Chic AND Functional in the Office

I really do apologize for my sporadic posts, but I'm trying to get organized in the new house and trying to enjoy the summer at the same time. Part of the getting organized is getting M's work stuff (papers, binders, etc.) off my temporary-but-new dining room table, which meant a trip to the store on Sunday to see what's up. Just having him find time to come with me places (mostly because I need him to haul the heavy stuff home) is a task in itself, but I digress.

At the moment we've got three bedrooms sitting empty. One will eventually become a guest room, another will house clothes and shoes for now, and the third we're looking to turn into a chic--hopefully--and functional office. Looking at inspiration pics I can't help notice that while these offices are definitely glam the desks aren't really made for storage. And the truth is we need hidden places to shove things so we can achieve the appearance of harmonious organization.

We looked at IKEA'S Expedit desk/bookcase combo (thinking white--the room is grey with dark hardwood floors). Sleek, the bookcase offers the opportunity for extra storage especially if you invest in some pretty boxes or the drawers and doors you can buy to fit.

While I liked the Expedit I found myself more drawn to the Hemnes secretary (I mean, who wouldn't rather have a secretary than a desk?!) Not only is it functional with holes for wires and all that, but once it's closed up the Hemnes looks like any other piece of furniture. Which means that I could even still use the room as another guest bedroom without making people feel like they've been plunked in the office. Just set a chair in the corner ready for use when required and we'd be good to go!

The Hemnes even has another piece that fits on top for additional storage (and I'm all about hidden storage). I think I'd change the handles and it could work. I'm even liking the brown-grey colour, which looks different in store. What do you think? Any advice, suggestions, etc. would be much appreciated!

Aside from desk shopping, Sunday turned out to be a pretty productive day. We bought a barbeque and a light for over the island (yet to hang it to see if I like it as much as I think I do). This week also saw the arrival of our chairs (pics soon--promise!), the ordering of the temporary countertop for the new island and we also got the additional stainless steel piece we needed to custom made for the hood fan. Progress!

Photos 1 and 2 via donnezmoi.blogspot.com

Nature Inspired Wall Art

I think most of us have seen this image (or similar ones) of butterfly

wall art for bedrooms. Fun and whimsical it's an interesting

solution for what to do with all the above-bed space.

Serena van der Woodsen also signed on to the trend in her new

bedroom in the Waldorf apartment on Gossip Girl.

And now you can too.

Wallflower, $25 for 25

Wallflutter, $25 for 20

I came across these wall decorations from Urban Barn and,

while not butterflies, they'll certainly do the trick if you're

looking to get the same look in your bedroom.

Beautiful Light Fixtures

I'm still on the hunt for lighting for pretty much my whole home, so my eye is constantly pulled to what other people choose in homes and photos. Check out these two light fixtures from a San Francisco showhome featured in Traditional Home.

I love this blue Venetian glass number in the beachy living room (and that blue chair too!)

Not to mention this candle chandelier in the dining room. While white chairs like that would scare me to death I do like the whole look. And I really like the Scottish Oak Barley twist chairs. I saw a similar one recently at a thrift store, but I had no idea what I would do with just one so I sadly left it behind.

How's your week going?

A Look Inside Keri Russell's Brooklyn Brownstone

I've always had an affinity for Keri Russell, ever since she appeared in that Bon Jovi music video. Mostly because I didn't know very many stars with hair curlier than mine (Rebecca Gayheart and Minnie Driver excepted). And while Keri does look different these days I think she seems like a cool, laid back celeb.

The June 2011 issue of ELLE Decor features the Brooklyn brownstone that Russell shares with her husband and son. The home's kitchen cabinets are made of reclaimed fir stained an espresso brown. The fridge is a Sub-Zero and Viking makes the range and vent hood. I like the rustic yet functional feel of the kitchen, although I can't say I'm a fan of that Rejuvenation light fixture. It just seems kind of...small.

I like the pine table, but can those wire chairs be comfortable?

I think Keri's palette can rightly be described as soothing. Light fixture by Ochre, tufted ottoman from John Derian Dry Goods, armchairs by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, rug from Shaw Floors and reclaimed side table and mirror by Russell's husband, Shane Deary.

What do you think?

Photographer: William Waldron

L'Aviva Home and My Inability to Focus

I think one of the problems on taking on a whole home renovation and decoration project is the tendency to lose focus. If I'm out shopping I'm easily distracted. Oooh that light fixture might work, but wait that rug! Oh, right, I'm here looking for actual chairs to sit on--priorities. And that's how it's been for me lately. There's so much to choose and buy that I'm never looking for just one thing.

When I happened on L'Aviva Home website it didn't much help. I was instantly distracted by all the dizzying possiblities and pretty objects the site offers. The first thing that caught my eye was the Granada Lantern, which I think would look heavenly hanging from the ceiling in my upstairs hallway. Our stairs hug the wall so there's not room for a big, dramatic chandelier, but something like this would do nicely, I think. Plus I love that it would add some great character to the home. (Did I mention that as well as being distracted I love so much and so many styles--modern, rustic, glam, ethnic-boho-exotic--that it's hard to narrow it down and keep things harmonious.)

L'Aviva Home also has a whole host of other gorgeous items too...

Egyptian Arabesque Lamp--

can you tell I've been ona lighting kick lately?

Shyrdak Felt Rugs--I think these are just gorgeous.

And the colours are heavenly.

I'm on the lookout for rugs for the dining and family

rooms, but those are last on the list for now.

I did find a perfect 10x7 at Homesense for only

$399 but I didn't pull the trigger and now regret it.

Mexican Coverlets--more gorgeous embroidery and colours.

Traditional Moroccan Wedding Blankets

Suzanis

Uzbek Copper Tray

What do you think?

Any plans for the weekend?

Love It!: Pillar Candle Chandeliers

Design by Windsor Smith via Decorpad

There is something about pillar candle chandeliers that really appeal to me.

I had been planning for something a little more, shall we say, glittery for over our dining table, but I'm being won over by the rustic appeal of these types of light fixtures. What do you think?

Photo 2 via undeniablestyle.com
3 and 4 via furniturefashion.com

Romo Wallpaper

I've been toying with the idea of wallpapering our powder room for awhile now. I go back and forth. I'm the most indecisive person alive.

On the weekend I fell in love with some of the offerings from Romo Wallpaper, the colourways and slight sheen of the designs totally caught my eye. Unfortunately these are on the brink of being discontinued at the store I visited--and not cheap.



These are the colours I'm thinking of for my kitchen



While I fell in love my husband is worried the patterns might be a bit much for a small space. So, tell me, how much do you think is too much (how busy is too busy)?

What do you think of these designs?
How was your weekend - mine wasn't much of a
weekend, but at least we're seeing reno progress!

Hermes Textiles

Have you seen the new textile and wallpaper offerings from Hermès?

According to W, Hermes has teamed up with Italian firm Dedar to produce "upholstery-ready signature patterns in cotton, cashmere, wool, and linen" and a "striking variety of wallpaper." Produced by Faubourg Italia the collection will be available at select Hermès boutiques.

No word on just how much damage this will do to your wallet.

Gwyneth Paltrow & Her New Cookbook

I know some people don't like Gwyneth Paltrow.

Honestly, I'm not one of those people.

I think she's stylish.

And beautiful.

And stylish.

And she has beautiful homes, is married to a rockstar

and is best friends with Beyonce and Jay-Z.

And she can cook.

I think I'll definitely grab a copy of Gwyneth's new cookbook, My Father's Daughter. The title itself was enough to convince me. So what do you think? Do you agree with my Gwyneth love? 

Photos:
1. InStyle UK via glamcheck.com
2/4. FabSugar
3. worldhairstyles.com
5. apartmenttherapy.com