LINEN + LEATHER

I've been sewing a little bit lately {full story coming soon}. This is a vintage red linen, vintage italian suede + natural canvas. I love the simple but very texture filled combo. The linen + leather are recycled {or now they use the term upcycled materials}. Happy Tuesday!

Things that have inspired me lately Nautical Flags // School + Souvenir Pennants // Rope

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app. All work is Copyright ©2014 Logan Ledford.

WANDERING INK

I've been painting with black ink on paper. This one is about 2' x 3' + is going up in my room {soon}. I like the inconsistency of the circles + drips, it creates a sense of wandering + intrigue. I will be posting some other ink paintings to my portfolio soon. Happy Tuesday!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app. All work is Copyright ©2014 Logan Ledford.

THRIFT + VINTAGE

It has been a busy bee week, BUT it is all coming together. This past weekend I went on a thrift store excursion + found some great things. My favorite thrift stores in New Orleans are The Salvation Army // Pelican Thrift // Red White & Blue Thrift. This lot I snatched up on Saturday cost me a grand total of $15 {I love it}. I collect wooden tennis rackets, so this Wilson Chris Everett Championship racket will join my little group. Every house here needs a little touch of religion, so hence the brass crucifix {+ I just realized I don't have a cross in my house, yikes}. The little brass trumpet was so cute, BUT wait stand it up + it's a candle holder {didn't get that till I got home}. Lastly, I can never have enough trays, this one is wooden with a silver rim + hand painted crest + initials {not my initials but close enough, we'll go with it}. All in all a successful thrift day! The rug is a South African Springbok from Worldwide Wildlife Products. Happy Hump Day!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app. All work is Copyright ©2014 Logan Ledford.

BOXWOOD + PALE PINK

The different colored houses + buildings in New Orleans are never ending. I am always intrigued by the color of a wall in combination with a landscape element. I love this modern planter + simple boxwood plant against the pale pink wall. Here is a similar planter from All Modern. They also have a great variety of planters + outdoor furniture to create a clean + modern outdoor space.

Yesterday I was delighted to join a #summerpartychat on Twitter with Domino Magazine + Huffington Post Home + Ballard Designs. We got to discuss ideas with other bloggers + modern decor companies alike. Check out the discussion thread for some fun summer entertaining recipes + decor concepts!

Happy Thursday!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app. All work is Copyright ©2014 Logan Ledford.

A LITTLE DINNER PARTY

I love throwing dinner parties {it gives me an excuse to dress up + dote on my friends}. Last week I threw a fun dinner party for one of my best friends getting married. It was complete with a draped tent, floor pillows + greek food. It was a blast + we will had some great laughs {+ wine}. I try to collect vintage napkins + bowls + plates + wine glasses to mix + match. That way you are able to change up the theme to match your mood for the night {Moroccan anyone?}. Nothing is ever too much, just take all the things you have + throw them on the table {et voila, you might surprise yourself}.

Dinner ware + linens are from the following World Market // Anthropologie // Target // Ikea // Goodwill // my Mother's linen collection {that I commandeered}. Enjoy!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app.

BLOOMS IN WHITE

All the Jasmine is in bloom + is absolutely beautiful {I'm in awe}. I took this picture on my walk home yesterday on Prytania St. The way the blooms wrap the column so delicately reminds me of lace. The Garden District in New Orleans is covered head to toe in Jasmine, an overflow of white {like a debutante ball}. The weather too today is so nice, if you have anytime at all go walk around the Garden District. Happy Hump Day!

For more beautiful gardens follow my garden pin board here.

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app.

GARDEN PARTY

For Easter + Spring at my parents house we try to soak up as much of the wonderful weather as possible. My mother has wonderful taste in table accessories + decor. Both the tablecloth {similar} + napkins {similar} are from Anthropologie. The silver is Repousse style. The weekend was perfect, full of long meals, hilarious conversations, + naps with classic movies {my favorite}. I finally indulged in all the things I gave up for lent, {coffee + meat + eggs + dairy} it was delicious! Happy Monday + Jazz Fest is coming soon {cannot wait}!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 5s + VSCOcam app.

YES DEER

These are the two little deer antlers that hang above my bed. They are like brothers {one is the tall lanky one + the other is the shorter rounder one}. Regardless they are precious. They were given to me by my uncle, who acquired them from his property, Asphodel Plantation. I love antlers + taxidermy + animal skulls, something about them seems historical + reminiscent. They mix in well with an eclectic  house where you mix + match styles {like my own house}. I'm hoping to update my portfolio house photos soon, as my house is ever evolving {it's a fun but slow process}.

Back to Beauty + the Beast this past weekend. There is a line in a song that Gaston sings "I use antlers in all my decorating…." My friend leaned over + poked me "that's you, that's you," she said. We both giggled under our breath.

HUMP DAY, yay.

GIFT GUIDE

Everyone has a Christmas wish list with the various things they have been eyeing all year, but have not quite made the plunge to purchase. The past couple of years I have not even really put much thought into a Christmas wish list, there is not much I need {+ the things I want I usually buy myself}. This year after reading through some of my fav blogs, I decided to do some soul searching {+ online browsing} to find the things that would make it onto my dream Christmas list {don't worry Mom, these are hopes, wishes + dreams presents}. So here is my stab at a Design Twig Gift Guide.

Gold Bike via Public Bikes // Grey Heron with Crown via Etsy // Arcopal Opalescent Tea Cups via Etsy // Vintage French Flags via Fleaing France // Oak Shield Mirror via One Kings Lane // Bronze Figural Necklace via 1st Dibs // Embroidered Photograph via Jose Romussi

HOLIDAY DEER

Our deer Murray got into the plaid too! The Christmas Party was fun + we so enjoyed all of our friends who came. Now it's time to find presents for everyone {yaaaay}! Have a great Monday!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

IT'S A PLAID PLAID WORLD

So the French Hen + I once again spent the night running around doing errands, buying some liquid courage, grabbing a quick dinner, + then more decorating {yay}. I spent about an hour on a ladder {but it was totally worth it}. Our theme this year is plaid + I wanted to outdo myself from last year {+ I think I may have}. A friend of mine gave me some oyster shells + I drilled holes into them + made garland {it was actually pretty easy, thanks to my Dewalt Drill}. I have a plethora of plaid bunting flags + used red colored rope to string them. All of these are DIYs + are very easy. There will also be a debut of gold pine cones, red wool rope, silver tinsel, silver stars + chain garland {along with our beautiful tree}! We are super pumped {more pictures later, stay tuned}! TGIF people + WHO DAT!

More Holiday DIY Studio DIY // Design Love Fest // Hank & Hunt have fun!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

DECK THE HALLS

So the French Hen + I have continued to deck the halls! Last night I made a copious amount of garland {many varieties}. Hoping to share those tomorrow, as they will be more complete! Getting closer + closer to Christmas {exciting}!

If you are in need of some holiday inspiration check out these places Merry Merry // Bungalow 5 // The House That Lars Built // Modern Country

Yay for Thursday!

ONE FRENCH HEN + A TURTLE DOVE

So the French Hen + I {roommate + me} commenced on the house Christmas decorating last night. I always come up with grand ideas that take lots of time {typical me}. Then somehow always get it all done even if it's 5 minutes before our big night. 

Our decor consists of our faux white tree with lots of vintage/retro ornaments + glass bead garland + birds.

I grew up having my family tree adorned with mercury glass ornaments + glass bead garland. The glass bead garland that my family has was from my father's side. They grew up in New Orleans + Mardi Gras beads used to be made of mercury glass beads, they would save all the beads + re string them into long Christmas garland strands {there is your history lesson for the day}. Sadly, Mardi Gras beads now are plastic {probably safer this way, but not as pretty}. I have always loved these + went on the prowl through Ebay + Etsy to find some of my own {success, I have 3 strands now}.

I also have a slight {or big} obsession with birds. Maybe it's from watching Hitchcock's The Birds at a young age, maybe it's from bird watching with my grandfather on Cross Lake, or from my love of feathers {who really knows}, BUT regardless I love birds. So there are lots of vintage + antique bird ornaments on our tree {+ some even get stuck in my hair}.

This year it's a plaid plaid world out there {more on this later}. Happy Hump Day!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

GREEN BANANAS WITH A SIDE OF TURKEY

The break was wonderfully relaxing + fun {I so needed it}. I turned my brain off {with the exception of the Thanksgiving table}. This year I went tropical {with a side of Thanksgiving}. It was about to freeze + our beautiful banana plants were going to bite the dust. So I took advantage of the large luscious green leaves + fruit {et voila, a table centerpiece}. Loved how the color pops here. I picked the largest leaves for the table runner, then put the baby bananas around a vase with some pecan branches. I then glued small pieces of chinese tissue paper to the branches to make small flowers + add some color. It was a hit. I ate way too much food {but you are suppose to right?}, watched a ton of movies + football! Watched the tigers pull off a win in Tiger Stadium {Geaux Tigers!}. Couldn't have had a better weekend {now back to the real world}.

P.S. WHO DAT! Cross all fingers + toes for tonight's game!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

DOLL HOUSE

The colors, the textures, the delicateness of this door + facade stopped me in my tracks {again, yes I know, this happens a lot to me, I get my breath taken away by these things + I just have to stop}. I was walking home on Pyrtania St. + noticed this house. It needed some love for sure, but there was something about the door that I would not change. It is perfect in my eyes. The surrounding exterior walls were white plank board + the right side of the house was a faded shade of dusty pink. It almost looked like a doll house with it's pastel colors, each side + story was painted a different color. It seemed abandoned, but who knows with these houses. New Orleans has a way of having a hard facade, but you walk into the house + low + behold it's amazing. Similar to an amethyst, you cannot see the beauty of it until you crack it open + reveal what lays inside. Anyway, I digress {the thought train continues}.

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

SON OF A FISH

Son of a fish, it's Friday! Love these fish. They are always a convo starter when anyone new comes to the house {another example of my adoration for installation art}. Again, I like creating pieces that are thought provoking.

I found these plaster fish at a thrift store, they looked so lonely sitting in the corner {no one wanted them, sad}. BUT as soon as I saw them, it was love at first sight. I talked the dealer down on price + asked where they came from. He relayed their story to me + explained how they use to hang from the ceiling in an old fishing + hunting shop. Made sense, since they were painted like lures straight from the 80's, metallic blue airbrush paint + all. They were about 4 ft. long each + I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. I have to say their makeover came out better than I thought {a little spray paint, painter's tape, + newspaper}. With 14 ft. ceilings + lots of wall space, they fit perfectly in our kitchen above our dinning table {such a good statement piece}.

Anywho, never disregard the weird large object sitting in the corner at a vintage/thrift/antique shop. Things can always be restored + reinvented into something beautiful.

As for Interiors Blogs my current favs are Design Sponge // Lonny // Rue. Enjoy, TGIF!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

SALUTE

A salute to Americans + Pop Art + Barq's Root Beer {I love all 3}. My obsession with Pop Art began when I was a 14 year old nerdy art girl in high school {it was like Warhol hit me upside the head with a ton of bricks}. I was in love + even would have died to be one of Litchenstein's girls frozen in a picture crying my eyes out. Ever since then I have had a bi polarness to me, a torn personality per say. I love traditional art {painting} BUT then go crazy for the non traditional art {pop art + bizarre installation art}. 

I created this installation art piece in my house against a section of wall in my hallway. I had collected these bottles + wanted to create a simple but thought provoking piece that people would stop + look at while walking through the house. I found it quite humorous that there was only one lonely blue bottle. Instantly after making this observation, I knew I wanted to create an abstraction of the American flag {a salute to our country}. After installing it with the help of my dear friend Joan, I knew it was just right, 3 simple rows of 8 {perfect}. Think Warhol's Soup Cans had any influence over me? 

I hope to start slowly sharing the pieces of my home that I have carefully put together, stay tuned!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

SIGN + KISS

I am always trying to think of fun things to put around my house, to modernize + personalize the feng shui. One of these items {that has become a favorite} sits on our bar behind the drink tray. It's a framed picture of my partner in crime + I's signatures with a kiss {in our fav lip shade of course}. This puts the phrase "sealed with a kiss" into literal form. I matted this piece in white then placed it in a thin square frame {it's a light natural wood color}. It's modern, personal, + a pop of color. Can't go wrong + takes about 10 minutes to make {super easy}. Yay for DIY!

A few other DIY sites I love are Swell Mayde // P.S. I made this // A Subtle Revelry enjoy!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

COLOR

To color or not to color, that is the question. If you know me, you know, that I wear a lot of black {it's my fav, so classic}. BUT every once in awhile I will wear something bright + poppy {whoa}. I like to keep this surprise element going {keeps people guessing}. It also intrigues me to mix it up more. This goes for home decor as well, or anything really {gifts, art, etc….}.

So the question is, how do you know when to pop + what colors look good together? It is something that I'm constantly learning + always looking for. I try and take notice of things I see {like this blue house + pink gutter}, + keep them in the memory bank {or in my phone camera roll}. Also, trial + error is huge for me, I almost never go with my first choice, edit + revise is a must. There are also a few blogs + sites I look at to get color inspiration. Adobe has a site Kuler that has a color picker along with a gallery of color schemes you can scroll through {you'll get sucked in}. A blog I adore, pulls color schemes from photos + art, Color Collective {good stuff here}. Also, last but not least for more color excitement check out domino + I's collaborative Pinterest board POP OF COLOR. Happy Monday!

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.

DESIGN TWIG + DOMINO

So very very excited to announce my newest collaboration with domino via Pinterest!

domino was {+ still is} my favorite magazine, + they are back in full swing + I'm beaming {+ jumping up + down like a little girl}. When they first started in 2005 I bought every issue + the stack is in my house to this day {+ I still read them}. They have such great taste, everything from interiors to art to entertaining {so much fun}. You can pick up their magazine {in New Orleans} at Barnes + Noble {go get it, you'll be drooling}. 

Together, domino + I have created a POP OF COLOR inspiration board on Pinterest, so check it out. It's a mix of domino + Design Twig + other inspiring blogs + photos that I love. Hope it's inspiring!

Happy hump day.

All photographs are taken with an iphone 4 + VSCOcam app.