{our house} THE LIVING ROOM

As most of you know my boyfriend and I have spent this past weekend moving into our new home, and this morning we carried the last of the junk boxes in from our cars. I've woken up each morning with aches and pains from going up and down our old apartment staircase {3 flights!} but very excited to wake up in our quaint single level ranch. Rooms are filling up quickly, so we decided to get started on the living room remodel right away. Four years ago I would have painted my walls a bright red or orange, but as I search for more peaceful surroundings these days, I'm drawn to neutrals. Gray walls are the new beige, otherwise know as greige {I didn't make that up...it's really the new word in the design world} and I'm definitely on board. In June I posted images of gray interiors {here} and have decided to use those as inspiration for our new living room. 

Brass and bold color accessories will pop against the gray and white palette allowing me to change out the accents as my mood changes {which is often}. Here are a few examples of the living room vibe I'm hoping to achieve. 

I already picked up some Benjamin Moore samples this morning on my way into work, so stay tuned for the final color selections for our walls.

A few more views of the living room before...

Miguel always makes an appearance! I bought the pillow covers a few months ago saving them for the big move. I first saw them on Oh So Glam and just had to have them. They are available on Etsy for only $30 a pair!

The wall dividing the living room and kitchen is hopefully coming down this weekend, and should  make both rooms appear larger. 

This closet is great storage for now, but later on down the road it may become a built-in bookcase, a wine bar or it may just be removed all together. 

I love that we have a wall sconce to work with, but I'll definitely be changing it out, or at least changing the shade. 

We only have to tear down wallpaper from one wall in the living room...however, it's a different story in the spare bedroom.

I'm excited to see what the fireplace surround looks like against the white brick. I love the brass details!

We should make decent progress this weekend thanks to a few family members who have volunteered to help.

MISSONI FOR TARGET {and missoni for my walls}

A couple months ago I blogged about starting a new painting {here}. As I prepared my canvas I decided I didn't want to paint a landscape or a portrait, rather a colorful pattern. The first thing that came to mind were the colorful patterns of my favorite fashion design label, Missoni. I love the retro patterns, colors and structure of the clothes, however I'm not sure I'll ever be able to afford a Missoni original...so I decided to paint those colorful zigzag patterns inspired by this legendary Italian fashion house. 

{images taken on my new four-season porch...more on that soon}

And little did I know Missoni would be teaming up with Target stores September 12th - 22nd, featuring over 400 clothing and household items at an affordable price! If I go missing that week, you know where to find me!

Watch the video here:

Missoni for Target - Traditions  

IT'S OFFICIAL...

We are homeowners as of today! You know what this means right? Unlimited blog material as we transform it into our home!

2 {delicate} THINGS

images via Hideminy and William Arthur

WEATHER PERMITTING

For me, perfect weather means you can wear jeans and a sweater or shorts and a tank, and you are comfortable either way. The weather doesn't allow this to happen often, but when it does, being outside to enjoy it is all I want to do. So...since I'm stuck inside all day on this nearly perfect day, I'm going to dream about being in one of these places {in shorts and a sweater, or maybe jeans and a tank}.

via Design Sponge

via Poppytalk

via Ruffled

via Creamy Life

via Spencer & Molly

via Houzz

What's your "perfect" weather like?

{head to toe} HOUNDSTOOTH

Houndstooth has always been a difficult print for me to wear. I once bought a houndstooth jacket and every time I put it on, I felt like I was cheating on my free-flowing, casual wardrobe {maybe it just wasn't the right fit}. Although I love this classic print, I've never pictured it in my closet...but I can picture it in my home.

via Decorista Daydreams

{images via Pinterest}

It was a video of Lady Gaga's performance on The View a couple weeks ago that had me thinking of introducing a touch of houndstooth back into my life...in a slightly more subtle way. 

via Mocoloco

GLAMOROUS BATHROOMS

I'm about to become very busy over the next couple weeks with multiple kitchens to order and preparing for the big move into my first home (!!!), so I'll see what I can do to throw you a little eye candy from time to time...for instance, let's just take a moment to drool over these glamorous bathrooms...

via Flor

via Design Sponge 

via Slumber Designs

via Scandinavian Chic

via Devon & Devon

via My Paradissi

Stay tuned for our new house 'before and afters'! 

One week and counting!

A GIFT FROM ACAPULCO

A few days ago I had the pleasure of taking my cousin {visiting from the West Coast} around town for a little lunch and afternoon shopping. We stopped by Faces, both picking up some feather hair accessories and new sunglasses, after which we filled our bellies with the always delicious Bueno Y Sano burritos and GoBerry for dessert. On the walk back to the house we stopped in Roz's Place, one of my favorite vintage shops in town. What did I buy there you ask??? This little wicker $12 purse from Acapulco!

Although I find the embellishments adorable, it's not quite my style, but looking past the yarn covered purse I saw a new camera bag waiting to be discovered. I took these pictures on our way to my cousin's wedding thinking I could pluck these things off by the time we arrived... unfortunately the yarn was doubled-knotted and tied so many times I couldn't make the transformation in time to use it {and my car looked like a crafter's nightmare}. With a little more time on my hands the next day, my new camera bag was ready to use. 

It has a few rough spots from where the yarn was woven in, but nothing that's going to stop me from using it...and maybe I'll add my own embellishments to cover it up {someday}. 

I added a scarf I bought from Roz's Place about 13 years ago with my best friend who is getting married in a little over a month. We were out driving around in her maroon Toyota Camry listing to Blondie's "Heart of Glass" on repeat with our new scarves tied around our heads and our faces covered by large Jackie-O style sunglasses. I'm glad Roz's has remained a part of Northampton for many years.

{wishing I was} CURLED UP IN BED

After a scorching hot summer {although I'm sure there's still more to come} a few rainy days are just what we need. There is nothing more relaxing then curling up in bed listing to the rain fall as you drift off to sleep. Here are are a few bedrooms I where wouldn't mind doing just that. 

via Coco + Kelley

via Elle Decor

via 79 Ideas

via My Ideal Home

via Sarah Richardson Designs

via Apartment Therapy

via Classic Kitchens & Baths

via Gather Love

via Idha Lindhag Photograph

via Apartment Therapy

This last attic bedroom nook is a rainy day dream come true!