Just don’t put your feet up.

I get crazy projects in my head all the time, and they always look wonderful up there. My execution never matches up to my vision. I thought this week I would showcase some of my ideas that actually turned out.


I purchased the ottoman at a consignment store for under $50. I have been holding on to this vintage fabric for years and thought it would look great in our den – how about on the ottoman? The fabric is fantastic with the bright organic pattern, very Joseph Frank. Someday I will have it reupholstered professionally, but for now I am proud that it actually works in our den. Just do not put your feet on it.

Pillows made out of Josef Frank fabric from Brunschwig Fils

The Best Magazine That Never Was

I keep my copy of Livingroom is pristine condition. I should say copies because I have two copies of the first and only edition of the magazine. It came out in the fall of 2002 and was very Domino before there ever was a Domino Magazine. I attribute my love of decorating to reading this magazine. Well, that and my childhood growing up around antiques and auctions. I don’t know why Better Homes and Gardens gave up on the magazine so quickly. The articles were all before their time. Look at the article below about wallpaper; I swear it could be in next month’s Domino.

Ooh & Aah!

Look at those fabulous kitchen cabinet doors! And the placement of the doorknobs is perfect! We started our kitchen renovation back in August and we finally got the new cabinet doors hung with the knobs and drawer pulls installed this weekend. The kitchen has been the most renovation work that Nick and I have done to the house so far. And with help from our families we have done it all on our own. It's not over yet, we are waiting on the cost estimate to tear down walls and install French doors (we know we need help there). Once that major work is complete we are going to install slate floors, subway tile backsplash and an island. This project is not over yet, but it is so nice not to look at dishes anymore.


Incase you don’t see the big deal – here is the before photo from when we moved in.

Sparkle & Shine

Since we have not made much progress in the house, I thought I would show off my collection of enameled Paul Revere bowls. I bought my first bowl at auction for just a few dollars and have been collecting ever since. I love these for the contrast of the shine of the silver and the saturated color from the enamel. Every once and awhile I will notice a collection hidden on a coffee table in a magazine, but until now these bowls have remained a hidden gem. Recently Oscar de la Renta introduced a bowl in robin’s egg blue in his home collection and it has been highlighted in just about every décor magazine. Hopefully now these beautiful bowls will get the respect they deserve.

Circa Who?

I found Circa Who in my January/February issue of Cottage Living. The store has the best selection of Palm Beach chic at the most incredible prices. Exploring the site is like combing a consignment store off Worth Ave. The store is the perfect mix of chinoiserie and lucite. Below is a selection of my favorites.

This bar cart would make the perfect nightstand.

I would hang this over my kitchen island. I would tip the lamp shades with pink ribbon for a splash of color.

This lucite coffee table is the perfect solution for our den where space is at a premium.

All images from Circa Who

The Artful Fridge

We got a really good deal on a scratch & dent KitchenAid fridge. It has all the works with water and ice in the door and stainless handles. The other main selling point to the fridge was the ability to add custom cabinet fronts. We cannot afford custom cabinet fronts, but we can afford a quart of chalkboard paint. Now we have a great place to write reminders, wishes and try our hand at being creative. I think it adds a little bit of fun and whimsy to our kitchen. And yes, we need cat food.

Domino Saturday

Today is a good day; my February Domino Magazine arrived in the mail. I saw it last night on the newsstands, but I held out looking until my copy arrived. I have only done the first round of reviewing each page and will go back later tonight to digest every word and image. So far I am not disappointed. Rooms featuring Ruthie Sommers and Celerie Kemble for the Domino Design Project look amazing. Cover girl Laura Vinroot Poole’s home is refreshing and inspiring. There are also some new designers to add to my admire list. This issue is well worth the wait and I cannot wait to translate some of the ideas into our house.

Pretty in Pink, Check.

I finished painting my pink desk and it looks really good, very close to the inspiration photo. I still need to figure out how to finish off around the bottom. I cannot decide if I should do crown molding or just paint the wood as is. Cutting molding is out of my skill set, so I will need to wait until my dad visits to help. The cabinets were really simple to paint. It only took a day with priming and painting in the garage. I now have the perfect pink desk for blogging, craft projects and wedding planning. Check - another project complete (that feels good).

A Dwell's night sleep

I hate our bedroom. I don't think I can tell you how much the room drives me crazy. There is dusty rose carpeting and wallpaper glue an inch thick. Before the holiday's I thought it would be a good idea to finally update the room. Like all my home improvement ideas, it's taking five times longer than I expected. Five feet of wallpaper glue left to remove and wall-to-wall carpeting still intact, I had to find something to bring me closer to my dream bedroom. Solution: Dwell Trellis duvet in charcoal from Bluefly. I am waiting to use it until the room is complete, which may not be until Februray.

The Perfect Sofa

I have been looking for the perfect sofa for three years. I found one that I was close to buying, but it was so large I could not fit it in my front door. Now that my new house will (soon) have French doors, I wish I could go back and buy it, but it is gone. Here is a sampling of the sofas that I love. Hopefully some day I will be able to afford one of them.

This sofa is from Lillian August through Drexel. It's called the London sofa, how perfect is that!

Everything from Anthropologie is wonderful, but I would love to have the Ditte sofa in leaf for our den.

Here is the Taylor sofa from Bernhardt that I could not figure out how to get in the house. Sigh.

Pretty in Pink.

My office is the only room I am allowed to indulge my love of pink without treading on Nick’s manhood. So far I only have a few random pink desk accessories and lounge chair, but I got an idea from the image above. My desk is created by two old file cabinets purchased at auction with a desktop I found at the Pottery Barn Outlets. My plan was to paint the cabinets white, but now I am going to go for bright pink. I will post new photos once I get the cabinets painted and you can see the new and improved office. Give me a few weeks.