Plank

With fall here I should start to focus on getting fit for ski season. But for some reason the only planks I want to be looking at are wood ones. 

Love the light boards - allows for a darker pallet to not make the corner too dark

Never too much wood. Especially with those windows.

The floor planks add a bit of warmth to the black and white (and green) space.

Also - I think I've found my new favourite blog: Scandinavian Retreat. I want to live in all the places! 

Stockholm Minimalism

While I try to muddle my way through cleaning up and organizing my house this fall, I thought I would post some inspirational places as motivation to let go of more material items. 

This apartment in Stockholm looks pretty perfect if you ask me. Clean, uncluttered, but still full of personality. Warm leathers balance the cool blues and greys. White walls contrast the warmth of a wood fireplace. Solid fabric colours but enough throw pillows to have a bit of fun! And the thoughtful clusters of personal items cut the sterility. 

As linked

Cozy fire nook

Just what you need, and a touch of beauty

Minimal everywhere but one nook. 

That fig tree. *heart*

Literature Display

Bookcases have been on my mind lately. It is probably because a) Ever since January I have been collecting books to fulfill my new years resolution to read more, b) currently my bookcase looks like a bomb went off, (I hope to spring clean it this weekend), and c) country has been on the mind lately and whenever I go to the country, I read... Coincidentally, some spectacular bookshelves have popped up online lately as well.... I am attracted to these four full wall bookshelves.

Airy and very fresh, from Design*Sponge's sneak a peak of Lyndsay Caleo and Fitzhugh Karol via Cup of Jo (I also love the wood beams on the ceiling)

Cozy and vintage from William Waldron via Desire to Inspire

Books at all heights designed by Bernstein & Audriulli via Desire to Inspire

Bright rustic shelves via skona hem and via coco & kelley

Relish the Rural

I've been itching for the country... farms, barns, cottages, you name it. Wide open spaces. Rooms that are weathered, worn, rustic, surrounded with wool, flannel, and denim. And when I stumbled over these images, I was quickly transported out of the noise and hustle of town into my peaceful country paradise. I'm sure I'll be revisiting this post often...

All images are from the lovely Desire to Inspire

Guest Room Inspiration

This image from Remodelista has given me inspiration for a guestroom, that is, when I have a house with a guestroom!I love the way the bed is not made and set up almost institutionally. Such a juxtaposition from the traditional guestroom decor. It reminds me of the first day of summer camp when you run into your cabin to find the best bed! I also love it because I hate making beds and I always feel guilty as I am tearing out the beautifully made linens when staying with friends. This one found on Emma's Design Blog is also inspiring. I love the pile of magazines as a side table and the shelf!

Photography by Annika Vannerus

These both work so well because I am sure that when I have a guestroom, it will me a multifunctional room, and these simple beds will allow me to switch the room from craft space to guest space with ease!

Sweet Dreams Andrea!

My dear friend who's boyfriend I posted about just below is also trying to decorate her room. Andrea is an amazingly adventurous and has traveled extensively. She has Italian heritage, but also embraces the Spanish culture, speaking the language and dancing the dance (salsa). Her pastimes include cooking, yoga and being outdoors. For her room I want to incorporate many of these themes into her room, especially her travels to Turkey, yoga, and bright Spanish flair! Here is what I have come up with.....

Some ethnic elements....

Ara via Desire to Inspire

Elle Decor via Coco & Kelley

Some interesting ways to show art... they also inject some lovely colour! I love the decorative frames, which are feminine and add visual interest!

Photography by Damian Russell via Desire To Inspire

This one might be a little much, especially for a bedroom, but I wanted to illustrate how mixing and matching frames and mats can really add an eclectic, romantic flare! (I am sure James will not like this room, but Andrea just might like some elements!)

Elle Decor via Coco & Kelley

Since Andrea has a cream bedspread, we can bring in the colour with pillows and a other fabric.

Via Desire to Inspire

Via Sfgirlbybay

Appeasing to the yogi in Andrea, and the green thumb, I would love to have a Buddha in the room, and some plants. A plant in front of her window might be the perfect way to diffuse the light and street noise!

Via Desire to Inspire

I do have a question for Andrea though, are you more romantic....

Via Coco & Kelley

Or bold?

Via Desire to Inspire

For the love of a good place to sleep.

James, my friend Andrea's boyfriend, moved into an apartment last month and is looking to make it feel homey on a budget. He had me over to show me around his new pad and describe what he wanted. I don't have any pictures of what it looks like, but will take some this weekend and then post them... In the mean time I am going to post some inspirational rooms to see what he is feeling. I am really excited to hear what James has to say with my suggestions!

For the bedroom James has this great blue duvet cover which I wanted to work with to create a beachy (yet slightly northwest) feel...

Let's start off with some inspiration...

Warm summer bonfires near the beach....

Via Elements of Style

Via Elements of Style

With a dash of tropical....

Via Sfgirlbybay

And making sure that water is the focus....

Photography by Cody Pickens via Sfgirlbybay

Bringing this all into a room....

I don't know where I got this photo from! Does anybody know?
(I just love the waves print... it inspires so much openness... I also love the use of the earth tan colours, they warm up the cool blue but maybe it will need to be a bit more masculine, like this next one...)

Via Elements of Style
(James look at the drift wood mantle... I love it! I also like the brown, and tans and wicker...)

Via Elements of Style
(Or this one, with more blue....)

Via Coco and Kelley

I really like these muted blue colours, I think if we bring in a darker blue it would really add depth to the space....


And, just randomly - an idea for your hat... get a whole bunch of them and hang them in a corner, adds some wonderful texture to the light walls, is totally beachy, and super cheap!

Via Elements of Style

So what do you all think? Would you let me take your bedroom to the beach?

Afraid of the Dark

Does anyone remember that series "Are you Afraid of the Dark?" based on the novels by Sidney Sheldon? Well, I felt like one of the characters in that show last night...and I will fully admit - I am afraid of the dark. I am still asking myself why voluntarily I in went into a forest outside of town at night... (ah what we do for skiing!) And why I let my imagination get the best of me? I'm 25 years old, I should be able to reasonably convince myself that the bogey man doesn't exist! But the forest was eerily, quiet, and full of shadows... Several times I jumped around sure that something was behind me ready to attack! I think this means no more scary movies if I ever want to grow out of my fear of the dark!

Good thing I am not afraid of rooms with a dark pallet!

Martyn Thompson via Designers' Brew

Via Coco + Kelley

Marie Claire Maison via Designers' Brew

Winter warmer

Since it is the first day of December (and World Aids Day) I thought I would share some warm cozy images with you from Living Etc! Snuggle up friends - It's going to get chilly!

Now all I need is a cup of tea and a good book!

Sit back and relax

It seems that I have had it with decorating, trends and beautiful photography today. A wave of design nausea has come over me and I can't shake it; just yesterday I was on a roll, feeling inspired and creative and full of life! What happened? I wish I knew, I sure hope this funk lifts fast, it's the Holiday Season!

Here are some rooms that don't make me want to pull the covers over my head!

Joanna Henderson via Nestled In

Via Elle Decor

Via Desire to Inspire

Adrian Briscoe

Hummm... is there a trend here? I think this anti decor bug might be from a little lack of peace and quiet....(and sleep) I think I am going to go find myself a seat like one of these and relax for a bit - before the all the eventful weekend!

Party Season!

I'm back in town and I am ready to go out and party with my friends! Good thing, since the Christmas party season has started! I got a head start last night, with a impromptu girlfriend gathering at the Flying Tiger only an hour after getting off the plane! How great it is to be back in the world of wonderful drinks and food and familiar faces, it was almost sensory overload! I'm still dizzy on how fast the Internet is and how bright and flavourful the colours are and how warm it is! The next few weeks will be filled with...

Festive dinner parties (Jeffrey W. Miller)

Work Christmas parties (Jocelyne Beaudoin) (I love that sputnik light!)

And tons of catching up with friends! (Jeffrey W. Miller)