Friday, May 29, 2009


I love these little doors.

So, chances are I will not be getting a room solely for the keeping of books. This is a great little compromise- the reading nook. Walls are lined with books, a drape keeps the little divan in privacy... It's very nice.

Another alternative:
They made a tent in their house! I don't know why I am so crazy about tents right now, but look how cozy! And Dave, you could pretend that we're camping! And I could pretend we are on an African safari surrounded by the comforts of civilization.

The outdoor shower! Perfect for when you get back from the beach. I love the fixture and the metal bucket hanging down.

I am a fan of the painted wood floor- here's another design.

This is kind of crazy but I am loving the idea of a tree in the bathroom. This could totally work in Washington, right? Right, Dave? Also, that is some awesome wallpaper.

Brooke and John got me thinking about these in their Brooklyn apartment. So perfect for storage- in a teenagers room or a utility room, even in a bathroom where you could get that spa/locker room feel going.
This is a space I would love to create: the cobblestone patio, the ivy covered tree, the gorgeous big tree in the background, the lazy hammock waiting to be used.

These remind me of the cabin, too. Lovely little brass beds.

Oh Sundance catalog... How I love so much you have to sell. This cabinet is beautiful. I love the label holders and the little drawers at the bottom. Dave- we should totally make this.

So Dave hates this- he thinks it's impractical and weird and off putting. I love it. I'm not sure why. Maybe I just love the picture itself and the color they chose to paint it. I do love the little windows and thin little door. I think if I saw it in an actual house I wouldn't like it. Maybe.

Industrial but stylish.

These are sold out and way more than I would be willing to pay, but so clever. There is probably no way to recreate them myself (what with my lack of welding skills) so it's probably a lost cause, but I wanted to show it. Would have been pretty cool.

I love the colors of this kitchen- mostly white, dark ebony floors, vivid yellows and little green. So pretty. I wonder if I will like it next year...

So we have the vintage circus theme going on the The Boy's room and I love this giraffe on the wall. Seems like a pretty easy project...


I would have loved one of these as a kid. I think every child should have a little secret place to play and think.

Remember the time we were out driving and you saw something like this and you spent about 20 minutes telling me all the things we could use it for? I thought you were crazy. Mostly because you kept calling it a fortification or something like that and it reminded me of how you want to have a German tank someday (for the kids to play on?!). But I kind of love this. It's charming and beautiful and we could have offices in it and the kids could play Rapunzel... But it mist have a balcony and exterior shuttered windows. Or interior, those would be cool, too.

Note to self: get Kyle to make some of these for me...

We really need to get some of these boating flags...

How gorgeous is this? The slate tile roof, the wandering climbing roses, the dormer window, the trim, the garage door hardware... I love it. This is a great alternative to the giant carriage doors we like.

I like the cabinet hardware in this kitchen. It reminds me of the cabin. Especially if you put the little twisty knob latches instead of those bun pulls. It's homey and fairly clean at the same time.

I've been big on having a butcher's block for a while now, but I am liking this idea too- get a table, make a butcher's block-like wood panel on the top and you're set. It would just have to be a pretty strong table...
The painted hood looks pretty great, too.

Thursday, May 28, 2009


Hospital beds are also on the approved list for kids. How awesome are these? And each kid could have their own little medicine cabinet on the wall by their bed.

Going along with my theme of crazy vivid colors: the curtains.

Pretty simple, but visually strong.

Such a gorgeous little hideaway to mimic if we ever happen to live in a converted old firehouse or schoolhouse.

I think we should each have our own little outdoor offices. Connected by tin can telephones so I can tell you funny jokes.

So the wall and window trim are painted white, but the pane parts (what is the word for those?) are black. Rather lovely.
Dear Dave, let's move into one of the following:






There always seems to be some space in a kitchen that is deep and skinny and utterly unusable. Here we introduce the pull out shelf. This would be perfect for spices

I am loving black and white together these days. These stars are kind of awesome.

First off, I love the colors. I have always imagined the vivid red front door, but the yellow is growing on me. Is this just because this yellow is rather trendy at the moment or is it lasting enough? Or do we just repaint the door every year? That might be very fun indeed.

Also love the porch area itself. Specifically the door with it's 2x4 panes and matching panes on the walls next to it. And the lights... It is all beautifully symmetric.

Not loving the pillars. Hey look Dave, white brick!

Where does one find these lovely ladders? And how would one keep their kids off it?

I am in love with this couch. It's not as cleanly designed as I usually like, but the idea that it all comes apart like a transformer of comfort is awesome. I am imagining watching movies with the family or dragging off a couple cushions to make a reading nook in the corner or under a sunny window.

But here's where I'm unsure: When my parents decorated the Laguna house they made sure all the couches were neither long enough or comfortable enough for two people to lay down on together. It made each room a kind of chaperon for young love. I have always thought this was rather wise. But then where do Dave and I get to (insert better word for snuggle. I've always disliked that word for some reason)?

I love these wide and shallow kitchen lights. Especially the white inside with the black outside.

I am liking the gallery walls full of framed pictures. This one has quite a bit more punch to it than the others have shown.

I could live in a house made out of multiple little rooms like this. One for eating, one for reading, one for drinking hot chocolate while wrapped in blankets just after dusk, one for growing poppies in mismatched pots.
I love the little cobblestone walkway with the grass growing around it- not completely straight and tidy, just charming.

Thursday, May 14, 2009


I'm really into collections lately. And so I am loving this collection of folding mirrors. I think the presentation could be stronger and more organized, but a cool idea.

One more. Though I like the metal one more...

I love the industrial horizontal cabinet as a coffee table. I really need to get one of these to hold my prints.

I like the juxtaposition between the all glass wall and the solid wood door. It seems like this somehow gives you more privacy than the glass paned doors, but maybe if the visitor is only standing right in front of the door. So maybe just an implied privacy?! Anyway, there would be gorgeous light in this place.

Another sweet mobile made from ribbons and paper.

I am loving the bathroom on the right, with it's scientific drawing of weird sea creatures. If we go with urban nautical, this would be a great idea for a kids/guest bathroom. It is crazy busy, but in a way that works.

I think this was saved by Dave, who is dying to have his own private dock. I agree that it is awesome, especially if we could childproof it somehow. And no, tying the kids to life preservers doesn't count.