I really miss Blueprint (and all my other favorite magazines). Recently I was flipping through some back issues and came across this fashion editorial that really struck a chord with me when I first saw it, and still seems relevant two years later.

"Foundation Pieces" marries classic clothing with home decor items that are meant to last years and years. From the shoes to the furnishings, I think all the picks were right on, as was the philosophy behind the story:

Flash-in-the-pan fashions can leave you feeling burnt. (Perhaps you could dress the wounds with that terrycloth tube-top babydoll tunic?) Invest in a few trend-proof pieces, however, and you'll have clothes you'll look cool in for years to come. Think of these as classics for the future - several steps beyond the black pumps and pantsuit. And your wardrobe will be just the warm-up. Soon enough, you'll be hot on the trail for timeless home styles, too.

Now that I give even more consideration to each of my purchases, this story does provide inspiration for things to look for: clean yet interesting lines, perhaps using classic colors but in unexpected ways; silhouettes rooted in vintage styles, with one or two tweaks that make them feel current; "basics" that have some discernable details that make them seem "special".

I think the images are so lovely, setting perfectly placed pattern and color against layers of textured white and black, with one or two reflective elements thrown in. This concept is what I aspire to keep in mind for both dressing and decorating.

I snapped photographs of the magazine itself, so the image quality is kind of weird! Original images by Roland Bello, text by Rory Evans. Blueprint, March/April 2007.