I wish I had an entryway...

Our apartment doesn't have a great entrance. The front hallway, which we never use, has some pretty *interesting* wallpaper, and the back stair takes you on a scenic trip past the laundry and dumps you unceremoniously in the kitchen. There isn't much opportunity to create an inviting and functional area.

While coming up with ideas for my friend Heidi's place (here) I've found tons of inspiring spaces, so I figured I'd share a few!

Phoebe Howard via DecorPad

I love how simple and elegant this is.  A perfect place to perch and put your shoes on.

I'd kill for a big entry space with a beautiful table. Although let's be honest, if it was in our house it would be covered in unopened mail!

Thornton Designs via DecorPad

Ken Gemes Interiors via DecorPad

Let's add some graphic pop to the mix!

Kelly Wearstler via Lonny

Love the floor...

Blount Design via DecorPad

Now that is some punch!  I love the bold horizontal stripes.

Lizzie Bailey via Lonny

Erinn Valenich via DecorPad

The mix of patterns and colors is great. And that red rococo mirror reminds me of a frame I picked up from Ikea a while back.  

 

Maybe some red is in this frame's future...

 

Tobi Fairley via DecorPad 

Love that sunburst mirror peeking out from beyond.

 

Laurann Claridge via Lonny

 

Karris Dale Design via DecorPad

Maxi Dresses

I adore maxi dresses for the summer.  They are effortless and you always end up looking chic and pulled together.  Add some fun sandals, an easy sholder bag, shades...and you're off! 

Here are some of my favorites:

Left to right: Forever 21; Forever 21; Anthropologie; Lanston; Ella Moss; Free People; Aqua; Velvet; Forever 21

Outdoor Living

We finally had a beautiful 70 degree day last Friday and it got me thinking about my dream patio design.  Ideally I'd be designing this space around a beautiful infinity pool, but I'm trying to be reasonable and keep it small scale. Sigh. 

Here is what I came up with!

Crate and Barrel Regatta Chair and Table

Pottery Barn Three Tiered Market Umbrella

Crate and Barrel Greek Islands Candle Holders

Crate and Barrel Madera Hurricane

A-Round Stacking Chair

Dash and Albert Diamond Indoor-Outdoor Rug

Crate and Barrel Pedestal Side Table

Calico Corners Sea Scallop Indoor Outdoor Fabric

Happy Weekend!

Anthropologie-Inspired Chandelier

Since we live in a rental, I am very selective about where I invest time and money on updates.  Painting was a must and the decorations can come with us when we move.  However, I draw the line at any project that requires an electrician. 

This was a problem since our dining room had one of the most uninspired chandeliers I have ever seen.  In preparation for hosting our first Thanksgiving as a married couple (yes, this post is a little late...), I decided to dress up the existing fixture.  My mom had seen an amazing decoration at Anthropologie (sorry I don't have the original pic, but you might remember it) and we decided to adapt the design for this purpose.  Using strips of ivory fabrics and some hula hoops we rigged up something special.  Take a look!

Before (blah!)

One tier done...

Here you can see the hula hoops. 

We just hot glued the fabric strips directly onto them. 

Then I covered up the parts you see with some additional fabric.

And here is the final look!

I like how you can still see the bottom of the chandelier.

Time to celebrate after a job well done!

Heidi & Matt's New Nest

I'm helping my best friend Heidi and her husband Matt decorate their new house, and I'm having way too much fun.  They haven't even moved in yet (let's not get ahead of ourselves, they haven't even closed) but we are already in full design mode.

We are basically starting from scratch. The house is brand new and Heidi is moving in from a small one bedroom apartment, so there is not even much furniture to work with.  Honestly, the prospect of starting with a completely blank canvas is both exciting and overwhelming (but mostly exciting).  I only wish we were closer.  I'm here in Connecticut and she is all the way out in Colorado.  Somehow we will make this work!

I'll be sharing ideas (and hopefully more progress shots) as we go through the process.  For now, let's start with the entry.

The entry is often the first design statement for a house. It is the first room you see when you enter and the last room you see as you leave.  It is a place to have a little fun and set the mood. I've seen dozen of entry design that I love, from large entry foyers big enough to accommodate a central table to a simple arrangement of a shelf and a mirror.  In Heidi's place wall space is tight, so I think we'll have to stick to something compact.  

Here is my inspiration piece:

 Atoll Mirror from Ballard Design

Someone needs to own this and I think that person is going to be Heidi.

Ok. Now to put the room together! First, the background.  Since there is only a small amount of wall space to make an impact, I'm thinking that some wallpaper might be just the punch that is needed.  I love this wallpaper from Anthropologie (let's be honest, I love anything from Anthropologie):

 Block Begonia Wallpaper

I love the way the frilly edges of the mirror look up against the floral in the wallpaper.  To balance out the girliness of these pieces, I propose a more masculine parsons-style table.  An industrial brass work lamp adds to the mix.  I'd finish it off the table with a old silver bowl to hold keys and the like and prop some cool paintings up under the table to add something unexpected.   

wallpaper - anthropologie

table - crate & barrel

mirror - ballard design

table lamp - arteriors home

paintings - the painted sky & juniper house (etsy)

rug - ballard design

A cool graphic indoor-outdoor rug is perfect for a high traffic entry area.  I'm crushing on these:

One small entry down...now on to the rest of the house!