Adding the finishing touches to our newly renovated space

FREE IMAGES Our house is almost done. so close.... and baby is due in 3 weeks.  Hubby has been working tirelessly for four months now to make our house our home.  I don't even begin to know how to thank him!  And now the fun part begins - decorating! While we do have many pieces we are going to keep, there are some things we need.  I've been scouring flash sale sites to try and get good stuff at a good price, but you have to check often and move fast - which can be tough if you're undecided.  Here's what I've found today that would look gorgeous in our space:

Now that we have a breakfast bar - we need stools.  These would be a great contrast to our white upholstered dining chairs.

We just bought a gorgeous silvery taupe sectional, and this color would be so great with it!

Two large baskets are needed by both doors for shoes.  We don't have room for any entry way furniture like a shoe cabinet, and I will never train hubby to put his shoes in the closet.

3 items above were all found at Joss & Main

 A lush, textured carpet for our master bedroom.

Throw pillow with a little punch for our new sofa.

These 3 items found on Gilt.

Fresh and clean - interiors that scream spring

FREE IMAGES Finally - the weather is starting to warm up and the sun is coming out!  While my home is still a construction zone - it is nice to imagine and gather inspiration for how I will decorate once all of our new flooring is down!

via Pinterest via BHG

via Pinterest via Domaine Home

via Pinterest via BHG

via Pinterest via House of Turquoise

via Pinterest via Lovely Life

via Pinterest via domaine home

via Pinterest via thedecorista.com

Truly fresh and inspired spaces

FREE IMAGES I strive for a home that is thoughtfully decorated and put together, but at the same time not so styled and polished that it doesn't look like anyone lives there.  It can be a hard balance to strike though, but if you take the time to pick out pieces, colors, and textures that are meaningful to you and fit your lifestyle, your home will feel beautiful to you even if there are shoes left by the door and mail piled on the counter.  Here are some spaces that I think are really beautiful, but have enough personality to shine even if someone really lives there!

via Rue Mag

via Bungalow

Even though this space is small, seating is ample for a family, just scaled down to fit in the space.
via Rue Mag

I don't iron my sheets either, though this be is prettier than mine with the gorgeous emerald shams and quilt!
via Bungalow

This space reminds me of the courtyard rooms in Morocco.  What a treat to have that skylight!
via Rue Mag

One of my favorite looks is well-worn books mixed in with family photos and travel souvenirs.
via Bungalow

via Bungalow

via Rue Mag

Beautiful Autumn Updates

FREE IMAGES Sad as it makes me, summer is on it's way out. Though I like autumn, it's the knowledge that winter is right behind that bums me out. One way to make goodbyes to summer a little less painful is to update your home with some elements to make the time spent indoors more pleasant.

1. A plush upholstered be for cozying up under the covers. From Joss & Main.
2. Candlelight will be even more beautiful in this Moroccan lantern. From One Kings Lane.
3. Take advantage of all the light you have my using a pretty mirror to reflect it. From Joss & Main.
4. A gorgeous dark wood dresser makes for a pretty place to store throws. From Joss & Main.
5. A sumptuous leather chair for curling up with a great novel. From One Kings Lane.
6. Keep toes warm with a sheepskin rug. From Joss & Main.

My home office inspiration

FREE IMAGES I've been trying to find jus the right shade of peach to paint my home office for the last few months.  I find shades are either too pink, or too salmony. Anywhere, here is some inspiration

This was the original office that inspired me to paint my office peach
via Decorology

LOVE this.
via Pinterest via The Glitter Guide.com

This bedroom has been a favorite of mine for a long time.
via Pinterest via The Designer's Muse

Maybe a bit too salmon for me, but I like it
via Pinterest via Babble

This color is just what I'm looking for!
via Pinterest via The Tao of Dana

This is gorgeous too but maybe a bit too warm.
via The Tao of Dana

via Pinterest via BHG

Rugs Rugs Rugs

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Keeping the focus on floors these days, I'm pretty excited to show off a favorite of mine today. Antique and vintage rugs are a great way to add a little pattern and eye candy to the floor!

via Houzz

If you aren't sure of what type of rug to look for, Scandinavian rugs are great for pastel rooms. They tend to have lighter colors in them and the designs are beautiful!


via ApartmentTherapy

Mixing and matching rugs are a great way to bring two spaces together. Using the same color options but getting different patterns or styles can help define a space but keep the natural flow of the room.

via Houzz

For those who love a lot of color and mixed patterns, using a rug with like colors can tie in a space. Moroccan rugs would be a great choice for this situation as they tend to have bright lively colors.


via Pinterest

For those of you who love the simplicity and neutral colors, this is a great way to step out of your box and add a great pattern to the view! There are some amazing places that sell vintage rugs for great prices and they are great quality.


via ApartmentTherapy


this post is in partnership with nazimyalcollection

Patio inspiration

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Love the ambiance of string lights outside.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

I'm also a sucker for non-outdoor style furnishings outside.

via Pinterest via Stylish Living

 Love this spot under the trees.

Flea market fab!  Check out the grasses growing in a salvaged fireplace surround, and a day bed turned into an amazing chaise.

via BHG

Have a great weekend!

The Glamorous work of Angie Hranowsky

FREE IMAGES In a bit of a frenzy today, so I leave you with the work of Angie Hranowsky, which needs no words. Enjoy!

How to welcome Spring into your home a little early this year!

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Spring cannot get here soon enough!  Yesterday here in Maryland was a tease, with sunny skies and almost 50 degrees.  Today?  In the 30’s with wet, sloppy snow.  All the weather flip-flopping is not good for one’s mood or health!

So, I ‘ve decided to come up with a game plan to bring Spring to me, in my own home.  Next week I am going to start implementing touches of warmth, sunshine, and new growth through small changes in décor.  And, if you have the budget – you can go big – through furnishings, etc.

In my own personal experience, the change that makes a biggest impact on my space are the window treatments.  This may simply be because I tend to look toward light sources, which are often windows.  You may be more drawn to looking at the floor, foreground, or anything with in your eye level.  Next time you walk into a room, notice where your eyes go first.  Once you pinpoint that point of focus, start by making updates in that area for the most bang for your buck.  Then, if you want, spread out!

Simply swapping out heavy dark drapes, which may be appropriate for winter, with airy, white window treatments will lighten up the entire room and allow more light to enter the room.

Window treatments need not cost a leg and an arm,  treatments like roller blinds are not only affordable but are also being offered in chic and modern designs by manufacturers like Web-Blinds.

If your focus tends to be on the floor, than consider adding a colorful rug, or a rug in a lighter weave, or one with a beautiful pattern.

Get in on the chevron insurgence, but keep it unique with this pear-hued rug.

So many beautiful rugs - so little time!

If new window treatments or a carpet is not in the budget right now.  You'd be surprised at the amount of life that a grouping of new throw pillows can breathe into a room!

All these pretty rugs and pillows are available at Joss & Main (You have to create a login to shop, but it's free and fast) .

Do you have any plans to lighten and brighten your space before Spring or when Spring arrives?

This post in partnership with Web-Blinds.com