:: HOME :: Gilded Glamour

Both my sister and I have been fans of gold accents for a while now.  We even both stocked up on the incredible Altazurra for Target cocktail sets.  Her beautiful two-story home is probably better equipped to hold a cocktail party than my shoebox apartment, but they're nice to look at nonetheless.

In the spirit of displaying my new glassware as another touch of gold to my ever evolving decor, I wanted to feature some other gilded finds that add a touch of glamour to your home too.

1. {Arteriors Jana Brass/ Marble Adjustable Desk Lamp}

2. {Acrylic + Gold Stapler}

3. {Eclectic Candles by Tom Dixon}

4. {Golden Animal Magnets}

5. {Sharon Sides Acid Etched Metal Stump Chair}

6. {Meier Ferrer Zoid Console}

7. {Anthropologie Painted Bias Armchair}

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:: HOME :: Fabulous Finds

If you're in the market for some new home furnishings, I hope today's Fabulous Finds offer a source of inspiration, starting with West Elm's Ryder Rocking Chair (below), one item from their Furniture Flea.  Now is a great time to take advantage of their sale and invest in those key pieces you've been on the hunt for.  Scour their floor models (in store only), plus new markdowns and final clearance prices online for up to 70% off!

{ryder rocking chair via west elm}

{tps mint file cabinet via cb2}

{eiffel leather chair in mineral via crate & barrel}

{kavari 3-door cabinet via crate & barrel}

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:: HOME :: Let There Be Light

There are a few objects of decor that, no matter how many I personally own, I can't stop looking for more of.  It could be the perfectionist side of me, or the shopaholic side, or maybe even FOMO (fear of missing out), but I'm apparently obsessed with looking for pillows, rugs, bedding and lighting.  I'm sure this illness stretches far beyond just those categories, but for the sake of today's finds, I'll focus on some fabulous lighting that just happens to be on sale at one of my favorite, heaven-on-earth stores: Anthropologie.

These amazing creations appear to pull inspiration from a combination of the Industrial Revolution and Alice and Wonderland, and I love them!

Kerplunk Bell Jar Lamp

{Anthropologie}

Magnifying Glass Floor Lamp

{Anthropologie}

Trinket Lamp

{Anthropologie}

While the above illuminations are just slightly outside of my current budget, the below shade fits quite comfortably within and has me contemplating a new purchase.  All three colors are to die for, but for the sake of not disturbing my current decor (which I finally just settled on, after two years), I'd probably have to go with either the grey or chartreuse.

Cinched Fringe Shade

{Anthropologie}

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:: HOME :: Wishful Thinking

Because I am who I am and have already started scouting possible apartments in the city even though the projected moving date is at least a good month away, the wheels in my head have started turning, too, with design ideas and wish lists for my future apartment.  Here are just a couple of bits of inspiration that I'm keeping in mind for when that joyous day actually does come...

{via coco + kelly}

{Kishani Perera via coco + kelley}

{Shine Home via coco + kelley}

{Skona Hem via decor8}

{via design*sponge}

{Emily Henson via design*sponge}

I find these living rooms/sitting areas to be utterly fantastic.  I love color, but I love the brightness and airiness of white, too.  I also love grey in all shades!  If I could make the main room of my future apartment look half as beautiful as any of these bold and peaceful rooms, I would be content.

{Emily Henson via design*sponge}

{Polly Wreford via desire to inspire}

I selected these simple and fun dining areas keeping in mind that my first San Francisco apartment isn't likely to have much space for dining.  Both of these examples would be happily at home in an eat-in kitchen or, at the very least, a small alcove near the kitchen should an actual dining room be lacking.

{Kishani Perera via coco + kelley}

{Stella Nicolaisen via desire to inspire}

{Emily Henderson via desire to inspire}

{Canadian House & Home via A Great Full Day}

Along with grey, I also love green, and the first bedroom is amazing!  The deep, dark green makes this bedroom look very sultry and comforting -- heavy like a big down comforter.  I find the neutrals in the second bedroom give the same feeling of comfort without the divineness of the green room.  It's rustic and lived in.  And the last two bedrooms are just so happy and, dare I say it, girlie.  I'm not one to go overboard on the "girlish" decor... actually I tend to stay away from it when possible.  But something about these two bedrooms would make me feel very in tune with my femininity, in a European "I love being a girl" kind of way.

{via desire to inspire}

Last, but definitely not least, this example of open clothes storage from desire to inspire is what I have always longed for.  It's like the clothes have their very own home and you get to invite yourself over to play dress up with them.  It would be a dream to have an extra space -- be it an alcove or a tiny room -- to house my wardrobe and be able to see my fabulous friends together all at once.  I think seeing all the facets of one's wardrobe at once is key to inspiring great outfits.  My only question about this picture is... where are the rest of the clothes??

And while checking out my favorite blogs for inspiration, I came across this ingenious project from design*sponge.  It's a handy, dandy, DIY Take-Out Menu binder to store and organize all those pesky menus that you inevitably collect over the years whether you actually use them or not.  I happen to love to eat out just as much as I love to cook -- sometimes things do just taste better when someone else makes them.  I'm also a little OCD and if I can alphabetize something, you better believe I'll do it.  So seeing that I'll be moving to what I consider the best food city in the country, and will have at least a dozen eateries within walking distance of my future apartment, I thought this would be a great project for me to do and share with you!

{via design*sponge}

And of course, I'll also be rifling through my sister's blog, Today and Yesterday, for more ideas and great tips!  Not only does she have fabulous inspiration but great design resources, too.  Can't wait to get crackin'!

:: HOME :: Bloomingdales Big Window Challenge 2010

I decided today could be a lazy day, so I spent it catching up on my Google Reader.  F.Y.I., I went from 1000+  new items down to 737... not quite the improvement I was looking for, but I'll take it.  And yes, I know -- I have way too much in my Reader.  Anyway, I came across the new Bloomingdales Big Window Challenge for 2010 on the ever-amazing POINTclickHOME.

{via POINTclickHOME}

Pictured above is the window designed by Eddie Ross, former Top Design contestant amongst many other things, for ELLE Decor.  While I'm not completely sold on everything here, it is my favorite of all three windows in the challenge, followed by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy in a close second.  What I do love about Eddie's room is his mixing of patterns and textures.  It comes off less stale and contrived than what I've seen produced by many other "interior designers," and instead it appears fresh and personal; as if someone could and does actually live there.

{via Apartment Therapy}

I also love his use of color, something which the other two rooms are lacking, and the play on old vs. new.  It's lively, fun and modern while maintaining a very sophisticated and chic appearance.  If I moved into this room, I'd personally take out the retail-like shelves of antique urns on the left there.  I'd also consider changing the slightly dated, grandma wallpaper, but it might just grow on me, too.  All in all I would say "bravo!" (no pun intended) to Eddie -- you have my vote!

Have you checked out all the rooms?  Who are you voting for?

:: HOME :: Serena & Lily's Early Spring Catalog 2010

I know few people who aren't familiar with Serena & Lily at this point, but just in case you don't know them or need to refresh your memory, here is a page from their Early Spring Catalog 2010 that caught my eye...

{via Serena & Lily)

This whole set up just makes me want to spend an entire day in bed with a good book and have someone bring me fresh cups of tea & biscuits.  Could it be anymore relaxing?