Friday Favorites 6/22/2012

Paula M. Bodah, Senior Editor
I must have been in a blue mood as I was browsing Lou Lou’s Decor, an interior design firm and home decor boutique in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Everything I coveted seemed to be in some luscious shade of that color.

This Frankie Malibu beaded chandelier from Ro Sham Beaux makes me wish for a sun room in my house. Wouldn’t it look wonderful in such a setting? Come to think of it, it makes me want to buy a whole new house, perhaps a little seaside cottage.

Photo courtesy of Stacy Carlson, Lou Lou’s Decor

The pretty line of translucent blue glass pieces from Annieglass would be just right for my new home by the sea, don’t you think?

Photo courtesy of Annieglass

Another perfect piece for my fantasy sunroom: this Asian chest has a marble top and a beautifully distressed aqua finish.

Photo courtesy of Stacy Carlson, Lou Lou’s Decor

Of course any real blue mood would quickly turn sunny in the presence of these finds.

Kyle Hoepner, Editor-in-Chief
During the same week I was reading an Architectural Digest story about eggshell artisan Eric Chapeau, I heard by coincidence from Martha’s Vineyard artist Karen Blackerby, whose most recent series of works is executed in the same medium but with a very different intent. Blackerby employs eggshells collected from her in-laws’ chickens to create mosaics on wood panels she finds washed up on the island’s beaches. Talk about reuse: that makes them both beautiful and doubly green.

Away We Go (eggshells, found wood, steel frame). Photos courtesy of Karen Blackerby

Wallpaper (eggshells, found wood, steel frame)

Karin Lidbeck Brent, Contributing Editor
Last week I was in charming downtown Portland, Maine, prop-shopping for a photo shoot for New England Home, when I was delighted to discover the newest member of Portland’s retail community: Anniebells. The Portland location is the newest addition to the Anniebells family– there’s another store in Kennebunkport–and it’s easy to see why they are growing.

Anniebells is a home furnishings store, full of bedding, pillows, jewelry, interesting books, home accents and handcrafted pieces from Maine designers. The store is so beautifully styled, and the architecture of the old building creates the perfect backdrop for one gorgeous display after another. The staff is super-friendly and welcoming, too–they gladly helped me fill my car with all kinds of goodies to use on my shoot.

Luckily for me, I stumbled on Anniebells at just the right time. Not only was a big propping problem solved, but I found a new place to send all my friends! I am not exaggerating when I say that Anniebells is a must-go-to for any home furnishing fanatic.