A Little Moment in Our Entry

Hello there!  Well, things are definitely slowing down around here.  I'm about 8 weeks out from meeting Baby #4 and needlesstosday, I'm not embarking on any decorating projects these days.  I can hardly get through the day without a nap lately!  Most of my nesting comes in the form of cleaning or organizing as I know if I don't get to it now... who knows when I'll have the time!

For today, I thought I'd share some pictures of our entry way console table.  In my opinion, entry ways are one of the most important areas in a home.  I can't tell you how many times I pass by this table each day and it's such a great place to create a special little moment of items you truly treasure and make you smile.  Remember... elevate the everyday!

This first photo is kind of a "before" photo.  Not a bad arrangement, lots of things that make me smile.  My lovely gourd lamp, my favorite houseplant - maidenhair ferns, a painting by my grandmother that we used for our wedding, and a pair of Foo dogs given to us as a wedding present. 

Here's how it looks right now.

Just removed the fern and added a few family photos.

I love the runner I added.  It gives the table a little more depth.  I love Dwellstudio, but can't afford most of their items.  This "runner" is just 2 napkins (on sale) that I folded in half and place side by side. 

I also love my little ikat bowl from Anthropologie. 

Kind of bummed I didn't buy more as they are now discontinued.  :(

So, not a huge deal.  Just thought I'd share a little moment from our entry.  When the rest of the house is a complete mess, this is a nice place for me to find some peace... if just for a moment.  :) 

How are you capturing the little nooks in your home?  Does it make you smile or make you cringe?  Here's a little article from Lonny with some great tips for styling an entry way table!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Oh and by the way... if anyone is curious.  I had a great time being in a flash mob 2 weeks ago!  It was so much fun.  What I loved about is that it brought so many people together!  About 800!  It was not about any one individual, but a group of people doing something that brings them joy and hopefully the "audience" too.  I loved doing it and disappearing into the sunset.  They called us... dancing ninjas... now you see us, now you don't.  :) 

Click here to watch the youtube video.  I'm at 5:03 and 5:40, for a split second! 

My Favorite Things - PBTeen

The catalog season is upon us!  Have you started getting catalog after catalog in the mail?  I have to admit, as environmentally friendly as I try to be, I love getting my home decor catalogs in the mail.  I love to see what's new, spot trends and mostly, how the rooms are styled.  Again... some people like to cozy up with wine and a book.  Me?  I like my catalogs with a hot chocolate or a hot apple cider  :)

So.. as we start rolling ahead with the holiday season, I thought I might share My Favorite Things with you once a week.  These will be my picks for gifts or for yourself from some of my favorite catalogs.  We're starting with PB Teen this week.  I've been really loving PB Teen this year.  I find their items fun, chic, more affordable and very versatile.  Many items transition well from kids rooms, tween rooms, office and more. 

So, here we go...

MY FAVORITE THINGS from PB Teen:

(all images from pbteen.com)

They have a great selection of jewelry boxes this year! 

Not to mention some cute jewelry too!

This small Leather Jewelry Box is $39.

And go for the monograming!

I find this small, round silver jewelry box so sweet.  This is something a girl could have forever!  Only $25!

Get it monogramed too!

I'm always keeping my eye out for some stylish clock/radio options. 

This one is sleek, sophisticated and could work anywhere! 

This is the Wood Rockin Alarm Clock $139.

These felt pillows are great!  On sale now for $19.99 to $29.99. 

Again, this would be fun anywhere.

This Fleur Duvet really caught my eye.  It comes in black too.

$64- $99

I'm loving decals and chalk these days.  This is a good one!

This one is $59.  Also comes in a dry erase version.

I'm a sucker for cool pillows and typography. 

These ones are $35.  Not bad at all!

Lastly, my fave! 

Letter pillows... love monograms and the boldness of the black and white. 

Only $29.  Very Jonathan Adler-esque... at a fraction of the cost.

IKEA Fridays - Meet ARYD

After all the painting I did a couple of weeks ago, I'm even more convinced that anything can be given new life or personality with a simple coat of paint.

For example, the ARYD Candle Holders which range in price from $7.99 - $14.99 could really be transformed into something oh so chic.  I love how substantial they are and its gorgeous curves.

They could easily look like these Chroma Candle Holders from Anthropologie, but even better.  The Chroma goes for $28.00 each and I actually like ARYD better with its chunkiness and you can group them with varied heights and widths. 

Painting these would be so easy using sample pots like these from Benjamin Moore. 

(I have a least a dozen of these laying around)

Or a good ol' can of spray paint. 

Hope this inspires you to create something fabulous!

See you Monday!

WHY IT WORKS - A Charming Living Room

Hello!  Here we go with WHY IT WORKS Mondays!  Here's a room that I saw way back and just dug out recently.  It's amazing how good design is timeless. This room was published in House and Home back in 2009.  I know only 2 years ago, but the colors and ideas remain just as fresh today.  Here's the break down.

(via houseandhome.com)

WHY IT WORKS:



• Color Palette.  Man, isn't this room just plain beautiful to look at?  That framed textile is just gorgeous!
• Lines.  Notice how the lines of the couch, side chair and table are curvy and "light".  Nothing big, square or bulky.  It plays off the circles of the artwork and makes the whole room feel light and playful.
• Pops of color.  Notice how the colors in this room just dance around.  A splash of yellow in the garden stool, some magenta in the side chair, lovely colors in the throw pillows and all nicely balanced out with a creamy white rug, lamp and accessories.

INSPIRATION:

• Framed textile or paper as artwork.  I love this idea!  There are so many beautiful fabrics and papers out there.  There's a print and color palette for everyone.  Frame it up and you add instant graphic punch to a space.  Best thing, you put it together yourself, so it's one of a kind!
• White lamps.  The lamps in this room are interesting.  They almost fade into the background and you hardly notice them.  It allows the artwork and furniture to pop into the foreground.  Maybe try this same technique in your space.
• Throw pillows.  Boy, sometimes placing throw pillows on a couch or a bench can seem like putting together a work of art in itself.  There's a fine balance between too much and too little.  I like this arrangement that they have. 3 on one side and 2 on the other.  All coordinating solid colors.  Nice.

To see more photos of Emily Walker's charming home, click here.

IKEA FRIDAY - Meet BARBAR

When I'm writing my posts each week, I find myself wanting to present one theme or topic for the week and I love it when I can wrap it all up nicely with a coordinating IKEA pick.    It must be my training as an teacher that I'm naturally drawn to these themes or units.  Hmm... maybe I should start posting some pop quizzes to see if you've been paying attention.  :)

So "class" on Wednesday I talked about trays and to wrap up this week, I present to you  IKEA's BARBAR.   Use these for keys, mail, soap, lotions, or snacks.  The possibilities are endless.  These range from $3.99 to $5.99.  What great style for practically the cost of a latte!  And you'll enjoy it everday!

Here's a peak at how I used the blue BARBAR tray at my house. 

I'll be sharing more pictures of this space next week.  Can you guess where it is?

Have a great weekend!  See you Monday!

Trays

Here's a great project straight from our inspiration room from Monday.  Can you believe this is made from a regular rimmed baking sheet?  This is another one that's going on my project list.  Click here for full directions.

(via marthastewart.com)

Here's some more great trays, all for under $20.  I think trays, dishes or bowls add such a nice touch to a home.  It's the little things like these that really give your home some sparkle and pop.  They immediately elevate any table scape or anything you choose to put on them,  kind of like a beautiful frame for your table.

West Elm has some beautiful ones right now and for GREAT prices.


(West Elm Soap Dish and Trays)



(West Elm Gold Porcelain Trays)

 

(West Elm Hammered Trays)



(West Elm Butterfly Glass Decoupage Trays)

Lastly, here's 2 more from a great blog, Isuwannee and her shop, Furbish.



(Isuwannee La Fiorentina Tray)

 

(Isuwannee Flamestitch Tray)