MISS SOFFIT

Soffit (saw-fit). def.  The underside of an architectural structure such as an arch or overhanging eaves. An odd plague of city-dwellers, apartment complexes, and handy-man renos. "Miss Muffet's odd soffits drove her so mad she dropped her curds and whey."

When I first entered the apartment in which I now dwell, I saw very little of it. From the sky-gazing picture windows, to the gleaming parque floors and shiny white walls, I was practically (joyously) blind with ample lighting and shimmering surfaces (like the pack rat, I am obsessed with shiny things). It wasn't until the shades were drawn and the lamps flipped on that I saw a different side of my apartment. The underside. Everywhere, like some large scale geometry experiment, were right angles. Even the soffits had soffits. I've borne these construction contortions rather well - it's all a bit over my head (ha) - but I'm beginning to contemplate improvements. Should I highlight them? Cover them? Paint them? Miss Muffet turned to the interwebs for inspiration.

This most closely resembles my soffit situation. What's in those things? 

High drama soffiting - stick some lights on those babies! "What, this old soffit? So intentional - planned it, you know."

What soffit? I don't see a soffit. Do you?

Cover it up in a cool way - here, plank flooring takes a walk on the high side. 

/Images/ Boys' room/ Dining Room/ Kitchen/

Do you have any soffit tips or tricks to share?

So far, 2012 has brought me a lot of green - green paint, green fabric, green porcelain...

Over the holiday, I got some presents for the apartment. It's a work in process, but I've painted an "accent alcove" (that's the best I could come up with for three walls being one color, and five walls all being another color, all in one space). Don't ask me what it's like trying to decorate a room with eight walls.

Overview:  the walls here look strangely neon (not their actual color), but I'm loving my new dining room cushions! My saintly (and skillful) mother whipped them up over Christmas. The pattern is "python."

 For Christmas, my desk got some new accessories, including some Noritake Pagoda series porcelains for holding odds and ends in style.

The giant foo dogs seemed pleased with their new tassels/necklaces. I can't tell what gender they are, so hopefully, they're happy and not totally humiliated.

A new ceramic stool! This one is in a Tibetan cloud design. I need to fall out of love with these fast - they're much more challenging to find room for than pillows.

/All images/ my own/

Did you make any fun decor changes over the holidays? Happy New Year!

OLD CLASSICS MADE NEW

West Elm is one of those stores that always surprises me; it's not really my style, but I almost always come across something fun. West Elm is to home decor what Gap used to be to clothes; classics re-imagined with flair.

A few favorites from the new spring line.

It reminds me of the Claude modular system, a marvelous design by Jonathan Adler.

More fun things in store - I'm going to pick up a few of these vases for a grouping of ceramics.

I'm in love with that mirror! And the fun little wall shelf/sconce is marvelous.

A few more favorites...

And finally, a few terrariums... these are all the rage this season! You can hardly enter a decor store these days that hasn't been transformed into a miniaturized forest, populated by ferns, moss, and the odd spider plant. I enjoy indoor plants, but find the whole trend a tad precious. What do you think? Have you tried a terrarium in your home?

/All images/ West Elm/