Adding to my Inspiration Folder

I know you all have seen this home throughout blogland, but the first time I saw the full tour was via Flourish Design + Style. By the way Sarah's blog is a daily read of mine. She and I share much of the same style, love that. Anyway, I had to re-post it. I think if we every get to build this will be one of those homes that I show the architect and then I will want to recreate the light and airy feel. There is not a detail I don't love. Oh, and the fabulous photography was done by this brilliant lady who also happens to blog. I love getting to see a few extra photos here. Gorgeous, right? My only wish now is to get my hands on the actual magazine. I love pouring over a good magazine more than the computer screen. It makes it easier for me to study.

{via Style at Home}

Layering Mirrors

{via Huntley & Co}

Jenny from Little Green Notebook posted this image with the idea of layering mirrors. I was smitten. We currently have the one huge mirror that is in most mass builders homes and I have always been too scared to rip it down. I just adore this option, but I was was not willing to spend very much either. Well, I was in Target the other day and came across two frame less mirrors on clearance for $19.00 a piece. The size and shape are perfect...


Anyone have any brilliant ideas on how to hang them safely now? I would love your thoughts. The mirrors are fairly heavy.

A Kitchen Reno

I am so excited to be able to post this kitchen and dining renovation. This is the home of Eden Lang a fabulous photographer from Canada. She and her mother came up with the kitchen concept and her husband made it happen. What I love is that it's a kitchen made for cooking, but at the same time is extremely family friendly. I adore the clean lines, chalk board door, farm house sink, gorgeous lighting, the floors are delicious, and that huge map, wow! Did you also notice the clipboard leaning up on the counters with the calendar. Well, I did and I am so borrowing this idea to hold Ellie's school calendar. This looks much better than I just leaving ours laying out on the counter. Oh, and to see the complete transformation including before pictures you must go here. Trust me you will be in awe. I want to move in, really.

Thank you Eden for letting me share your gorgeous renovation.

Eden Lang Blog
Eden Lang Photography

A Victorian Cottage

Style at Home editor Erin McLaughlin made this gorgeous cottage into her own after a gut renovation. Although I shy away from bold colors I love how her pieces look in otherwise neutral spaces. I would welcome the sofa with open arms. The use of art adds such a personal touch that I just adore. Most people would have used the kitchen nook as a place to dine, but I love how she made it an area to relax. We currently did this in our own home and it works perfectly for us. Well, I am sure I could use the word "love" again and again for this space so I will just stop while I am ahead.

Style at Home

A Cottage: Before & After

I grew up in Massachusetts and as a little girl visiting Nantucket gave me such fond memories. This 1920's Nantucket cottage was returned to what it once was by Jeffrey Bilhuber. Although the outside of this cottage looks quite idyllic the inside was worse for ware. Mr. Bilhuber bought the property without first taking a look inside, well can you say buyers remorse, but of course being the great designer he is he was able to make this place into a show stopper. Of course I could dissect every picture into what I enjoy, but I think I will just let you all enjoy.

{via Architectural Digest}

I am swooning

If you have been reading my little blog, you know by now my infatuation with real estate. Every time I find a home redone there is always little tweaks I would make or redo completely. I then came across this home, whoever did it did it to perfection. Every image makes my heart jump with enjoyment. Too bad the price tag is too high for me, it usual is. My taste does seem to run a bit high unfortunately, atleast for a stay at home mom married to a pastor who enjoys dabbling in photography. Don't get me wrong I love my home and where we are in life, but I do like to dream on occasion.

project: kitchen

This kitchen was some what of an inspiration for the following kitchen redesign. I love the dark cabinets, the shelving, and the simplicity of it all. If you can remember I earlier posted on how my friends kitchen will be opening up to their dining and living rooms. Creating a large entertaining area, in their once smaller spaces. Currently there is a door way to the hall and a door way to the dining area, the walls in between will be taken down and a n L-shaped island will be added in it's place. I know this would be where pics of their home would be helpful. Anyway, I would love to see all the lower and island cabinets painted Link Gray by Sherwin Williams (it's a green/deep gray). I would then love for all the top cabinets to be gone and two shelves put in there place painted the same color. I know this too may not be realistic, so how about the upper cabinets being painted a lighter shade possibly Sensible Hue or Aloof Gray also by Sherwin Williams.

I know the counter top came out small, but I do hope you get the idea. I think a white with gray would work great and lighten up the space a bit while still tying in the cabinet color.
They want all stainless steel appliances and I think this range hood would be amazing. Oh, and if you did go with the shelving dear friends that would leave more money for some great appliances.
I have always loved the look of this faucet. I would lose the soap dispenser though. Okay, I will have to admit that I have had this faucet in the last two homes hubby and I have owned, purchased off of eBay for dramatically less.





This is where you either love it or hate it. I of course love it! The handles for the drawers and the knobs for the cabinets in antique brass would pop off ever so nicely off the dark cabinets. That little pendent would hang over the kitchen sink. I have a feeling I have lost you, so a oil-rubbed bronze handles and knobs would be nice too, but I still do like that pendent.

As for where the appliance currently stand I would leave it. That would keep costs down, but I would add a dishwasher on the left side of your sink if one will fit. I am sorry and I should have measured first. That would leave the island completely open and can be used as a buffet when entertaining. Also you could consider making a regular rectangle of an island instead of the L-shape. It would make the kitchen appear to be larger, just a thought. Oh I almost forgot, a slate gray floor would be ever so pretty, I mean masculine, oh whatever.

This brings this home project to an end. If they decide to go with any of my ideas I will definitely post before and after pics. I know the kitchen won't be for awhile, but they do want to start with the rest of the home, so I guess we will have to wait and see. Either way I am sure that I will be helping with some of the labor. They are really great friends. Luckily for me I have another friend who needs help with their home, so I will be starting that soon too. Maybe this time I will refer to them as Mr. and Mrs. F.

project: bath

My friend wants to get rid of all the blue fixtures in the bath. Including and not limiting it to the tub, sink, and toilet. The friend and I also discussed how she loves the idea of a full tile bath room. I love the idea and love the idea of using all white subway tile, but I am also realistic and know that for it to look good it needs to always be clean. This may not be my friends strongest attribute, so I propose a colored tile. The first is a clear glass tile that is just stunning. The second is a ceramic tile that is also stunning. Both would make the bathroom extra special. As for expense this may get high and in order to cut costs I would go with the following idea...



get rid of the tub all together. Yes, I said it and what would take it's place would be a full luxury standing room only shower. Okay, maybe you could add a seat if you would like. The cheapest route would be to add one of those pre-made ones, but my favorite idea would be to add a clear, frameless, glass door and tile the whole tub with the above tiles and paint the rest of the room white in satin so it would be easy to keep clean.

Yes, those are jets!

I am loving this sink and stand combo. The dimensions are small, but still with storage which makes it great for your bath.

Isn't this faucet so pretty?

This light hanging over a simple mirror would bring the look together nicely.

Oh, I would be sure to add a white toilet, but I believe that needs to be a personal choice. As for the flooring I would go with a lighter tile, whether gray or beige.