Dec 31, 2009

here's to sleeping in!

*confession:
i'm not the biggest fan of new year's eve.
i never have been.
most of the time, i am already asleep by midnight.
party pooper, i know.
but one thing that i do like is the idea that
almost everyone sleeps in the following morning!
there's sort of a delicious laziness to that.
so here's to sleeping in 
in style!

i love the stripes, and the chartreuse band on the bedding.

i'm pretty much in love with any room that has a
dose of black and white
i especially like the mix here
of the bold graphic, and the feminine toile.
and that wall color is so soothing!

beautiful symmetry.
love the headboards.

great color combination!
i love the trio of benches.

so dreamy.
check out the lucite legs on that bench!
and the creamy white lined with shiny silk
is really stunning and soothing at the same time.
and i love the color of that silk.

i would love to wake up here.

such a beautiful color, balanced nicely with
creamy whites and yummy texture.
*
which bedroom would 
you most want to wake up in?



Dec 30, 2009

sources for studio apartment

well hello!
i have had several requests for the 
sources for the furnishings 
in the studio apartment idea board.
here they are!

1 sofa 
3 buffet
4 bookcase  
7 desk 
16 headboard 
17 bench 
18 tiled mirror


happy shopping!
even if it's just "virtual" shopping...
it's still fun, isn't it?



love/hate

i have a love/hate 
relationship with real trees.
love the way they look and smell.
love hunting for the prefect tree with 
my little family each year.
hate the mess they make...



this was my floor yesterday afternoon.
the needles were everywhere.
i even found needles in the pockets of my jacket, 
in my my shoes and in my hair!
but i sure smelled good.

Dec 29, 2009

i'm loving...


grey + white + gold


images from veranda

Dec 28, 2009

temporary wallpaper


this is genius!
why didn't i think of this? 
it's called tempaper, and it is a
vinyl coated self adhesive wallpaper.
it's repositionable too!


i would use the  damask print on the 
ceiling of a powder room.
and the houndstooth would look amazing 
in a hall or even a dining room.

it's run by an aunt and her twin nieces.
how sweet is that?
visit their site here
you can even shop online, 
which i love.

studio apartment

my cute, newly married sister in law and her husband recently moved into a studio apartment in washington dc.  she sent me a floor plan of her new spread and asked for my help.
they really like a warm modern look, and wanted to make the apartment function for many things. they occasionally entertain, as my SIL is a fabulous cook, but they also need to maximize the storage and wanted to create a sense of privacy for the bedroom area.
here's the floor plan:


so, i got to work, and drafted up the 
living/dining/sleeping area of the apartment. 
(since i don't have the drafting program that i normally use 
installed on my computer, i used this free one online.)
when i first saw the floor plan, i initially thought that the best place for the "bedroom" and "living room" would be closer to the window, making the
 dining area closer to the kitchen. 
but here's what i found out after placing the furniture:

there was no room for the couch.
and no sense of privacy in the bedroom.
and DANG, is that apartment small!!
no, this layout was not going to work...
so, i swapped the living area and placed it 
closer to the kitchen, and voila!
 all of the sudden, there was room for a "bedroom"
and "office",a "dining area" and a "living room".
here's the final floor plan i sent her, 
as well as an "idea board"
 for possible furnishings.


as you can see, i managed to fit in 4 separate-feeling living areas:
the living area consists of:
a sofa, a coffee table, a side table with lamp,
large dresser with tv above, 
a small plant stand, and a side chair
the dining area consists of:
a pedestal table with 2 small chairs,
a long storage bench and a hanging "plug-in chandelier"
(the chandelier which will help define the space.)
the office area:
a desk, a chair (which can be pulled into the main 
living area when guests come over),
a floor lamp, bookcase, and shelves above 
the desk for additional storage.
the bedroom area:
the bed, 2 night stands with lamps,
a privacy panel/folding screen



since their budget is tight, i made sure that each 
of these items is very affordable.
they are from places like, overstock.com, west elm,
 ballard designs, ikea, and cb2.
***
i made sure to specify items that added some 
personality and texture into the space.
I also felt that making things contrast was important.
for instance, in the office area the desk is white with 
very clean lines, so i suggested a 
darker, more traditional chair with a nailhead trim.
 i believe this type of 
contrast can really help
to make a space more interesting.
 i suggested something similar in the dining area:
very modern, white chairs paired with a wood topped table,
with a damask print drum-shade chandelier hanging above.


**my sister-in law and hubby have already purchased the
clear table (#9), as well as a grey sofa (#15), and a bed.
 it may take a very long time for them to
completely furnish the apartment...
(as in years)
but at least they have a plan.
so,basically what i am saying is:
don't hold your breath for the "after" shot on this one.
:)

Dec 27, 2009

green with envy


isnt' this fun?
i'm not sure why i like this color so much.
maybe cuz my bestest friend in the whole world
adores this color. and i adore her.
admiration by osmosis?
image from here

Dec 26, 2009

black + white


whoa. check out that molding!
there are so many things about this room
 that i find appealing. 
i love the graphic black and white rug
the nailhead trim on the chairs, 
the pattern on the wallpaper, 
the mirrored armoire,
the clean, simple lines of the desk, 
the orchid, the lamp....
who am i kidding.
i like it ALL.
this room is singin' my song.

wow. 
this is amazing.
i'm a firm believer that 
powder rooms should be fun and
just a little over the top.
i especially love how the stripes are painted 
on top of all the molding.
so unconventional and
utterly striking.


images via lonny magazine


Dec 24, 2009

wreath ideas for next year

i've got an entire file box filled with pictures that i have torn 
from magazines over the years.
it felt good to go through my "christmas" file and scan some of 
these pictures of pretty wreaths.










Dec 23, 2009

can't.stop.

looking.at.christmas.stuff.
just a few more inspiration pictures for next year.
i am constantly amazed at how creative people are!












light whimsy


these are so whimsical.
they remind me of dandelion seeds.
i would love one for one of my daughter's rooms.
found at lonny magazine
thanks kirsten!



is very similar.
and only $90

Dec 22, 2009

evergreen spheres


i'm really tempted to make these cute little things.
but not this year...
i'm project-ed out right now.
i'll put it on the top of my 
really, really long list for next year.

christmas candy: part 2

more christmas *eye* candy












i'm so glad that i have 300+ 
days to prepare for next year.


images from veranda southern accents & here