Inspiration via Becki Owens

I can't believe it's been two months since I've posted anything! For anyone following, I'm still here obsessing over design & loving shopping and keeping a mental checklist of a million things I'd like to do in my little rental...just not doing so great of a job actually putting that into a blog.
One of my favorite blogs / interior designers I've discovered in the last few weeks is Becki Owens. She's incredibly talented and I love how fresh, bright & effortlessly clean her spaces look.

This is one of my favorite rooms ever. I love how there are pops of pink but it's so neutral, warm & inviting. Serious perfection happening here.

I love this table, chair and light fixture combo. Such a great example of textures working together.
For lots of inspiration follow beckiowens.com

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
-Sarah

A new print and a story to go with it

I can't explain it but I just love this photo by Gray Malin. It's cute and a little quirky and looks so great in a modern bohemian space. I found a cheap white frame for this print and stuck it on my wall today and it makes me smile every time I walk by. Not to mention, my kids think it's really cute and sawyer especially who loves animals wants to greet them and make adorable noises at this photo, so it's meant to be.
Now there's a cute horrific little story about getting the frame. My two oldest wanted to come with me to look around HomeGoods and after we had perused every aisle we landed in the candle aisle and I had turned my back for just a moment when I hear the loudest shattering noise ever - I look over to find my cart tipped / flipped into the entire shelving of candles. Not only did atleast a hundred candles get broken but the glass shelves they were perched on all went down too. Thankfully no one was hurt, but it made me feel HORRIBLE that they ruined so much stuff by not just standing still like they were told to and I am completely mortified to walk in there again which really sucks since it's my happy place I frequent weekly. After apologizing profusely I quickly bolted in shame...and now every time I look at this awesome print I'm going to remember the day my kids humiliated me at HomeGoods. Nice story, huh?
It's really hard to find stuff to put on the walls that I love. Rarely do I see something that just makes me happy to stare at day after day, so when I find that print it's a little piece of joy for me :) Happy Hunting!

What I'm Reading

Finally got "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and it's been fascinating. I have wanted it for so long and now that I've read it, I seriously want to purge all my stuff! The main idea is to get rid of things by category, starting with clothes, then books and move on to papers and mementos. Touch and hold everything you own and if it sparks joy then keep it, if not get rid of it. I enjoyed reading all the things that don't work and why & hope now that I have a little time in the mornings to get things done I can truly get my home in order.

A better kitchen today

I have a rented kitchen. It's ugly. Not much I can do to make it better, but because I spend 90% of my life in that room I just want it to be better than it is.
When we first moved in it had hideous yellow flowers that I couldn't handle...it was just too awful.  I hired a friend to put down this peel and stick. Love it then and I love it now. It was featured in Caitlin Wilson's home a while back so I found it through her blog (Lowes, Armstrong Crescendo 12x12).

I still wanted a special little rug for the sink area and it's been over a year since I've stood to wash all my dishes (no dishwasher) without anything comfortable to stand on. Finally last week I sold some stuff in my garage and had the money to get what I really wanted. It's on its way and I can't wait!

I think it's easy to grab sometimes what's cheap and available instead of waiting for something a little more special.
For a quick and easy fix run to tj maxx right now (or homegoods) and scoop up some cute Turkish towels. They run 4-5$ for 2 pk and look great, nice and soft & wash great. You can also use them in a bathroom as well.

Something that you can do that improves a kitchen and costs nothing is just a good cleaning. When I've scrubbed all my appliances, the floor, cleared off the counter and washed the windows the room immediately feels better.
Lastly, after a good cleaning light a candle! Something about a yummy smelling room just makes it more appealing. My favorite candles are yankee and bath and body works but unless there's a big sale, my budget allows a small cheap DW candle from tj maxx, homegoods or marshalls. They are usually between 7-10$ and I love them.

3 Favorite DIY's

A simple project can be really rewarding to try. Here are three of my favorites via Pinterest under my DIY board...

Take any pretty wrapping paper (or you could grab some acrylic paint and poster board and do ombre look yourself)  and put it in a simple white matted frame (I love Target or Ikea's) and you've got a pretty piece of art.

There are some really cute planters out there but it can get expensive at times. Easy to grab a can of spray paint and some tape and let your imagination run wild. Or just copy one of these cute ones :)

Paint can change furniture so quickly. I like this unusual look. If it's to crazy for you it's also a fun solution to just paint the drawers and leave the top and side as is.
So, what are you painting today? It's been non stop rain here so I'm not much in a painting mood lately - but once that sunshine makes its way back to Florida I'll be planning out my next project very soon!

Loving lately

A few things I can't get enough of...

Colorful rugs in every room of the house...it's addicting I tell you   (Via Pinterest)

Punchy and colorful art print via Pinterest

A perfectly styled bookshelf via Pinterest

To find out how to correctly hang your curtains check out the always incredible stylebyemilyhenderson.com today for a design lesson

To Preorder a great looking design book check out Apartmenttherapy.com (Comes out in September)

Happy Monday!

Eye Candy

Just a little mid week inspiration of beauty...via pinterest of course

I'd love to do an updated little home tour on the blog and post pictures of my space...finding the time when it's empty is another challenge altogether...until then, I'll enjoy looking lots of inspiring spaces on Instagram and blogs. Xoxo

eBay rug mistake

I have spent way too much time on eBay looking for that perfect little Persian rug in my kitchen or entry. I finally took the plunge on a clearance 3x3 that looked rusty orange and green. Of course my first choice is something with navy and salmon pink but my cabinets in the kitchen are green so I decided it would be a good fit. I have never bought from eBay and when it arrived I was so excited for a moment, but that moment was quickly over when I saw the colors. What had appeared as rusty red was ugly red and what had appeared green was black. The rug wreaked in smell but that's to be expected.
I tried to talk myself in to loving or even liking it. Tried it in the kitchen, hallway, bathroom, entry...it was not good. So back I stuffed it into a box this morning and sent it on its way. Lesson learned. I will be extremely picky with color in the future, not settle for the quickest and cheapest, and make sure I feel certain before pulling the trigger. eBay=1, me =0. Here's hoping my refund comes quickly!
I took a few pictures but they are so bad it's not even worth showing... Oh did I mention this is my early bday gift? Yep, that's my excuse this time.

The one that got away...

Do you ever look back at a purchase you would have made but you didn't have the money at the time, then it sold and you just can't get it out of your mind! You go into stalker mode for a while on sights like Craigslist or Ebay, just hoping someone is crazy enough to not like it and sell it for less, just so you can have that second chance? For me it's a bench. A perfect little boho cute bench Target sold. I even saw it once on clearance and looked at it up close with a loving gaze, yet had to turn away. How I regret not getting it! Oh well, I have to remind myself it's just a thing and won't last - but every time I see it on a blog or in a book or something similar in a store, I get sad thinking about the one that got away...If anyone ever sees it don't hold back! It's crazy how little things can "feel" like us, am I right?

 

 

3 Examples of a Well Styled Piano

It's about as rare to see a well styled piano as it is to get a chill in the Florida summer months. Sure, maybe here and there you'll get a breeze one night, but it's not something that happens all that often. I have a love for the piano but they are a big piece of furniture to try and make look good in a room. Here are three options that get it right found on Pinterest:

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Little Green Notebook

One thing that stands out as I look at all three of these photos is a good bench. There's texture and style and it really helps the look. The rug is also a great shot of color or pattern to bring in near a solid piece of furniture like a piano. Minimal styling I think looks best & of course plants are always a good choice. If you have a plain bench adding a sheepskin throw adds comfort, texture & is an instant update.
If you find that your piano is covered in piano books find a cute storage option and place next to piano or try to stack some music books with a plant on top or set them in a cute basket. Finding a cute task lamp is pretty easy these days, so it's a perfect place to add one in your living room.
Lastly, don't put too much stuff on your piano. I've seen so many piano's that are covered in knick knacks and it just looks cluttered. Better to have very little like a plant or light or one big piece of art / mirror than lots of little things. Hope that helps! Waiting to inherit my grandma's piano & when I do the music will be that much sweeter when it's styled right.

Dreamy Kitchen Space : Brittany Makes

This gorgeous kitchen from brittanymakes.com is just so well done. She is extremely talented and is creating such a beautiful home. If you are looking for major DIY skills, check out her sight for inspiration. Here's her new kitchen. From the perfect light fixture to the beautiful vintage rugs & perfect hardware, I'm seriously crushing on this space.

So let's say you are like me (I'm sorry)and stuck with an ugly rental kitchen. Three quick tips?
1. Get a cool vintage rug for the kitchen. It will hide outdated flooring, add comfort and texture and even if they get spills are easy to hide / clean.
2. New hardware is a relatively cheap and easy fix.
3. Lighting makes such a difference. Look to pinterest for some diy options or check out HomeDepot for and Lowes for an easy fix. It's worth it.

Mid century modern dresser

I've wanted a mid century modern dresser for years...problem is, they are usually costly and to find just the right one can be tricky. My entry way has had a desk there which was given to me since we moved in to our home. It's been in rough shape and when I came across this antique little gem on craigslist for a steal I decided it was time.

What sold Joe on getting this was the amount of storage that I gain. We are bursting at the seams with kids artwork, puzzles, books & just stuff that accumulates when you have 3 kids. This is a great piece to have if you are needing more storage, keeps breakables out of reach & can be moved to a bedroom if I ever need want something different.
I'm kind of wanting to paint either the drawers or the top and sides white, but at the moment I don't mind it. I think if my dining table was white I could handle the darkness of the wood better. My table has been a thorn in my side since it was given to me. It's practical, I just hate it! Hoping down the road to find a round table that can seat 6 which is modern and fresh...I digress. Very happy to have this piece.
Here's a few other photos of mid century dressers which was an inspiration...

 Emily Henderson - via Pinterest

Style Me Pretty via- Pinterest

The Everyday Girl - via Pinterest

Don't be afraid to add a dresser piece in a different part of the house - they always look good & are truly functional.

Why I Love This Room

This room is perfection to me. From the rug to the couch and pillows, it's one of my favorite looks on Pinterest at the moment. Styled and designed by Amber Lewis (Amber Interiors), it's full of inspiration and not impossible to emulate on a modest budget. Here's what you can take away for your own space:
1. Rug - the colors are gorgeous, the size is perfect (not too big, not too small). Remember, your furniture should all be able to sit on the rug or atleast the front two feet of all of it, just to keep it looking balanced and part of a grouping.
2. Texture. I'll say it again, sheepskin throws are a huge boost to any room because not only are they comfortable and pretty, but they add so much style and texture to a space. From the sheepskin to the wood stools to the plant, the space has so much texture which makes it interesting and beautiful to look at.
3. One large piece of art. I am a huge fan of a gallery wall, but I'm also really loving one big statement piece lately, especially above a couch. It would not cost a lot of money to frame a large poster or wallpaper segment or just develop a photo in a poster size. There are so many options and the bigger the better!
4. The plant. Greenery works wonders in a space, especially when it's really tall to balance out a room. The fiddle leaf fig is everywhere but it's not especially easy to keep alive. For those with a black thumb like me, it's safer to go with a snake plant or a palm tree. Either way, put it in a cute pot or a basket and watch a space come alive.
5. Pillows. They can make your space or break it. Good ones like these will cost you. Keep your eye out for nuggets of gold at HomeGoods or TJ Maxx. I've scored many pillows that are very affordable and look like they are boho chic without the huge price tag. There's no easier way to bring life to a space by changing up the pillows. Keep your patterns mixed and matched by having the scale be varied. Of course, check out Nate Berkus at Target as he can do no wrong.

Of course we don't all have bright white spaces with gorgeous light streaming in, but there's always little touches that can be done & make a big impact. Happy Decorating friends!

Beach, please

Max Wanger Photo (stylebyemilyhenderson.com)

Growing up just minutes from the beach one doesn't always appreciate its beauty. Not having one around for 10 years brings much greater appreciation for the lovely views of bright blue water and sand. (California has my favorite #helloLaJolla)
One trend I have seen a bit of is oversized beach photography in the home and I am loving it. I think it looks fresh, beautiful, and it's quite an affordable way to fill up a wall space as well.

Pinterest

Pinterest (Elle Décor)

Here's a favorite example, she took a photo & enlarged it for above her sofa and I couldn't love it more.


Danielle Oakey Interiors


If you are looking for an inexpensive idea for your walls enlarge a photo of the beach, stick it in a large matted white frame & there you have it, a beautiful picture to look at. Happy Weekend!

Dreamy Space of the day: A House In the Hills

I came across these photos on Friday. This is a blog written by Sarah Yates called www.ahouseinthehills.com and I've followed for a while because I loved the her previous home and these are photos from her new space with much of the same pieces. This room is absolutely gorgeous and there's so much to learn from the space!

I love this rug, how she mixes metals, color on the couch & those walls are just perfect to me.

 How I wish I could keep a fiddle leaf fig alive - alas...those windows are gorgeous and there is so much to be said for white curtains & lots of light. Keep those windows sparkling clean, a bright space is just so inviting.

 I am smitten with those African JuJu hats on the wall. They are a few hundred dollars so completely out of my range, but they add so much texture to a space and those pillows on the couch are to die for. Again, out of my range! The coffee table is styled perfectly with flowers, books, candle and a bowl. When in doubt of what to put on your coffee table, you can't go wrong with any of those things. It's not easy with little fingers that want to touch things, but your kids can be taught it's off limits & even if it's a just a tray with one or two things on it, makes a big impact.

Another favorite element in this room is the Moroccan wedding blanket thrown on the back of the couch. Between the leather couch, bright colorful pillows, plants, African JuJu hats on the wall & this gorgeous throw, texture is everywhere and works beautifully together. For more inspiration make sure to check out the blog & all the eye candy there. Happy Monday!

Design Mistakes I've Made (and how to learn from them)

Brace yourselves, these pictures might make you throw up in your mouth a little bit...

This was our first condo up north. It took a few years to get the balls to paint these walls and turns out, I made a big mistake. I liked the yellow for a few months and now you couldn't pay me to paint yellow on my walls. It's funny how time changes you! Oh my word, where do I begin with all the problems I see here? Right off the bat, that mirror is too high, the frames along the side look dinky and not right for the scale of the room. The recliner chair was amazingly comfortable but ugly as sin. There's no way to sugarcoat it. The lamps are not at all my style now...the ottomans were practical but not at all cute. Basically the only thing I like in this photo are my pillows!

So this is our home when we moved into this rental. The dresser was a craiglist find and not at all my style (it lives in the bedroom now, where non wow furniture goes to rot). The ottomans are a little cuter but still not great. The rug was cute but too small with the space. The task lamp was a favorite find from Goodwill up north but it broke. The curtains were not hung high enough.

I don't hate this, but it could use some help. The garden stool was spray painted white shortly after this photo but broke to pieces last year #sadface. The mirror moved to my room but it was wrong for this space all along. The tray looks out of place in the middle of the desk & the mismatched hardware bugs me.

This is my room. Not very cute. It's come a long way since this photo, but it could still use lots of help. What's wrong here is the ugly floors but it's a rental so out of my control. Also, the curtains (blah...I sold them). The chair is too white with the dark desk (it fell apart). The desk should be painted but I've never gotten around to it. The mirror I got rid of, it was a nice shape but this area needs something larger.





Oh my word, I can't believe I'm showing this picture. I got this "coffee table" at the curb and sprayed it white. Again, the rug is too small for the space, the navy ottoman drives me nuts next to the black and gray rug, gray sofa, white coffee table, yellow pillows. It just is so much STUFF going on that has nothing to do with anything else. There's no story going on here, it's like I just found everything and threw it together (well, that's kind of what happened).

I learned my paint lesson from my condo and pained all the walls in this house a neutral shade of gray. I invested in a few cute pieces and searched craigslist and thrift stores for others. Many things have been sold as I've never truly had a "design" budget to just get stuff. Many cute things have been gifted to me and I've even had a win that got me a west elm coffee table.

One thing I wanted to get right this time was the tv stand. I made a few mistakes but am very happy with this choice from Target I got on clearance a few months back. I had a free desk I was using up that that point but it felt too large. Although it my dreams I would like something a little longer this was affordable and I loved the style so I decided to make it work. The plant is a must for me now in a space. No more fakes unless they are the cute little ones from Ikea that I love. Lighting is also key and that floor lamp was also Target and I just spray painted the base. There are SO MANY UGLY LIGHT OUT THERE! If you don't find a great floor one than get a cute side table and invest in a cute lamp. There are such good options, no excuses to stick with a dated ugly fixture. This rug makes me smile every day. It was a gift to me, a vintage Persian rug from London and I'm so grateful my generous friend had no need for it anymore. The coffee table was free (instagram win) and the pouf was a random clearance find at target. 

No matter how many times I change home around I always have a new project in the back of my mind and wheels turning to try and figure out how to afford something new. It's a slippery slope of being content with what you have and yet enjoying your space and keeping it from feeling stale and not something that makes you happy when you look around. I have learned a lot from the last few years and here's my top 3 lessons:
1. "Buy the best and only cry once" - I don't remember who said this, but honestly, there are so many times I should have held off on something but figured since it was so cheap I should go for it. Wish I had held back and only waited for what I loved.
2. Paint your walls neutral. You can always add color and pattern but to have a neutral back drop will keep things feeling fresh and up to date. Gray is a personal favorite.
3. Don't be afraid to sell your stuff and use the money to get something new. I think many times people hold on to things they don't like or care for anymore, but really, there's something so freeing about getting rid of stuff that doesn't make you happy and then finding something that suites your style.

My new couch

I haven't always hated my old couch. In fact, I think I liked it back in the day when Joe and I were dating, he had just bought it & it was the perfect size for two.
Fast forward 10 years, three kids & it wasn't meeting our needs anymore. Our space is limited so a sectional or anything longer than 80 inches just doesn't fit the room well.

A few months ago I was longing for more seating and came across a velvet green sofa, as some of you recall if you follow me on instagram. I loved the look of it (mainly I loved the price) but learned my lesson as it showed every drool mark (from Sawyer, naturally), had an old lady smell that I couldn't get rid of, and honestly just wasn't all that comfortable.
Joe had driven almost an hour to get it and never send a man to notice details because when he got it home there were staples coming out of the back - huge tears, would have been a deal breaker...but there's Joe so proud of himself for lugging this thing to me, I just didn't have the heart to say what a mistake it was.
I waited the obligatory time (for me, which wasn't long at all...maybe a few weeks),  moved it to the porch because it was too crowded and one day on a whim posted it on Craigslist. Two days later it was gone. Lesson learned. Velvet & kids & old lady smell don't mix.

This time around I didn't want to settle. I still wanted to find a score on Craigslist, but I wanted it to be exactly what I wanted, have style yet still be functional for kids. And I HAD to sit on it before we bought it. This catches us up to last week, where I stalked craigslist endlessly, only to see hundreds of ugly, dated & puffy nightmares that would never work.

I noticed a grey mid century modern couch but the price was out of reach. It was EXACTLY what I wanted so I begged in an email to lower the price & found out later in the day it was still available and she would work with me on price. Saturday he became mine. Of course it's a he, much too handsome to be a woman, and yes, couches do have genders...obviously.

I'm so grateful Joe is understanding and although he's sad to be selling our previous one, he understands it's time. It's the perfect size, comfortable, much better fit for a small space (way less bulky and you can see underneath, which helps when you have a small space). The couch is so cute it doesn't even need pillows (as opposed to less attractive couches that need lots of cute pillows to disguise it. )
Well, that's my big excitement. Never be afraid to look to Craigslist for a furniture piece. It makes a home so much more interesting to find a one of a kind item at a much better price than just a big box store piece. It's so nice to have my living room feel like "me".

If you are stuck with an ugly couch and no way out here's my top 3 suggestions:
1. Cute Pillows! Find them at Target or Etsy or get fabric and have someone make them. It's a room changer indeed.
2. Get a cute blanket/ throw, I love the ones I see at HomeGoods and they add so much style and a bolt of color or pattern.
3. Throw a sheepskin on the back for crying out loud and call it a day. They are comfortable, add texture, and look great anywhere.

Navy for the win

I love Target and I am loving navy blue lately. If you have some extra cash to spend and want a quick touch of something new in your home check out these lovelies happening now at Target:

Personally I am loving the look of these shams mixed with other bedding. This would be a little too much blue for me. I would mix the shams with white or coral/ pink or do the bedding and add a pop of color with either pillows or a throw. It looks very good in person & not at all ordinary

How cute is this navy rug? Just loving it so much. Very neutral and fun at the same time.

I can't get enough of this x base ottoman. Would love to have room to put two at the foot of my bed, but they could go anywhere and look good. The pattern is just enough to be interesting yet still neutral.

A pop of pink is the perfect compliment to navy. If your husband is kind enough to not mind a dose of girly mixed with masculine navy this color combo is always lovely.


So there you have it, navy is timeless and these pieces don't last so don't hold off if you need a little dose of navy to perk up your home!