by studiotullia | Feb 17, 2024 | DESIGN TRENDS, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO, STUDIO NEWS, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS
Hello my Lovelies,
I am such a fan of this fabric.
MILLE FLEUR by Lee Jofa in color way Denim.
One of Lee Jofa’s oldest patterns brought back as part of their 200th anniversary, with a palette as 2024 as you can get. This pattern is both iconic and timeless.
“Drawn in the Arts and Crafts style of the late 19th century, this timeless novelty pattern offers a playful take on a traditional woodland hunting scene. The design features whimsical silhouettes of birds, hounds and deer, and botanical elements inspired by a tapestry-style mille fleur, which translates to “thousand flowers” in French.”
There are many directions you can go with this pattern.
You could add Clarke & Clarke’s Cosmic Mineral/Raspberry
Or Kelly Wearstler’s Graffito Rosa
or La Muse, in Rouge by Kravet
Here’s a recent MOOD BOARD I did, proposing curtains in this fabric, combined with a vintage rug from Chairish, along with mid century pieces. Assignment: add warmth, layers and personality to a room, in a home in Bend, OR.
SOURCES:
Tufted Leather Chair by DESIGN MIX on Chairish
Pillows and Textiles from STUDIO TULLIA on ETSY
Jonathon Adler Sant Rosa Cashew Pillows:
Kelly Wearstler Pillows with Pendleton Pillows:
Plankton Taupe with Ticking Pillows and Kelly Wearstler Woven Pillows
RUGS from Keivan Wonn Arts
Sisal rugs, from POTTERY BARN
ART
36X36 inch, Studio McGee-designed print from TARGET
Or you could go more traditional and moody with hand-painted work from TARYANIK on ETSY.
I even found some faux taxidermy from NearandDear on ETSY
Side Table by DESIGN MIX on Chairish
Oceano Chair from Article
Ottoman, KRAVET
If you would like the prices and links to any of the items above, please email info@awelllivedhouse.com and put “Sources” in the subject line.
Thank you as always for following along.
XOXO,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Jan 21, 2024 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS
Goodbye, 2023.
I’m ready to dust off ’23 and move on to ’24. You?
Our strength was tested again in 2023, was it not? And I’m not talking about remodeling a kitchen. It’s all the other crazy stuff that just keeps happening. Humans are a resilient bunch, but there’s a lot. We have all had more than our fair share of challenges these past few years. I don’t want to bore you with my own personal journey, but I will share some insights, lessons, and new outlooks for 2024.
But first, I want to share a few HIGHLIGHTS that have brought me joy this past year.
FAVORITE BOOK for CREATIVES
This book teaches you to honor the artist within as a sacred gift and teaches you the discipline and rewards of writing 3 pages each morning (for three + months).
FAVORITE ART EXHIBIT
Elefant Medium – by PDX CONTEMPORARY ART A solo exhibition of new work by artist JEFFRY MITCHELL.
I am so happy that I can now walk to this gallery from work, and go to a beautiful well-lit space with amazing art!
“Elephant (Medium) is one of a family of fonts and is a reworking of a traditional English extra bold serif style…The elephant has been a beloved subject matter for Jeffry Mitchell’s artwork for four decades. The exhibition focused on the way that graphic design and interior spaces create space, fields that make us feel. As well as the way that subject matter and materials, like elephants and flowers, clay and wood, afford joy, generosity, and enthusiasm. Elefant Medium features furniture made from wood and ceramic, housewares, lamps, and drawings and prints displayed in wonderfully elaborate, handcrafted wooden and porcelain frames. The work and the transformative benevolence of craft create the field, the flow, the space, and the possibility of ecstasy.” – Variable West
MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK
Oprah interviewed author, Abraham Verghese about his work for 6 episodes on her podcast Oprah’s Super Soul. I just loved their exchange, discussion of characters, and the dedication required to write such a book. I’m still not done with this epic book. It is beautifully written, by a doctor who has witnessed a lot over the years, and he shares the rich cultural senses, exotic spices and storied traditions of India.
FAVORITE DESIGN PROJECT
If you want to re-connect with your teenager, do a deep dive into their interests and build a bedroom they love. This one was way more than we could complete during an 8 WK ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, but it got the ball rolling and we are close to the finish line. I will have an update for you soon. We had to gut a 1940’s kitchen and build a new bedroom. We are installing the wooden floor this weekend. Heating vent and lighting needs to be installed, some paint touch-ups, and we can move in! Stay tuned. We are getting close to completion!
FAVORITE DESIGN CRUSH
BEATA HEUMAN, from London
Design by Beata Heuman
Design by Beata Heuman
Design by Beata Heuman
Design by Beata Heuman
Design by Beata Heuman
This will be my next DESIGN BOOK purchase:
FAVORITE LOVE STORY
My 60 year old brother and his wife were married, on December 29th. Each bringing two grown children from previous marriages. A true love story, of a dozen plus years’ courtship, with families formally united. Know that love can happen at any age, and at any time. And a grand wedding it was, in one of my favorite cities in the world. SAN FRANCISCO. It was ambitious, beautiful, and loaded with tributes and meaning. And a damn good party. A perfect send off for the New Year!
HEALTH
As one ages, so do your parents; the challenges that present themselves can be heartbreaking and frustrating at times…as this Baby Boom generation ages and retires, living longer and not always with a great retirement plan, families must navigate crisis, financial hardship and challenges as they present themselves. There are a lot of great doctors, nurses and amazing organizations like Meals on Wheels and The Council on Aging that are there to help. And retirement homes are popping up like crazy. And I’m not even going to mention COVID and how that keeps coming back in new variants.
WORK
JOBS are iffy these days.
After a rough couple years, a job outside the home was necessary for our finances and my marriage. When a seasoned entrepreneur goes back to a full time job with a manager and a boss, its an adjustment. I almost walked out at least 3 times. You see things differently and are used to honoring your authenticity and own wishes. You have to accommodate to someone else’s brand, vision and desires. Oy.
I love stuff – textiles, furniture, art so that part has been fun. Working with designers and architects in a swanky trade-only showroom selling textiles and furniture did require me to polish up my wardrobe. And my style. I had kind of forgotten how to dress. A lot has changed about the design profession with so much commerce now done online, but there are always new young talents coming along, and so many older designers who still work, while flirting with retirement. The to-the-trade design world is mostly comprised of women clientele, who are eccentric by nature, with varied projects and new challenges that always keeps things interesting.
FAVORITE FABRIC
LEE JOFA’s TREE of LIFE, reintroduced from their archives. In wallpaper and fabric. This 1840’s pattern was brought back with new color ways for their 200th anniversary. The vertical pattern repeat is more than 36″. Hand blocked on heavy weight linen and so beautiful.
Although I am loving how these SCHUMACHER wallpapers and textiles are styled:
FAVORITE MAGAZINE
FREDERIC MAGAZINE, by Schumacher
Frederic Magazine
OUR CUSTOMERS
THANK YOU!
I am forever grateful for your great sense of style and your business!
My business has managed to stay afloat this past year, with many exciting new things on the horizon.
I cant wait to share what’s coming in 2024.
A LITTLE ADVICE…
We are having a great sale right now on many ready-to-ship items.
UP TO 25% OFF
Decorative pillows by STUDIO TULLIA
So, let’s raise a glass to 2024! Thanks for following along. Have a wonderful week.
XOXO,
SUZANNE
by studiotullia | Nov 19, 2023 | HOUSE TOUR: Traditional Spanish Style House near Pto. Vallarta
We are at WEEK 8 and whooped.
Finally got the walls dry-walled, sanded, and primed.
All the trim has been sanded and cleaned.
We are painting the walls and trim this week.
We did pick up this amazing chair for my daughter from KRAVET.
I will post again when we are done painting. Hoping to wrap things up in the next week or two.
This was an ambitious project to do as a family. We have all worked hard and are proud of how far we have come.
We did not finish in 8 wks, but I know this would have dragged on for months if we hadn’t joined this challenge.
Be sure to check out all the:
Thanks as always for following along. I hope everyone has a wonderful THANKSGIVING.
XOXO,
SUZANNE
by studiotullia | Nov 12, 2023 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN TRENDS, DIY, HOUSE TOUR: Traditional Spanish Style House near Pto. Vallarta
This weekend was all about errands with my daughter.
We went to RESTORE to try to find cork sub flooring to put under the wood planks.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Can you believe what we had.
CORK FLOORING,was recommended by my father in law .
& THRIFTING is always fun.
There’s a whole lot of stuff we just don’t need.
HOME DEPOT
One thing for sure, we had fun. Then onto other clors from Home Peboy.
PVA PRIMER for use once the walls are sanded.
SPENTRUP RUG
from IKEA
We were so excited to find this rug because the color will be complimentary to the silvery blue walls.
So much better than a cheap patterned rugs she will tire of.
Window seat and romad shades.
Fall Foliage
Huge pine tree with family of crows
Our apple trees and overgrown backyard
Roof top view. Helps me remember why we are doing all this.
Off to the shower I go!
Kinda weird, eh?
I feel like I am facing my own mortality.
Don’t forget to check out the final week of the ORC
mother daughter project
I’ve got to make this a wrap. Thanks again for following along.
Have a wonderful week!
XOXO,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Nov 5, 2023 | HOME IMPROVEMENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS
Sports Fans, Week 5 was felt uneventful as we are still on the WALLS, but we are making progress!
THE WALLS
The fact of the matter is that this wall repair work is a grueling, son of a bitch. And if I am honest, I want nothing to do with it. I’ll run errands all day before I have to clean up this mess. I’ve never seen such a pieced together nightmare as we’ve found behind these cabinets. See hwo satisfying though as new sheet rock goes up below.
NOW
BEFORE
We must remember from whence we came.
My husband put several buckets of mud on the walls, slowly building up he walls.
SKIM COATING
Here it is drying. NOW
BEFORE
It does feel good to have the walls pretty much all covered now. Lots of sanding, patching and then painting will be happening now. That is where I can step in and start to help again.
CABINETRY
We are going to put in a WETBAR where the cabinetry was – with a small bar and fridge, as well as some drawers and a nice counter top. The plumbing needs to be rerouted. FYI, the wet bar is not a true bar for my daughter, but a place to make tea and wash paint brushes, etc. since she paints sometimes.
Ive been searching for something we could just make do with but my husband will most likely make it himself. Won’t be done in two weeks though..
I like the simplicity of these. Simple, clean…
If we can get the walls and floors done and my daughter somewhat moved in, that will be a triumph!
Don’t forget to check out all the other participants in the ONE ROOM CHALLENGE:
See you all next week!
XO
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Oct 15, 2023 | HOME IMPROVEMENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS
Hello my fellow Design Enthusiasts!
Here we are at Week 3 of the ONE ROOM CHALLENGE,
We are still deep into repairing WALLS! Lots and lots of mudding, sanding and building up of layers.
It is a laborious stage of the project and in the end, what will most transform this funky ol’ kitchen.
We are also trying to narrow down our paint color, and feeling pretty happy with
BENJAMIN MOORE – MEDITERRANEAN BREEZE
Here is Charlotte and her Dad working on the walls.
We’ve been envisioning fresh sky blue walls to keep us motivated.
FLOORING
We are also working on selection of laminate wood flooring, from HOME DEPOT.
We will replace the dated laminate floor with a wood look:
WET BAR
The nod to what was once a kitchen will now be a WETBAR and we know we want hexagonal tiles and floating shelves.
HEXAGONAL TILE PATTERNS
The question is what pattern?
Thanks for following along and be sure to check out the other ORC participants!
XOXO,
SUZANNE
by studiotullia | Nov 10, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO
by studiotullia | Oct 7, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO
GREETINGS EVERYONE!
Kids are settling back into school and I’m enjoying morning walks in the neighborhood. Busy squirrels and bold crows are harvesting nuts and berries as the leaves turn vivid yellows, oranges and reds. The days and nights are getting cooler and we turn our attention toward home, right?
This latest collection was inpired by my backyard; a lively dahlia garden, an exuberant fig tree and lots of fallen pine cones.
This new fabric above featuring dragons and tigers pairs so beautifully with vibrant colors.
I had so much fun mixing and matching these pillow cominations…woolens, velvets, wovens, printed coordinates in stripe and Les Touches in several colorways work nicely together. I even threw in some vintage.
I mixed some vintage wool (orange and brown woven) with modern solid wool along with fun prints from Schumacher, Pindler and Brunschwig and Fils.
Another great Fall fabric is Citrus Garden in primary by Schumacher that lends itself to this palette as well.
CITRUS GARDEN IN PRIMARY – Lots of fun sizes!
A couple of fun, graphic fabrics by Schmacher are fun to add to this collcetion and keep things cheerful throughout the year.
And how fun is this NAVY CROSS?
LES TOUCHES in so many fun colors….
I sell the blue colorway online in my store but you can get it in all of these colors. Forever classic. Just send me a direct message if you would like to order in another colorway.
by studiotullia | Jul 14, 2022 | INTERIOR DESIGN, MAGICAL MOMENTS, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY
Citrus Garden by Josef Frank in primary is a favorite of mine. Red was the only color in my garden last week that worked with this latest batch of pillows. Almost looks patriotic with the blue and white chinoiserie thrown in, which was not really my intention, but pretty nonetheless.
With peony season behind us, which is always too short lived, we are moving into dahlia season, which is a personal favorite. It is always so unpredictable what will show up every year although with the deluge of rain this past Spring I am hopeful. At least dahlia season lasts clear into Fall.
I can never bear to waste any of the scraps from this fabric so we make all kinds of accent and lumbar pillows as well as gifts bags.
This timeless pattern is popular beyond words. Always on back order, I finally received the lime colorway yesterday that I ordered back in January. The next batch is not due until September, with this batch already sold out.
My insanely talented neighbor puts us all to shame with the display of flowers in her front yard. And if you are lucky enough to get an invite to her backyard you are in for a real treat. She recently redid her backyard with amazing steel box planters (over flowing with daffodils and tulips this spring), some cement-scaping that includes a sunken fire pit and a few grassy spots for outdoor dining. The covered shelter will be great almost year round. I particularly love the fence, stained in black, which adds such a great contrast.
She chose some outdoor pillows from STUDIO TULLIA including Citrus Garden in Pool, another long standing favorite.
And Schumacher has come out with a couple more colorways this year…
Reminds me of a tiled mosaic walkway I came across on a recent walk in our neighborhood.
Pretty refreshing, eh? Now I want a gin & tonic.
We’ve got lots of ferns in our garden in the Pacific NorthWest. Something out of character for our region that we find every year is this odd phenomenon of a flower, called the CORPSE FLOWER. It smells like rotting flesh, believe it or not. Hence the name.
Never fails that every year I catch a whiff of what smells like a rotting animal, and now I know, it’s back.
For a couple years, I tried to extract it from the garden and it has just kept coming back every year with a vengence. We were amazed to discover that it is quite a novelty, with crowds waiting in long lines at the NY Botanical Musuem to observe this annual oddity. I was shocked to discover that some variations are far taller than the human species!
We brought this flower to my brother in law for his fortieth birthday. With all windows down for the entire ride, we proudly presented it to him. We had to enjoy it from a distance, a good 20 feet from our gathering, LOL.
Not to be too morbid, but it does seem like a flower symbolic of our times, and having just gotten over Covid in the last couple weeks at our household.
All this morbidity and strangeness in the garden reminds me of my art history days and studying the famous painting by Spanish painter, BOSCH.
The Garden of Earthly Delights
“As little is known of Bosch’s life or intentions, interpretations of his intent range from an admonition of worldly fleshy indulgence, to a dire warning on the perils of life’s temptations, to an evocation of ultimate sexual joy. The intricacy of its symbolism, particularly that of the central panel, has led to a wide range of scholarly interpretations over the centuries. Twentieth-century art historians are divided as to whether the triptych’s central panel is a moral warning or a panorama of paradise lost.” – Wikipedia
ANYWAY, back to Josef Frank, so we end on a positive note…
This is the sofa of my dreams.
Josef Frank, Austrian-born architect/artist/designer, became a Swedish citizen in the latter half of his life. Together with Oskar Strnad, he created the Vienna School of Architecture, and its concept of Modern houses, housing and interiors. If you want to explore his life and work further you can go HERE, where there is a comprehensive exhibit of his work.
Or check out this book, which features interiors, furniture, design, and architecture of the mid century in Vienna:
Enjoy your Summer, the garden and the occasional cool drink out on the patio…until next time.
XOXO,
Suzanne
by studiotullia | Jun 14, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN & STYLING, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO, STUDIO NEWS
VERY PERI, PANTONE’s 2022 COLOR OF THE YEAR, revisited
I came across these very peri- inspired dresses in L’OFFICIEL resonating hope and beauty. That’s what we can all use right now, right?
Pantone designed this color of the year – VERY PERI – for 2022, specific to the unique times in which we are living.
“Reminiscent of the blue skies that emerge during the months of spring, and its namesake flower, periwinkle is regarded as a color of rebirth and vibrance both inside and outside the realm of fashion.”
With kids out of school and the start of Summer, one dreams of getting away…
We are loving the light blue palette of talented designer, AMY STUDEBAKER’s dreamy guest/pool house project.
Beautiful rooms by AMY STUDEBAKER DESIGN
Loving this botanical print…
INDIAN ARBRE by SCHUMACHER (peacock and emerald)
And Tina, from The Enchanted Home has designed a beautiful, second home in Palmetto Bluff using a serene soft, light blue palette with lots of STUDIO TULLIA pillows!
Our Spring SALE is still going on! Great savings with 25% off ready to ship items.
CITRUS GARDEN in Pool by SCHUMACHER with aqua velvet and ribbon pillows by STUDIO TULLIA
CHINOISERIE CHIC by MARK SYKES for SCHUMACHER
PERIWINKLE VELVET by KRAVET
I have a pair of gorgeous, heavy weight linen, LIGHT BLUE & WHITE STRPED CURTAINS (in stock and ready to ship) for sale!
These are shown at local Portland store, LEGACY MODERN.
I’ve been feeling nostalgic with the twins finishing junior high school. So much relief just having them home with all the crazy events of late.
We are looking forward to some trips to the beach, camping, hikes to some hot springs and many afternoons poolside.
If it would just stop raining in Portland.
Get ready folks, Summer is here…
by studiotullia | May 16, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN & STYLING, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO
After a deluge of rain, we are reaping the rewards this Spring. Rhododendrons, cherry blossoms and dogwoods abound. Lush greens and dewy florals.
Bring those gorgeous colors into your home.
THE SOFTEST PINK SUEDE PILLOWS
Act fast as these are a one-of-a-kind offering. I only have two.
APPLIQUE & EMBROIDERED VINTAGE FLOWER
This is an unusual embroidered and appliqued pillow found in an antique store not too long ago. I can never pass up hand-made work.
LT PINK VELVET KNOT PILLOW
What do you think of our new knot pillow in shimmery light pink?
Our Sunset Floral has already sold out, with more on the way.
Multnomah Falls & Lodge is a must see if you are ever in the Portland area. Have a small hike to the bridge followed by lunch at the historic lodge.
The Eagle Creek fire of a few years ago devastated the area, but the firemen managed to somehow save this historic landmark.
Check out loads of lumbars and other pillows on SALE now.
Lots of Spring cleaning happening in the STUDIO…
by studiotullia | May 1, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO
While Honoring mothers is nothing new,
ANNE JARVIS who had no children of her own, conceived of MOTHER’s DAY in the U.S. as an occasion for honoring the sacrifices individual mothers made for their children.
According to History.com:
In May 1908, she organized the first official Mother’s Day events at a church in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia, as well as at a Wanamaker’s department store in Philadelphia, where she lived at the time. Jarvis then began writing letters to newspapers and politicians pushing for the adoption of Mother’s Day as an official holiday.
By 1912, many other churches, towns and states were holding Mother’s Day celebrations, and Jarvis had established the Mother’s Day International Association. Her hard-fought campaign paid off in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
I’ve been obsessed with Madonna and child images, since my studies in art history in Italy.
The Madonnina by Ferruzzi.
Love this vintage image of a woman and her children in East Harlem, found in Harlem World Magazine
A turn of the century photograph of a Ukrainian mother and child.
For more images like this and a Ukrainian lullaby …check out this ARTICLE:
1930’as Native American mother and child, “colorized”
And this vintage image of a Chinese mother and child form Oldarts.info
The other day my Mother stopped by and brought over a stack of handmade cards made by yours truly, she had collected over the years. The appreciation and love expressed in those cards was pure adoration. All hand painted or drawn. Clearly she has treasured them.
Curious as a middle aged woman, to realize how much more easily I expressed my love for her as a kid.
I know the items that I have most treasured over the years, are the handmade ones.
I did a quick Etsy Round-up of fun gifts below.
Fabric Gift bags dress up otherwise ordinary items – you can throw in a candle, some chocolate and it makes for a unique, thoughtful gift! And it can be reused later as a travel bag or whatever.
We have some citrus garden bags for sale right now on the Etsy Store
I thought this personalized blanket was a very unique gift, if you want to wrap a loved one in your loving words.
This company, FRANKIE PRINT CO, which I found on ETSY, can print your letter exactly as it looks or use script font that they have.
If you’re feeling crafty there are all kinds of pdf downloads of needlpoint, cross stitch, embroidery these days that can be personalized to your liking…
This company makes beautiful soaps, which are always lovely gifts.
I’m doing a last minute GIVEAWAY!
For you or your Mom…
All you have to do is follow me on instagram
@studiotullia
The more people you tag, the more entries…the winner will be notified May 2,2022.
I will include a scented candle from Trader Joe’s
And I’ll throw in a handful of my new favorite treat…
This gift will go in the mail Wednesday, priority mail, if you or a Mom you know might enjoy this….
