Built-Ins

One of my favorite things about older homes, and newer ones too I suppose.. are built-ins.  They have such charm and I love how they can hold all sorts of odds and ends besides just books.  This is definitely a must-have on my checklist of everything I want in a house.

Post college digs

So you just graduated college and moved out of your four bedroom house (with six roommates of course) - only to leave behind the barrage of date party cups, sorority trinkets and "I love college" posters that are ever so common in a student rental.  Now that you're a big kid in a new city, it's only natural to want what all the other big kids have when styling your new digs.  Well I can say from personal experience that the transition from college slum to full-time employee doesn't necessarily mean a cooler more grown up abode.  So taking small steps and thinking creatively can help turn a small one-bedroom apartment into a chic living space.  Please turn your attention to Lauren McGrath's (from Good Bones Great Pieces) first apartment.  And take notes why don't ya...

Flea market lamp and tables - painted in fresh new colors.  A tiny ticking stripe sofa fits the space perfectly.

Curtains from Ikea are cost efficient and the muted colors keep the playful pattern light and airy.

A hand-me-down dresser was painted white and adds extra storage to the living area, while a chair found on Craigslist gets a shiny black paint job and new upholstery.

A cafe set is the right size for this tiny room - and the shelf from Ikea with flea market finds adds personality to a plain wall.

More flea market finds (desk, lucite bench, alabaster lamp) and a great mirror (similar ones can be found at HomeGoods) suit the corner of this bedroom quite nicely.

Feeling blue? Show me some pink!

So I've gone MIA.  Fallin through the cracks.  Been covered and captured by those stinkin cicadas.  Yes to A and B.  Gross to C.  For those of you who actually read this, I apologize, but my absence will be the random norm.  I'm not very good at this and probably never will be.  And for those who simply don't care... good.  I like you cause you're easy :)

I'm actually home sick today, which really means "oh so you'll be working from home?" in the advertising world.  I thought I would actually take this opportunity to do a leeeeettle post.  Pretty things do indeed make a sick girl feel better.

With that I want to show you one of my all time FAVORITE girlie apartments.  This is from the April 2007 issue of Domino, and you better believe I tore out these pages and saved them in my archives.  It's Jennifer Marsico's NYC abode.

World Market

Just wanted to show two pieces from World Market that I absolutely love.  I can think of all sorts of ways to use these!  Happy Friday!

This metal chair was a lot more comfortable than it looks.  The smooth round lines didn't hurt my hiney while testing it out.

I'm kinda obsessed with this bookshelf.  You can only see the top half, as a similarly made desk was in in front of me.  But the rustic color and X detailing on the back was pretty cool.  I also like the option of mixing up the look with a couple baskets to disguise clutter.

TradHome + my favs

Traditional Home and Lonny have come together to create ANOTHER online home decor mag!  I already get a good fix with Lonny and Rue - now I can spend more time with the newest TradHome.  Gosh... this is exciting.  Follow the arrows to my heart decor "needs" below...

I've always loved this style outdoor chair - and I think it looks just as chic indoors

Gold duel sconces and striped curtains

A closer look at those gold duel sconces

A petite bench for putting on your shoes and kicking them off

Umm hello, big gold mirror above the tub feels so elegant

I like the distressed colors of this antique rug

Large brass and onyx statement lamps anchor this lovely sofa

The perfect table and chair set for your breakfast nook

Trying to stay in dry in Nashville today!  Have a happy weekend!

Weekend estate sales

Just took a little sunshine break to enjoy this warm weather we're having.  So excited that Spring has officially shown it's face - and I hope it doesn't disappoint me this weekend!  Lots to do with friends over the next couple of days.  This means I will have no time to head to any upcoming estate sales, but still wanted to share some great finds that I found on the Nashville estate sale web sites!

This cane headboard is ahhh-mazing.  Spray it white and you've got an exact copy of this one from Ballard Design.

Or what about this velvet Ralph Lauren chair?  I'm drooling!

Take this old patio set - clean off the rust, get some new seats and spray it down in your favorite Rustoleum color for a perfect patio party.  My inspiration would be Miles Redd's New York terrace.

This bones of this sofa are perfect.  Change the wood color (or not) and reupholster that fabric and all your guests will be sitting pretty.

4 Anthro prints + 4 frames = $12

So starting FOREVER ago when I see something I love from a magazine, I tear out the page and save it in a file folder, shoe box, etc.  I have the sheets separated for home mags and fashion mags (more on this later!).  While at my parents house I went back through some old tear sheets and found four pages of an Anthropologie catalog that I saved.  (Tear outs = FREE!)  I always thought they would make good art someday.  Well after my discovery of clip frames ($2.99 ea.) from Hobby Lobby I knew exactly what to do with these puppies.  Here they are spread out on my floor, but will look great in the bathroom with my white ruffled Anthro shower curtain.

BOOOOYAH! Happy Friday!