Design*Sponge » amy merrick

living in: twin peaks

amym — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:17 +0000

To call David Lynch’s 1990 TV show Twin Peaks a cult classic would be an understatement, a disrespect to the thousands who worship at the shrine of Agent Dale Cooper and the small Washington town he investigates. When the homecoming queen winds up in a body bag, the town’s thin veneer of respectability shatters, leaving TV viewers all over the world asking, Who killed Laura Palmer? — Amy Merrick

1. Vintage Framed Painting, $15; 2. Who Killed Laura Palmer Button, $1.75; 3. Best Friends Necklace, $23; 4. Cinnabar Mug, $13; 5. Canon A-1. $149; 6. Leather Diary, $79; 7. 1960s Plaid Skirt, $88; 8. Hancock and Moore Barstool; 9. Cherry Pie; 10. Bass Antonoff Saddle Shoes, $150

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living in: the african queen

amym — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:24 +0000

As a little girl my grandfather once told me that Katharine Hepburn was the ideal women, classy and smart and ever since I’ve been slowly making my way through all of her movies. The African Queen has long been on my must-watch list, thanks to Hepburn, Bogart and my hope that it would remind me of my beloved Out of Africa. If the thought of a long, languid boat ride through the jungle heats up your winter night, then tune in now. -Amy Merrick

1. Antique gin bottle, $39; 2. Brass anchor corkscrew, $39; 3. Rope knot doorstop, $41; 4. African Queen boat model, $990; 5. Split leaf philodendron, $9; 6. Antique pewter bowl, $48; 7. The Hill-side pocket square, $44; 8. Antique grape lug, $28; 9. Hand blown glasses, $12.

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Hepburn and Bogart make a dynamite pair as an ex-missionary and a gin-soaked steamboat captain on an adventure down the Ulanga River to head off a german gunboat. Swatting bugs and peeling leaches are small prices to pay for their edwardian rough and tumble style, plus for a sun soaked smooch with Bogart, I’d endure much worse.

1. Antique white enamel pitcher, $150; 2. Edwardian silk camisole, $550; 3. Horn comb, $7; 4. Sophie Conran teacup and saucer, $15; 5. Mosquito net, $19; 6. Sophie Conran teapot, $29; 7. Antique boots, $125; 8. Elleri blanket, $237; 9. Antique shaving mirror, $250; 10. Antique podium, $795.

outside in: muscari makeover

amym — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:58 +0000

The only natural joy left in mid-winter (aside from citrus fruit) are forced bulbs. Now is the time when muscari start to show up in every grocery store and corner bodgeda for less than a latte. Sometimes called grape hyacinth, they are better know as simply the only fool-proof cure for seasonal affective disorder. Winter. It ends! When you see one pot, buy two. When you see two, buy three. They each cost $5, a pittance for such pleasure.

Students, today’s lecture will talk about turning the the little blue wonders of the plant world into seasonal displays for your home, either through repotting or combined with other flowers. Pencils sharp? Hands folded? Okay, let’s get dirty. -Amy Merrick

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living in: blow-up

amym — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:43 +0000

Blow-Up is an undeniable hit with the boys, but its swinging sixties mod style gets a double thumbs up from me, too. Between snapping shots of gorgeous girls, a fashion photographer accidentally captures evidence of a murder on film. His studio is a study of London’s 1960s hipster revolution and, unsurprisingly, remains a favorite with the cool kids even today. — Amy Merrick

1. Wooden Tripod Lamp, $2250; 2. Vintage Nikon F3, $389; 3. Steven Alan Chambray Shirt, $99; 4. Safety Razor, $95; 5. Leather Camera Strap, $128; 6. Ilford Black and White Film, $5; 7. Vintage Swivel Back Chair, $1295; 8. ASOS Chelsea Boot, $80; 9. Alessi Cocktail Shaker, $116; 10. Baroque Bust, $21

The second roundup and set of stills continue after the jump . . .

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outside in: worshipping winter citrus

amym — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:33 +0000

Catching a winter cold? There is only one cure — a little vitamin C. The same holds true in the floral world; the bright spot on our winter horizon is the mountains of fresh, seasonal citrus fruits being harvested in Florida and California. If you’re lucky, you can find kumquats, oranges and lemons on the branch in gorgeous, mottled colors to use in arrangements or tablescapes, like this bouquet of winter flowers made in West Palm Beach. Florida happens year round, so here’s how to add some to your dreary winter days. — Amy Merrick

The humble orange — perfect for snacking or sipping but also a linchpin for many a florist in the cold months when attractive branches are scarce. The variety of winter citrus colors and sizes is astonishing. Lemons arrive in bright green or pale yellow, oranges in mottled greens and kumquats in deep tangerine. The foliage left on the branch makes a nice filler but can be removed so the fruit pops on its own.

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living in: downton abbey

amym — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:00:18 +0000

It seems as though the whole internet (or at least my very small but special corner) couldn’t stop shrieking about this week’s Season 2 premiere of Downton Abbey in the States. A TV show on Living In? Gasp. But it’s OKAY because no TV is required, thanks to streaming from the PBS website. The British soap opera is just as deliciously addictive as any daytime drama, but since it ratchets up the style quotient to dizzying heights, it gets a pass otherwise withheld from its less elegant alternatives. — Amy Merrick

1. Eugenia Kim Catherine Hat, $379; 2. Edwardian Haircomb, $150; 3. Schonbeck Chandelier, $998; 4. Kate Spade Bracelet, $148; 5. Antique Velvet Sofa, $4800; 6. Brass Andirons, $950; 7. French Gilded Mirror, $299; 8. Kristan Crystal Earrings, $27; 9. Mayfair Alabaster Lamp; 10. Antique Carpet Pillow, $229

*To find out more about the history of English country houses, check out Amy’s Past & Present post about them here!

The second set of stills and another product roundup continue after the jump . . .

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