Lydia Likes It

Foggy hues

As I sit at my kitchen table this morning, I see this view, and this color palette of foggy hues, out my window. Design Seeds captures the mood and the moment. See why it's my favorite web site?

Demolition: Day 1

Demolition turns me on. When it comes to old house renovations, the start of a new project always begins with uncovering the past. Here is my kitchen on the first day of demolition. When I look at it, I see all of the possibility of the new design, the excitement of a new cooking space, the options still open to us. I just love it.

Bill Cunningham, chronicler of fashion

If you've been reading The New York Times forever, as I have, you know the work of Bill Cunningham, who has been photographing and writing about street fashion and high society, well... forever. Several years ago, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, Bill Cunningham New York, a documentary review of his life and work, came out. I'm no fashionista, but I've watched it three or four times, and my respect for him continues to grow. Such energy! Such joie de vivre! And behind the public persona, a most interesting private person, too. Bill Cunningham crafted his passion for fashion into a career. I can't imagine what The New York Times will do if he ever retires. Watch the film on Netflix.

Glamping

My friend Bev is moving to Colorado, and she's sold all of her furniture, including the bed she was planning to sleep on for the next couple of weeks. REI Camp Cot to the rescue! This is a camp cot for grown-ups; the legs adjust to allow for level sleeping on any terrain, and the cushioned base cradles your sleeping bag (and you, and your cat if you're using it indoors). The top end adjusts so you can raise the head if you like to read in bed. This is really "glamour camping", indoors or out.

Flora tones

And then there is this palette, from Design Seeds. The greens feel so fresh, like the colors popping out of my garden. Would you live with these colors in your kitchen?