summer solstice

Today is the longest and sunniest day of the year.

Think bright bold warm colors!  The more the merrier as the season begins.

Neon Nail Polish, American Apparel

Uniform Bits Necklace, Anthropologie

Big Clunky Wallet, Congressbags at Etsy

Madewell.com

Mark Rothko 'Orange, Red, Yellow, 1961' 

 The Farmhouse Chair, Bend

Wheelie Flight Deck, Burton 

give green a chance

What a great time of year in Ohio with all of the trees in their full green glory!

Celebrate bright emerald green by adding a splash in your home.

Houzz

Kelley Moore

Pinterest

click on links below 

1.  Coat Rack Large Six Arm, RoomandBoard

2.  Goddess Chandelier, Currey & Co.

3.  Green and Natural Zebra Pillow, Jonathan Adler

4.  Cruz Chaise, RoomandBoard

5.  Billy Bookcase, Ikea

6.  Slim Round End Table, RoomandBoard

7.  Tube Top Small Table Lamp, RoomandBoard

8.  Chiesa Green by Suzanne Sharp Wool Rug, The Rug Company

9.  Ming Green Side Chair, Crate&Barrell

dipped decor

Check out this new trend to give any object a new fresh look - dip it!
For do-it-yourselfers this can be easy, all you need is a little paint.

For those of you who like to purchase rather than create, there are great pieces to buy. 

frenchbydesign.blogspot.com

do it yourself directions: HouseandHold.com

Windsor Love Seat, Anthropologie

Dipped Side Table, West Elm

do it yourself directions: thesweetbeastblog.com

Splash Coat Rack, Blu Dot

sun porch with a great view

This is one of my favorite spots to hang out.

Lucky for me it belongs to my father-in-law. 

This year he asked me to redesign it.  Keeping it fresh and comfortable, we recovered the sofa and side chairs, selected new dining chairs and a glass table to open the space up.  The striped outdoor fabric keeps us from worrying about spills.

The shadow box filled with shells and mini easels made by my daughter and I 

give the room a personal touch.

One of my favorite spots to hang out.

A little glimpse of the 'before'...in my same spot.

View of the gulf on Siesta Key.

Resources available upon request.

ikea hogsten chair

Today we took a road trip to Ikea.

Since the closest is a 2 hour drive to Pittsburgh, I only get my fix every year or two.

One of today's great purchases were these outdoor chairs.

Of course I had to add yellow cushions to them...new favorite accent color!

Hogsten Easy Chair, $89.99, Ikea

Granat Yellow Cushion, $3.99, Ikea

artful arrangement

What makes this a great space?

A simple neutral sofa with the contrast of modern classic Barcelona chairs.

Shades of blue used throughout creating rhythm and balance.

These design elements against a simple white and wood backdrop 

keeps it from looking cluttered.

But the wall of art and photographs is the focal point of this room.

Although it may appear as if it were casually put together, 

surely a lot of thought went into the framing and placement.

branch out with color

A sign that spring is here...forsythia in full bloom!

Such a burst of color...especially in contrast to the winter trees.

It's amazing what a punch of yellow can do to a room.

 Keeping the rest simple, one bright object can give a room the wow it needs.

Home in Copenhagen

 houzz

Industrial Pendant, West Elm

Billy Bookcase, Ikea

Here are some accessories I love that can give your home a pop of yellow.

1.  Spring Birds + Branches Wall Art Print Set, Etsy

2. Cosy Pendant, Urban Electric 

3.  Ceramic Lamp Base + Lamp Shade, Target

4.  Marimekko Pieni Unikko Bedding, Crate&Barrell

5.  Cell Yellow Tapestry Cushion, The Rug Company

6.  Moroccan Pouf, Jonathan Adler

7.  Capellini Ribbon Stool, ABC Carpet & Home

8.  Billy Bookcase, Ikea

inspired by the hunger games fire dress

I recently read the first of the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.

The story of a bunch of adolescents fighting to the death in a futuristic state-sponsored gladiatorial contest has adolescents and adults reading the series and 

running out to the see the movie.

I have not seen the movie (yet!) but am half way through the book series.

'The Girl on Fire Dress' worn by the main character Katniss 

inspired my fire and flame theme. 

1.  Knitted Blood Orange Pouf, CB2

2.  Murano Glamour, La Murrina

3.  Carousel Lantern, Currey & Company

4.  Bargello Jamaica Lane Pillow, Jonathan Adler

5.  Roy Vase, Crate&Barrell

6.  Flock Red, Wayne Pate

7.  Zig Zag Throw, Jonathan Adler

8.  Eames Molded Plastic Chair, MoMa Store

9.  3 Prong Red Coat Rack, CB2

10.  Orange Poppy Bowl, Horchow

11.  Orange Ombre Shag, West Elm

18th Century Flamed-Stitch Wallet, Z&K Antiques,  Orange Ombre Scarf, Polyvore,   

Kimono Satin Wide Leg Pants, Anthropologie,  Paprika-Spiked Slingbacks, Anthropologie,  

Photo of Katniss in the fire dress from the movie.

flutter like a butterfly

Engraved Butterfly Dishtowel, Anthropologie

Butterfly Collage Dictionary Book Print, Etsy 

Butterfly Cabinet, Chris Lehrecke for Ralph Pucci

Rosewood Butterfly Stool, Moma Store

Butterfly Shower Curtain, West Elm

from dress to nest: apparel inspiration

A signature silk dress easily transforms your home into a chic, yet comfortable nest.

click on color to link


Tory Burch 'Truman' Printed Silk Dress, Nordstrom
1.  Parker Pendant, Jonathan Adler

2.  Multiple Layers of Geometric Mirrors, Wisteria

3.  Talin Wall Clock, Crate&Barrel

4.  Banded Glass, West Elm

5.  Faceted Mirror Side Table, West Elm

6.  Haines Chair, Jonathan Adler

7.  Moroccan Leather Pouf, Serena & Lily

8.  Peter Throw, Jonathan Adler

9.  Lapchi Sahara Rug, Lapchi

house+wears: texture + sparkle

Choose an antique patina chest of drawers, add a simple mirror and 

textured lighting for your house + wear a simple top paired 

with a sparkly clutch and head out in style!

Regatta Pendant, Currey + Company

Maison Short Bath Cabinet, Restoration Hardware

Beaded Frame Mirror, Wisteria

Melie Bianco 'Daisy' Metallic Clutch, Nordstrom

Max + Mia Kimono Sleeve Top, Nordstrom

bright colors: inspired by kermit the frog

We just went to the new Muppet Movie.
I saw Kermit the Frog in a new light...for the great color combo he is!
Got neutral?

Add color!
Inspired by Kermit.

1.  Southampton Rug, Jonathan Adler
2.  Henri Matisse "La Gerbe"
3.  Letter Pillows, Jonathan Adler
4.  Boka Persimmon Table Lamp, Crate&Barrel
5.  Barrington Sofa, Crate&Barrel
6.  Red + Natural Zebra Pillow, Jonathan Adler
7.  Esme Bruno Table, Crate&Barrel
8.  Adele Barrel Chair, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
9.  Moroccan Pouf, Jonathan Adler
10.  Olin Rug, Crate&Barrel
11.  Gava Vase, Crate&Barrel
12. Bromley Rug, Crate&Barrel
13.  Curvee Shelf, House Eclectic
14.  Round Lacquered Boxes, The Container Store
15.  Warhol Untitled 1954, Room&Board 
16.  Slim Desk Lamp, Crate&Barrel
17.  Pink Lemon Pillow, Jonathan Adler
18.  Parsons Twin Bed, Room&Board
19.  Marimekko Unikko Red + White Pillow, Crate&Barrel
20.  Chevron Throw, Jonathan Adler
21.  Eames Molded Plastic Rocker, Design Within Reach
22.  Moroccan Leather Pouf, Serena & Lily