DIY Inspiration Board ~ Updated.

 

A couple of years ago, I made myself a little inspiration board for my office. I used an old frame, painted it white and placed a piece of foam core covered in cotton batting and a soft blue fabric inside. In the end, my "office" didn't get much use and the inspiration board hung, empty of any sort of inspiration.

A few weeks ago, I was cleaning my fridge (I think I could do it every day with stainless steel.. I was warned!) and decided I much preferred the simplicity of a cleared fridge but didn't want to part with the postcards, notes and photos that littered the surface.

That's when I decided to give the inspiration board a makeover. A fresh coat of bright white paint on the frame and new fabric (from Premier Prints that a picked up a couple of years ago).

I hung the board in the back porch, off the kitchen. It is filled with little items that I don't have the heart to stick into drawers because I love looking at them every day. Or at least whenever I'm in there using the microwave. Now my fridge doors are tidy and I have a more functional and stylish solution. 

So yes, I should have unplugged the microwave for the photo below. I'm keeping it real here! I live in an old house and my plugs are in random locations.

 

You should all send me cards. If they are cute, I'll put them on my board.

Just kidding. Sort of...:)

Lusting.

I will forever love whomever can find me this rug in Canada. I've been lusting over it for a while now and unfortunately Rugs USA does not ship to Canada.. boo.. Who woulda thought? Ha:)

It comes in different colorways. I adore the pink but think that perhaps it might be to much for the man in the house, even as cool as he is! The price is right, size works, and it would inject that perfect pop of color my living room is crying out for. But alas, we Canadians often suffer the disappointment of having our hopes dashed as we read the fine print in the shipping info.

Check out some inspiration rooms that have me lusting.

Source: gallery.apartmenttherapy.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

Upon searching, I came upon a DIY version which is quite lovely. Something to think about, I suppose.

Source: akindoflove.blogspot.com via Adrian on Pinterest

So.. anyone have a source? Like I said, I promise to love you forever.

Not that you care, but it's the least  I can do:)

 

Vintage Finds.

I mentioned on Monday that we spent an afternoon on the weekend hunting down some sweet finds at the antique stores. It's one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon and I'm lucky that Steph enjoys it too. We picked up a perfect little piano bench for our entry makeover and spotted a few more fun things as well!

This little jumbo elephant stole my heart. He needs a home in a baby nursery stat! Call me crazy but I've been seeing them in baby nurseries everywhere! I like the rattan but he could be spraypainted any color you like.

See what I mean!

Source: flickr.com via Jane on Pinterest

I've seen this one before and I still love it. It would look so gorgeous in a large porch or entry. Note.. it's doesn't have the flower detail like the one on the left. Thank goodness.

This little chair would be cute with a new coat of paint and seat.

I love large glass bottles. If it were a softer green for a light blue, it would have come home with me. Most defnitely.

We loved this vintage tin hockey game. We looked it up and discovered it dates back to the 30s. I like that it's in rough shape. It could be hung on the wall in a little boy's bedroom. Or big boy's room too!

I love the look of a painted scroll mirror. I was on the hunt for a while and couldn't seem to find one. This day, I found two! Lately, I am loving gold but the finish on these was a little too Liberace for me. 

I would definitely paint them like one of these beauties.

Source: betterafter.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: makingitlovely.com via Jane on Pinterest

It's been a bit of a busy week, with report cards due. I'm out to a workshop for the next couple of days. I hope to at least get the front entry primed sometime soon. My sweet friends Emily and Grant are getting married today in Las Vegas and I get to watch it live online! Tonight is dedicated to them and a glass of wine. I can't wait! So excited to see them!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Looks like the first snowstorm of the season is brewing here, in the maritimes. We'll see!

Holiday Reading on a Sunday.

Later today, if the rain starts, I may snuggle in and take a peek at the holiday issues from some fun online mags. Maybe it will really get me in the spirit!

Click on the images if you'd like to join me!

But first, I have a field trip this afternoon for my photography class, which should be fun and I really have to finish up those report cards! There I go, finding ways to procrastinate again!

Swoon Worthy ~ Grey Kitchens.

I've always loved a white kitchen. Wood is, of course, very beautiful but I'm always drawn to the crisp, clean look of a white kitchen. In fact, when I did my own kitchen, I didn't consider any other options.

Lately, I'm drooling over a different version. Shades of grey! I am seeing it everywhere and I'm totally smitten. I still love my white cupboards but I'm not so much dreading the day they need to be repainted. Maybe I'll be going a different direction next time.

Source: flourishdesignandstyle.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: abodelove.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: mydesignchic.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: troveinteriors.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: decorpad.com via comraich on Pinterest

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Source: mrssouthernbelle.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

What do you think? Are you seeing it around as much as I am? Are you swooning over it too?

A big welcome to my new followers who came over from hodge:podge yesterday! It's great to have you!

All That Glitters is Gold.

Sometimes I'm slow to follow the trends. I generally go with what I like instead of what seems to be the "in" thing. One trend that seems to be everywhere and I cannot ignore any longer is shimmery gold tones in fashion and in home decor.

Fashion is easy. Buy a few gold pieces of jewelery, an embellished top and some fun nail polish and you are good to go.

But the rise of gold in home decor was actually stressing me out! Didn't I just completely decorate my home the last couple of years in cool shades of blue, white, grey and SILVER? ahhh.. what to do? I've decided to just go with it. I actually really like the combination of the two metals and plan to mix them in my decor. It's all about making what you love work!

I've created a collection of some of my favorite gold products for your inspiration today. Why hide from it when it's just so darn beautiful!

Don't try to tell me you aren't loving it too!

Happy Happy Rooms.

I bought the new Style at Home magazine the weekend and I poured over every page. It was their decorating issue and I loved all the beautiful artwork, spring vignettes, and coffee table and mantel styling ideas. I'm feeling more inspired... despite the terrible weather we've been having. I hate complaining about the weather but seriously Mother Nature? It's been raining forever and the forecast calls for rain this week until Saturday. I kid you not. I wish I were more like these people.

free print via here

Lately, I've been thinking about how my own tastes have evolved. I've always loved white spaces but more and more I'm so in love with white paired with a healthy pop of pattern and color! It screams spring and more importantly - fun!
Here are some of my favorite colorful spaces.

Source: dmagazine.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: 10rooms.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: decor8blog.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: withtwocats.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: myfavoriteandmybest.com via Jane on Pinterest

house beautiful

Don't they just make you happy? I've been feeling to need to inject some color and fun into my own place so here is my own feeble attempt to bring this look into my own home. The hallway in the entrance needed a little something so I framed a piece of pretty fabric. It actually sort of looks like a watercolor. Sort of:)

Hard to take a good photo in the little space!

Have a great week everyone!