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! 

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!

Over a Year

So the one year anniversary of my blog came and went and I totally forgot! I guess that is one of the pitfalls of only occasionally blogging. I wish I had something profound to say about the last year of blogging, but it's Monday morning and well, I haven't been blogging lately. One thing I will say is that this experience in expressing myself and the connections I have made with fellow bloggers has opened up a whole new world, and awaken part of my persona which I had neglected for a very long time.

Via Sfgirlbybay

While the blog posts have dropped off, my love, admiration and inspiration for design, art and lovely things has not. I look forward to a day where my posts will pick up again and I can once again share all the thoughts and ideas streaming through my head!

Looking forward to another year of inspiration. xo

Bright Metal

I am in love with these stairs by Product and Design Metalwork which I found over at Remodelista. I love the way they have a solid and heavy presence, but allow the light to come through so nicely. The clean simple lines, with the interesting triangular detail on the bottom add some really neat interest! Does my love for these stairs make me a modernist?

Wrap me up and loop me around....

I totally forgot about my love for afghan's until I came across this post.....

All images via Smosch

My great-grandmother used to make afghans, so we have a few back at my parents home. They are all made with a black background, and until I saw this one, I thought that was the only way, but I love the white, it is so fresh! Oh, I wish I had an afghan of my own - I love looping the knots over my fingers and toes when I curl up on the sofa. These blankets got me through a lot of sick days...

The talented Sandra from Smosch recently finished hers (as seen in the images). I would love to be able to do this one day.... I wonder how much time it took...

France, je t'aime

I love the french language. This is a new realization, which is odd considering I was in french immersion through my entire grade school education. It was the first language I learned how to spell! A couple of weeks ago I tried to speak french, and when it didn't come easily I realized that I have lost so much of it! I couldn't believe it, I was upset, disappointed and especially sad. So, this week I am going to try to practice my french... and while I do, I thought I would explore everything beautiful that is associated with being francaise! Come along with me and explore the fine culture and beauty of France. Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea... lets soak it in!

This the the National Emblem, designed in 2007 by Jerome Blume.

To start off the week, here are some beautiful Parisian bedrooms... wouldn't it be lovely to wake up in one of these beds? I think I would wear high heels and dresses everyday if I lived in this room, but then again, I would also speak french everyday! Bien, j'ai besoin de commencer a pratiquer!

Via this is Glamorous

Marie Claire Maison via a la parisienne

Airspace Via Paris Apartment

Bathe

An Arctic air mass blew in yesterday, while being beautifully sunny, it is also freezing! It would be a perfect day to take a bath in one of these.... Cozy warm water, yet with a view of the beautiful blue skies!

Attic bathroom? I love how they managed to put the little window in front of the bath... So cute!

Via Black Eiffel

I could just imagine this house being on a hill, where you could hunker down in this tub and storm watch... the sound of rain hitting the glass and the distorted view through the water flowing down the panes, such a great contrast to the warm calm waters of the bath!

Via Bo Bedre

These sophisticated dark bathrooms inspire so much contrast and you can't help but be drawn to the light outside... especially if it's a bright day. I love dark bathrooms.

Via Domino

The French do it so well....

Via Marie Claire Maison

A shower and a bath? And a bath in black? I think I have died and gone to heaven!

Via Desire to Inspire

Cottage baths? Can it get any more relaxing?

Via Designers Brew - formally The Nerdy Fashionista

Modern and sleek, looking out into your garden oasis. I hope your neighbours don't peep over the fence!

via A Life's Design

Rustic yet crisp. I love the ceiling, the tons of light keep it nice and airy.

S. Russell Groves via A Life's Design

Aren't these two little kids just the cutest?

From Asberg Interior and Design

Mental Replacement

I'm inspired by this mantra these days.

Via Daydream Lily

How wonderfully liberating?

Love this...

I just thought I would post this, it is an image that has been saved on my computer since I started writing, and I can't bring myself to delete it. I don't know where it's from, but I love the pattern and the teal - grey mix. It has me thinking of fabric patterns.

Saturdays are for....

Not writing blogs!  Apparently neither are Fridays this week either!  I'm on a bit of a girls weekend, so time has flown by! 

Wouldn't it be lovely to entertain in a setting like this? via Desire to Inspire

I hope you are all having a good weekend too! 

Shrug Love....

The sequence mini dress is cute, the photo is original, her legs are envy worthy but the over the shoulder sweater is to die for! I love the curvy and slouchy sleeves that become the body and the fine stripes add to the flow! Now if only I could find a pattern - or even see the back of it... then maybe I could use my new sewing machine to re-create this!

French Vogue via trust your style

Re-globed

I just can't seem to get away from these Globe lights! I was my first one a couple weeks ago and now again today! Maybe it's a sign? I was going to put up the Chandelier in my room this weekend, but now I am having serious second guesses!

House Beautiful via If The Lamp Shade Fits

(I'm in off site training all day, so unfortunately this is all the posts for today! I'll be back tomorrow with the follow up for Katie! xo)

Office Day

It's my first day back at the office, and I am currently surrounded by paper and up to my ears in emails! Here's a little something until I find a moment to post something a little more substantial!

One day I am going to wear this to the office....

Shawn Patrick Anderson

And my office walls are going to be lined with books like this....

Tim Evan-Cook

And I am going to design cool, functional shapes like this....

Michael Larras

But until then, my office cube will do!

In From the Cold

I just came in from an 1:45 walk, and I am feeling inspired! I love the feeling of fresh air on my face and in my lungs. So as I sit here and thaw out with a lovely warm cup of tea, I just thought I would share some winter walking inspiration...

Stunning Winter White...

J.Mendel Pre fall Collection via Apartment #34

Cozy white winter furries...

French Elle Decor

Warm winter white little candles...

Kasha Harmer

It seems like I like I'm inspired by white and warmth today!

Back to Black

It has been a while since I last posted about a black and white bedroom... don't worry, my obsession is still here! I was just waiting for the perfect room, and here it is... thanks to littlewoodstock on flickr! I forgot how dramatic a large amount of black is in a room, it really does make it feel cozy yet elegant... (some would disagree I am sure) But I love it!

The black wall paper reminds me of why I hung black fabric on my wall in both my last two rooms... drama! Hummm... Should i do it again?

Even though it is quite a small room, the black doesn't make it feel too closed in. I think it helps the area, bringing the focus to one wall, rather than making you feel boxed in... or have you focus on the window. Stunning!

Office Space

So I did a lot of de-cluttering at my desk this weekend, and i am feeling pretty confident about my work space... well that is, I was feeling good, until I saw this article from Martha Stewart. She recently opened up her many offices near the Hudson River in New York to show us where the creativity happens. [Note: Yes, the same Hudson River the Airbus crashed into on January 15th, she even has photos here!] The offices are so fun, and personal and are just asking to be used! I think these real images are even more inspiring than flipping through the pages of her magazine! Drop on by Behind the Scenes and read the comments behind these creative workplaces, they totally add to the images!

The office desks

Inspiration Boards

Prop Storage... aka...Heaven

Too good to be true? Well I talked to one of my friends who worked there on an internship and she said that is exactly how the offices look! Amazing! Although, I guess I shouldn't be that shocked, if any office would be clean and organized, it would be Martha's!