A Stylish Corkboard

While looking through some Houzz images, I came across this great corkboard. Totally DIY and totally pretty.

Click here to see the how to (it's just an Ikea frame, cork, painter's tape and spray paint). And if you want to follow Sarah Dorsey, the Houzz contributor who created this, find her here and her own blog here. She's super talented.

Counting My Lucky Stars

You know those days that start off incredibly productive, but then something ridiculous comes along to stop you in your tracks? Well, that very thing happened to me last night. I spent a busy day working, only to have my hard drive crash at the end of the day. Grrrr...so frustrating!

After an initial panic phase, followed by a yoga class, I'm in much better spirits and have put this little setback in perspective. This is not a tragedy. It will be OK. I am incredibly lucky.

So, while this might not be the post I originally intended, I can share with you a beautiful reminder of just how lucky we all are.

Wishing you a wonderful day! 

*****

Count Your Lucky Stars by The Lepolas via Keep Calm Gallery

Speaking of Brackets...

Hey everyone, happy Monday!

Sorry I have been MIA for the past few weeks. Things got really crazy with work and then this past week, I was crafting up some lovely items for my sister-in-law's baby shower. I have a few fun projects that I promise to share with you this week!

In the meantime, I wanted to share these awesome bookends that I found on Etsy. Remember those amazing brackets that Jillian found last year? If you loved them as much as I did, check these out!

Aren't they great? I love them in mint green, too. Want to see more whimsical bookends? Check out Design Atelier Article's Etsy shop here!

*****

all images via Design Atelier Article

Happy Birthday!

On this cold and snowy day, what better way to wish Mindy a happy birthday than by wishing for pretty flowers and springtime to come quickly!

Happy birthday, Mindy! Wishing you fun, fabulousness, flowers and warmth in the coming year!

*****

Meadow by Snow & Graham

Organizing the Mudroom

A few months ago, I was feeling an extreme need to organize. My mudroom closet was a mess – filled to the brim with jackets, shoes, gloves, hats and all sorts of other things. Here are the embarrassing before photos.

Something had to be done. Enter Ikea's Expedit unit.

This storage unit has saved the day many times before. I actually have 3 of them in various configurations throughout my home!

In my mudroom closet, I wanted to have a basket for each member of the family. It's been working amazingly well. With the help of Anthropologie's mercury glass letter ornaments, everyone now knows where to find their shoes, hats and gloves…and where to put them when they come home.

Once the bottom of the closet was taken care of, I moved on to the top.

I sprayed the baskets white and then taped off the bottom section and sprayed them shiny silver. Once sprayed, I organized and filled the baskets and placed them up top. Now I have plenty of storage and an aesthetically pleasing closet, too. I'm so happy with the end result!

Leather Pulls

Check out the leather pulls that were featured in this month's House Beautiful magazine.

Aren't they just lovely? Simple, yet cool, I think they would look great on clean-lined cabinetry or on a dresser like Ikea's Malm.

I certainly have enough of those Malms in my house. I think I may give this one a try!

Shinola

While in NYC a few weeks ago, I stopped by the Shinola store. Have you heard of Shinola? Based in Detroit, they make watches, bicycles and leather goods. Their designs and overall aesthetics are fantastic and some of the best I've seen in years.

I love what they wrote on their website:

Why not accept that manufacturing is gone from this country? Why not let the rust and weeds finish what they started? Why not just embrace the era of disposability? And why didn't we buy a warmer coat before we moved here?

Their store in NYC is in Tribeca, tucked behind a little coffee shop. Every detail in the store is gorgeous.

Each watch comes with it's own wooden box. Strong and functional, yet beautiful. A good description of the box...and the company, too.

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Master Bedroom Inspiration

I'm sure there will be more inspiration photos for the master bedroom in the coming months but for now, one image is really driving the look.

This is a total dream. Love the wall of windows, the upholstered window seat (with storage possibilities inside!), the soft gray, cream and white color palette, and the overall serenity and comfortability of this room. Thanks to Amy for finding this image. Love!

Master Bath Inspiration

I'm planning an addition and home renovation in 2014 so as I gear up for that, I've been gathering lots of inspirational images from Pinterest and Houzz and, of course, I'll be sharing them here with you.

First off, the master bath. This image from Eric Hyman and Max Mutchnick's home is my favorite. Wouldn't a leather chair in the bathroom be such a luxury?

These showers are fantastic.

I've been intrigued by black bathrooms for a while now. My powder room has some black walls but the master bath? I'm not sure that I would do it but it is so pretty.

And finally there is this image. So calming and such a stunning view.

Over the next few months, as I work on the design plan and start selecting finishes, I know the look for the bathroom will evolve and change, but for now, these are the images I keep coming back to. 

What about you? See any fab bathrooms lately? If so, please share!

*****

see all of these images, find source info, and more on Pinterest

Good Candle

While in New York last month, I discovered a new-to-me candle company, Good Candle. The mason jar packaging caught my eye but it was the scents (fig, basil, or mimosa) that truly sold me. Mimosa is my favorite! It is subtle, clean, and delicious. 

Lucky for us, Good Candles are available at West Elm stores. Happy shopping! 

*****

images via Good Candle and West Elm

Boscobel

While in the Hudson River Valley a few months back, I stumbled upon Boscobel, a restored Federal-period house. With breathtaking views of the Hudson River, this beautiful home showcases an incredible collection of furniture and decorative arts.

The farmer's market on their grounds on Saturday morning is pretty great, too. Go to the market, tour the house, and then picnic on the grounds overlooking the river for an all-around great day.

*****

photos by The Pink Chalkboard