared with husband, Simon Doonan.
The repetition of the circles on the wall, stairs, and
the rug at the bottom of the stairs are brilliant. However,
we would suggest avoiding them if under the influence.

Barbie Dream House – see more at
Jonathan Adler's website. I want to be Barbie –
and not because of her 18" waist.

Love the whimsy, yet sophisticated feel of this room.

Liz Lange's NY apartment. Each piece in
the room – mirror, rug, lamp, bookcase,
orchid – they are all a piece of sculpture.

TWINSPIRATION STRIKES TWICE:

Carrol and I went fabric shopping – different times, different days – yet still managed to come home with the same swatch. We'll almost the same. Is that twinspiration striking twice...or once?

LOVELETTERS:

Dear Purdy Angled Paintbrush,

I love you. If I have you I need no other. I don’t need painter’s tape. I don’t need edging tools. With you, I can accomplish anything: baseboards, corners, ceilings, and the narrow area between doors and windows. Your angle makes the task of cutting in a breeze. You hold just the right amount of paint without dripping and you clean up easy with soap and water. Purdy, you and I are the Batman and Robin of the DIY world: a Dynamic Duo.

Yours forever,

C & P