5.28.2013

What am I doing?

My self-confidence has taken quite a hit this weekend. I never thought I was AMAZING at decorating. I like to think I do okay, and it is something that I have a huge passion for and think about quite a bit. After this weekend, I am sadly thinking maybe I am not good enough.
I bought these shelves for my dining room, and I absolutely love them! What I pictured in my head turned out a lot different once they were put in the room.
Maybe you can help a girl out?!

So originally, I wanted them flanking the window.

 

I still kind of like this layout, but didn't think about the drapes, and those will be behind the shelves and I think that will be little off. I could do a roman shade though. I posted these pictures on instagram, and was told these shelves looked too wide for this wall.

So, option #2.






 
I liked the idea of the shelves facing out as a focal piece, but put them on the left side to even things out. The only problem I have with this layout, is if I do drapes on the french doors, the drape on the right will go behind the buffet. Will that be wrong? I could do a roman shade on those, same fabric I choose for the window?
Or option #3, which I don't have a photo of but I could put buffet back on left wall where it was originally with mirror above it, and put the shelves flanking the french doors, but I would have to do roman shades on the french doors if I do that as well.
 
 
Here are my ideas for the rest of the room.
 

 
 Possibly, adding a smaller rug for a layered look about the natural fiber rug, I have in there now. To bring in color and pattern.


 Doing white linen curtains or oatmeal color.


Changing out the shades for these linen shades from Pottery Barn.

 
Bringing in blue/white ticking stripe slipcovers for either all 6 chairs or just four, with 2 of woven chairs like these for the end of the tables, to break up all the black and dark colors.
And adding white serving dishes/platters/bowls to the shelving, maybe my cookbook collection and other little knick knacks.
 
I know it will look better when all the elements are brought into the room, but right now I am freaking out a little. Please tell me that I am not the only one that has done something like this. I just imagine that all interior decorators know exactly the right thing to do at every moment, and they never get stuck on ideas. Please tell me even the more experienced of them still have moments like this, where they questions what they are doing!
What would you do?


5.24.2013

Summer at World Market

I have to say there was a period of time where I wasn't too fond of World Market, just as I wasn't too crazy about West Elm a few years back. But NOW, I am loving both stores so much!

Here are a few fun summer items that I found at World Market. You just may want to pick up a few.





 
 
 














Okay, someone please give me a beach house stat! Or at least let me help you decorate one. I am dying!
This bicycle line is too cute. I can totally see them in one of those cute houses at Seabrook.
What's your favorite new item? Anything you are going to rush out and get? If you don't have a World Market near you, there is free shipping this weekend.

Happy Memorial Weekend!

5.23.2013

Hamptons Home in the Northwest

So I have a bit of a tendency to stalk the real estate sites, just to see what's out there. We have no real intention of moving, but I think if we found the perfect house we may consider it. Then again, is there really a perfect house? Well, I am certain there is but is there one in our budget? So far, there hasn't been one that has been perfect enough for us to move yet. Maybe someday, and that is why I keep looking.
In the meantime, I stumbled upon this beauty!


 
 
 
 









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Gorgeous right? The outside looks like it could be from a movie scene. That's 6 bedrooms, and over 7000 sq feet of goodness.
So, if you're in the market for a beach home and just happen to have 6.8 million laying around, I highly recommend you check out this home. If you happen to buy this home, I would SO LOVE to decorate it for you!!!




5.17.2013

Happy First Birthday Blog!



Wow! How does time fly by so fast? It was one year ago on May 6th, that I started this little blog. I began writing to no one really, as I am guessing that is how most of us started out. Here is my first post and why I started in the first place.
I knew this blogging community was great before I started this blog, but I just never guessed on how sweet and supportive a lot of the other bloggers and readers have been to me.
I don't have a huge following and that's okay. Maybe I will gain some more as time goes on, and if I don't that's okay too. I am just SO appreciative of those that are following me, and for all of you that leave comments. You have no idea how it lightens up my day!
My goal for this year is to finish my course with Sheffield. Seriously it needs to be done like NOW. And I will try to very hard to be more consistent on my posts. I know I have been very sporadic with them.



In other news, I was contacted the other day by a designer/blogger that I met at the Design Camp in Seattle earlier this month, Courtney from Illustrated Kitchen and Bath.  She awarded me the Liebster Award. The Liebster award is something that new bloggers give out to other new bloggers to sort of share the love and maybe share some readers. Who doesn't love to be introduced to new blogs out there?
I was very honored that she included me. To be honest, I was actually given this award from Julie of Longhorns and Lilacs are few months back. I was super honored for her to include me as well, but sadly I just spaced off doing the post. Ugh, sorry Julie! Please go to Julie's blog and be sure to say hi.
Okay, so how this works is:
 
If the nominee decides to accept the award, he/she must:
1. Answer the 11 questions posed


2. Post 11 facts about themselves

3. Nominate 5-11 bloggers

4. Tell them they have been nominated
5. Create a list of 11 questions for the nominees to answer

 
 
So, here it goes:
 
11 Questions given to me:
  1. What’s your favorite season? Fall
  2. What’s your best advice for new bloggers? Don't be afraid to reach out to other bloggers for help or advice
  3. Are you glass 1/2 full or glass 1/2 empty? I'd like to think I'm half full
  4. Coffee or tea? Definitely coffee
  5. What’s your favorite magazine? I have so many favorites, but Coastal Living the best
  6. Pick four words to describe yourself. Introverted, loyal, open minded, giving
  7. List your three favorite online shopping sites. Etsy, Pottery Barn, Joss & Main
  8. Night owl or morning person? Night Owl
  9. Which do you prefer: ocean or lake? Ocean
  10. Where do you get your best blog inspiration? Life, other bloggers,  & Pinterest
  11. PC or Mac? PC
11 Facts about Me:
 
  1. I live in the city where I was born
  2. I met my husband on a blind date set up by two of our close friends
  3. I won a prize as a guest of Live with Regis & Kathie Lee, while visiting NYC and was on TV
  4. After seeing Flashdance as a child, I wanted to live in a warehouse and become a dancer.
  5. Had a HUGE crush on C. Thomas Howell growing up.
  6. First time on a plane was to NYC and without my parents
  7. First concert was Pearl Jam (I'm from Seattle, duh)
  8. My favorite smells are peppermint, coffee and garlic
  9. I have three daughters
  10. In highschool I wrote a paper saying I wanted to be an interior designer for yachts and another year, I wrote I wanted to write a screenplay
  11. Must visit Italy
Now, I would love to pass on the torch to the following bloggers: ( I thought I'd reach out to some of my blog followers that have had their blog for a year or less)
 
Andrea from The Glam Pad
Leslie from Pillow Love
Petie from Inspired Nesting
 
 
Nominees, if you wish to accept this mission and continue to spread the love to new bloggers... Here are YOUR questions:
 
11 Questions about You:
 
1. Where were you born?
2. What is your biggest accomplishment?
3. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
4. What did you want to be when you were young?
5. What movie had a huge impact on you?
6. What is your favorite tv sitcom?
7. Your first concert?
8. First job?
9. Country or Pop or Rap?
10. Beach or Mountains?
11. Dream Vacation?


 

 
 
     
 
 
 

5.16.2013

A Look Behind the Curtains with Linda of Calling It Home

All I can say is that one of the great things about writing a blog, is meeting (cyberspace meeting) new friends. There are so many friendly bloggers out there is this community, and so kind.
Linda from Calling it Home has been so nice from the get go, and I am so grateful she has joined in with me for my Behind the Curtains series. I am so fond of her series One Room Challenge. It is the greatest thing. If you haven't heard about it or read them yet, go there right now! Okay, well not right now... I want you to finish reading this post first.
 
 


So Linda, where are you based?  Currently, I'm in New Jersey but we just found out that we will be moving to Florida in about a year! Somewhere around here.



How did you get into design? When I was little, I used to make my Barbie's clothes and decorate their home. The rooms were not as impressive as this Jonathan Adler room, but I would say I was hooked at an early age. 



When and why did you start your blog? I stared my blog two years ago. I had been reading blogs for about a year prior, and thought "I can do that". I really started my blog for the motivation to finish my home. 

Do you have any design education/ degree? When I dropped out of college, I became an Assistant Designer for a budget dress company. It was my responsibility to find the accessories for the dresses...belts, buttons, etc. After that, I went into costuming and worked on television and film projects. When the writers went on strike, I knew I needed to make a change. Eventually, I earned a degree in Nutrition.

How would you define your style? It's all over the place. I would say it's Coastal/Chinoiserie/Eclectic/Boho.



What was your favorite room to design and why? Whatever room bothers me the most at the moment. For now, it was my entry. It felt so dark and sad, and now it's bright and happy.


What is your favorite paint color to use? I am currently obsessed with BM White Dove. I know it's boring, but it is the perfect backdrop for everything.



What is your favorite local décor shop? There is a tiny little store a few miles from my home. It's called Antiques & Design. They sell all sorts of vintage and chic things. I bought this urn there.


What is your most go to online décor shop? Ebay, I am having a great run with this Turkish Rug seller. I think I'm on my third rug from him. 



What room in your house is your favorite and why? My kitchen, because it overlooks my backyard. I am sitting at the kitchen table as I type this. It doesn't look like this all the time, but it is almost never tidy.


Who inspires you? Everyone! Pinterest is the place to go for inspiration. There, the designers names are often lost and you are just studying composition, color, and design. 

Looking back, have you ever had a big design disaster? Or thought, “what was I thinking?” Haha, who hasn't? In my current home, I would already do so many things differently if I could. For example, my friend told me to put a third bathroom upstairs. The thought of the additional expense prevented me from adding it. I should have. When a renovation is going on, it feels endless. However, the day will come when it is a distant memory and the results are what is left.

Best advice for new bloggers? Decide why you are doing it and what your goal is. It's alright if the answer is "just for fun". If we are being really honest, I would doubt that as the honest answer for most bloggers. Find a loyal group of bloggers and support each other. It is a big blogland and it can get really lonely at times. Be original and write in your own voice. If you are not formal and wordy, don't write that way. Besides, most people never read all of what you are writing, anyway. And, learn how to make your pictures BIG.

Best advice for someone decorating on their own? Have lots of inspiration pictures and find a blogger friend you can bounce your ideas off of. Also, take a photo of your room and look at it. Things look different on camera and you may be surprised at what you see. When in doubt, consult with an e-designer. They are super affordable compared to the costly mistakes you could make. 
_______________________________________
 
Thank you so much, Linda! I am so excited for your move to Florida. I know you'll find the perfect house, and make it yours in no time. I am also excited to follow along with you virtually.
 
Don't you love her kitchen ceiling? And I, too, am a huge white paint fan, so loving all of her house! White is not boring people! And those rugs!!!! Okay, okay, so now you can go over to her blog and check it out! Go now! What are you waiting for??!
And if you want to see my other Behind the Curtain posts, come on back and go here, here, here and here.
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