summer design ideas

ipanema bedding + zig zag shower curtain

while wandering through target this weekend, i came upon their new ipanema collection with its fresh spin on tropical decor. if you have been thinking of updating your bedding for the summer be sure to check it out.

another of my favorite finds is west elm's zig zag shower curtain which reminds me of the patterns found on tapa cloth. if you dig it as much as i do, your bank account will be happy to know that it's currently on sale.

happy shopping!

hawaiian wearable art

searching for something pretty but a little bit different for mother's day? stop by vicky durand's online boutique and admire her tropical hand printed scarves, sarongs & skirts. vicky is a former international surfing champion who turned her lifelong love of textiles into an island inspired line created steps from the beach at her makaha studio.

hawaiian wearable art is hand dyed and printed on natural fibers like linen and silk and is just the thing to give moms who appreciate the art of textile design.

island glassworks

fire calabash vase

one of the more mesmerizing places to visit is a glass studio where it's impossible to peel your eyes away as the artist manipulates the hot glass into a piece of art. island glassworks recently opened in kailua and is the only glass studio in hawaii open to the public.

in addition to showcasing his designs in the gallery, glass blower geoff lee also offers workshops to glass enthusiasts who are interested in learning the craft firsthand.

slipper storage

one of the benefits of the custom of removing your shoes when entering your home is that it keeps the floors clean (an added bonus when it's time to move). however one of the more vexing problems is finding a place for all those shoes and slippers so neat freaks will appreciate big island woodworker tai lake's elegant solution for the entryway.

his small shoe bench made of koa offers a place to sit while untying your laces and thoughtfully stores shoes out of the way to keep folks from tripping. what's even better is that tai manages a koa forest and is part of the movement to make hawaii's koa forests more sustainable.

a stylish trip down hana road

limu + kapa

the sunbrella fabric on the chairs on our lanai have taken a beating this winter so the introduction of the hana road collection from perennials has perfect timing. it's a nice modernist take on traditional hawaiian designs like barkcloth and kapa prints as well as taking inspiration from things in nature like limu and coral.

wendy tsuji and linda ueda, the designers of the collection, were definitely inspired by hawaii and i can think of lots of ways to use their fabulous outdoor fabric. unfortunately, the hana road line is only available to the trade (no showrooms in hawaii) and the price tag is a bit hefty ($139 a yard!). however, if you can swing it you'll definitely have a lovely setting to kick back and enjoy the great outdoors.