Ikea Redo

We finally bit the bullet and went to Ikea on Saturday. I've had bad experiences with Ikea in the past, not with the products, just with how amazingly overwhelming the store is. It makes my anxiety level go through the roof, but it was a rainy day so we decided what the heck. I think everyone else in Atlanta was thinking the same thing, because it was packed and it was complete chaos. I was able to check out the products that I had selected for the breakfast room and now that I've seen some of them in person, I'd like to have a redo. I wasn't really diggin' the first light fixture that I selected in person, but I did like the Leran pendant lamp.

only $49.99

I did not love the prints that I selected and honestly wasn't too crazy about any of the other ones they had to offer. I did like the Ribba frames though. They come in lots of different sizes and 4 different finishes. I also was so NOT impressed with the fabric. The quality wasn't great and the repeat was huge. They did not list the repeat online, so I was very surprised to see how massive it was in person. Another reason why I hate buying things without seeing them first!!!

I've always heard that Ikea has awesome children's products and sure enough they did. We found this precious mini bistro table and chairs...how cute!!!

Minnen Table and Chairs

We also got this fun Leka play mat. There were so many cute things for the kiddies. We had to use some major self control to not walk out with a cart full of unnecessary purchases :).

Do you have a favorite Ikea purchase? If so please let me know!

p.s.- still working on the tradional nook

Fun & Funky Breakfast Nook

Ok, here is my fun & funky breakfast nook on a budget....

Overstock Bistro Retro Dining Table- $116.99

West Elm Overlapping-Squares chair- set of 2 $369....everything else is such a steal you can splurge on the chairs!

I have 2 options for the lighting and art. One is sticking to the budget and two is going a little over budget :).
ONE

Ikea Boja Pendant Lamp- $59.99

Ikea Tvilling Poster set of 2- $9.00

Ikea Ribba Frame- $24.99
Ikea Gunvor Fabric- $6.99 per yard

I would have cute little chair cushions made out of this fabric. I had no clue Ikea had fabric, and for such an awesome price!!! Need to go check out quality though.

TWO

Galbraith and Paul Medium Zinna Pendant Lamp from Room and Board-$349.00

You know how much I LOVE Galbraith and Paul and this pendant lamp would make such a statement!!! I think it's totally worth the splurge...think how happy it will make you! For the chair cushion I would us a solid outdoor fabric in one of the fun colors from the pendant.

West Elm Sunburst Wire Wall Art- $49.00

VOILA...there you have it. Hope you like it! Stay tuned tomorrow for a more traditional nook...this is proving to be much harder to do on a budget than the fun & funky.

The Breakfast Nook

One of my friends asked me to do a post on utilizing space in a small home or apt. I think creating a breakfast nook in your kitchen or living room is the perfect way to add function and style to a small space. All you need is a small table, a couple of chairs, a cool light fixture and you've got yourself a cozy breakfast nook! If you have room, a banquet is always an awesome option as well. Here are a few of my favorites...

Domino

Domino

Domino

Traditional Home


Domino

Domino

Domino

Domino

Domino

This is my breakfast nook. The hubs and I have enjoyed many meals here! Now it has a lovely high chair pulled up to it too. The wicker chairs are from Mainly Baskets, the table and chandelier were finds at Scott Antique Market, the prints are from Brooks & Black, and the mirror is from Tennile and Co. This space was definitely done on a budget. Stay tuned tomorrow for more breakfast nook options on a budget.

7 months...

Annie turned 7 months old yesterday...tear. My little boo is growing up so fast! We got a little bored today so we decided to have a photo shoot with all her buddies.

A Room With a View

Pieces owner Lee Kleinhelter's master bedroom is, to say the least, a room with a view. Kleinhelter and her husband (they now have a precious baby boy too) recently moved from their Garden Hills cottage (It was featured in Cottage Living and is one of my faves!) to a condominium at Sovereign in Buckhead. I can not imagine what a drastic move this would be, but according to this Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles article, it was a move that the entire family is LOVING. What's not to love about this beautiful master?! Be sure to check out the rest of the article, because every inch of the condo is amazing and should not be missed.
Happy Monday!!
*photo from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

"A Grand Affair"

My favorite art gallery in Atlanta, Huff Harrington, is having an opening tonight from 6-8. The show is titled, "A Grand Affair", and the pieces in this show will all be under $1,000!!! Yes, every painting in the gallery will be less than 1,000 buckaroos....what a steal! Check out the website here and blog here.

Painting of the Week
Lisa Meyer Kairos, Nest with Wasp, mixed media on canvas, 24 x 24, $950

Hope to see you there! Have a great weekend.

The Gazebo Project

I know you've been anxiously waiting to see the finished product of the gazebo I've been working on and posted about here. Well here it is, and I'll apologize in advance for my terrible photography skills that does not give the space justice at all.

The gazebo is set off the back of my in-law's house next to the pool. It is truly a beautiful space that makes you feel like you are miles and miles from Macon, Georgia!

My mother in-law wanted to use a very neutral color palette with splashes of blue. It has a very spa-like feel.

The space is perfect for entertaining, and even has a TV above the fireplace for football season.

The bamboo table and chairs where my mother in-law's parents. We had them painted as well as recovered the cushions in this awesome outdoor fabric from Logan Gardens. We added the back cushion for extra comfort and I think they turned out super cute!

The club chairs are from Walters Wicker. I love the coffee cream finish! Annie gives them 2 thumbs up :)!

I hope you like it! Right now I'm dreaming of warm spring days and hanging out in the gazebo with the fam. Spring can't get here soon enough!!

One day....

I am going to have a mudroom...a place to drop my bags when I walk in the door, hang my coat and store all the "sports" stuff that is now shoved in the coat closet. It is going to be FABULOUS, just like the one pictured above! I love the Lulu DK fabric on the seat cushion, and the beautiful marble floors.
For now I'd just like a carport or garage, so I don't have to park the baby jogger in my breakfast room....oh one day!
*photo from House Beautiful

Winter Inspiration

As a designer, I'm always looking for different sources of inspiration. One of my go-to sources is the great outdoors. I love looking outside my kitchen window each morning and watching the seasons change. Right now the trees are bare, the grass is brown and the plants are dead....kinda depressing and not very inspiring. Of course one of my favorite fabric and wallpaper designers, Osborne and Little, was able to find a little inspiration from the bare trees. Don't you just love this fabric from their Autumn 2008, Walk in the Park collection? These beautiful, bare trees are printed on linen and come in 4 beautiful colorways. The aqua colorway (my favorite) is shown above and the linen/black below.


*photos from Osborne and Little

Pics of the Week

It was my Grandmother's 81st birthday on Tuesday! We took her to lunch at the Horseradish Grill (my favorite) to celebrate. It was a wonderful lunch and Annie helped GG (great gran) blow out her candle. Happy Birthday Grandma!

These 2 pics crack me up! The first is of Annie yesterday morning (6 1/2 months old) hanging out in her swing. She now refuses to lie back and relax. She only wants to sit up and grab all of the animals on the mobile. It makes a terrible noise when she finally gets a hold of one.

This was Annie when she was 2 weeks old.....so tiny, peaceful and quiet. It truly blows my mind how much she has grown. It's so fun to watch her little personality develop as well. I can already tell she's going to be a hand full...just like her mama :)!

I hope you have a great weekend!!

Determination

I am determined to keep up my streak of 5 post a week, and although it's getting late on Thursday night...I'm still going to get my post in!

I'm also determined to get my office looking like this by the end of 2010. I've got 11 1/2 months to go. I think I can handle it...maybe.

**photo from big.dreamer's Flikr photo stream

Barbara Howard

I have long been an admirer of Atlanta interior designer, Barbara Howard. Her interiors are always so chic, yet simple and very livable. When I saw this Atlanta home she designed in the most recent issue of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, I immediately was in awe!

Read the full article here.

Desk

I'm in search of a desk for my home office and I'm leaning towards the West Elm 2x2 console desk. The only the thing I'm worried about is that it's only 18" deep. I need LOTS of workspace and I'm not sure if that's going to cut it. I love the openness of it and the shelves on either side are perfect for stacking books, or tucking away baskets filled with fabric samples. The price is perfect too.

This gray and white striped scoop-back chair would pair perfectly with it. I wonder if it's comfortable?

Should I go for it or keep looking? Have you seen any fun, inexpensive desk recently?

**images from www.westelm.com

Stray Dog Designs

So my shopping buddy, Ansley, and I made the trek to the Atlanta Americas Mart on Friday, despite the icy roads and negative temps. It was a very productive trip and we loved seeing all of the amazing vendors, new products, and awesome showrooms. It's always so helpful to see the pieces you've been eyeing in the catalogs in person...some are more beautiful than you thought and some are complete duds. Stray Dog Designs was one of the companies that I walked in the showroom and fell in love with every piece in the store. I've had their catalog on file forever, but this was my first time seeing most of their products in person, and each and every piece is awesome!! Here are just a few of my favorites...

candy stripe drum pendant

alice pendant

I LOVE these 2 pendants and I think either one of them would be perfect in Annie's big girl room! How cute are they?!

little debbie sconce

I'm speechless...these things are so stinkin' cute!

helena floor lamp

carol floor lamp

L-O-V-E!

mariana floor lamp

katie lamp

titan glass lamp

ed and annie lamp

Gotta love a lamp with Annie in it!

artichoke lamp

crunchberry bahaman

How awesome would these beauties be on either side of a mantel?

deer with flowers

weed study 50

*All of the papier mache pieces come in a plethora of awesome colors. Check out their website here. You will NOT be disappointed!!

*If you're intersted in any of the above items please let me know!