cup of beauty & funny

yoran morvant's pierres graphiques

ashes & milk is an online gallery that straddles the time/space challenge of modern vs. traditional with grace. its mission is deeply rooted in nature and simplicity. they have curated a lovely, organic and singular selection in their online gallery space.

they best express their mission in their own words:

ashes & milk is an online gallery space founded on the principle that a lot can be created from very little. We are driven by modern ideas with a reverence for traditional methods and believe that the things we bring into our homes should have a soul and a sense of history.

Our collection is a boutique of texture, organic materials, and nuances of white, brown, and gray. Each piece is made by hand - an original work of art. Created by one person, designed for one person.

Ashes & Milk is honored to present our patrons with a very fine selection of artists and their work. We love the artists we represent: for they observe the world in amazing detail and respond by constructing the most unexpected, beautiful things.

hairy chested swimmer by helen beard

Cozy Grey

This light is from the Danish design group Muuto - meaning change in Finnish. They designed this light to be used in early evening 'to create a cozy mood.' Their leading design principle is to take a fresh, uncomplicated look on everyday items -  to illicit a response like: How clever - why didn't I think of that?

Goods available through Finnish Design Shop or via Muuto's website.

Me encanta....

Jelena Behrend is a lovely metalsmith and jewelry designer in New York. A few years ago she made our wedding rings. It was one of the only places we could find to get rings that were simple, made from high-quality materials and crafted by a real person! I got an email from her the other day and had to check out some of her new pieces. While these rose gold hoops aren't part of her newest collection per se, they are stunning and I can imagine how much fun it would be to wear these with a great sundress and bronzed skin.

Maybe next month; waiting for it to break 80 degrees in Heidelberg ~ still in sweaters at night....

Pages that inspire

Creative spirit Pia Jane Bijkerk has a new book out Handmade in Paris. It's available at The Little Book Room. Besides Pia Jane's great book, The Little Book room has treasures a plenty.

Cool Spring Night Coverlet

Beautiful folk patterns on a cozy reading blanket by Charleen Mullen
{her site}

Nose Trio

Elegant fragrance trio from Hermés: Eau d’Orange Verte, Eau de Pamplemousse Rose, Eau de Gentiane Blanche
{via le figaro}

Swede Shopping Pleasure

New online find - Design Torget

They list their commitment to functionality on their site under 'business concept'
Here's a snippet:
"Beyond our high demands for quality and that the product meets our requirements for functionality, we also look for those products that encourage or reflect new thinking, as well as being laced with some humour. Among our great selection of designer products, some are available for months or even years, while others stay in our shops for just 8 to 10 weeks, depending on customer demand."

Splurge

Hermes watercolor box & orange 'skipper' necklace. Birthdayvalentinesanniversarychristmas all oh-so far away!

Pretty White in Paris

One of my favorite places I visited in Paris was Le Petit Atelier de Paris in the Marais. The store has lots of things in white and the mood of the store is homey and a warm, yummy kind of simple. There is a workshop in the store and adds to the general creative feel of the atmosphere. They have ceramic electrical hardware pieces and a to-die-for ceramic tool box.

Get Your Wish

Fun or frivolous? Flying Wish Paper is a kit that comes with beautiful paper, pencil and matches. Nice to think about everyone making wishes instead and sending them off into the sky.