Man Overboard

My phone met a horrible fate and decided it did not want to live anymore. If you have been trying to reach me I promise to get back to you as soon as I have a replacement.

Love the One You're With- Simplified Bee

Another guest post by another fabulous blogger! I was lucky enough to meet Cristin a year ago in New York and I have been a big fan since. There is a lot to love about her blog but her guest post series "What Would You Do" is my favorite. So happy to have her here!

First off, I am so excited for the arrival of Marianne’s darling baby boy! I had the pleasure of meeting her last year NYC and I can confirm she's darling. And I just know she is going to be an amazing mother and hope she is enjoying this most special time with her newborn. Marianne, I wish you much love and sleep!

I am also thrilled to be part of Marianne's Love The One You’re With series. It is easy for many of us to focus on the aspects of our homes that need to change, rather than on the beautiful spaces that bring us joy and positive energy.

One such room in my home is our dining room. I love the the open and airy feel, the bank of beautiful windows and the furnishings. It is just a feel good space and a place I enjoy spending time with my family every day.

It’s an eclectic space and pieces have been added over time. An antique Chinese cabinet, reproduction French cane back chairs and a vintage chrome & glass display case have all found a home in our dining room.

Some of my favorite items in the room include various styles of artwork, a cow hide rug {added most recently} and a vintage chrome cart that I purchased at an estate sale. It was originally used as a TV stand, but today it makes a great tea or bar cart.

Thanks again to Marianne for the opportunity to be on this wonderful blog.

Thank you Cristin! That room is inviting and chic at the same time. I love anything that has the word "cane" in the description.

Those Chairs

I want those chairs... This photo makes me think I will never tire of gallery walls as long as they are well done and interesting. Also, I am thinking about painting our dining room and a color like this is what I have in mind.

Image Nate Berkus Associates

Let's Get This Week Started

Let's get this week started with updated classics...Casual hair and embellished clothing...
A sunny kitchen with a great floor...
Another project to add to your list for next weekend...
And a little animal to take us a long way...
Hope your week is starting off on a high note! Images Pinterest

Quiet Time

These were sent to me by one of my sweetest friends at just the right moment. You know you have a good friend when they send e-mails like this your way....

"Let obstacles only make you bigger. The grace of our Lord will not be lacking: 'inter medium montium pertransibunt aquae!' -- 'through the very midst of the mountains the waters shall pass.' You will pass through mountains! What does it matter that you have to curtail your activity for the moment, if later, like a spring which has been compressed, you'll advance much farther than you ever dreamed?" ~St. Jose Maria Escriva The Way, 12

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them

and make the rough places smooth.

These are the things I will do;

I will not forsake them."

~Isaiah 42:16

Love The One You're With- Design Manifest

If you need a dose of inspiration then look no farther than Naomi's blog...

As part of father/daughter design duo (how great is that?) her great taste is evident in every post. See what I mean?....

Hey everyone. I'm Naomi from Design Manifest and I need to be reminded daily to love what I've got. I am your typical OCD redecorator type. I'm always looking at my space with a critical eye- analyzing what needs to be improved, what editing can bring a better balance, etc etc. But the truth of the matter is that I am so lucky to live in a beautiful loft. That's why I love Marianne's series so much, it's helped me appreciate the good stuff.

So let me give you a little tour of a few areas.

This is one section of my living room. I recently added a slipcover to a modern sofa and I love how it's changed the personality of my entire space.

Nearly everything I own has been found at flea markets, estate sales, craigslist, or Ebay. I just don't have the budget or commitment to spend more right now. I scored my glass coffee table for $30! What's not to love about that?

I found this painting in my grandmother's basement and paired with two Ikea Rast cabinets. A little black paint and some new hardware totally changed their look.

I have a serious weakness for La Fiorentina fabric so I splurged on this entry bench. I paired it with a free mirror. It was a little small, so I painted a frame around it to make it pop.

I dressed up my Ikea bookcase with plate mirror backs and lots of pretties. The pop art was also found in my grandmother's basement. My nana's house is so stylish, even the basement looks better than my pad!

Since I have an open loft with 20' ceilings, I left most of the walls white. But I did paint a bold blue in my office nook. I painted a second-hand parsons desk hot pink. I just love that blue pink contrast.

One last thing I love- my clerestory windows! Every time I look up at the ceiling I smile.

So those are just a few elements of my apartment I love. I hope you enjoyed them too. Looking back at these now, I'm noticing how much pink I have! I swear it isn't as obvious in real life.

Marianne, thanks so much for having me over. I'm honored to be over here.

xo

Naomi

Thanks Naomi! I don't know where to start with your space there is so much I am obsessed with! First, your rug is one I have been DYING for for years now. Also, you are making my love of pink stronger. And those windows...they can come stay at my house anytime!

She A Beaut Clark Continued...

Remember this chair from this post?It is back from the upholsters and I love it! The nursery is almost done, some little things are left and then pictures to follow.
The only problem with the chair is it was supposed to have a band around the bottom in the darker contrast fabric but it was left off. I am still debating if I will have it added (a pain for everyone involved but details are important) or just leave it.