Dreams do come true...

I often find myself dreaming about that day I will have my own lake house.  I spend hours planning it in my head.  How it will look and feel, what it will be like to spend Summers up there, and how my family will be up there all the time.  Some may say I live in fantasy land, but hey, dreams do come true!

This time I didn't just plan it in my head, I actually made up a few boards to give my ideas some real life looks.

I want a light sofa, but my husband likes dark.  So I did one of each, naturally.

So tell me, what do you dream about??

Get the look...Kardashian style

Love them or hate them the Kardashians are in the news A LOT!  I honestly don't have feelings for them either way.  I do think Kims post baby body is something to talk about, but that's neither here nor there.

 

Moving on to the eldest sister, Kourtney.  I got a little notice in my email today that she was sharing pictures of her home on instyle.com and as soon as I saw "home" I just had to take a peek.  Anything having to do to with interior design sparks my interest, duh. I was expecting something totally different from what I saw.  But some of what I did see, I fell in love with.  The black and white palette, peppered with color and quirky touches, is right up my alley.  I know its not for everyone, just like the Kardashians, but some of this home design is for me.

 

 

I dont think I could actually live in this home, but some of the pieces are fun. Here are a few pieces I put together if you want to get the look for your own home

art  -   lighting  -  rug  -  pillows  -  throw  -  piano  -  chair & side table

 

Happy Friday!!

Fit for second first love

Since the birth of the new Royal Baby, the whole world has baby fever.  Not going to lie I have been following the news of the new Prince, but I've also been thinking of another special baby. My best friend, Erin, is pregnant and her baby is set to arrive in early January!

Obviously as soon as I heard the news I got to work on planning the nursery.  Yes, I'm that crazy friend that sends daily emails with a million nursery ideas.  Much to my dismay, she isn't finding out the sex of the baby.  So my job is coming up with a gender neutral nursery fit for a he OR she. 

Erin has a boxer named Harley, that she already thinks is her child.  She has actually said she loves him so much she feels like she birthed him (crazy dog people I'm sure can relate, yes? no?).   To say that she loves him is an understatement. Anyway,  I felt it was only fitting to make him a big part of her new human baby nursery and this is what I came up with

I love, love, love the Osborne & Little Best in Show wallpaper but I really wanted to use just Boxers.  A little creativity later and I came up with is special Boxer wallpaper that I'm calling First Love.  

The drawer pulls on the dresser/changing table aren't bows, they are bones!  How adorable?

Hawaii is near and dear to Erin and her husband so I felt I needed to add a little color to the space in the form of this watercolor map- I love that it adds color while staying gender neutral.

The rest of the items are those typical nursery things: a crib, rocker, some toys and lighting for those late night feedings that are sure to be plenty.

I'm sure there will be many more rounds of the game I call "hey what do you think of this nursery idea?"  But this was a solid start and one I hope I can recreate for my already loved niece or nephew!

Everyone is a special guest

I love hard working entryways.  You know the kind that aren't saved for only the special guests, but that everyone can come through and are used all the time.  I grew up in a Cape style house where everyone just came through the garage.  The pretty farmers porch entrance was saved for dinner party nights when my mother insisted on shutting the garage so people would come around to the front.  I guess in other style homes this isn't the case and the front door is used often and everyday. 

Anywho...I love a space that looks effortless.  A space that looks great with Winter boots as well as Summer flip flps.   I think with a good old antique Persian rug you get just that.  Great look, not much fuss.  It's a rug that obvi has stood the test of time and one I think looks great in so many different style homes. 

I for one, cant wait to have a nice, hardworking entry with a large antique Persian rug to greet everyone with.  Even if its the UPS man everyday.

Atlanta Homes Magazine

Elle Decor.  Design by Thom Felicia, photo by William Waldron

Lindsay Coral Harper

House and Home, photo by Per Kristiansen

Elle Decor, photo by Laura Resen

Vogue, home of Amanda Peet

Unknown, anyone know?

Style at Home, design by Virginia Macdonald

Last but not least, my FAVORITE most crazed obsession lately. That Rachel Reider really knows how to make me swoon.  This space is just like me too. My twin, I say.
New England traditional with a touch of funky and something that makes you go hmmmmm...

Rue Magazine, Rachel Reider Design, photo bt Emily Johnston Anderson

So I put together my own fun entry space today.  I was feeling in a bit of an overdyed Persian mood

This is exactly the space I'd like my UPS man to see everyday!

Inspired by great

To me there is no question that Dorothy Draper was/is one of the greatest.  Some people may disagree solely based on the fact that they don't like her style.  I get that everyone is entitled to their opinion on style and hers takes a special person to appreciate that bold style.  But style aside, she paved the way for designers today and built an empire in a time where women and business didn't often go in the same sentence.  She took her passion and talent and turned it into company that is still around today. 

(These photos are all from The Greenbrier, while she did a lot more than just this hotel it is the one space of hers that is the most photographed and available in color)

I often refer to her work and love to read about her.  Her confidence inspires me.  Her ability to pair color, pattern, and a little bling is something I will always admire.  Last semester one quick homework assignment was to pick a designer that inspired me and write a quick bio, pick a color pallet and turn it into a modern day design (no budget, time schedule or specific clients needs to meet, this was solely inspiration based) Of course I picked Dorothy Draper and her eclectic style.

Here are the fabrics I pulled together

 

And here is the space I pulled together based on the inspired fabrics

 

Tell me, what inspires you?

 

 

Master Makeover

A few weeks ago I was asked by a client / friend to help give her master bedroom a little sprucing.  With a limited budget she wanted to keep her current bedroom furniture and basic tan and white bedding but add a few accessories to pull the space together.  Painting was not tops on the list, but with the right accessories she could be convinced to repaint the space. A rug was a must because her one year old son plays on the floor while she gets ready in the morning and she wanted to have a comfortable place for him.

When I asked how she wanted the room to feel she said, "like I'm on vacation at the beach, but without the light blues, seashells and typical beach chotchkies."

Here are the two plans I came up with- one I thought her husband would like  and one I knew she would like.  The hard part is coming up with a compromise for both of them. (the nightstands represent the current finish on the existing bedroom furniture)

In the end I think we might pick and choose from both- but that just makes for an even more personalized space that works for the whole family.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Using what you have

Well, that was a little break huh?  One day turned into one week and I had not blogged. Some days I'm lacking in creativity and I just don't know what to post.  Blogging has changed so much over the years that i feel like my posts have to be original and new just to keep up.  I have to keep reminding myself why I started blogging and just get back into the rhythm of it.  Anyway, enough of that for this morning.

A few weeks ago I met with a potential client who needed help with her kids room.  Long story short, she ended up not needing as much help as she thought so she didn't need my services.  But we are close in age and she has adorable kids so maybe a friendship is what was meant to come out of it! 

Before I even met her she had said she was moving her kids into one room, a boy and a girl, and she was hoping to work with the lavender gingham drapes she already had.  Music to my ears, I love gingham and I've wanted to pair red and lavender together for a long time now.  Here is what I came up with when I was feeling creative

I'm loving the lavender and red together here, hopefully one day I can design a kids bedroom using these colors!

what kind of bar are you?

Since my last post I could not stop thinking about how fun it would be to have my very own built-in wet bar.  I put together these 5 different bar accessory boards just to get more of idea on what style I liked.  Honestly though, I love them all, I cant pick a favorite.  Ok maybe the Fun Flair one might be my favorite.  But only because it has orange in it.

crystal decanters - pewter liquor tags - pineapple ice bucket - wood tray - double old-fashioned glasses - spoon dish - linen cocktail napkins

cocktail glasses - linen cocktail napkins - octopus bottle stopper - orange tray - pink champagne glasses - mermaid bottle opener - octopus decanter

deer bottle stopper - brown ice bucket - old-fashioned glasses - fish bottle opener - wood cutting board - wood dish

crystal ice bucket - silver corkscrew - amethyst bottle stopper - wine glasses - cocktail glasses - blue tray

crystal ice bucket - blue glasses - monogrammed wine glasses - elephant bottle stopper - red tray - coasters - striped straws

What kind of bar gal are you? 

All you need is love

Since everyone I basically know is pregnant right now I figured I'd work on using purple in a nursery this time.  I'm actually really liking this space I think I could live with the color scheme in my own family room or bedroom

I think my favorite part is the Lee Jofa Indianola Weave fabric- I have to find a way to use that in a real life nursery project for sure.  I also love the All You Need is Love poster, perfect for baby and Mom & Dad.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Purple Family Room

Now that school is over I have been working on getting my creative energy out in ways that I want, and not what my teacher wants.  In order to get the most out of school I am trying to work on things we discussed in class.  One of those topics was working with colors that aren't particularly my favorite.  One of those colors is a red-purple, so I put this board together using that color on a side chair and went from there

Sources:
Hickory Chair Sofa, Norwalk Side Chair, Z Gallerie Accessories, Z Gallerie Black Pillow, Jill Sorensen Pink Pillow, Oly Side Tables, Bungalow 5 Coffee Table, Circa Lighting Baluster Lights, and ABC Carpet & Home Rug


Only a couple more weeks of freedom an then it's back to the books!

Sources

You know I'm in the middle of my mid-terms or finals when there is so much dead space going on over here...so sorry about that. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging!  But my final is over, I think it went well- of course there is more I could have done but there are only so many hours in the day.  I have two weeks of freedom before my summer class starts and I am so excited to relax and get those 1,000 projects on my list tackled started.

Anywoo, while I get my desk cleaned up and my act together I thoght I would post the sources that I promised you all last week.

This space started off with my new fabric obsession.  The Manuel Canovas Dara fabric.  I think it could be a new favorite like the Chiang Mai craze. 

Oly Studio white end tables 

Orange Robert Abbey lamps

Throw pillows on sofa are from Caitlin Wilsons awesome new fabric line (I used Jade Byblos and Mint Fretwork)

Jonathan Adler Preston Cocktail Table

Bungalow 5 blue tray

mgbw blue swivel chair

Stray Dog Designs pink side table

Dash and Albert green and white striped rug

I think that's everything for now.  Happy Thursday everyone!

Procrastination

I'm the queen of procrastination.  If you recall my midterm project was finished at approximately 3:30am due to my procrastination issue.  This time around I'm trying hard to get most of my final done before that 3:30am mark.

Yet, clearly I am not succeeding at this task very well.  Case and point, this family room board I put together instead of working on my final today

I'm getting the sources pulled together right now, I'll update this post later with all the lovely sources.

Happy Friday everyone!!

Fit for a Captain

I feel like every other day one of my friends is telling me they are pregnant.  I guess I'm just at that age where people start having babies.  While that wont be me for a LONG time, I am having fun putting together nursery ideas for their little ones.

The most recent board I put together was for my good friend from high school.  She wanted something orange & blue with hints of the ocean. She already has the crib and changing table so I started with those and got to work.  Here is what I put together for her little boy

I added my own personal touch too,  the books on the bookshelf are some of my very favorite.  I mean what Boston girl doesn't love Make Way For Ducklings?

Happy Friday Everyone!


PS- don't forget about the Happy Habitat phone case giveaway- get your entry in today!

Work in Progress

Just as I finished my mid-term for class, my teacher handed out our assignment for the final.  I'm busy pulling together a million working pieces for the project, but I thought I'd share my preliminary master bedroom plan (its still a work in progress)

(Kelly Wearstler Bengal Bazaar fabric, Jan Showers Miles Lamp, Michelle Armas artwork, Hickory Chair side table, and Leontine Linens)

I'm kinda obsessed with those lamps- If they didn't cost as much as a few months rent (ok, I'm exaggerating a little here) I would have a pair of my own already.


Also, I need to teach myself how to use one of those fun programs that lets me get rid of backgrounds in pictures.  My boards need a little help. 

Does anyone have any good tutorials or tips & tricks they can share?
I'd love you forever!!


PS- don't forget about the Happy Habitat phone case giveaway- enter HERE.

love me some amrapali

I have a real soft spot for this Designers Guild fabric (and it comes in wallpaper too!)

The colors in it are all my favorites and the large flowers on the white background makes my heart melt.  I think I tend to love things that are out of my price range that I cant have.  Some kind of sick self torture or something.

Since I was already in a dream world I put together this cutie pie little reading nook.  It is totally not budget friendly.  

I'm  totally craving color and pattern lately, can you tell?

Happy Friday Everyone!

Designers Guild Amrapali wallpaper

Stark Leopard No Rose Rug

Blue Howell Leather Wingback chairs from Anthropologie @ $2,498.00 each

Baroque Style Giltwood Mirror from 1stdibs @ $6,300

Burton ottoman from Jayson Home & Garden @ $1,195

Penguin Classic Books @ $20.00 each

Man Space

So my little brother is moving out on his own.  No more roommates, no more sleeping on a bare mattress, and no more futons!  Of course as soon as he told me he was moving I said, "OK great, I'll decorate it".  

Stephanie made a good point though, she said that I can't make it look like a girl just moved out. He wouldn't want to scare away any future ladies. 

So I asked what my budget would be.  His response, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it......$300!! Obvi decorating is not high on the priority list, I think a TV beat me out. Men!

This is my prelim plan- I haven't shown the bro yet, but remember he is younger so I can just tell him it's cool and go with it.  That's what big sisters are for.

Think I can pull it off for only $300?  To be fair I will be shopping my parents attic like nobodies business and shopping craigslist for those "free" items. 

And to get the party started we already have:

-the slab wood coffee table (my daddy made it YEARS ago and its super cool) 

-fabric for the pillows

-table lamps from the parents attic

-floor lamp from the parents attic- will get a coat of GOLD paint, hot DAMN! 

Other ideas:

-paint a side chair that's in decent shape like this Kristy did here

-have my dad make a super large frame out of some wood, spray paint it a pretty color and staple a super large world map behind it.  I might even try giving it a tea treatment to make the colors a little more muted.

-try my hand at making some tufted ottomans

-I'll be fixin' up a tray LEB style to make his own mini bar area

-makin' drapes out of sheets- i forgot that on the board oops.


I think that's it for now.  Any other genius bachelor pad ideas I should know?  You know, the kind that I can fit into that $300 budget of his.

Happy weekend everyone!

Classic not cutsie

Those are the words that my co-worker described when talking about how she wanted the nursery for her little boy to look. 

When I asked her what she liked she said: "brown & blue, stripes, damask, and dark furniture- more classic than modern.  I want it less baby looking and more baby, toddler, little boy- something he can grow into."

So off to work I went and this is what I came up with

pharmacy lamp, chair, ABC LOVE print Made by Girl, drapes, lamps, striped baskets, rug, gold pouf, crib, bear, dresser and bookcase are both craigslist finds.

I think this is a space that both Mom and Baby would be happy with for the long run.  Let's hope she likes it!

Fit for a Queen

One of my best friends is moving into a new one bedroom Brooklyn apartment and asked me to help her come up with a plan for family room. Ok she didn't ask me, I took it upon myself to come up with a mood board as how I pictured her new living space.

This girl is one of the most fashion forward girls I know, she has been that way since the day I met her. She has a taste for the finer things in life and was the first (and I think only still) friend to own a Chanel bag AND a Fendi spy bag...hot damn :)

She loves modern and does not want the cluttered look- actually she told me that she wants a man to be able to walk into her apartment and just know who she is and what shes about. The look I was going for is a glamorous-worldly-fashion forward-modern-ethnic-chic with a twistlook

click to make bigger

I sent her this look and she loved it. Maybe a few tweaks here and there, but overall it was a winning look.

I've already told her if she doesn't take before and after pictures of this room I will disown her as a friend. Just kidding of course, but I said my blog readers would be very upset, wouldn't you all??