Design: iPhone 4S New Release Eye Candy

With the iPhone 4S hitting the market this Friday (pre-order). I have scoped out the top 6 designs on my wish list. 1. Mus $98 2. Marc Jacobs Stardust Copper E$31 3. Erik Arlen Mix&Match $35 4. Jack Spade Woody $35 5. Incase Andy Warhol $50 6. Incase Chrome Slider $35

What cases are you loving? Are you going to buy the new iPhone 4S?

Home: Special Meaning Wall Art

I will be traveling to Tennessee late October to see my nephew for the first time (born in September). I wanted to bring a special handmade gift to my Sister-in-law to mark this special occasion. After accessing pinterest for ideas and going back and forth on what to pick. I kept coming back to the inspiration of the birth dates and the anniversary date of all the family members.

<source via. pinterest>

I wanted the print to have a raised surface where the numbers are placed. I also wanted to add the heart into the center of the anniversary date. I took a trip to Michaels to pickup all the materials needed. I bought a pack of $2.99 stickers that had the formal yet modern number font I was looking for. ( These can also be purchased on many scrapebooking websites)

<source>

 I wanted a square finish to the frame so I lucked out by finding a 8x8" matted frame, with a nice black on black finish. To give the piece a little more depth I went to the scrapbook paper section and looked for a nice texture that would have a nice detail, and a one-of-a-kind feel to the piece.

With all my material together, I broke down the measurements of the print in an 8x8 space, and factored in the space needed between each of the dates. It was nice that the paper included red dots that helped with the spacing and straight lines of the application process.  After I added all the numbers to the scrapbook paper, and added the heart, I carefully positioned it into the frame for a nice finish.

I love how the piece turned out. It has a clean, modern, yet traditional feel to it. It will be a beautiful addition to their family art gallery.

Total project time: 45 minutes

Skill level: Intermediate

Project Cost: $25.28

Stickers: $2.99

Paper: $0.99

Frame: on sale $21.00

Heart:$0.30

What pinterest ideas, and inspirations have you turned into a handmade craft?

Flora Inspired Art

The simplicity of the design, the softness of the colors.. and the calmness the art reflects makes me feel like I am walking through a field of delicate flowers on a cool spring morning.

S, 1,2,3

Design: Mountain Retreat

This design took me to the great city of Knoxville, TN (Go Vols)... although I have a slight attachment to the city (TN Alumni) it is a truly a great urban area with a small town feel. When meeting with my clients they brought to the table many special requests for their future mountain retreat. They had a 'wishlist' that included a playing area, basketball court, hot tub, outdoor eating area and a pool. Normally these requests alone would be a challenge,but to add to the challenges, this property was also under construction with only the bare bones of the house established. My main focus for the space was to layout the plan so that is efficiently uses all the square footage and elevations of the property. I will breakdown each highlighted areas of the design so you can also picture how this space turned out.

A. Turf playing area
This is a very unique space. It is at the base of the property line where the elevation is at it's lowest. What was once an area of overgrown weeds, and seedlings, it now takes on a new purpose for the space. The retaining wall was critical to safe guard the area from the upper elevation of the pool area.
The kids have a play area of their own that feels 'away' from home, but the parents still have the comfort of knowing they are on the property.

B. Pool & Hot Tub
This element was a must for the homeowners. Since the majority of their time spent here will be in the summer, they wanted a pool to give the house a resort feel. I wanted to incorporate the natural stone into the landscape to soften the pool deck and make it more part of the mountain landscape. By adding in a hot tub I was able to incorporate a small water fall that recirculates the pool water, then re-heats the water into the tub.

examples S: 1, 2

C. Fire Pit
Although this is one of the most simplistic design element to the design, it was one of my favorite to incorporate. Nothing screams summer resort than a big bulky fire pit on site, with a large campfire, smores, and story telling around the fire. The family will get a lot of use out of the fire pit, I incorporated it right off of the kitchen so they can prep the food on the workspace or keep the drinks cold before gathering around the fire.

examples S:1,2

C. Outdoor Living Area & Kitchen

With any summer resort it is key to incorporate an outdoor living and kitchen space. I envisioned this place for the family where they can play board games, cards, or just relax and read a book. I wanted everything to be right at there finger tips to there would be no reason to leave the perfect weather outside. They would have an outdoor storage area for the games, books, linens and dinnerware. The space would have a sitting area, and an outdoor daybed. This is the element of the landscape that flashes the family resort style living they want.

 

examples: S 1,2

What is your dream spot for a summer retreat? Would you run off to the mountains or go beach side?

Tell me what one place you went this summer that inspired you in any way. Maybe you finally read that favorite book that you have been putting off, or you took the time to visit a museum in your own city...

Flora Inspiration: Chicago Botanical Garden

I spent the day wandering around the Botanical Garden, it is amazing the inspirational you can pull from the spaces. As the season comes to the end the flowers were looking tired and ready to finish out this life cycle, and hang out until next year.

 I keep coming back to the veggie garden that has been designed to inspire small, urban space vegetable growing. One DIY project I'm already looking forward to next season, is this storm window/ wood frame mini greenhouse. It is a recycled application that can be used in any garden. All that is needed is reclaimed wood, recycled storm windows and very affordable henge. Just build square frames, add in soil, then attach the storm windows with hinges to protect seedlings from the cold, frost and wind. It is best to build close to a building to help insulate and protect the cold frames. There you have it! Your own greenhouse for any space.

I could live in this space. Add an open concept bedroom to the upstairs, a small kitchen and bathroom to the bottom floor and you have a dreamy loft.  This is how I would style the space.

1. Denham 12" High Indoor-Outdoor Hanging Light Lampsplus $241

2. Verge Bed ABC Carpet & Bed $1799

3.Finnia Curtain Antropologie $128

4. Gold Mohair One Kings Land $59

5. Thin Spun Wire Ottoman 1stDibs

6.Ceramic Vase Taget $9.99

Where do you go for inspiration? What is on your DIY list for next season? Tell me, what vegetable are you growing now....

Design: Fall Beach Cottage

s 1,2

Growing up in Tennessee, passing through Florida for 3 years and now living in Chicago I have been exposed to many different styles and regional influences in design. In Tennessee almost every home I passed through, as well as my parents house, had that strong country feel to it. The dark wood, with the big heavy antique furniture, heavy uses of dark burgundy, greens and navy accents were the backbone of country design. In Chicago there is a strong modern influence for clean lines and a minimalist approach throughout the city. Having lived in the coastal area of South Florida the regional influence is a light, airy and coastal design style. For my personal design palette I have always gravitated to teals, turquoise, white furniture, the openness of white wainscoating, and the 'beachy' vibe of mexican tiles.

When I watched Sarah's Cottage on HGTV, I feel in love with her place. If I could dream up the perfect place... her cottage fits the bill. This house offers perfect textures, beautiful comfy furniture with the light woods, stunning kitchen, and the eco friendliness every house deserves. The way she perfectly combined function with high style gets me every time.

To have some design fun, I put together a mood board for how I would transition the living room into a fall cottage getaway. It may be a summer retreat, but who says it has to stop there. Let's get on our sweaters, grab a book and start up a fire. It's time to get comfy beach side.

fig1. similar Z Gallery $399

fig 2. Home Goods $359

fig 3. Pottery Barn $79

Wear this Cottage:

What is your favorite home design? Do you love a good country feeling, or are you more of an airy beach kinda vibe? Tell me what you are adding to your fall wardrobe... maybe a new gold watch?

Home: Office Re-mix

S,1 2,3,4

All this back to school talk has me thinking about updating my office space. Or, it could be this ( venti starbucks coffee) that has me w.i.r.e.d,.. and what makes you want to spend all your waking hours working then a fun office? I pulled inspiration from these pictures to re-think my space. I want a fun, almost 'teenish' but still feminine space by using the white furniture I already have, and then add pops of color for a playful feel.

 I already have the backbones to the room. (1) vintage white desk (2) a black chair that anchors the space (although I'm digging the white chairs in the pictures) (3). nice clean lines in a floor lamp (4)and don't forget the feminine touch of the white fur rug.

To play up the drab office, I want to incorporate some color in a fun, yet still professional way. (1)The big white bookcase will help anchor the room giving me alot of space to keep all my catalogs, books, and forever flowing paperwork. By tucking everything away in the ( 5) large white boxes it keep the place looking clean, and clutter free. How fun is this (4) red credenza? The perfect vintage piece to add a pop of color along the wall behind my white desk. I can use this piece to house all those ugly wires, the printer, scanner and the not-so-pretty-office supplies ( think extra printing paper, packaging tape and binders). And, that (6) lamp. s-w-o-o-n. With the mirror finsih on the lamp, it also works to check your teeth after lunch. High five for the extra bang for your buck! How cheeky is this (7) art print? Those lips make me smile everytime. For that extra special touch, I am going to hang this beauty of a (3) chandlier to keep it elegant in a casual way.

Wear this Office

This outfit brings out the kid in me. I love how it is pulled together with the big chunky gold watch, and the classy floral ring, while the toms keep it laid back. The white skinnes play up the mature side. This is perfect for my casual Fridays. Where would you where this outfit? A night out to Barnes and Noble? Casual movie night?