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meet: 6th and Detroit

"Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

 
I attended Create & Cultivate last month (which I highly recommend to any woman who is in the digital space whether you are a blogger, entrepreneur, photographer, or even just thinking about starting something) and met so many cool, creative and enterprising businesswomen (#ladyboss). One of them was Michelle Qazi, who specializes in selling vintage home decor pieces. Michelle is the epitome of California cool and her chic, personal aesthetic is reflected in her beautifully curated Etsy shop: 6th and Detroit. Personally (like many of you), I am constantly redecorating and have been trying to incorporate in more vintage items, but shopping for the right pieces can be a little intimidating. So, I turned to Michelle for some advice. Michelle launched her Etsy shop in April 2015. The shop is named after her first apartment on (you guessed it) 6th and Detroit in Los Angeles. As a recent college graduate on a  Top Ramen budget, she furnished that apartment with vintage treasures from Goodwill and Salvation Army. Over the years her love for vintage shopping grew into her business today. In a very crowded marketplace, Michelle makes her shop stand out by styling her items in creative diverse looks, providing high quality products and presenting stunning photography. Here are some of her tips for buying and decorating with vintage pieces...

 

PR: What are some of the trends in home design in 2016 that can be accomplished with vintage pieces?

MQ: Mid Century design continues to hold a strong presence in 2016 by mixing in sleeker newer pieces and adding warm textural textiles.  For smalls, copper and brass are still an accent favorite, but the updated version is now a more mixed metals vibe and marble.  

 

PR: What are your tips for incorporating vintage pieces into a modern or contemporary room?

MQ: The key to incorporating vintage is to make it work in a modern setting.  Making vintage “new” again.  If you are new to the game, start with something small like bookends, a vase, etc. that would work with your current setting and grow from there. If there is a larger vintage item that is the main focal point in the room, like a couch, then pair it with one or two lighter armchairs with clean smooth lines.  I am all about mixing vintage styles and eras with the new to keep it from looking too literal.

 

home: globes

"I promised her the world, but instead I bought her a globe."-Jarod Kintz

It is funny that the more our lives are enhanced by technology, the more nostalgic we are for those obsolete objects that have been replaced (Q: If we think it is cool to have a vintage typewriter or rotary phone as decor today, will our grandkids be decorating with iPhones?)

One home accessory that has somewhat stood the test of time is the trusty globe. Sure, you probably have more updated means to get your geographic information , but isn't there just something magical about having a tangible, mini-Earth in your hands? Beautiful globes have long been a staple accessory in home decor adding a bit of gravitas to any room. (How can you not look scholarly when you have a globe on your desk?) I absolutely loved the big globe my parents had in our study growing up. My brother and I would close our eyes, spin it, and play "Where will you live?" landing on an unknown, exotic place we had never heard of (or the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.. which thankfully, granted you a second spin). Even today, whenever I spot the globe in my own living room, it is such a great reminder to plan that next trip or read about a new place. If you are feeling truly nostalgic, the best source for a good vintage (and inexpensive) globe is often flea and antique markets and garage sales. But lately, I have noticed several high and low end home decor sources all carrying interesting, new  globes and a plethora of cute, globe DIY projects around the web. Here is some decorating inspiration and sources for globes.

If you are wanting to start a collection, vintage globes are pretty easy to score at flea markets (and online) but there are also a wide variety of new ones at retailers right now. (I found the vintage inspired globe shown above in the title picture at Home Goods for less than $20). Here are a few more from around the web.

home: bookshelf styling

"A man's bookcase will tell you everything you need to know about him."-Walter Mosley

My living room bookshelf seems to be a perpetual work in progress, since I love to fuss with it every time I look at it. Striking the right balance between stylish, functional and not cluttered is tricky. Here are a few tips I have collected from unhealthy amounts of HGTV, too many hours of Pinterest, design magazines and blogs.

1. Try grouping books by colors
This "controversial"  idea frequently featured in  chic bookshelves often irks people due to its lack of practicality. Also, I'm sure Melvil Dewey is rolling over in his grave.  But since this is  more of a feature shelf (with less than fifty or so books) than a study or home  library bookshelf, it works and looks great. Also, remember to mix up the placement of books by placing them both vertically and horizontally.

2. Showcase decorative objects in one main color and tw0/three secondary colors

Here's the fun part. Adding decorative objects of different textures, materials and heights adds interest and balances out the books. To keep things uniform, I kept most of the objects white and then accented with gold, black and blues. A lot of my inspiration bookshelves from designers stuck with one color for objects which also looks very elegant. DIY Tip: Never underestimate the power of a can of spray paint. Keeping things uniform does not mean having to go out and buy new sculptures and collectibles. (Unless you need an excuse, so then by all means, here's your chance.)  Spray painting mismatched candlesticks and vases white gave them a new home on my shelf.

The rest of the objects are a fun mix of new big box store items, antique finds and travel purchases. {Top shelf white vases from West Elm, all bowls from Anthropologie, candlesticks from Target and Home Goods,  Chinese foo dogs from eBay during the foo dog craze, antique brass deer, dancer figure and alarm clock from Ikea, monkey with banana bowl from Home Goods during the monkey with banana bowl craze, antique coral and all other objects from travels}
Remember, to play with empty space and be mindful of where the placement of an object draws the eye.  

3. Add art
A bookshelf is such a great place to display smaller art by propping them on the shelves. I added copper wire art from India, a favorite painting by my cousin and framed love story post cards. For something different, you can also hang the art on your shelves in lieu of propping them up like this bookshelf. Layer smaller objects in front of the art to give the shelves  interesting depths and a curated vibe.

4. Personalize with the things you love
While it's easy to get carried away with uniform white vases so that your bookshelf ends up looking like pg. 6 of the West Elm winter catalog, it's important to remember to showcase the things that will make you smile. I know this sounds obvious, but personalize the space by building your colors and objects around the photographs and collectibles you already have and want to display (not the other way around). I used  my favorite silly engagement photo, the music box my husband proposed with, old family photos and favorite gifts and knickknacks from trips to start things off.

images: SD

-SD