101 in 1001: Update No. 1

A few of you indicated in my reader survey that you'd like to hear about the progress I'm making on my 101 in 1001 list. I'm happy to report that I've completed ten of my goals since January 1! If you figure I have to complete one task every ten days, I'm right on track!

1. Come up with 101 things.

2. Inspire someone else to write a 101 in 1001 list (Roxy from My Cup Of Te).

7. Redesign my blog as a reflection of my personal style (thank you, Hanna!).

8. Tie up loose ends: business cards, favicon, and Facebook and Twitter pages.

9. Launch an inspiring interview series called The Design Dialogues!

14. Take on an interior design client (hi, Christine!).

28. Upgrade to the iPhone.

64. Try one totally-out-of-my-comfort-zone exercise class.

89. See one (or six) of my sister's Amherst softball games.

91. Try five new-to-me foods: beans, brussel sprouts, edamame, grapefruit, sushi.

- - - 

There's another handful of tasks that I've started on and I feel great about the progress I'm making! Do any of you have a similar list? I would LOVE to see!

A few of you indicated in my reader survey that you'd like to hear about the progress I'm making on my 101 in 1001 list. I'm happy to report that I've completed ten of my goals since January 1! If you figure I have to complete one task every ten days, I'm right on track!

1. Come up with 101 things.

2. Inspire someone else to write a 101 in 1001 list (Roxy from My Cup Of Te).

7. Redesign my blog as a reflection of my personal style (thank you, Hanna!).

8. Tie up loose ends: business cards, favicon, and Facebook and Twitter pages.

9. Launch an inspiring interview series called The Design Dialogues!

14. Take on an interior design client (hi, Christine!).

28. Upgrade to the iPhone.

64. Try one totally-out-of-my-comfort-zone exercise class.

89. See one (or six) of my sister's Amherst softball games.

91. Try five new-to-me foods: beans, brussel sprouts, edamame, grapefruit, sushi.

- - - 

There's another handful of tasks that I've started on and I feel great about the progress I'm making! Do any of you have a similar list? I would LOVE to see!

Old Bones, Fresh Take

One of my [many] dreams is to buy an old home and bring it up to date, preserving what I can and staying true to the home's original character. Some of my favorite homes have wonderful old bones whose rooms are then filled with a happy mix of traditional and modern pieces.

{Historic details like white moulding and a vaulted ceiling become the unexpected backdrop for a contemporary dining table and Eames armchairs. Only the antique chandelier and elaborate candlesticks hint at the home castle's real age.}

{Old ceiling beams are an off-kilter contrast to the industrial pendant lighting and loudly patterned chairs in Susanna Salk's kitchen, featured in Rue Magazine.}

{A Saarinen dining set finds an unlikely home alongside the stunning herringbone floors and dramatic fireplace in this grand living room, featured on Design*Sponge.}

*Thank you to Katie Beth for the edits!

One of my [many] dreams is to buy an old home and bring it up to date, preserving what I can and staying true to the home's original character. Some of my favorite homes have wonderful old bones whose rooms are then filled with a happy mix of traditional and modern pieces.

{Historic details like white moulding and a vaulted ceiling become the unexpected backdrop for a contemporary dining table and Eames armchairs. Only the antique chandelier and elaborate candlesticks hint at the home castle's real age.}

{Old ceiling beams are an off-kilter contrast to the industrial pendant lighting and loudly patterned chairs in Susanna Salk's kitchen, featured in Rue Magazine.}

{A Saarinen dining set finds an unlikely home alongside the stunning herringbone floors and dramatic fireplace in this grand living room, featured on Design*Sponge.}

*Thank you to Katie Beth for the edits!

Outdoor Rooms at Chic Geek!

I'm excited to be guest posting on my friend Catherine's adorable blog today!

She asked me to write about one of my favorite design trends... and with spring allegedly on the horizon, I went with outdoor rooms!

Can you think of a more delightful place to entertain? I hope you'll check out the rest of my post here!

I'm excited to be guest posting on my friend Catherine's adorable blog today!

She asked me to write about one of my favorite design trends... and with spring allegedly on the horizon, I went with outdoor rooms!

Can you think of a more delightful place to entertain? I hope you'll check out the rest of my post here!

Forever Favorite

I will always love this living room. Plain white walls are the perfect antidote to traditional pieces like the wheat-inspired sconces and the deep coral velvet settee. Spunky accents like Moroccan poufs and a predominantly pink book collection (note to self: must duplicate!) complete the picture. It leaves me wanting to see the rest of the home!

I will always love this living room. Plain white walls are the perfect antidote to traditional pieces like the wheat-inspired sconces and the deep coral velvet settee. Spunky accents like Moroccan poufs and a predominantly pink book collection (note to self: must duplicate!) complete the picture. It leaves me wanting to see the rest of the home!

Drum Shades

Lighting is a critical component in any room — yet lamp and pendant shades are often overlooked as an easy place to inject personality and style. My favorite shape lately is the drum shade, which I admire for its simplicity and subtle glamour.

{When I pinned this image, I captioned it "proportion perfection." The dramatic size of the drum shade echoes the round dining table and provides contrast to the diminutive sconces on the opposite wall. Bravo, Samantha Pynn!}

{The khaki color of this pendant drum shade picks up on the mocha of the upholstered benches and draws the eye up along the windowed wall. How I dream of having a similar breakfast nook one day!}

{The simple shape of a drum shade is equally effective on a table lamp. Jessica Stam uses them to break up the straight lines of her modern apartment.}

- - -

What do you think of this classic shape? How have you used lamp shades to zhush up your own home?

Lighting is a critical component in any room — yet lamp and pendant shades are often overlooked as an easy place to inject personality and style. My favorite shape lately is the drum shade, which I admire for its simplicity and subtle glamour.

{When I pinned this image, I captioned it "proportion perfection." The dramatic size of the drum shade echoes the round dining table and provides contrast to the diminutive sconces on the opposite wall. Bravo, Samantha Pynn!}

{The khaki color of this pendant drum shade picks up on the mocha of the upholstered benches and draws the eye up along the windowed wall. How I dream of having a similar breakfast nook one day!}

{The simple shape of a drum shade is equally effective on a table lamp. Jessica Stam uses them to break up the straight lines of her modern apartment.}

- - -

What do you think of this classic shape? How have you used lamp shades to zhush up your own home?

Loved.

Bobbi+Mike's favorite fifty "loved" photos from 2010 made me smile. 

I thought a few of my favorites would be a good mid-week pick-me-up 

for you all too. How cute is the couple in the library aisle?! I'm in love ;)

{discovered via the very cute Tulips & Flight Suits 

which one of you recommended in my reader survey!}

Bobbi+Mike's favorite fifty "loved" photos from 2010 made me smile. 

I thought a few of my favorites would be a good mid-week pick-me-up 

for you all too. How cute is the couple in the library aisle?! I'm in love ;)

{discovered via the very cute Tulips & Flight Suits 

which one of you recommended in my reader survey!}

Why Don't You...

...stake out one space in your home and channel the girly glam interiors of Suzanne Kasler? I adore the unapologetic femininity of this home. Maybe stick to a closet where your boyfriend or husband won't mind ;)

...stake out one space in your home and channel the girly glam interiors of Suzanne Kasler? I adore the unapologetic femininity of this home. Maybe stick to a closet where your boyfriend or husband won't mind ;)

Navy Baby

Try as I might to introduce color into my wardrobe, I will forever find myself falling back on navy. It's the perfect hue against my fair skin and red hair — and I love the way it looks paired with other neutrals like khaki, gray, and white. These J.Crew looks depict everything I want to be wearing this spring and summer: messy hair, inventive layers, and classic stripes. What's your go-to color?

Try as I might to introduce color into my wardrobe, I will forever find myself falling back on navy. It's the perfect hue against my fair skin and red hair — and I love the way it looks paired with other neutrals like khaki, gray, and white. These J.Crew looks depict everything I want to be wearing this spring and summer: messy hair, inventive layers, and classic stripes. What's your go-to color?

In The Details.

We're always being told to look at the big picture. While it's important to keep an eye on the future and to not sweat the stuff, it's just as important to enjoy the little things in life. I love seeing completed before & afters, entire rooms and homes renovated to suit their owners' design sensibilities. But today I'm pledging to revel in the small details that often define the overall: a slightly off-kilter gold fitting, reflective windows capturing a sunny afternoon, intricate moulding framing a light-filled interior. What are some of your favorite details in your home?

{all images via the darling Patterson Maker}

We're always being told to look at the big picture. While it's important to keep an eye on the future and to not sweat the stuff, it's just as important to enjoy the little things in life. I love seeing completed before & afters, entire rooms and homes renovated to suit their owners' design sensibilities. But today I'm pledging to revel in the small details that often define the overall: a slightly off-kilter gold fitting, reflective windows capturing a sunny afternoon, intricate moulding framing a light-filled interior. What are some of your favorite details in your home?

{all images via the darling Patterson Maker}

Kate Spade's Preppy Perfection.

Adeline basket, $325 | Lawn Party clutch, $225

Lawn Party tote, $295 | Cabana Stripe, $295

I must draw your attention to these new arrivals at Kate Spade. How darling is the straw basket with green leather trim or the straw tote with sequin stripes? They're destined to become your new staples for spring and summer. By the way, the names have me dreaming of garden parties and poolside cabanas... Not bad for mid-morning reverie!

Adeline basket, $325 | Lawn Party clutch, $225

Lawn Party tote, $295 | Cabana Stripe, $295

I must draw your attention to these new arrivals at Kate Spade. How darling is the straw basket with green leather trim or the straw tote with sequin stripes? They're destined to become your new staples for spring and summer. By the way, the names have me dreaming of garden parties and poolside cabanas... Not bad for mid-morning reverie!