bohemian hellhole

How I spent Black Friday

(sorry for the terrible pictures~ I was too impatient to wait for better lighting)

I went to the Rebuilding Center on Black Friday. They did not open at midnight nor did they have any crazy sales*. I walked in looking for something that I could just temporarily replace the awful ceiling fan with, but instead I found an original vintage fixture that Rejuvenation now makes called the Nimbus. I grabbed it, like I was actually at a black friday sale, looked around and realized that no one else was even around. Then, on the next aisle, I found another identical fixture. I grabbed it too. I was now hugging two rather cumbersome and fragile lights. Then I found the globe light.  Unable to grab it too, I had to ask for help. There was also the issue of the price, which is never marked there. I asked how much for the first two, and hoped it would be less than $30 each. The lady I asked came back with a $7 price tag for each. Amazing. Now that I wasn't breaking the bank, I asked about the globe. She looked at it, raised her eyebrows and informed me that it wouldn't be so cheap. It was 'really cool'. So I bravely walked to the counter with her to hear the verdict. $5. I bought them as quick as I could so that the guy who priced them couldn't change his mind, and carrying all three very precariously, bolted for the car.

The Nimbus retails for $172, and the Rejuvenation version of the globe light the Sfera retails for $228. So, essentially I saved myself $553. That doesn't happen everyday.

Unpacking boxes, Alice

*{unless getting three lights for $19 counts}

Schoolhouse Electric

A dear friend pointed out to me that Schoolhouse Electric had recently expanded their offerings significantly, and I have to agree. There were so many lights and things there that were fantastic, I wanted to share a few.

I love a good mirrored bulb, but housing it in a classic clear shade adds a little finish to the industrial modern bare light bulb look. I think the whole thing looks more current with the bulb showing too. I normally wouldn't give this fixture a second look if it were a white glass shade.

This fixture would look amazing if the interior were gold....

I don't even know how much this set is, I just want it. Badly.

Lucky for me, I just purchased a white bed identical to this from Portland Craigslist, for $40. The best thing about it is the little stamped brass badge on the foot board that reads 'Property of Multnomah County'.

Ticking sheets always make me feel like I might be on vacation somewhere on the coast.

Recharging my batteries, Alice

Heath Ceramics +

dinnerware by Alabama Chanin + Heath via Heath

Storage canisters by Commune+Heath+Alma Allen via Heath Blog

Lamp and table linens by Commune Design




Tile installations by Heath Ceramics

I recently wrote a little about a potential fireplace and it's aesthetic issues.  Sara wrote in and mentioned Heath Ceramics as a good source for fireplace tile, so I spent some time looking around their site and found some interesting things. First of all, they have a whole dinnerware line collaborated with Natalie Chanin, founder of Alabama Chanin and significant other to Butch Anthony who I featured in my 'Vivalabama!' posts. Second, they have an extensive partnership with Commune Design ~ a firm led by Roman Alonso, whose apartment is fantastic!

What a small world!

The good news is that you can still get a great set of vintage Heath dinnerware for about the price of one place setting new! This set is for sale on Etsy, at $199 for service for 8, it's hard to beat!

I am still a die hard fan of Denby, but Heath is very similar, and beautifully made, plus they make house numbers!

Eating Second Breakfast, Alice

 

 

 

I totally love this

via Virginia Wulf's Etsy shop

On sale and everything. I would end up using this for something other than wearing, maybe, I just don't know. I love it.

Virginia Wulf {real name} has lots of other beautiful items in her shop that I also am quite fond of as well.

You know, it is less than two months until Christmas...

Crocheting, Alice

Dominic Crinson

{amazing floor tile}

all via Crinson

I first looked this guy up because of this quote from Design Turf: "We like Crinson's quality wallpapers particularly because they are made from 100% natural fleece that is friendly to the earth. It is even suitable for wet areas." It reminded me of the scene in Big Daddy when the delivery guy says {about George Washington} "Yes, his teeth were made of wool". Clearly I am not in the know about wallpaper, but fleece wall coverings in a wet location just sounds soggy. At least I had a good laugh, and the floor tiles are beautiful!

Googling, Alice

P.S. I have it all figured out. Here's what I know now. Fleece wallpaper is not the same as polar fleece. It is not the same as the golden fleece or lambswool. It is "a material with stable dimensions made of textile and cellulose tissue that does not expand when in contact with the moisture of the paste". Thanks Walls Like Pictures!

Black Hammock

via Etsy

For $54, this amazing hammock could be yours. {how can you say no to special fringe?} I think it might offset the vacation longings....

Going to sleep, Alice

Also, just in case you didn't know...

via PieWacket {amazing blog by the way}

Hammer and Hand carries Smeg. If you live in Portland, or Seattle for that matter, you need to come order one right away. I am talking to you: Amy, Caitlin, Kelli and Amy.

Sadly, my pink fridge is in the storage unit along with everything else. I hope it survives the neglect.

Working on a short film, Alice

Yesterday's trip to S.C.R.A.P.

If there were a store for hoarders, this would be it. Poor hoarders too. Everything here is super cheap, and unless you are an abstract art installer or a rabid scrapbooker, mostly only good for hoarding. {in other words, holding on to~just in case} It was really fun to go and look through the shoelace bin, and the empty pill bottles, and the boxes of broken crayons. I will absolutely go there again to buy wrapping paper, or if I need a zipper.

Making toast, Alice

Ceramic Driftwood Lamps

via 1stDibs

I've been looking for a good pair of lamps for a friend's credenza.  Since I am always a big fan of faux driftwood, I picked these up as soon as I saw them.

 

$9.99. Here they are with temporary shades, just to see them in place. I am thinking a slightly wider drum shade in some sort of informal fabric such as linen or burlap. Those shades tend to be like $50, so we will probably end up making our own. 

Making breakfast, Alice

Agapantha

Love these designs from a dear old friend, Agapantha Jewelry uses vintage and semi precious stones in their wares. 

Taking out the garbage, Alice