fresh start...

Well, after feeling uninspired for the better part of a year i'm beginning to feel vibrant again. Here's a small project before and after of my IKEA "Rast" re-do.

the beginning

lamp re-sprayed

finished!

There are still a few things to change, like swapping out the green for navy perhaps... 

I am really digging this duvet cover from Urban Outffiters: 

http://images.urbanoutfitters.com/is/image/UrbanOutfitters/29188919_041_a?$beauty$

Sources

Yellow spray paint on lamp - "sun yellow" Rust-oleum 

Grey paint on outside of dresser "Gray" by Benjamin Moore

White paint on drawers - glossy white interior paint Martha Stewart

Hardware - Lee Valley Tools www.leevalley.com

gold on the ceiling

this has nothing to do with gold or ceilings but it's the song i have in my head.

this is what's been catching my eye on Pinterest this week - chevrons, navy and orange.

even though we're still stuck in winter these pics make me think fresh, happy and almost spring like. i know, here in the frozen north we've got a long way to go...



apartmenttherapy via pinterest



modernchichome via pinterest




apartmenttherapy via pinterest



modernchichome via pinterest



desiretoinspire via pinterest

that's me in the spot - light

i've been devoting a lot more time to the treadmill which, apparently means a lot less time on the laptop which is of course, a good thing.

some faves from this week:

desiretoinspire.net via pinterest

desiretoinspire.net via pinterest

desiretoinspire.net via pinterest

elementsofstyle blog via pinterest.

apparently, there is a book theme - i'm feeling the need for more book cases and a trip to the used book store.

explosions off in the distance

Happy New Year!

I have kids. Specifically, two messy, messy kids under 6. So, even though i now pretty much detest our espresso leather couch and chair combo in the family room getting rid of them at this point would be just plain dumb as they pretty much destruction proof. However, if I could redecorate it now this is what i would choose.

Karlstad sofa - IKEA

Arco Floor Lamp dwr.com (though realistically prob a knock-off from C&B or Structube etc.)

a nice teak sideboard for the TV

new rug - West Elm

coffee table - IKEA

Console - Elte

colour splash via pillows etc. CB2

tray CB2

Bowl CB2

some awesome orange lamps (i'd replace the shade with a white one)

IKEA

and i imagine it would all look something like:

LOL, sorry I couldn't resist. If it wasn't for the TV this pic could be straight out of 1974.

any old time you keep me waiting

i've been seemingly to busy and a tad uninspired to blog the past week or so. haven't even been enjoying my fave time waster (aka Pinterest!).

a few things that caught my eye tonight - fairly random.



i LOVE this table



I'm strangely drawn to this crochet pendent.



fun!



not usually a fan of plain black and white but this room is kind of awesome - maybe it's the "tree" still i think i'd be tossing in shots of yellow or something.

follow the lights

there is nothing wrong with my dining room light fixture. it's the drum shade chandelier that was in like every magazine about 3 years ago. i still like it, it still suits the room but if i had the disposable income right now...

my dining room as it currently stands - well, i did eventually hang the mirror ;)

some statement fixtures:





















all images (except the first one which is via my iPhone!) via pinterest http://pinterest.com/dana_kuehl/

tonight i'm going to bury that horse in the ground

i absolutely love the new single Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine, and it takes a lot for me to like a female singer (probably some deep seeded jealousy because i can't carry a tune).

in any event. the new Style at Home (Christmas edition) has a short piece on Jonathan Adler. I heart Jonathan Adler...maybe it's because he seems to embrace orange as i do! so fun, a tiny bit wacky but still livable and not too serious. Like, although I appreciate Kelly Wearstler I'm not sure i could actually live in something she's designed. Mr. Adler on the other hand...

some faves













photos via housebeautiful.com

it's the best time of the year

I know that we've only just begun November but the stores have everything out in full force and I'm already starting to look forward to decorating for Christmas. I find that the season always ends up such a blur that the earlier i get up my decorations the better I enjoy them.

Some inspirational shots to get me going.

I wish our house had an actual banister...





Lonny Mag via Decor Pad



urbanjane.blogspot.com



homes-interiors.com



frou-froufrilly.blogspot.com

whatever my lot

i love books. always have and sadly i don't get to read nearly as much as i'd like to these days. i also feel like one of the few people who haven't broken down (in my opinion) and gotten an e-reader of some sort. i know, they're cheaper, you can have a ton of them on the device etc. etc. but can an e-reader give you this?













(all photos via Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/dana_kuehl/)