Shady In My Kitchen

Just thought I'd share a few little updates to our kitchen lately (because I can't leave well enough alone). To see previous updates click -here - and - here

We installed some (really inexpensive) natural woven roman shades on the windows. I was so happy to see the white metal mini-blinds go (which I never actually used because they were just so blah). I also added some blue and white plates in the dead space above the cabinets.

I'm pretty happy with the Bixler pendants from Pottery Barn (which seem to be permanently on sale, btw). The french inspired bistro table with carrara marble top was purchased at Juliska flagship store here in Stamford, CT. They use them in their cafe and sell them as well. I can't tell you how much I love this table for it's size and durablity.

I found these sweet topiaries in Maine at Snug Harbor Farm which is a dreeeeeeaaaaaaamy nursery in Kennebunkport. They have their own terra cotta pots with the nursery name on them (clip the photo to a close up). They are so pretty and I love the moss that grows naturally on them over time.

Sorry, this is all I can muster today. I will be back with some more interesting posts soon. I promise! I have so much on my mind and would love to share with you all, if only I had the time and energy to get it out. It's just been one of those weeks!

THAT Room

You know, the room that you're never quite happy with? It has issues and you just want to keep the door closed and not let anyone see it? Well, THAT room in my house is the powder room.

Here it is in it's current state (to see the "before" pics click here). We don't want to remodel it because this isn't our forever home and it's perfectly functional. So, any changes that can be made have to be purely cosmetic (and not expensive!).

It's painted BM Palladium blue (which I actually really love) and has a mishmash of every metal finish under the sun.

There is a small shower which you can's see that has a brass/frosted glass door that I'm trying to work around. I'm contemplating whether or not I should paint this existing light fixture gold or just scrap it and buy a different one. Call me crazy, but think it looks like the mirror has "antlers" with this light fixture above it, so it's bothering me.

I painted this tiered shelf (which is where I store towels and other things for guests) an antique gold to try to tie in the brass details.

I found some adorable hooks from Anthropologie to add some whimsy to the room. We often end up hanging wet swimsuits and beach towels in this bathroom, so these hooks come in handy.

I also dressed up an inexpensive plain white roman shade with some fuschia greek key trim. It didn't take more than an hour of time and some Fabri-Tac. But, with all of these small details, I'm still missing that much needed "pop" in this room. Something that pulls everything together.

I can't stop obsessing about this sweet bathroom (source unknown - if you know, please let me know). Is wallpaper the answer - I don't know? What do you think? Do you have a room like this that just has you stumped??


Edit: the photo above is via here and the wallpaper is Waverly shown below. Gorgeous! I smell a new project in my future.

Our Sideyard Makeover

{After}

{Before}

Our sad little sideyard was just a mishmash of random plants. It's a tricky space because it's narrow and gets sun only in the morning.

{After}

I know it doesn't look like a huge change because all of the new plantings are still really young and small. Oh goodness, it really looks sad still, but I assure you, it's SO much better than it used to be!

What you can't really see are the hydrangea shrubs planted on the right that will grow to about 4 feet. The rhododendrons on the left are located between each of the windows (from our living room) and will also grow to about 4 feet. I can't wait to see how everything looks next year.

There are also two rose bushes planted on either side of the entrance to the gravel path. It's far for complete, but it's a start. I'd love to add an arched trellis covered in clematis (which I already have growing on the fence) at the end of the path where the sideyard narrows towards the backyard. I'm also not too crazy about the black metal edging we have, but this year's landscape budget it tapped, so maybe next year.

I love this look from Restoration Hardware (minus the lights) as an edging idea.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

My Home - Exterior

I thought I'd share a few shots of the exterior of my home while I'm away. It's not a palace by any means, but we love our little home. Can you believe the door and the shutters used to be Smurf blue when we bought the place? I'm talking bright blue.

It's funny, I've actually been in touch with the previous owners of the home (my neighbor is still very close with them). They had always wanted to paint the door/shutters black but just never got around to it.

I think she was very happy to see her previous home so well loved and taken care of by us the last time she visited.

I know that she and her husband adored the house and I could tell the moment I walked through the front door for the first time. It just had "good energy", you know? It's a happy home and we love it.

All A Flutter

Look who landed at the top of our stairs.

Print purchased from these nice people in Denmark.

My original inspiration was found via the fabulous Elements Of Style blog.

I decided the "motel art" (as my sweet husband called it) that was sitting in my office had to go, so I spray painted the frame a glossy white and slapped the new butterfly print over the existing painting.

{"motel art" before}

{"motel art" after}

Bringing the Outdoors In

{"Limelight" hydrangeas and hosta leaves straight from my little garden}

Have you been watching the latest Design Star on HGTV? Do you have a favorite designer? Well, I do and her name is Emily Henderson. Did you know she has a a blog where she not only shares styling tips and design inspiration (and her quirky sense of humor), but she also gives us DS fans a glimpse of the behind the scenes drama - so much fun! After reading this post on her blog about fresh flowers, I was instantly inspired to get out in my tiny garden to bring some of the outdoors in!

To see my previous living room posts click - here and here and here -

I also did a little pillow switch-a-roo (of course).

{some "Guacamole" hostas and hydrangeas}

I recently removed a vintage print from the frame above to see if it could be professionally cleaned. I left the frame empty and it's kind of growing on me that way. However, new art IS on the way!

The chairs pillows are covered in a silk velvet in "lichen" from Kravet.

I also want to report that Fred the Fiddleleaf Ficus is alive and well. He's actually grown a bit!

My Newest Addition To The Family

Just because I can't stand not having any design related updates....

Just a couple recent changes in the living room for your viewing pleasure. The little chair (above) got a seat cushion make over with some left over fabric from this project. I've recovered these chairs oh, maybe 6-7 times (seriously). It's just too easy.

And let me introduce you to Fred the Fiddleleaf Ficus. Yes, I name my house plants. What? You don't? I'm yet to find the perfect container for him, but I think he looks handsome even without one. Now, let's hope I can keep him alive!

And just some random pretties sitting on my table...

Glossy Paint and Other Updates

I Just thought I'd share a few little projects from my home lately. I wish I had more time to give more detail, but for now this is a "drive-by-blog-post". Our weather beaten front door got a nice fresh coat of high gloss black paint a couple days ago and I can't stop staring at it. Is it weird that I totally open and close my door for no reason other than to look at the paint? Oh, and I also do the same to freshly organized closets...I stop and oogle at the organization-porn. Weird, I know.

The dining room got a new paint color as well ("Olive" by Farrow and Ball) and I'm 80% happy with it. I wish it was a little more punchy green as opposed to a muted gray green, but oh well. Maybe next year I will paint again. I kid you not, this is the THIRD paint color in the past two years that these walls have seen (again, weird. I know). I just can't seem to nail it. However, it's been getting rave reviews from visitors. It honestly does look better in person. I also added a blue and white plate collection as well as an old mirror (painted BM China White).

The window seat (aka: the glorified cat bed) got a crisp white cushion as well as some of my random throw pillows from around the house.

The dining room chairs also got a nice new ikat on their seats. This fabric makes me happy.

The hydrangea are in full bloom here. Oh, how I LOVE me some hydrangea blooms!

We also got rid of the dated track lighting that used to be in our kitchen.

We replaced them with these pendants from Pottery Barn. I just realized I have the wrong size bulbs in them. Oh well, add that to my to-do-list!

Grayson has been my little helper in the garden recently. He loves to "plant" flowers in his very own pot (aka: make a huge mess in the dirt).


More details later...

I Need Your Help With Something

This is our master bedroom

This is a duvet cover that I'm head-over-heels crazy about.

Here it is again in a different color way.

Do you think either of these duvets would look nice in the space?

The other elements in the room to consider are this chair...

The dresser and lamps...

...and the headboard has a deep gray velvet underneath it's white summer cover-up.

I'd love to hear what you all think. Is the duvet too much? Or, is it that much needed pop that the room is lacking?