Ideas for friends: Feature wall

New home construction is so exciting, especially as the walls have gone up and you really begin visualizing your spaces. A friend of Mr. Big's has an amazing opportunity to do something really cool on a feature wall that is visible from the front door. Ever since visiting his house in May, I've been secretly watching for neat ideas that he could consider. Hope there might be something in here that catches his eye.

As a handy guy, he probably could mimic this textured, modern wall.
Styled by Glen Probestel

Painting that mimics a concrete look would also be sharp with his existing decor.
The round bookshelf would look fab on his wall as well, especially if it was 3-4 ft in diameter.
Again, styled by Glen Probestel

Love this idea of subtle color changes.
Surprise, styled by Glen Probestel

A ceramic or tiled wall. Because it's not to the edges, it looks more like artwork.
By Katie Blee.

Paint it an accent color. Krakvik & D'Oazio

Wallpaper it in a monotone, modern, and masculine paper.
Designed by Sheldon Keith Trimble

A funky mixture of molding and mirrors (without the girly touches of course)
Photographed by Tom Leighton

Anyone else have interesting thoughts for an accent wall?

Can you smell the surf wax?

Growing up in Southern California, I woke on endless mornings to the sound of our '49 Ford Woody getting fired up in the garage. My dad's long boards would be perched out the back window with my brothers' short boards hidden beneath. In the blink of an eye, my mom and I would be left behind (with the exhaust) as the boys spent another day searching the perfect wave. Those boys and surfing...what great memories.

There's even a story where my dad pulled over a dump truck traveling down the freeway because he saw a somewhat battered, but salvageable, board peeking out at him. No word of a lie, he refurbished and road that board for years. Talk about love.

When I saw this image, my heart went straight back to my teenage years. I can almost smell the surf wax...

Photo by Francesco Bittichesu

What a wonderful way to honor a pastime.

Bathrooms to enjoy

Designed by David Kaplan Interior Design

These lights are fab. Photographed by Ken Gutmaker

Simple and stunning bathroom in designer Jill Crawford's home

I heart visits

We recently had a visit from a very special family from back home. Besides catching up on all sorts of fun bits, they are building a house as well so we had lots to talk about.

Fortunately, their process seems infinitely more organized than ours was. They have weekly printed agendas that they review with their contractor each week on site. Heaven. And when the first item on the agenda was the weather forecast, you can immediately tell that they are dealing with a first class firm. She knew everything on her status, down to the fact that they were 3 days ahead of schedule. Wow.

Anyway, onto the fun visit pictures. I adore their oldest son. He's got these honest deep brown eyes that you can't help but fall for. Yum. He's just that guy that you know is going to woo the girls when he gets older with his calm, sensitive, but charming ways. He's all heart and then some more.


He wasn't too sure about the water to start, but when you turned your back, he was testing it out. Hey this is kind of cool...


And then there is his little brother. He couldn't be anymore different. Where he is all love, his brother is all spirit. Fiesty, fun, ready to check this world o-u-t. Hmmm, wonder what's going on around here...?


In probably the biggest surprise, Mr. Big and their youngest son literally fell in love with each other. Everytime we turned around they were cuddled up together...

...sharing their own laughs

...checking out the stingrays

...enjoying the beach

...sleeping on the boat ride home

...we really clicked man.


I mean seriously? You're buddies and all, but it's time to give the child back to his mom. And yes, he was safely returned. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it was so that Mr. Big could put his cooking skills to the test. Blech...squid.


All in all, it was a great visit. Thank you so much guys for traveling so far. It was so memorable and we can't wait to come crash at your new place!

Sticks not stones

There's something that draws me to decorating with branches, leaves, reeds, and pretty much anything natural. Typically, my attempts don't turn out as intended, so here is a gallery of inspiration pics for future reference.

Photo by Philip Harvey

Styled by Glen Proebstel

Photographed by Karina Tengberg

Image from Decor8

Photograph by Anders Schonnemann

Any ideas for Houdini dogs?

I've brought our beloved Jordan back into our yard 4 times this morning. Yes, 4 times. It seems that he has burrowed a hole under an area of our fence. This is after letting himself out of his indoor space (paw + lever = free dog) and learning to open the gate (which is now permanently locked) . I'm at the end of my rope with him today (although you've got to love his tenacity).

And please don't think it's because we don't exercise him. Normally we do, but he came down with heart worm and is required to be confined without exercise for 3 months. He's almost through it, but he just can't seem to wait. Before his treatments, we had never known him to venture far. On Thursday we found him about a mile from the house playing with other neighborhood dogs.

Any good ideas out there? Crud...there he goes again.

Update: He's jumping the fence. This is so much worse than we originally thought.

Always a good reminder

Lovely ceramic tag from Paper Boat Press.

Need more countertop space?

Here's an interesting idea for a small kitchen. No surprise, but the neutral colors are lovely as well, especially with the slightly iridescent tile backsplash.

Designed by Carl & Company

Tea time

Any girlfriends out there that might be interested in a cup of tea? Lisa Cohen's photography makes me want to skip work, invite over a few gal pals, and enjoy the morning.


This kitchen that she captured is fantastic as well. With a big farmhouse sink, lovely tiles, and folding doors to hid the range (why didn't we think of that?), this looks like a cozy space to congregate.


I think that my style is starting to soften up a bit from when we first started the house. I notice that I'm getting drawn more to "comfortable" as opposed to "modern". Perhaps that's a good thing...or perhaps that means we'll have a really confused home. :)

Blue and white again

We've got two rooms with a cobalt blue and white theme that I've been working on. These images really helped with getting them to flow better with our other neutral rooms.

This is another great example of subtle blue and white. I need to keep reminding myself...keep it simple.

Photo by Lisa Cohen.