Pretty Penny

Was brunching in Rockridge last weekend and ran into a whole bunch of Wilderness in gold at this really cute shop, Pretty Penny! Ferm encounters like these make me feel more okay about venturing out of the city :)

3+ Wallpaper Wednesday

Today's 3 + Wallpaper item is focused on this X-Back chair from Wisteria, that Aimee picked. I immediately thought Tree Bomb in Blue! And, then I rounded out the natural vibe with some sleeker, simple pieces - a lacquer table from CBS and a twiggy pendant lamp - take your pick color-wise. Aimee's project is here!

Baby Blues

My cute friend, Cheng-Ling, stopped by last week to wallpaper a couple things with me. She wanted to spruce up a lap tray so she can feel even more inspired to write now that her school is starting up again.

We just cut the Turquoise ribbed wallpaper to fit the tray on both sides allowing for a little trim to hang over and used adhesive spray to attach. We took this project outside just in case the fumes were toxic and were harmful her baby (she's in her second trimester now!) or us, I suppose... We then trimmed the edges and sprayed with a protective spray. Very simple and what a pretty difference!

We also made this reversible photo matte. The blue rush hour pattern for the little boy and the forest flower for her (or in case the ultrasound is proven wrong).

Just cut the wallpaper to fit, attach with double stick tape and cut out the space for the photo with an exacto.

I love having friends over. Especially friends who express enthusiasm for the world of wallpaper. Oh, and when they bring Kara's cupcakes, that's an even bigger bonus. Thanks, CL!

Word to the World

Shoot, I can't think of catchy phrase including the word "world" that fits this super cool picture I came across. I also can't remember where I came across this picture. I hope these brain fails don't detract from the main point I wanted to share. Which is - how cool does ferm's world map wall sticker look here? As I side note, if you type out world a whole bunch of times, it starts to not even look like word. It just looks like a weird string of letters. Try it.

Good Morning!

I was super excited to catch CBS's The Early Show, because, for starters, it meant I'd managed to roll out of bed at a respectable hour. But, more importantly, because ferm LIVING's wall stickers were all over the screen!!!

They did a fun story on fabulous decor for kids. Such a story wouldn't be complete without ferm LIVING, yes?

Watch the video, here! Okay, I'm off to find coffee and calm down :) Happy Weekend!

Blog Out Loud

We're going to be chatting about blogging at BellJar this Sunday at the Blog Out Loud Event! Should be a lot of fun, so definitely come check it out! Perfect excuse to do a little shopping too :)

3+ Wallpaper Wednesday

This weeks project is inspired by Aimee's desk set pick (which was inspired by her latest obsession, Mad Men)! I went the sexy, masculine vibe by choosing squares in black. Mix in a bit of contemporary with a fabulous Font Clock. Add in color with a Jiele desk lamp. I'm torn with orange, since I have unfortunate associations with that color, but I don't know, I think it might work here? Aimee's mad wallpaper break down is here!

Life Made Prettier

We've always felt that one real simple way to make life better is to add in some peacock feathers! And we are delighted that Real Simple seems to agree with us :)


Check out Real Simple's lovely space blending ferm LIVING's feather pattern with happy yellows! Thank you, Kelley!

Need more peacock feather? Here's a sneak peak of some new ferm LIVING pillows for fall - coincidentally one combines that lovely turquoise with yellow. Something must be in the air! Something light and feathery...

Sneak Peek! Specially Printed Wallpapers

Just wanted to upload some images of the new collection we'll have in stock this fall. These papers will be printed using an old-fashioned method.

This design is based on an old map. I love how it looks a bit like stone from afar.

A retro-feeling mushroom pattern - very sweet in a kitchen!

Geometric shapes in gold and black. I totally dig this one! Maybe for my new apartment...

This feels classic Scandinavian to me. Pretty! The new papers should be in stock in November. check back for more info and more sneak peeks!

Whoot, Whoot! New, New!

We just saw images from the new fall collection from ferm and couldn't be more excited! I ADORE these ferm LIVING kids owls so much, would it be okay to get a cushion for myself? Okay, maybe, just maybe I'll give it to my baby nephew, Eli, if he promises to let me be his favorite auntie :)

New air balloon wallpaper = ADORABLE!

And the new train wallpaper is equally cute!

Here are some of the new kids wall decals. Those building blocks are so sweet!

And new aprons for the little ones! So cute! We can't wait to see them in person. The new ferm LIVING kids things will be in stock for the holidays!

Be sure to check back tomorrow. We'll be posting pictures of a very special new collection of wallpapers, as well as some new tea towels, wall stickers and pillows. Wow, it feels like Christmas in August, very exciting!

3+ Wallpaper Wednesday (North Beach Edition)

I enjoy checking in on 7X7's Domain blog because they feature lots of great stuff, including Craigslist deal of the week which highlights a fab apartment in the city that might not break my bank. So, I was excited to run into this great write up on ferm LIVING and the sale we're having!

To celebrate their Neighborhoods edition, 7X7 is hosting a "Dress Like Your Hood" party. I tremendously enjoyed this edition of the magazine, particularly the love letter to North Beach! When thinking about how to dress up like my beloved neighborhood, I unfortunately thought stripper as live one block from Broadway. No can do.

Wallpaper like your hood - now, that, I can do! (Unfortunately, I can't photoshop, and since Aimee's on vacation, I'll just have to post them old school :) I'm starting with our Black Rose that's on sale! A tribute to Vallejo Steps garden.

It wouldn't feel authentic without some Murano glass, and this red number hits the spot!

Bring in some modern with this gorgeous sofa from Italy.

And, it wouldn't be North Beach without adding in something from my favorite shop in the hood, (and place you must visit before you die...) Eden & Eden. The prosecco I will sip from these golden flutes, while resting on my luxurious couch enjoying my wallpaper is going to taste benissimo!

Party Girl

My mom just sent me this picture of her fabulous friend, Lynn, who hosted a mojito party at her home over the weekend. She just finished an addition/renovation which included ferm LIVING's wildflower pattern in the guest bedroom! Over the holidays, Lynn and I chatted about which wallpaper she had in mind for the room, so I'm very excited to see how lovely the wallpaper turned out with those pretty curtains. Her daughter, Kara, is a great friend of mine, and like her mom, she's a fan of ferm living too! Obviously, great taste runs in the family.

Appel & Frank Sale

We're going to have a little booth at the Appel & Frank event later this week selling both ferm LIVING and Hygge & West close-out items at deep discounts. My fabulous friend Kate is going to come help me sell things and drink cocktails! (Would it be wrong to bring in our own champagne in can?) Nothing like a girls night out! Please stop by to say hi! It's Thursday, August 13th from 5:00pm–9:00pm, at The Regency Center, 1270 Sutter Street @ Van Ness. Tickets are FREE by entering the discount code DESIGNERSF on the Tickets page at www.appelandfrank.com.

Inspiration for a Move

Except for that this room (from on Emma's Designblogg) doesn't have wallpaper, I love EVERYTHING about it. Every single thing in the room seems so deliberate, and I can only imagine is beloved by the owner.

This is my extremely circuitous way of introducing some new blog posts I'll be doing over the next few months. I'm moving. And, yes, I'm quite sad to leave my lovely apartment on Telegraph Hill. Focusing on the positive side of things though, I can't wait to put a new little apartment together. I've learned so much about design (and myself...) since starting ferm LIVING shop with Aimee almost two and a half years ago(!), and I'm looking forward to creating a new home that more strongly reflects my aesthetic (and myself, I guess). There will, of course, be wallpaper! So, I'll plan to post all about the move, including my attempts at simplifying/downsizing/craigslisting, my interior inspirations like the above, some new DIYs I have in the works, and of course, choosing just the right wallpaper. Back to the picture: Two things I LOVE. 1) the striped Kahler vase; and 2) the rockin' needlepoint foot stool!

When I was in Paris, I actually tried to stop by what I thought was the shop that makes the most amazing things out of needlepoint such as the footstool above. Unfortunately, they, like me, work from home, so er, here's the door to their house. Next time, call first. Lesson learned.
How ridiculously cool are these?
And this. Aimee doesn't necessarily agree with this assessment, which is why I waited till my second week in Paris (when she safely was back home with her family) to make the trek to the 11th Arrondissement to what I thought was their shop. You're welcome, Aimee.


Okay, so maybe I also knew she'd make me guilty if I bought anything because were both on budgets. She's much better than me at sticking to one. Ergo, in part, my need to downsize ;) I still do believe though that I might have been able to at least squeeze a serving tray into the budget. Next time!

Running Into Ferm

We always love bumping into ferm LIVING! Aimee saw our bindweed design below on Sharon's beautiful photography blog. Not just another pretty picture, this also demonstrates how fabulous art framed in a wide matte looks on wallpaper!


We also came across this lovely round up of ferm LIVING on Skimbaco Home! Thank you, Katja!

3+ Wallpaper Wednesday

I picked this Ruth Cross chair this week to wallpaper around. I thought the Ribbed pattern in black/beige create a really natural, cozy feel. To counterbalance natural vibe, I picked and classic steel lamp and Jonathan Adler's Union Jack rug. I've been really digging Union Jack's lately (most likely because I spent a VERY long day making one out of wallpaper, and I can't get the process out of my brain) and this rug adds a colorful element and makes quite the statement!

PS - Here's Aimee's!

Summer Reading

Okay, so I spent most of my afternoon yesterday reading Emmas Designblogg. And, then last night. And, then this morning around 2:00 am because I couldn't sleep till I'd read every last blog posting, apparently. I've checked out her posts from time to time, but never actually read them all till now. I know I should have been at the post office sending out your samples yesterday (I'll mail them today, I promise!), but I couldn't stop reading. I just couldn't. It isn't my fault. It was exactly like reading a great novel that's impossible to put down. Everything is just so lovely and inspiring. I picked this image above that I found of ferm LIVING's branches wall stickers, because, you know, I sell them, and because it was so pretty! Just one of the thousands of gorgeous images she posts. Thank you, Emma, for sharing your amazing eye for design with us! Please don't ever stop.

Wallpaper Time

We just received this gorgeous picture from Charlotte. She recently put up Wilderness in green in her kitchen, and we think it looks fantastic! What a perfect splash of color in such an inviting kitchen. Love it with the bright vases and cuckoo clock too! Thank you so much for sharing your kitchen with us, Charlotte!

Coincidentally, I just came across this lovely photograph on emmas designblogg of another exquisite wallpaper/cuckoo clock combo. Ahhhh! And, what is going on with that amazing chair?