Holiday Decor

Thanksgiving is officially over and we all know what that means....it's Christmas time!! You are now allowed to put up Christmas decorations without looking like the crazy lady on the block.  Since I'm still in the world of apartment living, I've never gone all out for Christmas (there is no where to store all the holiday goodies for next year!).  But that doesn't mean I don't dream about what I would do if I had the space...

Martha Stewart

Home Design Find

Wisteria

Polli, Pottery Barn, Wisteria

Pottery Barn, Home Design Find

West Elm, CB2

Do You Dare?

I received a request to do a post on dark rooms and I immediately took it as a challenge. However, to my surprise I found TONS of images!  Most people can't bring themselves to create a room based on the color black but I've come to think of it as just another neutral color.  If you really think about it...it's just paint! Still not convinced? Take a look at these gorgeous dark rooms...

Casa Sugar

 

Lonny

  unknown

 Domino

What's one thing these rooms have in common? They all make use of a contrasting color or a bright white! It's the only way to create a livable space that doesn't cave in on you.

Let's Have a Ball!

I was recently searching for unique light fixtures and I've come across a lot of circular pendant lights.  There are so many great options that stretch far beyond your basic paper lantern!  I think these are so fun, I just had to share.

Lotus Ball Chandelier by Graham and Green

Stamen by Niche Modern

Maskros by Ikea

Bud Chandelier by P&D Designs

Driftwood Orb Chandelier by Currey & Company

Gorgeous Gray

If you look in my closet you'll find an excess of one color - Gray!  Over the past few years I have managed to create a quite the collection of gray items. It's not as harsh as black but it's still classic and neutral enough to be a great backdrop for any color.  It's no surprise I also love it in interior spaces as well...

Kara Mann

 

Elle Decor

Canadian House and Home

Coco Cozy

Cozy Up: Fabulous Fireplaces

First of all, I want to apologize for neglecting my blogging duties. We are in the midst of two large installations at work and things are crazy to say the least! My only comfort these days is this wonderful Fall weather.  I love coming home and bundling up in blankets and pouring myself a cup of my new winter blend tea (sounds cheesy I know, but it's true!).  It's too bad our new apartment doesn't have a fireplace.  I absolutely loved the fireplace at our last place.  Not only did it give great ambient light and set a certain mood, but it allowed us to never use the heater!  As I dreamed of lighting a fire last night I decided to do some research and came across these fabulous fireplaces.

House Beautiful

This is a traditional fireplace but the sleek stone slab gives it a great modern twist.

  

Exquisite Surfaces

This is a stone reproduction of an antique fireplace.  The high mantel works great in a large space - it's the kind of fireplace you can almost stand inside of and get realllly warm.

 

Canadian House & Home

For a more modern space this low profile fireplace with a gray facade would work beautifully.

  

Unknown

Similar to the Exquisite Surfaces fireplace, this is more traditional in styling. However, it's smaller scale lends itself to more apartment living. And of course, there is always the hearingbone firebox that I absolutely love!

  

Canadian House & Home

Here's another modern approach with a more sleek, built-in appearance.  If it were me, I'd defenitely put a great piece of art for those downlights to highlight. 

Catalog Living

If you're anything like me, you get a million catalogs in the mail! I always find myself browsing through them and fantasizing about how that couch or rug would look in my apartment.  But more often than not I am perplexed on some of the styling that goes on in those rooms. Is it realistic that someone would have a lamp hanging from their ceiling? Or four pairs of the same old leather shoe lined up at the front door?  Not likely.  And I'm not alone in these thoughts - actor, writer, and comedian Molly Erdman has created a website that is dedicated to such idiocracies. Here's an example of what you can find at Catalog Living...

"As if the pile of leaves in front of Gary and Elaine’s door weren’t enough, the haphazardly placed welcome sign removed any doubt that no one, in fact, was welcome."

"The pushpins were left behind as Gary furiously ran to the store with the two notes they had previously held: 'Buy fruit for second bowl' and 'Buy fruit for third bowl.'"

Herringbone Happy

Herringbone - either you love it or you hate it.  I personally love it! This classic pattern can be found throughout the design world.  Whether it's on a men's suit or the side of a building; it always seems to bring a sense of style.  Just be sure to use it sparingly because too much of this geometric pattern can make you a bit dizzy...

 Exquisite Surfaces

I have a slight obsession with herringbone wood floors. They work beautifully in both traditional and modern spaces and never go out of style.

Christina Murphy Interiors

To create a high impact use contrasting colors as seen here.  Although it may be a little bold for some, I think it's a nice addition to a bathroom - a space that you (hopefully) don't spend too much time in.

Quokka Doors

This over scaled version of the pattern creates a highly unique garage door that will add style to any home.

Decor Pad

You can create a subtle impact by using soft, neutral colors.   The sheer quality of this drape also adds to a more relaxed sensibility.

Sophistikat by Flor

I just discovered this new product line from Flor - can you believe these are carpet tiles?! So chic.