Check it Out - Progress!

After way too many weeks of living in a house that is in a state of chaos because of this remodeling project some progress is finally being made.

But before you act too impressed with all of our hard work, this is what the rest of the house still looks like:

It's a work in progress for sure. I can't wait until the time comes that I'm showing you the final results. Stay tuned...

Related Posts:

Went a Little Crazy This Weekend

Tale of a Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Remodel Take 2

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A Color Combination Update

Thanks to yesterday's color combination post Laura Bobo, designer and owner of the shop Enid, shared with me a few photos or her fab loft space that just happens to contain the aqua and orange combo I was raving about.


I love she is creating a living space that is so fun and vibrant and I can't wait to see the rest of her decorating projects develop. Maybe if we say pretty please, Laura will give us a peak at the rest of her home.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Related Posts:

Color Combination: Aqua & Orange

A Color Combination Update

Color Combination: Navy & Teal

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Color Combination: Aqua and Orange

I had a lot of fun putting together the last Color Combination post and folks seem to have responded positively to it so I thought I would give it another go. Perhaps this can become a regular series, would you like to see that?

It seems I've been drawn to a lot of photographs of rooms containing this orange and aqua color combo. It's so fresh and happy. I enjoy rooms that are punctuated with a lot of white the most. It keeps it from feeling like you are living inside of a Miami Dolphins uniform. I might be cheating a bit with a few of these photos where the color might qualify more as "Martha Blue" then aqua but you get my drift and either combination will work together really well.

via sfgirlbybay

via desire to inspire

Ahhh, this photo - could you die? Wouldn't this be the most beautiful wedding ever?

via sunday suppers

via sfgirlbybay

via design*sponge

Is there a color combination that has been grabbing your attention lately? Share away.

Related Posts:

A Color Combination Update

A Color Combination Update

Color Combination: Navy & Teal

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What Word Would You Use to Describe Your Decorating Style?

Apparently my design style can be summed up with one word: eclectic. For reasons that I don't fully understand, I really dislike the use of that word. It could be that it conjures up images of homes a mess with a hodge podge of too many styles, no attempt made to cohesively blend these styles and homeowners cheerfully describing this mess as "eclectic" (a scenario that usually takes place on HGTV).

Last fall I signed up for a Home Decorating course at my local adult school. On the first night of class the teacher had everyone rummage through her piles of home decor magazines and cut out five or six photos that grabbed their attention. She then went around the room, reviewed the photos, and diagnosed each person's design style. Individuals were defined by labels like Traditional, French Country, Shabby Chic, etc. When she sat down next to me and took a look at my photos I quickly noticed the furrowed brow. I explained how my taste generally leans towards Mid Century but I am often drawn to feminine and ethnic print fabrics and really enjoy a worn wooden flea market furniture piece. She then exclaimed, "Your style is actually not hard to define at all, it's Eclectic." Great. How anticlimactic.

From that point on I decided that I would prefer to consider my style undefined (and perhaps, undefinable) and I'm totally fine with that. I will continue to pull together pieces that are mid century, bohemian, sometimes feminine, modern, etc. What's important is that instead of noticing a room full of random pieces you will see a finished product that looks purposely pulled together and just feels good.

Here's some photos of what many would consider to be "eclectic" rooms that are done to perfection:

sköna hem via dwellings and decor

patric johansson via desire to inspire

via the style files

via apartment therapy

Can you describe your decorating style with one or a few words or would you prefer to remain undefined?

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Technical Difficulties

It's been brought to my attention that for the past few days it may not have been possible to leave comments on this blog. Apparently the word verification has not been working which I can only assume is a problem with blogger that they will hopefully remedy soon. Until then, I've turned the word verification off. If you wouldn't mind, could you please try leaving a comment on this post so I can see if it's working now.

Thanks Loves,

Michelle

Tasteworthy Tuesday: Sangria

Sangria is my favorite summer beverage. Aw hell, forget summer, I drink it all year long but for some reason only think of making my own in the summer. This sangria recipe is wicked. By wicked I mean both wicked good and wicked strong. It's one of those drinks that goes down easy and creeps up on you slowly. It's delicious, I promise you, but if you'd prefer your guests not linger too long I would serve over a bit of ice and topped with club soda.

Sangria

Serves 10 - 12 (approximate)

Ingredients:

2 liters of dry red wine

1 c. brandy

1 c. triple sec

1 1/4 c. orange juice

2/3 c. frozen lemonade concentrate

1/4 - 1/2 c. sugar (optional)

2 oranges cut in chunks or slices

1 apple cut into chunks

club soda (optional but recommended)

Instructions:

Instructions for this one are easy. Add all ingredients to pitcher and stir. The longer the ingredients have a chance to meld the better so this is a recipe you can make the night before and have chilling in the fridge ready for when guests arrive.

*Important note: The club soda does not go in the sangira when you are preparing. It should be added to the individual glasses.

Update: Looking for a recipe for white sangria? Check out Stephanie Levy's blog.

Photo Credit: We Heart Food

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Is it Brilliant, or...?

As I soon as I saw this I knew I had to share it. Jessica Gonacha posted this image on her blog Treasuring which sent me running to check out the artist's flickr page:
This image was created by Jesse Wright as part of a series titled Subliminal. Here's what Jesse has to say about this collection of works:

Conversations can be riddled with words, phrases and clichés that fail to communicate actual meaning, intention and emotion. In my series, subliminal, I explore the idea that it's not the words that are delivered, but the ideas behind them that are important and revealing. This work attempts to reveal possible meanings behind common conversational constructs while transmitting the underlying confusion, discord – and, possibly, truth – they represent.

And in one word, it is brilliant. There are so many thought provoking images so you must check out the entire collection on flickr.

Jesse Wright also has an amazing photographic portfolio that can be found here.

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Decorating Pet Peeves

I thought I would do something a little fun and different this Friday afternoon. Instead sharing photographs of interiors I love or artwork I'm inspired by I'm going to spill the beans about things I see quite regularly in interiors that make me want to climb the walls or scratch my eyes out (okay perhaps I'm being a bit dramatic). Play along won't you, I'm dieing to know if there are things you see that make your skin crawl.

Sofas with Rolled Arms

I know this is a weird one and that this is a very classic sofa design but I just can't deal. Never will you see a sofa, love seat, side chair, etc. with those two little round things on top of each arm.

Pottery Barn

This one might get me a lot of hate mail but it's cool, I can handle it. I don't actually hate everything from Pottery Barn. I actually, ahem, own a PB rug. I just have a general distaste for this Pottery Barn culture that exists. I'm with Phoebe, they might just be evil masterminds. They have somehow convinced many of us that Pottery Barn is an actual decorating style and that you must have every item from one their room displays for your room to look complete. It will be okay, you don't actually "need" that apothecary table.

Dining Room Sets

I think a few of you may offer nods of agreement to this one. Please never go to a department store and purchase the dining table, eight chairs, china cabinet, and buffet. I know it's easy but it is so boring.

Sets of Anything for that Matter

See description from previous. And please, please, please never by the sofa, love seat, coffee table, end tables, and two lamps package. I'm begging you. If you need helping pulling all of those things together just ask. That's what I'm here for.

TVs Mounted Over Fireplaces

This one is for you Nichole :) I can appreciate that this arrangement was created to help solve the "Should the furniture be facing the TV or the fireplace?" question. However, I would much rather see you hang a nice piece of artwork that you can sit by the fireplace and enjoy staring at as opposed to a 42" flat screen. Plus I'm pretty sure I read that the heat from the fireplace is bad for the TV and may shorten it's lifespan.

Mass Produced "Artwork"

This set of 4 prints cost $99! $99 for mass produced botanical prints that you will most likely spot hanging in your neighbor's bathroom. Don't do it. Shop around on etsy, go to to local art shows, find an old wildflower field guide that you can tear apart and frame the pages. There are so many options that would allow you get creative or support your local art community that buying prints like these is never necessary.

Well I've gone on long enough and it's your turn to rant. Or you can go ahead and call me out of my mind for hating Pottery Barn. It's up to you.

Loves and have a great weekend. I know I'm going to.

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Small Space, Big Style

Have a small space that is bursting with personality? Create a short video that shows your creative style and innovative use of space and send to Urban Outfitters for the chance to win a $1000 gift card.

Five finalists will be chosen and featured on their site. The public will then have the opportunity to vote on the grand prize winner.

Paper Funk Press

(I apologize for my unannounced blogging hiatus. Life got crazy, work is busy and my house is completely torn apart. I promise to get back to a semi-regular posting schedule by next week.)

I just order some fun and brightly colored artwork for my newly painted walls. I was hoping to have a picture to share of the paint job but the rest of my home still looks like this so I think I'll wait until it actually looks like some progress has been made.

I'm always drawn to prints I find in etsy shops that have up beat and motivational phrases. These are from Paper Funk Press (great name) and I especially love the "Everyone should do their best to kick ass at life" print. It will be great to have that constant reminder hanging on my wall. Check out the shop for other great prints and stationary. This set of prints was a steal @ 4 for $20.

News, News, News...

Designer Michelle Adams and photographer Patrick Cline, both former editors of Domino Magazine, have teamed up to produce an online decorating and lifestyle magazine.

Here's the news from Michelle:

Over the past six months as we've all watched our favorite shelter and lifestyle publications come to an end, it has left design lovers worldwide longing for inspiration and wondering what's next for the world of magazines. So Patrick and I decided to do something about it. As a special treat for you, we've rounded up some of your favorite (and boy do I mean favorite!) editors, designers, artists, bloggers and friends, and in September, 2009 we will be launching our premiere issue of an online decorating and lifestyle magazine called Lonny. Please be sure to spread the word, and check back in the coming weeks as we share with you our first ever cover shoot, and more details about the mag ;)

I'm definitely looking forward to checking it out. How about you?