Another Painted Porch

Remember the painted porch I posted about last week? I just found another painted floor and this one is just as beautiful.

Pretty today and it will continue to look good as it wears in, too. What a great way to define the space and make the bench and planters feel more like an outdoor room.

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image by Sarah Greenman found via Houzz

Bookcase With Bench

What do you see when you look at this photo –

a great built-in that houses books, a tv, and pretty knick knacks. But look what else is there – a desk space with a computer and a pull-out bench. I love this! When not in use, the bench is tucked in and the look is seamless. So clever, functional and pretty with that fun pop of color on the upholstered seat.

This is a must-save idea for my family room!

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image found on Houzz via Pinterest

Painted Porch Floor

Over the weekend, we had the most gorgeous weather. It still seems hard to believe but spring is finally here and now summer doesn't feel so far away. Imagine a backyard barbecue and spending summer nights on a porch like this.

Did you notice the amazing floor? It's painted concrete and it is sensational.

Before and during shots:

Love the whole thing – from the pattern on the floor to the cafe lights above. So well done.

Check out the full how-to here.

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The Apron Blog

Anthropologie's Marbled Swing Stool Table

Anthropologie always has unique and interesting home items. Most are great additions to a room but some you actually want to design your room around. Like this table, for example.

So cool and with such pretty details. How would you use this in your home? As a casual eating spot, a cards/games table, or for something else?

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Anthropologie's Marbled Swing Stool Table

Hello, Spring

Now that the weather is starting to get warmer, I am in full-fledge spring-mode.

Flower plates? Yes, please.

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Garden Buzz Dessert Plates from Anthropologie

Family Room Inspiration

Hello, perfect family room.

Here's what I love about it – the room is light and bright, filled with neutral furnishings and just a few pops of color. It is pulled together and pretty, yet warm, comfortable and inviting.

There's some clever decorating going on in that room, too. Did you notice the upholstered footstools under the coffee tables? I love that detail!

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image via Better Homes & Gardens

Thinking Spring

Spring is here! Despite the weather forecast for tomorrow, this means sunshine, warm weather, and beautiful blooms are right around the corner. I can't wait!

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image by The Pink Chalkboard

Windows That Wow

I'm not quite sure what it is about this style of windows and doors but I find myself pinning image after image of rooms that have them in it. I had no idea I love this style so much but indeed I do! Here are some favorites that are filling up my Pinterest boards now.

Want to see more? There are three more in my master bathroom inspiration post!

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all images found on Pinterest…love that Pinterest!

Hacks…for West Elm and Anthropologie!

Some eye candy and food for thought as we head into the weekend.

Feel like tackling a DIY project this weekend? A West Elm Hack or an Anthropologie Hack could be for you!

Special thanks to Jamie for finding these and passing them along.

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found on Pinterest via buzzfeed.com

Pretty Mugs

I am thinking that my morning cup of coffee would taste so much better if it was in one of these beauties from C. Wonder.

Gold rimmed and that darling gold handle! These would be spectacular at dinner parties, too.

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Color Blocked Mugs from C. Wonder

Pillow Frenzy

Do you remember my favorite spicy red color? Well, my spicy granny chairs have found a happy home at my mom's house and all of a sudden stores are selling a ton of throw pillows featuring that fun, hot red. Because it's so hard to resist a good throw pillow (or 10!), my mom bought a bunch of red as well as black, white, gold, and gray (her go-to decor colors), to spruce things up. We had a great time playing, and I just love how all of these different patterns and textures work together. 

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Bathroom Styling Obsession

Lately, anything that I see from Wisteria, I absolutely adore. But I have to say that this page from their Winter catalog has become an obsession. I am crazy for the way this bathroom is styled! From the extraordinary mirror, to the subway tile, to the pretty french blue side table—it all looks so, so good! The seagrass and rattan pieces really add a bit of warmth, too. 

I think my favorite little detail is the pair of lucite (!) shelves that display those shiny silver bottles. Wisteria sells the bottles (you can find them on sale here, here, and here) but they remind me so much of the silver-painted bottles Jillian spotted at J. Crew a few months back. They are definitely an easy DIY that add a lot of glamour. And who doesn't want a little extra glamour in the bathroom?

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image via the Wisteria catalog

A Burst of Blue

We talk a lot about a pop of color. But what if instead of a little pop, you did a big pop? Like, for example, these blue appliances?

And though it's not an appliance, this wallpaper is pretty great as well.

Bold and beautiful, I'm loving these blue accents in the home.

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images found on Pinterest: top, middle, bottom

Pillow Love

Let's keep the Valentine's Day love going for a little while longer, shall we? Why not decorate your bed with these charming pillows?

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His and Hers Pillow Covers by ZanaProducts

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is beautiful in every language, don't you think?

Wishing you a sweet Valentine's Day!

Love,

Jillian and Mindy

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Jonathan Adler's Language of Love via Paperless Post

The Beatles!

Great music. Fun and excitement. Hope and happiness. 

Love. 

Happy 50th anniversary of The Beatles' arrival in America. 

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jojharisun.tumblr.com

celloprints via Etsy

Sochi 2014

Today marks the opening day of the 2014 Olympics! To celebrate, we are featuring some official Olympic artwork that is actually inspired by the 1980 Moscow Olympics. These figures, each representing an Olympic sport, have been reimagined for the 2014 games with bright-colored patterns.

This Ski Jumper is our favorite. Doesn't he look like he is taking off?

Here are some other cuties. 

To learn more about this project, click here, and to see all of the pictograms, check out the Sochi Flickr site. 

Here's to a wonderful Olympic games...let's hope for lots of Gold!

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all images via Flickr

Hello Orange

Look at this happy room!

I came across this on Pinterest recently and just had to pin it. Knowing how much Mindy loves orange and white, I'm thinking she'll love this bathroom, too. But then again, who wouldn't? It looks like such a cheerful, happy place.

Cheri's Baby Shower Delights

Last weekend we threw a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Cheri. We had an amazing day celebrating her and are excitedly awaiting my little nephew William's arrival.

Cheri's shower gave me the opportunity to create some handmade gifts and to get crafty. Here are some cute projects that I wanted to share with you.

Inspired by the chalk art class I took at Belovely, here is my first chalkboard!

(By the way, isn't the background in the above photo amazing? We held Cheri's shower at Valley Forge Flowers...it was perfect! I highly recommend this beautiful boutique and café as a lovely venue and a gem of a store.)

Here's the proud mom-to-be posing with my chalk art. Hi, baby bump!

The teddy bear, below, is part of my gift. This cutie is sitting on a little chair that I decoupaged with a gray and white chevron print. He is even wearing a matching bow tie.

I layered strips of zig zags on top of each other, in all different directions, for a funky look.

I also made bunting for the nursery! I think I am most proud of this project. I have never made bunting before but I loosely followed this tutorial from The Painted Hive and it turned out really well.

Little William's room is painted blue (Martha Stewart's Blue Suede) and I thought that this gray and white chevron print would make a great accent. I used this same fabric to decoupage the chair above.  

The letters were cut out of blue felt using a simple template that I made.

Here is a fun display item from my mom. She bought this Umbra frame that has little clips inside. She enlarged a gorgeous photo of my brother and Cheri to use as the background and then clipped baby pictures of each of them on top. The effect was so adorable! 

We were marveling at how similar their baby pictures are. I think our moms even sported the same hairstyle!

My nephew will be named William after our father who passed away five years ago. My dad really loved flowers and African Violets were a favorite. So to honor his memory, each guest received a little white violet as a favor. The pots were spray painted silver and we applied "thank you" stickers in a chalkboard design. I wish I could say that I made the stickers but they were just a really great find from Michael's. 

And last, here are a couple of details that I wanted to share. Remember those kraft stickers I found at Target before Christmas? Well, they worked out perfectly as little gift seals that I could personalize. 

This is on the bottom of the decoupaged chair. 

And this sealed the paper that I used to wrap the bunting. 

I think it perfectly describes Cheri's shower, too. Show how much you care for those you love with handmade design-goodness.

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images by The Pink Chalkboard