Inspired

I found this book yesterday on a trip to the fabric store and oh my. It's lovely. Full of inspiring French goodness. Coasters, heart shaped lavender pillows, an adorable pouf; I don't know where to start.

Unsolicited Advice

This is not news but since it's Christmas time, maybe you'd like to know that this book is a great thing to add to your own Christmas list if you don't have it already. Even if it seems like a strange concept, trust me, it's great.

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like?

I mentioned to Husband, a civil engineer, today that I think he should build me some houses so I can make these. To my surprise, he got right on it so I will soon have an adorable, nearly free collection (or set depending on how long it holds my interest). I've been in a Christmas decorating slump but no more. Yeah!

If you love them and want to save yourself the trouble of making your own, my new favorite online site, Jayson Home and Garden, offers them prefabricated with free shipping and they're perfect.

Foretelling

I can see a future, mature me with grey hair hidden beneath thoroughly convincing color, leading weekend guests to this room. All of the bedding is crisp because it's line dried and there's a subtle smell of lemon polish in the air. It's lovely.
Cottage Living

At the Hearth of the Matter

I would love to have a fireplace in the kitchen, it adds so much. Isn't it fantastic how the white furniture looks on those dark floors and how the wire chairs don't seem to take up any space at all? I have that table. I use it as the desk in my office and it is perfect.
Domino

Pennant Possibilities

Aren't these pennants just adorable? Not to mention the zoo creatures they are styled with! When I saw them it made me think for a moment about redoing my sons room. But then logic returns and I realize it's been just over a year since I did that last and adding these pennants would also mean new bedding, new accessories, and on an on. And when it's time to redecorate again he will be heading into the teenage years and these would no longer be age appropiate.

So I'll share with you and keep them in my inspiration file and maybe someone will have a baby boy and ask me what they should do in his nursery...

All of these items can be found at Three Potatoe Four along with tons of other great vintage items but if you like them, act fast. Their products sell quickly.

Rambling

I Suwannee does a great reoccurring post titled 'Bookcase of the Day'. This photo was featured last week and I just can't get it out of my head. The globes, the books the chair, the color combination. I could go on and on.
D. Sharp Journal

Potential

String art, it has such possibility.
String Art Gallery

Seeing Stripes

Oh, this sofa! Velvet and those rich colors, I just love it.
Rolland Bello via Frolic

A Bit of Contrast

I'm a bit excited by these chests of drawers. It's such a simple way to dress up a worn piece and a black and white scheme is always enticing.
Domino, Design Sponge

In the Stars

{Dan Marty Design, found by way of Absolutely Beautiful Things}

I'm convinced that these lunar prints would be absolutely fabulous on a bedroom wall.

{Art.com}

Or for a little more fun, astrology prints. Hmmm.

A New Adventure

The items above are the first items to be listed in my brand new Etsy Store, Two Tall Girls. I have teamed up with a friend, Rebel, who is as into design and all things home decor as I am so it only seems logical that we go into business together. We have been having great fun gathering our items and staging them for photos was a blast! I must admit it was a struggle not to keep anything for myself! In addition to the shop, we will be keeping a blog of our adventures and more design musings as we go along. This is going to be fun.

School Days are Happy Days

Big day tomorrow. I've decided to take some classes towards getting a degree in design. I'll be an old lady there at 32 (nearly 33) but I am looking forward to it.

So, the images for today are from See Jane Work, a site I absolutely love. Shown here are an eco- design calendar by an artist in San Francisco, Cat Seto. It is printed on recycled paper and supported by reclaimed lumber.

I'm a girl who relies heavily on the dictionary whenever spell check is not an option. This Webster's Dictionary is covered in white leather! How's that for placing importance on language?

Lots to Say

This month's Country Living Magazine is full of inspiration for great looking walls. The old saying is 'if wall could talk...'.

Walls like these aren't easy to replicate. These were created only after years of distress going all the way back to 1880. Beautiful.

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!

Girls Room Redo #2

{Tear sheet, Elle Decor(?)}

{Pottery Barn Kids}

These are the rooms that have been inspiring to my girls for Room Redo #2. They both like the busyness. We will be sticking with the current color scheme which is purple (shown here).

{Photo by Melanie Acevedo, Domino June/July 2007}

I'm hoping they might like to try this circus tent paint scheme. Just by adding the white stripe, the room would be completely transformed. It has the same kind of feel that they seem to be drawn to. I'll add a damask duvet cover, a taffeta headboard, and their initials above the bed. It would be fun and glamorous.

Inspired!

The Peace Keeper article in Elle Decor, May 2008 made quite an impression on me. The simplicity of the space contrasts so well with the high impact pieces the owner/designer, Darryl Carter, uses in each room.


I was especially struck by the horse art piece in the dining room which is nothing more than a painted barn door. It's such a simple idea, but in this room it's entirely sophisticated.


The napkin container on the kitchen island is also now on my list of things to copy. On our kitchen counter, there are paper napkins on display. This makes so much more sense.

Oh, Little Babushka

I'm loving the idea of a Babushka theme for a nursery or little girls bedroom!

Think of the many ways that this fabric, a bedspread from Urban Outfitters, might be used; a bumper pad, a bed cover, a throw pillow on the rocking chair, or maybe appliqued to a bed skirt in the way they been on this pillow from Junebugz Etsy Store.


Or...

{Enbal, Etsy}

How fantastic the addition of this print would be to most any bedroom along with one of these tiny beauties on the bed.

{Ravenhille, Etsy}

Any way, these Babushka's could make a happy space!

Addiction

Each month a total of 19 magazines are delivered to our home; 14 of them come for me specifically. Here is what I am reading.





I guess to say I am reading all of them is not quite true as I am really a picture junkie. I usually do a preliminary scan of the entire magazine and later go back for the details. Domino is my absolute favorite. BHG I get and tear apart because I love their ideas. I save all of my Domino, Country Living and Cottage Living. At some point I'll probably need to downsize but it works for now. I've only shown the decor subscriptions. I also get Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Lucky and National Geographic. A year ago I only had 4 subscriptions, I guess I've gotten a little carried away.