Loving the look of driftwood

So while I may be posting mostly recipes these days, because that is about all I have been creating lately, I still really, really, really love interior decorating. Most of the blogs I follow are about design in some capacity. These days it is a little hard to dream about homes due to where we live. Most of our stuff is in storage, so buying new stuff seems a little ridiculous. Plus in our small home these is not really room to add in many more accessories either. That doesn't stop a girl from dreaming though does it? Also if you feel compelled to purchase me anything on this list, I promise you I would find room for it in our abode :)

Here are a few inspiration pictures I have come across lately. Can you tell what has been on my mind?

All images from Apartment Therapy

Yup, driftwood has been on my mind. I really love how it adds texture and earthiness to a more modern design aesthetic. The second picture is good inspiration because I am sure it would be a fairly easy diy project, especially if you used a piece of driftwood found on a vacation to the beach. What a great way to remember the trip every time you hang your thick Minnesota winter parka. Here are a few pieces I found for sale and would love in my home:

Pottery Barn Teen Mirror

Ballard Design Votive

Crate and Barrel Side Table

All images are linked to the online store to purchase. Happy window shopping!

Loving the Look of...

Faux bamboo chippendale chairs! That is what I find myself searching for on Craigslist more than I would care to admit. The lines and texture make the seats so beautiful. Also, painted they add an awesome pop of color to a room. With images like these, can you blame me for my desire to add a few of these chairs to my living space?

(Source: Decorpad)

(Source: Palmer Weiss)

(Source: Decorpad)

The last image is the work of Jonathan Adler and the cover of his book Happy Chic Color. He is pretty much amazing and his book is no exception. So where can you pick up a chair like these you may ask? Well Jonathan Adler also sells them for your convenience. 

The price might not be so convenient for most of us however.

Lots of design bloggers out there have had luck locating vintage versions of the chair from Ebay, estate sales, antique stores, and my personal favorite, Craigslist. Look at what I found on my local search:

(Source: Craigslist)

A set of five of these pretty chairs for just over what one from Mr. Adler would put you back. Yay! You can also find even better bargains for single chairs. Now I am off to dream up a space for these chairs.

Tufted Beauties

If you like eclectic home decor you have probably viewed the online Lonny magazine. If not, visit as soon as possible please. It is so inspiring. The current issue has a feature showcasing the work of designer Angie Hranowsky. She is amazing. Her story is also inspiring to me because she was not trained as an interior designer when she got her start. She decorated her own home and everyone who saw it thought she was a decorator for a living.  Metropolitan Home featured her house and soon she became one of the most sought-after decorators in South Carolina.

This photograph of Angie's work in this month's issue of Lonny reinforced my love of all sofas tufted. Seriously, I love!

Look at that beautifully layered room and that gorgeous sofa.

So I started my own hunt for my imaginary living room with my matching imaginary large budget. Tufted sofas seem to be hot right now as it appears most furniture design sites carry a line of the sofas.

Here is a beautifully unique deep sapphire leather sofa from Anthropologie. The price however might be beyond even what my imaginary budget allows but imagine what a statement it would make in a room. 

This lovely linen number is from Restoration Hardware. Swoon. So pretty. So at a loss of words.

Here is a pretty little settee from West Elm. West Elm really has been killing it design wise lately.Compared to the previous pieces this clean-lined settee is affordable. 

Great design is not out of reach for those who can not or chose not to spend thousands on a single piece of furniture. By now you probably know of my love of craigslist. What a great place to find vintage pieces that add so much visual interest to a room. Here is a lovely blue velvet tufted settee found today on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Craigslist. How beautiful is that. Maybe our next apartment should have two living rooms because I just finished decorating ours but I love this piece.

Enjoy your weekend and be inspired by the beauty around you.