Sprucing up your outdoor space

You've already painted and sealed and power washed the cushions of your outdoor space to get ready for a new season.  But how about the fun part...the little additions that make the space unique and fun.  Check out some of these photos for inspiration on pops of color, lighting and of course my favorite garden stools.

The Nest

Desi

Love of Family and Home

Country Living

Where's the TV?

If you have ever struggled with where to put your flat screen tv, then these ideas are going to make you happy.  The television is a difficult piece because lets face it, it doesn't exactly enhance your aesthetic but it is a necessity and it needs to be central in the room to be effective.  Check out these ways to hide the necessary eye sore.

Boardwalk Empire Inspired

The new season of Boardwalk Empire aired on Sunday and while watching I couldn't help but notice how much I was digging the whole look of the period pieces on the set.  Then lucky me CasaSugar showed how to incorporate some of the pieces into your modern day decor. 

LeatherCraft
Tufted Wing Chairs

Crosley
Candlestick phone

Aston Crystal Barware
Cut Crystal Bar Set

Restoration Hardware
Metal Filament Aged Steel Light Fixture

Trend Alert: Concrete

Let's face it.  I run across alot of trend alerts in NYC and some I love and some are just meh!  But this one kind of called out to me...concrete.  I like the industrial vibe as well as the versatility that the pieces offer.  Here are a few of my favorites.


Concrete Low Dresser

Pebble Side Table

Concrete Tealight Totem

Concrete Fruit Bowl

Concrete Tiles by Dex

West Elm Tabletop & Tacos

Home Decor and Recipe.

When I saw the most recent entertaining serve ware from West Elm, I was pretty excited to have an excuse to throw an outdoor shindig this Summer where I could use them.  I mean the crockware, the tortilla baskets, the cute fish-motif plates...how fun!?

And then I was digging around a bit on their site and stumbled upon their blog, complete with a delicious set of recipes for using in said adorable serve ware.  Fantastic! 

So if you would like to know how to make this yummy looking Baja Fish Taco dish with Pineapple Pico de Gallo and Chipotle Crema, just click here.  And if you want to buy the dishes to serve them on, just click here.  Instant party!

Serena & Lily

Home Decor.

Have you guys seen the new Summer selections from Serena & Lily?  I am just swooning over these beautiful and airy outdoor dining pieces.  Bring on the warm weather and outdoor BBQs!

Return of Domino

Home Decor.

I have been traveling a bit over the last month and have pretty much read every magazine on the racks for April.  So when I was at the Indianapolis airport and spotted this cover at the VERY back of the shelf, I almost fell over.

Domino Magazine!!  I actually squealed with happiness because I thought I'd never see another issue of this fabulous home design resource.  It seems that they are going to put out season issues that highlight some of their greatest hits from the past...plus some new extras.  

One of my take-aways from this issue is a website called Zinc Door.  This website is full of a-ma-zing furntiure, accessories, and bedding.  Love it.  You must check it out.

Terrific Tree Trunks

Home Decor.

I love the look of nature inserted into modern decor. And lately I have noticed a lot of fantastic twists on faux bois with tree trunk side tables. Whether they are true to color, lacquered, or metalic, I think they inject just the right amount of mother nature into your humble abode. Just think...a whole lot of nature and none of the allergies. Fabulous.

Bar Cart Needed

Home Decor.

Ok folks. I need a little encouragement because I am breaking all of my own rules for the sake of being cheap.

I have been in the market for a bar cart for about a year now. When I saw this beauty from Society Social, I got very giddy and was convinced that I had the one.



Gorgeous, yes? Now here is my dilemma. This bar cart comes in both silver and gold. I find the gold to be particularly lovely, however the metals in my existing home furnishings are almost entirely silver. Hmm...

Now I have always believed that your can mix and match finishes as long as the pieces are well curated, but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger. I just keep telling myself that this is a "non-essential piece" and I should just wait until I find something that doesn't create said dilemma. But my mind keeps wandering back to this lovely.



So what do you think? Should I stop being indecisive? Or do you have something better that I just haven't found that might fit the bill? Please help!! My vodka bottles need a home.

Fantastic Flors

Home Decor.

I am a big fan of Flor carpet tiles. There are so many interesting combinations that you can do to create a custom rug of almost any size. And if you have pets or kids, the ability to be able to change out tiles if a stain is just too much to clean is absolutely priceless.

The most recent additions to the Flor collection are really fabulous . Some are quite funky and some really play with texture. Now I just need to find some spare floor space for another rug...

West Elm Lovelies

Household.

Oh my. The newest catalogue from West Elm is so full of lovely items that I dog-eared nearly every other page. I'm loving their new furniture pieces, but what I'm really swooning over is their dining and kitchen accessories...mostly because they are so affordable, but still very lovely.

Check some of my faves out...

Decor Inspiration

Interior Design.

I am a mid-century modern junkie. Saarinen, Florence Knoll, Eames, Bertoia...they are all mighty nice in my book. And one of my favorite stores in the whole world for fabulous vintage pieces is Post 27 in Chicago. They have a fabulously edited selection of vintage furniture mixed in with new products from local designers of both decor and fashion. Love.



So I've been very happy to add their blog, The Outpost, to my list of Sunday blog browsing. Every Sunday they feature an inspiration picture featuring vintage interior images. And they always inspire me. I recommend you add The Outpost to your Sunday browsing list as well...

Vegan Antlers???

One of my favorite Wicker Park hangouts in Chicago is Bangers and Lace. They have a great beer menu, amazing tastes to nosh, and a very homey urban rustic decor...complete with a few antlers, deer heads, and taxidermy. It just seems to work in this place, especially when I'm on beer number 2 or 3.

But the idea of having my very own set of antlers at home always freaked me out a bit. I was afraid that some bad juju from our dearly departed dear would befall my apartment. And then I saw these Guilt Free Vegan Antlers from The New Woodsman....I kind of love them.



Made of resin instead of the real deal, the Vegan Antlers are available in a large assortment of colors that adds a modern twist to a classically rustic decorative item.

And while you may not find this Vegan item at Whole Foods with your Vegan cookies, these antlers will be just as at home in your pad.