Say it with me, “Oh, la la.” This is the Buenos Aires studio and office of Lula Aldunate, founder of Lulaland. Last week’s vision of salt soaked pine still has me (literally) pining for a studio; somewhere to create, imagine, escape, and hang a manifesto. Yes, a manifesto – like the gorgeous and glamorous gold-framed wonder above (if I ever take those Spanish classes, I promise to translate this magical string of words for you). Mr. Webster defines a manifesto as, “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer.” It seems fitting that any art studio should boast a manifesto lingering vertically on a wall.

The walls of this warehouse can barely contain the color and character brimming inside. The personality of this space draws from the creativity of its designer and the charisma of vintage pieces.

This charming interior bursting of found objects and antiques was discovered among the treasures at Harmoni og Kontrast (another lovely find by Laila Kaldestad). For more blissful images, click through the original article (nestled in the archives of Design*Sponge).

You can bring home a little piece of Lula Aldunate with one of her lovely pillows – embellished with a handmade appliqué and infused with a touch of manifesto.

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Garbage on the side of the road makes my heart flutter, especially large bulky garbage. Let me explain my adoration for lovely litter. I was lucky enough to experience the “˜sidewalk exchange’ culture of Honolulu for five years. There is an unspoken and widespread commodity swap that is constantly taking place within the tangle of residential sidewalks. The rules are flexible and the standards are low. If you find yourself owning anything you no longer wish to own, gracefully set it along the side of the road. Your neighbors will do the same.

At any one time, a gathering of furniture and household appliances is lounging along sidewalks. Couches, dressers, lamps, fans, microwaves, mattresses, tables, and chairs in all stages of pristine condition and complete disrepair are waiting to be adopted. Someone who thrives on possessions with “˜history’ and loves nothing more than a bargain, like me, is in ecstasy. My husband used to avoid certain roads (well known for sidewalk “˜embellishment’) for fear that I would drag him around picking up “˜items with potential’.

Though I no longer have the proximity to scour sidewalks, my fervor for reclaiming and refinishing has not faded. I get my fix in antique stores, thrift stores, and bound hardback muses. The Recycled Home by Mark & Sally Bailey is one hundred and sixty pages of ways to incorporate recycled and salvaged furniture and accessories into your home. The gorgeous photography of Debi Treloar depicts interiors and vignettes with antique rust and masculine charm. The text offers insight to both design elements and specific spaces.

The notion of recycling makes the resulting space intimate and personal. There is something innately satisfying about finding and creating something unique. After you take a look through this book, you will yearn to find some sidewalk refuse yourself. If you appreciate the concept of reclaimed decor, but desire a little more urban edge in your home, check out this interior by Jimmie Karlsson.

(All photography by Debi Treloar, as seen in The Recycled Home).

The post The Recycled Home appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s great to hear women’s entrepreneurial success stories.

Katherine Sturgis fits into one of her own.

After working for several years in corporate fashion, buying and merchandising mass-market items, Sturgis came to a conclusion: big business simply wasn’t for her. Instead, she opted to follow her passion and be more creative in the confines of her own home.

Utilizing “Disparate elements and materials to create pieces that are playful, elegant and above all, wearable,” Sturgis says, she creates chunky sterling silver chains entwined with silk thread, strands of vintage rhinestones, and strings of hand-painted leather.

The result is a one-of-a-kind bracelet representing your individuality and a designer’s success story.

We caught up with Katherine to see what her new life was like.

Do you just love your new life as a designer and not as a buyer or merchandiser?

I love being creative and working with my hands every day. There is more stress in taking all the responsibility, but it is worth it.

How does that past life affect what you’re designing now?

Working as a buyer and merchandiser gave me a wonderful foundation to work from. I learned a lot about the business behind fashion and the designs. I also learned a lot about building a collection and thinking about how pieces will work together to create a story.

You mention your pieces are “glammed-up friendship bracelets.”  Is this where your inspiration started?

I first made the braided wrap bracelet for my best girlfriends, which they then named friendship bracelets. I loved that idea.

Who are you designing for?

I am designing for myself first. But I also design for people with an eclectic sense of style who want pretty jewelry for every day wear and all occasions. I think beautiful things should be worn as much as possible – not only for special occasions. My grandmother once commented that no one wants to wear rhinestones every day. My immediate response was, “I do!”

Does discovering an interesting vintage material inspire you?

Absolutely. I love walking through flea markets. Seeing beautiful pieces gets my mind spinning. It is exciting to work with older things because you have to adapt to the materials and to what is available.

Do you follow trends or make your own?

I think big, sparkly jewelry is very on trend right now, as is mixing materials. I certainly fit into trends on those terms.

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