Monthly Archives: March 2012

Ideas: Kitchen Updates

I have been eyeing kitchens lately as a "kitchen renovation" is on my upcoming birthday list. A kitchen for my birthday? Sure!

3 Things I like in a kitchen:
1. Open shelves. I don't care so much for upper-cupboards anyways. But can I keep open shelving tidy? That is the question
2. White walls & tile. My current tile situation is downright dreadful. My kitchen, sadly, gets very little light and a white backdrop of tile might be just the element needed.
3. Open style kitchen. I win with this as my kitchen, while small, is full open to the living & dining room.

Similar Elements:
1. yellow pendant lights
2. black & white rug
3. white dishes

What about you? Do you like your kitchen....?

Images via: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5.

ETC.: OH SNAP JEN GOTCH

I have dreams of moving to somewhere warm and ethereal. Portland is rain & grey and it gets old. I would happily move into the seemingly carefree world of Jen Gotch's polaroid prints.

Jen Gotch just popped open her polaroid print shop, conveniently named Oh Snap Jen Gotch. I've gathered 3 of my favorite prints from her shop, above... as well as the handy stringing system to hang up the prints if you'd rather not frame. Really lovely.

My favorite of the 3? Balloons.

All image via Oh Snap Jen Gotch. Jen Gotch is also here.

EAT: 2 Soups & a Toast

Oh dinner! I always bookmark or pin pretty food photos as they are just the inspiration I need to make a special dinner, any night of the week. Our lives go by much too fast to eat ugly, half-boxed, pre-made food! Here are 3 of my favorites for March:

2 Soups & a Toast
1. French Onion Soup
2. Curried Lentil, Squash & Coconut Soup
3. Pesto, Shrimp & Garlic on Toast

& more dinner ideas for March on Pinterest!

Beautiful plates, bowls & serving dishes are a must. Beehive makes a lovely serving bowl with subtle detail and I love Ferm Living's Triangle Dinner Mats.

Images via their respective links.

Wallpaper Wednesday: MakeLike

Happy Wallpaper Wednesday! I'm super excited to show off MakeLike's wallpaper - it's gorgeous!

MakeLike is a Portland, OR based company that creates intriguing patterns with fungus, flowers and fauna. Their wallpaper is handscreened in a variety of  rich patterns and colors.  My very favorite? Zig Zag (which is the blue trees, above right) - love it!

Not quite ready to wallpaper? MakeLike also creates tea towels and prints!

Shop MakeLike on House&Hold.

Inspired: Blossoming Branches

Spring! Spring! Spring! Daffodils & other blooming bulbs are cheerful, but I am a true fan of the blossoming branch.

No matter if you have one branch (top image) or the whole tree (bottom image) both have an equally energetic impact, proclaiming 'hooray hooray it's such a beautiful day!', no? And even though the middle images are neither blossoming or branches (an orchid on the left and viney plants on the right) each are suggestive of the brightness of spring.

So, go ahead. Snag a branch or two off of the neighbors tree, blossoming spring branches are the way to go. If you're in need of vessels & vases, take your clicker here as H&H has the goods.

Images via: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4.

SPOTTED & INSPIRED: Orbit Chandelier

Spotted & Inspired! I spotted Patrick Townsend Orbit Chandelier in the home of blogger Victoria of sfgirlbybay.

I love Victoria's well edited mix of comfortable wood pieces, modern elements, beautiful plants and wispy pink walls. Pink walls -- and it is totally stunning!

Other than her cute pup, what is your favorite element in this dining room?

Image via sfgirlbybay.

Inspired: 3 Cozy Outdoor Spots

Now that it's officially spring (with summertime temperatures in some areas of the country!) I'm hankering to spend time outside. My plan this year is to create a couple cozy, relaxing nooks in our yard & decks - outdoor living, urban style!

I've collected 3 very impressive outdoor living areas in the images above. I love the softer, indoor-ish objects used (the leather stools!) in the first image, matched with a chair this would make for the perfect impromptu coffee/sunshine break spot.  The second image makes me want to cozy up & take a nap in the "sleeping nook" - add a few blankets &  I'm set! And who doesn't love to dine al fresco? The last image is a fantastic example of layering the space (wood, pebbles & grass!) with materials and height.

I have not quite decided on how to cozy up our outdoor space, but one thing is for sure. I will soon be adding this giant hammock to the mix!

Shop more outdoor stuff, here. Want more ideas? Check out my Outside pinboard!

Images via: image 1, image 2, image 3.

Do you have a cozy spot in your yard or garden?

Inspired: 3 Favorite Lounge Rooms

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend lounging & enjoying the beautiful Spring weather!

Inspired by lounging (or dreaming of it, ha!) I've rounded up 3 of my favorite loung-y rooms. I appreciate how each space is not overly stuffed, has plenty of natural light and has an oversized feature elements -- a large bouquet of blooming Spring branches, big chunk of wood as a sidetable and a supersized letter "a" as a focal wall feature.

For more inspiring & well styled relaxing rooms, check out my  Well Edited Pinboard!

Images via: image 1, image 2, image 3.

Do you have a special spot in your home dedicated to relaxing ... or do you just dream of it?!

Make/Do: Easy Houseplants

Adding more houseplants to my home has been on my '2012 to-do list. I used to do quite well with plants and always appreciated how they add cheerfulness to any room. Growing up my Mom always had various houseplants growing including the Spider Plant (shown above, middle) - such fond memories watching the "baby" spider plants growing off the ends.

While some houseplants seem to be a bit more fussy (I evidently can't keep a fern alive!) most houseplants just need light and water and cozy spot in your home. I have collected a few of my favorite houseplants in the image above, all via BHG - click through for more info.

This weekend I plan on going to a local Portland Nursery, Pistils to see what I can find! Houseplants are a simple assembly project -- plants + dirt + a vessel and you're set to brighten your space!

Are houseplants your thing... not?

Inspiration: 3 Casual Dining Rooms

I am so inspired by these three dining rooms. Each speaks a little differently, but have a common thread: they're lively, honest & cozy.

1.The first dining room of Dorothee Monestier has an impeccable balance of white/wood/color.  Nothing is overdone or over-decorated - uncluttered yet has lots of character. Take away tip: instead of painting  a big dose a color on the wall, look to the floors instead. A great big rug is equally as effective!

2. The second dining room, from the home of Sarah Yates, has incredible contrast (dark walls!) that give a shout to the amazing Orbit Chandelier.  I love the yellow chairs mixed with the wire ones. Take away tip: Use sheepskin to warm up & soften your seating.

3. The third dining room reflects effortless summertime living set for an informal family dinner. Books & magazines are stacked & leisurely. Take away tip: combine chairs with a bench or banquette for additional seating & style.

Want more? I have a whole Dining Rooms Pinboard on Pinterest.

Images via: image 1, image 2, image 3