decorating 101

If you are as sad as I am about the demise of the oh-so-lovely domino magazine earlier this year, you really need to pick up the domino book of decorating and browse through it. This book is fantastic...all the decor advice you could think of for designing a home that fits your style all wrapped up in fabulously beautiful book. All it needs is a ribbon.


Now that you have rushed out to the nearest bookstore to pick up your own beloved copy, turn to page 78 and you will find the sofa that I have been drooling over forever. I absolutely love this sofa from the domino book (better photo on page 78) and have been drooling over it for awhile now. It can also be seen here in Domino Editor, Deborah Needleman's Tribeca loft.
 
Photo via NY Home Design

Everything about this room tickles my fancy...the gorgeously plush sofa with tufted seat, the greyish-taupe accent chairs, the jute rugs, the acrylic mod coffee table, the pile of logs next to the fireplace, the white garden stool used as a side table....the list goes on. There is something about this room that intrigues me. I love the neutral palette and she does such a lovely job of making it fun and inviting. I want to curl up on that sofa with one of her coffee table books. I also love how it doesn't really match but it works for some reason. Oh why can't I have skill like this.... maybe I need to study the domino book of decorating for some much needed advice!

disco inferno

You might wonder why I haven't really mentioned the bathroom yet. Well, maybe you can help me figure out what to do here while we save up some dough to complete gut and redo it...  
Doesn't it just make you want to break out the disco ball? 

Can it be salvaged? Any ideas?

the farmhouse look

Take a lesson from history and the farmhouse style. In those years, the main floor was typically an open area used for everything - from eating, spending time with the family, gathering around the fireplace, and even cooking in the same area. I like to believe that this type of setup instills a sort of family togetherness and I don't think I am the only person who feels this way. There has been a definite trend moving back to this way of living. It can be seen with the open floor plans you often see in magazines and on the home/decorating channel. A lot of people are taking their homes back to their roots by tearing down the living room wall to expose the kitchen or maybe just widening doorways. While this is something we would definitely like to do, it is a couple years down the road so until then I have to find other ways to get that look and feel. My first attempt will be with an important piece of furniture - the dining room table. I have never had a dining room table to call my own and fortunately the huz and I share a desired look. We both love the raw and rustic wood farmhouse style table preferably one that extends to hold our friends and family for gatherings. I tend to gravitate towards lighter colors...

Photo via Ballard Designs

 


















 ...while the huz definitely flocks towards the darker pieces.

Photo via World Market

I think we might have to meet somewhere in the middle with an amber colored piece.

Photo via design sponge

I particularly love this one because not only is it a trestle table, but I love how they paired it with black simple chairs for an unfussy look.

...and breathe

All that hustle and bustle finally paid off. We are now officially living upstairs and couldn't be happier about it. We still have our work cut out for us - things are a little barren at the moment...





Well maybe a lot barren, but we will get there eventually! And the wall color is actually much prettier in person. It looks a bit drab here, but it actually has a lot of personality! Now on to the bedroom.... Our bedroom is quite cozy actually (cozy is code for small in the real estate world) and I actually really love the nook and built in shelves.







Although I think we might need some color to brighten things up a bit.

we have mold...

Just kidding...we don't really have mold, but we do have moulding thanks to the handiwork of my darling husband! It still needs some caulking and to be painted, but I am quite proud. Take a look for yourself...
 
The living room

 
The living room, looking into hallway and office



 
The hallway, looking into bedroom


 
The bedroom


 
The office

 
Closeup of molding in living room




Disclaimer: The huz did wear protective glasses most of the time...

blooming buds.

Summer is almost over, but the buds are still blooming in our garden.







And how delicious does this apple look?