Quiet Confidence

These images give me an impression that the owner of these spaces is confident and satisfied. The paintings just seem like they have been right there for ever. I like the idea that a homeowner might be so comfortable with their choice in decor that they never find it necessary to change. To apply that theory to myself would be boring but I can't help but wonder what it would be like.

My Latest Obsession

{Something Different!}

{Ruth's Crafts & Moontea Artwork}

{Vero Vintage, Emcisaac, Bella Cosa Art}
{Pat & Cake, Dulcet, Gracelynn Designs}

It all started with a clear glass pear at Target last fall. I put it on my birthday list and was so happy when I unwrapped a gift from Husband to find just what I wanted. Next, a magazine image, a pear tree. I had to have one to espalier on the chimney wall in our front yard. I found a tree that is grafted to bear three different varieties of pear and it was on clearance (it may be tacky but I can't help but share the joy of a bargain). It was planted this Spring. When I checked on it this evening it even had new growth. Now, it seems I can't get enough. I love these pear items and so many more. How much fun it would be to display a pear collection in my dinning room hutch!

A Room in Transition

This room is the Before in a series of before, during and after posts from my own home's bedroom redo projects.

It has most recently been serving as a bedroom for two lovely preteen girls. It's story began with an addition to our existing home 6 years ago. The garage was bumped out making room for another room which was originally going to be a play room for 4 small children, infant to 6yrs at the time. After a year or two of trying to house toys that were played with and left all over the main living spaces, it seemed more logical to use as a bedroom.


We purchased bunk beds from Ikea and our oldest two moved in. They were 6 & 8 at the time and the color pallet was much more subdued.


Being that budget is a major factor for us, I made use (begrudgingly) of what we had. This room was an exercise in frugality. The dresser, lamps and bookshelves were repurposed from other areas of our home and I began working on changing Husband's mind about painting the lamps and dresser. I have yet to be successful so I simply imagine them to be perfect until I purchase replacements.


This desk area was modeled after one seen in Martha Stewart Kids a number of years ago making use of two bookshelves that were not being used and giving the girls their own workspace (second chair not pictured). Now the room is to be strictly for our eldest, who started High School yesterday. Tomorrow I will show you where we are in it's transition.

A Favorite Thing

I think this room is just to die for! There is so much to love. My favorites are the chandelier and the black stripe atop that bubblegum pink. I'm a sucker for children's bedrooms. I've always wanted to give my children fantastic bedrooms that they will look back on fondly as adults. I think of it as my special gift to them.

Next week I will post before and during pictures of the girls' bedroom projects going on here. They won't be this exciting but they are shaping up nicely.

New to Me

Rian Rae is a great source that is new to me. This online store has an eclectic mix of items available which is in keeping with the owners vision of combining old and new, modern and rustic, sophisticated and grounded.


Just look at these pots! They are made from repurposed materials and they come (7 of them) with seeds and soil in the fantastic basket shown.


These mushroom soaps come in the adorable nest; a great gift.


The lamp I want for myself! I've bookmarked Rian Rae and I'll definitely be going back.

An Award!?

Thank you, thank you, thank you to All Things Blue for thinking enough of my little blog to share the Brillante Weblog Award with me. I was shocked to see my blog name listed on her site.

I'm going to break the 'rules' and I hope no one will be offended. I just don't know who has and hasn't gotten the award as it is circulating around out there but I certainly think everyone on my Reading list to the right deserves an award!

More on the Subject

How's this for affordable art? West Elm is offering these (totally my style) for just $19! There are more prints to choose from for this reasonable rate, take a look.

Affordable Art

{Domino; Trust Fund Girl, Byard Art}

I stopped by the Domino website and saw 'Affordable Art'. I was interested. There are some great art pieces shown. I love the piece shown above but I will never find it 'affordable' at £1,300 or $2,595. Now that's not to say that it is over priced. I simply don't have the means to spend that much on much of anything. I see this and immediately damn myself for not coming up with this great idea and wonder how I might replicate it. Someone will buy it, hang it and love it for it's beauty, it's story and it's price.

{Art.com, Highway 163, Monte Nagler}

This evening on the phone with my brother he mentioned that he had picked up two posters that he had framed ($300). One is a replacement for a poster I gave him years ago that was left behind in a recent long distance move. He loved it so as soon as he was settled, he got another. He will hang it soon and love it for it's beauty, it's story and it's price.


This morning I painted a Ram Ikea frame ($4.99) with left over black craft paint. 30 minutes later when the paint had dried I added a beautiful History of Birds print ($5.50) purchased on vacation in San Luis Obispo at Contessa Home (a favorite shop). Tomorrow I will hang it and I will love it for it's beauty, it's story and it's price. Isn't art amazingly individual?

A Bee Thing

{Flickr, atruedrew}

I've fallen in love with bee skeps this summer and have been searching for the perfect one. I've had such trouble finding it. They just don't seem to be very readily available. I have found a couple available for online purchase but none that have been perfect.

{Jones Bee Supply}

When visiting a friend at the beginning of summer, I happened to spot a big, beautiful one in her dining room. I spontaneously squealed and nearly shouted, "You have a bee skep!?" a little embarrassingly.

{Jones Bee Supply}

She had purchased the last or only one from a shop she frequents. She is now helping me in my crusade to find 'the' one so I know it's just a matter of time.


Wisteria has this great hose house that might placate me for awhile.

Feed Sacks

{Saffron and Genevieve}

{Paris Hotel Boutique}

{Susan's Sketchbook}

So, I can't help but wonder what the people who saw these used for feed sacks would think today about these being a hot item. That's not to say that I don't LOVE them but at the same time I do wonder just what it is that makes them so enticing.

Art Appreciation

Simply beautiful works of art by Francis Xavier Leyendecker. I've been dreaming of having one for a long time. They have such a classic beauty that I know they'll never be out of style. I am especially fond of the use of colors in each one.
Art.com

Nesting

{Inspired Nesting, Groundwork by Danna Ray}

I've been back to being a stay at home mom for two weeks and have spent every minute arranging and rearranging our space. I am now at the point now where I am driving myself and the rest of the family crazy.

{N for Nest, Boston Bag Lady}

Please say you know just what I mean, where something is out of place in nearly each and every room because the purpose and placement of each object is dependent upon the changes made to another space. I have twin mattresses on the floor in hopes that a free frame will turn up any time, a blank white canvas staring at me on the wall in the living room, and have only found our kitchen table today after 2 days of mess.

{Whimsical Wire, Funkyshique}

The worst part (of course) is that it all looked mostly alright to begin with so other than the switching of the bedrooms to add peace and harmony to our lives, why do all the rest?!

{Little Bird Nests, Rustiqua}

I just know that in the end it will be perfect, for now.

{all items shown in images are available at Etsy!}

Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle...

{Basic Bike, Sam Bowman; Flickr}

Had a chance to ride my bike today with the children. It has me thinking about how I've been wanting to beautify it for two years.

{bamboo bike in Sienna, Mike Seidman; Flickr}

I covet this bamboo bike and have ever since it or one like it was featured on the cover of the June 2006 Domino Magazine. While I know I'm not going to be able to pull that off, I also know that my garage sale vintage cruiser has the potential to be a beauty.

{Flickr}

I just can't decide what color suits me so I'm still waiting for that epiphany moment. I know it's coming.

Pottery Barn Style

There for awhile, Pottery Barn was getting pretty hum drum. I was beginning to worry that I was loosing a source of design inspiration. But then...


the last few catalogs have been full of new style! I've shown just the black and white images that caught my eye from the August catalog but there was much more to see.


I found a nice mix of classic and modern spaces with great room set ups to emulate in addition to an impressive bathroom color combination of turquoise and orange and a green bathroom that took my breath away. I love the art work used in the top photo and the use of many living plants through out the catalog. If only I could keep any of them alive.

Step Right Up!

{Tattooed Lady, Cinda's Shop}

Some may say that this sign is inappropriate for a child's bedroom but the fact that it's amusing, fits the circus theme and the colors scheme makes it irresistible to me.

{Hanna Rund, Ikea}

The circus theme was a hit with the girls so we are off and running on Room #2. Ikea had the perfect bedding. All of those polka dots are looking fantastic in our partially assembled mess. The striped sheet will be used for fabric headboards.

Time Will Tell

I am drawn to clocks. I love the individuality and personality that they are able to express while still being task oriented. The way that these clocks are used in their spaces are so regal. I truly think I wouldn't ever tire of looking at these in my own home. As it is, we have a unique clock in most every room of our home, my favorite being one quite similar to the white one shown here only in black. {I have had these images for a long while and don't know where to give credit, please forgive me.}

I Want This!

A Hotel Sign in it's original form from 1849. Thinking about how I can make a suitable replication for less than 1% of the cost of this one ($2,000).

One Person's Trash...

Here is my latest found treasure. This cement table base was going to be thrown out by a neighbor of my parents so I scooped it up. I tried it out here by our front door but it was all wrong so after a consultation with a friend it has moved to the backyard where I will be filling it with plants.

I should wait to post until it has been further beautified but I'm so excited about it's prospects that I just can't wait.

115 Vintage Postcards!

I was wrong before when I mentioned that one of our girls' bedrooms was a Parisian theme, it is a travel theme so I've decided to use vintage postcards as a conversation piece in that room. As of 3:56 PST, I am the proud owner of 115 vintage postcards! Some of them are written on and some are not. I can't wait for them to come so that we can imagine the times had at each of these visited places. I'm thinking that they will go in a couple of large apothecary jars on the bookshelf and be spectacular.

On the Hunt

{Image from Paris Hotel Boutique}

Anna's post today at Absolutely Beautiful things prompted me to revisit Paris Hotel Boutique. In my exploration there I came across a new need, 'Four Years in Paradise' by Osa Johnson. I had no idea that this book existed. Apparently I am way behind as in my research I found that there were at least two posts about it in 2007, where have I been?

{Image from Stylecourt, via Pigtown Design}

I have 'I Married Adventure' (gift from Husband), now I'll need to find a $4 copy of this fantastic cover to make it a collection. I'd love to purchase this pristine copy from Paris Hotel Boutique however my design budget requires stretching so I'll have to keep an eye out for a deal. Of course, the hunt is part of the fun.