[image above, clockwise from top left: acacia floor lamp $298,leotard $12, ballroom heels $100, vintage radio poster $100, rattan living suite $8500, watermelon $3, vintage suitcase $25]

Honestly, I hadn’t ever really paused to considered Dirty Dancing a stylistic oeuvre, seeing as takes place in a hysterically blatant 1980s version of the 1960s, but who am I to judge. Its mountain bungalow setting is just amazing. Grace- next summer let’s book Kellerman’s for a design*sponge sleep away camp. Who’s with me? amy m.

[image above, clockwise from top left: antique French desk lamp,clock $88, st. james tee $67, rattan dresser $5750, keds $35, recycled plaid blanket $35, playing cards $3.50, armchair $1500 for pair]

Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 95 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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Directed by the champion of artsy girls, Sophia Coppola’s 1999 The Virgin Suicides is rife with dreamy, soft focus shots of doodles in notebooks, floral nighties, Heart albums, bike baskets, high waisted jeans and Trip Fontaine. Oh Trip Fontaine. I’ll forgive your bad 70s hair because you are a timeless dreamboat/jerk combination that girls throughout the ages will always fall for.

[image above, clockwise from top left: macramé planter $48, iron canopy bed $179+, crazy daisy fabric $15/yard, portable turntable $140, princess phone $49, leather butterfly chair $248, charm bracelet $178, alarm clock $58, knit pillow $34, pillow $228+ for set]

I’m years and years out of school, but I still get a kick out of the September rush to sharpen your pencils and get a new haircut. This fall I’m switching to scribbling my daily lists and other important adult notes from scrap paper into a trusty 70s composition notebook instead. But more likely, I’ll end up just writing my name over and over again, testing out various boy’s last names. You can take a girl out of high school, but try as you might, you can’t take the high school out of the girl. – : amy m.

[image above, clockwise from top left: lockers $524,bestie necklace $13, school clock $33, whale ashtray $16, composition notebook $1.20, leather backpack $170, perfume bottles $24+, lipstick pen $5, paper fans $1]

Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 50 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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But that doesn’t stop me from loving The Remains of the Day, a real true grownup movie (and book) if ever there was one. Subtle, sweetly playful and lonely; it’s neither a sweeping romance nor a spellbinding drama but manages to be both in it’s own thoughtful, measured way.

Taking place in the years just before and after world war two in an English rural estate, the story follows that of Stevens the butler and the head housekeeper, Miss Kenton. I’ve always been a sucker for the whole upstairs/downstairs dynamic and Remains of the Day doesn’t disappoint. The servant’s quarters are warm and homey and the house itself is the peak of dignified British country style. Beautiful floral textiles upstairs and down!

[image above, clockwise from top left: maple mirror $649,silver coffee set $128, chinoiserie wallpaper panels, teal throw $45, lamp $175, grandfather clock $183, votive holder $49, sofa $3498, dinner bell $6]

Aside from the undeniable fact that Darlington manor is a countryside dream come true, the interiors are a really inspiring combination of feminine prints and strong, bold furniture. The movie packs a wallop, you’re going along, minding your own business and while you weren’t paying attention, it’s quietly torn your heart out. It’s almost enough to make a girl want to shout from the rooftops if she’s been secretly pining away for someone. But hey, if you don’t, make sure you have an amazing English estate to nurse your lonely heart in.

[image above, clockwise from top left: scalloped mirror $98,swing arm wall lamp $129, Schumacher “hot house” fabric, four-poster bed $7675, vintage bakelite telephone $95, fireplace mantel $312, slipper chair $284]

Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 40 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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A funny and bittersweet love story concocted by Woody Allen in 1977, Annie Hall is the stuff dreams are made of. Not only are the script and acting legendary, the movies mixes 70’s groovy and uptown intellectual in a really witty and inspiring way.

[image above, clockwise from top left: heriz rug $3599,sunglasses $11, rotary phone $40+, chesterfield sofa $2000, potted lady palm $80, wooden tennis racket, assorted books, pulldown classroom maps, basket bag $59]

On the list of Annie Hall must haves? Tufted leather, folksy rugs, houseplants, tall piles of books and yes, a lobster or two. Just be sure to check the self-deprecating neurosis at the door!

[image above, clockwise from top left: lomo camera $70,felt hat $17, antique log cabin quilt $565, widdicomb highboy dresser, classic chrome table lamp $179, lobster $14.99/lb, vest $236, tie $8, bresson rocker $1800, tristano frames ]

Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 60 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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Set in the coastal town of Cherbourg, France, the story follows Geneviève and her mother as they struggle to keep open their (adorable) umbrella shop. Girl meets boy. Boy goes to war. Darling umbrellas and wallpaper are prominently displayed for our viewing pleasure and before you know it- bam!- you’ve just watched your new favorite movie. So romantic, tragic, silly (after all, every last word is sung!) and gobsmackingly inspiring.

[image above, clockwise from top left: umbrella $115, A.P.C trench coat $480, grosgrain hair bow $6.50, yellow striped wallpaper, green damask wallpaper, medallion chair, abici bicycle $1000, yellow rose lamp $50]

Be prepared to see pickle green, fuchsia, aqua, teal, red, peacock blue and lemon all coexist in the same apartment and have it still seem, ugh, dare I say it? Chic. There, I said it. Not a word I normally use. It’s the most saturated, pop art color palette of any movie I’ve ever seen and the wallpaper alone will blow your mind and make you want to grab a patterned umbrella, bicyclette and a handsome boy to run away to Cherbourg.

[image above, clockwise from top left: everard medallion wallpaper found via katy elliott, cora mirror $998, wall sconce $140, pink hydrangea $, mirrored dresser $1300, velvet pillow $20, French folding bed $3500, Ipswich spring wallpaper, pink floral umbrella $105, striped umbrella $220, alabaster table lamp $230]

Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 74 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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[image above, clockwise from top left: wood knob pulls $3.88+, daisy knob $8, key hook rack $24, floral brass knob $2.75, coy finials $48, log house numbers $19.95, carved bloom knob $10, melon glass finials $40, branch cabinet pull $50.40, diamond gal knob $6, eastlake escutcheon $2.19+, inlaid pearl doorknob $38, pinecone lamp finial $25.20, brass fox door knocker $12.79]

[image above, left to right: deer head door knocker $38, owl door knocker $18, horse head hook $18]

CLICK HERE for the full roundup of over 35 budget-friendly hardware selections after the jump!

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Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 34 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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In Little Women, the March family struggles to stay afloat in civil war era New England while the father is away at war. Cozy quilts, wide plank floor boards, fresh flowers and sisterly affection hide a multitude of frayed edges and “fallen from proper society” furnishings. I love things that look a little patched, plus these days it’s become a necessity again. Score one for the make do and mend movement!

[image above, clockwise from top left: aged brass floor lamp $375, oxford chair $3225, hardy playing cards $8.95, leather framed mirror $425, antique log cabin quilt $775, spool bed $390, madura pillow $115, adoptable kitten, porcelain doll $50]

Now on to the important stuff, which March sister are you most like? My four close friends and I frequently go back and forth about who’s who. We’ve even had Little Women slumber parties were we all pile under a quilt and watch the movie. Yes, we are nerds. Rough and tumble Jo, sweet and shy Beth, motherly Meg or plucky Amy? Truly a question for the ages…..

[image above, clockwise from top left: two candle sconce, marble bust $425, sampler poster $40, striped wallpaper, upright piano, braided wool rug $79+, antique brass candlesticks $40, antique wicker trunks $1800 a set, wooden top $7, ladder back chairs $142, chronograph wall clock $139]

Design*Sponge, 2009. | Permalink | 99 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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