My Apartment - For Today

It's taken some time, but my apartment and I are having a love affair. My personal space is very important to me. Here's a quick peek at how she looks today.

I love color, especially pink.

I'm a big proponent of color psychology. I got the knock off Middle Kingdom vase at a thrift store for $4.00. If you need cheering up, try a pop of yellow.

The chandelier is a work in progress.

Yep. I've got vase addiction.

Yellow in My Apartment

Hello dear readers!  I hope you had a great weekend and are staying warm!  I want to continue talking about a couple of my favorite things this week - my apartment and color!

Until recently, I had been using a lot of yellow in my apartment.  I think it's because I was missing the sunshine.  Yellow is a color that can be used in small doses - a little goes a long way. I love yellow, but I don't think I'm going to be using it in my home for Spring.  My place is taking a surprising turn. Stay tuned.  The yellow vase to the right was a gift from Jessie, who is bravely simplifying her life.  Thanks Jessie!  I love it!

Lamp Tramp

Thank God for knock offs.  I realize this may rankle the feathers of purists - and I do apologize for that. I want artists and designers to make money and be credited for their work.  But I also want beauty to be available to the masses - so I was thrilled when I saw that Target has a knock off of one of my favorite lamps.

The Bourgie lamp designed by Ferruccio Laviani is one of my favorite lamps of all time!  I love a piece that looks traditional, made in a non-traditional material.

Here is the knock off by Target.  Not bad and a whole lot cheaper.  I'd love to use this in a hot pink room for a teenage girl.

I just couldn't help myself. I had to do a mood board with the lamp. At Target's price, you could afford two of the lamps for less than you can get it from Kartell.  The lamps look fabulous with this gorgeous yellow sofa and acrylic coffee table. They make a statement, like a pair of earrings for your room! Image via mekula.com

Yellow!

Image source unknown

Today I only aspire to be this industrious (and to look this fab while doing it).  I'm dragging and need a bit of cheering up. You know those days, don't you? Color is the best pick me up I know.  Color psychology totally works.  Feeling lethargic?  The prescription is yellow! Beautiful happy, sunshiny yellow. Yellow is the perfect color when you need a boost in your energy. A little goes a long way.  Put a little pop of yellow in your environment.  Here's some inspiration.  Hope you enjoy!

Arsalan Butt via Artisan State

One of my favorite combinations is yellow and gray.  I dearly love this graphic painting.  This type of painting is not as easy to execute as it looks.  It may be simple, but it's not easy.  And check those fabulous faceted vases on the table.  Those are the Joker series by Nicole Aebischer.  They look perfect here.  Pops of silver look so fab in a gray and yellow scheme.  I had the pleasure of seeing these beauties in person one time (see previous post here), but way out of my price range.  I've been on the look out for a knock off.  Image via Desire to Inspire.

One of my favorite paintings by David Bromstad.  Wish I could paint like him!

I've featured this piece before.  Inexpensive art found at a thrift shop gets a fresh new life with spray paint.  I may steal this idea.  This piece was done by the amazing creative Midcentury Jo of Desire to Inspire.

These are the beautiful Enoki Cumulus pendant lamps.  So soft and airy. I love them staggered.  And that pop of yellow is fab!  Image via inadesignerhome. 

The above two pics are mid century at its finest!  Love the organic shapes and the graphic paintings.  A pop of yellow in a mostly neutral or white room goes a long way.  Beth Coller via Desire to Inspire.

This may be my new dream kitchen.  Love the shiny yellow appliances and the white floor. Image via Livingetc.

Beautiful Asian inspired cabinet looks fab in yellow.  Also love the painting and the over sized ottoman! Image Traci Fleming via Apartment Therapy.

I've said it a million times:  gray is one of my favorite colors.  I love it paired with yellow.  How fab would this rug be on a cold winter's day?  Image via Femina.

Yep.  A gray accent wall is definitely in my near future.  Roomservice Design Gallery.

Love these chairs.  Would love to have one for my office.  Livingetc.

Here is something else I'd love to have for my office!  I love, love, love this desk.  Beautiful geometry. Beautifully designed.  The yellow top is sure to inspire creativity!  Buisjes & Beugels.

Anyone know the designer of this fabulous chair?  Love it!  Love the shape, and the yellow pops against that white wall.  So fab with that lamp.  Cecilia's Simple Beauty via Apartment Therapy.

How does one become obsessed by a knob?  Well because everything must be beautiful!  Ya'll already know that I am crazy about everything designer extraordinaire Jessie does. Here she has spray painted fabulous knobs. I have been looking everywhere for knobs like this, but haven't found them, yet!

Speaking of fabulous DIY, you must check out this home tour.  This beautiful yellow cabinet is actually an Ikea hack.  And the beautiful dresser to its left is decoupage.  I'm not usually one for embellishments, but this talented artist's apartment is an exception.  Everything is done so tastefully.  And the outside space is to die for!  Sofia's DIY Garden Apartment.

Do you know Mandi at Vintage Revivals?  Everything she touches turns to gold.  I love this wall treatment. Such a beautiful color scheme.  And dig that headboard made from an old frame.  Gorgeous.

What about you dear readers, do you love yellow?  Do you add pops of yellow to your home when you need a burst of energy?  Yellow is a surprising color when used in makeup as well, it gives a glowing effect. One of my favorite posts is about yellow eyeshadow, click here if interested in seeing this post.  Stay tuned for more posts about fabulous color!  xo

Mood Board: Light Pink

I love me some pink.  Always have.  It's been my favorite my whole life.  Usually I am drawn to hot pink, but lately I've been noticing softer, paler pinks.  I love pale pink paired with metallics, gray, and yellow.  It also looks great with turquoise and orange.  For a stunning look, mix pale pink and hot pink.  Whatever color you use, it should be balanced with lots of white.  Here's a few facts about pink:  you can never have too much;  it looks great on everyone;  it goes with any color;  it is not a strictly girly color and can be used in a thoroughly modern way.  Sometimes I think I should have written a blog devoted entirely to pink.  For Spring, I think my color scheme is going to be pale pink, yellow and gray.  Here's some inspiration, hope you enjoy!

I this room, so fresh and airy!  I adore pale pink with bright yellow and pops of gray!  I know I've told you a million times - I'd like to live in a place with all white walls and floors!  I love the copper light.  I've used pink with silver and with gold, but never copper.  This is a combination I'm seeing lately and I love it.  Dig that coffee table, wonder if I could make that.  Moody's Home.

I love these shelves from Muuto!  Really digging the pink, orange and gray.  Love the pink standing lamp. 

I keep watching the Goodwill for a credenza, but no luck so far.  Just look at this baby.  Pale pink looks great with wood too!  Love the legs, love color blocking.  I have to have this piece when I win the lottery.  Wish I could build furniture.  CBY Furniture.

I'm not usually one for plate display, but this one may be changing my mind.  I love the organic simplicity of the plates, and love the colors.  Toast via the style files.

Storage never looked so good.  I'd like to have these these in my bedroom instead of a dresser.  Pink looks great with brown - that vase looks great there.  Bungalow5 via Desire to Inspire.

And speaking of the bedroom - how gorgeous is this room!  I adore the color blocking, the gray sheets, the knit ottomans used as a night stand.  I also love the pure functionality of the clothes rack and how the head board mimics its shape.  I need some of those over sized wooden beads.  Anyone know where I can get them?  Photo by Frida Ramstedt for Trendenser.se.

I love my apartment

When you have a chronic illness, there are good days and bad days.  Today is a bad day, all I am able to do is lay on the sofa.  Fortunately, I cleaned my apartment this weekend.  I am so grateful  I have such a lovely place to rest.  My apartment.  It's small and humble, but I love it.  Even though I have a lot of ideas, I'm not much of DIYer.  I don't miss living in old, dusty buildings.  I'm loving the clean, modern convenience of this place. Although I do wish I could paint!  Oh well, I'm lazy anyway.   I enjoy moving things around, though, and experimenting with color and texture.

Here's how it looks today.  I moved the taller Parsons table to the opposite side of the sofa.  I like it because three of my favorite vases have gained prominence by being elevated.  I moved the black ottoman next to the sofa to use as an end table, now I have a great place to display my new square tea pot and my hot pink lacquer tray.  

Really digging yellow, so switched my paintings around.  Love tons of white.

I love the functionality of this!  I now use my smaller Parsons table for candles.  The Vietnamese pot holds extra tea lights and incense.  I am on the look out for a cute table lighter.  I keep my slippers handy for when I want to go out on the balcony.

I have my new art project displayed on the partial wall, and a favorite painting in the hall.  My personal space is important to me, and I am very grateful for this modest apartment.  I am grateful that when company comes, they seem to love it too.  My brother was here Saturday night for dinner.  He said he loved all my "knick knacks."  Oh no, I thought.  Vases aren't knick knacks, are they?

New Art Project and the Repetition of Circles

In my post below, I mentioned how I love the repetition of shapes in decor.  As the picture below shows, repeating circles makes a dramatic graphic punch, yet remains simple looking.

The Influence...

Apartment Therapy

Here is part of an art project I have been working on since I moved into my new apartment.  I have a lovely balcony with a tree behind it.  I've been fascinated by the full moon behind the tree, so I decided to do 12 months of full moon shots.

This is the best kind of art - I didn't spend any money on them!  I used invert and then just printed them on regular xerox paper.  I kinda like the low-tech vibe.  I had the frames, so voila!  As you know, I've been bringing pops of yellow in my decor.  I love it with lots of white and with pink.  I went through my stash of paintings and found a couple that fit the bill.

And wouldn't you know it?  I noticed the pattern of circles - or moons - that happened intuitively.  Two of my paintings, some vases, a bracelet on one of my vases and one of my prized possessions - my moon lamp from CB2.  That was a hard-earned lamp.  I bought it with overtime money made from working the hardest trial of my long career as a legal secretary.

A great weekend and a cute yellow box

Hello dear readers!  I had a great weekend, hope you did too!  Started off with quality girl time with my sister-in-law.  Of course we went to TJ Maxx - after eating sushi.  Ahh, it's good to be queen.  At TJ Maxx, I bought the cutest little yellow, lacquered box.  I love lacquered boxes, but they are usually too expensive for me.  This one was $29 marked down to $4!  It had a little damage that I was able to fix.  I love giving new life to an orphaned, unloved piece!  

Behold the perfect little yellow box on my bookcase.  When a new piece comes in, it's time to rearrange - as you already know.  I spent my Saturday morning with music blaring, a cup of my favorite Colombian coffee and I did my favorite thing.  Rearranged vases and art.  I am really digging yellow.  Yellow is going to be big, big, big this Spring!  You heard it here first. I really love it with pink.  But remember, a little yellow goes a long way.  

Hey, BTW, color psychology works.  I've been feeling quite lethargic since Christmas. I wanted some energy and wanted to lighten up my apartment - you know to make it happy.  What could do the trick easily, quickly and cheaply?  Why yellow, of course!  It worked!  I was productive and happy today.  Saturday evening I spent with my favorite cousin and her sweet dogs.  I've been thinking seriously about getting a puppy, but poop and pee kinda freak me out (may get a cat instead).  I am in love with my cousin's dog.  She's the sweetest dog in the world.  Saturday night I felt thoroughly loved, so grateful and slept really well.  .

Like my sister-in-law, my cousin is generous and gives me the most beautiful gifts.  This is a door hanger she bought me.  In my favorite color - hot pink - of course.  Here it is with one of my purses (also a fab gift from my sister-in-law) and some of my scarves.  I love it!  What a great way to satisfy my addiction to textiles!  So romantic too.

Some of my vases with a cute yellow bowl.  I added a bracelet to my tall vase.  Love the repetition of shapes.

And look what I found!  Pink dish soap!  Got it at Family Dollar.  Because everything should be beautiful.  Even the most mundane object.  I almost hate to use it!

Hope you had a great weekend!  Stay tuned for some exciting posts this week.  More about my apartment, my art and fun fashion stuff too!  xxoo

Simple Impact: Accent Walls and Large Art

I'm always obsessing about decor.  As you know, I think simplicity is key in designing a beautiful and relaxing room.  Over the next few days I'd like to focus on how to make a big impact in a simple way.  One of my favorite ways to freshen a room is with color.  I've been obsessing about Tiffany box blue for sometime and would love to do an accent wall in it.

This home boasts a stunning use of paint.  The room has just the right amount of drama and edginess, but still remains simple.  I love the look of a the large piece of over the sofa.  A large piece makes an impact and looks cleaner than a grouping.  The amazing light fixture on the ceiling is impactful in its size and geometry, and still maintains an airiness. The unexpected black boarders make the blue and yellow wall look like paintings.  I would love to do a room with large color blocks as the art.  

I love this yellow accent wall with the black border!  A great way to make an odd wall into a piece of art.  Above two spaces designed by Sarah Lavoine.  To see previous posts on color blocking, click here.

This is such a beautiful modern room.  I adore the color of the walls, and dig that coffee table with mismatched legs.   The only change I would make to this room is hang one large piece of art instead of the grouping.  I think groupings look cluttered.  Image via Falken Reynolds (this is a great post on lighting).

Here's my gratuitous plug.  I've edited the room to add one of my pieces to demonstrate the point.

Feeling Blue!

As promised, we are going to do an exploration of the color blue over the next few days.  Blue is a soft and calming color, often associated with healing in color psychology.  It looks great with pink, yellow and orange.  It looks great with purple and with the gray.  There are so many beautiful shades of blue.  Today we are going to look at every girl's favorite - Tiffany box blue.  I've been seeing it everywhere in decor and especially love it on accent walls.  We will also look at baby blue, pastel blue and turquoise.

No She Didn't opaque lipstick by Lime Crime.  Could you dare?  This lip stick would be totally fab with a pink streak in your hair.

I need this nail polish!  Tiffany imposter by Sally Beauty Supply.

Love the yellow and blue color blocking here.  Notice the bed is painted the same color as the bottom part of the wall.  Image Helenio Barbetta.

Not a great kitchen, but I am in love with the blue tiles, cabinets and cabinets.  Houston's Beer Can House.

An old rather dull table gets a face lift with the help of a beautiful shade of blue paint.  Etsy user minthome.

I know a ton of people who have this same boring wood table.  It looks so much fresher painted!  Here the owners have opted for painting the table yellow and adding blue chairs.  The look is fab!  Victoria's Perfect Blend via Apartment Therapy.

A pale blue chair looks lovely with pale lilac in the same hue.  Mimmi Staaf via My Attic.

 

I need this lovely round ottoman in my living room!  It would be great for storing blankets.  I love a piece that is beautiful and functional.  Room Service.

I adore this turquoise sofa.  My next sofa cover is going to be turquoise.  From Croatia via Desire to Inspire.

This stunning apartment features a blue wallpaper accent wall and blue accessories.  As you know, I'm not a big fan of wallpaper, but I think using it on an accent wall is a great idea.  The place looks very fresh.  Dragana's Apartment via Desire to Inspire.

Love the pale blue accent wall.  And dig those cute little tables.  They look kinda like mushrooms and they look great with that pop of pink from the rug.

Same place, other wall in a darker blue.  I love how they've used different blues, patterns and wood.  The place still looks fresh, organic and monotone.  Guilherme Torres via Desire to Inspire.

The blue pillows, rug and chandelier look great combined with the gray walls and sofa.  Also love the dash of silver provided by the phone.  Source for this gorgeous room unknown. Please contact me if you know the designer of this room.  Stay tuned for more blue tomorrow.