a pastel spring

I wrote a post for The Loud and Clear on Monday about how pastels are going to be huge this spring for interiors.  I've been so into them lately, that I thought I'd share a few more pictures with you here.  It was almost 70 degrees in Kansas City. We haven't had much of a winter here, and while I do love a good snowfall, I'm willing to sacrifice it just this once. Bring on spring!

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Ahhhh. Those painted tolix chairs are possibly the best thing I've seen in a long time.  Obsessed. And even after a mild non-existant winter, all of this color feels so fresh and envigorating.  Don't you think?

blog love: hooked on houses (and a great home in camden, maine)

Alright, I wrote a big long thing on how Dan's mom introduced me to this blog, Hooked on Houses, and how I love it so much I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing, becuase all I want to do is spend hours every day looking at all of the homes Julia, the blog's author, has profiled.  And then when I tried to post this from my iPhone this morning, all of the content was deleted.  Sigh.

So, in an effort to just get this out there (I'm on my lunch break, right now!), I'm going to forego all of the jazz about wishing I could afford a $2 million house in my favorite place in the whole world (Camden, Maine) and just let this amazing house speak for itself.

Also, you should definitely check out Hooked on Houses - just be sure you have plenty of time to spare when you do.  Because I promise you'll get sucked in.  Also, if you do happen to have a few mil floating around, you can contact the realtor here.

happy hanukkah!

I hope everyone is having a Happy Hanukkah! I meant to post this on the first night, but time flies and all of a sudden we're already in the swing of Hanukkah and Christmas is just around the corner and I'm really wishing I'd been able to have some latkes.  

Anyway, here are some great ideas for Hanukkah decorating and a couple of quick gifts/gift tags. Hope you enjoy! 

wine tags

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latkes gift wrap

silvery sideboard

JA lucite dreidels

modern tablescape

classic holiday decorations

ornament wreath // ornament setting
ornament chandelier // cranberry topiaries // evergreen candle

festive entry (source unknown) // indoor wreath
 minimalist centerpiece // clementines // ribbon chairs

You can't go wrong with these classy and classic holiday decorating ideas. I love mixing things up, but sometimes I think bad Christmas decorations could be like a bad wedding dress - it might seem like a great idea at the time but those pictures of that super trendy '80s dress will always come back to haunt you.  That neon Christmas tree? The 50 inflatables blowing around in your front yard? Don't think they won't be documented.

'tis the season to be plaid

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Christmas is the perfect time of year to go nuts with the tartan, buffalo check, and gingham.  As if I needed an excuse...

simple christmas decor

Sources (clockwise from left): 1, 2, 3, 4

Sources (clockwise from left): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

While I love going over the top for holidays, I like for it to be in a subdued style.  No blow-up lawn Santas for me, thanks.  I think a combination of whites with dashes of green and red here and there is the perfect way to be able to decorate a lot, without inducing headaches. 

schoolhouse electric & supply co.

blackline stoneware tray

the stephenson chair

higgins mirror with rope hanger

schoolhouse canvas organizer

morgan bed

I have long loved Schoolhouse Electric for their vintage inspired, rustic feeling light fixtures.  So imagine my excitement when I heard they had expanded their line to include home furnishings and decor.  All of the new items hold true to the original Schoolhouse Electric vibe that I find so inspirational.  Now there's just more to love!  Check out their virtual catalog for some absolutely gorgeous inspiration.

found via {frolic!}

thanksgiving decor

Construction paper Pilgrim hats and hand print turkeys hold a fond spot in my heart,  but I can't wait to try some classier decor this year.  At 78th Street, we are hosting "Friendsgiving" this weekend.  In an ideal world with unlimited funds, I would decorate with natural colors (especially lots of shades of brown, green, gold) and materials (branches, feathers, acorns) and fabrics (linen, burlap and maybe a bit of velvet here and there).  I have collected a few images for inspiration:

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Our little table only seats four.  There are 12 people on our guest list. Realistically speaking, individual place settings aren't going to happen for me nor is spending a lot of money on "pre-fab" decor. But, I still plan to use these images as inspiration for centerpieces and other decor to be found around the house.  Luckily for me, many of the pieces I'm most enamored of, like the acorns and pine cones, are free!

found style

Found Style, started by three "gals" in Toronto, sells a gorgeously curated collection of home decor items.  Their impeccable styling leaves me wanting everything on their website.  Oh and, of course, they got none other than Tommy Smythe (of Sarah's House fame) to curate a special collection for them as a "Found Picker."  Sigh.  Sometimes I reallllly wish I lived in Toronto.

Anyway, here are a few of my current Found Style faves:

Canvas Storage Bin

Horn Mini-Cups

Pewter Vase

Some of these things would be pretty awesome for my new cubicle...don't you think?  I mean, maybe the canvas storage bin would be a bit much...but you could store a lot of files in there :)

diy lamp

Since my return from Sweden/Denmark, my love of Scandinavian design has gone into overdrive.  I can't get enough of this stuff.  Of course, reminiscing isn't enough.  I had to go and find new blogs to adore.  One of my favorites, Fjeldborg,  featured this cool diy "lampshade."  I am using that term loosely here, as clearly there is not much shade going on.  Simply scraps of fabric wrapped around an old lampshade frame.  Of course to succeed at this project, you have to find a frame with a cool shape and you need scraps of fabric and I have neither.  Some day though.  The only thing I would change? Swap out that regular bulb for the Edison version.

chalk hill residency

I am obsessed with these images of the Chalk Hill Residency at the Warnecke Ranch in Sonoma County, California.  Images found via the Tiger in a Jar blog.