Tuesday, June 30, 2009

My new hallway...


Well...my little foyer and hallway are finally done. I really wanted to do the infamous KWID trellis paper, but way above my budget. I did find this great paper that's so similar and I love it! My husband added the millwork because we have children. I don't think the paper would hold up very long with my son's little hands running up and down the stair hall...I am very happy with the results and I thought you might like to see it too!



Monday, June 29, 2009

Flowers...Jane Packer style

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I just want to mention that I didn't have as much time as I wanted to finish my mini kitchen re-do...but I should have some pics next week. I made my husband promise that we wouldn't make any plans next weekend, so that we can catch up with things around the house. For now, I would like to introduce you to Jane Packer...

Jane is an amazing artist and very talented floral designer from England. I was a floral designer for a very long time, so when I see a beautful book on flowers, I just have to have it! This book takes you through a step by step guide on creating some simple; some more advanced, yet elegant flowers for any occasion. The flower selection is wonderful! You'll be creating your own stunning arrangments in no time at all. You really should pick up a copy...You never know when you might need some inspiration...Enjoy!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Happy weekend...


This weekend is chock full of activity....I am going to visit a friend in PA that I haven't seen in ten years! I am so excited to see her and finally meet her children. I am also hosting a small birthday get together on Sunday for my sister and in the midst of all of that, I still have to finish my mini-kitchen redo project. The cabinets and the hardware have to go up. So ..I have parties, entertaining and kitchen on the brain. Love it! Hope you have a nice weekend too!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

My kitchen inspiration

I am in kitchen thinking mode right now. I took down all of my cabinets yesterday and decided that I would give my kitchen a mini re-do. I will show you some pictures on Monday.

For now...you may enjoy dreaming about this one. This beautiful space is my favorite kitchen...The only thing I would change is the overhead light. I've saved this picture for sooooo long, in hopes that we could renovate. I love the doors that surround the entire space and the wrap around porch. The high ceilings and additional storage up above with of course, the sliding ladder and marble counter tops. This is my dream kitchen, but mine is very small. So...let me give myself a little reality check. Here are some other inspiration picks... for my reality kitchen. Enjoy!

Don't know about all of the exposed shelving, but I like the marble, the white cabinets and the overhead lighting.

I like the space planning of the kitchen, because we're thinking of tearing down the wall that divides the kitchen and dining room. The counter may be an idea. Although, I think the subway tile has been overdone a little. Maybe installing them vertically..?


This is a nice idea if we tear down the wall..Maybe just a larger island?

I really like this farmhouse sink and the glass tile back splash. I also love the marble, but I don't know if we could afford to do marble counter tops. Who knows...I have ideas.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

IKAT - design it and roundup



The word “ikat” means “to bind.” It is a very ancient way of creating designs in fabric by resist-dyeing the threads before the fabric is woven. In Uzbekistan, villagers especially in Ferghana Valley take the weft (crosswise filling threads) and tie tiny bits of plastic onto the threads. The tightly tied areas of thread, when put into the dye pot, resist the color and create a pattern, once the plastic ties are removed. Traditional Uzbek ikat cottons are often dyed in lively and engaging motifs representing the village life and beliefs of the people. Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Modern Uzbek adras ikats in cotton and silk are brightly colored with good imported natural dyes.

I own a yellow and white Ikat armchair that I absolutely love....When I added that chair to my living room, it just instantly brightened up the room. Here are some of my favorite rooms with a touch of ikat and an affordable and accessible ikat roundup...Enjoy!





Pillows 1-4 are from Uzbek-craft.com and range from $19-$29
Pillows 4 & 5 are from Uzbekalive.com and cost $28 each





The yellow fabric above is the same fabric of my armchair...

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Small kitchen idea..


The July issue of House Beautiful had a great idea for small kitchens...Adding antiqued mirrored glass on the cabinet doors! I really love this idea because my kitchen is teeny tiny, just like this one. I was ready to go out and do this over the weekend, but my husband put the breaks on my idea. For a while we've wanted to tear down the wall that separates my kitchen and dining room. Who uses their dining room anymore? Anytime you have people over, they always hang out in the kitchen, right? He says it's going to happen soon. We'll see... I really, really hope so. If not, the mirrors are goin' up!

Monday, June 15, 2009

summer in the bahamas =

dreamy vacation home...
I fell in love with this residence the moment I layed eyes on it! This Bahamas retreat is the de Givenchy Residence, designed by Tom Scheerer. From the moment you walk in the door you feel relaxed living. I love the simplicity of the space. The space is minimal and you can clearly see that each piece was carefully selected. This space breaths elegance and understated chic living. This is what I call a relaxing retreat...Enjoy!





Sunday, June 14, 2009

interiors..Brad Ford



Understated yet sophisticated, elegant and functional are just a few adjectives that describe Brad Ford's design aesthetic. This New York City interior designer was named one of America's top young designers by House Beautiful. I first read about him in the February 2008 issue of New York Spaces where he was featured as ten Hot and Hip designers to watch. Brad just keeps popping up places, because I read about him again on 1st dibs where he is featured as this weeks talent. Hope you appreciate his talent as much as I do...Enjoy!










Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Alix + Paris + Photography =



Say hi to Alix...She is the creator of The Cherry Blossom Girl blogspot in Paris. This charming young lady is the talented visionary behind these delightful photos. While I was searching and searching and searching the web for new content..I decided to check out some Parisian fashion blogs and Voila'..there she was. Alix is actually a recent graduate who studied fashion design. She started her blog shortly after graduating a couple years ago. While doing so, her passion for photography sprung to life. I probably sat there and looked over all of her work, because I was just incredibly impressed by this young girl's talent. Most of the photographs are of her telling a story, with her flair for fashion so apparent and the Parisian background so appropriately staged. Here is just a taste of her lovely work...You are amazing and so inspiring Alix!

These pictures are from her series in Paris..

Alix in the tree..

Alix again...



How adorable is she?



Her fashion series had these really cool pictures of shoes and I'm sure they're her own.




Bye bye for now!