weekend finds...

So after hearing your feedback on my post about my love affair with empty frames
I took your advice...
I want you all to know how much I appreciate the love + feedback you always give.
It warms my heart. 
After scouting for a few more gold frames, I found 2 that fit perfectly inside the big one.
(in real life...it looks bangin'. photos don't do it justice)

also, while at the flea market
I found this beautiful framed Vintage Vogue print. 
It was marked for $25 and I got it down to $15.
it is now happily at home over our bar cart. 
we love it.

secret of domestic bliss #15... get it monogrammed

It may seem a tad bit traditional, but showing off your initials in your home is anything but.
It keeps your digs completely personal and gives your place a little something special.
The Montage hotel in Laguna Beach puts your initial on your pillow in your room during your stay. 
How special would that make you feel?
It got me hooked...and now I am obsessed with having my initials in my home. 
I just love the way it looks on linens.
materialgirls 
la dolce vita
flourish
tabletonic
bhg

scenes of a project...

Right now I am working on a little cottage in Brentwood, CA.
It is absolutely adorable...wish I lived there.
It is only a rental but it is taking so much work.
I will call it in the 'under construction' phase as the renter is a travel junkie...
thought I would share with you some sneak peak shots.



(the above blue chair + white coffee table I found while thrifting for super duper cheap)



Final result to come soon...i pinky promise.

client inspiration...paige

Thankfully, I have amazing friends who inspire me everyday and ask me for my help when decorating.
I get to do what I love to do...and they encourage it.
One of my best friend Paige, just got a new apartment with her sweetie, down in Venice.
It is literally blocks from the beach and it is so adorable.
So this post is sort of a baby inspiration for her new digs...this post is for your paigy! 

Emily of Frenchie & Flea (one of my favorite blogs) has an awesome home tour on apartment therapy.
It is so adorable, every little detail is perfection...and it's exactly what I am envisioning for 
Paige + Mike's new beach bungalow.





holy weekend makeover!

ok...so my apartment is 'under construction' hence, not the best photos.
(i want you guys to see it finished)
I do however, want to share with you one of my recent DIY projects.

I currently live with my male cousin and we have completely opposite taste,
so we are going for a masculine chic look.
A friend of ours gave us these candle holder/panel thingys as a housewarming gift. 
(yuck!)
but my cousin loves them...so they are here to stay.
I thought...'hmm, why not recover?'
and they went from this...
to this!
(excuse the lighting, it was so late at night)
it required minimal tools + equipment.

what do you guys think??? 

oh! by the way, happy st. patty's day!

Today is the one day of the year when green prevails over every town in our nation.
i think it's pretty awesome.
Such a bummer when this awesomely cool holiday comes in the middle of the week.
Anyone have anything fun planned today?
I am recovering a small stool in my apartment with some pretty green fabric tonight 
with my cousin (i saved the project for this special day + i can keep myself busy while my sweetheart is away. yes!)
hope you dolls have a great day!














I thought I would throw this in for good measure...
i'm kind of obsessed with it.
images courtesy of...
shopbop. design-files. decodetective. desire to inspire. domino. john locke. little green notebook. tobifairley. thenoisiest. the bottom of the ironing basket

secret to domestic bliss #8...decorate in threes

To keep up on my design chops, I once read a Feng Shui book
 and to be honest I only got a few things out of it
that seemed realistic to my decorating tastes. 
One of them being that decorating in three's creates harmony in the home.
I didn't know how to incorporate that into my style because I adore symmetry.
I quickly realized in design school that decorating in three's just makes sense,
it creates balance to the room without being too matchy-matchy.
 If ever you are in doubt of how to work accessories or items into your room
without looking overly done, just stick with the rule of threes.
trust me...it works.

Here, three pillows balance the art + lamps.
sets of 3 pillows on couch corners is perfection

3 vertically placed frames warm up these windows
3 pairs of mirrors provide a large scale focal point.
a group of 3 happy blue vases is bliss
3 mirrored panels are a perfect match with this low setee

notice the blue file boxes in groupings of 3.
3 candlesticks + 3 stacks of books make a beautiful tablescape
add 3 items to the fire mantel for simplicity
try 3 layered framed photos....
or try 3 hanging ones above the bed
stack books in groups of 3 to keep them looking tidy
or use 3 book shelves to calm the madness
3 mirrors above a bed is too cute
3 panels of framed artwork in this bedroom keeps it traditionally perfect.
to add color, put 3 matching pillows on the bed
these 3 black tall table stands on the right, completely balance the frames + lamp on the left.


secret of domestic bliss #5...bring back the black

image courtesy of odietamo
In Los Angeles, black is back and badder than ever.
I have recently fallen for the artwork of Ian Macdonald
and his fantastic black ceramic installation. 
I seriously want to create this look in my home, it's perfectly modern.
How on earth could I not want a collection like this?

images courtesy of IanMacdonald
His work is just a wee bit out of my price range so I might be able to recreate the look with these things that I am digging on.

Oh yes. Imperial Trellis!

While I was reading my blogs of the day, I came across this fantastic picture over 
at Elements of Style blog. My jaw dropped as I discovered that this fabulous wall isn't wallpaper. Oh no, not wallpaper, it's a DIY project that came out looking like the spitting 
image of an extremely expensive wallpapered room. 
Hello Gorgeous blog gives all the details on how to achieve this amazing look.

Breathtaking, huh?

swoon worthy things for the home

It is taking all of me to not want to shop today, but I must wait to shop in NYC.
Sometimes I just get in the mood to buy things for my home, especially when I see
beautiful images that inspire me. It's very rare for me to not have something new in my mind that would be perfect for my home...or my wardrobe.
Today I want to share some things that I wish I could run out and buy right now!
I'm probably dreaming a little bit, but its still fun.

a fabulous mirror

clawfoot bathtub
white + gray everything
zen outdoor dining
jewelry boxes
white curtains with a pink stripe
a fantastic pitcher for sangria

hanging lanterns

 images from bohemianvintage, homelife.au + marie claire maison