Delighted With White

I always seem to be attracted to white decor. This weekend I went to visit Mike in Vermont and we spent a lot of time discussing his in-progress home renovation. Every room needs help. A lot of help. But I told him to start with his small bottom floor bathroom, it's already gutted and in shambles. I suggested he tackle his entire house room by room. and not move onto until his bathroom is complete.

But this post isn't even about his his tragic bathroom. This is about my obsessions with white kitchens. His kitchen is dark, outdated and country. I really think white would brighten up the space and freshen it up a bit, but he is insisting on cherry wood. That's fine I'll continue fantasizing about my dream kitchen, and one day that will come true.

This post from How Does She? about a kitchen makeover totally inspires me.

Missy even says, "I love how clean and crisp and happy it makes me every time I walk in."

But on Sunday while Mike and I were looking through example kitchen decos online he told me I shouldn't ever have anything white because I make such a mess! This is misleading, I am a clean freak, but I have a tendency to be clumsy and make a mess. I hope he is wrong, because I love white, but he is partially right because white is not a practical color at all! But it's so pretty.

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Genius: Secret Discovered

Omigosh, I was reading through my blog feed on Google Reader and I happened across this awesome tip from Grace Happens who got it from Full House

"If anyone ever asks me why I like to read blogs, this is the exact reason...Genius is around every corner." - Grace

Oh wow yes, such genius! I can't wait to use this poppin trick in the very near future.

The Best Bed Ever

My room is my sanctuary and my bed is basically a cloud in heaven. I bought it at Overstock.com for about $500. Its tempur-pedic goodness has a way of healing my crippled back after a long day at the office.

My queen sized mattress sits atop a captains bed, with 6 drawers on either sides. They are jam packed with clothes, and I'm pretty sure I only wear about 17% of the clothes that are in there.

Drawers under the bed are a major space saver -- something I desperately needed when I moved to this apartment. I found the bed base on Craigslist in NY and bought it off a sweet couple for $100. An absolutely excellent find.

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Naked Window Needs Dressing

As much as I love what I have done with my room, I know there are still a few things I need to acquire to complete the look. Decorating on a budget is a process, and a long one at that. My window is in need of some nice, beachy flowy curtains to offset the harsh brown tones of the wooden window frame and terrible outdated wanes coating that is happening around my room.

I bought these blinds at a random shop in Hartford, CT while driving up to Boston with my mom one time. My friend brought over his electric screwdriver and we installed the blinds later that week.

Mike and I found this white curtain rod at Christmas Tree Shop the other day and he helped me safely mount it to the wall. As some people may know, I have a tendency to half-ass projects that involve power tools, mainly because I don't own power tools. I asked Mike to help me put this rod up because I knew if I didn't seek assistance and I attempted the installation myself, the rod would probably fall down and bonk me unconscious in my sleep.

Now all I need is a set of curtains to complete the look. I am thinking of something along the lines of burlap sack, or bamboo color. Not necessarily sheer, but softly textured. All I know is that I'll know it when I see it.

White on White is Alright: Stolen Headline

It looks like Deb and I share a similar decor sense!

While I was looking at various websites for ideas, I found myself lingering over at CountryLiving.com. I could just walk into any one of  their beautiful photos and lazily spend an afternoon. Some of my favorites rooms featured white on white, and I’d like to share them with you. -- Deb on HG Open House Blog

White on white decor works well when you have a few splashes of color in a few special pieces throughout the room. The dark fireplace pops off the wall in this shabby chic country traditional living room. Fresh plants always offer some pizzazz to a monotone room. 

I see three colors in this living room: blue, white and brown. Silver is the bonus color in the appliances and on the light fixtures. The deep wood table warms you up from the cold steel and ceramic surrounding you.

Kitchen Decor by Candice Olson

There are only a couple of interior designers that I can recall by name. Candice Olson is one of the few whose name I can remember... and this is basically only be because she is on HGTV. I really do enjoy watching her show Divine Design With Candice Olson. She always does something that I really like, and produces a room that I would be completely comfortable living in. 

This kitchen is gorgeous and really gives me some great ideas for my boyfriend's kitchen. The light fixture stands out because it's so simple and country, but it's elegant at the same time. The open cabinets always hook me in, but I realize they are not very practical. I mean really, how are you fitting glasses, tumblers, mugs plates, measuring cups, cheese graters and colanders all in that one cabinet next to the fridge?

The description of the photo in Olson's portfolio reads, "The denim blue painted cabinets and wood beadboard backsplash add a punch of warmth to this kitchen. Meanwhile the stainless steel appliances, accessories and island top add a modern touch to the space."

I had originally thought that I didn't like the steel island top, but then came to realize that without the shimmer off that counter, the room would be covered in black countertop and would likely be gloomily dark. The stainless steel pops out from the dark backdrop and really gives this kitchen a deep, strong feeling, like a delicious filling meal.

I Found Dalton Ghetti

'Miniature Art on the Tip of Pencil by Dalton Ghetti' -- Odd Stuff Magazine

Artwork is breathtaking. It is absolutely beautiful. They sort of remind me of the number paper clips I featured a while back. My appreciation for this artwork could very well be explained by natural selection. Check out this video in which animator Andrew Park to illustrate Denis Dutton's provocative theory on beauty -- art, music and other beautiful things, far from being simply "in the eye of the beholder," are a core part of human nature with deep evolutionary origins.

Dutton suggests that humans are hard-wired to seek beauty. My dad sent me this video originally, it's really quite interesting. I hope you enjoyed!