CURRENTLY COVETING: FINISHING TOUCHES

I used to hate when someone would say just live in the house, see how you use it. I think I just really didn't like the idea of living in what I saw as an unfinished house. But, through the process of this renovation, and being forced to live in a house that was less than finished in the early days has really changed my ideas on this concept.

I'm finding that all of those decorative pieces, extra pillows, pieces of art, etc that I'm now have a difficult time finding a place for, were probably pieces I bought just to get a place decorated, not things I truly loved, or lived with. 

This process is, and will continue to be slow, and curated - its proving to be a method that produces a much more desirable end result. As we are getting to a point where we really are beginning to live in this house - here are a few items at the top of my wish list...

beach prints: thom filicia / pillows: caitlin wilson textiles / herringbone throws: serena and lily / ceramic trays: c.wonder / lacquer boxes: plantation / leopard pillow: arianna belle

I loooovvveee these lacquer boxes. Perfect for adding a little bit of polish to any tablescape.

The bedrooms are shaping up to be super cozy, which is exactly what I wanted. But- more pillows are definitely needed. The CWD pillows above add a little color and design without being over the top, and keep in line with the monochromatic color palettes in the rooms.

Its no secret that I've wanted to add an oversized beach print to my home for a long time, see here,  but the Thom Filicia blurred prints have always stuck in my mind. The fact that they are lacking a certain bluntness that beach prints often give is calming and attractive.

I live in Minnesota, I've got plenty of faux fur throws laying around, and despite the near 40 degree temps today,  I still chose this picture - but the fact of the matter is, I think we need a couple more throws at home. The Serena and Lily herringbone throws pictured above are perfect for any time of year, and still achieve adding a little dimension and extra comfort to a space.

photo credits [1, 2, 3, 4]

WHITEWASHED

A few days ago I saw this gorgeous monochromatic photo display. Not only do I love the whitewashed beach illustrations in the frames... I love the ivory-cream mattings paired with the bright white frames against the white wall...

But then today I saw this similar but oh-so-different take on the same color palette...

I love the visual interest that these frames all in the same color family create without being too apparent.

What do you think? Too monochromatic for you, or just the right amount of diversion from white?

I LIKE THEM LEANED

When I told Marc that I was planning to lean our new super tall bathroom mirrors against the wall instead of hanging them, he looked at me with that "You can't be serious" look.  I am in fact - completely serious. I've seen leaning photos, art, and mirrors in unexpected places lately, and I like the easy and relaxed feel.

Are you more of a hang them up right away, or let them linger leaned against something for a while and maybe let them stay kind of person?

OUR BIG PROJECT

Rarely do I get very personal on this blog, but I think might give you some insights as to where I've been these past few weeks...

Now that this project is finally in its final stages [we moved in January 1!], I am excited to share some of the first stages of the project that M and I have worked tirelessly on since just a few weeks after we got married...

Its been a labor of love aka blood, sweat, and tears and without my husbands complete dedication to being onsite everyday, this house simply wouldn't have become our home. 

In early November, we bought this house built in 1922 [not updated since 1968], and began the demolition the very next day. Stripping about 60% of the house down to the studs. Our biggest projects were the kitchen, as well as the bathrooms. 

This is where we started, where we were headed, and hopefully soon after many, many hours of painting and decorating , I will get to show you pictures of the finished product...

The outdated and closed in kitchen transformed into an open and inviting white with carrera marble kitchen...

The powder room adjoining the kitchen which was barely 3 feet wide, [the toilet is sitting in what was the old doorway] was pushed out 1 more foot so that there was a legal amount of space to move around...

Because the only full bathroom in the house is next to the master bedroom, we really wanted to create more of a master bathroom. By pushing through a smallish closet that was between the bathroom and bedroom, we were able to create enough space for 2 vanities, a walk-in glass shower, and small toilet space...

Next week on Tuesday I'll share more about this project. If you have any questions, or need some advice on a renovation, shoot me an email!

PRETTY. GIRLY.

Life moves pretty fast - if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it. Those words characterize the last 6 months of my life perfectly... but really, these last 6 weeks have flown by in what seems like a matter of hours. So much has happened and I'm excited to share the latest project I have tackled, but - its going to have to wait one more day...

So, in the mean time. I'm going to share this girly, feminine, and super lovely home designed by portuguese designer Ana Antunes. I've had this first picture on my inspiration board on Pinterest for a while, and I seem to return to it for some inspiration quite often hint, hint. 

When I saw the entire place, I fell in love all over again. Its just pretty. And comfortable. And totally girly...

THE ART OF THE KITCHEN PENDANT

While selecting lighting for our new home, I've had a particularly difficult time choosing pendant lighting to hang over the island. There are so many looks I love... but a really particular overall design scheme which carries through the rest of the house... I love these commercial kitchenesque pendants that are slightly glamorized by their chrome finish...

These shades are slightly more decorative, and seem to add a little more warmth and depth to the space.

I love that these lights draw your eye upward, and seem so much more than kitchen pendants...

Which would you choose? 

MY 23RD YEAR...

I've been so busy in the last few months, weeks, and days - that I really forgot my birthday was upon me. It's kind of hard to believe another whole year has passed me by...

I didn't want to let today come and go without reflecting on this year - and what an amazing 365 days its been, blessed just to celebrate getting to live life.

This year I continued to grow my business, let it take me in new directions, and have accepted new and unexpected opportunities,  I got engaged and married my best friend, my biggest supporter and the love of my life, acquired a new and wonderful family, we bought a house and have started a remodel to make it a home of our dreams, our best friends brought their first beautiful child into the world, my parents celebrated 27 years of marriage... its been a year of amazing blessings and happiness.

Its exciting to be able to have a place where I can keep record of my reflections, and also share it with such a supportive and loving community. Thanks for following along and being part of my life that I so much enjoy.

If my 24th year is anything like my 23rd... its going to be an exciting and unexpected ride and I'm looking forward to every minute...

M IS FOR MASCARA

When it comes to makeup, I'm generally pretty habitual. Mascara is a completely different story. When I was younger, I bought into the idea that department store mascara was the superior product, while I no longer think thats the case - I try a new mascara nearly every single time I buy a new one. I'm currently using Maybelline Colossal Volume pictured above in yellow and it's really not my favorite. 

I want to know what your favorite mascaras are ?!

 Do you have one that is nice and smooth, that doesn't flake during the day, and isn't impossible to remove at night? [thats asking for perfection, I know]  

Have any of you tried any organically formulated mascaras?

WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT

I've never been particularly fond of leather furniture. To me, it just doesn't scream, "warm" or "cozy"... which take precedence in a living room in my opinion.  However, these living spaces which effortlessly mix and match upholstery with leather are putting this combination into a whole new light...

the clean lines of the leather pieces really do give a certain chicness to these rooms

they also provide texture which is a great way to create a well rounded visual space

and in this particular space... your getting the best of many worlds - leather, tufting, and upholstery. 

PREPPY + POLISHED

Lately, I have put more and more emphasis on defining my personal style. Trying to spend less frivolously while shopping for clothes, and rather putting together outfits, mix and match combinations... figuring out exactly what I want to be exuding when I get dressed everyday. 

I'm sure most of you are well familiar with Blair over at Atlantic-Pacific.. she's got simply flawless taste, and her outfits are absolutely inspiring. In my quest to be more well put together - I've taken a few pages from Blairs preppy handbook, if you will, as well as the j.crew catalogue ... and when it really comes down to it.. I love the mix of color, pattern and excitement that these outfits offer.

Would you wear these outfits?