The Gentle Art of Domesticity

Over break I went over to hang out with some family friends- the mom, Elizabeth of B~Inspired, gave me sewing lessons for years and is an all-around creative person. While we were all talking about school and our latest projects, blogging, etc, Miss Elizabeth brought over a book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, which is authored by British creative tour du force and blogger Jane Brocket of Yarnstorm.

How deliciously welcoming is the cover?!

Just as I was taking pictures with my phone so that I could remember what to look for when I went to purchase the book myself, I was presented with this:

An early birthday present! My own copy! I was so excited and grateful to add it to my growing coffee table book collection. The pages are bright, cheery, and delicious with fun ideas and beautifully photographed projects, flowers, knitting and craftsmanship. 

{all photos by colleen for splash of color}

If you haven't already heard of this delightful find, you must check it out!

{available here and here}

What books are must haves for your coffee table? 

xx

C

Interior Desire Crush: Rachel Roy

I'm a little late on the InStyle, as I swore myself to an oath that I wouldn't pick up/purchase a magazine until Spring Break rolled around. However, I made it through quite the stockpile while on break, and one of those publications was the March of InStyle. Be still my interior design loving heart, Rachel Roy's apartment was to die for. I couldn't decide which aspect of the apartment I loved the most, though I have to say I probably identified the most with the National Geographic collection in Roy's dining room. 


The entire place is just simply perfection!

{sources for all three photos here}

LONNY is BACK!

For those of you who are Matchbook Girls and LONNY lovers, you probably know that LONNY has been noticeably absent for the past few months as they revamped their look. Well (drumroll please....)

Welcome back LONNY!

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What a perfect way to spend a Sunday! I'll be getting back to you later this week with my fave features once I have a chance to sit down and read it! Today is jam-packed with prep/set up for the high school fashion show my mom chairs followed by a family birthday party. Not your typical spring break activities, but fun and busy nonetheless!

Check out LONNY {here}... and can we just gush over Anna Burke's outfit for a second? I'm not sure what I love the most, but I think I'm going to have to go with the shoes... or the jacket... love it all!

Happy Sunday!

xx

Currently Loving: Furbish

As per my usual morning routine, I was perusing my blogs while having cereal and coffee in my bed when I came across this post on Sequins & Stripes about Furbish Studios. Obviously, the lot of items on display were so fab, I had to check it out. It's bittersweet now because I've surveyed every product on the site and now have nothing new to discover in the fabulous online boutique! The store, based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, is the vision of Jamie Meares, who aims to provide chic and unique interior pieces (and jewelry, too!) without breaking the bank! It's chic style on a shoestring.

{headboard}{stacking boxes}{lacquered box}{pendant}{lamp}{wallpaper}

I can't even pick just one item that is my fave! I love love LOVE the headboard, and imagine the wallpaper in a small powder room. The lacquered box is called a "stationary box" on the website, and I can picture lovely stationary sitting in the box waiting to be used for correspondences.

Check out ALL of the goodies {here}!

... And as if that weren't enough, Jamie has a blog- check it {here} - where I found further endless inspiration. Today's post? The utterly ingenious idea of a set of pillows. Instant change up! Months of layering and discovery and trial-and-error design all wrapped up in one set!! (drumroll please...)

Pillow Packages

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These seven pillows (inserts included) can be yours for $695 + s/h. Obviously for a college student, this is out of the price range, but on a normal basis, this is completely reasonable. And the color scheme and patterns? Sometimes you can't imagine things working together until you see it (this is a perfect example-- hello ikat/chevron silk and zebra print together in harmony) and the quality is lovely. It's an instant ounce of perfectly imperfect design to any room. Check out the details {here}.

Happy Shopping!

xx

Creativity on a College Budget

I love a good Parson's table. In my future dream home, I will ideally have either (or both) a phenomenal Parson's dining table and/or a mirrored Parson's nightstand. Naturally, when moving into my apartment, I picked up one of the super cheap (bonus) Parson's side tables at Target. I couldn't find a picture of it online, but it looks more or less like the LACK side table that IKEA sells for $7.99 (talk about a bargain). 

{Source}

I would show the current state of my nightstand, but it's currently clogged with magazines, beauty products, books, etc. I have had great plans for this nightstand, but I couldn't decide on which direction to go in, until I saw this month's House Beautiful issue, where in one segment interior decorators were asked what piece in their home they've repurposed. 

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I DIED when I saw this tortoise shell Parsons in February's issue of House Beautiful! I had to email my mom and have her look it up for me in her copy, because I had forgotten to write down the designer before I left so I could gawk at the tables online while I was at school. Gotta love MB, she sent a link to Gorgeous Shiny Thing's post that covers "How-To Recreate Tortoise Shell"! Thanks mom! 

I'm hoping to tackle this project this summer, when I have a nice weekend during which I can borrow my friends' back porch so I don't turn my tiny apartment into a completely intoxicating environment! 

I'm going to top the finished table with a lucite square tray (any ideas on where to find that are encouraged and welcomed), turning my table from tres cheap into tres chic. 

Saturday Design Inspirations

Talk about bargains. Naturally, I went on Craigslist and Ebay to see if I could possibly find chairs that looked like the ones I found in Dragonfly that I wrote about the other day. When I originally wrote this, I was going to say that I didn't find the chairs, but I did find some other great deals.... and then I found the chairs!!!!! ~

Mid-century Modern Upholstered Armchairs

{via pinterest}

Happy Weekend! 

Splurge: Landon Armchair, Pottery Barn, $999- $1,299 depending on fabric grade

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Steal: Dragonfly Milwaukee via Craigslist, $65 each or $120 for both

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When I posted this picture on my mom's Facebook page to show her I had found the chairs online, my friend Mallory commented that they reminded her of Austin Powers Goldmember. I agreed, which is why I would most certainly be recovering these beauties if I could get my hands on them.

1950's Caned Armchairs

{via pinterest}

Splurge: Antiques du Monde, Set of 4 caned armchairs, $6,800

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Steal: Craigslist, $35 for set of two

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Obviously the "steal" chairs would need some sprucing up, but I personally like the slight stylistic difference more, and for someone starting out or in a small space, they would be super cute!

Vintage Wood Trunk

{via pinterest}

I would put these trunks at the foot of the beds rather than the wicker ones shown above!

Splurge: English Accent Antiques Camphorwood Trunk via 1stdibs.com, $6,750

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Steal: Vintage Wood Chest via Craigslist, $150

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I especially love the sailboat etching on the steal trunk! 

1960's Herman Miller Chairs

{via pinterest}

{via pinterest}

Splurge: Area 51 via 1stdibs.com set of 4 1960's Herman Miller Eames Side Chairs, $6,000

{source}

Steal: BoomBox Designs via Craigslist, Pair of 1960's Herman Miller Eames Side Chairs, $350

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Interior Desire

My mom and baby sister came out to visit me and my younger sister in Milwaukee this weekend. As always, one of our favorite things to do is shop. My mom loves to window shop for ideas for (constantly) redecorating our home, and now has expanded her sites to the imminent prospects of decorating my own shabby apartment when I graduate in a year. (Yikes!)

One site we visited on our tour of Milwaukee was the vintage store Hannah and I discovered a couple months back when we went over to the East Side to have our hair done. Dragonfly on Brady Street has everything from Men's and Women's vintage clothing, to records, kitschy items, cocktail glasses, etc. The also have furniture that is perfectly priced and hidden under all the items that are carried in the store. I so desperately wish I had taken a picture of the two (modern take on the traditional club) chairs that caught my mom's eye. The legs were a gorgeous walnut brown, and while the chair was covered in moss green velvet that neither of truly appreciated, we both could see past that with ease when the price was a cool $65 per chair! Unheard of! We walked away sans chairs, however, as my tiny apartment comes furnished and we would have no place to store the chairs. We now live in hope that they will still be there next May (as if) when I graduate and my dad and brother can lug them back to Connecticut for us. Of course, the next store we hit, Embelezar, in Milwaukee's Third Ward, had the same exact style of chairs (in leather) for $1100. Gulp.

Ever since the siting, I've been hit once again with interior design fever. I call it interior desire. My mom and I have the occasional bouts where we just dream about decorating and redecorating. I actually fear for my future well being when I have a paycheck and apartment that I can decorate. Yikes.

Here are some of my current favorite design accessories and inspirations (obviously via Pinterest, my other addiction).

From Left to Right~

{chandelier} {wallpaper} {tray} {lampshade}

{trunk} {bin} {lamp} {nesting tables}

{ottoman} {desk} {pouf} {apothecary jars}

{chair} {coffee table} {bowl} {dining chair}

I don't think there is one thing that I dislike about this. 

The contrast of the white settee against the pink walls is simply to die for, 

and the frames? I love wall art, especially big groups of framed photos and works of art!

They say a creative mind is rarely neat.

While I pride myself on being organized, this

organized chaos is exactly what I find inspiring:

being surrounded by favorite things, colors, patterns, etc

as a source of inspiration. Also, the modern white chairs paired

with the classic dark wood table? Perfection!

One word: Frames. I love the frames! Also, this
could work perfectly in a small space. Love it!

The bright colors and modern design is addictive in
this set up. I have a thing for Parsons designs, so these
Parsons table/ottomans are right up my alley!

Zebra Print. Modern Table + Classic Chairs. Pink settee

Picture frames arrangement? Love. Love. LOVE!!