Beauty in Nature

These seagulls are such a beautiful feast for the eyes.  I need to continue to remember that nature is as important to design as anything else.  Birds, the bark of a tree, the gentle flow of a river - they all are inspiration to me.

 photo: automatism 

Photographs on a Shelf

I was at the Alameda Flea Market on Sunday and found some real gems.  I found a beautiful sepia photo of a Buddha and a demi john that will look great on my dinning room table.  It's remarkable how diverse and wonderful that market is.  I look forward to going back soon.  A friend found two beautiful French tables and my daughter found a variety of items for a photo shoot she is doing in the near future.

photo: dress, design, decor 

More Beautiful Cranes

I'm expecting good things to happen but I may head to Japantown tomorrow to get paper for a thousand cranes.  It couldn't hurt!

photo: julia 

White Washed Beauty

I recently came across Me and Alice by way of Sacramento Street.  I am absolutely smitten with the simplicity of the rooms and the individual pieces photographed.  Gives me so many new ideas to think about.  I have similar chandeliers and the design is right up my alley.  Hope you like these as much as I do.

http://meandalice.blogspot.com/ 

One Thousand Cranes

I wonder if I make a thousand cranes, my wish will come true.  I think I might start making them right now!

I found this lovely photograph at Julia .  A new treasure of a site for me.

On the Road Again

I've been traveling and visiting family this past week and while I had good intentions of posting, it never seemed to happen.  I have been so busy I had no creative energy left.  But I'm back and my mind is racing with ideas.  I found some wonderful spaces on !maisonetdemeure.com.

 I really like the gray walls in this dining room.  It feels so warm and inviting.  I also am a sucker for a round dining room table.

I have been searching for a sofa forever and can't find the one that is just right.  I probably like the walls on this photograph better than the sofa but I thought I would post it to get "sofa energy" back!!!

If I had a beach house it would be all white, linen, and accents of blue.  So serene.

Is this bedroom taupe or gray?  I honestly can't tell.  Maybe a bit dull but pretty at the same time.

Summer Simplicity - Oh the Joy

I have finally finished the summer clean out (like none other!) and now I am feeling so ready for a retreat in a room like the these.  I adore their simplicity - so inviting.  All three of these rooms look like summer to me.  Light filled rooms, clean lines, and beautiful bones.  That is what makes a classic home to me.

{photos: 1 &3: haute design , 2: coco & kelley }

Rue Magazine

I can hardly wait for the September issue of Rue .  In my mind, September just can't get here soon enough!!! With the talents of these four ladies, I'm sure it will be a big hit.  Eye candy for all of us.

Small Spaces...Creating Your Nest

I was smitten with the latest House Beautiful.  It was nice to see a magazine focus on small space living.  Small spaces can be elegant and a very carefree way to live.  Lately I've been wondering if I should move out of my three story townhouse.  Maybe a smaller place would be an adventure I would enjoy.  Here is the place I fell in love with in House Beautiful and gave me the visual idea of a smaller space.

{photos: House Beautiful }

Changes in the Air

I have been working so hard on my house - cleaning out every closet, drawer, and even the garage.  I will be finishing today.  I felt that before I made any major changes, I needed to start with a completely clean palate.  It feels so great to finally get there.  I have now taken six car trips to a local Goodwill, one car filled with books, and even a load to the local dump (very small!).  Now that everything is done, I'm very excited for the changes I can create in my life.

I have always loved white linens and will continue to have them in my home.  Lately I have been very drawn to blues mixed with neutrals as well.  I think there will be a future touch of blue in my decor - which is quite astonishing since I am pretty much the queen of neutrals!

I really wish I could find a sofa similar to this one.  Right now I have a French daybed as my sofa and while I adore it, it would be more at home in my study.  I will continue my search for the perfect sofa.

And finally, I need to really focus on my wall of photographs,  I have several places where I think they would really pop!

{photos: style files }