I was chatting with a reader today and admitted that I was perhaps born in the wrong country (although after thinking about it, my love for cheeseburgers and fried chicken leads me to believe I’m in exactly the right place!). I loooove the minimalist consumerism that I see on an international level and am super inspired by interiors, style and fashion from over the pond. And although I won’t be moving abroad any time soon, I can definitely channel my love for far-flung adventure into my decor.

Surprisingly, I’m going to start with something that has nothing to do with decor: LANGUAGE. As I mentioned before, I have what I call a “sunroom,” and have decided that, from this point forward, I’m going to name it my “conservatory.”* See? I’m instantly chic, right?

And while I’m on the subject, I’d like to show you my #1 inspiration for a conservatory:

[anyone know where i found this image? i'll give you a virtual cookie.]
[image credit: designsponge] (thanks, jess!)

Isn’t this the most glorious, sun-filled space? I can only imagine cuddling up in the early spring morning and blogging from my comfy couch (although I’m leaning toward a daybed, b/c I’m lazy and think it would be fun to have sleepovers under the stars).

Perhaps this Burke Decor (Hello, sponsor!) Caribou daybed would fit the bill? I’d drape it with tons of patterned blankets from Pendleton, my favorite source for rad southwestern blankets (like this glacier blanket! Eek!) And, of course, some sweet Anthropologie sheets. Oh, I would never leave that bed.

What do you think? You do realize this will change next week, right? When I change my mind? I’m terribly hopeless…

*I have House to Home to thank for that term, b/c let’s be honest; I haven’t used that word since I last played Clue, Jr.

Is it the sustainability? The fact that its so accessible? Whatever the reason, cardboard is one of design’s leading materials — from chairs to art installations… and then some.

-Cardboard record player
-Cardboard chair (pictured above)
-Cardboard sofa
-Cardboard pop-up boutique!
-Cardboard Christmas tree (totally not joking here — I love this!)
-Cardboard pop-up office
-Cardboard horses!
-Cardboard website (yep! an entire site designed around cardboard!)

p.s. That record player actually plays! Insanity!

LEFT: CELINE S / RIGHT: MANGOWOMAN

Yep. Like the Spiderman movies. Only it’s real. Get the story here.

[image credit: eosuxu]

Like a life-sized dollhouse, only way cooler, Rita’s living room is an art installation to be reckoned with.

From Rita Rita:
“We represented the typical style of a Québec living room, the mix of styles and influences taken from trends throughout the years. We used archetypical decoration and lay out. Far from modern condo-style-loft-etc. living rooms which cover the pages of hip magazines, this living room could be yours. Is it really design? What is?”

I’m admittedly a bit grossed out by this, but how gorgeous is this hair-raising jewelry from friends Eve Cahill and Anna Rybakov? Fascinating, nonetheless.

And as a sidenote, I totally need to learn how to fishtail my hair.

LEFT: BROWNCARDIGAN / RIGHT: CHELZILLA

I should be working on the house right now, but instead, I’m dreaming of exposed beams and kilim rugs. Because in my book, there are few things more lovely than an antique kilim rug. I mean, doesn’t the patterned rug just MAKE this space?:

[image credit: the brick house]

I love it, although I secretly want to upholster my headboard in a kilim. Don’t tell Husband, b/c something tells me he wouldn’t love the look. Anyway, I have my eye on this one at eBay (only $1 w/ $89 shipping!):

It looks sort of normal from afar, right? Until you get up close to see…

“Look, Ma! No legs!”

Ahhh, design just kills me.

Anyway, we’ll see if I go through w/ the purchase. I’m thinking… no. It’s not the one. It’s not 100% perfect. But I’ll find one that is; don’t you worry!

I’m not normally a fan of retro art (I went overboard on the trend a few years ago, so I have a bit of an aversion), but by pairing pin-up and trophy wife images with modern techniques (mountains! geometrics!), Nat Nicklin has broken my “No Retro Rule.”

I expect at least one of her pieces in my home within the year.
[thanks for the tip, jc!]

p.s. If you love retro+geometrics (retrometrics?), pigcore has some fun ones, as well!