Did You Hear?

We FINALLY have some pillows on our couch. Only two for now but I think we have a nice direction - black and white graphic prints and bright solid colors. We purchased one and made the other and well Alfie ( our frenchie) enjoys them just fine.

I also just realized this may be the first time I have shared a peek at our humble abode.

Underfoot

Our living room is coming together and it has only taken me four years of going round and round trying to find what I feel is a perfect. We are finally moving in the right direction and so I am slowly putting things together and making little purchases here and there. I hate spending money and truth be told I am not sure when that happened. I use to be a spender, money would come in and it would go right back out, but now I think about every purchase. I try and get things on sale and if we do splurge it is something that we save for. Some may call me cheap but I prefer thrifty.

Anywho I was looking at rugs and I came across these pretty things on Loom. They are over dyed vintage  rugs and they probably cost way too much for this girl to afford but I like the look and feel of it so I will add them to my inspiration board and keep dreaming. The color of the second one is a pretty close match to the upholstery we are using for the chairs Z is recovering, oh and I finally purchased this Crate and Barrel pillow (on sale). 

Progress people, progress. 

Have A Seat.

I am in the process of trying to find some chairs for our living room and it makes me want to set my hair on fire and run down the street screaming because I can't find my idea of perfection. I want something with simple lines, a vintage feel, and a price tag that will not having me telling Punky "Sorry honey no college for you, but have seat in Mommy's pretty chair and try not to stain it with tears."

Enter (1) Urban Outfitters Madeline Chair, which has everything I am looking for - well almost. I REALLY want a chair that has the gorgeous purple color of the (2) Irene Bowl from Zara Home. Sigh.

Am I asking for too much? I think not.

Maybe I need to make friends with a good upholsterer. Also should I be concerned that the reviews state the chair is tiny and I have a husband who is 6'- see why I want to set my hair on fire?!?!?!

Want, Need, Have To Have.

Images courtesy of Stamp Rug

I recently pinned this gem on my Pinterest, and I REALLY REALLY would love to snatch one up for myself. You can check out the Stamp Rug here, and they have lots of other bright colors. No price is listed on the site which is usually not a good sign. Sigh, back to dreaming and pinning.

Why Pick One?

1/2

Confession: I have a minor obsession with chairs. I desperately want an Eames (or a whole room full of them). The problem I am running into is which color do I want - yellow, red, turquoise, white?!?!?

So when I saw the above watercolor on the Lonny Blog painted by AMAZING illustrator Caitlin McGauley I though why have I never considered pink. (Yes I know in her piece the chair is white, but the background is pink and well my thought process confuses even me sometimes) Z is not buying a pink chair for the office bit so I will continue to obsess about the perfect color and share my dreams of a pink chair here with you all.

Stop, Collaborate & Listen.

Make Your Bed for Rue from You + ME* & Trent Bailey Photo on Vimeo.

I am all aboard on the stop motion train these days, I can't help it I love it!! This fun video from  You + Me and Trent Bailey Photo is set to All I Do Is Dream of You and may inspire you to make your bed and add some color to your space.

Nice Space.

Image : Joe Schmelzer

I am in love with this kitchen. The natural light, those turquoise pendant lamps, the pop of yellow, and how clean and uncluttered it all looks. I have a bit of kitchen envy truth be told. This picture also made me want to add a fun polka-dot border just because it made me so darn happy. 

This blogging journey has been great in allowing me to find out what I am drawn to and to begin to develop my own design style and voice. I find myself drawn to really simple design and I have noticed with my own work that I tend to want to keep things very minimal and clean, but I do like to play around with color and pattern. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but that is part of the process, right? What design elements to you all find yourself drawn to?

Color of 2011: Honeysuckle

I was so excited to check my inbox this morning and see that Pantone released their pick for color of the year!! (Not sure which part of that sentence makes me more geeky.) They are calling it Honeysuckle and I think it is oh so pretty!!

Pantone takes most of the guesswork out of how to incorporate the color into fashion, interior and design by giving some great insight including the correct color formula and colors that will complement this bright hue. The fashion illustrations that were included also caught my eye, this Badgley Mischka one in particular. I could just see myself lounging around the house watching Glee and sipping on a Diet Coke all the while looking fab in my designer gown, ok maybe not but a girl can daydream right?

So lovely readers what do you think of this color pick, will you be adding it to your life in 2011?

Fashion illustration by Badgley Mischka via Pantone

Martha Stewart + iPad + Cookies = YES PLEASE!!

Like I need another reason to buy the iPad.

Martha Makes Cookies is a application developed by the domestic genius herself and probably as close as most of us will ever get to having Martha over for a cookie party. The screenshots alone make me want to break out the sprinkles and cookie sheets. Not only does it come equipped with tons of great recipes but there are also some handy planning tools and videos that will make it seem like the cookies practically baked themselves, maybe.

I definitely think this is another reason to add the iPad to my Christmas wish list.

Designer Envy: Lulu de Kwiatkowski

I finally had a chance to flip through my favorite online publication: Lonny Magazine. Lonny quickly became my favorite interior mag after my beloved Domino had to close its doors, I still get weepy thinking about it.

Anyway back to the new issue of Lonny. I fell in LOVE with the home of textile designer Lulu de Kwiatkowski. I mean seriously look at how fab and light this home feels.

The colors, furniture and personality come through perfectly and I am now convinced that we could pull off a white couch, my husband is still not on board with the idea. We have an ongoing couch battle in our home at the moment as anyone who comes over knows, but I am of the mind set that slow and steady wins the race and his resistance is weakening. It has only taken 2 years.

I think that her philosophy is spot on and her tips for unleashing your inner creativity are now printed and hanging up in my home office. I have already found myself practicing her idea of doodling more, I hope to share these with you as soon as I can figure out why the heck my scanner does not want to be friends with Oliver (yes that is the name of our Mac and yes I believe in naming your electronics).

Details:
Images courtesy of Lonny Magazine

Why I love Target

I have been in love with Target since I can remember, well actually we have more of a love/hate relationship. I can't seem to walk out of there with at a minimum 10 things that I don't need. I blame their brilliant marketing strategy and the fact that they have had some major designers come aboard...Zac Posen, Liberty of London, Anna Sui just to name a few.

Anyway I have been a bit obsessed with dishes lately, so imagine my delight when I came across these...

Discovery Bone China place setting

on the Target website. Once again Target, you have shown me that you can provide a girl with everything her heart desires!!

I am going to be honest in that I have never browsed their "Fine China" category (yes they do have a fine china section) but these are just so pretty and at $39.99 a place setting I just may have to break down and get them.

Plus they would make my Apple Jacks look much more sophisticated.