If you’ve clicked on any of my blog photos to go to their source page, then it’s no surprise that I am OBSESSED with Pinterest. I consider it to be my ‘happy place’ where I go to get inspiration or just to take a breather from working on something stressful. Quite a few of my posts here have been inspired from something I saw on Pinterest. In my opinion, it’s the best thing to happen to the internet since…the internet! ;o)

Since my boards make me so happy and give me so much inspiration, I wanted to share some photos from some of my favorite boards with you. To see more, check out all of my boards here.

Glamorous Design:

Gardens & Landscapes:



Beautiful Design:



Fashion:



Modern:



Beautiful Homes:

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you’ve heard all the hype about this week’s record-setting $600+ million Mega Millions lottery drawing that is taking place tonight. Now I feel like I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you not to waste your money on a ticket because I am going to win it! ;o) Actually Hubby and I have never played a true lottery before, (just those little scratchers) but we decided this time that we’d buy in on the fun too. Could you imagine what you’d do with that much money?! First on our agenda (along with spoiling our friends & family) would be to buy a beautiful house. It’s a crime as a designer to be living in a tiny duplex but that’s how it goes when you’re self-employed and just starting out. So, if when I win the lottery, here’s a peek at what I might want my house to look like:

Entry & Stairs:

Living Rooms:



Kitchens:



Dining Rooms:



My Dream Office & Closet:



Bedrooms:



Bathrooms:



My Beautiful Backyard:



Wow, this post took me longer than any other post I’ve ever done…by FAR! It’s true what they say, a designer can design for everyone else but them self. It’s so hard to choose what I would want! My husband is so lucky though, he married someone with great taste! ;oP

When it comes to interior design, the color that people tend to be most fearful of is black. I’m here to tell you that it is OKAY to use black in your home! Repeat after me, “Black is sophisticated, not scary.” As with everything in life, anything in moderation is good and anything in excess is bad. That is absolutely true for using black in your home. It’s a powerful color and a little goes a long way but in some cases, a generous amount can make a dramatic statement. Just don’t go overboard – if you have black furniture, black walls, black flooring and black accessories you are going to have a sad, heavy room!

Here are some photos that show the sophisticated impact that adding a few touches of black can have on a space:

These photos show the dramatic impact that black can have when used without reservation:



Welcome to the Dark Side! ;o)

My guess is that if I handed you a roll of wallpaper you would try to put it on a wall, am’I right? Have you ever stopped to think about all the other possible uses for a roll of the stuff? In my opinion, wallpaper should actually be called make-anything-awesome paper because in reality, you can install it on any hard surface. Remember my post Stair Risers Need Love Too? Some of those looks were achieved by using wallpaper!

One unexpected way to use wallpaper is by putting it on the ceiling. Stupid simple right, but who would’a thunk it?!

Another interesting use for wallpaper is to dress up cabinetry. Does anyone remember Jill Zarin’s apartment remodel on RHNYC? Her kitchen was amazing!



Decorative trays are a fun accessory for any living room and wallpaper is a great way to make a decorative tray even more fun! These are actually really easy to make (you can use regular decorative paper too); I have made a couple in the past. After pulling these pictures I have a hankering to make more! When I finally get my Etsy store going, you may see these on there.



If you have ever watched the Nate Berkus Show you have probably seen him use wallpaper to dress up a furniture piece or two. This is my favorite unexpected use for wallpaper!



Can’t find a piece of art you love? How about framing a piece of wallpaper you love instead?!



 
Between writing my post Wallpaper, Say What?!, writing this post and shopping for wallpaper for a client, I’m going to have to take the first step and admit I have a problem. Hi, my name is Megan and I am addicted to wallpaper. There, that feels better!
 

Many of you have probably already heard of Jonathan Adler but if you haven’t, he can be best described as an interior design style icon. If I remember right, I once read that he began his professional career as a pottery artist, but now has a full line of home furnishings and a very lucrative interior design business. He describes his quirky style as ‘happy chic’ and I’d have to agree. Despite some of his unusual creations, the man has impeccable taste and I don’t think there is anything in this world he couldn’t design. A few years ago a good friend gave me the King & Queen Vase for my birthday – I am fortunate to have friends who know me so well (interior designers make the best friends because they give the most tasteful gifts)! Someday I hope to have a whole house full of Jonathan Adler’s creations! Below are a few of my favorite pieces; you can see all of his wares here.

Jonathan Adler’s furniture is jaw-droppingly stunning. I’ll take one of everything please!

I love how diverse his designs can be. Take this modern brass chandelier and ‘Naughty’ lamp for instance – they are so different!



If I had a bigger budget right now, my niece would be getting these ‘wienie’ dog bookends for her birthday in May, and I think my Mom needs this butter dish (if you can’t tell, my family is nuts for wienies haha)



I swear I’m not a pervert but this boob vase is what first made me fall in love with Jonathan Adler’s stuff! I am also a big fan of this butt vase. That Kiki sure has a nice bod! ;o)



I mustache you a question. Hehe



He’s bringing sexy brass back! Do you suppose having a brass banana is similar to having brass balls?



There are so many other great things on his site but I had to stop myself or this post would never be complete! Hope you enjoy his ‘happy chic’ quirkiness as much as I do!

Something I’ve noticed about design, especially in Midwest middle class homes (unfortunately my only true frame of reference), is that non-designers assume that cabinets must be a wood tone, black or white. It leaves me wondering if there’s an eleventh commandment that I’ve forgotten; “Thou shalt not think outside of the box.” I have always loved painted cabinetry and was reminded that there are others who support me in this when I visited last year’s Symphony Showhouse in Wichita (my hometown). The cabinets in the 2011 showhouse where painted a beautiful medium grey and it left me wondering, “Why is it such a rarity to see painted cabinets?” In my desperation to bring this trend closer to home, I have pulled a handful of photographs of beautiful, daringly-colorful cabinets that I hope will inspire you to consider a similar look in your own home.

If this post inspires even one person to paint their cabinets an atypical color, I will feel as though I have done my job!

Someday I hope to have an old house full of character that would look great with a painted wood floor, because I love the look and am dying to try it! If you have a house with wood floors that have seen better days, painting them with a fun pattern is a great option that will save you money over hiring someone to sand and refinish them. Here are some inspiration photos for you:

• Share this:
• Print
• Email

I’ve been sourcing furniture and accessories for a client and in doing so I came across some awesome pieces on one of my favorite antiques sites 1stdibs. There’s nothing better than finding a beautiful antique piece because you know almost no one else will have it. Check out what I found (ignore the prices – most pieces on this site are insanely expensive)!

This light fixture would be perfect in the entryway of a mid century modern ranch house!

 
In the words of my dear friend Kelsey, DING DANG! How amazing is this polished stainless chair? It’s unreal! Of course the price says ‘contact dealer’ which in 1stdibs speak means if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.
 



 
This piece is so unique – the contrast of the deep mahogany base and frame with the peacock blue lacquer and gold drawer pulls is so beautiful.
 



 
Although I prefer the look of flokati, this goat hair stool is very chic.
 



 
Woooooooooooooo!
 



 
This piece would show better if it had been photographed in a white room but I think you can get a pretty good feel for it. I wish this piece was affordable (just guessing it’s not) because it would go great in my client’s Hollywood Regency guest room!
 



 
Who doesn’t love a good bar cart?!
 



 
How pretty is this piece?! I absolutely love brightly colored wood furniture. As common as it is, you don’t see it used a lot. I feel that it is a HIGHLY undervalued design feature.
 



 
Fun modern cocktail table.
 



 
Ohhh, love me some Arne Vodder! Look at the richness of this wood; it’s gorgeous.
 



 
Beautiful chrome étagères.
 



 
These little chests would make beautiful bedside tables!
 



 
Who’s ready to go antiquing with me?!
 

Have you ever noticed how a bed without a headboard just seems to be floating and causes the entire room to appear unfinished? It’s necessary to have something to ground the bed in a room, though a traditional headboard is not always a requirement. There are so many ways to create the look/feel of a headboard without using an actual headboard. I scoured the web today for pictures of great headboard alternatives that you can easily implement in your own home. The framed wallpaper is my favorite but right now I have this mirror in place of a headboard in my own house.

Framed Wallpaper:

Upholstered Panels:



Nautical:



Artwork (framed & iron):



Old Shutters:



Doors & Windows:



Junk Store Finds:

• Share this:
• Print
• Email

So I know this post is technically past its due date but I had a busy week last week! And no joke, my first thought when I woke up this morning was, “Crap, I forgot to blog yesterday!” This doesn’t mean I’m off the hook for this week though – expect two MORE posts from me by Saturday. =o)

I know that all the fashion mags say green and orange are the biggies for this spring but there is one color combination not touted on the glossy pages that I am still in love with currently: aqua & gold. I was already thinking about creating a collage post and then when I saw Gretchen Rossi wearing an aqua and gold top on RHOC I knew I had to share. For anyone who saw the episode, Gretchen’s top was TO DIE FOR right?! So here you go, my favorite color combo for spring:

 
Gotta run, my Mediterranean mud mask is as hard as a rock! Remind me not to blog while waiting on a mask again because I always tend to edit for much longer than anticipated. =o)