Two Guest Posts!

Just a short and sweet note to let you know that you'll find me elsewhere this morning and that I would love for you to stop by and say hello!

I'm sharing a few of my favorite vignettes over on the Rue blog...

And dishing on a few of my style icons over on The Iconic Blog! Please pop over if you have a moment and come back here this afternoon when I'll be launching a very fun giveaway!

Just a short and sweet note to let you know that you'll find me elsewhere this morning and that I would love for you to stop by and say hello!

I'm sharing a few of my favorite vignettes over on the Rue blog...

And dishing on a few of my style icons over on The Iconic Blog! Please pop over if you have a moment and come back here this afternoon when I'll be launching a very fun giveaway!

Samantha Pynn

What is it with me and super feminine interiors lately? I can't seem to get my fill. This space by HGTV-featured interior designer Samantha Pynn is tugging at my heartstrings this morning...

{Dark wood floors ground white walls, a capiz chandelier, a white lacquer dining table, and airy striped curtains. I love the large framed sketch as an alternative to a bolder abstract or portrait. And is that chilled champagne I see on the buffet?}

{The adjoining living room is equally delightful. I love the continuity of using the same curtains — although who would want to block out all that natural light? The fact that the combination of white walls and wood floors is so common in rental apartments inspires me to think that my first place need not be boring simply because I won't be able to paint!}

{An alternate view of the living room reveals that Pynn brought in one of the dining chairs near the fireplace as occasional seating for entertaining. I might have used more colorful shades for the sconces on either side of the fireplace but I can't take my eyes off the pink chairs — the perfect conversation starter!}

- - -

What do you think of this ultra-feminine abode? (And are you sick of all these girly spaces yet?)

What is it with me and super feminine interiors lately? I can't seem to get my fill. This space by HGTV-featured interior designer Samantha Pynn is tugging at my heartstrings this morning...

{Dark wood floors ground white walls, a capiz chandelier, a white lacquer dining table, and airy striped curtains. I love the large framed sketch as an alternative to a bolder abstract or portrait. And is that chilled champagne I see on the buffet?}

{The adjoining living room is equally delightful. I love the continuity of using the same curtains — although who would want to block out all that natural light? The fact that the combination of white walls and wood floors is so common in rental apartments inspires me to think that my first place need not be boring simply because I won't be able to paint!}

{An alternate view of the living room reveals that Pynn brought in one of the dining chairs near the fireplace as occasional seating for entertaining. I might have used more colorful shades for the sconces on either side of the fireplace but I can't take my eyes off the pink chairs — the perfect conversation starter!}

- - -

What do you think of this ultra-feminine abode? (And are you sick of all these girly spaces yet?)

I had to share...

I mean, how cute are these? Just in case you're as into elephants as I am.

Dannijo necklace, $295 | Anthropologie hook, $20

I mean, how cute are these? Just in case you're as into elephants as I am.

Dannijo necklace, $295 | Anthropologie hook, $20

Spring Has Sprung!

We're expecting a high of 82 degrees in Pennsylvania today and I for one couldn't be happier. It might be back to the 50s tomorrow but I'm living in the present and walking with an extra skip in my step to celebrate the unseasonable warmth. What's the weather like where you are?

{photo by Anna Spiro}

We're expecting a high of 82 degrees in Pennsylvania today and I for one couldn't be happier. It might be back to the 50s tomorrow but I'm living in the present and walking with an extra skip in my step to celebrate the unseasonable warmth. What's the weather like where you are?

{photo by Anna Spiro}

How To Spend Your Weekend

This weekend you must pop over to Amber Interiors. She is funny, likable, and talented to boot. If her dining room (and homemade art — not joking!) doesn't make you want to see more, I don't know what will! Have a good one!

This weekend you must pop over to Amber Interiors. She is funny, likable, and talented to boot. If her dining room (and homemade art — not joking!) doesn't make you want to see more, I don't know what will! Have a good one!

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?