morning's light

a Paris houseboat

I want to move immediately into this Paris houseboat. I'm not kidding. 

via french by design

 

abigail + john's gorgeous home

So here's the thing.  I'm going to show you some photos of a beautiful house...but you've got to visit The Marion House Book for the detailed house tour by the homeowners, Abigail and John, and the remainder of the photos.  Emma (of the marion house book) is right...this is a house just like one you'd see in Living, etc (which happens to be my favorite magazine!). 

 

 








All photographs by Kristin Sjaarda for The Marion House Book.

home of jenny francis

 

 

Wow.

A beautiful home by architect/graphic designer Jenny Francis.
I cannot even pick a favorite room - they're all too pretty.

Details on the rooms' contents can be found here.

 

photos by Kristin Sjaarda via the marion house book

 

 

isabelle of Dos Family

Look how pretty the home of Isabelle (of Dos Family) and her family is!   She's on the cover of Family Living (a Swedish magazine).  [Google Translate comes in handy right about now.]

 

images via Family Living

 

EDITED:  Here's the Google Translated version of the Family Living article into English.

Isabelle and Eric met through work for about five years ago. Eric worked with shop fittings and hired Isabelle who "would make a lamp". And so it was bombastic love.

 - I lived in an apartment in Östermalm, the entire 20 square, and Erik lived in an apartment in Årsta when we met. Then I moved quickly in with him and it is a rather spartan. We had some old furniture that Eric had bought from a friend for fifteen hundred bucks, they were not so gorgeous there, right?

- It's your words, replies Eric.

- So, we bought nothing new and could not work for anything either, because we were going away, "says Isabelle, and remember that," there were piles of clothes everywhere because I do not even want to buy a laundry basket, I felt like that either we fix the works or may be ".

And so you took the leap to a family house at one time.

 - Yeah, right! A real adult home of 76 square meters in the middle of town. It was strange enough, the first apartment we budade on, and we got it. We signed the contract on a Tuesday and on Saturday we found out that I was pregnant.
Wow, quick throw!

- It was the worst week. First, we never thought we could afford to buy a three-room apartment, we had no dough to tuck in and had to take bank loans in the works, but we managed to deal well. It was not very nice here, we can honestly say, small arches over everything that led to the rather small room. Not ugly, but it was not fixed at all and it was perfect for us.

So when you renovated while you were pregnant?

- Yes, that was like that, I think. We stayed in Årsta and moved here after having torn a lot of walls and made all the big stuff, "says Isabelle.

- Though we did get to pee in the hole where the bathroom floor for a while, "recalls Erik.

- That's right, a week or so, we had not even a bathroom, I had forgotten. And so we slept in a bed in what today is Dellas room, there was stuff everywhere.

You did everything ourselves?

- Most, though we are not reef walls and stuff. But we were good at bringing in help in the right places, type wide putty on the ceiling. I think you have to think smart when renewing. For example, we had someone cut all the floor, and so I painted them white, then himself.

After all, abrasive and removal of old building materials is now the apartment ready. Brown Pink walls, white floors and a green 50's influenced cuisine, with an extra sink of Vince, "I have a tendency to be rather long, two feet". They painted many flea market finds makes the whole feels very Isabelle-ig.

Who decides how it should look like at home?

- HAHA, it was good, tan Erik.

Compromised or you have Isabelle always a solution?

- Yes, she is well. Though Isabel is polite, and always asks how I feel, "says Erik.

- It's true, I do. And the craziest ideas I've given up because you have not liked them.

Kind of what?

- Would I be able to decide more, it would be more animals in here. And when we're talking not fur. Without animals, men and porcelain items. Erik came up out of himself "I do not want to have a zoo at home" again, so I have actually listened to. What is there more that I like as not you are so light it?

- You were inside a tag that you want a lot of glass everywhere, "says Erik.

- Exactly. I wanted more light and were thinking of having some sort of glass wall between the bathroom and bedroom. I like the Continental hotel feeling, the type that has a large tub in the middle of the bedroom. Dreaming well to be one of those New York girl with a big open loft.

Tile wall in the kitchen is the apartment's real pride. A work of art made by Isabelle who added a large puzzle on the floor with all the little pieces to try to work out how she wanted it before she mixed the grout.

- It is actually the one who does it would be difficult to move from here. Then came Beppe I dream of a room. The children will still be able to share and then we'll take a room for a combined work, gymnastics,
puzzles and games room for the whole family. Since we both work from home, it would be awesome!

What is a typical Isabelle-thing?

- Hmm, I like that said a lot of animals, pattern and color. I love flea market finds and odd stuff, like the 50's tones, nice colors, shopping at garage sales that others solve crosswords, you might say. It is relaxing and as a sport. I have problems with white, often think that it feels dirty and cold.

at home with shin designs

The home of Anja-Patrice Hansen is a charming little thing!  I want to pull up a chair in the living room - to play games or have some tea!  Then it would be a great afternoon to curl up in the little reading corner to read, crochet or nap! The sheepskin throw looks perfect for a cool fall afternoon.

 

    

images of shin designs via norske interiorblogger

colorful studio sale

Beautiful images from a French studio sale.
I've never wanted to be in France more than I did this weekend!  
But I'm content to admire these photos from many miles away.

 

  

 

images: home & vintage

the art and home of william dohman

I was drawn to this home of William because he has "bon jour" artwork on the wall, but the more I looked around his home photos, the more I found to like. He has a flickr account and an etsy page. Here's a bit more about him.

"I am a designer from St. Paul, MN. I fell in love with photography while traveling around the world, studying architecture. India, Japan, and the Netherlands were so unlike my West St. Paul roots, I had to document everything I saw, from kite strings to street life, broken playgrounds to the Taj Mahal." 
 

 

 

   

 click each image for its source. 

white attic bedroom

I dreamed of a bedroom like this when I was younger and an avid reader - a room tucked away in an attic-like setting..all white! It's now that I appreciate the industrial edge the desk gives the room.  Cute cute cute.

Am typing this out in a cough-medicine, lack of sleep-induced daze.  I literally don't know which way is up..yet I'm driving and working and getting some things done.  Forgot to get creamer for my coffee so am making do with Coke which, since I haven't had it for awhile (umm four days), tastes too sweet to me today. 

I'll tell you one thing though. This dazed state lends itself to being a truth serum, so if you have any questions for me, ask away.  I'll tell you all I know. 

image via simply magnifique 

brick interior

Beautiful apartment that Dab Ito has (his blog).  The apartment is so neat, organized, airy, spacious and just check out the brick interior! He is an avid thrift store shopper and finds vintage cameras and other cool items. I like his eye for design and collections.  

 

 

   

 

many more photos of the apartment can be found here. 

Dutch loft

so I'm not crazy about tall the antlers BUT the linens, the curtains, the lighting and the Eames chairs - such a fan of this Dutch loft - an Amsterdam sugar warehouse loft built in 1763!! 

image via Solid Frog

the purple pouf caught my eye

How did I miss this sneak peek of laura aviva's place back in December?  I do not know. Must move on and enjoy the photos now. I love the simplicity in the decor, the purple hat I thought was a big pouf at first, and the wall colors.  

I just got word that the tramping through of my apartment by the building owner and the roof repair guy will take place "this week sometime..maybe".  Woo hoo..more time!  I still need a night or two to finish putting everything away that was taken out of the closet.  *whew*

Hope your weekend was swell.  What did you do?

 



    

 

images: design*sponge

personalized, pretty apartment

 

Barb of HappySimple and her husband have decorated their apartment to suit their lifestyle and needs.  I love it!  It's easy to get overwhelmed by too many blogs, magazine photos and decorating shows and lose sight of what you really need (or...don't need) for your own living space.  Barb decorated for her needs and her guests love the decor!  I do too.

 

 images: happysimple

summer living room

Jane Foster shared some of her summer living room photos.  
I love the airiness, lightness, and tidiness of the room!  
 

   

images

malin elmlid at home

Malin Elmlid (head of sales at Wood Wood) was interviewed for the website of Freunde von Freunden.  She's from Sweden, lived in the States, but now lives in Berlin.  I love her house and especially her kitchen.  It is a well-used, utilitarian but pretty kitchen! 

  

 

 
 

images: freunde von freunden

summer's beijing studio apartment!

 

Summer's apartment was featured on Ikea Family Live, and I want to live in a replica of this apartment! She's super organized - you can tell that everything has a place.  I love the bright, light-filled, organized kitchen and really want a bedroom wardrobe like hers.

Another perk of the small apartment is that "...it hardly takes any time to clean. Sex and the City girls don’t have time for the Cinderella act!"

  

these photos and many more of summer's apartment are more from ikea family live

 

a fun, new-to-me blog: green is the new black

 

I'm Swedish. Okay, half-Swedish.  But I relate the most to my Swedish relatives...   And here we go...this new-to-me blog is a Swedish blog!  It's called Green Is the New Black.  I love Sofia's personal style, and she has a bedroom I'll be using for inspiration for mine.  Here's a sampling of photos from her blog.  I hope you'll visit her.

[In my bedroom, I have a huge walk in closet in which I feel claustrophobic when I enter it.  So upon the advice of organizer Laura Cattano who suggested I decide if the closet should be for clothing or non-clothing storage, I am going with clothing in the bedroom itself (ha! that sounds like clothing optional then in the closet..I mean clothing STORAGE in the bedroom) and the closet will be more like a storeroom for the odds and ends from my apartment: yearbooks, photos, papers, files, mementos, out of season clothing, etc. (ooh..is that allowed, Laura?!). So then I saw the bedroom on Green Is the New Black and found a room which will be my inspiration as I set up my bedroom.]

Orange chairs!  Love it.  And putting small appliances on the windowsill?  Creatively lovely.

Open storage.  It works!

See that orange bowl in the background?  Beautiful.

I'm jealous of this white cabinet that she found for this corner.  What a great storage piece!

images: sofia of green is the new black    

pink wallpaper

Suddenly, I have this urge to wallpaper a wall in pink!  and accessorize with yellow.....hmm..wonder why?!

images: in my house 

not just any white, bright office...

 

This is so not just your vanilla, white-bright-office.  Victoria adds these personal touches that are just right not to mention that she owns some things I would give my right arm for: wire baskets, amazing artwork, colorful pillows, inspiration on a wire.... it goes on and on.  Brilliant!

 

images: sfgirlbybay via Herman Miller - Lifework 
  

 

Caro [SodaPop Design]

Anita, a blogger in Austria who has lived in Dallas, introduced the home of Caro (Soda Pop Design).  (Both blogs are in German which means Google Translate comes in handy to read these beautiful blogs!)  Anita describes Caro's home as "fresh, light and uncomplicated" to which I agree. 

images: 1richtungsblog

inspiration from a new book

click on images for a larger view 

Just picked up the latest book from Apartment Therapy..... Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces. Am only halfway through the book and already have changed my ideas on brown/blue in the bedroom (new favorite colors now) and how to sparkle up my bathroom!

  

 images

Seattle garage = tiny home

 
Simple kitchen.

Simple bathroom.

 

Simple sleeping loft.

What a perfect little home for one or two people to share!  I was captivated by the kitchen photo but the rest of the little home drew me in as well.  

You can read the article and/or browse the slideshow.  It's all about artist Michelle de la Vega.   What I love is that Michelle wanted more metal pieces in her home so she took a welding class, and her website now lists her as a welder.  She has a curiosity about life and is willing to do the studying necessary to do what she's interested in..not just talk about it.  Impressive really. 

loft living

 This loft has my favorite shade of blue, gorgeous dining chairs, a pretty blue/white chair in the living area, and hello!  those windows!!

 images: geisslein

Hope you had a great weekend!  Mine was so full but also felt like I was on vacation for a week.  I was invited at the last minute to be a chaperon for a sweet sixteen birthday party/overnight at an indoor water park. Twenty-four hours there felt like being on vacation for a week.  That's a good weekend!

But now it's Tuesday. Hope your day is relaxing at home and productive at work!

K2 House

The K2 House (home of Keith + Karen) was a rundown ranch home that they turned into "a midcentury modern masterpiece" according to Brian Patrick Flynn of Decor Demon.  

Apart from the amazing home photos, I love Brian's narration because he makes it all seem so fun!  Even when he didn't realize until too late that the same arrangement was in two photos, he merely pointed it out and said "dammit" which had me laughing out loud and probably causing the neighbors to wonder what's wrong with that girl upstairs?!

Keith and Karen purchased many items at IKEA and would then pair them with high end items. The overall look is quite stunning.  

 

images: DecorDemon

   

 

nicoletter: red/pink kitchen accessories

Finding photos like the one above makes me smile. And my heart turns over at the beauty of the photo. You know then that I have to share it with you!    

The colors in the kitchen are bright and cheerful and just right.  The simplicity of the room shows how relaxed and confident Nicoletter is.  I love the utensil holder, the curtains and the lamp.  (ahem. "Way to go," you are probably thinking, "You just told us what items in the first photo have color.")  

So I'll stop talking, and let you explore Nicoletter's blog or flickr pages to see more of her home!

 

images: nicoletter

sidsel + line (denmark homes)

Since so much decor inspiration comes from Denmark, I'd love to visit the country someday!  Meanwhile, here are some photos of artists Sidsel and Line and of their homes (as seen in BoligLiv and on Decor8). There's something about the light, the generous use of white paint, the pops of color that just makes my heart go pitter patter!

 

  

  

images from here

clear. uncluttered.

 

clear.

uncluttered.

room to breathe.

 

peaceful

pretty

 

eclectic

charming

french kitchen

images: little circus

raina's house...white with pops of color

Raina Kattelson's house was a sneak peak on Design*Sponge, and I was captivated by the first photo of the brightly colored walls and was only drawn in further by the remaining photos.  This is definitely a "May I please live here?" kind of a home.  I have a little crush on the red "jack" piece on the table.  (That's what it is, right? a big ol' jack like kids play with but way bigger?!)  Am also quite fond of the tall wooden cupboard.

Today is an important day for my family: my mom is retiring from her job of 28 years with the State of Wisconsin. I'll be attending her official retirement dinner tonight.  Supposedly she's not too sad to be leaving, but is in fact looking forward to soon moving an hour away to live closer to four  (3 + 1 on the way) of her grandchildren! She gets to move into an adorable studio apartment that has bamboo flooring, a murphy bed, stunning views of a ravine in a park, and close access to grandchildren - steps away!   Luckily she'll be there to help with the birth of the fourth child, Christian James a/k/a CJ, who is due in May.

 

 

images: design*sponge

a heart on an orange wall

The husband/wife photography duo behind The Image Is Found is hilarious, creative and quite talented. While I wholly admire their work, I adore their home.  It's light, airy, colorful and so very personalized. Adoring the orange walls.  (The description of the heart-process is here.)

 

 

images: the image is found

inspirational spaces

 

Elisabeth of Inspirational Spaces has graciously allowed me to post photos she's taken and displays on her blog.  I adore the pins on the bedding, the pretty reading corner (note to self: imitate this reading corner), and the overall look of the homes.

   

cozy + color

[This is going to sound like an award acceptance speech but....]

I'd like to thank Amy of Sweet, Sweet Life for introducing me to Lucy of Attic 24 and all the glorious color and coziness that abounds there.  The photo above reflects just how I spent my Sunday afternoon and evening: reading and relaxing with warm beverages.  Today it's back to the Real World.

How's your venture into the Real World going today?

 

  

images: Attic 24

brady bunch wall

What a great idea!  And check out the couch and pillows below the portrait (if you can tear your eyes away from the brady bunch wall!)  Jennie (of Focus Jennie) got the couch for fifty dollars on Craigslist (and fixed it up to her liking).

image 

studio space: Studio Olivine & Quince Flowers and Events

Photographer Leah Verwey has a website called Spaced which highlights creative spaces in the Portland, Oregon area.  I'm smitten with her photos of Studio Olivine & Quince Flowers and Events (they share the space).  I could barely narrow it down to a handful of photos to share with you.

images: spaced   

this must be my favorite house tour EVER {doredoris}

I am in love.  Can you SEE the family above? Carolina (of the blog DoreDoris) has on my all-time favorite wardrobe mix of black and white with a SHOT of color (those tights!!!), the pink + green combo!  his red converse!  And that's just the family.  Wait until you SEE their home!!!  I want a pantry as organized and colorful as theirs; I want the airy, spacious feel to my own house that they have.  I want...I want....

Oh go on already..take a look.  Why are you reading my words?!

white, airy swedish home

 

What a gorgeous, simple, white, airy home!   So spacious!!

Here's the bedroom of a different home:

images: room and serve

cozy + color + pattern

Enjoy the home of Lark founder, Allison, and her family - in Australia.

A simple photo with pretty touches.  Love the sign.  "for washing everything"

storage! wood furniture! love it!

a pantry sign!  good idea.
 perhaps I'll label my kitchen's cupboards and closets and such.

handsome crate + pretty papers

perhaps every home should have a red chair stowed somewhere in a corner.

a former bedroom turned into a big ol' family bathroom.  superb!

images AT:LA

colorful, organized office

Through Kim Vallee, I found a new-to-me blog that is a new favorite:  ourhaus.  Jodi shares about how she created an office out of a loft area at home.  I adore the colors she chose and how she organized every little thing!  Naturally I think it's great that many of her items are from IKEA.   Jodi gives a bunch of hints and some rules of thumb to follow when creating an organized office.  She also shows where she got everything.  I could use more color in my office and may pick up a few of Jodi's items when I'm at IKEA next week.

all images:  ourhaus

bright + sunny home

I'm here.  Surprise!  Am on Day Three of a fever that is tagging along with the flu. So far this week between coughs, I caught up on sleep and TV shows (How I Met Your Mother, the Big Bang Theory, New Adventures of Old Christine, Top Chef, Models of the Runway, Biggest Loser and Modern Family).  Queued up for later is the Drew Barrymore film "Grey Gardens".

Meanwhile, I'm catching up on emails and was happily surprised to find this beautiful, airy home of Rene shown by Apartment Therapy L.A. 

Many more photos here. (Out of the 40 photos AT:LA showed, I saved 21 of them in my inspiration folder.)

a pretty, pretty white home

A pretty, simple white home.  The family bought this house that had been empty for 35 years and pretty much started from scratch.  It's so orderly, and pretty.  In the photo above, I love the wood floors and simpleness of the room.

The little girl, Juliette, is beautiful, but what caught my eye after her was the simple lineup of Perrier bottles on one of the bar shelves.  And then I saw the pretty bar stools and decided to a) buy more Perrier to have on hand and b) find some bar stools for my kitchen/dining area. 

Simple, pretty dining area.  I noticed again the Perrier bottles.  Perrier on the mind, I suppose.

Gorgeous white bowls all lined up and a casual way to display family photos.

photos:  AT:SF

former school = home

Really like the white + wood.... the white + pastels...... how about just the white?    A home in a former school - featured in Skona Hem.

images:  skona hem via emmas designblogg

charming french hotel

The Hotel Le Senechal on the Ile de Re near La Rochelle is a beautiful, charming hotel, one I will add immediately to my list of where to stay when I finally visit France!   I'm recommending the large room that is for weddings and meetings to the Youth Guy for the February youth group leadership retreat.  The church will cover airfare to France, yes?!

 

via ill seen, ill said