From the "Very Favorites" File

Kate Jackson is one of my very favorite designers.  Probably because her spaces look so livable... and actually kinda doable (in a "look for less" kind of way).  I realize that calling her designs "doable" could sound like a dis, but good design doesn't have to be complicated and shouldn't be, for regular middle class folk like David and I. 

On a side note, I'm literally dying for a vacation.  And it's looking like the closest I'm going to come to the beach this summer is looking at shells in the bathroom while listening to the toilet flush.

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

Oh, fig leaf fabric, you will be mine someday.... when I win the lottery... or become an interior designer... the odds of each are equal.  Ok, so you could pick up a crusty old trunk, an antique little chair and some framed prints at Goodwill, Craigslist, an auction, you name it.  Hit Marshalls or the like for fun glass lamps and pick up an affordable woven shade at Home Depot (or Kmart, like I do).

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

Surely I've seen those wicker chairs on Craigslist (though they were probably listed as "wikker" or something.  gotta love the grammar over there. lol.)

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

Fun little corner bar (ahem, "console" to all my Baptist sisters:).  Doesn't she make it look easy?

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

I could eat breakfast here.  Though I'm wondering about that pineapple.  Maybe Yankees eat their pineapple differently.

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

And let's not forget that Kate is the queen of cool kids rooms.  See a couple more here.

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

Love the blue and cream fabric.  My first thought was "hey, Anna Maria Horner!" It's actually Quadrille, but I'm pretty sure you could find something similar and less expensive by Ms. Horner.

Source: houzz.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

Simple and fresh.  Just the way summer life should be!

Throw Pillow Look Alike

Summery, beachy blue and white? 

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"Yes, please!" 

Indigo Blue & White Print

So everyone's heading off to the beach.  But not us.  Boohoo.  I'd like to say that I'm happy for them, but that wouldn't be entirely true.  Daggone jealousy just creeps up on ya like that.  Really though, I'm crossing my fingers that we can go later this year to celebrate our 5th anniversary.  So it's all good. 

For anyone looking to bring a little bit of beach into their home, these pillows will do just that!  They are drapery weight (lightweight) and machine washable, perfect for summertime.

Happy vacationing y'all!

ps.  You should check out the amazing before and after photos of this house!



H&H Cottage Makeover

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After seeing this image on Pinterest, I followed links back to the original source (House & Home, June 2005) and found a before picture as well as before and after shots of a bedroom and kitchen from the same cottage.  I love before and afters that are realistic to regular, everyday people and these definitely are.  You'll spot items in the before photos that are repurposed and used in the afters.  For instance, see the floor lamp in the photo above?  Yeah, if I was standing in the room below, I can't say I would have kept that thing.

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And in this kitchen, I'm pretty sure I would have tossed all those glass bottles, even if they had some kind of sentimental value.  But they do look great on top of those white cabinets.  I also really like how they added casters to that little round island.

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The bedroom pretty much speaks for itself.  The original owners probably died upon seeing the paneling painted, but there's just no question about whether it needed to happen.  The bedroom looks so relaxing now.  Also, notice that they've layered a patterned rug on top of a natural fiber one.  This was at least seven years ago, people.  Goes to show that some "trends" do actually stick around.

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Wishing you a fun and relaxing weekend!

Throw Pillow Look Alike

Look closely at the pillows with orange trim...

Kristin Cone Interiors

Do they remind you of anything?  These perhaps?

Radiance From Ruins @ Etsy

If you have purple going on at your house, maybe you need some pillows to make it pop! ;)

By the way, isn't that room gorgeous?  The greyish tan looks great with orange, I think.  And the light fixture?  Too cool.  But I just have to say one thing... my leg has a bruise just looking at that coffee table.  Call me clumsy, but I wouldn't last a day without injuring myself if that were my living room. lol.

ps.  I had a much more meaningful post planned for today, but sadly this mindless stuff is easier.  Perhaps I can get over my fear of not doing justice to the post written in my head in time to share it with you yet this week.

Men are from ________

I eagerly pulled this image up on my laptop the other afternoon.  When David got home from work, I had it ready and waiting for the perfect moment when I could nonchalantly ask him look at it.

Traditional Kitchen design by Calgary Interior Designer Cardel Designs

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Somewhere between the summarizing his day and parking his rear on the couch, the moment arrived.  I snatched it up like a wife seasoned in the art of husband-trickery.

K: Hey, hon look at this picture right here and tell me what you notice.

D: Ummm... they didn't have enough money to finish installing wall cabinets?

Ve-ry fu-nny.

What did you think I would notice?

Ummm... the cabinets in two different finishes.

No

Ummm... backsplash tile to the ceiling.

No

Ok then, the lack of color.

Hahaha, no. Really, why are you asking?

Because there's a theory that both of us hold and this picture seems to disprove it.

Why don't you just tell me?

Ok, the three different hardware finishes!  Did you not notice? The pendant lights, the faucet and the cabinet pulls are all different finishes.

Hahaha, are you serious?  Those are the smallest objects in the picture! You thought I would notice that? Hahahahah!

Ahem, a better response would be "Oh!  Wow!  That's a great observation!  What a keen eye for detail, you have, honey!"

Hahahahahah!  Wanna guess the first thing that I noticed?

No, tell me.

The built-in speaker.

What?  There's a speaker? Where?

Men- they've gotta be from a different planet.

Instant Gratification

So... like I said... we love us some one-day re-dos.  This arrived in the mail last week and I had to chuckle.

Before

After

my favorite shot...

Using some of the same basic pieces from Crate and Barrel, I created my own version of the room.  I tried capture the overall feel using affordable and accessible (both very relative terms, I realize) furnishings, but I'm quite certain I didn't do it justice.  It's still fun to try though.

 

Eclectic Living Room by katiepeters on polyvore.com


All good things take time, right?  So let's be patient and furnish our homes with items that we really love and that work in our space.  And if we're really patient, we can also reap the benefit of affordability and durability by watching for solid hardwood pieces at consignment shops, in antique stores and on craigslist.  Have you found any good deals lately?

Have a good week y'all!

Favorite of All Favorites

Kate Jackson Interior Design

view her portfolio on Houzz

traditional kitchen design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

contemporary living room design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

traditional living room design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

contemporary dining room design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

contemporary kids design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

traditional bedroom design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

contemporary bathroom design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

contemporary kids design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

contemporary home office design by boston interior designer Kate Jackson Design

all photos from Houzz

Truely, I'm not sure I've ever seen a portfolio so full of rooms that I actually think I could live in! I love how the design is traditional and timeless, yet has just the right amount of fun. Seriously, I'm considering never looking at another magazine or blog again for inspiration or ideas. This is my definition of perfection.

From the Favorites File

Todd Romano
Apartment for Robert Burke

This room has all the elements of good design (not that can say that with any professional authority)- symmetry, contrasting colors, mix of skirted and leggy furniture, mixed finishes, smart layout...

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Same room from another angle.  Notice the painted ceiling.

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The console seems to be the one distinct feminine piece.  I think it provides an interesting contrast to the masculinity.

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Same room from another angle.  I think I see a border on the skirted library table.

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Interesting that this room has generally the same color scheme as the living room- orange and grey.  I like that the side tables and art on each side of the bed are not exactly the same.  Proof that similar shape items can give the illusion of symmetry just as well as identical items.

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A little wild for my taste, but fun nonetheless.  I like the window seat area with the built in shelving and sconces.  Could definitely inspire a DIY project.  We have the perfect spot to copy the idea, but I probably should NOT use this photo as an example to show David.  He'd flip.  Both antlers and purple in one week?  Not a good idea.

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Speaking of antlers, I was flipping through the June HB today and guess what I spotted?  Branchlers! LOL!

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Have a wonderful weekend!

(added later:  Ha!  I thought it was Friday.  Well, it is summertime, so Friday is kinda like the weekend.  Have a good one anyway!)

From the Favorites File: Wall Decor

Click the link below the picture for how-to instructions!

Nautical Mirror- Nate Berkus

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If that didn't inspire you, maybe this will...

PB Teen

Lyric Art- Mustard and Sage

DIY version of the Homage to Music Collection by Matthew Heller

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From the Favorites File

Gallery Wall Layout

Perfection...

Martha Stewart

Love this layout too...

Pottery Barn

Framed Jersey

In my attempt to be fully prepared for the future, I have begun to stockpile photos of mature, tasteful man cave decor.  This is a defense system every married woman should have in place. :)

Elle Decor

Plate Collage

Colorful and fun!  Thrift and antique stores would be a great resource.

Dwell

Basket Collage

A little more subdued color palette...

House Beautiful/ Carleton Varney

Driftwood Wreath

Somebody somewhere suggested this as a front door wreath.  I totally agree and have been brainstorming how to make one.  Obviously you could use styrofoam or straw for the circle, but what for the middle?

PB Teen

Grapevine Wreaths

Tied together with ribbon!  Or what about jute webbing?!

Cottage Living

Clipboards

Organized, cute and not trendy to the extreme.

Martha Stewart

Similar... I think this is an office of some kind.

source unknown

Hanging Shelves

Wouldn't these be so easy to make?!

Southern Living

Nautical Banner

Michael Graydon

Pattern Covered Pin Boards

Use spray glue to cover foam boards with old pattern pieces!

source unknown

Fabric Board

source unknown

Tobacco Basket- nod to the South

via A Soft Place to Land

Windmill- nod to the West

via Holly Mathis Interiors

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

ps.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway!