Home Improvement

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Wow, you guys! We haven't had our regular Thursday 'Home Improvement sessions in quite a while. Inspiring and comfortable home decors are something that I have grown quite interested in over the years, and finding them for these weekly posts is something that I very much enjoy. So, we'll be getting back to those for all of you reading. Aside from my clear recent obsession with all things black and white, yellow is a color that is finding its way into my obsession category, as well.

While yellow is a color that so many people, including me,  shy away from (similar to orange), I began to shift my thoughts towards it with a recent trip for a pedicure. It sounds silly, but yellow is a color that is known to make people happier, and with bright yellow toes, it certainly has done a little bit of joy every time I go to change my footwear for the day. I began thinking that if yellow toes can instantly add that bit of happiness, what would happen if there was yellow accents in our home decor? While too much of it may be a bit bright, depending on your feelings towards the color, a little accent here and there definitely adds that punchy brightness that easily finishes a room and fills it in with the way that a lot of colors just aren't able to. In the room above, I love how the room is mostly black and white with pastel accents and sort of faded pieces and then the small yellow pillow and blanket on the couch make it warmer than if they had not been there at all.

What do you guys think? Adding any yellow into your lives in the future?

If not in your decor or your wardrobe, I suggest at least starting with your toes :)

Dress Up

This week I have noticed that each post has been featured around either a black garment (or accessory) or home decor that includes black. I don' t know about you all, but I go through phases where I'm really into color and prints or I'll wear nothing but black for a couple of weeks. This week was one of those darker colored ones which was probably seen through the darker colored pieces featured. I realized this while pulling this week's Dress Up feature, Lulu*s 'Play it by Panier' black dress. When they say that little black dresses are a classic and a must-have in any woman's wardrobe, I love how I can always find a new style of them. This week's dress sold it for me with the side paniers. I had been familiar with paniers from seeing them featured in skirts and dresses in more recent collections and learning about them in fashion history, but seeing them at a reasonable price point and right now, got me excited for yet another little black dress, yet again. The wide-set paniers against the form-fitted bodice, lower neckline, and flirty length all work harmoniously to create a prefect LBD that is certainly unique and looks excuisitely crafted. For some reason all I want to do is put one on with matte red lipstick and stroll the streets of Paris. A girl can dream.

Also, I can't stop thinking how amazing it would look in a luxurious cream, as well.

What do you think about this week's LBD? Would you try paniers? I'd love to know.

Home Improvement

I've recently noticed that I am becoming more and appreciative of a perfect black wall. What used to seem so dark, dreary, and depressing when it came to interior design, now feels almost as clean of a slate as a spotless white. When black walls are decorated with contrasting colors and elements, it creates a sense of warmth that I have yet to find in different colors-it is also much more unexpected. The image above features a black wall in an office-like setting, but black is such a versatile color whether in clothing or design, and could work well in any space. Don't worry, though, if you don't feel quite ready to make the leap over to the dark side (ha), this is a key opportunity to test out a black accent wall. Who knows, you might just fall in love with it.

What are your thoughts on black walls? Love 'em or hate 'em?

Home Improvement

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Do you find yourself doubting your projects when you're at work? I know this is something that I am definitely guilty of. When working on a project for a while, similar to staring at a paper you're trying to put together, it is hard to appreciate it for the spark from where the initial idea came from that caused you to act on it. This week's Home Improvement feature is a fun take on a bit of self-encouragement for an office setting (or wherever you see fits). Though at first it came across as a bit overwhelming, I love how when doing a double take, the words can come across as almost like a graphic wallpaper print. If these walls could talk they would definitely keep inspiration flowing and get ideas back on track to where they were. Also, how cute is that little orange polka dot desk organizer? I love how the sea-foam scissors holder and desk organizer pop against the other-wise only black and white desk. 

Would you ever try a wall like this one?

Home Improvement

Being in college and planning on moving to New York City after I graduate in a few years definitely has prepped me for dealing with living in small spaces. In more compact environments, it is important to make use of every nook and cranny, but making sure to still stay true to your sense of style and need for comfort that should be associated with spaces like homes. In an open floor plan, moveable pieces like wall dividers and easily moveable pieces of furniture can help to quickly transform a space with minimal effort and maximum effect. Today's feature for home improvement follows this similar idea. While I'm not sure if this particular wall in the image above is moveable, I began to think how great a moveable gallery style wall would be. While we all know how much I love a well curated gallery wall, they seem so permanent to me because each piece of art has to fit well with the others on the wall--like a puzzle. By creating a similar gallery-stye wall, but on a moveable piece of furniture, you can take the art that you already have worked to gather and arrange, but can create a completely different effect when moved to a different space, possibly sectioning off a new space, as well. After all, however, small spaces provide plenty of room for creativity and experimenting with what works for you.

What do you think of the idea of a moveable gallery-style wall?

Home Improvement

Years ago, when my family lived in our old house, my sister and I had a pink playhouse. While the house itself was every little girls dream, it was an element in the house, a chalkboard wall that my dad painted on, that really made it unique and special. The always-drawing art lover that I was, appreciated the wall as an endless source of creativity and inspiration, and when I came across this dreamy chalkboard wall behind a bathtub I was reminded of the space where so many ideas flowed without too much scrutiny. How dreamy would it be to have a relaxing bath and doodle on the walls? After all, so many of us come up with our best ideas in the shower...why should this be any different?

What do you think of this creative alternative to wallpaper or traditional paint?

-If anyone knows the original source of this image, please let me know-

Home Improvement

Despite being the extremely girly girl that I was growing up, I never had a pink bedroom. Oddly enough, even being the age I was, I saw it as sort of typical and expected. However, when I stumbled across this pink room, the color and amount of it spread throughout the entire room was anything but typical. While the furniture is definitely not my style, this room with it's large windows and intricate crown molding on the ceiling make me want to fill it with pieces in white and lucite to contrast against the color. Can't you picture throwing spontaneous events with friends and chatting until early hours in here? This is a pink room that is much more sophisticated than any that I've ever seen. Imagine all of the other colors that could have the same effect.

Home Improvement

As much as I love falling asleep during a thunderstorm, I love waking up to a bright sunny morning just as much. There is something about that perfect surge of morning light rushing through your windows that adds a bit more pep and energy to start off the day right. When I came across this bedroom, I started imagining waking up to the flooding of light through those incredible windows. The slanted walls create so many amazing opportunities for decoration and style and make the windows even more interesting. With the unique shape of the room, I also really appreciate how the owner took the chance to play the shape up and create a sort of focus wall filled with an abstract floral wallpaper. In a pattern that may otherwise overwhelm if spread throughout the whole room, when narrowed in on a small and angular part, the pattern is not only easier to take in, but more complimentary to the space, as well. 

What do you think? Wouldn't you love waking up in this sunny bedroom?

Home Improvement

In this extremely hot weather that we've been having lately, how can you help but want to transport yourself to this home in South Africa. Aside from being located near the beach, everything about this home adds to its airy and fresh atmosphere. From the light colored floors, fabrics and materials of the  furniture, to the larges sliding glass doors, it seems that maybe just being in this space could help with the heat. The high ceilings add to the overall open feel of the space as well, and I am in love with the hanging lights that not only have that same airy feel to them as the room does, but create another interesting texture and element, too.

So, who's with me on taking a trip to South Africa?

Home Improvement

When I came home from my finishing my Sophomore year of college last week, I came home to a literal home improvement. While I was away, my parents had changed our stairs from being covered in an old, grey-ish carpet, to clean hardwood ones. It's amazing what something as simple as going from carpet to wood can do to a part of a space and it got me thinking about alternative stairs, an aspect to some homes that is often neglected--as was ours. In perusing favorite interior sites, I had seen everything from turning parts of the stairs into hide-away storage units, to mirrored stairs for a definite sparkle lover. However, one of the ones that stuck with me was a set of beautifully painted floral stairs (seen above). While to some it may seem unnecessarily decorative, I thought of how unique it might be to instead of having paintings, these stairs were in a perfectly white staircase and the only color came from the steps. There surely is something quite whimsical, but not too quirky about these stairs, and it will definitely make me pay more attention to spaces that are otherwise left unnoticed. 

photo via

Home Improvement

Have you ever seen things differently after you start taking interest in a new trend or activity? When Madewell came out with their 'map view' print, I began taking an interest in maps of all kinds. While we don't really look at traditional paper versions as often as we used to on travel excursions and road trips and turn to the digital iPhone, Mapquest, or GPS version, I think that there is something so intricate and interesting about them. It takes a great amount of skill to layout and organize an entire area of a place. For this week's Home Improvement, the kitchen above with the large wall map in a black, white, and grey palette creates an interesting sort of wallpaper and art piece at the same time. In keeping the furniture to a simple style and neutral, natural colors, the focus is clearly on the wall and doesn't make the rest of the room boring.

photo via

Home Improvement

When it comes to bathrooms, it's ashamed that they are often so easily overlooked design-wise. However, behind closed doors and not the center of the house, I see them as a great opportunity to test out looks that I might be trying out or just to go for it! Upon first sight of this week's home improvement feature above, I wasn't sure exactly which room it was. The bright, but not overwhelming, striped walls, various patterns seen in the towels, rug, and pillow, and the picture frames and intricate mirrors made it a space that kept my eyes perusing around a space that is otherwise not given much thought about. Although to some it may come across as a mix of many different styles, to me, everything down to the contrasting black door is fun and engaging.

What do you think of this space? Too crazy or crazy good?

Home Improvement

I have always had a thing for libraries and when I was younger had a goal to read every book in the neighborhood library. While obviously unrealistic, it is a good thought. The idea of having all of the books filled with information, inspiration, and photographs waiting for me to delve into them was exciting and the limits of what could be read were endless. So many libraries seem to be under appreciated and are seen as dated. Even still, I can't shake the thought of eventually having a small collection of my own in my future home. While it will be a while, or never, until I can have a room organized with books in every category, simple bookshelves and coffee tables will take place. To liven up the basic set-up, like in the image above, a few photographs and prints, wallpaper accent wall, and the word "library" in a fun script, create a place for the books that show a little love to them just like a library would.

Do you ever think of creating a library--big or small?

Home Improvement

Growing up, fairy-like canopy beds and cushioned window seats were always on my mind when it came to the design of my bedroom. While the desire for a sheer canopy bed didn't last very long, my attraction to window seats still remains. Whether curling up to read the latest magazine, working on an assignment on a laptop, or sitting down to time with family and friends in the image above, window seats feel like the ideal example of easy relaxation in nearly any setting. The window seat that is pictured here, though, is a style that I had not seen before. The way that the home is up in the forrest allows for a picturesque landscape to be seen through the window. And, with the size of the window larger than most usually associated with quaint and cozy window seats, appears almost like a forrest painting, as well. 

Did you ever dream of having a window seat in your house?

Home Improvement

When I was younger, I collected everything from quarters from each state to porcelain dolls. Through the years, though, I have grown quite an affinity for collecting and admiring coffee table books. With their typical high cost, my collection (here, here, and here) is still small, but in their nearly endless categories of inspiration from fashion, photography, and art, I see them not only as amazing references for my interests, but as beautiful decorations in themselves. While their name mainly places them on the coffee table, the way that they are displayed in the image above, is not only much more interesting to the eye, but allows for the true beauty of the content and covers of these books to be showcased. Just as artwork can show the owner's personal style, these coffee table books can do just that, as well as provide passages into the owner's interests. On my current dream list: fashion, typography, and a favorite artist.

What are some of your favorite coffee table books? Would you display them like this?

Home Improvement

There's something about leaving a brick wall exposed that makes a room feel sort of unique and special.  While I typically associate red and brown brick with coziness and warmth, this white bricked small space is comfortable and cozy in a similar relaxing way. Pairing the rustic brick with the more feminine pink and creme pillows and wicker furniture makes for a combination that is both aesthetically pleasing and perfect for a room to lounge in. 

Home Improvement

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One of the most important things that I have learned from dorm living in the past year and a half is that proper space utilization can make a huge difference in not only the feeling of the size of your room (or home), but in the feeling of cleanliness and organization, as well. Both being design students, my roommate and I definitely have our share of stuff. However, it is the little areas in which we discover to house them all, that can make our room feel more like a home, and less like a storage room for our things. In the kitchen above, the room utilizes the sort of awkward curved corner to turn into a dining nook. What once may have been an odd empty space is now transformed into something cozy and unique to the room that also manages to add charm and an interesting appeal. 

What are some of your space utilization techniques? 

Home Improvement

Now, I know that everybody loves a little bit of glitter and shine throughout their days, but this kitchen by architect Emma Templeton and her design team at Templeton, is a whole lotta fabulousness. With such a powerful and sparkly focus of the backsplash behind the counter, the team made sure to balance the room with neutral colors and materials--like variants of brown woods-- to ensure that the space felt special, but not overwhelming. This kitchen is surely a place where enjoying your morning coffee will make sure to start your day off right. 

Would you like some sparkle in your kitchen?

Home Improvement

Seeing as I am extremely excited to be heading home for Thanksgiving Break this weekend, today's Home Improvement post is about one of my favorite rooms at home--my closet. Like many girls, I had always dreamed of a closet as more of a "dressing room" than just a storage space for clothes. When my sister and I grew out of using our playroom from when we were younger, we decided it would be more useful to use the space and divide the room in half to make up new closets.
I am very particular in the arrangement of this room. There is a section for everything, and everything within the section is organized by either color, style, or print. Not only does this make looking for a certain piece easier, but to me, I also feel that it is more eye-candy inducing. Seeing similar colors and textures together makes my closet feel almost boutique-like. Also, there are certain pieces that I showcase either for the fact that they were a special wear, or that their display always excites me--such as the vintage 1950's lavender prom dress on the left. While I know that when I someday move to NYC, my apartment will probably be the same size as my closet, for now, it's a space that I really do enjoy.

Do you have a dream closet idea? If you do, how would you have it ideally organized?

Home Improvement

Following earlier this week's post on Winter Whites in fashion, I felt that they are just as comfortable and cozy when applied to homes. Although light colored furnishings are hard to keep clean, when in colors like Ivory, Light Greys, and Taupes, they provide a similar simple elegance to a room that is as perfectly simple the way it is, or is also an ideal base for accent colors such as the green and yellow plants and candles in the image above.

How do you like your Winter Whites? Rooms or fashion?