Color Theory

Happy Monday! How about starting the week with some color inspiration? As I'm writing this, my morning coffee hasn't finished brewing...I need a jolt of something! Maybe bright pink, brilliant white, with a touch of green and orange can help?

This is the home of Kathy Dalwood, a talented artist and designer. Her sculptures and busts are absolutely fascinating and her interiors aren't too shabby either:)

This is the only way to start your day, no? 

Soulful Retreat

Dreaming about this moody and sensual home, today. I love the black wood floors and dark walls. I imagine this to be a place that would inspire a great novel.

I had a jaw-dropping moment, when I saw this bathroom! The white marble and wood clad walls, oh my!

Via Yatzer

Colored to Perfection

(Adrian Briscoe photography)

Not much to say about this, except for WOW! Is it necessary to say much more?

Catalog Heaven

I often think about gathering the catalogs that clutter my mailbox and shipping them back where they came from. Just like the old Seinfeld episode when Kramer boycotts the post office. But! This week, the new West Elm catalog made me rethink that plan. The colors and patterns are wonderful, and I love the photos too!

Jason Polan Drawings

So much cool stuff! The catalog feels so fresh and so fun. Much of that comes from West Elm's collaboration with outside designers and artists, (including several Etsy artists). In the spirit of collaboration, the West Elm site features some interesting articles written by artisans from around the world in the Hand/Eye section. 

Shane Powers collection

Etsy artists

I think I need these glasses! Another cool feature in the catalog and website is the list of recommended paint colors. Yeah! All of you who are scared of paint colors, go here and get some help:) Have I conveyed my excitement, well enough? West Elm, I'm sure you are holding your breath until you hear my opinion, so breathe easy now. Props, for a job well done!

Dreaming of The Black Pearl

I know what you're thinking. "Oh, the Johnny Depp dreams again". Who me? Never...o.k. maybe. But that really isn't what I meant, by this title. Its actually the name of this gorgeous townhome  in Rotterdam. A total reformation of this century old building has resulted in an amazingly innovative home. I think my favorite detail is the bright green wall on the exterior. It looks like some sort of fabric, but I wasn't able to find any info. about it. Its awesome, though!!

The unusual details in this house are worth studying for a while. Especially if you need some ideas to kick you in the pants!  Find more info. at We Heart , Studio Rolf. fr , and one of my new favorite blogs The Best Part  .

Green Day 2!

Funny, I wasn't even feeling green until I saw this photo! I may also be feeling a little green with envy.

Holiday Blues

I'm not the only one who struggles with depression throughout the holidays, right? Why is that? I really try to enjoy Christmas time, but mostly it seems to bring me down. I hate that, but its the truth. Sorry to be such a downer today. Its just that its difficult for me not to be honest. My faith pushes me to be more positive and to invite good things into my life, but its a struggle at this time of year. I always feel like I haven't done enough for everyone and another year has slipped by. I don't have enough time to send out Christmas cards and take Liam to see Santa. I usually am scrambling at the last minute to finish buying gifts that I really can't afford, but feel guilty if I don't. Ahhhh! I want Christmas to be about my faith in Christ. I get frustrated that people refuse to acknowledge Christianity as the source of "Christmas" and yet my life doesn't seem to acknowledge that either! I mean what right do I have to complain?! I don't believe in expecting other people to do things I don't do. I have to say that I'm pretty fed up with these feelings I struggle with. (I'm only writing this, because it helps me when I get it all out). My life has to change. I already have been changing many things and will share them after the New Year.

You may be wondering what in the world these photos have to do with what I'm writing. Well, I posted them for purely selfish reasons. Basically, they make me happy! I needed a jolt of sunshine and fun and these photos have that, don't you think? I found them via Living Etc.

Come Hither

You know when you watch a scary movie and the main character walks up to a creepy building or room. Most of us think "Don't go in there!" Why do they always go in?! I always think, "I would NEVER walk in!" What if you walked up to a doorway that looked like this? I think I would take a chance on facing my doom, just to see the rest of this place:)

Via: Marie Claire Maison?

The Color Of Portugal

Oh how I love finding something new! Although I have often read Interiors Magazine, I had never seen their website. Its amazing! You can scroll through the periodical online and see their amazing photos. See it here. The current issue features this Technicolor house in Portugal.

I think I will literally dream about this kitchen and these cabinets for weeks! Wow!!

I love that the interior of the home, although with very bright accents; is grounded with subdued neutral tones. (Unlike the exterior that is) I wish in America we could be much more bold with our color, like so many other parts of the world.

The Blogger's Dilemma

Hey, I'm finally back! Yesterday was a complicated day for this blogger. First, I couldn't post pictures. I'm pretty sure it was a Blogger problem, but I'm not certain. Second, when I was finally able to post photos, I couldn't find the sites I needed to link too! I sat looking through my computer for almost two hours, searching and searching! I finally gave up in disgust and thought, "I'm going to have to start over in the morning". So this morning, as I looked at the photos again, I couldn't bring myself to delete them. So here is the dilemma. I know its protocal to always give sources and links, but could y'all forgive me for not sharing these with you? I mean come on!

So, I'm throwing myself at the mercy of the blogosphere that I may be forgiven for posting these without credit.
I really racked my brain to remember where they came from. All I remember is that this is a restaurant in Hong Kong...it blows me away! Soooo gorgeous!

Well, I hope you enjoy these. If anyone has an idea of their source, please let me know. Now, on with your Thursday:)

Friday Favorite: Anna Maria Horner

Happy Friday! This week went by very quickly and I haven't had a chance to post very much. I didn't want to leave all of you hanging for the weekend, so I thought I would share a new favorite website. If you need to get a refill on spectacular color, hop on over to Anna Maria Horner's site. Its so fun! I love these pretty rugs, they are like a party for your floors:)

You can also buy beautiful fabrics, sewing patterns, and smaller pieces of fabrics. I love these for smaller projects or for projects w/out large budgets. Now, I'm going to imagine how I could use some of these for myself!
Have a great (and creative) weekend:)

Does A Beautiful Office Make You Think Better?

I'm certain no one could deny this. Imagine a place like this waiting for you every Monday morning:)
(Office of Orla Kiely, found via Uppercase Tumblr)

A Little Confession

From Domino and Sarahleeab

Those of you who read regularly know how I love to go on and on about simplicity and minimalism. Well, all that is true; but I do have a confession to make. I love, LOVE paisley patterns! Yeah! I mean paisley is about as opposite from minimalism as one can get, right? Just the word brings up images of stuffy British libraries or something. I know, but I still love it. The intricate patterns and color combinations have always intrigued me. They are sort of an optical illusion. Some of you are probably skeptical, so I found a few examples of modern ways to use such a traditional pattern. With large scale and modern colors, these paisleys are anything but stuffy:)

From Becky Barreto

Don't you just love this chair? I mean no one can object to paisley, when its coming from Anthropologie! This is just so yummy!

Too Cool For School

This article from the New York Times, caught my eye today. Two New York designers decided to take a simple and clean approach to designing their East Hampton home. Their inspiration was the practical decor of a school building. I love this concept because it combines minimalism, modernism, and practicality. Of course, I never went to a school that looked this fabulous...but you get the picture;)

Green With Envy

Happy Monday, everyone! Mine was brightened by an early morning email from Joni. A quick glimpse into a fantastic home that makes me feel, oh so envious. Especially this kitchen! I can honestly say, this is the first time I've seen a kitchen so perfect for me, that I would not want to change a detail. I LOVE it! Sadly, some other lucky person will be enjoying it, since it recently sold. Whoever you are, if you are reading this; please don't change that kitchen!

The rest of the house's color scheme is beautiful too! I love the earthy neautrals with an occasional bright, bright color. So exciting:) Also, check out the black stained concrete floors. Ahhh, I'm so smitten.

This house is located behind one of our favorite family restaurants, so I have been admiring it's exterior for a couple of years now. Mark and I always said we would want a house that looks just like this, who knew I would feel the same way about the interior too!