Dare to Dream: Starting with Finishes

Back home in Seattle I worked for a contractor, and I was responsible for organizing their resource library. This was a task that required a lot of restraint for someone prone to flights of decor fancy. Those shelves held a wealth of inspiration. One peek into a Flor catalogue or the discovery of some exquisite limed oak plank... the next thing I knew I'd be drawing up imaginary floor plans on my lunch hour.

Design catalogues are a pleasure spiked with pain for a girl who rents!

The Walker Zanger tile catalogue provides quite a sumptuous distraction. Adventurous patterns and patinated shades of greige are things I dare-to-dream about...

Happy weekend, friends.

xoxo

Elizabeth

Not Neutral on Neutrals

No matter how many colorful garments hang in my closet, I always find myself reaching for the black sweater, brown skirt, brass-studded belt, white loafers. I know what works for me.

The same is true of interiors.

Images: Apartment Therapy, Remodelista, Delight by Design, Head Over Heels, Covet Garden Issue 6

Products: English Campaign Chair from Kim Fiscus for One Kings Lane, Quail Feather Pillow from Burke Decor, Dark Nostalgia by Eva Hagberg

Here & Now: Modest Improvements

After 6 months of working on my Berkeley apartment (I know, I can hardly believe it either) we're almost there. It's becoming evident in my weekend to-do lists. We've checked off "unpack books" and "paint bathroom." Now it's time for the finishing touches- "style china cabinet" and "hang inspiration board."

Who would've thought our dumpy bathroom could become one of the prettiest spaces in the apartment?

I love the way our art pops against our moody greige walls.

Here's to Friday and to wrapping things up this weekend. I can hardly wait to show you the whole apartment!

Decorating for Two: Battle of the Sexes

You live with someone for four years, you think you know them, and then one day the truth comes out: they have a design aesthetic, and it's not quite the same as yours.  

The fact that Adam has his own taste is a shocking revelation for me. Call me oblivious, but all these years he's never voiced an opinion! It's amazing how the give and take of a relationship works- he gave me total sovereignty over our shared abode, I pretended to enjoy watching televised poker tournaments (sorry to finally break it to you, Adam). Those days are over though. From now on we're going to be watching a lot more Project Runway and Adam's been promoted to design consultant.

Last night we held design summit with the help of Skype screen sharing, and Adam worked on his visual vocabulary. And boy, did he ever. He had a lot to say- both about what he likes, and what I like (that he doesn't). I may have created a monster, but I asked for it (and I probably had this coming after I threw away his Bob Marley and Scarface posters).

He responded to this bedroom immediately- the stormy walls, the majestic dark wood bed, the fireplace. He even knew what style of chandelier that was (making me look like a total fool). I was intimidated by this pick, as it seems more formal than our budget and pocket apartment can provide. What I have to learn from this is that I do need to decorate to accommodate my 6'7" fellow, and that I should think twice before painting over wood furniture.

Image Source Unknown

We were in complete agreement about these two rooms.  He liked the wood floors and architectural details, I am very into that table and chandelier. Very.

Images Courtesy of Unknown, Anna Wolf via Dwellings & Decor

These are a couple of my favorites that he stuck up his nose at (I saw you Adam, video chat!).  He hates having furniture floating in the room like this round table, instead preferring to have everything anchored to a wall.  As for the second image (the one that's been on my Berkeley apartment mood board)... the color scheme was vetoed firmly.  Good thing I hadn't bought any lavender paint yet, argh!

Images Credits Unknown

Adam had very strong notions about organizing- stacked and visible. In Adam's world if you put something in a cabinet and close the door... it no longer exists (which makes hiding Christmas presents a snap in our household). He repeatedly pointed out neat images of kitchens and craft rooms with open shelving, many of which had a sophisticated mercantile feel.

I'm all over this, as long as we pick out beautiful furniture and showcase our things in a pleasing way!

Images Credits Unknown

Conceptually, we both love this first image. In real life, we have neither the private property or the self-confidence for a bathroom like that! Thinking more practically, Adam chose images of bathrooms with deep double sinks, large and tall mirrors, exposed pipes, basket storage, and patterned hex tile flooring. That's my kinda man!

Image Credits Unknown

Adam shares my love of curiosities, but we didn't see eye to eye when it came to display. While I prefer a more naturally staged approach (like Mr. Puffin there), Adam liked seeing the objects laid out in the glass case. I guess that's a scientist for you.

Image Courtesy of Spagat, AT

Remember this stunning loft that I mentioned yesterday? He liked it too- except for the drapes, calling them "too feminine." I'm in disbelief here. I suppose he's not a fan of these either?

Image Courtesy of Loft Life Blog

Many of my favorite homes have a fairy tale quality to them. Stone buildings with peaked roofs, all swallowed up in vines. Mazes of nooks furnished with mismatched antiques, and lots to be discovered. It was a dream come true that Adam picked out these images as HIS favorites as well! He didn't even bat an eye at the floral mural in that odd green room, acknowledging that it just added to the charm.

Image Credits Unknown

One of the most important design decisions we'll make together will be about how to store and display our rather large library. I'm afraid this could be a point of contention. Adam liked grid shelving, pointing out every room with an Expedit unit (very subtle hint, boyfriend). He noted how this bookcase made from crates combined rustic and geometric elements that he favored. On the other hand, I prefer floor to ceiling bookcases with a little more drama... 

Images Courtesy of Unknown, Domino Magazine

This is a very broad and eclectic spread- it's going to be fun to help him narrow down his vision and start blending it with mine! I'm envisioning a major decor purge as soon as I move. Perhaps he'll wish he'd kept his mouth shut when I've turned the house upside down? Heh heh.

What do you all think of Adam's first dip into the image pool? Is this something you'd consider doing with your partner or spouse? Any design professionals out there who want to chime in? I'd love to know how you help your clients define their personal style- your techniques might come in handy here!

Decorating for Two: Lofty Aspirations

Like most internet-scrounging bloggy-types, I've amassed a collection of decor images that threatens to cripple my hard drive.  When I have a design problem (how high should I hang my drapes? can white trim work with deep greige walls? should I arrange my frames in a grid?) a quick click through the archives is sure to bring me the answer (just below the ceiling, mebbe, no!) and probably a host of completely unrelated "aha!" moments (I should have a dust ruffle! nailhead trim on the settee! a wooden chandelier!).

When I resolved to make my apartment a bit less girl-dominated, I went straight to the files for inspiration.  I pulled an assortment of rooms that I think succeed fabulously at being couple-friendly without being dully asexual.  Each room has elements of masculine and feminine style- and they seem to be made more beautiful in balance.

This dining area seems to beg for an imaginary scenario to go with.  She's a thoroughly modern girl with a sunny attitude, he's a traditional type who appreciates her quirky ideas as long as she doesn't paint his grandpa's solid wood table?  Who knows, but they've got a good thing going- proof that gender neutral doesn't have to be colorless.

Image Source Unknown

There's something approachable about this vignette.  Touches of whimsy like the silhouette, branches, and magenta decanter are grounded by the black table, angular clock and bottle, and (naturally) the dead bird.

Image Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Here's the magic of a loft: without walls, couples are forced to blend their decor (no man caves or boudoirs behind closed doors!).  The airy, gallery-like space makes every item an objet d'art and exaggerates the interplay between masculine and feminine.  It's impossible not to get dramatic in a loft.  This one (which you have probably seen recently on like... every other blog on the net) is so awfully lust-worthy.  If I lived there I'd want to throw in a few more feminine touches, but those pooling curtains against the raw wood floors and beams... so romantic.

Image Courtesy of Loft Life Blog, Uxus Design

I'm not sure how many of you have ever tuned an instrument before, but it's quite the experience.  It's odd, I know, but my favorite thing about playing the violin was always the pleasure of easing each string up to its perfect pitch... the initial wobbling discord, then perfect resonance.  This kitchen has a similar hum to me- the ornate gold mirror and playful chandelier in harmony with the rugged brick and clean modern cabinetry.

Image Courtesy of Living Etc.

Purple is not in the least bit girly when set on point and matched with somber grays.  Yes, the pink roses are the definition of girly, but what man would care if he had a deep tub like that?  Living with men is all about acknowledging a different scale- it may not be the pink he minds, perhaps just the petite furniture!

Image Courtesy of Waterworks

This dining room is all about contrasting weight and delicacy.  Solid architecture, deep color, heavy table.  Light as air branches, tiny specks of bright color, impossibly wispy chairs and candlesticks.  Balance.

Image Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

The next logical step in this progression towards couple equality?  I suppose I should ask Adam what he likes... so tomorrow I'll be posting HIS picks from my image library and exploring how they work with my favorites!

Homely Bathroom Desperately Seeks Sexy Shower Curtain

Now that I've got my foot in the door with decorating my apartment in Berkeley, I'm rolling up sleeves for the next challenge: the bathroom. As far as out-of-the-box apartment bathrooms go, I suppose we lucked out. The floor is tile with little black glossy squares, which are rather appealing, and though the vanity and sink are cheap and unattractive, it will be easy enough to draw attention away from them with decor. The ugliest things about the bathroom are removable- a completely bizarre plastic light fixture, rusty towel bars, and a dilapidated medicine cabinet.

The focal point of the room will be shower curtain. It's the largest thing in the tiny space, and it will be drawn closed most of the time in order to conceal the 80's-era-beast-of-a-shower.

Sadly, the zebra-print shower curtain that I featured in my former apartment has been retired (after its experimental use as a climbing wall by Miss Catty-wompus). It was time for a change anyway.

I'm looking for something versatile enough to coordinate with my collection of towels (lavender, rich red floral, pale blue, deep purple, dark gray), washable, and made of fabric (not plastic). I'm not into modern color-block nonsense, and I am the only person in the world who doesn't drool over Marimekko (*bracing self for flood of hate mail*).

So far, I'm not terribly impressed. Most that I've found are either plain and boring, frighteningly kitschy, or targeted toward a very specific demographic (that last example, by the way, was in the "traditional" category). Apparently one must take up fly-fishing to find a shower curtain these days?

I have found a few options that might suffice. What do you think?

The Birch Forest curtain at Urban Outfitters initially caught my eye- it reminded me of the Woods Wallpaper I'm dying for. However, the trees don't really look as nice up close, and that's what counts in a little bathroom!

I'm not sure that this is a curtain for all seasons- is it too trendy?

My lovely friend Ann pointed me in the right direction with the Wallflower pattern at Sin In Linen (and that is a new source for me!). I love the pattern, and I think it would be a good match for most of my towels. However, I haven't had great luck washing black and white shower curtains... and I'm not sure how good this one would look if it faded to gray.

I might choose this one just for the name!

The front runner is the Bustled Shower Curtain from Anthropologie. The only things stopping me from picking one up immediately is the color (cream, not white) and the price (yikes). Despite my reservations, it's one helluva shower curtain.

A good match for all of my bath decor, with a very romantic shape.

I love how the sweet crochet lace looks when tempered with dark colors.

I feel like I've exhausted my resources- anyone else have a good recommendation?

In Limbo

Moving has just gotten as real as can be: on Monday we watched all of our earthly possessions rumble away on a truck. I anticipate being tense and worried until I'm reunited with my things on the 21st.

Okay. Nothing. Move.

For now we're squatting in our empty apartment, subsisting on take-out food, two suitcases, a twin-sized bed, and a 10" television manufactured in 1988. I take it back: this is as surreal as can be!

This apartment and this beautiful neighborhood will always be a fond memory for me- our little urban Eden where we were so happy. Our prelapsarian flat:

Our ever-changing decor, and our beloved curiosities.

The newest addition to our dining room, an Ikea Granemo cabinet.

The glass sliding doors are an excellent preventative measure against our feline saboteur.

Foiled again, eh Matilda?

Our living room, featuring a petite sofa from Former Furniture.

Our bathroom, staged for relaxation.

The best seat in the house: our sunporch, overlooking a lovely park.

In Memoriam, Our Wallingford Apartment

Good Clean Design

In the process of redecorating my bathroom I pored over my image files for inspiration- and I was amazed at the consistency of my taste! What do these images have in common?

Solid furniture and patinated metals...

Pristine white fixtures and bit of whimsy...

(Image by Domino Magazine)

Soft neutrals and a vintage apothecary vibe.

(Image by House Beautiful)

Yes, I'd have to win the lottery to make any of this happen (you know, to buy a house with a bathroom bigger than broom closet). But if I do, and I'm simply drowning in money... I'm still turning to Craig's List for the goods!

I'd combine a rusty relic...

Victorian wrought iron fencing (Craig's List, Full Set for $225.00)

With an elegant chest...

Distressed black French Country dresser (Craig's List, $350.00)

To create a totally original bathroom vanity!

The fencing would be perfect for hanging a simple beveled mirror, hand towel, decor, & jewelry.

The dresser can be modified to accommodate for plumbing- without sacrificing the six outer drawers.

It's easy to find accessories...

I'd take a quirky Santa Barbara lavatory faucet (California Faucets), a floor of classic white hex tile (Craig's List, $7.00 per square foot) with dark grout, and the sleek hanging fixture I've been sighing over at Harold's.

I highly recommend Pottery Barn's organic hand towels ($9.99, shown in "Soft Lilac"), I love the old-school pharmacy look of their classic glass bath accessories (Pottery Barn, $7.99 - $19.00), and I wouldn't mind saving some cash on a Hollviken vessel sink (Ikea, $90.00).

The result? Old-fashioned aesthetic with the convenience of modern plumbing- a timeless combination. Timeless, as in: when I'm filthy rich, I can bubble-bath in here for hours.