snapshots.
hi! i’m melanie biehle and i’m the writer, photographer, and designer for inward facing girl. i live in seattle with my husband and our 18-month-old son and document our life on my blog, along with my art, design, photography, travel, pinterest, and pop culture obsessions. i also sell some of my photography and artwork on society6.
i’m so excited to be part of sfgirlbybay. i’ve admired victoria’s impeccable sense of style for quite some time, so to be included here is…just wow! i hope you enjoy my photographic adventures in art, design, travel, and more. our first stop will be my most recent trip to visit family in louisiana. my mom and I have completely different styles when it comes to design. i’m a modern girl who dreams of living in a loft that todd selby would be compelled to photograph. she’s never heard of todd selby and owns a collection of ceramic roosters.
when i visited earlier this month, i noticed that my mom had some things in her collection that we could both appreciate – like vintage mason jars and metal cookie cutters, old sugar and creamer sets, and a ton of fiesta dinnerware that makes for cool photographs when you just have to shoot a bowl of eggs.
i tend to describe most things that are pre-1950 as “prairie.” it’s a long story with a complex classification system, but the term came from little house on the prairie and the lifestyle it represented. i completely surprised myself when i actually liked some of the “prairie” things i might have scoffed at in the past.
i never believed it would exist, but i think i have discovered “prairie chic.” what kind of design trends have you found that are different from your style but you still feel drawn to?
xo, inward facing girl
I grew up with this style! I’m from the prairies (in Canada) and it’s what you find in all the second hand shops. There is also a particular type of midcentury ceramic dish ware that comes from Medalta Potteries in my home town that I covet. Great post!
Thank you so much, Leslie! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
All these items remind me of my grandma and her true taste in food and strange things! Oh i love them!
(New blog needing some love: http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com)
I just got a book from the library last week called “Romantic Prairie Style” by Fifi O’neill. You can find it on amazaon here http://www.amazon.com/Romantic-Prairie-Style-Fifi-Oneill/dp/1907563199/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330703021&sr=8-1. It’s full of beautiful prairie style photos and home decor.
Nice job, Mel!
Thank you for your comments! I’m really excited about working on this series. If prairie chic isn’t your style, come back next time. :)
great shots, melanie!! so happy to see your work on sfgirlbybay. i didn’t think i would either but i’m LOVING the ceramic roosters. and your witty quips and loveable writing. :)
Thank you so much, Whitney! Looking at my mom’s stuff and thinking, “Hmm…that’s pretty cool…ish…” was definitely an unfamiliar feeling. :) No offense, Mom.
I’m a country girl, so prairie country is what I grew up with. I’m so glad that more people are rediscovering this style. There’s a realness, a history, that comes with it. Even if you don’t begin with a feel of history about your home or even within your family, these pieces bring with them an energy that adds a charm and a past to our surroundings.
Lovely post! I’m off to discover your blog.
Thank you so much!
I like the Prairie Chic classification. It is a more feminine branch of the Heritage style going on right now, which can be fairly masculine with its rope, taxidermy, chunky eyeglasses, old typewriters, etc. This looking backward aesthetically, I think, reflects how we feel about the state of the world’s economy. We are nostalgic instead of hopefully looking forward. Records, Instagramming our photos, listening to bands that have a sound reminiscent of sounds from the past. I’m all for appreciating things in new ways, but it makes me wonder if the aesthetic will evolve, once we have hope again for the future.
That’s interesting, Anne. I never thought of it as a sister look to Heritage. I can definitely see it.
I’m a TOTAL prairie girl…..(who still love a clean modern design) I have such a split personality!
PS – Congrats on this new gig sister! You are so worthy. Victoria is amazing. I met her at Alt at our Wed. night dinner then chatted with her throughout the weekend. Love her! She is one of those real people you want to keep close by at all times…kind of like you too! xo
Jill, I love you. Thank you so much.
Great column debut! Love those vintage mason jars.
I’ve recently discovered I’m drawn to the industrial style, and I find myself trying to incorporate it into my new studio. Loving it!
Ronnie xo
That sounds cool. Thanks, Ronnie.
I think the next time I visit my mom I’m going to have to put a few of her jars in my suitcase. :)
I don’t know a thing about design styles, but I do love your mom’s roosters.
I’ll be sure to tell her. :)
Absolutely LOVE this style – especially Mason Jar with rust! (swoon)
Thanks for another gorgeous post.
xoxo