Daily Drool: Kyle Bunting

Thank goodness for the secret santa who turned me on to Kyle Bunting. Ever since we first traveled through Texas and the Southwest, I've been particularly smitten with cowhide rugs but came to the conclusion they wouldn't look quite right in an Edwardian apartment or a cookie-cutter split level. It would just seem too forced and out of place with the natural surroundings of where I live.

Oh, I was wrong because in waltzes Kyle Bunting with his modern rawhide and my world has turned upside down (how could I guess that he and his design colleagues are based outside of Austin?). The pewters, creams, roses and patterns in the 11.09 idea book pushed me into the holiday spirit a tad more. The cross-mirrored greek key design on the rose rawhide below is unbelievable, as well as Bunting's take on a modern moorish pattern. Even the simplicity of the tiled rawhide is absolutely praiseworthy in my book and probably my favorite.

This fauteuil chair in rose hide. . .definite inspiration for my director's chairs. My poor vegan friends will have nowhere to sit other than a throw pillow when they come to visit! Maybe I should research faux hide for the animal conscious designers?

I spy. . .

anthropologie baking dishes

Something purple that I actually love. Why is it always so easy to shop for yourself during the holiday season? Yet another thing that's made it on the list.

Lost in a good read

Thank goodness I've found time to read three books in the past week: Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Hejinian's Happily and New Stories from the South 2009. I'm not going to overly divulge on the aforementioned books. They were quick, entertaining and intellectual reads. It's that simple. My mom has replaced the old rocker that I would read in and rock until I wore out a spring. She always knew where to find me because it squeaked a bit. Today's post is all about rooms I wouldn't mind reading a good book in. Short and sweet. Even though it's a sunny 60 degrees in Virginia, winter is fast approaching, and there's nothing like curling up in a chair with a good book. . .and a blanket. . .and maybe some tea or cocoa.

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A little green

It all started with my friend Anna Lisa's shower curtain. DwellStudio for Target has done it again. If I didn't lean towards the gender neutral, I would have stuffed that Pansy shower curtain in my bag as a souvenir. Just kidding, I would buy my own.

I had a moment this morning and realized that I'm really loving green right now. This is a big step for me because green can go horribly wrong. It seems like everyone had rooms the color of mint chocolate chip ice cream when I was a wee tween, and even then, it didn't sit well with me. Maybe because winter is fast approaching and everything is slowly browning, I'm subconsciously hanging on to a green patch of grass. Give me a lovely pistachio, olive or kelly green and I'm sold.

I've had my eye on Daina Ceramic's avocado salt and pepper shaker for months. Jon actually showed me the monochrome originals, and it's been on the to-buy list since.

Oh Kartell Panier Basket in dark green, you would make a lovely magazine rack. You are just lovely in general.

A year or two ago, my friend Debbie sauntered into town wearing the most beautiful cowl by the ladies of Rose and Pony. I've been waiting to live somewhere chilly again so I could hide behind a cowl of my own.

Pantone never steers you wrong, especially when it's pea green.

The brighter the better (Margot Napkins from Sprout Home).

Roanoke makes it big thanks to Etsy artist

Can we talk about Leslie from Etsy shop Unless Someone Like You for a second? She's hands down fabulous. Her wedding invitations, portraits and save the date cards are incredible, but her customized work rocks! It just plain rocks!

I approached her almost a year ago, during my I-have-nothing-to-do-in-San-Francisco days, with an image of the Mill Mountain Star, the Blue Ridge Mountains, that infamous tree from our future wedding site and a detail of Kelly Wearstler's "Edo Linen" in opal. What does she conjure up? An amazing, customized save the date image that captures our wedding locale in a modern setting.

Please, if you want a unique gift or to ensure your invitations are special, check out Leslie. She is the most patient, most friendly person to work with. We also commissioned a portrait of our friends as a wedding gift that turned out wonderful as well. She's become a favorite go-to for one-of-a-kind prints.

Where have we been?

After spending a few nights above New Orlean's R bar; watching the Occult Museum and Library burn to a crisp while firefighters rescued a dozen ferrets from the char; drinking bourbon by candlelight at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop; and driving straight through Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, we made it to Southwest Virginia.

Many have asked if we miss San Francisco, and I don't quite know how to answer. Yes, I miss our group of friends tremendously, I miss the restaurants and bars, the individuality and easily accessible fresh food. I'm also elated by old friends here in Roanoke and in Northern Virginia, driving around the Blue Ridge Parkway, waking up to familiar mountains and seeing the Mill Mountain Star from my childhood bedroom window.

There's nothing like a homecoming.

We traveled when I was younger, and, although I had a great time living somewhere else for a few months, I was always excited to crest the mountains and be home. True Fact: New York City is the only place I've ever been sad to leave.

A few friends have also asked what it feels like to be home, and I've answered, "weird." I guess because Jon and I technically are living out of our duffel bags and suitcases from the trip while our belongings sit in storage somewhere waiting for a space of their own. Maybe it feels "weird" because home has come to mean so many different things over the past year - an apartment, warmth and security from specific people, a city, a sense of comfort while being nomadic.

But, we are home, and I can't wait to find a space to literally call home. I have running list of decor items to purchase.

*Why is it you always find things to buy when you don't have money or room for them?

I've included a few pictures of good ol' Roanoke, a.k.a. Big Lick or the Star City. I have another post up my sleeve today to explain how these treasures of Roanoke made it into a very important, commissioned piece of art for Jon and me.

Marfa to Austin

After 10 months, Jon and I returned to one of our favorite destinations, Marfa. Looking back at the pictures from our first voyage, Jon's pictures this trip are even more captivating. I'm done complimenting, but, seriously, he went out at sunset at captured the essence of Marfa to a tee.

Check out Jon's flickr page because there are some humdingers to see.



We spent time over a beer with a few locals and realized that not everyone is pleased with Donald Judd's presence around the town because of his personality. I still find it to be a good mixture of local color and non-dominating art installations speckling San Antonio Street and the countryside.

Maybe because West Texas is a new landscape for me compared to the Appalachians where I was raised, but it still remains one of my favorite places in this country. . .and I have seen a fair amount of ground in the continental United States. It may be the colors, the Chianti Mountains looming in the distance, the solitude, the unexpected sleepy towns that seem untouched (with the exception of Marfa), but something puts my soul at ease when we crest into the high desert.

Aside from the Thunderbird, Pizza Foundation and mystery lights I mentioned in the last post, most of our time was spent driving around the wild west, stopping by the Marfa Book Company, browsing the racks at Fancy Pony Land and lounging by the pool (in coats and hats) reading Happily and Dharma Bums.

Although we didn't take many pictures of Austin, we had an amazing visit. Our host Ms. Anna Lisa was gracious and showed us a good time for three nights in a row. I'm not sure if we've stumbled upon an exceptional group of friends, but everyone I've met in Austin would bend over backwards to make you feel at home. There was more amazing food - home-cooked and dining out - good beer and good people. Thank you Austin friends for giving us another proper tour of your favorite spots.

We're on our way to New Orleans, the final stop on the trip before Virginia. We'll fill you in on the fun in a few days.

Denver to Marfa

Jon's posted more great photos to the On the Road flickr album. I'm rooting for a Nikon and for Jon to quit the day-job search and become a landscape photographer.

Our drive through Colorado was nostalgic having spent time in Colorado Springs as a tween. Granted it's been 18 years, but I almost didn't recognize it. Thank goodness Pike's Peak still stands tall over the growth and sprawl. The only time I spent in Denver back then was passing through on the way to Aspen. Our friends were extremely hospitable and made the best meals! Watching three kids under the age of six run around was just what we needed to revive our sick spirits. Denver is such a cool city with a mix of architecture that we didn't properly experience on our short jaunt around town.

Neither of us have driven through the Dust Bowl before, but after reading The Worst Hard Time (a great suggested read by the way), Jon wanted to make the pilgrimage to Boise City, Dalhart and Amarillo. It was somber driving through ghost towns that thrived before the "black blizzards." At one point we stood by the side of the road, and I swore someone was having a conversation across the field, but there was nothing around for miles. I have never heard wind haunted with voices - it's indescribable.

Winding through parts of the old XIT ranch, watching the landscape transform from cattle to bumper sunflower crops to cotton, it was amazing how much influence XIT still has over the area. I'm appreciative to have seen this area of American history, even though the drive is long and uneventful.

Finally, we've made it to Southwest Texas. After being pulled over outside of Fort Davis and discovering that I threw away my proof of insurance card (I handed the officer one from 2007), we settled into the Thunderbird, had amazing pizza and actually saw a few mystery lights (our cowboy friend told us the only way we'd see them is with a 40 oz. of Mad Dog).

Stay tuned for more of Marfa and the final leg of the journey through Austin, New Orleans, Birmingham, Asheville and home.

Big Sur to Utah

Finally. We've been driving through deserted plateaus, mountain ranges and valleys without a wireless signal and have made it to civilization. . .Denver to be exact. We've posted a few of the best from our Big Sur visit and the drive through Utah. Other than the nasty bout of food poisoning in Las Vegas, so far it's been gorgeous.





We stayed at Glen Oaks in Big Sur, which has been remodeled into modern, cabin-themed rooms with heated bathroom floors and gas fireplaces. Yes New Englanders, you know what I'm talking about with the heated floor! Hallelujah! It was a great way to spend our last night in California.





We'll be in Denver for a few days and then off to Texas! Stay tuned.

You know how the song goes

Thanks to my dear friend Jess for the SF heart from Selflesh.

Wow, sorry I got wrapped up in packing, job interviews and dropping off plants to their new adoptive parents. Yes, Myra the Meyer Lemon Tree has a new home with two wonderful people. By the time I woke up Sunday on a deflated air mattress in an empty apartment, it was time to go. . .and leave my heart in San Francisco. Oh Tony Bennett, I've had you in my head for 48 hours straight.

I'll admit, I did tear up as we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge our final time and went to the farmer's market for road food. We made so many wonderful friends that we didn't see often (It's the curmudgeon in us), and I'm definitely going to miss the wild nights with them. Once we were driving down Route 1 though, we could only imagine what adventures we would have over the next year - another cross-country trip, new jobs, a homecoming to other great friends and family, a wedding, a puppy, a new place to decorate. It was amazingly beautiful yesterday. The waves were rough, and the coastline was majestic.

We stopped in Big Sur for the night, and I can't wait to share pictures. We're taking a few more today, so the photo tour should start tomorrow! Thanks for being patient during that unexpected hiatus!

Here's a little Tony for you.