Favorite things

Our new house is near a beautiful 40 mile trail that runs along a creek. So, instead of my leisurely ride around town on my old beach cruiser, I've been hitting the trail for a long bike ride. The funny part is, I can't commit to trading in my old bike for a mountain bike so in the mean time I look totally ridiculous on my slightly beat up 1960's Hollywood Schwinn. (It was stolen once in my college days and we drove  around until we found it, and threw it in my trunk.
I *adore* it.)

You like?

 I like an unexpected or quirky element here or there, don't you?. It would be an antique handed down through the family, or even a super cool find while thrifting or antiquing.

Here are my favorite things that I will always keep around:

My vintage milk glass that I turned into huge soy candles. They burn for *hundreds* of hours and when they are done I just refill them.

my Teresa Petersen piece, Operation of a Broken Heart

my cow painting from our trip to Somoma, really a long overdue honeymoon!

our coffee table, an old tile cart from my husband's
family tile and stone business that began over 83 years ago

a funny portrait drawing my husband made on a paper tablecloth back when we were dating

our iron birds from a trip up north after our wedding

and of course, the log bed my husband made in college.

Yowzers, this heat is crazy!

It's sooo darn hot outside...yowzers.

My little succulent collection has been loving this weather... me, not so much!

It's *never* too hot to obsess about all things design related. I've been thinking of adding a little pattern to the living room lately. Luckily, all the furniture fits perfectly in the new living room, so I just need to add another layer to bring it all together... I'm thinking mustard, warm greys, and some red accents. I'm liking these neutral rooms with fun accent colors.

Brio interior design/ House Tweakin

 Mustard Seed Collective

Ideal Home

Sally Steponkus (she is THE best... check out her work)

Design Star

So my husband came home from work the other day and told me that my co-workers started a pool for Design Star and that we each have a designer. (... and yes, I work with my husband!) I've never seen the show before, but I was super excited! I think a lot of interior designers feel like their life *is* HGTV so going home to watch more interior design projects feels like overkill. Or maybe I'm the only one that feels like this!? 

So, the best part is my husband chose Kellie for me (since it was my day off) and I think that's who I would have chosen! It will be fun to see who gets booted off each week and to chat with co-workers about the *design crimes*.

Kellie

Age: 33
Hometown: Edmond, Okla.

A self-described "fireball," this married mom of two says people sometimes underestimate her design talent. Originally from Arkansas, Kellie grew up in an artistic family. Her parents were artists and allowed Kellie to mix paints and create artwork in their studio. Kellie, who holds a degree in interior design from the University of Central Arkansas, has more than 10 years of professional experience as a designer with a residential builder. She calls her design style "warm contemporary" — that is, it includes lots of color and whimsical touches.

 I like this room from Kellie's portfolio: (sans the lampshades!)

Here is the bonus room before:

 

 After: 

 

 The made use of the spot under the stairs because the view out that window is fantastic.

Elle Decor Love

Don't you just love every issue of Elle Decor? I'm always so excited when I see it in the mailbox...It's the small things, right? I've been thinking about actress Keri Russell's brownstone in Brooklyn ever since I saw it in Elle Decor a few weeks ago. I'm loving the plank box and potted plant used as a side table in the living room... and all the bright white against the dark stained wood. Even with all the shades of white, the house still feels cozy.

This dining room is perfect. Just the right amount of feminine details against the strong architecture.

Her handy, dumpster diving hubby pulled up, numbered, restored, and nailed back every plank of the flooring. (I could go on for days about my love of carefully restored homes and upcycling old materials...and my dislike for *gutting* a house.) Her hubby also made all the cabinetry and vanities from a dismantled post-and-beam barn. A-mazing!

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Happy Fourth of July. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend.

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