Volga Linen

I love linen. I love embroidery. I love a monogram (mine in particular) so it seems these gorgeous luxury linens from Volga Linen are just the ticket. I think these would make perfectly delicious gifts for mom, sister and girlfriends this year! Do consider.

White Bathrooms-So Fresh and So Clean Clean

All white bathrooms are getting some serious PR these days! My Architect (aka my hubby) and I have several bathrooms we are working on right now so I am knee deep in mood shots for clients. These are just a few of my fav. After getting a trade email from William Sonoma Home featuring Katie Lydon and how she just loves an all white bath, I decided that yes, I DO know what I'm talking about here! Katie is right on the money. Interior Designers would be building you everything from doll houses to dog houses in white Carrera marble right now if you 'd let us because there is something really great about a timeless, classical all-white space. As Katie put it, every year you can simply change out the accessories in a white bathroom to get a whole new feel. Much cheaper than changing the tile I assure you of that. These are all bathrooms that beg for a place to sit down and hang out much much longer than it takes to shave those legs so make sure you fit in a nice little seat somewhere. If you are rich, add a cappuccino maker, day bed and a flat screen while you're at it! Put your designer on speed dial.

images via Decor Pad & Nate Berkus


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Beautiful Home Offices

Here are a few oldies but goodies from Domino Magazine's files. I love these home offices for two reasons. 1. They show personality. 2. They are done with a lot of reasonably priced furniture and antique pieces one could find cheaply. These are great inspiration shots for the gal (or guy) who wants a beautiful home office on a budget. *Please talk to my talented sister-in-law if you need an organizer, that is most certainly not my strong suit! Like so many other people we are stuck in a home that is under water and we are completely bursting at the seams when it comes to space. It must be the nesting because I am really trying to get organized and make our little house function better as well as look better. The office is a great place to start.

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Gorgeous Stationary and Pens are the Perfect Gift!

I am already getting the "want do you want for Christmas?" question and I think some beautiful personal stationary and a fabulous little pen are just the ticket. I love sending and receiving a beautiful note card in the mail. The stationary above is all from Dempsey and Carroll, one of the oldest and most famous of all stationary engravers in the world. They even supplied Jackie Kennedy with her personal stationary and unique color of handmade ink. Now, we can't all afford a box of these cards but there are plenty of reasonably priced sets that I'm certain your special someone would love!

Also, the famous Montblanc Pens are a beautful gift as well. Forget the one on the right though, the Aurora Diamante Pen, encrusted with over 30 carets of De Beers diamonds, is estimated to be over one million pounds. You have to be so rich to own this pen that you can't even use dollars. Wink, wink.



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Creative Jewelry Display

images via Dress, Design & Decor, Heather Ulrich, The City Sage and Apartment Therapy

I swear I'm going to the bottle if I have to untangle my jewelry one more time! Do you guys have this problem or are you all organized and perfect and labeled and color coordinated? I'm a mess with my one little jewelry box and every time I go to buy a new one I am horribly shocked at the price tags. You can include jewelry boxes on the same list as razors, a full set of highlights and organic milk. I am not crafty by any stretch of the means but I think even I can manage one of the options below. I'm going for the old picture frame option and might get all jiggy with a wallpaper background. Add it to my to-do list.

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Inspirational Blogging Imagery

I suppose this post is a sneak peak into a great new inspiration for design and specifically my blog. Some days it's hard to come up with something to share with you and when you find a website that has beautiful images it really helps! My new find is weheartit. If you are a blogger you will love this site. Today, I typed in the word, "Norway" and wahlah gorgeous, inspirational imagery to fuel the imagination. Go try it, you will waste the morning.


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Beautiful Hand Printed Wallcovering

Lately all anyone wants to ask me about is wallcovering! I've had 3 or 4 people just this week want to know, "where can I get some wallpaper?" My answer is always, well through me silly!
* More on what it means to buy "through the trade" later. I think these papers are so, so lovely from Greg Kinsella that I had to share them with you. These are hand printed on natural substrates like jute, grasscloth and sisal. I am partial to these types of papers because I like the mix of something natural and earthy with a precious finish. It would be fabulous in a powder room, a dining room or a dressing area. This isn't something you'll be replacing in a few years due to the cost of product and installation so choose wisely. Again another reason to hire a professional interior designer. Wink, wink!

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Baby Strodl's Nursery Inspiration

Mobile, Light, Stuffed Animal, Wallcovering, Cribs, Art, Rocker, Drapery

I've been meaning to do a preliminary inspiration board for the baby's room for awhile now. It's amazing how fast this pregnancy has gone. Poor child, he's already suffering for being third in line. Anyhow, with the help of my awesome painter dad, we are going to paint my existing black crib kelly green and put it against a white and gray backdrop. I can't believe I actually found a photo of a crib painted in the exact shade of green I've been dreaming about. Just when you think you're original right?! Anyhow, my plan is to let that crib shine and punch up the white walls with some bright artwork. This piece by John Dilnot has me melting right now as does the Mr. Mustache mobile. We always gift the boys with their own blabla doll and this little black and white pup seems just right. I know the Eames rocker and Cole & Son wallcovering are cliche but I love them so shut about it. Let me know what you think. It's for me so any suggestions would be great!


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Pattern Play

I totally admit my fear of mixing patterns. It's so hard to determine when something looks eclectic, fresh and bohemian versus koo koo. I guess it's all about fearlessness and a good return policy, right? Anyhow, I was inspired by this photograph above taken by the talented Marcus Ohlsson and decided to round up a few interiors showing off their own pattern play.

images via Lundlund, House Beautiful, Sherrill Canet, Decor Pad, Elle Decor

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