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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Loves It



Butterflies laser cut from vintage maps

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

"I Want To Go To There" Wednesday


(I haven't been to the beach at all yet this summer!)

Ikea 2010

I looooove Ikea - I mean, who doesn't love cool, modern designs on the cheap? So of course, I was so excited to see this article on Apartment Therapy announcing that the 2010 Ikea catalog was available online. The Ikea catalog is always full of innovative and unique stylings, and I love to see the way they put their products together. One thing I really love to see is new uses for different products, like kitchen cabinets in the living room, or bathroom fixtures in an office. Ikea has so much stuff that sometimes it's hard to visualize different uses for it all just by looking online or shopping the store. This article from AT pulled out some of the best new ideas and looks from the catalog...


I love a piece like this - with a slim profile and simple lines, it could be a desk, sideboard, console table, vanity...just about anything - and it would definitely be a bold statement in any room.


I'm just in love with this whole color combination - crisp green just pops off of the white and feels so energizing and fun. The postcards around the door are a quirky way to display small prints and travel souvenirs in an office or den.


Super shiny kitchen cabinets become gorgeous modern storage in a living room - total genuis.


Hanging DVD storage acts as a colorful focal point on this wall - a great space saving alternative to a large piece of art. And I really love the super low tables for display.


Ah! Organization like this makes me giddy! A place for absolutely everything in an entry or dressing room.

As an alternative to the formal dining room, this space feels much more casual and family friendly thanks to mismatched chairs and low hanging pendants. And a black and white rug is a classic that fits with any style.


I just love the dramatic feel of this room. The new Edland series is so gorgeous and unlike your average Ikea - I mean, drop pulls? Gah.

The House Tour: First Floor

As I embark on this crazy job of renovating my grandmother's house, I'm really excited to document it all here on my little blog. First, I thought I'd share some of the before pictures to give you all* a frame of reference as to what exactly I'm working with here. And I must warn you, these are pretty bad. The house has a lot of really beautiful details and plenty of space - but it's a little hard to tell under all the tacky furniture, bad wallpaper, and innumerable tchotchkes. But I can see a lot of potential and am becoming more and more aware of how lucky I am to have an opportunity like this. These pictures were taken about a month ago, so some work has since been done, but these give you an idea of where we first started...

Entry Hall

Living RoomSunroom

Dining Room

Kitchen


So, needless to say, it's gonna be a lot of work (and I think I have said that already), but I can already see how great it will look. So many more pictures to come!

*I do realize I'm probably talking to myself here...

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Movin' On Up

I think I have big news. Back in this post, I mentioned that I was helping to clean out my grandmother's house. Well, part of the reason for that is because I'm going to be moving into the house. Yup, I am moving! Long story (involving the insurance company, estates, wills and the whatnot) short, my father offered me the house rent free, in exchange for helping to fix it up and sort of becoming a "caretaker", and paying utilities and some other costs. So, barring any unforeseen disasters, I'll be moving up there some time around late October. This all happened pretty fast and I still haven't really wrapped my head around the idea that I'm moving out, or that I'll have an entire house to myself, or that I'll be living alone for the first time ever.....or any of it really. But, I think I'm excited about it! The situation is a little bittersweet for everyone in my dad's family, but they all seem to be excited for me, and happy that we're finally going to move forward with fixing up the house. It's gonna be a LOT of work....a LOT. But I never realized what an amazing house it really is. I think it was built around the 20's or 30's, and it has great character and some amazing details. I can't wait to start posting all of the before and after pictures, and more stuff that I find as we clean up.

For now, here's some pictures of the exterior of the house. Landscaping is pretty much number one on our to do list, because it has just gotten completely out of control. Once that's done, it's on to painting...can't wait to pick the colors!


The massive fir tree that completely took over one side of the house....


SUCH a difference once it was gone!


An absolute jungle in the back....about 30 years worth of overgrown plants and ivy. The ivy completely covers all of the windows in the back of the house, and according to neighbors, hundreds of birds live inside...


Somewhere back there is a driveway, garage, and adorable balcony...

Monday, July 27, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009

Friday Favorite


A purple lacquer armoire *sigh*...so pretty

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Black and White

I'm pretty sure that it was just a few months ago that I was telling someone how opposed I was to black and white as a design theme. Well, as is typical for most designers (I think), I'm a little spazzy and I change my mind about things basically everyday (Example: there was also a time when I was completely into that whole sage/rust/mustard, overly stuffed Domain furniture, 'Tuscan' thing - I know...ew). But lately, I've been finding myself drawn to these high contrast spaces. I still stand my ground that there is a right way and a wrong way to do the whole black/white thing, and that it can start to cross the line between awesome and gross pretty easily. I think the key is to remain streamlined and clean, by keeping shapes simple and patterns bold. These images have struck the perfect balance.










Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Monday Music

The "One Day Late" Edition


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Paper Boy

I can't think of anything else to say but - are you seeeeeerious?! I cannot get over how amazing these pieces from 'Paper Architect' Ingrid Siliakus are. Each one is created from a SINGLE PIECE OF PAPER. How does this even happen?!







Sunday, July 19, 2009


HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Decor FAIL


This room is really gorgeous and all but....WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE FIX THAT RUG?!
asdjhsfdifuulasfdugggggggggh.
(...you have to be a hardcore design geek to understand where I'm coming from with this one)