Pinning on a Sick Day

I've been a sniffly, shivery, sleepy, surly sick person this week. Not exactly a pleasure to be around, even online. Cold medicines ought to add "may cause incoherent tweeting and typo-riddled blog posts" to their list of side effects. Blah. So today I'm in hibernation with a lap cat, a mug of tea, and the safely non-verbal inspiration of Pinterest. Pretty pictures may indeed cure what ails me.

Pinned Images by Dress, Design, & Decor, and Cooper Carras via The City Sage

I'm closing in on 1,000 pins, and gaining followers even more rapidly. In fact, I now a have a larger audience on Pinterest than on this blog, twitter, and facebook... combined. This is somehow both immensely flattering and discouraging. A part of me appreciates Pinterest as a resource, and as a wealth of ideas. I'm always happy to share an image that catches my eye, and thrilled when others repin. But another (grumpier) part of me wonders if my own creativity can ever have the same resonance. It could be the cough medicine talking, but it's something to think about as I enter a new year of blogging.

Blue Mood

No, not sad- I'm quite happily immersing myself in all the colors of the Northwest, especially the chilly blue of the Puget Sound.

 I wake up in this gray and blue bedroom, just the shades of the waves outside my window. 

(Doesn't my Mother have lovely taste? I'm tempted to make this a permanent vacation...)

These pale periwinkle hydrangeas were begging to be photographed in downtown Edmonds.

So much prettiness, and it's so nice to be home.

I promise I won't let the blog get too quiet,

Elizabeth

Decorating for Two: Heavy Metal Duet

If I were to say to my boyfriend, "I think we need more metal in our apartment" he'd probably respond by cranking up Tool on the stereo. Not exactly what I have in mind. 

As we've learned in previous experiments, sometimes Adam and I are just singing different tunes when it comes to home furnishings. His version of metal decor is heavy and industrial, like the rusty circular saw blade that he once rescued from the street and hung on our wall. As for me, I'm all about Victorian iron curlicues and delicate wire forms. 

You'd think our styles would clash...

Home of Fred & Wendy Testu in San Francisco Style

Photographed by David Duncan Livingston, Scanned by Shock the Bourgeois

But then again, there's something dull and matchy-matchy about harmony, isn't there? This bedroom is a fugue of masculine and feminine notes, riffs on a theme of patinated metal. It's just discordant enough to keep things lively- and isn't that what every couple wants?

Ikea Style

There's something about Ikea that makes me want to fill myself with Swedish meatballs and fill my trunk with flatpack furniture. I'm not really one for primary colors, so it thrills me that the Ikea aesthetic seems to have matured over the years, embracing subtlety and traditional shapes. Look at all the goodies in the new catalogue!

The Närhet glasses for dessert wines, champagne, whites, & reds are a toast to sophistication.

The Gislev rug is a lot of graphic bang for only 20 bucks.

I can envision either of the new greige-stained Hemnes glass-door cabinets in my bedroom. 

Maybe to showcase a shoe collection?

I wonder if a clever crafter could customize the Florö slipcovered bedframe- perhaps with upholstery studs or ribbon trim?

The new catalogue also boasts some beautiful styling. As if I wasn't tempted enough by the low prices, they have to make everything look so magazine-fantastic.

This is exactly how a nightstand should look!

This is my favorite spread of all. The styling is so of-the-moment, and I love the over-shelf gallery. 

And look: curiosities!

Anyone else crushing on the new catalogue?

Dare to Dream: Mastering the Bedroom

As confident as I am in my abilities in the kitchen and home office, I can't seem to make it work in the bedroom. Decorating, I mean. 

My bedroom, instead of being my sanctuary, is always the door I shut when I have company over. It's embarrassing! Overflowing laundry, rumply faded sheets, and a bed made of toothpicks (sorry Hemnes, but I'm starting to lose some sleep over your creaking).

Image Courtesy of Paul Joseph Hopper

I've been admiring this bedroom- isn't there something ethereal about the contrast between decadent bedding and bare walls? I can imagine drifting off to sleep under those layers of ruffles, and waking up refreshed in the glow of sunlight. Someday!

Do you have a room you've left until last?

Pretty in Pink

Those of you who live with men know that decorating for two can be a challenge. By "a challenge" I mean, this is not going to happen in my house as long as Adam is living there too:

Photo Courtesy of Traditional Home Magazine

Bedroom Design by Dee Elms & Andrew Terrat

'Pale pink with a canopy bed," calls to mind a spoiled 5-year-old's princess bedroom, but this is no such thing. Beneath the candy colors, this room is all sophistication. Textural finishes, graphic black lines... and I love how the opening peony references the ikat pillow!

I've already pushed my luck enough with lavender walls and floral bath towels. But maybe I could sneak some of these into the house?

Molly Hatch Ceramics at Lola, from my iPhone

Photo Courtesy of Molly Hatch on Etsy

Isn't that uncanny? The sweet pastel pink, fresh green, touches of orange, and of course the crisp black outlines. These illustrated ceramic pieces by Molly Hatch have me smitten. Perhaps the boyfriend could bring home a bouquet of springy tea cups?

Dressing Up the Bed

I mentioned earlier that I was still acclimating to the weather here in Berkeley. That means relegating my black turtlenecks to the back of the closet (with a heavy sigh), and shopping for layers. Same goes for our bed!

I love the notion of outfitting a bed. Duvet covers are like the classic foundation pieces in your wardrobe: the standby pair of jeans that just feels better wash after wash, the crisp khaki shirtdress that looks equally chic with flip-flops or I-mean-business heels. Comfortable, practical, ready to be accessorized.

Neutral linen seems the way to go for a Spring-weight duvet, and I'm seeing it everywhere. 

This post at The Little Big House had me ooohing and ahhing. 

Images courtesy of This is Glamorous and Blueprint Bliss.

And, of course, there's the Belgian Linen collection at Restoration Hardware.

Glorious and far-fetched, at $70 per pillowcase...

Luckily for me, I also spotted the trend at Ikea, where a mere $25 bought me a duvet cover, matching shams, and a new bedding staple. 

It's sweet with country floral pillowcases (made by my Mom)...

And dreamy with velvet shams from Pottery Barn and the West Elm pillowcases that I couldn't resist last fall.

And Matilda approves.

I don't know about you, but I feel an afternoon nap coming on...

Dare to Dream: Hibernation

I'd like to try to express how very much I lovelovelove this concept from Seattle Homes & Lifestyles.

...

Nope, no words. Let's just let the sumptuous colors and textures envelop us.

Dark without being somber or black, plush without being sloppy. Ahhhh.
Photos Courtesy of Hank Drew, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles

It's probably better I don't have a bedroom this dusky and luxe. I'd draw the curtains, disappear under that purply fur thing, and refuse to emerge until Spring (or at least until 10:00 in the morning).

Beautifully done, Seattle Homes- better still because the delicious components of this spread were plucked from the shelves of my favorite local stores. For all of you East-Coasters or East-Side-of-the-Staters, check out the Seattle Homes website and blog. Enjoy, and wonder why don't live here.

Please tell me there's a magazine like this in San Francisco!

If You're Going to Dare to Dream, Do it On a Great Pillow

West Elm is usually about 100 years too modern for my taste, but these are calling to me...

Neutral, science-y, and feminine with a vintage feel. Apparently they were made for my bed?

I'd like a set of the shams, please.

How perfect would they be paired with my Martha Stewart Coral Spray bedding?

Almost perfect enough to justify the price tag.

What I really need is a new quilt or duvet cover, and these definitely wouldn't go with the one I had in mind. Perhaps I'll go with neutrals after all? Hmm.

Cataloguing My Most Wanted

Between several moves in the last few years and neighbors who "sort" my mail, I never seem to get many catalogues in the post. This is too bad, because there are few things in life that make me happier than diving into a stack of glossy catalogues. With my favorites, like Anthropologie, it's fun to imagine what I'd pick if I were allowed to choose one item from each page. With unsolicited kitsch catalogues, its even more fun to try to find one item on each page that I wouldn't want to throw on a bonfire.

To get my catalogue fix, I visit my Mom, who is always willing to share her veritable bounty of catalogues with me. She gets the good stuff, like Boden and Sundance and Garnet Hill. Here's what I'm oohing and ahhing over at the moment.

I've got Fall Fashion on the brain, and I'm feeling uninspired by my pile of drab black turtlenecks (speaking of throwing things on the bon fire... sheesh). I'm in the market for embellished layering pieces with 3/4 length sleeves that can take me through several seasons. I'm keeping an eye on these sweet cardigans from Boden:

The Cheeky Cable Cardigan in green.

"Cheeky" is the perfect descriptor. I'd pair this with a denim skirt and chunky boots. And a chai latte...

The Rosebud Cardigan in grey.

Yeah, the pink is cute, but the grey is so romantic!

Okay, this next one doesn't really count, since I'm already oohing and ahhing at it on my vanity desk. I couldn't help myself, I'd been waiting for the Sundance Catalogue's Jewelry Arbor to go back in stock forever!

It's a great design that keeps everything tangle-free.

In combination with my branch mirror, it's giving my vanity a fairy tale vibe.

This last item on the wish list is giving me fits. I had JUST decided on a neutral color scheme for my bedroom when I found this picture:

I could rave forever about this image, but let's focus on what money could buy me.

The Garnet Hill Barcelona Quilt & Sham.

Those are my accent colors! And the pattern is such a good match for my headboard panel...

Anyway, I couldn't possibly consider spending $250 on a quilt. It's ridiculous! It's probably not feasible. It would take a lot of saving. I might do it.

Getting Existential, Hopefully Existing Through the Week

My fish, Guildenstern, is dead.

We named our pair of fish Rosencrantz & Guildenstern thinking it might be amusing when they inevitably went belly-up, but no, it was actually just disappointing and sad. Especially disappointing since I caught a rather satisfied glint in Matilda's eye at his funeral, which leads me to wonder if his death was due to natural causes... or if the feline assassin has struck again. 

Adam made me a chicken sandwich to make me feel better. But there was a bone hidden inside.

So, if Boy and Cat are in cahoots, I may not be safe in this house. If they don't kill me, work certainly will! Leeeeetle bit of stress at my 8 to 5 7 this week.

Aaaaaaand, I'm in the middle of a major project! Since Adam was off at Hoopfest last weekend, I tore apart our bedroom, made a trip to the Benjamin Moore mis-tint shelf, and turned my yellow Ikea Hemnes bed...

Lavender.

Well, "Sandlot Gray," to be exact.

I'm totally enamored with this color.

Adam needn't worry about emasculation or such nonsense- this pastel look is actually just the base coat. Next step is to apply a few streaky layers of tinted glaze in "Stardust," a few dashes of pale pearly gray, and a brown wax finish. Basically, I didn't get as much done last weekend as I'd hoped.  But it's not my fault~

Matilda didn't even raise a paw to help.

So, it's off to the purple bed for me- but I'm sleeping with one eye open in case the furry one tries to smother me.

My Shockingly Domestic Life

Last night Adam and I took advantage of a warm evening and walked down the street to the Wallingford Farmer's Market. I find browsing the market incredibly satisfying, even when my pockets are empty and my refrigerator is already full (though that's a rare occurrence).

It's not about being a consumer. I really dislike the chore of grocery shopping: the chilly ammonia-scented air, maneuvering a wonky-wheeled cart through a maze of aisles, the necessary (and discouraging) price tag mathematics. When every brightly colored package is shouting its merits and every fruit is hot-house grown in the dead of winter, I am strangely compelled to buy really awful food!

There's something refreshingly honest about a local market- after all, they can only sell what is ripe and good! This week, the first of the strawberries and the last of the peonies. In a few weeks, heirloom tomatoes in wild colors... in a few months, bundles of enormous dahlias.

It's a treat for the senses- brushing dirt off of Washington potatoes, the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting in the open air, the anticipation of tasting the raspberries and Camembert you're bringing home... 

 

Plus, everything just LOOKS gorgeous.

So sorry to wax poetic, my patient readers- but I encourage you to seek out a farmer's market near you and see for yourself.  It's such a lovely way to connect with the subtle shift of seasons AND actually make eye contact (or conversation!) with members of your community.  With that, on to the decor segment of this post!

While Adam was busy cooking up the goat cheese & bell pepper ravioli he selected at the market, I set to work arranging my purchase- a massive bouquet of flowers (for only $5!).  I had so many that I was able to fill two vases.

One for my "office," where I spend so many hours blogging away...

I recommend placing flowers where you'll enjoy them most.

My desk, complete with ubiquitous (but beloved) iMac, red schtapler, and Design Bible.

I try to keep things lively with fun finds, like the glass flower frog for pens & pencils, or my collection of vintage frames (the largest of which is plastic, a road-side find that has been drastically improved with spray paint!)

A spray of indigo and white was saved for my dresser...

This arrangement made me a little nostalgic- I had a blue and white bedroom throughout my childhood.  

 

So I was inspired to make the bed up with a crisp set of sheets, and my favorite summer quilt (Matilda approved).

I searched out blue and gold items, and I'm rather enamored with the array. Do you like the change?

My apartment feels so bright and summery- even Tildy-Cat is stopping to smell the flowers!

Remember, I'm looking to wake up my wardrobe as well... and I need your help!