Studio Smart

If I had a studio apartment, I would be all over this idea. I love how by just papering one wall you create the illusion of a separate space. The recessed lighting also helps with that. I think trying this with any similar space would yield a positive result, you could have your desk area encompassed or even a child's play table. Perfecto.

Nook it Up

I would love to have a space like this off of my kitchen. So cozy, perfect for kids and adults alike. It gives you the illusion of being out in a restaurant. I love those navy patterned pillows - such a nice punch to that aqua pillow top and the hydrangeas that pull it all together. The windows are lovely, fresh sunlight while you sip your tea first thing in the morning - sign me up.

Big Family? No problem

Isn't this table and dining area great? Not so much for the 5 and under crowd, with the white upholstery and all - but it would be a pleasure to host a dinner here with lots of friends or relatives. I'm thinking grilled chicken and vegetables, not red sauce. The dark wood floors are awesome, striking in contrast to the moulding and the simple artwork in the frames mimicking the table line is perfect..really pulls this big room together. I also love the recessed lighting, I wish I had it in every room in my house. Ahhh, to dream. And the fireplace, its not even on but imagine the coziness that brings to the table!

Feeling Crafty

Anthropologie never disappoints in their window displays. This fake tree made out of paper plates is no exception. I would have to guess it takes a fair amount of time to do this but what fun it would be to focus all your energy on this for a change? Be totally immersed in such a simple act that results in a beautiful centerpiece or decoration to cherish for years to come.

Here it is in their storefront, just magical in my opinion. Very much in the decorating mood today. I am going to poke around this afternoon in some of my favorite haunts (Pier 1, Pottery Barn, Home Goods) to pick up some cheer. Come Monday, this house will be ready for the season of joy.

Serenity Now

How cozy does THIS look? The first thing I noticed was that the headboard extends beyond the mattress to the end of the wall. Me likey. Makes you feel like you are immersed in snugness. The linear white on white prints on the wall mimic the headboard and bring home the overall definition. Third frame (middle frame?) - black pop of color is great, takes away any boredom from the repetition. Im a sucker for the color gray so of course this is right up my alley. And those velvet pillows, delicious!

Leopard Love

Let's start off by saying I do not need another ottoman. However, when my West Elm catalog came today I opened it up to this very item - love at first sight. I think it was destiny. It's not necessarily a leopard pattern, but its so close in the family, that for me - it was leopard love.

I think its fair to say that I keep waiting for animal prints to go out of style, but you know what, I am starting to think they never will. It started in the late 60s hippie movement and continues on today. Back a million years ago, kings and queens wore leopard print, it was considered exotic and a symbol of wealth. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Advice for the day people: Invest in animal prints.

IKEA to the rescue

As I am percolating ideas for my son's soon to be "big-boy" bedroom I was lucky enough to come across this adorable IKEA design. The first thing that caught my eye was the cloud light fixture on the ceiling as the one he has now should really be in grandma's house. Next was the built in dresser with the mini toad stools. How cute and functional is that? I can totally see my kids playing there and loving that zone. The glowing night lights are also on my radar, seems that the ones I have gotten are either too bright or too dull. These look just right. Now if I can only get my nerve up to make the trip to the zoo named IKEA I will be all set - since unfortunately for me none of it is available online. Boo!

Time on your hands?

Well then, why not take a shot at making a jack-o-lantern scene like this one? If you have some hidden artistic talents this might be just the thing for you. You would be surprised at how helpful the carving sets are. I have found that the plastic versions just don't hold up to what I am dishing out - they crack under pressure, literally. So a $20 investment from Williams-Sonoma isn't that bad.


If you are more of a whiz in the kitchen then you might be happier spending time making these fun witch cupcakes. Photo courtesy of Amy Atlas, event extraordinaire. I am pretty sure these are fool proof as long as you really layer on the frosting to have a good base for the cone and hair to sink into. I might even try a version of these as a fairy princess - but I still need to process what the tassel could be made of.... suggestions welcome!

Room Redo

Seeing these got me thinking about giving a little facelift to my kids rooms. My son is quickly exiting the baby scene and it will soon be time for me to take out the changing table and swap out the crib for a real big boy bed. This leaves room for new design-hooray! I think these could be great as an accent on one wall or in a playroom where anything goes. They are removable, reusable and respositionable.

Spooky Time

It's 24 days out from Halloween and I don't know about you guys but this weekend I am planning a full on decorating binge - I couldn't be more excited about it. I came across these fabulous and spooky apples on Matt Bites. Matt is a self proclaimed "man obsessed with food, drink and everything in between". Sounds good to me. Apple recipe can be found here.

Tray Ceilings

I have to admit, I never really got it when I was younger. Why put all that time and effort into something that people might not see. Ah, how times have changed. I really have come to love incorporating the ceiling into an overall design scheme. When we moved into the 1920s house that we currently live in, one of the first things we fell in love with was that every room had a different ceiling. None of them as nice as the one pictured above but nonetheless - it showed such character. Soon after we decided to paint the ceiling of our home office to be a much lighter shade of what was on the walls. It made such a statement. Ditto for the bathroom we just redid. Now the building of a tray ceiling is obviously much more intense that picking a paint color but someday - I will get there. In the meantime, that light fixture is calling my name.

Shoe Envy?

I am not sure what to make of this closet. Half of me loves it and the other half wants someone to call Goodwill. I do know one thing however, I am quite impressed with Jenna Lyon's organizational abilities. As creative director for J.Crew she might know a thing or two. Shoes are color coded and stacked appropriately. Front to back - front to back - front to back. Nice. Flip flops live in piles of 3 or 4, same with sandals and ballet flats. Imagine? And the boots are all happily in their own vertical space. Oddly enough, I don't see any sneakers. And she only has ONE pair of purple heels. So disappointing!

Feeling Gray

Lately I have been obsessed with the color gray. Restoration Hardware recently revamped their look partly by using a slate gray backdrop - I was digging it. But the question is - where to go gray? Our dining room is at the top of my hit list. I think with a little love it might work. In the image above the moulding is popping so nicely off that silvery gray floral wallpaper. (Floral wallpaper. I make an exception here for some reason) And I have always loved the mirrored furniture, am secretly plotting to get some into my daughters room. Pier 1 has the Hayworth collection thats just gorgeous and isn't too pricey. The silver rotary phone however, I can do without.

The Great White Pumpkin

There is something about a white pumpkin...the decorating possibilities are endless (Shown here-fun with a black sharpie). When I see them with all of their imperfections and varieties I feel like buying them up in tens. There are the bluish white ones, the pinkish ones, the grayish...all so beautiful stacked together and only enhanced by their good friend the gourd, who is often found nearby. More to come on him in a later post I'm sure! In writing this I learned that the pumpkin... is actually a fruit. News to me. I am just happy it has a longer shelf life than my organic bananas.

The one and only Martha Stewart was channeling her dark side here with repurposing the pumpkins to have somewhat disturbing personalities while occupying a carnival truck. It's as if the pumpkins themselves are dressed up for the holiday - complete with white face paint and all. Wonderful vignette. If only I had the time Martha.

Heavenly Nursery

How pretty is this nursery? I just love those pom poms, they are available at Michael's note: will have to find a place that needs some in my house! This is the kind of space that can be easily adjusted to your child's growth *great bones* as they say. Dark wood flooring with white walls = blank canvas. The peacock details on the armoire are such a stand out - they really jazz up the space and pull the blues all together. Almost makes me want to have another baby...Almost.