A Big Bit of Country...

Country Flair

Country style is all about ease, comfort, and infusing charm, warmth, and a little bit of whimsy. 

Some people feel like this style is chatty, as in cluttery.  I'm one of them.  If you like having "collections" of items everywhere, then this style is for you.  Obviously, you like to clean house.  Objects displayed without the benefit of a closed cabinet gather dust mightily. 

If you lean towards Country but like clean lines, combine styles.  Contemporary Country focuses on straightforward ease, comfort, and warmth.  If you like adding the unexpected, think about Eclectic Country.  Experiment.  You may surprise yourself.  Remember when combining - less is more.

Contemp Country Kitchen

Contemp Country Living Room

Contemp Country Dining Room

Traditional Country Living Room

Traditional Country Dining Room

Traditional Country Breakfast Nook

Eclectic Country Kitchen

Eclectic Country Powder Room

Traditional Country Bedroom in Red, White, and Beach Blue

Sunny Contemp Country Bedroom

Lodge Country Bedroom

Mounting TV in Form & Style

Mounting Your Tube Looks Better and Better

Early Style of Mount... Looks scary now.

Modern Multi-function TV Mount

Modern Simplicity (Has an architectural feel.)

Beautiful A/V System Mount

(The river rocks look pretty but will soon be dust collectors.)

Swivel Mount

Modern Vintage Style on Wheels

An American Tradition with Radical Air

There are many avid Airstreamers out in the universe. You can read all the bloggers that talk about owning or refubishing their 1970s era Airstream. Read all about 70% of Airstreams that have EVER been built since the 1960s are still on the road. That's not this post.

This post is about how hot Airstreams are.

We quasi got into the RV scene through a friend. His whole family RVs and that is roughing it to them. Our roughing it - tenting. The price is fantastic. The storage is a breeze.

However, there is something to be said about not getting up in the middle of the night, searching for a flashlight, having the hawk slap your face and then your ass as you exit your tent to plod up to the public restroom.

We went to the RV Show yesterday (Saturday, January 23rd). Once again, what rang true before, rang true once more. Nothing compares to Airstream (and their cost). We've attended RV Shows for 4 years now. We've seen many new models and advances in RV trailers.

Yet, every time we strolled over to the Airstream section, we got that buzz all over again.

Consistently this happens.

The design, aerodynamic shape, construction, material, and finish are superior to every trailer out their.

By the way, KOA is striking agreements with Airstream to use trailers instead of those shacks called cabins. We rented an Airstream at the Circus Circus KOA in Las Vegas. We LOVED it. LOVED it. LOVED it.

This baby goes on our future investment list.

Note: Remember, an RV with a bathroom is a tax write-off. ;-) It is considered a second home.

I believe Airstream should have a new slogan, "Airstream = Excellence."

Cool, huh?

Of course, their slogan is sweet. "Adventure inspired by Airstream."

Visit their site here.

Ethereal Glass Jellyfish

The Unforgettable Work of Satava

Moon Jellyfish

Richard Satava's art needs no flowery description. His art speaks volumes for itself. I guarentee if you see it in person, it will mesmerize you.

I learned about Satava visiting an open house. I was so struck by the art that I made a point to speak to the owner to find out the creator. I repeated the name and still had no idea what she said. Several months later for my birthday, my thoughtful beloved found a glass gallery and took me there.

That was 6 years ago. I remember that day better than the previous lapsed 6 hours. I floated in the sky that day. The glass gallery (defunct in 2009) had a dazzling glass art collection. Satava was prominently and properly featured. I was ga-ga all over again. We vowed to some day purchase one. It took us 3 years, but we acquired one of his masterpieces.

We're still ga-ga over his work today.

Gold Ruby Jellyfish illuminated by a spotlight

Moon Jellyfish illuminated by a spotlight

Gold Ruby Jellyfish Close-up

Trio of spotlighted Gold Ruby Jellyfish

A Russian Morning

A Transcendent Painter

A Cold Winters Night

Some years ago, I happened on painter Alexei Butirskiy while day tripping in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. I always pop in art galleries when I visit there. You are treated to a smorgasbord of fine art. In fact, the City of Carmel is 1.1 square miles and has about 100 art galleries. That's almost 1 gallery every 53 feet. Impressive.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its:

• Natural Rugged Beauty,
• Cottage & Gingerbread Homes,
• Art, and
• Gourmet Dining.

Butirskiy paints urban life in a compeling and reflective way. His work imbues a sense of tranquility, and he has mastered creating luminescent lights.

Secret Place

A Proud Past


Golden Sunset


Night in White Satin

Cool of the Day... Gives way to Design

Change is in the Air... Again

I had an epiphany today while searching through my image library for the next "Cool of the Day" picture to post. My sensibilities are all about design. That's what my design library with over 40,000 images told me; that's what this blog should reflect.

Hence forward, the tag changes to "Design of the Day."

If it's a cool product, I will tag it "Cool of the Day." Otherwise, it's all about design.

This starts now.

Regards,

Kaja4effect

p.s. sometimes I crack myself up.

Wine Barrels That Deliver

Unique Bars

These bars combine recylce with style. They are space saving and just fun. Imagine all the rave about them.

Other recycled wine barrel products

Wine Barrel Sink

Wine Barrel Bar & Rack

Wine Barrel Board

A New Look for an Old Name - Villa

A Modern Villa

One word - Sweet.

Mr & Mrs Smith Revisited

For all who liked the style of Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

One day many years after the movie's release, I searched the internet until I viola!

Found that hot chandelier - Cascade Luminaire.

(It's funny how a hot design haunts you.)

This chandelier smokes (at least in my eyes). I loved that chandelier the moment my eyes set upon it.

It personifies modern, cool, hip-sophisticate luxury. The cost of this lux - $40,000.

A Timely Foyer

What time is it?

A WOW Foyer

This design reads bold, simple, and stunning.

Gorgeous Fortuny

A Venetian Classic

Fortuny Lighting

Legacy of legendary textile craftsman, Mariano Fortuny, lives. His lamps are still made using 100-year old process in either extraordinary silk or glass. Price of lamps range from $2,000 - $10,000.

Scheherazade in plain silk $6,000 - 8,000

(Left) Scudo Saraceno in glass $2,000

(Below) Scudo Saraceno in plain silk $4,000

http://www.fortuny.com/

Vessel Sink - A Modern Classic

A simple yet elegant oval vessel sink.

Vessel sinks make a statement in any bathroom. Notice how the counter does not compete for attention.

Portable Fireplace

Carl Mertens Tabletop Fireplace

Not Your Father's Tent

Nomad Lifepod Yurt

Modern tree living. Not sure how you get in it though.
It must be for superman, spiderman, or vampires.

Modern Shed

This Prefab Shed takes on a whole new meaning.