Color Soiree: Creamy Whites

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This gorgeous cottage is set in a historic and enchanting section of Sonoma, CA. It is owned by an antiques dealer which explains all of her gorgeous furnishings. I just love how a house transforms into a reflection of one's personality within the right hands.  I don't know about you, but I have my bags packed in case this cottage ever goes on sale. I'm ready to buy it fully furnished. The Sonoma Valley location certainly doesn't hurt either!

Giveaways:

Enter to win an Atlanta Bartlett book, winner's choice

Pretty Spaces

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Who ever thought you could use chicken wire and elegant in the same sentence? This cupboard is living proof that something old can be reinvented into something wonderful. With a little imagination, hard work and creativity, who knows what we can come up with! 

Whether you plan to dine out this weekend, dine al fresco, or cook a delicious meal indoors, be sure to break out the fine china and treat yourself to some beautiful exotic flowers... you deserve it!

Giveaways:

Enter to win an Atlanta Bartlett book, winner's choice

Enter to win a new blog header from Inspired's Blog Boutique, winner's choice

Color Soiree: Hermes Orange

via 1, 2+3, 4

To my dearest ever elusive Birkin Bag,

 I know you will never be mine. I've accepted it, (somewhat). 

I love you just the same though, and will always admire you from afar.... sigh. 

Love,

Yours Truly xo

Seriously, when I see the color orange I automatically think... Hermes! 

Would you buy a knock off?

Open Giveaways:

  Atlanta Bartlett book, winners choice

Blog header from Inspired's Blog Boutique, winner's choice

Simply Smitten: Statuesque Windows

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Happy Tuesday, Cuties.  Hope your week is off to a great start.  I am loving these statuesque windows and French doors that are admitting plenty of fresh air and sunlight. Winter just doesn't want to let go here in Boston, but I am consoling myself that everything will be blooming before we know it!

Letter to Cupid

 Dearest Cupid,

You got me at an early age.  Perhaps you are not solely to blame,  Disney certainly had a hand in turning me into a hopeless romantic.  After all, don't all little girls dream of having Prince Charming whisk us away one day?

 I know there are many who have become cynical and try to avoid your arrow at all costs.

They shun Valentine's Day and love in general.

Has my heart been broken?  Absolutely.  Torn out, trampled over and left to bleed.

 I have loved, lost and loved again.  I know that anything worth having in life is

never risk free.

 So while others who have been hurt may still be guarding their hearts,  I still believe 

in you, Cupid, and I am more than excited to celebrate your big day that is
quickly approaching.

Sure I like chocolates, flowers and mushy cards as much as the next girl, but true love really
isn't about all of those things, is it?

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Love is more about keeping the spirit of Valentine's in your heart year round.
Telling the people you care about that you love them, being there for them when they are
sick and reveling in their joys as if they are your own.  It's about sacrifice and forgiveness.
So in closing, don't let the cynics deter you from your life's work, my dear friend.
Your arrow might strike them one day and their hearts may finally open up.
Signed,
Your biggest believer
xoxo

Current giveaways:
Win a cute clutch and ring from Ruche
Nordicware Ebelskiver from CSN Store

I Like...

My brother and his fiancee are getting married in less than two weeks! We have been busy making various decorations - including origami cranes and folding loads of tissue paper to create hanging pom-poms to decorate the ceremony and reception areas. I'm looking forward to see it all installed and in action!
I like this dining set-up above - it is also for a wedding. It has a grand and vintage feel to it all. The random combination of the lights and lanterns looks great above the ordered tables.
Photograph via April and May.

Nooks and Books

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My favorite part of any house is not a grand foyer, or expansive marble bath, but a cozy little nook that invites you to curl up with a steaming cup of peppermint tea and a great book.  

Do you have any special little nooks carved out in your home?

Enter to win a $50 gift card to Sur la table
Advertise on Inspired Design

Plum Soiree

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I am not sure I am bold enough with my decor that I would dedicate an entire room to this majestic color.
Being more meek of heart, I can always get my plum fix via a great nail varnish!
Are you bold with your decor?

Enter to win a $50 gift card to Sur la table
Advertise on Inspired Design

I Like...

I like this dining scene from new Melbourne restaurant, Millswyn. Designed by Hecker Guthrie, I like the serene colour palette, the painted timber chairs, tufted banquette seating, its simple lighting - actually, I like all of it! The interior is nordic inspired and demonstrates understated luxe very well. Nice.
Photograph via Remodelista.

I Like...

I like.. the different designer dining chairs at this table.
This dining area belongs to stylist James Leland Day - located at his Parisian apartment in the 12th arrondissement. Why stress over which designer chairs to get when you can have one of each? This creates more interest in a small space - just as long you keep the palette the same. I also like the bench seat at the wall side of the table with comfy cushions to lean back on. Nice.
To see the rest of this apartment, check out the October 2010 issue of Elle Decoration UK.
Photograph via James Leland Day.

Lavender Lust

Is your week off to a good start?  I played catch up all day yesterday.  Seemed like the laundry piled up over the weekend and it looked like a bomb went off, (hate that! However, my OCD tendencies are now in check... I CAN let these things go... for awhile anyways).  I always longed for a lavender room as a child so perhaps that is why I am so drawn to these interiors.  Do you get crazy when your place is a mess or are you content to just step over the piles of clothes and leave the crumbs for the dogs to clean?

photo credit: 1) vintage and chic, 2) simply vintage tumblr, 3) miss wallflower, 4) xo-heather marie tumblr

{Interiors} Statement Pieces

Every lady should make a statement when entering a room but it's even better

if the room is making a statement of it's own!  I love how a single piece of furniture

 or accessory can speak volumes!

What's on the agenda for this upcoming weekend?  For me the college tours continue.

Looks like that's what I'll be doing until my son has every application filled out and in

the mailbox, (and if I know him it will be right up to the very last second of each deadline)!

Anthropologie giveaway:  enter here


Photo credits:  1) Visualize, 2) Desire to Inspire via Pinterest, 3) Architechtural Digest

{Interiors} Soothing Sage

This chandelier had me at hello....

Photo credits:  1) High Street Market (blogspot), 2) Desire to Inspire


I am grateful that I get to spend an evening at home... this cold rainy weather makes me want to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace!  Although I love to travel,  I am
such a homebody at heart.  My husband is a homebody too so it works out perfectly.  Any other homebodies out there? 

{Interiors} Industrial Elements

Photo credits: 1 & 3: Dress Design Decor (blogspot), 2) The City Sage, 4) Emilies Interiors

Happy Tuesday!  Well, school has only been in session for a short

time and my daughter already has a nasty head cold... and so it begins!

Time to stock the medicine cabinet with sudafed and breathe right strips.

How do you feel about using industrial elements in your interiors?

Although I don't have this trend in my decor,  I do admire it in the right

interiors ~ who knows the way my sense of style is constantly evolving,

this could be a trend in my future!  

Product - Emeco Navy chairs

I think these Emeco Navy 1006 chairs are great and look especially good with a timber table.

Such a great history behind these chairs and they are made from 80% recycled aluminium, which means they're incredibly light. Read about the history here

The top image is in the kitchen of one of my clients. We source them from Thonet in Wellington, as well as the Dairy Table the chairs are with. The middle one is an advertising agency in New York - check out the Emeco website for more images. And the last image is another dining scenario which I saw in Apartment Therapy.