Cross Bottles, Cushions, and Chic Stays

Welcome back from the weekend! I hope that everyone had a lovely weekend, and that your temperatures are more welcoming than the inhospitably single digit numbers we have had here. This weekend I took some time to get the Cross Bottle Guy studio back up and running. The move really set me behind, as the organization of the many pieces that are involved in my process for designing these little treasures is a key component to their successful creation.

We are all up and running though, and this weekend I made 9 pieces for the Cross Bottle Guy website, including these two, which are among my favorites;

It's so rewarding to be back in the studio, creating. I'm sure just about all of you know the story behind these cross bottles. I started making them way back in 2008, and first sold them on this blog. But as I began seeing more and more find new homes, I decided that I needed a proper name and dedicated site for them. Thus, Cross Bottle Guy. 

So pop on over there if you're so inclined to see what I did with most of the weekend. Michelle, my helpful seamstress and creator of all my slipcovers, came by on Friday to measure the sofa for a new cushion cover. 

Sorry for this poor photo, but it's the most recent of the sofa. There's nothing wrong with the white one that is currently on the sofa, but since it's all upholstered, I wanted to be proactive and find a solution for any pesky stains/etc. that would occur between cleanings. So, I found a lovely camel colored velvet by Pindler & Pindler, and I'm having her create that with some inspiration from Jeffrey Bilhuber: 

I've long loved this room, featured in his book Defining Luxury which I'm pretty sure I've said more than once - YOU MUST OWN! Seriously. That book is incredible. Here's the link: 

Anyway, in this Manhattan brownstone, Jeffrey had the details on the upholstered pieces include stitched trim from Samuel and Sons Passementerie. I loved the look then (2008) and I still love it today. So, I'm having Michelle stitch trim to the top face of my new cushion. As soon as I get it I will let you know, along with everyone else, since I am pretty sure I'll be shouting "whoohoo" from the rooftop! 

Speaking of books ... I have a few book reviews to share with you this week, including a beautiful coffee table book called Chic Stays. 

I got lost in the pages of this book this weekend. Truly. It was a marvelous way to take a departure (even though it was only visually and mentally) from the snow on the ground, and teen temperatures with sub-zero wind chill. I can't wait to share this one with you Wednesday! 

P.S., I know that many of you are (and have been) anxiously awaiting more photos of the apartment. I promise that as soon as I get this cushion cover back, and have a day with good lighting (that's been the main roadblock) I'll get some great photos of the space, and I'll share them with you here.