logo crush: domestica

I first spied Domestica’s fabulous logo via a Tweet. It’s difficult to make a little 50 pixel square stand out, but they’ve done it for sure! After I saw their avatar I HAD to click through to their website. It was love at first sight, and their logo has been sitting in my inspiration folder on my desktop for about a year now. I love the color palette, the use of transparency, the perfect font choice. So fresh and retro at the same time. 

I emailed the shop owner, Chrissy Jensen, for a little more info about the logo and was surprised to hear that she came up with the concept herself. It looks like it was commissioned by a fancypants agency, right?!? Here’s what she said: 

The logo was inspired by the 60’s artwork for a chemical. I didn’t really think about using a bird til I noticed that the symbol looked like a two sides of a heart overlapping. I loved that it was a heart if you put it back together. The colors just happened to be the colors I wanted, too. I turned it on its side  (if you look at my logo sideways, you might see where I was going) and added a bird head and beak.  You Work For Them had just posted a few new fonts, including Lodge - it was perfect, so I bought it.

That was it.  I thought it was pretty good, but wanted to run it by my friend, Joe Williams. His wife, Danelle, and I were originally going to open Domestica together and we spent SO much time coming up with the name + had spent hours looking at logos and I just trusted their judgement. Joe said it was a good start, but thought if I left him with it for a few, he’d if he couldn’t refine it a bit. He designs a ton of stuff, including a lot of the flyers for Craft Saturday, a craft show they run here in Des Moines, so I totally wanted his help.  What he sent back is the logo we have today. 

I owe him so much thanks because I really believe that our logo opened a lot of doors and gave people a lot of confidence in us when we were nothing more than an idea and a signature on a storefront lease. People comment on it all the time and I love how it looks on the store window. Some people call it the Partridge Family bird, but I like to think it would fit in your hand like a Dove. For Christmas, Joe designed a wreath sticker for us using a repeat of the bird.  It was beautiful.

Photos courtesy Domestica

ADORE what Chrissy said about the logo opening doors for her new business. I whole heartedly agree that a good logo inspires confidence and helps get a new venture off the ground. This is something I’m constantly telling my clients.

Needless to say, I have a huge crush on the Domestica logo. Isn’t it lovely? Don’t you wish you lived in Des Moines so you could go visit in person? If that’s not convenient, you can shop online for modern home décor, paper goods, art and gifts. Check out their cool blog, too, for some fun inspiration. 

color palette: bright and bejeweled inspired by gwyneth paltrow's oscar 2011 look

I missed most of the Academy Awards this year because I was working on a deadline. But I did manage to catch a glimpse here and there, and I loved Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress and brooch. The stark silvery white background, with an unexpected pop of bright color is such a happy color palette. 

No. 1 Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress at the Oscars 2011 inspired this colorful palette (photo by Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com)    No. 2. I love using the Kendra Scott color bar — I created these colorful earrings to mimic the look of Gwyneth’s jeweled brooch   No. 3 A fun fondue set from Crate & Barrel — would be fun for a screening party   No. 4 White couch with bright chairs by Roche Bobois   No. 5 Gwyneth Paltrow’s brooch at the Oscars 2011   No. 6. Delphine’s Ava and Amelie wedding invitations — our most popular invitation designs have been printed in just about any color combo you can imagine. I especially like them in bright colors like yellow and pink   No. 7 Alice in Wonderland — love the colors in this Walt Disney cartoon classic  No. 8 Pink and Orange china by William Yeoward from Michael C. Fina — I think they’d look fabulous as a mix and match set. 

At the Pantone color trend seminar I attended last month, “black and white with pops of bright colors” was one of the color palettes discussed as being important for 2011 and 2012 product design. I like what I see so far!

color palette: romantic spring blossoms

The fruit trees in our backyard are blooming. There’s something magical about a pretty blossom on a leafless branch. I love the stark contrast. The colors in this photo may be one of the all time classic color combinations for weddings: soft, romantic blush pinks, with creamy off white, gray, and a pop of brighter pink. The palette of a bouquet of pink and white peonies, or a ballerina. 

happy valentine's day

photo: delphine

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends. Hope your day is filled with lots of love and kisses.

sweet last minute valentine's day gift ideas

Don’t let Valentine’s Day sneak up on you, boys and girls. It’s next Monday! Don’t freak out though, there is plenty of time to pull it together. Here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts:

No. 1} A home made, hand crafted Valentine. Don’t worry if you’re not super crafty: it’s the thought that counts (really)    No. 2} A book of poems, like this collection of Love Poems by Pablo Neruda. Bonus points for memorizing one and whispering it in your loved one’s ear   No. 3} A pretty, keepsake hardback version of a favorite novel (suggestion: something steamy and romantic, like Wuthering Heights).   

No. 4} Sparkling Sofia Blanc de Blanc, in the adorable (and convenient) little pink cans. Bonus if you chill it before giving away, so we can sip it a.s.a.p.   No. 5} Heart shaped box of GOOD yummy chocolate from Chuao Chocolatiers (a local North County San Diego company!). Objectively, heart shaped boxes of chocolate are cheesy and overpriced, but don’t let that stop you. Everyone secretly loves them. I do, at least.    No. 6} It might be too late to order these super gorgous heart shaped pressed cookies (unless you live in Cincy), but it’s not too late to bake a batch at home. Don’t have a heart shaped cookie cutter? Get thee to a Dollar Store or any grocery, where they abound these days.  

No. 7} Flowers. See No. 5. If you live in San Diego or environs, I HIGHLY suggest you give my dear friend Adrianne Smith a buzz to reserve a delightful Valentine’s Day bouquet for your loved one. I will be assisting with the prep, and I will not spoil the surprise, but rest assured these arrangements are lovely, lovely, lovely. They come in two non-red, non-cheesy colorways, and three sizes/prices. Starting at just $30! Bonus: each one has a letterpress love tag by yours truly.

style file: sexy valentine's day outfit

Sexy Valentine’s Day outfit: {1} Sleeveless white blouse with ruffles from Ann Taylor  {2} Pretty pink and nude lace panties from Nordstrom  {3} Diamond heart necklace from Robbins Brothers  {4} Super sexy pink suede high heels by YSL from Nordstrom  {5} Plain and simple, well fitting blue jeans from Levis  {6} Classic pale pink nail polish by Scotch.

I don’t recall ever going out on a date on Valentine’s Day. But if I did, I’d wear an understated, simple and sexy outfit like this. Okay, so the shoes aren’t so understated, but they are classic, right? I reallllly want them. I think the simplest outfit, like classic Levis, a pretty white shirt (with some ruffles for Valentine’s Day) and a great pear of heels, is the sexiest.

Normally I’m totally against any cheesy heart jewelry, but I make the exception for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Tip for the guys: keep it as understated as possible when it comes to heart jewelry. I like the look of a simple diamond heart necklace.

We will stay home for Valentine’s Day. Boring, I know. I’ll probably make some cookies or cupcakes with our son — he loves pink frosting. What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?

color palette: mountain café

For most people, the book on holidays is shut, done, over. But for those of us who design wholesale products, the holidays are never over! In fact, I’m thinking about my next Christmas holiday collection already. I’m taking inspiration from this photograph I shot last week near Angeles State Forest of a cute café. I think the color palette of faded turquoise and reddish-pinkish-orange will be lovely for a series of holiday cards. Peppermint, spruce, cinnamon, ginger and marshmallow — the perfect wintery color palette. I can see the snowflakes, candy canes, cups of steaming cocoa, and gingerbread men dancing across cards already.

pantone color of the year 2011: honeysuckle pink

When Pantone announced Honeysuckle as its pick for Color of the Year 2011 I will admit I was shocked. I was expecting either a pretty distressed metallic or a soft, romantic pink. Not 1980s rose. I am the first to say I am NOT a pink person, so I’m hoping 2011 goes by quickly if this is the dominant hue to come.

From the Pantone press release: “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

I say, bring back blue!

Eiseman goes on to say that Honeysuckle “may bring a wave of nostalgia” for spring and summer.

Personally, I think it brings a wave of mustiness — reminiscent of the dusty rose couch and tapestry pillows from the 80s in Mom & Dad’s basement, where you may be forced to live because you can’t find a job. Rather than being a nice escape from stress, like 2010’s pretty Turquoise (daydreams of beach vacays and escape from everyday woes), Honeysuckle brings you right back down to earth — or the basement apartment.

I don’t want to poo-poo the color entirely. It can look nice if paired with crisp palm or apple green — kind of a retro preppy vibe made modern by lots of white accents. I also see it paired with warm, romantic apricot, or a lovely soft metallic like champagne. For a cheerier look, pair it with beach glass turquoise. It would look pretty with navy blue, like one of my favorite flowers, the Anemone. But please, for me, PLEASE don’t pair it with forest green, mauve, cream, lace, rose patterns, or anything that reminds you of 1985. I don’t think I can take it.

delphine roses

photo ©DELPHINE

A few of my favorite things.

color palette: puppy love

I pulled inspiration for this soothing autumnal color palette (full of soft taupes, pinks and greens) from one of my favorite photos of all time: a portrait of a toddler with her puppy. Photo by the extraordinarily talented kids photographer Jessica Davis Photography.

holiday preview

I know, I know... it's not even Halloween yet. But here's a little peek at our new holiday photo card collection. It's never too early to get them started! Each photo card design has a matching holiday party invitation design, cocktail napkins, stickers, and other goodies. (above: vertical version of PENNANT by Delphine).

Above: CORIANDER holiday photo card by Delphine.

Above: horizontal version of PENNANT by Delphine.

All designs and photos ©Delphine 2010.

pretty neat

I just adore this darling tiered display stand made from vintage china. Of course it would be great for a tea party or dessert buffet, but I can also see it being used everyday: pile jewelry on it for display (and easy access) on your vanity, or pile darling macaron soaps on it for a sweet look in the guest bath. Just be sure to warn your guests not the eat the soap ...

Display Stand by OrangeandBlossom; Macaron soap by KcSoapsnMore. Both found on Etsy.

color overload: bouganvellia

Good morning! I was skimming through photos last night trying to make some space on my hard drive and came across this luscious bouganvellia. I spotted it in Venice, California last month while I was in town visiting friends. Just imagine the secret garden beyond those walls. Don't you love the hot pink paired with the ageing celedon green? Reminds me of the Florida Keys.

photo: Erika Firm; delphine

sneak peek: rockabilly tailgate wedding

Yesterday I shared behind the scenes shots from the "pretty in pink" bridal tea shower. Today: a Rockabilly Tailgate Wedding Reception. Some of my favorite props (besides the incredible vintage pickup) were the numbered glasses (vintage, of course, from Jennifer Price of SoLo) and my kitty, Ajax. Cannot wait to share the "real" photos from Jennifer Dery and the complete set that Adrianne Smith and I put together (... oh, and some super fun paper goods to go along with, naturally.

sneak peek: pretty pink bridal shower tea

I had the truly great pleasure of working with Adrianne (Adrianne Smith Floral Design) and Jennifer Dery (Jennifer Dery Photography) last week on THREE (!!!) inspiration shoots. I'm most known for paper design, but I also looooove to design events. Here's a peek behind the scenes at some of the props we used for the first inspiration shoot: a pretty in pink backyard garden bridal shower tea (phew ...). Yes, we corked those bottles and drank them to celebrate once the shoot was complete!