DIY pendant light

Design*Sponge had this great DIY post on pendant lights using felt circles. The top light is really unique and the bottom light sort of reminds me of the light here.


Wonder how this would look on this square pendant light that I've been noticing on Ebay?

Hmmm. This may be an inexpensive option until we can save (for the next 10 years) for the Kou chandelier.

Ideas for those left over wine bottles

What to do with the remnants of a good bottle of wine? We don't have a glass recycling facility on the island, but apparently we are waiting for one to arrive. We have an entire cupboard full of wine bottles! A quick search across the internet revealed some interesting options for reusing our goods.

Spray painted centerpieces by PH Design Group

Bud vases via Design*Sponge


Carafes and vases by Transglass via Apartment Therapy

More vases by Franz Maurer via Inhabitat

We always knew that certain bottles had beautiful form. Maybe we can make something happen with them now...

Paint and driveway and soil...oh my!

We've been coming home recently to slow, but steady, progress on the house. One day the paint is done on the front, the next day the sides are done, and yesterday the finishing touches went on the back. And after months of trekking over an uneven and rubble-happy driveway (in heels at dark), I was really excited to come home to a new driveway recently. But today...today the first truckload of soil was delivered. Woohoo!


We might just, possibly, be turning the corner from building site to home site. How refreshing!


And just as I'm happy-stepping my way into the house, I turn the corner...and realize...we've still got a way to go.


Maybe one day we'll miss the scaffolding, broken roof tiles and random nails. For now, we can hope that day comes real soon. :)

Concrete tables

Just a quick drop off of these great concrete tables from Sandback. They come in 40 different colors and are actually lighter than they look through the use of a veneer. Interesting...

Thicktop side tableFilbert

Keeping the clutter at a minimum

We recently purchased a new iMac (through the local classifieds of all places). I love it because it's so simple and clean looking; Mr. Big loves it because it's just cool. Now that the desk is free of separate hard drives, etc., we can focus on getting (lots of) other areas tidy. But leave it to mac enthusiasts to take the next step and unplggd.com to bring it to our attention.

LowKey Stand

It's a good thing that we can't get these types of items on the island. I could easily find my pocket lighter by $59. And yes Mr. Big, I promise to clear through the other areas before considering this further (hand over heart).

The same useful site led me to the first recharging station that I have found attractive. This would be great in our mudroom...and is definitely needed!

Kangroom Bamboo 3 Pod

Any other good organization gadgets that anyone else has seen recently to help with clutter?

Inspiration (more like adoration)

A google search for information on Flor tiles led me to this beautiful apartment featured on Apartment Therapy. So many good things in one spot! I didn't want their slideshow of images to end.

My mom was recently down visiting and we were reflecting on my favorite visual rooms...and noticing that they are very monotone, and very neutral This apartment nails it. Not stark, but livable. Of course, I'm pretty sure it would struggle to stand up to kids, but it's still worth drooling over.

Love the neat minimalist shelf with medium size artwork above

Such an inviting space. My grandfather offered me the same table and I passed...now rethinking...

L.O.V.E. that painting

Surprised at the light chairs around a wood table...but I can't even consider it. Mr. Big would murder me.

The ghost chair is fab here...hmmm

Great example of bedside displays

There are a lot of good ideas here to pull from. Now I'm off to try... :)

Echos abound

Our house has a definite echo problem. While we don't want to rush into any expensive purchases this early in the life of the house, we need to do something. Rugs and drapes are the obvious solutions, but perhaps there are others out there that we haven't considered? Any creative tips are greatly appreciated.

In the meantime, my "rug reviews" have started again in earnest. These felt rugs by Melina Raissnia for Peace Industry look simple and comfortable at the same time.


The rugs can be custom ordered to your size need. Their store in San Fran may warrant a visit from a family member on our behalf. It looks like it would be a fun visit.

In the meantime, wacky ideas to counteract the echo problem include a thicker rug pad (under a relatively thin cotton rug) and extra foam or batting behind paintings. Perhaps I'm crazy thinking of the later solution but we're pretty desperate. Any other solutions that we might be missing out on?

Etsy, etsy, etsy

My husband is learning to say this like tsk, tsk, tsk. Get off that site girl! But there are so many little treasures to be found.

I love Plywood Birds by etsy seller AnikaEaster for our powder room. I don't think that it's going to get too rustic (trying to introduce more modern into our rustic/modern home), but may need to get some friendly input. It's 30 inches long by 10 inches tall. Thoughts?


It would hang in this bathroom opposite the mirror.


Rainy Day Feeling also really hits home. With all the sunshine that we get on the island, I love cozy rainy days. Mr. Big immediately understood why I adore this image from etsy seller everydaymoments.


And who doesn't always need extra thank you cards around the house. Etsy seller Michelle Brusegaard hit a homerun with these pretties.


Any input on the Plywood Birds piece would be much appreciated. Am I just getting distracted by etsy or could it be right?

Retroactive inspiration

Yesterday was a big deadline day for me so hopefully the spare time is right around the corner...and I'll get time to share with everyone! In the meantime, in 5 minute daily flight through Desire to Inspire last week, this inspiration image tugged at me...and brought me back two days later. And yes, we may be a bit too far along for inspiration, but never too far along for appreciation.

Photo by Graham Aiken Hughes

How crazy is that light? I love it! It's sort of romatic, but sort of dilapidated all at the same time. And the monotone, textured pillows reminded me of these beauties that are currently in my etsy favorite folder from seller cushlab.


Actually, now that I look at the photo closer, it's very similar to a nook that I recently created in the great room. The only difference is that they've nailed it.


How dull does my space look? (The wire for our eventual speaker doesn't help much) I know, I know, lighting and photos can evoke more emotion than if you were actually in the space, but it's still a great reference point for me...on how much further I can push just this little area. And if nothing else, we've started on the right track! :)