Thursday, March 3, 2011

Hexagons in Design

March is my sons birth month, I can't believe he will be turning 10. In honor of my awesome little man I plan to devote few of my posts to his obsessions and interests. To those that have a distaste for insects, creepy crawlies, snakes and squids, I highly advice you take a break from Fresh Quince until next month ;). Although do not worry as I will still continue with my regular postings...can't neglect Fridays Finest posts!


Discovery Channel


Todays post will be about bee hives and design!!! Since my son was 3 he has been in love with insects and every year devotes much of his time to gently trapping, inspecting and releasing all sorts of insects. Needless to say he has been stung by bees so many times, that it doesn't seem to faze him. Because of his interest I became obsessed with insects as well. I especially have a fondness for bees.  Did you know that?...


"Something is killing off almost 40% of North American honeybees each year, and it's threatening our entire food chain. Mounting scientific evidence suggests agricultural pesticides are one of the culprits." slow food usa


Every year I sign a multitude of petitions in trying to solve our bee problem. And what I find interesting is that designers are quite often drawn to the hexagonal shape, which are the building blocks of hives. We all have a natural inclination to use what we see in nature, whether we recognize it or not...


Hicks' Hexagon Wallpaper by Cole & Sons

Hexagon Like Rug

Hexagon (like) Mirror in a vignette styled by Thom Felicia 

Hexagon Links by Joyn Dividers

Hexagon Mirror in The Devil Wears Prada 

Hexagon Mirror Miles Redd

Although many of these images are actually octagons, they still mimic the comb like structures of hives. In Feng Shui, six sided shapes represent longevity, expansiveness and celestial power. Who doesn't want to introduce that into their decor and lives?

Bee on Quince Flower via Home and Garden Webshots

I have always been interested in combining my love for the natural world and design. I feel it is all connected...we are one. To learn more about bees and their current struggle to survive go to the Slow Food USA blog here. Hope this may inspire you to bring nature indoors, but I don't recommend actual bees!!  xx Danielle

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What to Wear Wednesdays: Spring Break

I recently saw this necklace on Bijou et Boheme...

 

Absolutely magnificent isn't it? It was created by Charlotte Hosten using recycled sari pieces, vintage brooches, turquoise stones and recycled gold chains. Talk about the most gorgeous recycled piece I have ever seen!!! I see it with a simple white maxi dress...

White cotton eyelet maxi dress - SMALL - sample sale

Shoes? Who needs them!

I cannot wait any longer for Spring!!!! Do you all have any plans? xx Danielle

Monday, February 28, 2011

Color Recall: The 1960's

The following is number two in the series called color recall written by my mother...
 COLOR RECALL

Color-wise, the 1960’s are somewhat a blur, not because of any psychedelic  experience (honest), but because our family spent that era overseas.  But I do recall a plethora of EARTH colors every time we returned to the US.  

via English Textile Designer John Hopper's Flikr collection 

Appliances had suddenly morphed from white or off-white to harvest gold, avocado green or a bronzey brownish color that reminded me of shiny rust. 

Vintage Kitchen Aid Mixer

And who goes for shag carpets now {i do}?  Earth-toned multi-color shag carpets looped through every room of our 60’s era house that we bought in the early 80’s.  

1960s-eichler-style-home-color-scheme

Of course, there were some avant -garde decorators who went for the psychedelic look, but most mainstream décor in the 60s was all about earthiness. 


Thinking back to our overseas experiences, I wonder if any of those pink and black tiled bathrooms still exist. 


We lived in lovely homes, but the bathrooms were more than likely tiled in black and pink, two colors that are extremely hard to make earthy. I still can’t bring myself to wear or decorate with black and pink.   

By: Sandy Tuberson
                                     --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Much appreciated mom!!! I must say I actually like the first two interiors, they have potential to look current with a little finesse. Below are fresh modern takes on 60's decor:

You could paint your walls a deep rich avocado green. To modernize the look add bright white accents, gold tones and a splash of true blue...
Nick Olsen's Apartment using Ben Moore Paint in Oregano. via domino 

I have posted this before and I'm sure I'll post again, as I just adore this living room below with the shag rug...

Instead of a pink and black bathroom, why not kitchen...
hot pink, black and white modern kitchen

Have a wonderful week! xx Danielle

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fridays Finest

If you are interested in Fresh Quince devoting a Fridays Finest post in your hometown, please 'like' Fresh Quince on Facebook or follow via Google Connect and leave a comment below to let me know where. Fresh Quince will dedicate the first Friday of every month to cities of your choice! I have a few places lined up so far... Minneapolis, Virginia Beach and Raleigh. I truly look forward to 'travelling' around the country once a month and possibly finding just what you've been looking for!

Here are my fave's on DC's Craigslist right now...

Glass Top Lucite Dining Table $250 {i have seen lucite lamps more expensive than this}...
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Inspirational image for the lucite table above...
Timothy Whealon via Elle Decor

Queen West Elm headboard and frame $300 {the combination new would cost over $600. maybe paint if you're feeling saucy. maybe red}...
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Antique Ceramic Asian Lamp $130 {a blast from the 50's past. vintage lamps can be pricey}...
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'50's Modern' Rocker $100 {oh shoot forgot to link. a fun conversation piece}...
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French Country Dresser and Mirror $200 {pretty. this girl can be dressed up or down depending on your style}...
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2 Wassily Chairs $125 {hot price. hot chairs}
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Hot inspirational interior for the above chairs...

Uttermost Raindrops Mirror $200 {brings in an element of light and airiness if you have too many frames}...
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You could hang the mirror above in your bedroom (just make sure it is securely fastened)...
via flikr

Asian Peacock Panels $70 {hip above a sofa}
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Ikea Desk $79 {nice streamlined desk and it's already assembled for those that dislike ikea}...
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Large Hexagon Mirror $50 {love hexagon shapes. remind me of bee hives and love bees.}...
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And another bedroom idea for the craigslist mirror above (honestly though i think it would be bad feng shui to hang a mirror or anything heavy above your bed, but it looks cool)...
via Marie Burgos Design blog

Beautiful White Desk $150 {just lovely and hey you don't have to paint}
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Restoration Hardware English Roll Arm Sofa $800 {adore english roll arm sofas and chairs. this one is already dressed for success in camel velvet}
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Here's how gorgeous the above sofa could look in your living room...
via decor journal

Bamboo Umbrella Stand $25{could be spray painted if that's your thang}
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2 Slipper Chairs $285/pair {sweet girls that may not need upholstery}
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Or you could do this with the above chairs...
Shaun Jackson Design

Chairs McGuire 6 $300/piece {i adore these chairs as they remind me of a spider web}
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Mid Century Modern Dresser $250 {so mad men}
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2 Mod Chrome & White Leather Chairs $80/pair {cheap and sexy. just how i like it ;)}
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Beautiful Dove Tale Lane 'Acclaim' coffee table $225 {can you believe that i was given this exact coffee table over 10 years ago and i didn't like it, so i gave it away. what was i thinking? my older eyes love it}
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Free Dresser {free}
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For the free dresser above, you could paint it blue like Cassie at Primitive and Proper did...
What a transformation, right? Click on Primitive & Proper to see the full story!

Vintage Ginger Jar Lamp $75 {sumptuous pagoda red lamp. great price too}...
image 2231290749-0

Milo Baughman Style Console $250  {a real beauty for sure}...
image 2230083965-0image 2230083965-1

Sunny Yellow Patio Set $60 {are you ready for spring? you will be with this lovely set. i'll bring the tea and biscuits}...
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Free Dresser {paint}...
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Large Asian Style Armoire $349 {this looks like a real substantial piece. love the red! i think my friend doreen from style maniac would fall for this beauty}....
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Jens Risom Style Walnut Reversible Table $150 obo {buy this and why not offer to buy that gorgeous orange sofa behind it}...


Hope you all were inspired to search Craigslist before going the retail route! And remember to comment to let me know where you would like me to go for a Fridays Finest tour of your town.

Have a happy weekend! xx Danielle