Ghostly Ship-Wrecked Carnival Life

The hauntingly historic leanings of two skilled artists in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood has blended seamlessly into their home life, too. Submerge yourself into the carnival atmosphere of Yvette Endrijautzki and Jethaniel (Spyder) Peterka's 
art studio/gallery/home The Nautilus Studio, and see the pure, dark beauty of their refinished, aged ship. Welcome aboard...

I am in love with this well curated, ever changing space. The two of them spent an intense year remodeling this location into a work of art. By utilizing unique, salvaged materials they have created a one of a kind environment that is infused with otherworldly richness and mystery.

From classical oil paintings, assemblage art, "foraged" jewelry, and beyond, the art they make themselves (and showcase by other artists), form stories that seem to be created with an industrial eye of rebirth (the word steampunk might come to mind-- yet in it's own unique way). There are references to fairy tales, myths, magic, rituals, tarot, history, etc. You might find aged metal pieces-- or skulls and vertebrae made new; fragments of past medical tools-- along with references to the cycle of birth and death. The fragility and precariousness of life is repeatedly seen. With that notion in mind, I believe that this post is just in time for The Day of the Dead, Halloween, & All Souls Day.

Do you want to be entertained? Then get on over and see a show! Lucky for me, I have seen many an evening event at Nautilus. This is where the carnival feel really comes to life. Be sure to stop by sometime to be charmed while watching the Magician Acep Hale-- or maybe even The Dandelion Junk Queens  performing in their own magnetic ways.

Nautilus is an art studio, gallery, home, event space...

Find it tucked behind Jules Mae's Saloon and situated right beside The Stables and across from the charming, vintage loving Georgetown Trailer Park. It's certainly a place to visit on Art Walk. In addition, you can now find The Nautilus Studio on Etsy.

I feel so lucky to have had both artists teach my daughter at The Gage Academy over the past few years-- something which will continue. Their studio has given me the chance to get to know them, and I must say that Yvette and Jethaniel are some of the most welcoming and encouraging people that I know! Be sure to check out their art-- Yvette specializes in intense, intricate assemblage art, and Jethaniel uses his classic atelier training to paint stunning, modern oil paintings (amongst other things for both).

Photos courtesy and copyright of The Nautilus Studio 

(excepting the typewriter one that I took a few summers ago). 

Thank you!

Handbags by Sabrina Love

Do you sometimes happen upon a woman who is naturally beautiful, stylish, and self assured, yet she's completely unaware of her mystique?  Don't you just want to know more about her; or maybe, just for one day, be a little bit like her? Welcome to your opportunity to do so! Twist your hair into a topknot or twist, and come along for the how-to.  

First off, spend a few years in Europe like Sabrina Love did. If that's not an option (!), simply watch foreign films while drinking red wine and wearing high heels. As an alternate plan, you could even wear ballet flats and sip green tea! Actually, it doesn't really matter if you are wearing a little black dress with your favorite necklace--- or, your favorite jeans with a fisherman's sweater and worn in boots. Pulling it altogether will be your purse. Sabrina Love has this down pat.

Chic & Refined

Laid back/modern preppy (in a casual way).

Sabrina has truly mastered the art of making bags that you will want to use for every occasion. Her natural affinity for designing such pieces stems from over 10 years working as a costume designer and a stylist. Of note, while she uses only the finest of Italian Lamb leather (along with fine hardware from abroad), the construction is done here in the United States.

Look at this fabulous mother/daughter team shopping at
 Henri Bendel New York
during Sabrina Love's 1st Trunk Show!

      Here's a lovely lady sporting her
new "Bklyn" at Bendels a few weeks ago.

As for me, I have one of the small clutch styles-- the Barcelona Azul, and I tend to use it for nearly every night out I have which involves long conversations and a candlelit spot at the table (which is not often enough)! Find your perfect bag here (just remember that there are some styles not on the web page). You can keep up-to-date by following the Sabrina Love Handbags Facebook page ; and if you are in New York, she's got a showroom for you to visit.

I think it's fitting that Sabrina is a good friend's close pal-- and that we met many years ago at my favorite little spot in Ballard, Sambar, which is a jewel of a space showcasing enduring elegance and design (in it's most sincere, modern French way). I think I see a common thread here...  Enjoy!

Photos copyright and courtesy of Sabrina Love. Thank you!

Book signing night with Grace Bonney at Anthropologie.

Book signing by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge

In a good way, my world has been turned around lately and I'm just getting my sea legs (so to say)! I am busier than ever, so I'm sorry for the few weeks delay in posting again. Well, right back at it:

Here's some details from the Grace Bonney book signing event at Anthropologie last Thursday night in downtown Seattle (thanks to a great friend who planned the night). In my 2 minutes (or less) speaking with Grace, we talked about music-- most specifically, about Wild Flag (so, of course; also about Sleater-Kinney and Portland). Here's a live Wild Flag video from a KEXP 2011 SXSW performance:

Back to the book. Wow, it's a behemoth!  You could buy two of them and use them as weights to tone your arms. Once toned, give one copy to a friend so that you can compare favorite pages. You'll be on your own to figure how to keep both arms in shape-- yet you will be all the richer in the home design realm! 

A beauty of a book-- both inside and out!
The Anthro version has 16 extra pages-
for a total of 406. Wow.

Anthropologie has the best design teams in their stores. I'm always blown away:

Ascending the stairs at Anthopologie.

A haunting portait of a little girl in an Anthropologie dining room display.

Let me know when you've picked up this new book, too. It's a keeper--  and will look so lovely on display in your home. Personally, I'm partial to that gold etching on the cover! Enjoy...