Great Use of Tile

This is such a fabulous use of tile I can't even stand it! It's so feminine with the colors that are being used, while making a big impact. You could create a similar look with different finishes of paint, or wallpaper. I also think it would be perfect above a fire place. Have a great weekend!!

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What We Can Learn From Bears

I've had the organizing and decorating bug for as long as I can remember. In fact I distinctly remember one of my favorite books was the Berenstain Bears Messy Room. At the end of the book they come up with a great plan to create a more functional space. I have always loved these two pictures from the book. I may be a tad bit crazy, but it's the truth! Isn't this space planned out so well now?! :)

This now is one of Ainsley's favorite books, I guess she is my spitting image! Well the bears may have been on to something with their "genius" cork board storage plan. Look at what Miss Martha created. I aspire to have a garage this organized. Looks like I have the same dreams from when I was 4 to now!

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Show Stopper Stairs

On the first episode of their season Home by Nogovratz, Robert and Cortney re-designed a beach house in a fun and upbeat kind of way. These designers think so far out of the box that I don't even think they can see it. They totally push the envelope. The one that thing that I love was the way they decorated the stairs. The colors wouldn't work well in my home, but I love the style, and it makes a big impact with very little money.

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Now they are not the first ones to have ever done stairs like this, but there is something about the pattern I really like. Here are some more staircases I think are neat. In the picture below, the paint technique is very similar, but the added numbers are fun. And bonus if you're trying to teach your kids their numbers this might be an effective way. I kid.

House and Home

The first two examples are "make a statement" kind of stairs. You can check out more of stairs like those on Pinterest. I think the stairs below are really classic. They are very neutral, but not boring in the slightest.

Decor Pad

Tuesday's Organizing Tip

This isn't so much a tip as some really well organized spaces, that you can take a few ideas from and implement in your own home. I seriously have anxiety if my home isn't organized down to the last piece of garbage. (Well not really, but you get the idea) For that reason I love to look at spaces that have been organized well, here are some that I thought I'd share.

Even though the space is pretty narrow, they fit quit a bit of stuff. I love the storage underneath with the casters to make it quick access. Plus I really want that clock!

I'm a big believer in vertical storage. Why not use all that (what other wise would have been wasted) space. I do enjoy using tall bookshelves, but I like using a shelving system such as this better. You can customize for your immediate and future needs much better than most bookshelves.

Now this is a multi functional room. Nice use of vertical storage and wall space.

Living in a pretty small space, my furniture has to do double duty. This secretary looks so nice in the dining room, and it's perfect to use as a desk area.

All images via Real Simple

Great Finds

I found these items and am just dying to have them, so I thought I'd share my current obsessions.

First off this chair. It's so classic, and I love the tufted with nail head detail. The perfect reading chair.

Overstock

Also from Overstock I found these fabulous pillows. It comes with both of them for $42. Now talk about a real steal.

Link

And these pillows would look so good on the chair above!

Link

This shower curtain would make a big statement without being over bearing. Very spa like.

West Elm

I talked before how I'm on the search for a new TV console. Would this not be so fabulous?!

West Elm

And lasty this vase. The color is inviting, and the design is really fun.

Jonathan Adler

Local Spotlight - Market Square (NPS)

This shop used to be the best kept secret in Utah. It's a huge warehouse with merchandise from clothes, furniture, electronics and more. This is the drop off place from other stores when they can't sell everything, or they have a surplus of stuff. That means that everything is discounted! Here are some of the things I thought were neat.

I loved the hammered detail of this tray table. It's detachable so you can just use the tray or keep it together. And bonus it was an extra 25% off.

 This outdoor chair is from Grandinroad and retails for $200. With the 25% off it was $70!

I wanted to take this home with me so badly. It's a fabulous industrial light fixture. The thing is huge and has great detail. It was on the pricier side at $250, but I can only imagine what the retail price was.

They have their rugs hanging pretty close to the ceiling. That's why these aren't the greatest pictures, I'm looking up at them. They have a decent selection, and price wise pretty reasonable. This particular rug is an 8 by 10 for $150



This is also an 8 by 10 for $200. The picture does not do it justice, because it was pretty much at the very top of the warehouse. The rug is the greatest robins egg blue and the circles were all different sizes. Perfect for a kids room, or even laundry room to brighten it up!

This is a super cool architectural piece that would be a great statement.

Love the detail of this table.

This real Ghost Chair, not a knock off, was selling for $175. A little steep, but when it retails for $330 not too bad.

If you go, be willing to dig, and search for what you want. Also get there right when it opens, the good stuff is usually gone if you wait.

1600 South Empire Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
801.972.4133

Readily Available Information

So i jumped on the wagon and joined Pinterest. There are so many more resources now. Especially in the design world. You don't have to wait for the magazine to come in the mail anymore to see amazing ideas, inspiration pictures, and more. Not that I don't love a good magazine. For me, nothing will ever take the place of sitting down with a real magazine, but I do love the instant access to information.

This is a little ambitious, but oh so genius. Think of how much you could store up there. Obviously you couldn't store such heavy things as paint cans, but none the less a smart use of the space.

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And I would l.o.v.e to have this kitchen. The exposed ceiling, the back splash all the way up to the ceiling, and the great light fixtures. It's designed by the fabulous Candice Olson.

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Being able to check blogs, online magazines, and sites like Pinterest has pretty much put everything at our fingertips. I love seeing the fascinating DIY projects that have been done. The daring color combos and neat ways to organize things.

If any one has a Pinterest account let me know, I'd love to follow and see more great ideas!

A Reader's DIY Bed

Marsha, a reader of mine, sent this fabulous DIY bed my way. As with the DIY bed I did, she too had a hard time finding what she wanted for the right price. She completed the bed a tad bit differently, like cutting off the headboard and adding foam for depth instead of wood pieces. I think her bed turned out so great! I love the femininity of the fabric, and I especially love the extra detail of the nail heads!

Way to go Marsha! Glad you were able to create the vision you wanted!!

A DIY Z Gallerie Mirror

I have always loved this mirror from Z Gallerie. I think it's a great statement piece.

It's a little steep in price at $200. I was so excited to see this amazing DIY over on Remodelaholic. Isn't this so great! I think I'm going to have to try this one out. Be sure to check out the post here for the whole run down on how to do it.

Happy Fourth!

We're going to be spending time with family, BBQ's, fireworks, and more the rest of the weekend! Hope you have a great fourth of July!

images via Martha Stewart

Oversized Mirrors

I love mirrors, and love to use them every chance I get. They bring in light to a space, and can be an architectural detail in the space. This mirror made me stare for hours. Well not really, but it I did look at it for what seemed to be a very long time. The detail and size are amazing!

Adore Home Magazine

I also like this one used by Martyn Lawrence Bullard from Million Dollar Decorators. This mirror is huge, it's like ten feet tall, but what a difference it makes to the feel of the room.

Million Dollar Decorators

I really like the idea of a mirror on the floor. It works beautifully in this space. It may not work so beautifully in my space, that thing would never be free from tiny finger prints.

Flourish Design and Style

This is the same style as the one above. I just love this totally unique room!

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