fresh start: shower curtains, bright & bold

Whales Shower Curtain from Urban Outfitters

Continuing to seek out the finishing touches for my friend's new DC abode - here are some additional shower curtain options. From pops of color to whimsical illustrations, these certainly brighten up a bathroom.

Andrea Victoria's Tribu Arrows Curtain from Deny Design (so many great options on this site)

Paisley Venice Shower Curtain from World Market

Anderson Design Group's Chicago Mag Mile Curtain from Deny Design

CTA Subway Map Curtain from Izola

Or for something more local: Washington DC Metro Curtain from Izola

What's currently in my bathroom: Octopus Garden Curtain from Anthropologie

Arcturus Scales Shower Curtain from Deny Design

Elephant Curtain by Thomas Paul

Peacock Quills Curtain from Anthropologie

Andrea Victoria's Aztec Arrows Curtain from Deny Design

Anderson Design Group's San Fran Curtain from Deny Design

Elisa Cachero's Odyssey Curtain from Urban Outfitters

fresh start: shower curtains, simple and spa-like

Stripe Shower Curtain from West Elm

One of my most favorite lady friends just made a cross-country trip to set up housekeeping in our nation's capital. To streamline her move, she let go of a lot of the 'stuff' that finishes a house, making this move even more of a fresh start.

I couldn't be happier that she's here and spending time with her picking up pieces for her new place has been so much fun. It's also a reminder of all the little things that go into making a house a home - and the small ways that you can make a 'fresh start' in your own house even if you've already been there for five years and are planning to stay for several more.

I thought I'd do a couple of posts on the few things she's been searching for starting with shower curtains. Here's hoping that she'll spot the perfect one - and maybe you will too!

NYC Rail Transit Curtain from H&M Home

Stripe Border Shower Curtain from West Elm

Tassled Dayton Shower Curtain from Anthropologie

New York Map Shower Curtain from H&M Home - two views of this one!

Geometry Sky Curtain from Dwell Studio

Soap Label Curtain from H&M Home

Kaleidoscope Patch Shower Curtain from Anthropologie

Vintage Washed Belgian Linen Curtain from Restoration Hardware

Good Art - Help Ink

Help by Evan Stremke

How about a selection of really great indie designers selling upbeat inspirational pieces and donating a portion of the proceeds to a charity of your choosing? Genius. Go buy some of the great pieces at Help Ink and love knowing that $1 of every $5 you spend goes to a great cause.

From mounted prints and posters to cards and notebooks, I think these would make great grad gifts, dorm-warming presents or kid room decor. Don't forget a tee for yourself.

A few of my favorites below...

Be a Light by Samantha Kallis

Everyone by Dan Gneiding

Adventure by Judson Collier

Humble Beginnings by Dan Cassaro

Better When Shared by Doug Penick

Capable by Liz Meyer

Good Deeds by Jon Contino

juju hats

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I've had some extra time on my hands recently and as in other periods of free time, I'm having trouble sitting still. Instead (as in other times) I'm wanting to fix and change everything about our little house. So I've been cleaning, and sorting, and reorganizing - moving drawers and boxes into new drawers and boxes, trying to eek out the tiniest bit of extra breathing room for our overstuffed closets. Along the way I've also been making laundry lists of all the little touches and details that would make everything perfect so I could finally just relax on the couch and watch some daytime television.

Not necessarily at the top of the list is a juju hat. I know, I know, what the hell is a juju hat? Call it a bamileke or a cameroon headdress or just a giant circle of feathers. I love the texture, the color, the global feel of it, and although I would love to pick up one on my travels, I'm not sure if I'll be making it to Cameroon in the immediate future...

The Juju hat is a ceremonial headdress worn during royal court affairs - they are also known as the tyn or bamileke. The feathers represent wealth and prosperity and are woven onto a raffia base that splays open into a giant circle, creating an incredible piece of wall art.

Unfortunately these symbols of prosperity and wealth require some of both to obtain. Coming in between $300-600 each, let's just say I won't be picking up on anytime soon. For those of you in a position to purchase Table Tonic in Australia has a great selection as does African House on Etsy.

Here are some inspirational rooms featuring my new favorite piece of decor.

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Natural hued options bring out the texture and depth of the headdresses and look incredible on both dark and colorful walls - while adding to the monochromatic chic of an all white room.

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The brightly colored headdresses offer a perfect pop of color on and otherwise blank canvas or a beautiful complement to painted walls. I can't get enough of the reds/pinks/purples in these deep green rooms.

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What do you think? Want one? Or is this just another strange decorating fad?

roped

I love the nautical feel of the mats, bracelets and key rings from SerpentSea. Made from recycled marine ropes by Sophie Aschauer, each mat is named after the four most infamous pirates of the 17th century while the key rings bear the name of a greek mythological sea nymph.

Perfect for a beach house or to bring a little beach to your house.