Worth the Week: Warehouse Worktown

Warehouse Worktown

The fam was in town this past weekend. We all piled in the car (yes! CAR!) to attend a small and delightful wedding expo thinger. The chic and indie wedding show gave us a taste of bite-sized brisket, vintage pin-ups, and such a lovely script. Yet I couldn't help but notice the space - a very cool industrial-turned-entrepreneurial warehouse.

I would love to work in a space like this. The quiet, open hallways - with brick and vents and NEON - opened onto gently marked doorways. There was even an indoor bike rack! And, most importantly, this building is about a...um...seven minute bus ride from my house.

So far my shiniest employment option is Ballroom Dance Chicago but I don't think I have the technical expertise...yet. I'll have to see what else is in the space because I think Mr. Sketch (that blurry finger up there) would kill me if I contacted The Dark Angel of T-Shirts...

See more of the neon sign fun HERE and HERE.

Take one photograph,
trade thought for order and words,
call it Worth the Week.

Ants in Their Pants (in Bed)

You know how when you change one thing in a room, it makes you want to hurry up and change it all? Well, Alison Rose & Mr. Sketch just painted their run-of-the-mill bureau white and now they're anxious to give it a purty backdrop.

The Newly Painted Bureau

They've been sleeping with the real estate-friendly beige walls since they bought their house a few years ago. Now, they're hoping to go for something rich, deep, and moody-chic.

Bedroom at Present

They first mentioned something about a deep red but, having lived with a purplish-red hallway for awhile, I warned them about it feeling too goth...especially in a boudoir...especially in this age of True Blood.

Cardboard's Hallway

Then they sent me this color!

Bedroom at My Paper Crane

They like this jewel-toned blue very much because it provides a big WOW! factor against the white but still works with wood (floors and trim). It's almost perfect, they state, but they started thinking, "Maybe a little more grey...."

And I agree. Their bedroom is coming off a rather dark and narrow hallway so neutralizing it a tad is probably a good idea. But I do think, with two big windows, the bedroom can handle a shade that's fairly dark. So I checked out the Virtual Fan Deck at Benjamin Moore and found...

...Bella Blue! It's a little greyer, a little lighter, it's beautiful, AND it's got some significance to Alison Rose, as it shares a name with the manufacturer of their screen-printed t-shirts. Voila!

Palette Mash; Walls, Wood, White, & Bed

But this is only my opinion. What do you all think?!

Weekend Flings

• Totally (seen above)
• Alison Rose Gets More Famous (and More Orders)
• Philly Free Library is NOT Closing!
• Pretty, Intense (!) Artistic Sand
• Sound Off for Penmanship

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Bonus Bone: Indoor/Outdoor Houndstooth Rug & Love

Houndstooth Polypropylene Rug, at Overstock

I like this indoor/outdoor rug for a few reasons. Number one, houndstooth is a classic, a pattern that can mix with most others or stand proudly alone. Secondly, this design reminds me of my sister, Alison Rose, who is...

...finally engaged to her beloved Mr. Sketch! May love and houndstooth decorate the rest of your lives together!

For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare all this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Ohio Starter Home

The happy news of Grace's return came just in time. This weekend Alison Rose and Mr. Sketch moved into their very first non-rented home!


Buying a home requires courage but these two new homeowners are going beyond brave. They are not only moving right before the holidays but they're also hosting our family for Christmas! Bamboo, Mama C, and I can't wait to see it in person.


Congratulations, Buckeyes, and good luck unpacking! May I suggest shutting Grace up in the bathroom when the front door's propped open.


For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Big Sale at Alison Rose

Alison Rose and Mr. Sketch emailed us to let everyone know they're feeling extra generous this time of year. Everything in their shop is 25% off until the end of the year. We're talking T-shirts, hoodies, wallets...

Please note that if you're hoping to gift away your purchase for Christmas, you must order by Dec.16th (one week from today!) to give the elves time enough for delivery.

Check out the new Alison Rose Facebook page HERE and then get to shoppin'!

Full of Grace (!)

Reunited: Alison Rose & Grace

Grace has been found! I don't know if it was St. Francis, luck, or fate but I think it might be a bit of all three. Here's the happy story:

My sister and her BF were hanging out last night, post dinner and jammie wearin', when they got a phone call. Mr. Sketch answered the ring and yelled to Alison Rose to put her shoes on 'cause someone might have found Grace! Turns out that, after nine scary days outside, skinny and tired little Gracie walked right into their neighbor's house, not even caring that they had a big ol' dog.

Hen Hao, Indeed!

The wildest part of the story is that they had Chinese food for dinner, right before receiving the call, and shown above is the true and actual fortune that Mr. Sketch cracked out of his cookie.

Reunited: Mr. Sketch & Grace

A Graceful Update

Little Grace is still missing. My sister (and her long-time friend) are losing hope. New DB reader Becky wrote in to tell us that she's always consulted St. Francis about her cat concerns. A quick google search tells me that St. Francis is not only the patron saint of animals but also of Colorado. Hear that, Alison Rose & Mr. Sketch? That's the sound of a good sign fluttering by!

Kneeling Saint Francis with Bowl, at Garden-Fountains

I feel so helpless being so far away from the action or lack thereof. So I'll sit here in Chicago and make silent requests to Francis to hurry up and bring Grace home. If the price tag wasn't such a killer, I'd also buy this garden ornament and tell them to fill it with CatMilk.

Thanks, Becky, for the wisdom and happy thoughts.

Seeking Grace

My sister's cat, Grace, has been missing since last Tuesday. She's a little indoor princess so the idea of her being out in the Ohio cold is heart-breaking.

If you live in the Columbus area, please keep an eye out for her and grab her if you see her. If you have any information at all, EMAIL US NOW.

Lost : 11/25/2008 Status = Found!!! Cat , Female Where Lost : Ohio , Franklin County Specific Location: Grandview area of Columbus, OH. Near King Ave. and Ashland Report Created on: 11/27/2008

Pet Name: Grace Color: white Features: Not spayed Height: Medium: 1-2' Weight: 5-10 lbs Coat: Short , Smooth Age: 7 years Collar: None

OH Teaser

Quiet an enchanting little porch, wouldn't you say? I can't say anything for sure (jinxes are so very real!) but we might be seeing a lot more of this sweet space.

Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for some big news from Ohio...

Bonus Bone: Obama in Words

My Bonus Bone selection isn't an interior design, I realize, but it's important, timely, and aesthetically righteous.

This shirt designed by Nicholas Nocera of Alison Rose shows a powerful portrait of Barack Obama drawn out with words. The lines of text are mostly quotes from Obama's DNC acceptance speech with other sound bite gems thrown in.

Some of us believe in this man a lot and some of this believe in him a little but I think we're all filled with a bit more hope. If you're feeling the same way, visit Alison Rose to show your support across your chest. The shirt's available for men and women, in organic natural or a soft blue, for $22. The cherry on top is that a portion of each sale goes straight to Obama for America Campaign.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Reminder: Chicago Renegade Craft Fair

Renegade Craft Fair, Chicago, 2006

Reminder:
The 6th annual Renegade Craft Fair is happening this weekend. Alison Rose will be there with new merchandise that's nothing short of brilliant. Cardboard will be there all weekend, hawking her little heart out in the AR tent. Porcelain will be out, walkin' around and checkin' out the crafts, all Saturday afternoon. You should come out too. You should say, "Hi" and then you should buy.

Details:
Sat 9/13 & Sun 9/14
Noon - 10pm (both days)
On Division St, between Damen & Hermitage

Click HERE for more details, maps, and lists of both vendors and live bands!