Reclaimed Wall

This is an amazing reclaimed wood wall at the Ace Hotel in Portland. Might just be the inspiration you need for using up some old wood you have in the back yard! So simple and rustic...

Back in the Spring Groove

Well- we're back! We had winter weather in Utah which is ok with me since we were skiing. They got dumped on so the first day we arrived, so there was powder and sun the rest of the time! Now it's time to get a bunch of stuff done so we can go back to Michigan to meet our new niece- Jessica Joann! Born Friday, March 25th 8:09pm. In the meantime- spring is back in Chicago and I'm looking forward to some warm running days and flip flops! Speaking of spring- the new JCrew spring collection has arrived...

Gone Skiing!

We are spending the next 5 days skiing in Park City, Utah! I can't wait to get out of the city, hit the slopes and get exhausted, wind blown, sun burned and maybe a little tipsy after a full day of activity. Cross your fingers that we have snow like this... (although it is not in the forecast)

Awaiting Baby Nemes!

My sister-in- law is having a baby tonight and we couldn't be more excited! I've been getting ideas for baby announcements lately. Check out these letterpress masterpieces from Elum.

Fore!

I know- I've been stuck on save the date's but that's what i'm busy doing right now so that's what I'm going to share! I'm loving these charming and preppy Save the Date's from Studio on Fire. They letterpress printed the invite card and the bride did the rest- tee stuffing, argyle print in the box mailer and the stamp for the outside of the box. Enjoy...

Love it!

Check out these Save the Date's!...

Creating Nooks

I have always dreamed about building my own house- I mean "our own house". I have so many ideas and would just love creating a space where my family finds refuge at home. This house would not be huge by any means, but will have character busting out of the seams and sunlight pouring in the many windows. One thing I would love to have are many "nooks" where we can hang out, grow plants, admire books, display black and white photos, sit and drink scotch on a worn leather chair (Dave's requirement), gaze outside, curl up with a good book, drink coffee or just relax.

Make a kid friendly reading nook out of an awkward corner.

Nothing says nook like a ladder only entrance!

Stairs leading to a sleeping nook...

Before and After

I would have posted this lovely kitchen anyway, but the fact that it was a remodel of a studio apartment that was the size of a shoe box makes it that much more amazing! This is a 400 sq. ft. apartment on the upper east side. Can you believe something so amazing could fit in that small of a space? Enjoy...

after

before

Paper Bag

Paper Source just came out with a new collection of Paper Bag note cards, envelopes and Letter size paper! These will look great with a contrasting bright color!

A Natural Glow

Designed by Barend Hemmes, the "Wooden Bulb" is made from laser cut wood, which leaves a crisp burned edge and creates a satisfying, waffle-like glow. You can either hang it from the ceiling or lay the bulb on its side!

Feeling Grounded

Happy Friday- finally! I have news: we found a place! We signed on our new apartment last night and I'm really excited about it. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen, storage, rooftop access and SPACE! I thought we would never find it. But now I can't stop thinking about the things we need to outfit our new digs. We already have a ton of furniture, but I would like to get some new rugs for the living room, our bedroom and the guest bedroom. What luck that West Elm is having an exclusive online rug sale for the next 4 days! 10% off all orders and the shipping is not as bad as you would think. (I put a 8' x 5' rug in my shopping cart and the shipping was only $20) I should wait until we move in, but they are only on sale for 4 days! What to do?

I've got my eye on this jute bucle rug shown below for our bedroom. I can't decide on the color though- platinum or natural?! I am thinking of painting the walls a really light gray so the platinum would make sense, but I am drawn to the natural too.I would love the matching runner for the guest room.

Here it is on the platinum finish:

I'm also pretty obsessed with the pebble rug. It is the softest plushest thing ever! It would be great in the living room since we sit at the coffee table alot to work on computers, feast or just play with Myko. (our golden retriever who is also super excited to live above her favorite dog store in the city)

Sit Down!

Busy, busy, busy! I just want to sit down and relax! Speaking of sitting, I just found out about these designerly chairs by Kenneth Cobonpue. They are so architectural but evoke a calm feeling that I have been yearning for lately! I hope your lives haven't been as crazy as mine lately. Enjoy...

House Hunting

Good morning! We have been looking for a new place for the past couple of weeks so I have been super busy! We have come up empty handed so far, but the search is still on! I will keep my game face on and power through without getting my hopes up only to have them let down because we have the cutest golden retriever know to man :) Oh well- she is so worth it. We will find a place located more than 10 feet from the train with more space, a nice kitchen and parking all included- i just know it. In the meantime, we have come across some really nice places for rent that i'm assuming were taken off the real estate market because of our drowning economy. There really is alot out there! What do you look for in a rental? I don't think i'm asking alot with my list...

1. SPACE (more than 1150 sq. ft.)
2. one or two bathrooms with storage (these bathrooms should not include black and white checkered tile or black jacuzzi tubs)
3. an outdoor space (small deck will do)
4. a bedroom that we can walk around in while our bed is still in it.
5. an area where a small home office will fit
6. Hardwood floors are highly desired, but not a must (on the contrary, the carpet should not be muted gray, green or any other drab color)
7. Kitchen- this might be my pickiest area, (and the hardest thing for my husband to understand) but I spend alot of time cooking and entertaining in my kitchen and I would like this to be the nicest entity in the space!
8. Storage- as in closets. Being from Northern Michigan I have collected my fair share of coats. Not to mention my clothing collection that I really need to organize and purge!

Is this too much to ask? On another note, I forgot to post the images I found of the kitchen in "It's Complicated". I fell in love with it when I saw the movie. Very french utilitarian. ( i made that up and have no idea what it means, but it sounds right!) Enjoy...

Dramatic Transformations

It's Friday! I woke up this morning thinking, "thank god this week is almost over!" This led me to reflect on my crazy week of constant phone calls at work and two new brides inquiring about invitations and remember that I was actually thinking clearly on Monday morning. Friday's are spent getting rid of all the clutter that built up during the week so I can get up again on Monday and breathe clearly! Maybe when I'm older I will learn how to stay positive throughout the week but until then my sanity will keep going through a dramatic transformation from Monday to Friday. Speaking of dramatic transformations, I would like to highlight some of the "before and afters" I have seen lately. It always blows my mind what you can come up with if you put a little TLC into something. Sherry and John at young house love have performed some dramatic transformations- here are some that blew my mind! Enjoy!

Before- a dark narrow room

After- a place to feel good!

Before- there are no words for this :)

After- amazing and bright kitchen

Before- dated white entrance

After- sunwashed living room!

Before- outdated red brick fireplace

After- fresh whitewashed dining/living room!Before- $20 craigslist find

After- nursery dresser

Rustic Shabby Chic

I just got the new Serena & Lily catalog and can't keep my jaw off the ground! ...

The birds nest lamp

This "Brazilian" rug is so simple yet rich looking- i love when fur is manipulated to look modern.