THE QUIET HOME OF RACHEL CRAVEN

 Rachel Craven's neutral home was featured in Domino magazine in 2017 and it still feels so relevant almost four years later. 

What struck me most is how she described her home to Domino - She "doesn't love the word restraint. It feels too uptight. Minimal and spare are too cold. Describing her house (and her way of living) as pared down implies that there's something sacrificed or missing, which couldn't be further from the truth." She goes on to say, "I like to call it quiet. The world is so full of noise. Here, I think it's important to just embrace the quiet."

RACHEL SHARES WAYS TO CULTIVATE QUIET:

1) Use color sparingly and focus instead on interesting textures

2) Seek out handmade goods and housewares 

3) Embrace nature - the greenery outside can become part of the view inside

4) Refuse excess - imposing guidelines to bring in only things that are handmade or vintage, for example, might seem restrictive, but it's actually freeing

After painting my home white and my love for scouring vintage stores, this style is right up my alley! I do sure wish the custom Ramsey Condor lights featured in Rachel's home were available!

BRAZILIAN LOFT

 Designed by Cacau Ribeiro Interiores, this loft in Brazil invites me in with a soothing neutral color palette, warmth from raw natural woods, textures from rattan and woven baskets, and an effortless combination of bohemian, mid-century, and modern. 

I so enjoy looking at inspiring spaces such as this to be able to envision some of the ideas

IN MY OWN SPACE, IN MY OWN WAY.

For example, in lieu of a typical tv stand, I have been considering a long low shelving unit the entire length of the wall underneath the windows. Not only would it hold the tv, but could also be used as impromptu bench seating layered with pillows, storage for chopped firewood, and display for books and collected antiques. My first thought was to piece together inexpensive units from Ikea like the Besta or Kallax in order to create the appearance of one long unit. However, after seeing the below living room, I think I'll wait to spy an antique piece. Possibly even an antique church pew could do the job? 

My sectional sofa is a fitting size for the living room, but quite large for the size of the round coffee table that currently pairs with it. I like the idea of pairing another smaller table (or two) of varying heights with it to increase the scale and allow all of those sitting to have a table in range. 

And, do you spy the fantastic wall sconce of what looks to be a mans head blowing a bubble?!

The last thing I would want to do is install more curtains after just removing so many heavy drapes before painting - the view of the lake is so amazing with an unobstructed view! But, the living room does get a lot of bright sunlight, particularly in the morning. So, what a great idea it would be to make  an accordion free-standing screen out of rattan or cane that could be moved into place when needed.

I'm obsessed with having low bean-bag type seating in my main basement area in front of the fire for lounging similar to the striped triangle version below - more to come on that later! 

How amazing is the leather hanging chair in the background?! Perfect for sipping coffee and reading a book on the porch!

 

This kitchen with eat-in dining room has so much to love. I'll certainly be searching for the source of the circular ceramic modern pendant lights - such a fun display all grouped together in a line! The long wood peg rack is also perfect for not only display, but having handy, beautiful kitchen utensils.

Not sure I have enough room to dedicate an entire corner of my home for potting. But...I do have an attached screened in shed, which would make a great potting shed. 

While Minnesota's climate is a lot different than where I used to live in the South, I still get inspired by the lush feel of tropical plants grouped together, maybe best achieved here inside vs out.

discovered via Yellow Trace, design by Cacau Ribeiro Interiores, photos taken by Felipe Araujo

WOVEN STRING LAMPS

My new house has plenty of large windows, which fills it with light on most days. However, there are very few hardwired lights. Those that are installed don't let off enough light for the size of each room. So, one of the first things I have been on the lookout for is unique lighting. I saw Ana Kras' Bonbon lampshades quite a few years ago and knew I wanted something similar someday! 

THE BRIGHT COLOR-BLOCKED GEOMETRIC FORMS PAIRED WITH THE SOFT TEXTURE OF YARN IS SUCH A NICE JUXTAPOSITION.

Ana was born in Belgrade, but currently lives in NY. She made the first Bonbon lamp as a student project in 2009. And, in the years to follow made more one of a kind lamps. She no longer makes custom pieces, however they are available through Hay using the same process and yarn as she would use for her handmade pieces. 

Pop & Scott makes similar woven string lights in a little more neutral colors, in varying shapes, and with open spaces on many of the designs to let the light through. Here are some samples from their Cosmos Collection...

And, others from their Dream Weavers Collection...

The Design Files featured Poppy Lane and Scott Gibson's house - it's so fun to see them in a real environment! 

POP & SCOTT MENTIONED THEIR LAMPS ARE "INSPIRED BY THE FOG & MORUP WOVEN LAMPSHADES OF THE 50'S AND 60'S."

Fog & Morup was a Danish modern company that was started in the 1950's, merged a few times, and then went out of business in 2005. On 1st Dibs, I found examples of the Fog & Morup teak wood and jute string lamps and I can definitely see why they created the urge for others to craft something similar!

 You can buy your own at Hay or Pop & Scott. Or, make your own following DIY's here or here.

  

Fabrica de Imaginacion shares so many more versions of woven string lamps if you are eager to take a peek!