{summer to autumn: wicker}

. . . nearly time again for transitions, and while the closets are still filled with white and light-as-air summer dresses and strappy sandals, and the heavy blankets are still tucked away, soon there will be soft sweaters and boyfriend blazers -- but for now, still in in love with summer wicker, carefully woven market bags beneath mirrored tables and shell chandeliers in the entryway, warm and rustic dining chairs for sunday brunch, or perfectly stylish baskets and cases with leather fasteners alongside a single ruffled and pooling panel -- and when it's time, pair wicker with stacks of freshly cut wood or vintage wool and mohair blankets to welcome the blustery days of autumn . . .

{p.s.} more autumn inspiration:
* fallen leaves
* countryside picnic
* mustard & gold -- one | two

{also:} more wicker:
* summertime
* paint-dipped baskets
* afternoons in the park & here & here
* breakfast in paris

{images: country home via décor de provence; credits to follow; photography by francois halard for house & garden, june 2004 via the adventures of tartanscot; photography ditte isager for day birger mikkelsen AW 2010 via the style files}

{colour inspiration: sea green & summer white}

. . . a kelly green cashmere cardigan from a lifetime ago aside, not often drawn to shades of green -- that is -- until happening upon these serenely elegant rooms overflowing with prettily patterned chaises and ruffled bed linens, elegant topiaries and cascading bouquets -- and suddenly -- the shade is as a fresh the summer air just before an early august thundershower, and believe am now quite enamoured with this perfect shade that hangs somewhere just between chartreuse and the leaves of gardenias . . .

{p.s.} more inspiration:
* spring greens
* chartreuse & velvet
* green & white stripes

{images: photography by casey sills for veranda, july/august 2001 via mrs. blandings -- thanks ever so much, felicity!}

{give-away: herman miller eames chair}

. . . can hardly contain the excitement for this week's glamorous give-away: the award winning, iconic, and always classic herman miller eames chair from boston-based csn stores, a wonderful resource of over 200 online stores with over 1 million products, carrying everything from champagne flutes and four-poster beds to weekend carryalls {prefer this filson duffle}, and, of course, a perfect selection of herman miller eames pieces . . .

". . . designers charles and ray eames established their long and legendary relationship with herman miller in 1946 with their boldly original molded plywood chairs; the aesthetic integrity, enduring charm, and comfort of the chairs earned them recognition from time magazine as the best design of the 20th century; time called the design 'something elegant, light and comfortable. much copied but never bettered.'"

. . . and for the impossibly exciting news: one very charmed reader will win a choice between:

the stunningly elegant Herman Miller ® Eames ® DCW - Molded Plywood Dining Chair with Wood Legs - DCW {$629.00 USD}


or the iconic Herman Miller ® Eames ® LCW - Molded Plywood Lounge Chair with Wood Legs - LCW {$679.00 USD} available in light ash, walnut, or natural cherry

*********************

to enter, {click here} to visit the csn stores website, or {here} to browse csn's 200+ online stores, then leave a comment below listing one other item from the site that you like . . .

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

* one winner will be randomly selected and contacted by e-mail after wednesday, july 14, 2010; if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it with your comment for notification; unfortunately, this give-away is open to u.s. & canadian readers only - apologies!; images: domino magazine, and a previous post; quote via hermanmiller.com}