Design: Bedroom Art

There are so many options for above the bed art- sunbursts, the classic three frames (which we currently have), big art, wall collage, and do I dare say, antlers? Which, we all know, I would love.

After reading a few articles on my beloved Apartment Therapy (here and here) and attempting to create mood boards on Pinterest,  I think I've finally decided on the art for our bedroom. 

I wanted it to be minimalist, but dramatic. Taking a photo from one of Philip's trips to Israel, he is creating something like the photos below, which have served as our inspiration. I'm really quite happy about it. By ordering it on a stretched canvas, we can get it any size we want, and it actually holds sentiment.

Design: The Porch

I am in love with our little porch. It looks out over our quiet neighborhood, and since it adds about 50 sq. feet to our wee apartment, it’s become quite the entertaining spot. Not to mention, it’s my destination for afternoon reading and evening cocktails. 

My motivation to get the porch in order was peaked when we found white, plastic woven chairs at a junkyard in North Carolina. At $10 a pop, I just couldn't say no. Coupled with some orange spray paint and flowering pots, our little patio has turned into quite the oasis. 

Please excuse the deary photos; the sun has not been cooperating these last few days. 

Hallway Re-Design

How was your weekend? Boy and I had a much needed quiet few days, and we celebrated our 6 months of marriage on Saturday with sushi takeout. It's all downhill from here, right? The overcast skies and light drizzle brought me to the Home Depot for some minor home projects. Along with potting flowers, I decided to spruce up our little hall library. It was looking pretty drab and an afterthought to the rest of our color saturated apartment. Some yellow paint, a fresh houseplant, and reorganizing certainly brightened up this random little corner. 

Office Habits

I'm constantly searching for ways to improve my days at work. Sitting at a desk all day and staring at a screen can truly become monotonous.  It’s funny how so much of our days consist of screens- typing emails, writing blogs, reading the news, connecting with friends, and checking recipes while cooking. 

Currently coveting

These days . . . I'm really coveting interesting spaces, hardwood floors, and high ceilings. I absolutely adore our wee apartment, and I am ever so grateful for it, especially since we were almost homeless and unable to find an available space almost 5 days before the wedding (!). It's new and modern,  but I catch myself craving our next place to house all my eclectic tastes. Some spaces I'm coveting . . .

Design: Dining Table

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As you may remember, we finally found a dining room table. After much determination, boy found a steal on Craig’s List and after many hours of maneuvering, we nudged it into our jeep late last Friday evening. It’s a gorgeous black farm table with the perfect amount of wear and tear. Now the question is . . . what shall I do for seating? 

Over this past weekend, we found a wooden bench at a local thrift store for six dollars (!). Take that World Market! Now I just need to figure out what chairs will complement the best. Since the table is so rustic and classic, I’m considering a mid-century aesthetic for the chairs. Here are some of my design inspirations . . .

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Design: S.F. Apartment

I'm not a huge fan of white walls; I'd rather saturate my rooms with deep hues and bright neutrals. But then again, I've not been in many apartments that have interesting shapes, hard wood floors, and modern lines. Just like this darling San Francisco apartment on Apartment Therapy. 

Photos: Apartment

(via April and May)

We've been busy, busy over here the last few weeks to get our apartment just the way we want it. There is still a ways to go, and with 800 sq feet you really do have to be clever. Every piece has to deem some sort of functionality in such a small space, but I still get to have fun with the decorative pieces. These are some of my favorite corners of our home.

Artwork

"Serious Business"

The living/dining area is *almost* set up, and then we're on to the bedroom. Since we chose grey for the walls, I'm trying to stick to black and white with a couple of accent colors. Ideas are welcomed! 

Grey Hues

Well the living/dining space is painted a midnight navy, and we couldn't be more happy with it. While relaxing and trendy, it's a great hue to have in your palate for decorating. Photos forthcoming.

For the bedroom, we are painting it slate grey, sexy but calming. Here are some of the photos of my inspiration . . .

Blue Hues

Boy and I are moving into our new place tonight (!!!), and I cannot wait to channel my June Cleaver and set up our wee apartment- gotta love DC housing! For the living slash dining room, we are thinking of navy walls. I keep stumbling upon these cool blue living spaces that look both funky and relaxing. What do you think?

D.C. Design

In my flip-boarding last night (that's a verb, right?), I stumbled on a photo slideshow of a local D.C. apartment on Apartment Therapy. Residence of Refinery 29's editor, Holly Thomas, the space's design is spot on. I absolutely love the fusion of rustic and modern; eclectic and minimalist; and I applaud anyone who can make good use of white walls.

J. Crew Lookbook

Oh J. Crew, just stop it.

A-Z of Unusual Words

Check out these interpretations of unusual words by the Project Twins. I wish I would have had something like this when I was studying for the GRE years ago- oy. How about a fanfaronade? Swaggering; empty boasting; blustering manner or behavior; ostentatious display. In my city, fanfaronades are in ample supply.

P.S. How about tarantism or pogonotrophy? 

Tiny House Movement

Have you heard of the Tiny House Movement? I stumbled across the Tiny House Blog and was amazed about the popularity of these little homes. Tiny houses are built on trailer platforms and typically sized between  100 and a 130 square feet. Being the extreme minimalist that he is, boy thinks it's a great idea, but I just don't think I could get on board.  I would go crazy with no room to host, no space for guests staying the night, and no separate quiet spaces of my own. Well, and my claustrophobia would surely kick in! Photos below are from the home of a creative couple who wanted to call a home- the Tiny Tack House- their own. I couldn't help but think of the tune, Little Boxes, when reading this.