{new year's lessons: embracing the clutter}

inspiration to not only organize the clutter, but to embrace it, as seen in this month's lonny magazine. for example...


why not put your life's library on display? vary book sizes and placement on each shelf. work in artwork, frames & vases to add depth and interest. simple & symmetric chairs placed in the forefront add a respite from the organized chaos behind.


at a glance petite workspace appears open & free to work, but look closely...


corralling baby frames, knickknacks & smaller containers on one chic tray reads as one larger & deliberate item, rather than a million little trinkets all over the desktop.


ok yes, who has space (or budget) for a wardrobe like this?! but notice the unity of the chrome-tipped lucite drawer handles that add sophistication and glamour to the closet, which is really the heart of the clutter in our home.

{all photos from this month's lonny magazine, which is absolutely the new domino}


feels good to be posting again. my how i've missed you!

{sunny office glam}

taking inspiration from this bright and happy office space in california.

{happy weekend & a patterned studio space}

happy happy friday! if your weather is anything like mine, it's cold & rainy {or snowy?} so what a perfect day for the 3rd issue of lonny magazine to come out. loving the color and pattern in betsy burnham's studio/office. just more ideas for my very own sunroom studio. combining style, pattern, and color can create such a fresh and modern space.

love this brick-colored ikat window seat/sofa. it's not in betsy's office/studio above, but in a client's home...just another idea for the massive window seat in what will soon be my very own office/studio.

{photos : betsy burnham design via lonny magazine}

{sew space}

so big things have been happening since i took the sewing class at fabrika. After a month or so researching and visiting local sewing shops, i finally purchased my very own sewing machine. (if you're thinking about getting one too, one of the most useful resources i found was this string of comments over at apartment therapy) i will also say that i splurged a little more than i'd intially planned to and made the decision to buy a higher end sewing machine with the promise that it will last me a lifetime and also comes with a 25 year warranty (and free classes to boot!). since the big purchase, i've been thinking of all the ways to make over our future studio/sewing/office space (don't you just love that fake wood paneling...haa). anyway, i seem to have picked up a small collection of workspace images...

wish list :: vintage dress form. bolts of sunbleached florals.

{images via :: desire to inspire, house beautiful, we heart it, southern living, what anna loves, delikatissen}

{home office makeover}

found these before & after photos on country living yesterday and what a difference these improvements made! lots of good ideas and design inspiration. even the ceiling was warmed up with a coat of paint.

here's the before photo. bland white walls do nothing for the room.

the old bulletin board gets some gilded glamour. find instructions to make your own at country living

this is an idea i think i'm going to steal :: filling an armoire with amenities for guests. find towels, sheets for the air mattress (which is tucked away in a trunk in the room), blankets, and extra toiletries. makes the transformation from office to guest suite quick and easy.

another clever idea :: adding more storage above the door frames is both useful and gives the room a lived-in library feel, plus a perch for display pieces. loving the rustic twig shelf against the romantic floral wallpaper.

even the closet interior was madeover. painting the shelves an actual color, rather than leaving them stark white, gives this closet a much more finished look. and sticking the printer in the closet is such a smart way to keep it hidden. look closely and you'll see pretty ribbon adorning the edges of each shelf. i don't think any inch of space went unnoticed in this project. can't wait to take on our sunporch/studio/office/guest space in what will soon be our very own bungalow

{curtain call}

the new bungalow master bedroom has one wall that serves as the closet. at one point it appears the entire wall closet was also made up of an entire wall of mirrored doors. in thinking about a more modern and softer alternative (to say the least), i am really drawn to the idea of curtains.

{images :: see more photos including some before shots of this better homes & garden office space via shelter, coco & kelly, martha stewart via this is glamorous}

{monday shoes + flamingos}

sometimes a woman just needs a little more glamour at the office.

{affordable glamour via nine west pumps in garden beige at piperlime for $79}

...oh and also a flamingo pink bathroom.

{desk delights}

considering my day job is one that seriously lacks any and all things creative, sprucing up my desk so life at work doesn't feel so dull is crucial. So here are some of my favorite desk things and ideas.

seejanework has some lovely vintage inspired file and paper organizers in all different shapes and sizes.

i can't say for your job, but sticky notes are a necessity for mine and what better way to have them both accessible and attractive than in a little dish like these from anthropologie.



thomas paul has some gorgeous stationery lines that come with little desk trays, file folders and pencil cups. (the peacock leaf collection is my personal favorite.) wouldn't these file folders look handsome in the vintage file stands above? buy these and other great office finds at redstamp.

this little guy from the moma store is about as cute as it can get for paperclips. do you think my boss would take me seriously with him on my desk?

.