Rug as Wall Art

(via urbanoutfitters.com)

I saw this rug  here and read the reviews on it. Love the pattern but... "faded quickly", looks thin... could this work as art?  Stapled around canvas or hung over a rod?  Yes, I think so!  You know, hanging tapestries has been around for centuries.  It measures 3' x 5' and for $34, why not?  I love the look of oversized art. 

I could definitely see it framed too, but don't know if I could find an economical frame that size.   Or... you could cover it with plexiglass like here.

What you think?  Crazy?

Spontaneity

Yes... it's 11:00.  Yes...I've decided to paint the walls in our kitchen.  Yes... I could very well be nesting.  :)

Sometimes when inspiration (or energy) strikes, we just need to take advantage of it.  I've been thinking about changing the paint color in our kitchen for awhile now.  I like the soft, minty green, but I'm just ready for a change.  Why not just do it?!  So... I got some left over paint and was able to get most of it done in about an hour and half while catching up on a couple of old Martha Stewart shows.

I'm calling it a night.  Tomorrow, we'll have to get out the big ladder and finish up the ceiling trim.  Paint.  It really is THE easiest eay to update a space AND free if you're using left over paint! 

Oh Joy! Oh What a Nursery!

(via ohjoy.blogs.com)

While catching up on my blog reading, I came across this post from Oh Joy.  This post features Joy's nursery for her little baby girl, Ruby.  Wow.  First of all, I shouldn't be surprised.  Joy has impeccable style. (I just want to swap closets with her!)  Secondly, loved seeing that her color scheme is similiar to Evie's room!  

Now, THIS is what I mean by timeless decorating, especially in a kids' rooms.  I love that there's a movement toward more sophistication in kids design.  Not in a snooty way, but in a way that truly celebrates the freedom, joy and imagination of childhood and not trying to compartmentalize it with some theme.  Plus, in the end, I really think this is a much more economical way to decorate.  Keep the big pieces neutral and classic and change out the accessories.

My favorite part of the nursery?  That amazing chest of drawers!  Seriously, Craigslist?  How come I never find stuff like that? 

(via ohjoy.blogs.com)

Well, since my chances of finding something similiar to that dresser is zero to none, I'm feeling a DIY project coming on.  I'm seeing an IKEA Rast or Koppang dresser, drawer fronts painted with some fab hardware like in this tutorial...Ta dah!

Now if anyone sees this again on Craiglist, tell me!  In the meantime, I'm off to find an IKEA dresser on craigslist.  :)

Have a great weekend!

Be Courageous

Have you heard of this movie?  No, it wasn't nominated for an Academy Award.  No, it probably didn't have a huge budget.  No, there aren't any big name actors in it.  No, there's hardly any eye candy.   But YES, does it deliver an important message!

My husband and I finally got around to watching this movie over the weekend.  It certainly has its share of corny moments, but in the end, we were both moved and inspired by it.  Courageous does an excellent job of showing how complicated and difficult life can be.  But it also speaks to the importance of courage, integrity, honor and perseverance in the midst of life's challenges.  Virtues we certainly don't we hear enough about these days.  It also delivers a compelling message about the important of BOTH fathers and mothers in our childrens' lives. 

If you haven't seen it, I'd totally recommend it.  We don't get a lot of time to watch movies, but this was an hour and a half well-spent!  Lots of good, good stuff to think about it and be inspired by.

J.Crew Inspired Rooms

Happy Monday!  I admit, it's been a long couple of weeks and I desparately needed just a little "me" time this weekend.  My husband graciously blessed me with a few hours to myself and I jumped on the chance to doing some window shopping.  I walked into J.Crew and saw the dress that I've been conveting the past week ever since I saw it here.  It was on sale AND in my size so I took it as a sign and snatched it up!  I can even fit it over my belly and post-baby, I'll be able to wear it with a belt for a long time. 

(image via fabsugar.com)

Yes, include me among the countless bloggers you'll read about who LOVE J.Crew.  What I love about their style is that it is classic, timeless, but in a updated, fresh and quirky way.  There's always something unexpected about their looks whether it's a bold, but beautiful color, or an new mix of patterns or textures, like denim with glitter or hot pink and orange. 

I first came across this these photos in January and knew that I'd want to share them again someday.  Click here for a link to all 10 J.Crew inspired rooms.

(all images via houseandhome.com)

I'd consider all these rooms classics that won't go out of style, yet, there's nothing boring or predictable about them.  There's something in each look that makes you say "hmmm"  :)  Thanks Jenna Lyons!  We love you!

What about you... do these looks speak to you too?

Catching Up!

via here

Well... I'm *almost* ready to come out of my 2 month hiatus.  I feel like life really threw us for a loop the last several months.  In a nutshell... here's what I've been up to in my non-blogging life:

• HOMESCHOOLING:  Knee deep in trying to figure out this homeschooling business.  Few things are quite as humbling as starting something new and feeling like you have no idea what you're doing.  :P  Despite my 10 years of experience teaching in the public schools, little of it prepared me for how to do it at home.  Through a series of trial and many errors, I feel like we're coming around the bend and *most* of my days are enjoyable and manageable.  I've even gotten back to reading blogs, being consistent about my bible studies and catching up on a few shows from time to time.  :)

• OH BABY!  In November, we found out that we are expecting our 4th child in June!  We always left the door open for God, with little to no expectation.  Needlesstosay, He had a clear plan and after a couple weeks of shock, and several months later, we are now excited to welcome a baby brother into our brood of 3.  (I'll post a baby bump photo when I get around to it.  Who has the time?) 

I've been mentally collecting ideas of new things that I'd love to write about and share with you.  Many of them of course include home decorating ideas and ways to help us all live more simply and beautifully, but I'd also love to share more about the way God is moving in our lives and the things He has impressed upon me about life and parenthood. 

I hope to get back into the regular rhythm of blogging and the first step of anything is always the hardest... so here we go again.  Back in the saddle!  :)  Thanks for your patience.

Prime Real Estate - Everyone Has It

(all images via bhg.com)

Happy New Year everyone!  This is the first year that all of our Christmas goodies have been packed and put away before New Years.  We even swept out our garage and organized it so that we can actually park a car in there.  No small feat!  We have a busy January coming up, so it needed to be done.  :)

In the midst of all the reorganizing and redecorating, I started thinking about the concept of "prime real estate".  We all have it.  Prime real estate to me are the places and spaces in our home that are the most accessible and visible.  Kind of like shelves at the grocery store.  How are we using those areas of our home that tend to be the hotbed of activity?  For me, it's kitchen counters, drawers for paperwork closest to the kitchen, middle shelves in any closet, and most accessible toy storage areas.  What's there?  Do my MVP (most valuable products) or most used items get those spaces?  If not... we gotta edit and purge friends!  :)

No one has space to waste and I find if I approach organization and storage with that idea in mind, it makes it much easier for me to edit.  I'm not one to toss things easily, but if I find that it's negatively impacting the way I live, like clutter everywhere because all my storage space is full, then... out it goes!

Here's some detailed photos from that gorgeous kitchen above that has some great ideas on using their prime real estate.




YES!  We have these in our kitchen island and a pull out cabinet for
trash and recycle.  Best suggestion we ever got from a builder.




LOVE this idea of using the same surface for the sink as the countertops. 
No worry about grout!  Also, the little ledge is genius..
now THAT'S prime real estate!




How much more practical can this get?




Love the look and idea of maximzing vertical space in a kitchen. 
Sometimes cabinets make sense, but sometimes open shelves
are even more practical AND beatiful.