map me

Update: So in that dream bedroom I told you about, scratch the orange.  I want rust color accents.  Much like the ones in this beautiful map.

I felt like my one-day bedroom was missing something and I definitely just found that something.  You can find me dreaming about this pretty thing tonight.

Man, blue carpet is going to be way harder to deal with than I thought.

PS: Will just asked me where the green blue and plaid comforter is going?  "Is it going to the dry cleaners?"  "Are you turning it over to the stripe side?"  "Where is it going, Allison?"  Don't worry Will, all comforters go to heaven.

goodbye green and blue plaid comforter

One of things that I miss most since moving up to CT with Will is my awesome Queen size mattress that I bought at the beginning of my senior year of college.  Not only does it have a pillow top plus an extra memory foam pad, but I also got a sweet deal on it because, well, the man ringing me up wasn't the best at math and he was doing it by hand and... yeah.  Before you think I'm a terrible person, just know that my dad was sitting right beside me while this math went on and he didn't speak up either.  Okay maybe just a little bit terrible.

Anyways, getting to enjoy that bed for 7 nights - and plotting how to get it up here - combined with all this moving stuff (good news: we picked a place for January - July!), has made me think about how I would decorate the bedroom from almost scratch - if I could.  Then I remember the new place has faded royal-blue carpet in our bedroom so yeah, I won't be rushing on this because a) we'll be moving again in July and b) um, weird carpet. 

However, if I were to decorate the way I like, it would probably have this comforter



With a tufted headboard like this (but maybe in a darker taupe color?)

Source

And with decorative pillows out of this fabric (which lucky me, I already own!) and maybe other fabrics with punches of orange?

Source

Source

And there would be a lamp similar to this, but made with the brown bulb vase I bought at TJ Maxx and maybe a tweed or burlap shade

Source

With this clock on my bed side table

Source

And a copper elephant that my dad is going to make will of course be found somewhere amongst all of this.

I will definitely be looking for that comforter to go on sale one day soon.  And now that I have a new work space to play in, I can totally make the vase lamp so it will be ready to go.  Another plus to moving is that it makes me want to go through everything and get rid of tons of clutter so I'm actually looking forward to moving this time.  Hopefully I can keep this positive attitude going strong.

the makings of a very fine kitchen

When I went home for Christmas (how sad is it going to be when I run out of stories that start with "When I went home for Christmas"?), I finally got to see the pretty little rug I ordered with a $25 credit from Gilt.  It was even better than I remembered.  Then, I spotted a framed Sevilla poster behind a dresser that my friend Kristen gave me a few years ago.  And then (it really helps if you do it in the Dude Where's My Car voice), I remembered that Will gave me a 10-piece pots and pans set last year and the handles are orange.  Let me show you why that matters.

Do you see what's happening here?  I'm already desigining my one-day kitchen (complete with bright white cabinets and dark wood floors because a girl can dream).  To make things even better, I already have a red tea pot, a large skillet with an orange bottem and a medium skillet with a red bottom.  I love when things come together so easily.  Knock on wood.

And just because I can, I might just add this to the mix.

Source

It is orange after all.

obsessed

Okay you might not know this yet but it's probably time I share it: I have a slight obsession with elephants.  Let me tell you, Will is super excited about it.  First it started with the salt and pepper shakers I wanted.  Then came the 2 elephant "statues" I got at Ross while I was there with my parents a few months ago - they totally thought they were cool.  Even stuffed animals are getting my attention and that has happened since I was like 12 years old.  Everytime I see an elephant these days I point, smile giddily, maybe jump up and down, and squeal "Look Will!!! An elephant!"  Like I said, he loves this new development.

But last night I hit the mother load.  While perusing the print shop I discovered on Urban Outfitters, I found this guy:

Even Will likes this one!!  Those colors, those flowers, those lines, those bubbles, those swirls - it is exactly what I would do if I had only thought of it first.

So yes I'm in love.  I'm also in love with this print shop I discovered.  There are so many good pieces and they are so reasonably priced.  I would love to put this collection on my wall, in this way:

Clockwise from left: buffalo, rhino, elephant, and black sheep.  Picture frames.  Picture maybe switching the elephant with the rhino.  Picture my smiling face everytime I would see this. 

Before I go crazy and order all of them go, I'm going to challenge myself to try and draw something similar to the elephant print.  Sure I might have to trace an elephant since real life was never really my thing - I'm an abstract and random design kinda girl - but I actually think I could do something pretty close.  So while I'm sitting around watching football and desperately cheering on my fantasy team, picture me drawing an elephant.

All images from Urban Outfitters Print Shop

Update: I just found this image on Sugarboo Designs:

I want to sit on the ground on a table cloth and paint this immediately.  Come on weekend!

split personality?

So today I was reading my all time favorite blog, Young House Love, when I came upon 4 different "What's my Style" quizzes that they linked too.  This immediately intrigued me because as I've been diving into this whole decorate-and-do-and-fit-and-make-it-yourself world (and by diving into I mean looking at pictures and projects and being insanely jealous of all the people who have the time, means, and houses to do such projects), I've been trying to figure out where I fall on the design spectrum.

Before all this new found design love, I assumed that I would of course gravitate toward traditional dark stained wood on strong pieces and good colors and patterns all over the place.  Now I'm finding myself loving the idea of a white room with white walls and white furniture and seriously decking that place out with some sweet pops of color and accessories.  I'm finding myself actually (gasp) liking the idea of painting furniture and even though that usually means an antiqued white or gray piece, I recently saw a picture of a dry-brushed, antiqued green dresser - and I liked it.  Since the idea of putting paint on a beautiful piece of furniture freaked me out, the idea of doing a two-toned part paint, part stain project was just plain crazy talk.  But then I saw this table, and I now have plans for Will's old coffee table...

Okay but back to the quizzes I took.  Clearly I don't care about what some quiz says, but I was a little disappointed when I got this result:

Well then.  If I had to pick a style at this very instant, I would totally go vintage modern.  But then again, a little mountain lodge sounds pretty nice and cozy too.  In case you're wondering, here's a description of each style:

Vintage Modern
Flea Market anyone? You know you are drawn to modern furniture and interiors, and yet you really don't like a space that feels cold and sterile. And who could blame you? And that's why Vintage Modern is so appealing to you. Though the backdrop of the room, the walls and windows, are many times white or monochromatic, the furniture and accessories have the color, shape and texture to bring the warmth into the space. The great thing about Vintage Modern is ease of mixing different styles in the one space. You can have a new modular sofa mixed with a great pair of chairs that your grandmother purchased in the late 1950's and the new and old work appear as though they were destined for each other. What's great is that even if you don't have time for swap meets and garage sales, so many of the pieces from the mid-century were so great that they have been remade and mimicked year after year.

Cottage Chic
Who says that cottages can't be modern and chic? Who says that they have to be floral and cheesy? Not you! You love the carefree spirit that the cottage interior inspires, but you are also serious about your appreciation for modern art and hip treasures. You love old and new alike, and love to highlight them all to expose the uniqueness of each. What better way to show off these treasures than with a light background?

Mountain Lodge Style
You love nature! And really, how could you not? The more exposed wood (be it in log form or paneling) the better. And having natural stone in your home is a must! Especially at the fireplace, but stone top tables work too. If you could clad all the furniture in wood and stone you would, but splinters aren't fun and stone is cold! So when you need a place to sit (or recline in!), it should be comfortable and warm. Bigger is better when it comes to your favorite chair for watching TV or reading the newspaper. Leather is great (go natural!) (side note from me: for a girl that tries not to eat red meat, leather real leather probably isn't going to happen...), but soft fabrics in warm tones also suit you well.

Update: I just took the quiz again and got a different breakdown, this time consisting of traditional country (say what?), rustic revival, and cottage chic.  I think this time I said don't like and like more than just okay, and different rooms came up, which probably explains the difference.  To look at pretty (and in my rustic revival and vintage modern opinion, some not so pretty), take the quiz here!

All pictures courtesy of Sproost

one day book

So yesterday I spent all day going through my closet and cleaning.  This was no different than how I've spent just about every night/weekend day since we found out we are for sure moving.  I've come up with three projects I want to do, but right now, there just isn't time for it (boo). 

However, all this moving stuff and going through clutter has me thinking all about how I will one day decorate my own place.  And oh my gosh, I can't freaking wait.

First of all, I want a creative mirror.  Perhaps this one?

CB2 spoke mirror

Since I get bored easily, I also want easily changable wall art.  These 2 are perfect examples!

Postcard shelves                                                                                  CB2 Abacus

And finally, I want storage galore.  I want wicker/straw baskets and boxes.  I want storage ottomans.  I want built-ins and hooks.  Basically, I finally want a place for everything so I can cut down on clutter and always put things in their place.  Will gave me a big hug when I told him this.

One day, this will be.  But until then, I will simply store these images in a book of ideas and dreams - a one day book.  In the mean time, I intend to take a wooden urn-looking lamp and turn it into a silver antique looking lamp (seriously), make 2 very fun vases with old bottles and jars, and make some picture displays involving wood and paint samples.  It's going to be so much fun!