Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the set of Mason Moonbeam pillow covers is an annymous blogger named Leah. Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter! 

Abstract Art

Lately I've been drawn to large, abstract art. I love the huge impact a statement piece can have, and especially the focal point it creates when it's hung above a neutral sofa.

via Emily A. Clark 

via Jed Johnson 

We recently inherited some abstract art from my fiance's great uncle, a Mexican-American artist by the name of Peter Rodriguez. I'm super stoked to be able to incorporate REAL art into our home! Later this week I'll share more on this.

p.s. - Today is the last day to enter the pillow giveaway! If you haven't done so already, go here and leave a comment to enter, it's that easy!

Dear Santa,

I know I'm a little early, especially since I usually refuse to even say the word "Christmas" until after Thanksgiving. . . BUT. . . I would really appreciate if you would leave me (6) of these underneath the Christmas tree this year. . . and at only $74 a pop, it's not TOO far of a stretch, right?!

via here

Six of these bad boys, combined with a rustic farmhouse table, and I think I have died and gone to domestic bliss heaven!  

 via Thirteen & South

I've blogged about this combination before and I am sure I will bring it up again. And again. And again. :)

Elle Decor Showhouse - Second Floor

Monday I shared with you pictures of the first level of the Elle Decor Showhouse in San Francisco that I attended on Saturday. (Check it out here if you missed it.) The stately 5,000 square foot mansion built in 1911 was renovated from top to bottom and showcases the talent of several local, award winning interior designers. The second level of the home far exceeded my expectations! Here's a few of the highlights; 

 As you walk up the staircase you can't help but notice this stunning chandelier. The clean, modern look that was present in the hallways and staircase is carried throughout the house, including the upper level. Here you can also see a glimpse of the burnt color silk wall covering used in this space. The look and feel of this wall treatment was very glamorous!

These fun, but slightly industrial light fixtures were placed in the upper hallway.

The girls bedroom designed by Grant K. Gibson was even more fun than I expected! I had been anxiously anticipating seeing this room in person and I wasn't let down! (I blogged about it here before attending the showhouse.) The opulent, handpainted DeGournay wallpaper was absolutely GORGEOUS! I love all of  the trendy, preppy details used in the space.

Can I be 11 all over again and move right in?!

The adjoining bathroom in the girls room was complete with lipstick writing on the mirror and girly accessories scattered on top of the pedestal sink. The thought and details that were put into this bedroom suite were spot on!

I LOVE this Simple Scallop Pendant by Circa Lighting that hung in this small bathroom. If you hadn't noticed already, this showhouse didn't disappoint in the lighting department!

The guest bedroom again had an jaw dropping light fixture which I feel really made the room. The designer of this space, Elizabeth Martin was there on Saturday to speak with visitors about the room and her design. Unfortunately it was so busy and jam packed with bodies that I could barely get my head in the door to peak at the room let alone talk to her.

The second guest room designed by Suzanne Tucker was very serene with it's pale blue and green color pallet complete with beachy accents such as the coral lamp and striped rug.

Of course the lovely striped rug is by Dash & Albert!

A 1940's Parzinger chest of drawers is placed opposite of the bed.

This femeinine, ruffely mirror that hung above the dresser is one of my favorite elements in this space.

The lime green ikat and suzani pillows by Madeline Weinrib had me swooning in delight!

I adore this white lacquered bedside table by Bungalow 5!

The adjoining bathroom complimented the bedroom nicely and featured a sink softened with a custom pleated skirt.

The tile in this bathroom is so fun! It's gray blue color and circular pattern make this otherwise traditional space feel a bit modern.

The upstairs bathroom showcased more amazing tile and cabinetry work.

The upstairs also featured a small but functional office space with retro wire lounge chairs and a saturated, jewel tone color pallet. It was a cozy nook I could see myself curling up in with a good book! The chairs were suprisingly comfortable (of course I had to test them out!)

The Master Bedroom, designed by Jay Jeffers is reminiscent of an elegant hotel room and features a subdued color pallet of shimmery silvers and taupes. It is nothing like what I expected, as most of Jay's work is typically more colorful but I was delightfully surprised to say the least!

Of course color is thrown into the room in small doses, like in this pair teal upholstered seat benches.

The common theme present throughout this entire suite would have to be the geometric pattern that is present in so many different elements from the fabrics and the ceiling treatment to the bathroom tile pattern.

Since the fireplace and windows are the focal point of the Master Bedroom, the wall that the bed is against is flanked by the entrance door and the closet door. I thought the brass and glass bedside tables combined with hanging sconces were a clever way to maximize the space.

Once again you see the geometric patterns present in the room by means of this awesome, upholstered ottoman in the seating area.

This mirror and console table combination is so unexpected but somehow it works very well in the room. I love the punch that the gold thorny mirror adds against the metallic Phillip Jefferies grass cloth wallpaper.

The Master Bathroom complimented the suite nicely with the same subdued color pallet and geometric patterns. I loved the wall mounted Kohler fixtures and Anne Saks tile.

As you can see, the second level of this magnificent home really knocked my socks off! Make sure to check back early next week and I'll share with you the lower level of the home!

p.s. Only five days left to enter the pillow giveaway! Go here if you haven't done so already!

images via Mary Jackson, bedesignobsessed, and sfgirlbybay

Are you ready??

via Rambling Renovators

I dream of one day owning a pantry full of coordinating dishes, chargers, cake stands, pitchers, napkins, serving bowls and trays galore so that I could host Thanksgiving at my own home. Someday! (This reminds me, I need to get started working on a gift registry for my upcoming wedding!)

Are you ready for Thanksgiving??!! I have side dishes to prepare and pies to bake tonight then I'll be ready!

Keepin it real

I came home the other day to find this:

Jake, my fiance's 14 year old son, decided to plaster his bedroom door with stickers. My initial reaction was "oh no, those have to come down". . . but then I started to think. . . is it really that bad?

My mom always let me do whatever I wanted with my bedroom and bedroom door as a child and as a teenager. I really think my creativity and love for design started right in my very own bedroom where I was allowed the creative freedom to do whatever I wanted with the space. I was always constantly moving furniture and posters around, creating art for my walls, and using my door as if it was an inspiration board where I would tape my favorite things to it. I'm so thankful that my mom allowed me to do whatever I wanted with my own space and really appreciate it as an adult.

I opted not to demand the stickers come down, and try and be the cool soon-to-be step mom. If those stickers are a sense of self expression, who am I to stop him? Besides, I really don't mind them that much and enjoy the fact that our home is ever evolving with not just mine, but our families tastes!

What about you? If you have kids, do you control how their room looks and functions, or do you let your kids call the shots in their personal space?

Hot Picks - Home Decorators

Last night I was thumbing through a Home Decorators catalog and found some surprisingly delightful items! Typically 90% of their products are so 10 years ago, but every once in a while I'll stumble upon something actually worth purchasing. Take a look at a few things I wouldn't mind finding underneath my Christmas tree this year ;)

Monogram Serving Tray 

Becca Nailhead Dining Chair

The back of this chair is really the star with it's nail head trim - ooh la la!

Parsons Desk

(This desk is $100 less than the popular West Elm version!)

 Martha Stewart 9-Cube Organizer

 Dimension Area Rug

 Are there any home decor items on your Christmas list this year?! 

p.s. If you haven't entered the latest giveaway for an awesome pair of pillows, go here and do so now! You have until Monday the 29th to enter!

Elle Decor Showhouse - First Floor

Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Elle Decor Showhouse which is located in the historic St. Francis Woods neighborhood of San Francisco. It was such a treat to tour this GORGEOUS home. It is always so inspiring to visit showhouses, I always walk away with the wheels spinning and ideas flowing! Here are some pictures I took as well as a few others I found online. (There were so many people there on Saturday it made it sort of difficult to get good shots of every room.)

Upon entering the home you are welcomed by this amazing chandelier. This set the stage for the entire tour of the home!

The living room, designed by Gary Spain was very industrial chic but felt livable and comfortable at the same time. The Circa Lighting pendent that hung over the game table is a new favorite of mine.

Love this light fixture too! 

The dining room, designed by Steven Volpe was a very moody, sophisticated space that got great light from the large windows overlooking the outside patio.

Aw, the breakfast area and kitchen, my favorite room in the entire house! Designed by Palmer Weiss (which  I blogged about here) did an amazing job with the space. I could seriously move right in and start cooking immediately in this kitchen! 

My favorite, Bertoia barstools pulled up to the large island. Can you spot the foo dogs in the background?!

The Anne Sack tile backsplash was gorgeous!

I love the combination of Ceasarstone counter tops and marble subway tile for the backsplash.

These brass pendants from Urban Electric are the perfect match for this kitchen. I love how various different metals are all mixed in one space but work so well together!

Off of the kitchen is the rear entry/mudroom. 

I love this whimsical Katie Ridder wallpaper that hung in the mudroom!

The library designed by Will Wicks was a small space that had a lot of functions. It's the type of room you could curl up with a book, relax and enjoy a cocktail. It had a lot of treasures reminiscent of world travel, very masculine, and had a great vibe about it!

Of course I LOVED the layered rugs in this room! Such a great look that I never get tired of!

The brass klismos chair was the star of this room.

The dry bar hid behind wallpapered panels. I seriously could have curled up in this quaint room and stayed for hours! I seriously didn't want to leave.

I hope everyone who wanted to attend the showhouse was able to do so because yesterday was the last day. If you missed it, or if you are interested in seeing more, you can view a 360 degree tour of every room here!

I'll be back later this week to share the basement and second floor with you!

p.s. - If you haven't entered my latest giveaway, go here and do so now! Contest ends in one week!

images via Mary Jackson, bedesignobsessed, katiedid, and Innerspace Interior Design