a new abode

I'm having to grasp a new concept: we will be moving across the water to Seattle. While the thought of leaving our sweet and wonderful home behind and settling into a totally urban environment freaks me out a lot, I am doubly excited to decorate a new home. Several major elements must be determined before we can start our apartment search in earnest; the biggest of which is finding suitable renters for our house.

Because we will also be renting, I am certain that painting walls will not be an option, so the slate will quite literally be blank. Once we have our space picked out, we can start the process of determining which pieces to bring with us, and what will get left behind, or given to friends. This task seems sort of inconceivable at this moment in time. Of course, I can't help but imagine new furniture in our new space, along with the old. However, per the usual, the budget is going to be tight, actually, it's likely to be the tightest ever.

The good news is, I will be surrounded by all kinds of new design inspiration, and loads of great shopping will be within reach. I am very excited to explore each neighborhood and scout the best deals on the greatest home accessories, fabric and furniture. This move will afford me lots to blog about, no doubt. A few of the stores that I have visited only briefly, and loved, are about to see alot more of me!


Watson Kennedy
On First Ave, Watson Kennedy is a gorgeous smorgasbord of French trinkets, dishes, and stationary. While some items are a bit pricey, this is definitely the spot for those little affordable luxuries: fine soaps and lotions and pages of ancient sheet music. And, the beauty with which it is all displayed is sure to provide tons of FREE inspiration. One stop in here and I feel like I am instantly living the good life!

Hidden Hamlet plates $12.00 each.
Anthroplogie
At Anthropologie, I sometimes find myself drooling. Again, I lust after the beautiful displays full of lots of things I can't afford, but there are always some treasures worth searching for in the clearance area. And, I do not want to wholly discourage, because many of their regularly priced tabletop items are also fair.

The Anne Bonny in the Capitol Hill neighborhood offers choice vintage artwork, furniture and knickknacks. In addition to finding several funky items to pine over, I experienced an amazing in-store music performance by J. Tillman of Fleet Foxes a while back. They have moved since then, but I am really looking forward to experiencing the new space.

I have never visited Red Ticking in Madison Valley, but have always wanted to. I plan on becoming familiar with their inventory of vintage French textiles, and finding ways to apply that beautifully simple yet sophisticated aesthetic in my new place.

And there will be sooooo much more to write about. I can't wait to share all of the details with you, and to report on the progress of simplifying before the move. On to new adventures in budget decorating... always!

the light bulb switches on

Okay, here I am. Ready to get back into this. My new goal: break the 100 postings mark. I am so close, its not even funny. This will be my 98th! I apologize for not having posted in such a long time. Its not for lack of decorating ideas though, seriously. My creative mind never really stops ticking, and most of the time, its actually pretty darn annoying.

The initial problem enters when I look at magazines and other blogs to get inspired, and instead, feel defeated. There is so much already being done out there, and I have been somewhat dormant for a while. Then, in lieu of rising to the occasion and putting my ideas in writing, or working them out in reality at home, I succumb to the notion that I have nothing to add. What's the point, so many other people are doing it and they do it so much better than me...Well, whatever, I am SO over the self pity party. THAT too, has been done before.

I want to start fresh, in a way. I often get frustrated because I just can't afford to complete every project and buy all the items on my wish list. But then: I have to remember: this is a blog ABOUT decorating on a budget. This is a blog about doing what you can with what you have, being inventive, and decorating with a LITTLE, rather than ALOT. I don't want to encourage you to just go out and buy what's trendy. No, no my friends, that would be way too easy. Besides, where is the creative expression in that? Nope, its not about making your home look exactly like a page in a design magazine, but a reflection of your personality and a shelter for your creature comforts, all the while communicating good design.

So, I am back with refocused energy. How can we ultimately create spaces that make us feel alive or relaxed or cozy or content, without spending big bucks? With a little vision and a random dose of bargain hunting karma, it can happen.

My challenge for you this week is this:
Find a picture in a magazine of a room you LOVE. Pinpoint the elements of this space that you admire. For example: light and airy, a good furniture arrangement,a unique color combination, interesting uses of texture and fabrics, a nice balance of modern and traditional, etc. Then look at your space with fresh eyes and get creative. What can you do to achieve these elements with what you already own, or by adding some inexpensive decorating finds?

I will do the same, and show you what I can come up with next week. This could be really fun assignment! Feel free to email me your ideas and I will be happy to provide input. Good luck!

kitchen of my dreams

All photos from cottageliving.com, done by Erica George Dines.

If I could copy the basic qualities of this kitchen in my own home, I would. It is EXACTLY what I wish I could make my kitchen look like. I have always loved Cottage Living magazine, but have recently felt like some of the content was sparse, and increasingly not budget friendly. The decor features, however, have always consistently spoken to me: classic and cozy with contemporary updates rooted in history.

This month, Cottage Living redeemed itself in my eyes, and featured the budget-friendly kitchen renovation of one of their own staffer's homes. Anne Turner Carroll turned her outdated and awkward kitchen into an efficient space that exudes cottage warmth and charm and exemplifies timeless character.

Most of the updates are things that I could conceivably do in my kitchen, and except for the all-new stainless appliances, do them on a relatively small budget. Not that I can actually make this investment anytime soon, but seeing the before and after of this renovation gave me hope. I also garnered some very concrete ideas about how to make my own awkward, and similarly laid out kitchen, function better.

Here are several of the highlights.

The existing cabinets were saved, just raised up to eliminate the wasted space up above, making the area underneath much more usable with a single, open shelf.



These photos demonstrate the wonderful mix of materials: honed black granite and walnut for the counter tops, wood floors, a classic white subway tile back splash,and two different painted finishes on the existing cabinets.




I love the light, open feel! And this configuration is so similar to my own, that it seems doable!



And here, the best part: a pass through that was enlarged from a sliver of an opening, in turn creating a major architectural feature and totally opening the kitchen up to the rest of the home. In my house, an opening like this would face the living room.


Well, that is my new inspiration... what is yours? Or do you already have your dream kitchen? I invite you to share your images and stories with me!