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!

More thoughts on pink

Hello dear readers!  Hope you had a wonderful holiday.  Today was a very stressful day, so I am cheering myself up with thoughts of pink. 

House to Home

This room is a little too granny chic for me, I'd do something really edgy to tone down the sweetness.  Like replace the lamp with a funky chrome lamp, and definitely get rid of that patterned chair.  But, I do love the brown of the sofa with the pink walls.  I also adore the over sized flower art and the pillows.

 

This is an interesting room that Vern Yip designed for his show Deserving Design.  It pleases me because he took into account the desire of a young girl to have pink in the room.  Hot pink makes a great accent color.  And dig that silver pillow.

 House to Home

This gorgeous room is more in line with my aesthetic.  I love all the pink with the large amount of white.  Love the love seat, painting, cabinet and lamp.

I think the color scheme in my new apartment is going to be pink and gray.  I'm definitely going to do a gray or black accent wall.  These beautiful pillows would fit in well.  Images Chiasso and Designers Guild.

Color Obsession: Pink and Orange

Dear readers, I may be moving yet again.  The Buddha was correct when he said the only constant is change.  Sometimes I wish I could get a point where I can feel settled and say, "I'm here!"  

Ah well, with thoughts of a new apartment come thoughts of my two favorite things.  You guessed it!  Decorating and color obsession!  I haven't even chosen my new apartment, and already I'm decorating it in my head.  I've been thinking of a color scheme I've used many times.  Pink and orange.   (If interested, you can see my previous dining room done in this color scheme, here).  I love pink and orange with yellow, with red, with violet and generous amounts of white.  Funny thing, as soon as I think about a color scheme, I start seeing it everywhere! 

Did you see the September issue of Marie Claire?  How perfect is that pink and orange dress?  Sarah Jessica Parker is perfection in this marvelous frock.  It proves pink and orange look great together.  As you know, I'm a fan of color blocking.

 Image by Peggy

Spent a Saturday recently at football championship games, and look what I saw!  These are the coolest football uniforms ever!  Just proves that inspiration is everywhere.  Wonder where I can get some of those fab hot pink socks.  Here are some pink and orange rooms from my inspiration folder.  Hope you enjoy!

House to Home

Andrea Avram Rusu

Beautiful bedding and check that lamp.  Fab!

Home to Life

This room is a little over the top for me.  I'm still not really sold on wallpaper, even though it is quite trendy right now.  But I do love that sofa.

Home to Life

I'm not a big fan of pattern either, as you know I prefer big blocks of color.  However, this rug does work for me.  Maybe I prefer pattern on the floor rather than on the walls.  Or maybe it's because the pattern is still simple and there is a large amount of white helping the pattern not get too sweet.

Above two images Linnea Heide Art

I love large paintings on white walls.  There's an old decorating rule that your art shouldn't match your decor.  I'm not one for following the rules.  Sure, it doesn't have to match, but I tend to choose art based on colors or texture.  Oftentimes, the painting is the jumping off point, I often design a room around a painting.  I love these works by Linnea Heide, I could see them in the apartment I am decorating in my head.

Flor tiles via spruce decor

I am in love with Flor's ingenious carpet tiles.  I've been itching to use them in a room.  These pink and orange ones really pop in the black and white room.

I definitely want to experiment with accent walls in my next place.  I adore this coral wall.  Also really love that modular bookcase.

 

David Giles Photography

I am lusting after this totally fab pink coffee table!  Anyone know who designed it so I can give them credit?  Also really digging the color blocking treatment.

Things that Matter

Dear readers, how are you?  It's so nice to see you, you look marvelous.  I've missed you, even when I'm away I think of you often.  Thank you so much to those readers who sent emails asking how I was. I apologize for being a very bad blogger.  I took an unscheduled hiatus due to illness.  After spending a week with my family, I am feeling recharged.  Nothing like love to make you feel better.

During my month of laying low, I spent a lot of time in meditation and deep introspection.  I'd like to send a shout out to the brave people taking part in the various Occupy movements.  It's of great concern to me that the country is in so much trouble, and yet I don't know how to help.  I began to question my little blog - does it seem frivolous to blog about pretty things when people are in so much trouble?  How much politics and personal business should be posted on a blog?  I prefer blogs where I feel as if I get to know the blogger.  I maintain, that art is political and politics is art.  Art is extremely important as it elevates the consciousness of a people.  We are all connected.  Those of us who are struggling right now are not engaged in class war.  We would simply like to remind the wealthy that  poverty should be eradicated.  Simply because it's the right thing to do.  The poverty of even one individual encroaches on the comfort of us all.  There is enough to go around, let's spread it around a little more fairly.  That's all.  It's that simple.

I've been accused of being naive at times.  But things don't need to be overly complex.  I have been out of work for almost two years, and there have been many gifts and lessons during this time period.  Many things that used to matter to me do not matter any more.  I am not attached to things, and I no longer worry what people think of me.  I also move at a slower pace.  I'm not sure what all the hurrying is about.  

The greatest thing in my life  is that I notice simple pleasures and experience them deeply.  I had the pleasure of staying with my family last week.  This experience has brought me even closer to my family and I am grateful.  These are people who love me without condition.  I'd like to share an experience I had the other night.

Self portrait by my nephew

My nephew wasn't feeling well Monday night.  We sat in the love chair together, he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep.

 Oliver, world's cutest kitten

This baby was snuggled under my chin asleep, purring loudly.  The love in my heart swelled up, caught in my throat and brought a tear to my eye.  As I held my two babies, I thought, "This is one of the best moments of my life."  Recognizing this as such, I emptied my mind to everything except that moment.  I was completely present and so grateful.  I savored that moment.  I know it sounds trite, but there is nothing more important than love.

How often do we actually pause and say to ourselves, this is a really good moment?  We should do that more often.  Why don't we take a pledge to love each other more fully and to be more present?  To slow down and to contemplate the things that matter and stop chasing the things that don't.  I have found that the more I embrace simplicity, the happier I am.  It might work for you too.  I'd love to hear your thoughts, dear readers.

Stay tuned for more color obsession and more discussions of simplicity.  Thanks for reading, it means the world to me.  xxoo

Everything Pink for Peggy

Hello readers! This is Jessie from My Mod Style. When Peggy asked me to guest post on her blog I was pretty excited. The first thing that popped in my head was the color PINK. When I think of Peggy, I think of pink. Even though she changes up the look of her apartment often, she will always have pink somewhere in the room. I decided to search the web for images I thought Peggy would love....



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I love this industrial style space with all the artwork scattered about and pink walls...
Source: Honeysuckle Life


I love the simplicty of this room. The artwork is beautiful on the white walls.
Source: Dcdelectably Classy


More pink eyecandy...

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Antonio Ballatore's kitchen with its awesome hot pink wall...
Source: Apartment Therapy


I hope you enjoyed all the pink loveliness and I hope you have a great weekend! Jessie