{ the power of styling }

{ABOVE IMAGES VIA 1, 2, 3}

we're in the midst of finalizing corners of our home (which you will all see very soon!) and as i switch gears into styling territory i've realized that just about everything looks better with a bunch of branches. they add the perfect amount of texture and height, while feeling easy and relaxed. 

as a side note, i love the way all of these vignettes tell a story. finishing things up around here has been a little stressful for me because i have such a clear idea of how i want this home to feel. collected, soulful, warm. i want it to tell a story. unfortunately, two twenty-something year olds live here which means we can't always avoid big box stores like IKEA. i'm really relying on the final stages of styling to help keep things from feeling too sterile or generic. wish me luck!

hope you all have the best day. thanks for stopping in. lovelovelove.

{ enjoy today }

{photo via}

i started my day with a broken computer charger, meaning i was unable to work on my design projects or put up a new blog post. instead, i read, made a to-do list for the day and had a nice, quiet breakfast. around 9:30 i walked over to the local arts high school that i work at part-time (in the theater department). i answered some emails and did a bit of work around there and thought about the styling project that i need to make a dent in when i get home, and the two clients that i will be following up with later today. i even  thought about the business idea that i've been brainstorming the last couple of weeks, and how i could carry it out in real life. and then i got a phone call saying that a substitute is needed for a theater class in a local after school program tonight. would i be interested in filling in?

sure, i said!

sometimes i feel like i'm working on so many things and i'm not sure what each of them means. how do all of these things fit into my life? my career? how do i make sure i'm thriving in these areas and not spreading myself too thin? at the end of the day, what's the point in it all?

but.

sometimes you've got to stop assigning reason and calculating how every move you make and project you work on will add up to your ultimate success. today, i'm enjoying everything that i'm working on. and that's enough for now.

lovelovelove.

{ inspired by this: beacon hill town home }

i came across this photo over the weekend of this wonderfully whimsical beacon hill town home and just fell totally in love. i've decided that i need nine lives in order to live out of all of my decorating dreams. the more i'm immersed in interiors and design, the more i begin to appreciate it all.

it's a bold choice to use a wallpaper like this in such an open area, but this is done so, so well. there are just enough traditional details (foyer table, staircase) to help the design still feel grown-up and sophisticated, without watering down the playful aesthetic of all the colors and patterns. i am in complete awe, and inspired to push the boundaries this week with my own designs. 

make sure top stop over HERE to see the full house tour. happy start to a new week! lovelovelove.

{ inspired by this: bold kitchen pattern }

i've been sourcing lots of kitchen design inspiration lately, and while i love white kitchens with marble countertops and subway tile as much as the next person, i can't help but get terribly excited when i see a kitchen design that goes against the grain just a bit, while still remaining timeless. when i saw this kitchen above, my little heart went a pitter patter. LOOK at that floor. so bold, yet so classic. also love the pairing of bar stools with the intricate island and pretty gold pendants. these shots don't give us a great idea of how much actual storage is involved, but i have to believe a kitchen of this caliber has some kind of amazing butler's pantry just around the corner.

thanks for stopping in! lovelovelove.

P.S. i wasn't able to locate the original source for these photos - if you happen to know please don't hesitate to reach out! i'd love to give credit where credit is due. :)

{ decorating with soul }

one of the things that i say over and over to my clients is how important it is to bring soul into your space. yes,  places like west elm, ballard designs, ikea, and crate and barrel all have wonderful pieces that i use in my designs all the time, but i truly believe what makes a room feel special are the pieces that have a story. a different background, another country, another century. those are the pieces that make your home yours, and nobody else's. 

among my favorite soulful rooms?

{via}

the textiles. the art. the mirror. the stunning architecture. soul.

trevor and i spent some time thrifting over the weekend and i was so in awe of some of the pieces that i found. pieces that i knew would instantly make corners of any home come alive again.

beautiful detail.

perfect for a foyer.

ugh - i love this piece SO MUCH. i'm not sure why but i couldn't stop picturing it as the perfect coffee table in a little ladies studio apartment.

would love to see this reupholstered in something like this peruvian inspired fabric from osborne and little.

i personally thought this little moroccan side table was so beautiful and interesting. i love the intricate detail - perfect for a home like mine that already has so many simple lines and mid century pieces. i was convinced it would be a perfect little nightstand for our bedroom (the height was just right for our low bed). unfortunately, trevor was not as sold on it as i was, so i left empty handed. (ugh, those are the days that i miss my little bachelorette pad.)

how did you guys spend your weekend? 

thanks so much for stopping in. lovelovelove.

{ dreamy weekend getaway: lake placid lodge }

i suppose the lake placid lodge isn't somewhere i'd love to be going away to this weekend (hi freezing temperatures), but if we fast forward a few months to summer days, i'd be all over it. can you even believe how beautiful these rooms are? i love how elegant they feel while maintaining their unique personalities and rustic charm. ah yes, i would be more than content to spend the day on a boat with a cocktail in hand, just perusing the waters whilst reading books and getting some sun, and then coming home to that beautiful tub, incredible bed, and the breathtaking views.

let's book it, shall we? :). happy friday everyone! lovelovelove.

{ five favorites }

i spend so much time perusing the interweb for my client projects that i decided i should stop just bookmarking all of the goodies i come across and share the wealth! here are my five favorites i've come across this week:

>> schmaucher pyne hollyhock fabric {not exactly new but i am so obsessed with this pattern lately} // big barn and silos giclee from art.com {one of my favorite affordable art sources} // new storage unit from ikea {love the simple lines and price tag + the added drawers} // val alen green by benjamin moore {so fresh! i could breath better in a room this color} // gwendoline spindle bed from one kings lane {love the weightiness of this piece. definitely a dream purchase} <<

so how are you guys doing? i opted for english breakfast tea over coffee this morning and jury is still out on if that was a good idea. isn't there still just as much caffeine in black tea as coffee? maybe it's a mental thing. my day has not started until i've had a cup of joe. alas, i'm off to greet my busy day. thank you so much for stopping in! lovelovelove.