IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet MASKROS again

Helloooo readers!

I have exciting news!  On Wednesday, I was thrilled to see my MASKROS makeover featured on Apartment Therapy!  This is my 2nd time featured on Apartment Therapy and it's still has thrilling as the first time.  What fun for my humble idea to be featured amongst so many other incredible designs and inspirations.  If you're visiting me from AT... Welcome!  :) 

Click here for the full the post on Apartment Therapy.

I really do love MASKROS.  I've written about it here, here and here.  (The last link is to my DIY project) It is bold, fun and even more beautiful when you put your own DIY touch on it.  That's one of the reasons I love IKEA so much.  It gives us so many fabulous blank canvases to work with, MASKROS is just one of them.

Here's one more version of MASKROS that I love from Amy Butler's home.  It was after seeing this image, that gave me the courage to go for it and just paint it.


(via apartmentherapy.com)

Lastly, my survey is still up and I'd love to get your feedback on my site.  Suvey is here.  Don't forget you also get 30% your purchase at Jones Design Company.

Alrighty!  Signing out and I'll see you Monday!

9 Years Ago Today

I started the most amazing adventure ever.  Here I was when it all started:

(via theknot.com)

We were tickled to have our wedding photos submitted to the Knot and they actually featured our wedding in one of their issues!  Click here to see the whole story.

I can't find the words to fully describe how marriage has been the last 9 years.  What I do know is that marriage is no joke and I often say that no anniversary should go by without being celebrated.  Marriage is hard work and each year together deserves a celebration.  Marriage goes through so many seasons.  If you're in a great season right now, enjoy it and cherish it.  And if you're in a rough, dry season, persevere, and pursue unity, there's another season just around the bend. 

To quote the card I gave my husband:

"There's no such thing as "perfect,"  but I know this much is true,

Nothing feels more right than sharing life and love with you." 

New Bedding from West Elm

West Elm is definitely one of my favorite home decor sources.  I especially love their textiles like rugs, bedding, window treatments and pillows.  Here are some of my favorites from their new fall collection.

Enjoy!




Organic Circles in Platinum




Organic Circles in Maize




Organic Ironwork




Organic Swirl




Hand Blocked Medallion Quilt



WHY IT WORKS - Lonny in Seattle

I was so excited see a Seattle home featured in Lonny Magazine!  I love the timeless, chic style that is shown throughout this home.  What a great article featuring a home from my hometown!  Here are the details:

WHY IT WORKS

I love this vignette.  The photograph shows such an interesting view of Paris

and the black lamp is edgey and brings out the colors of the print.

Timeless neutral drapes, beautifully styled console table with matching lamps and a classic mirror.  The dark velvet Nate Berkus settee is one of my favorites. Take a look at the bookshelf vignette for inspiration!

 

Loving this desk area.  The desk has fabulous lines with 2 drawers to hide all the essentials.  I like how the chair and lamp adds warmth and texture.



(all images via lonnymag.com)



Does this look cozy or what?  The white furnishings give the eye a great place to rest and the patterned duvet does a great job of softening the space. 

THE SHOPPING GUIDE! 

Woohoo... I love the mix of high and low pieces.

My favorites?

Chippendale Mirror

Nate Berkus Stone Table

Docksta Dining Table (an IKEA FRIDAY pick)  :)

Ljusas Table Lamp (IKEA)

Dwell Duvet Cover

Happy Monday!  I hope this gets your week off to a great start!

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet PS SINKA and SLINGRA

It's here!  The 2012 catalog.  I've only seen the online version, but I can't wait to get my hands on the real catalog and start thumbing my way through it.  Ahhh... another year of practical and beautiful inspiration.  Can't wait!  :)

For this week, I stumbled across this gorgeous cabinet. PS SINKA.  I never noticed it before, which is always fun for me to notice something totally new.  It has a great industrial country vibe and oh so practical with all the different drawers to store all sorts of odds and ends you need, but want to keep out of sight.  It's beautiful as is, but you could totally turn this into a custom piece by staining the drawers, painting the legs and changing the hardware.  Maybe vintage or Anthropologie. 

Check out SINKA in action.

(via thestyle-files.com)

(via thestyle-files.com)



(via skonahem.com)



(via sarabloggar.wordpress.com)

In addition, I found a related item, the PS SLINGRA chair.  She's eye catching isn't she?  Those gorgeous curves and svelte legs.  I'm jealous.  ;)  Seriously, this chair reads like a sculpture and its only $99.

Before I sign out for the weekend, don't forget to stop by and fill out my quick survey here and save 30% at Jones Design Company here. 

THANK YOU and have a FABULOUS weekend!

A Birthday, a Survey and a Deal!

( I started blogging when my daughter just turned one. 
Here she is at almost 2)

Wow... how quickly a year goes by.  At this point last year... thoughts of writing my own real blog were just a figment of my imagination. Check out my first post here.

Blogging has been such a gift to me this year.  People often ask, "How to do it, find time to add blogging to your schedule with 3 small kids?"  My answer is, "Amazingly, it has never felt like work and I feel like I actually have MORE energy to pour into other areas of my life because of blogging."  It really is a great feeling to do something you love and are passionate about.   

As my blog approaches its 1 year birthday in August, I want to take stock of who you are and what you find most inspiring.  My initial vision for blogging was to simply share my love of design and all things that I find beautiful.  But now, I want it more than a place where I post pictures of well designed rooms and beautiful things.  I want it to be a place where you can find inspiration to also live in a purposeful and inspired way.  I want us all to be able to see beauty, meaning, and significance in the mundaneness of everyday life.  Life happens in the small moments. 

So, I'd love to hear your feedback on how I can make this next year even better and write about things that truly inspire YOU.  Your feedback is invaluable to me.  I know time is precious, so I've tried to keep the survey short and sweet. 

As an added bonus, Emily from Jones Design Company has graciously offered a 30% discount in her shop to everyone who completes the survey.  Just enter PICKETFENCE as your discount code.  I own a couple of Emily's prints and I've written about her beautiful work on my blog here and here and here.  I know you'll have a great time shopping!

Click here for the survey.  The survey will be up for 2 weeks and should only take a few minutes.

Much love and thanks!

My 5 Minute Make Up

I knew this would happen someday and it did.  Evie finally got into my make up bag and decided to have some fun.  Of course, had to snag a pic before the clean up.  :) 

What a perfect to set up to share with you what I do to put together my 5 minute face. Now, I'm in no way a makeup maven, but I do look for stuff that actually works.  So here's what I'm loving right now. 

1.  MAC Longwear Foundation.  I'm always looking for foundation with good coverage, and work all day.  This one does the job!

2.  MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork.  This all over creme eyeshadow gives eyes the perfect natural, but finished look.  Just enough color to help you look put together.

3.  MAC Eyeshow in All that Glitter.  One more sweep with just a bit of shimmer to highlight the eyes.

4.  Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner in Black Brown.  I'm really loving the look of one sweep of dark liner ala Lauren Conrad.  I cannot use mascara without getting raccoon eyes so going with strong liner helps to beef up the lash line.  This one works pretty good, it's not completely smudge proof all day long, but it gets the job done for now.

5.  NARS Highlighting Bronzer in Orgasm and Laguna.  This is a GREAT product.  NARS is famous for their Orgasm blush and I just had to give it a try.  It's true, it really is fabulous.  The color gives cheeks a really perfect glow.  LOVE this one.

6.  NARS Lip Gloss in Super Orgasm.  Again, one of my favorites!  A great pink lip gloss with just enough color that doesn't make you look washed out. 

There you go, 5 minutes and done!

WHY IT WORKS - A NYC Brownstone

I found this house tour over at Design Sponge.  DS is a beautiful site and one of my favorite features is their Sneak Peek section.  Isn't fun to see how other people live, especially when they are living WELL?  :)  These photos are from the home of interior designer, Amie Weitzman.  There are so many things that I love about her renovated brownstone.  Here we go!

WHY IT WORKS

Symmetry and a gallery wall.

Find 2 sconces that you love and mount picture rails on both sides of the mantel. 

It is possible to display books and tschotskes in a calm and uncluttered way.  A neutral palette and propping books both horizontally and vertically help to make this work.  Also, edit and rotate.  Display only things you truly love and don't feel like you have to put everything out at once.

IKEA desks are great!  I love them.  Look at this chic office area. 

 Ingredients:  IKEA tabletop and legs, cool chair, magentic board and chalkboard paint.   



(all images from designsponge.com)

Lastly, loving this stairway.  Check out that gorgoeus millwork!  

I love the white millwork and soft gray walls.  Perfection.

Click here to see more photos of Amie's housetour.

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet TOBIAS

Purchasing dining chairs is an investment.  Especially when you consider the cost of  multiplying your chair by 4 or 6 or more.  Just one reason, we don't have dining chairs yet.  :)  IKEA has come out with some great dining chairs in the last couple of years, TOBIAS is one of my favorites.  It has the same vibe as the famed Kartell Ghost Chair.  Clearly, not quite as iconic, but has great lines and MUCH more affordable.  TOBIAS is $79.  Any dining chair under $100 is a good deal in my book.  I love the look of using this chair with a more traditional dining table or decor.  It helps to break things up and give a more contemporary feel to a room.

Here's an image of TOBIAS from House and Home.  Don't you love the modern chairs in this rustic, modern cottage?  So fresh!

(via houseandhome.com)

Only a few more weeks till IKEA comes out with their new 2012 catalog.
 Can't wait!  Have a great weekend!

Feather Rugs

 

 I love these rugs from Serena and Lily!  They are a little retro and contemporary and I love the color combinations.  The 5 x7 is $395.  This is a rug that will stand the test of time.  If you're considering them for a kids room, this could easily grow with your child.  They would also add oomph to any living or family room.  They are beautiful.  Now if only I needed one more rug...

WHY IT WORKS - A Hollywood Living Room

When looking for inspiration this week, I came across this photo from Elle Decor.  It's the living room of Ellen Pompeo's Hollywood Home.  This photo shows so many of the classic design elements that I love and that would work in ANY home.

WHY IT WORKS



(via elledecor.com)



• Exposed beams.  If you're lucky enough to have architectural details built into your rooms/home, highlight them!  I love the look of exposed beams in a home.  It adds graphic structure and a sense of rugged warmth.  You usually have 2 choices.  Highlight the beams by staining or painting or have them blend in with the ceiling.  I think the beams look fabulous in this photo and tend to think staining them is the way to go.  These ones look even better with their decorative corbels.
• Curtain rods.  I tend to like darker rods and curtain hardware.  They ground whatever fabric you're working with.  This classic combination of a black rod and casual white drapes is beautiful.  It gives the room just enough black and provides a great soft backdrop to your room.
• Plants.  Try to have a little bit of nature in every room.  It feels good to the eye and soul.  I love the tree she has in this space.  Imagine the room without the touches of green, it wouldn't feel nearly as alive.  House plants, trees, flowers, branches, shells...use whatever elements of nature speak to you AND is manageable to you.  :)
• Leaning art.  I've always loved this look.  Casual and a bit non-traditional.  Love it.  Works great with a mirror too.

IKEA FRIDAYS - Meet EKTORP

I have to say, I've always liked to look of a white slipcovered sofa.  I love that it feels easy, casual and cool.  It can go from California Beach Cool to East Hampton Classic and Chic.  It's like the all american, basic white tee.  Timeless and can be dressed up or down.  These sofas also come in a wide variety of prices depending on the manufacturer, fill and the fabric.  Pottery Barn has made these slip covered sofas famous, but they are not in everyone's budget.  The PB Basic Sofa starts at around $1100. 

The IKEA EKTORP is a great alternative and depending on the slipcover ranges from $399 - $599.  Not bad at all. 

If you're wondering how the EKTORP compares to a PB slipcovered sofa, head on over here.  Melanie of My Sweet Savannah does a great job of sharing her experience with her EKTORP sofa.  She calls her sofa McCreamy... ha ha... love it.  :)

Have a great weekend!

Pixie Houses and Other Camping Thoughts

So my friend introduced me to Pixie Houses last weekend while we were camping and I think they are the most adorable things!  Do you know about these?  It's like building and interior decorating with twigs and leaves!  This is my kind of camping activity.

It really is a sweet little project for grown ups and kids.  In fact I think we had more fun with this than the kids this time.  You can make little houses (finding 4 Y shaped branches in creating the support beams is KEY), bridges, paths, gardens, tents, a fire pit, furniture, anything you can imagine your little pixies might enjoy!  This really provides hours of entertainment and so good for little ones to use their hands and imaginations to create something special. 

Other random thoughts on camping from last weekend:

• Foil wrapped meals tossed on the fire is a good thing!
• A doormat in front of your tent is a genius idea.
• Having kids use squirt guns to put out the fire will keep them occupied while you're trying to pack up.
• What did we ever do before baby wipes?
• Will man ever win the war against mosquito bites?  (scratch scratch)

Camping... An All American Tradition

My family and I enjoyed a great 3 day camping trip last weekend.  I'm not naturally a camper and most of the time I dread all the work it involves.  So for me to say it was a great trip is saying alot!  :)

One of the reasons I've come to enjoy camping over the past 2 years is because I see how much my kids love it.  It is precious to see how much fun they have with the simplest of things... rocks, branches, water and dirt!  They could play for HOURS!  It is a great reminder of the joy of living simply, ie... turn off the tv and stop buying stuff!  :)

Teaching our kids to enjoy and appreciate nature, animals, and all of God's creation is a gift.  A gift that I wish I had more of when I was growing up.  It inspires respect, humility and gratitude.

Hopefully you'll be able to find time this summer to get your family "out in the woods" and away from so many of our daily distractions.  It'll be a gift to all of you!     

Happy 4th - A Run to Remember

(all images from wearblueruntoremember.org)

I never got a chance to share about the Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon that I ran a couple of weeks ago.  Well, it must be divine timing because today is the perfect day for me to share about it!

It was a great race and I felt awesome!  But beyond finish times, I saw one of the most moving things I've ever seen in my 6+ years of running.  It was a section of the course at about mile 7 that was lined with American flags, pictures of fallen soldiers and people wearing blue to honor those who have served us.  It almost brought me to tears and I know moved many others.  In fact I'm humbled again, just looking at these photos as I write this post.  There are no words to describe the sacrifices made by our service men and women.  These are real people with real families.

You can read more about the organization, Run To Remember, by clicking here.  It was started last year by a small group of military wives from Fort Lewis, WA.  Here's a quote from their website describing Lisa's story.

Lisa Hallett had given birth to her third child, her first daughter, just three weeks before men in uniform informed her that her husband had been killed in action. At the home she made with her husband in DuPont, WA, she was left with 3 small children and a grief that threatened to swallow her whole. Lisa, a runner, refused to give in to that grief and vowed to honor her husband by living life with passion. She took her first healing steps two days after John was killed. She found some peace in the life-affirming action of running. Several other wives began to join her. In February 2010, wear blue: run to remember was born.

So as we celebrate our nation's birthday today, let's take moment to lift up a prayer of protection, mercy and thankfulness for all who have served and who are currently serving in our military.  Most of us will never understand the full depth of their sacrifice AND the sacrifices of their families that allow us to enjoy the freedoms of living in one of the greatest and most beautiful places on earth.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 

1john 3:16

IKEA FRIDAYS - Happy 4th and Meet NORDEN

Happy 4th of July Weekend everyone!  This week I'm picking the NORDEN dining table for $279.00.  I saw this over at a friend's house and loved it.  They're using it as a craft/game table in the basement.  It is so great for kids (and adults) to have a great big table to spread out games, projects, or crafts.  The NORDEN comes into 2 sizes, the smaller one for $279 which accomodates 4-6 and a larger one for $399 that accomodates 8-10!  Both with removable leaves.  My friend has the larger one and it's huge!  Great if you have the room for it!

This table is a workhorse.  It is so versatile.  The crisp white finish and the clean lines will work in any room and with any decor.  What I would also add is a plexiglass top to protect the tabletop from stains, scratches and spills.  I'm all about getting plexiglass cut at your local hardware store.  Cheap and so practical!




(all images via marthastewart.com)


Before I sign out for the weekend, I had to share some of my favorite ideas from the "queen", Martha Stewart.  Most of these are pretty self explanatory, no recipes or directions needed.  My favorites:

• Bandana Table Runner.  Pick up Bandanas at the party store and lay out on table!
• Colored Sand Votive Holders.  Great one for kids.  Get colored sand at craft store and pour!
• Pretzel "Sparklers".  Dip pretzels in white chocolate and roll in sprinkles.
• 4th of July Sundaes.  Berry sorbet with whipped cream and blueberries.  Sorbet can be prescooped into cups.  :)