wish list: my reading chair

I moved my room around to create a better workspace in the adjoining area that I haven't used much.  In the process of moving my drafting table into an alcove I created an empty corner at the end of my bed that would be the perfect spot for a cozy reading chair.  Right now I have a small chair there pretending to be comfortable but it's begging to be replaced by something I could curl up in and tackle my growing pile of books.

My ever changing style has been revolving around all things wing back so it comes as a surprise that if I were making the decision today I'd go for the bottom right boxy chair.  While I'm drawn to the graceful curves of the top left and middle chair I don't imagine spending some serious reading time in them.  

All my fabric options are soft to the touch and while the middle one looks much darker online, it's as light as the others and the color of a dusty khaki with more warm tones than what you'd expect from something called khaki. 70% cotton/30% acrylic and so, so cozy.  

I'd add a small kidney pillow in a pattern to give it some life. 

 And a blanket would be somewhere near by for sure.

 Then comes the ottoman!  Another place I'd have fun with pattern/texture and today my mood is leaning more towards the bottom right option because it's feminine and would look really pretty with any of the chairs, even the modern boxy one.  It'd take it down a notch and get that eclectic mixed feeling I seem to love. 

{Chairs/upholstery by lee. Fabricut. Restoration Hardware fur blanket. West Elm throw.}

fresh from the garden

I've been out in the yard doing some spring cleaning, getting excited about the plants coming up, and planning the other ones I'd like to try this year.  I live in a home with a great yard that was loved for decades by a woman who obviously had a green thumb.

She left behind 8 planters that I have big plans for.  I've moved them to the front steps where they'll get a lot of southern exposure so I can grow lettuce, herbs and whatever else strikes my fancy.
{Just not tomatoes, they were terrible last year.}

I read somewhere that bringing your veggie garden out front elivates your garden a notch or two because it goes from just another pretty flower to a conversation starter with your neighbors.  I like my neighbors and know I'll learn a lot from these seasoned gardners, especially if I bring my attempt at gardening out where they can critique it!

Plus, multitasking pretty and yummy?  I'm on board for sure.

I think I'll also relocate some of that wild ground cover that I love from the trails to my yard... {picture below}

{sources: gloves, garden}

dreaming about summer

I was out on my front porch stringing lights in anticipation of warm summer nights spent out there enjoying the view.

A few other things on my wish list for this space:

terracotta lanterns

cozy and colorful Adirondack chairs with casual lumbar pillows

a sidebar type table where I can place drinks/snacks

{yellow pants were just a diversion to my dreaming, I'd like a pair of those too}

{pottery barn & west elm}

my dining room

I've been day dreaming my way through my home in the Salt Lake Avenues since I first moved in a couple months ago and I've shown you my thoughts on the outside, my entry way and then the living room.  My latest project has been my dining room.  It is a giant room between the front living room and the kitchen and the whole East wall is windows so it is delightful in the morning.

As I hone my personal style I have found that I'm torn between classic neutral pallets, high gloss white and bright patterns.   Heavy dose of earthy bohemiene eclectic, but also refined and a healthy dose of old school charm.  Something about the conflict between all the parts intrigue me.  Something to do with the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. 

The best way I see it working is using the gray neutrals I love as the base of my color scheme then building on it with the colors that I enjoy so that as my moods change I can mix out the colors easily and create different looks with the key items in the room.

I would spice it up with a window seat with heaps of color and patterns {shown above} that would come in very useful when I have guests over.  I had a breakfast recently with some friends and had about 15 women in my home and while we had plenty of seating, I did wish for a second that my window seat was reality instead of just something I wish for.

I like the idea of a dinning table with a reclaimed wood style so that when I add my own scratches and dings it won't be so painful.  The chairs are something I am undecided on because there are so many to choose from, but today I'm in leaning more towards the natural texture part of my style aesthetics so I choose these chairs for their great pattern and would upholster them in something hardy and neutral so I could play them up with the other colors in the room. {the fabrics shown here are crypton options from fabricut re: indestructible.}

The above images are from my existing room.  Table/rug/vase pictured are my housemates' goods.  {My pretty table is being stored.}  The curtains are old and a bit dated, but a huge improvement compared to the heavy drapery that were hiding them until I moved in.

{Sources: hooker furniture   west elm   fabricut   benjamin moore}

my living room

Continuing inside from my last 7th Ave post where I played with exterior details and landscaping, the living room is the next space I've been dreaming about.  One of the best rooms in my house with the same heaps of potential that can be found all over the place in this little house. With a view that stops my friends in their tracks and great sunshine almost all day, I love spending time in here.

The East wall with the fireplace and stain glass windows flanking either side is pretty even as it is now.  The colors of the glass aren't my favorite and staying true to every bit of the history of a home can be a hindrance, but in this case, it could definitely a good decision.

Same thing goes for the stone around the fireplace.  I'd never pick it given the chance, but even I were given the chance I would probably opt to spend the money on furniture and other more more needed changes.  Plus, I like wacky things about old homes.  If I wanted to erase all of them, I should just move into a new place right?  So right.

A few of those changes would include new knobs for the door leading into the space from the entry.  Something with a bit a sparkle.  I'd leave the pretty high gloss beams, but nix the ceiling tile as one of the first must do projects.  Next up would be a fresh coat of paint and while a warm gray {or grayish green or blue} would probably be my first choice, today I'm in the mood for something bright and sassy and the 2011 color of the year, Honeysuckle sounds like a very fun option.  Or maybe a coral... Paint is a noncommittal thing for me.  I don't mind painting, so I go bold without hesitation knowing I can change it easily.

Next up, I'd ditch the carpet for the existing wood floors beneath {I peaked, they are indeed there in all their glory. Pretty wood too. What a shame to cover it up.} Add a rug like the one below, or the bright Amy Butler at the top of this post for some more color and I'd be well on my way to living room bliss.

Infuse the space with lots of lamp light, a smattering of the natural textures that I love mixed with some fun patterns and a healthy dose of original art and photography and I'd say I was well on my way to having a dream living room.  I don't consider any room in my personal space ever completely finished and don't ever plan out every last detail.  I rather get it going in the right direction then live with it as the other parts come together over time.

Next up: the adjacent dining room

Happy Weekend

This week has been all about finishing projects.  One of those projects was breathing some life into those  lamps I brought home from work recently I mentioned in an earlier post.  I can't turn my nose up at broken shipment items when I know there is potential lurking about, even if they aren't quite my style.

Total price for a new shade, a harp to place it on, and a can of happy yellow spray paint - $16
{The one like it here on the floor retails at over $150.} 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

my {imagined} house

When I look up at my little bungalow when I get home at night, this is what I see. 

 It may really look like any other older home in the Avenues {top left image}but to me there is something magical about it.
Maybe I've imagined it so many times it has become a secret shared between the house and me and it seems to shimmer between reality and imaginary.  What could be if only the weathered wood was painted a pretty color and the brick {I know this is bordering sacrilege} was painted a pretty warm grey. 

 I would take great pleasure in yanking out all those nasty bushes and dated wrought iron to build retaining walls out of stacked stone to compliment the sand stone porch steps. I'd plant a beautiful xeriscape type garden on each level with herbs and blossoming bushes.  Instead of a lamp post, spotlit stairs and architectural details.  Instead of a storm door, something inviting like high gloss terracotta orange.

The porch would have a thick colorful rug and beautiful lighting with cozy chairs to curl up in to enjoy the view of the city below.

And the details...OH! the details.  From unique house numbers, to window treatments to accent the colors used on the exterior... It is never quite the same dream twice, an ever evolving thing that changes with my mood and the inspiration I've run across during the day.  I hold up an idea like a dress to see if it fits.

What would I do with all that free space in my head if I weren't dreaming about design?

more bedding, really, I'm still at it

 and the bedding continues.  When I say I'm obsessed, I don't mean this is the only thing I'm thinking about, but it is for sure one of the last things I think about at night.  My idea board above features the shams I've ordered from Urban Outfitters, the duvet cover that is all but ordered from West Elm and the two options for sheets.  The first from West Elm {the Ikat print} or the lower image from Target.  Right now I have those super awesome gray jersey sheets from Target, but options are always good.

I'm a little embarrassed to post these pics here of what is going on right now but I had requests so I thought I'd just do it.  I tucked the crazy orange duvet cover away after I took this picture.  And the floral print was just an idea that quickly got thrown out.  If there ever was a before picture to hold on to for posterity, this is it. {Cat doing her CatRock thing included as a moody bonus.}  

The bolster pillow I had made by Lee really is that big.  I knew it'd be huge, but really, it's HUGE!  I've already put it to good use so can't say I'd change it.

 My bedside table will also be receiving some attention.  The lamp is a 'broken shipment', a perk to my job.  It is broken somewhere {I honestly can't remember where anymore}so it came home with me a couple weeks ago instead of going to the dumpster per instructions from the manufacturer {can't say I'm sorry that I disobeyed.}  Instead, the shade might get a little something extra like the above from Anthro or I might replace it with a simple white one and the base is about to go funky with some fun color that I have yet to decide on. 

And my favorite wall in my room lately will be getting some updates too.  Going to add some non framed items to liven it up a bit.

obsessed with bedding

I can't explain it, but I have been obsessed with bedding lately.  Sheets, pillows, comforters... I dream of creating the perfect bed.  I've had some beautiful pillows made and maybe it wasn't the smartest way to approach the project but I didn't exactly have the end result figured out.. No, not smart, but exciting.  I love mixing and matching and taking risks.  I love them so I'll be able to blend it as I come across the perfect parts needed. 

Until then, I've been enjoying the hunt and my mismatched bed urging me on to make things right. 

Images borrowed from the latest online issue of Lonny, one of my favorite sources of inspiration.

over the roof tops

I suppose it's fitting to end yesterday and start a fresh new day with the same great color.  There is something to be said about continuity.  One of my favorite parts of this house {there are so many} is the view from the front porch.  I've been up for hours already today {the good kind of insomnia} so I've ventured outside a few times watching the city wake up.  The lights have this way of twinkling..I'm sure it has a scientific explanation like light traveling, or whatever, but I think it is magical.

Always my observer, I wonder if she thinks I'm as much a fruit loop as I think she is for the quirky things she does?  Probably.  Her smirk says it all.

good morning Tuesday

spa-aaah

My friend worked for Green Valley Spa a few years back and we took every advantage possible of the fantastic hook up.  Free yoga, breakfast by the pool, a gym to ourselves, almost free spa treatments...you name it, we did it.  Not to mention the hiking around there is high on my list of favorite places to lose myself for a few hours.  {Sometimes I wonder why I ever left St. George.}

My idea of the perfect spa retreat smells like lavender, mint, and good for your skin oils.  It comes with hot herbal tea and towels straight out of that little cooker thing they keep them in.  My muscles are stress free and limber and my pores are small and happy {yes, pores can be happy}.

Is it so wrong that I want to recreate this feeling at home?  True, I could up my dose of yoga, even if it isn't lead by a professional.  And who's stopping me from throwing my towels in the dryer for a few minutes to warm them up?  Um...reality is stopping me.  But a girl can dream right?

I've made a step in the right direction in my bathroom painting over the circa 1970's laminate {it's a rental, I'm not going to go to the pains of ripping it out} so now I have a clean white slate to start with.

Soft towels, pretty wood floor underfoot, shelves stocked with yummy lotions and other goodies... I'm almost faking a good spa day, almost, but not just yet.

After a few more improvements I'll include some pictures of the effort.  Renting is saving me a lot of money in this place because it were mine?  I'd be a renovating junkie.

wish list: new pillows

 I've been playing with the idea of having some pillows made for my bed someday really soon.  The problem is I'm a bit of a wandering soul these days and maybe it isn't the smartest thing to have anything made when who knows where I'll be next and what I'll want then?   

Rational me says, "You're just fine with your mishmash of bedding and sad pathetic flat pillows that feel more like rocks than pillows." The Designer me says "But grey will always be your favorite color, and mixing it with that green you love can never be a bad thing, and you'll love having fluffy new pillows..."

Ladies, ladies!  Please.

So to help with the decision, I made this {above} last night to go above my bed using all those colors to see if I really do love them.

That was silly.  Of course I do.  And I love the geometric pattern with the velvet coral...

Sweet dreams.

nook

Today I've been hunting for tiny kitchen nook ideas.  I have one with all kinds of great morning sunshine and all it is doing right now is serving as a halfway house for a few plants vying for sunshine as they try to make it through the winter alive.

When I'm browsing for inspiration images I hardly slow down to find the link to the images that I'm hording.  This one above got me to slow down because it screamed Jonathan Alder and so I stopped to check out the blog I borrowed it from.  You should check her out too, she's very talented. {I know, I know.  I should always give credit, but it's not like I'm not pretending like I did the rooms myself.}

I'd love the kind of nook that I could spend some real time in. {think rummycube showdown}

This is so obviously not a nook, I snagged it for no other reason than I love the watering can very much.

My ocd tendencies would probably never allow lose photographs in a space where they could jump onto people sitting below them, but I love the mix of mid modern furniture and built-in bench with plenty of storage.

So after my treasure hunt, I'm undecided on whether I'd prefer built in or having some great Eames molded chairs nestled around a sleek Saarinen Tulip marble table or a beat up butcher block number, but I do know this: the nook is not going to stay a plant refuge if I have anything to do with it.

fresh approach

I was outside on my porch this morning enjoying the sunshine {in short sleeves even} and started dreaming about great ways to spread some holiday cheer to the porch.  Filling empty pots with cut greenery would be fresh and understated.  And pine cones!   An easy score around here.  I loaded up a bag from the park behind Noble House earlier today to take home with me.

I would also love a wreath like this one made of protea.  It reminds me of beautiful Cape Town, South Africa.

 Here's to enjoying the simple joys of the holiday season.

entry bliss

As I mentioned, I moved last week. And I'm glad to be on this side of that project.

 I was very happy in my tiny little place {lovingly known on the blog as 'square inches'} so when I stopped by a friend's on the way home and found out they had a spare room available, I only checked it out because I was curious what the rest of the house looked like and this was the perfect excuse to poke around.

About 5 minutes later we were deep into the details of what it'd take for me to move in.  Snap decisions have a way of sneaking into my life at random and this definitely can be counted as one of those.  This was Tuesday night, I was all moved in by Saturday.

The great thing about this house is that I've doubled my personal space, have a giant room for storing my goods and the biggest development - I now have my bed back and gone are the days of sleeping on my {albeit comfortable} fold down sofa.

The rest of the house is a treasure chest of lovely details, but mostly the kind go unnoticed because it'd take some work to really make the place shine.

The entry is just such a spot.  Right now there isn't much to it, but if I had it my way it'd be fresh, inviting and since the house is occupied by three women, feminine in a naturally inspired way.

I'd buy this house if I could.  There is endless potential from the coffered ceiling to the giant backyard to the large picture windows overlooking downtown.