Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all my dear readers!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and new year.  I didn't decorate for the holidays this year, so I thought I'd share my niece's Christmas tree.

Isn't that cute!  I love the idea of decorating the tree with mini purses.  As always, thanks for reading, I can't tell you how much it means to me.  Stay tuned for my first post of 2012, it's an exciting one!  xxoo

Good Things are Happening in Cleveland

Vinyl is enjoying a resurgence.  Many new bands are producing their albums on vinyl records, and a lot of the classics are being remastered.  Of course, vinyl never lost its popularity among pro-analog audiophiles.  So whether you are new to vinyl, or a die hard vinyl fan, you will be excited about the opening of this new store in Cleveland.

 

The store is being run by three of the coolest guys I know:  James, Kendall and Tony.  Tony is a long-time friend and is responsible for the vinyl section.  He's the most knowledgeable guy in Cleveland in the genres of 60s music, San Francisco music, sunshine pop and psychedelic. There's lots of other cool things in the store  too, including vintage clothing, jewelry, cameras and furniture to name a few.  Stop by to say hello, buy something unique for your pad or just hang out!  Hope to see you there!

 

I want these mod tiki-inspired cups.

That's my Beatles poster above the counter.  It's not for sale, but it's worth seeing it's so awesome.

 

Here's my gratuitous plug - that's my mid-century inspired painting in the background of the window.  It is for sale.  Also notice that mannequin - isn't it the coolest?  I want it!

What I want for Christmas

Pink by Karl Schawelka and Barbara Nemitz.  Image via The Selby.  Can't believe I didn't write this.

Pops of Yellow Around my Place

As you know, I've been obsessing about turquoise lately.   However, when I was cleaning rearranging today, my thoughts were turning toward warming up the place for winter.  I decided to add a few pops of yellow.  Sunshiny yellow makes me happy and does make the place look warmer, especially when combined with large amounts of pink.  Here's a sneak peak.  I never decorate for Christmas, I'm not sure why.  I like Christmas, but I don't want to live with the clutter of Christmas ornaments.  I'd probably change my mind if I weren't single or had kids.

I'd like to have more yellow pillows.

The tall window vase is a gift from a new, dear friend.  I love it!  So, of course, I rearranged my pottery.

I tried to make the arrangement look carefree and unintentional, so did it quickly.

I've been wanting to make my hallway into an art gallery, so hung this grouping of my paintings on one of the walls.  I'm not sure if I like it yet.  I don't usually like groupings.  Oh well, it's fun to experiment.  I'm planning a full tour of my place after the holidays.  In the meantime, stay tuned for a very exciting house tour!

Cleaning House

Today was a great day.  You know the kind. I got motivated to clean the house and I was on a roll.  As I was cleaning and  rearranging pottery, I was singing, dancing and feeling very joyful.  I have Common to thank for that.  I was really feeling A Dream.

Common, thanks for the positive vibes and for helping me get the house clean!

Mid-Century Modern with Pops of Turquoise

Below I wrote about my love of turquoise and my love of mid-century modern design.  Here is a home that is just too good to pass up.  Beautiful mid-century design, beautiful wood pieces and great use of turquoise pops.

For the rest of this beautiful home see Kristen and Mike's Mid-Century Oasis via Apartment Therapy.

My Favorite Outfit for 2011

As you know from a previous post, I love color blocking.  Both in fashion and decor.  This is my favorite outfit of the year.  Orange, pink, black and white.  Oh and don't forget those fab blue shoes.  It works because the colors are all saturated jewel tones.  In addition, you can pull off using lots of colors when you have no pattern and balance it with black and/or white.  This outfit could inspire a beautiful room.  This gorgeous outfit worn by the fabulous Chiara Ferragni.

These are my favorite shoes for 2011.  Can you believe they are Payless!  Just shows great style doesn't have to cost a lot of money.   I adore them.  I would wear them with skinny jeans, a jean jacket, a white t-shirt and a ton of pearl necklaces.

Mini Mood Board

Still dreaming of a new apartment.  Current plan for decorating same is a gray accent wall and a vintage turquoise sofa.  This sofa is impossibly out of my budget but it is perfect, isn't it?  Is it possible to be in love with a sofa.  Yes, it's perfectly possible.  Here's the proof:

 V and M

This sofa is casual, yet sophisticated and clean lined.  My favorite style of decor is Mid-Century Modern.   I love the simple lines.  MCM furniture makes a great base for any beautiful room.  Because of its clean lines, any style can easily be layered on it.  Japanese, Moroccan and ethnic pieces go great in a room decorated in Mid-Century Modern.

West Elm

I prefer low scale, round coffee tables.  I like to move them around and use them for different purposes, which is why I love ottomans so much.  I've never really used wood in my decor, although this piece made in India has caught my attention.  I love it's low scale, Moroccan influence.  I think it would look great with this sofa.

 And the accent wall I am planning in the perfect dove gray.

 Design Public

Here's the perfect entertainment center for my new flat screen.  I love its simple shape, and I love the combination of wood and white.  The wood of this piece and the coffee table relate to each other.  The white on this piece would, of course, relate to the painted wood floors.  Hmm, this room needs some funky end tables, over sized Danish lamps and pillows.  And oh yeah, vases.  None of it is to be, as it's out of my budget, but it's okay.  A girl can dream right?   These pieces are now all in my virtual collection.  You know what I always say about virtual collections.  They cost nothing, they take up no space, they don't need dusting, and the best part - they don't have to be moved!

Good thing I didn't take part in the I'm a Giant Challenge (see post below).  I'd be tempted to replicate these pieces, but the last thing I need is another obsession or project.

Turquoise Obsession

Dear readers, you know how I am about color.  I think about color all the time.  Sometimes thoughts of a specific color occupy my mind and it won't let go.  As you know, I've been thinking about gray a lot lately.  Today the obsession suddenly shifted to turquoise.  Turquoise is probably my second favorite color (pink being the first, of course).  As you also know, I've been fantasizing about a new apartment and how I'd decorate it.  I know I want a gray accent wall, and now I'm thinking I want to add turquoise. Here's how it started.

I was watching Secrets from a Stylist Holiday.  I adore Emily Henderson.  Her style differs greatly from mine, her rooms are a little over the top for me, I'd like to edit about half of the items when she's done.  And I'm still not sold on wallpaper, which she uses a lot.  But, she's adorable and quirky and delightful to watch and I do learn things from her, and she often inspires me.  I like when my perspective is challenged.  Sorry, I digress.  The point I'm trying to get to is this vase.  For some reason, whenever I watch TV or movies, I constantly hone in on the vases in the room.  This particular one caught my attention and I can't get it out of my mind.  Beautiful shape and beautiful color.  If anyone knows where I can order this vase, please let me know.  Anyway, this vase is what started by current obsession with turquoise.

More vases!  I haven't bought any new vases in a while, so I think I have them on my mind.  I love these updated versions of depression glass.  I'm not usually a fan of hobnails, but I love these.  Probably because they are still simply shaped.  Available at DwellStudio.

I'm not usually a fan of groupings, but this one works because the art is all black and white.  The art and the cabinet pop off the turquoise walls beautifully.  Love the pop provided by the red chair.  And, of course, I really dig those white floors.  Image Karl Anderson.

 

Turquoise looks great with wood and with mid-century modern decor.  Love this dining set.  The red pillows on the seats look great with the turquoise.  Clint & Lisa's Bold Crayola-Inspired Abode via Apartment Therapy.

More proof that red looks great with turquoise.  I love this lacquered table!  Also love the pops of turquoise.  The room is simple, clean and romantic.  Such a stunner, hard to believe it was done on a small budget.  Sorry about the poor image, but I think you get the idea.  This room was designed by Kahi Lee for Design on Dime.  I need the Design on a Dime team to come to my home!

Drool.  Simple, clean mid-century modern comfort.  Love the turquoise chairs and love the pops of the orange pillows.

OMG that lamp!  I need that lamp!  I am currently on the hunt for a large, geometric, Danish-inspired white vintage lamp.  I am scouring the vintage stores.  It's not easy since I have no budget, but I know one will appear.  Images Chris Barrett Design.

Look at this beautiful sofa!  It must have been custom made for the space.  I love round ottoman, and I believe that's a Moroccan wedding blanket used as a rug.  I've been seeing them used as rugs quite a bit lately, and I love them.  Adds great texture to the simple, yet elegant and comfy space.  Samer's 1930 Streamline Moderne Apartment via Apartment Therapy.

This picture proves that turquoise looks great with gray.  I adore this chair and ottoman with the gray walls and the white floors.  And isn't that Warhol print fab!  Can you believe this cute picture is actually from a doll house!  It's from Jessie of My Mod Style's entry in the I'm a Giant Challenge.  Sometimes doll house furniture is so inspirational!

Dark Walls

Dear readers, I'm not one for trends.  I'm usually late to trends, and often fall in love with trends when they are over.  But I don't worry about that.  I just trust my instincts when it comes to color.  The black accent wall is a trend that's been around for a while, but doesn't seem to be losing popularity any time soon.  I'm dreaming of a new apartment, something small and simple and I am decorating it in my mind.  I'm definitely doing a dark accent wall.  Either gray and black.  With pops of hot pink, and maybe turquoise and yellow.  I love the allure of a dark room.  The room should be cozy, but a little edgy, feminine and and mysterious.  Here's some inspiration.  Hope you enjoy!

As you know it was Abigail Ahern who first got me thinking about dark walls.  I love her living room.  I adore that hot pink coffee table, and those gray floors.  Abigail's approach to design is very different from my own and challenges my perception, and I love that.  (See previous posts about Abigail Ahern, here.)

I know I've featured the bedroom of the perfect Jenna Lyons before, but it's so - well - perfect. 

Here's another view of Ms. Lyon's bedroom in a different light.  I love to watch how color changes during the day.  Love the pop of the white fireplace and crisp, simple bedding.  The room is romantic, simple and restful looking.  Images Habitually Chic.

I've featured this lovely bedroom before as well, but it is a perfect example of a room with a black accent wall.  The room is simple, calm, restful and very sophisticated.  Image The Boo and the Boy.

I'm sure you are all avid readers of Desire to Inspire. If so, you've been watching with avid interest, Jo's transformation of her new (old) house.  I've watched Jo collecting for a couple of years prior to to buying her home.  It's absolutely astonishing how it's coming together.  She skillfully pulls together such disparate pieces as the deco screen, vintage chairs, ethnic prints and luscious dark walls to achieve an incredibly chic room.

Love the pop of the white fireplace and the hot pink pillow against this accent wall.  Image Door Sixteen.

I'm not a big fan of herringbone floors, but I do love the purple sofas in this dark room.  Image via Richard Powers.

This room is a little ornate for me, I don't care for the paneling.  But I do love the soft pink chair and foot stool.  This room proves that pale pink and gray look great together.  Gubi via sfgirlbybay.

 This chartreuse door really pops against the black wall.  Image House to Home.

This room is a tad disjointed, and I'm not a fan of chevron, however, it is still largely successful due to its bold use of color and pattern.  I think I am bothered by the sofa, and would prefer to see a pink, lavender or maybe gray sofa.  I am also bothered by the wood dresser, and maybe the white desk doesn't go there?  I'd like to see a little tweaking here, but just a little.  I love the direction the designer is taking.  I adore the color of the walls, the turquoise lamp, the yellow chair and the silver poufs.  I think this is a case of a homeowner creatively using what they have with a small budget.  It does prove that dark walls with pops of color make a room look very rich.  Image via Apartment Therapy.

Beautiful black accent wall and sofa.  Love the pops of pink from the pillow and rug.  Image House to Home.

A simple dining room takes on stunning sophistication with a black accent wall.  I love how minimal this room is, the wall is the art.  Image Apartment Therapy.

Dark blue makes a beautiful accent wall in this lovely, minimal dining room.  Image Apartment Therapy.  I think the following three rooms are my favorite of this batch.  One of these may be my inspiration for my new apartment.

This room is stunning (except that the TV is mounted too high, but who cares?).  I love the pops of hot pink, yellow, violet and red.  In the past, I've always used pops of color against white.  For a more smouldering look, why not substitute gray for white?

Another stunning room.  I'm not usually a lover of pattern, but I am digging this sofa.  Love the pops of color provided by the pillows.

And oh man, will you look at this beauty.  Beautiful pink sofa, Moroccan-influenced end table, low scale coffee table, ethnic screen.  Drool.  Above three images via House to Home.  What about you dear readers?  Would you ever do a black or gray accent wall in your place?  If you have done a dark wall in your place, send me a picture and maybe I will feature you on this blog.  I'd love to hear from you!