The New FLOR collection for Fall is out and there are some goodies in this seasons catalog!

The texture that Just Plain Folk adds to these kids rooms is super impressive.

It really looks like the floors are covered in cableknit sweaters. It’s so warm and

cozy. And look at the variety you can get with the same tiles by simply placing

 them in different patterns.

The striped Parallel Reality rug would look so great in my daughters room!

Petal Pushers was inspired by a favorite knit afghan.

 

I’m incredibly partial to Cut Flowers. Its appeal is in its duplication of a vintage

embroidered sampler. If I was using this colorful rug, I would use neutral

furniture to allow the rug to be the star.

No worries if you missed out on the Target Missoni bust line because the

 Mag-Neat-O rug is here! This zig-zag design gets its great naturally hand dyed

 look from a heat transfer process into velvet cut pile. Love it!

 

From this angle, it’s hard to appreciate the design of these tiles that comprise the

 Be My Neighbor rug. But, stand on it and look down and you feel like you are on

top of the ‘burbs !  

How fun for a kid to run his matchbox cars along these streets!

If I hadn’t just installed new carpet in my son’s room, I would have seriously considered

the Best of Both Wools {props FLOR guys for the great rug names!}. I love the flannel

feel in the rows of loose loops that create this really plush, somewhat masculine design.

If you want to see the whole FLOR Fall collection, check them out here.

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Any exciting plans for your first fall weekend? I am heading out of town

on a fast buying trip. Have a great weekend!

While visiting Sonoma, we spent an afternoon at CornerStone Gardens. Our first stop was in

the eclectic shop of Zipper. This store is such a visual treat. Upon entering, you'll find an

 outstanding collection of goods curated by former NY fashion designer Steven Saden

and arts executive and writer Elizabeth Cashour. Zipper was voted one of the 10 best

 retailers in the world by Retailer Magazine and Assouline Publishing in Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They have it all—fine art, jewelry, design and architecture books, and personal accessories all artfully merchandised amongst a collection of home furnishings and décor items.

The back of the store features a whimsical section of children’s books and toys. My favorite was

this little mid-century dollhouse. Complete with a brick fireplace and hardwood floors!

 

I found a little goodie in the jewelry section. With this bracelet collection, you got to

choose your choice of leather, your quote, and your charm.

 

   

Elizabeth then put it all together for me and I got to leave with this special momento.

 

The Zipper credo: Objects are imbued with art and history. Make that connection,

 and the objects you choose will enrich your life.

Agreed!

 

I was excited to find an art show going on in Union Square last weekend.

And really, could they have found better peeps to be their Master of Ceremonies ?

 

Not too far away we got to enjoy more eye candy...these super fit tap dancers. 

We made a little pit stop through China Town.

 

And then we headed across the street for a yummy brunch. Guess who rounded

out our party of three?

My blogger friend, Courtney! You all know him from his blog, Courtney Outloud.

 He is a local, and was kind enough to act as tour guide for the day and share all kinds

of great nuggets of area info. We met through the blog a year ago and when we

were panning the trip, I emailed him asap!

 

{thank-you, cute friend, for spending the day with us!}

 We made our way through the Financial District and then on to the Ferry Building.

 

Inside were all kinds of great places, including this lovely bakery that I have only ever admired from other blogs...

I still am enamored with the wallpaper...

Then we were off to Fishermans Wharf

There were lots of lazy sea lions and no shortage of beautiful colorful fruits.

And imagine my excitement when we walked over to Ghirardelli Square and found this party going on:

There were blocks {bu-laaaucks} of tents sheltering {incredible} chocolate companies

offering their wares. We’re talking chocolate coconut milk, chocolate vodka, chocolate

sundaes, chocolate fudge--you get the idea…

You best believe that we got in line for tickets for this shindig.

1 ticket allowed you 15 samples from all the different tents.

We sampled 30 {thirty}. I'm not proud, just a few pounds heavier {and happier}. 

While in California, I was thrilled to get to shop at several Anthropologie stores. I swear the creative

juices just start flowing when this store gets in my line of sight! If I lived close to one, I would be willing

to work for free as a merchandiser just to be surrounded with the staff that comes up with

their amazing displays.

 

The San Francisco store had a large display made out of, what else…Rice-a Roni!

 

{this is Robert's favorite part of the store}

 

 

 

I was super excited to get to see a few one-of-a-kind pieces from Leslie Oschmann’s

 collection for Swarm. Below is a little cabinet covered in vintage oil canvases. 

  

 

 

 These potted flowers were made out of fabric, a little stitching, and wire.

 The backdrop for these dress forms were long lengths of chicken wire that were threaded with shredded newspaper! 

 

 I think a collection of these paper mache animal heads would be fantastic in a child's room.

 Can't afford the headboard you want? How about painting one on a piece of canvas!

The store in Monterey was in the most beautiful outside shopping area.

 The entrance display looked like capiz shells, but, were actually circles of cut wax paper with melted

 crayon in between the layers to create the different colors. Remember doing this craft as a kid?

 I love the wallpaper behind the paper mache heads.

This wall was covered with river rocks hung and wrapped by string. So cool.

. 

This display provides so much inspiration for a DIY’r! The wall of frames spells out

‘We’re better together’, a gathered multi-colored grouping of pendant lights creates

A fun ‘chandelier’, and another version of the painted canvas headboard. 

With so many beautiful displays, great art books and fantastic music, I couldn’t even concentrate

on the clothes! But, I was tempted to sit right here and pull out my sketch book!

 

This little nook is actually in a small open courtyard in the center of the store. What appears

to be a little retreat made out of branches and stumps is actually cast concrete. It’s for sale!     

All the Anthro's were great and I got to visit many other equally fantastic local California

 stores, art galleries, design studios, and restaurants. I can't wait to share them with you!