Spring Lonny Picks

Spring Lonny. Check it out here. 

New Outdoor Ikea

While Bear was jumping in the ball pit yesterday, I cruised the new outdoor selection at IKEA. Lots of things worth saving my pennies for. I especially love the Arholma sectional and Falster lounge. Clean lines, durable and in the budget.  Right up my alley.

Lonny | Winter Edition

This season's Lonny is full of beautiful homes and ideas. I love the simple holiday decor in neutral colors and elegant party table settings. My three favorites this issue...

Susan Becher's Upper West Side Home 

Urban Renewal 

Seasonal Soiree

Alphabeasties Art

I've never met an old window I didn't like. In fact, it's a bit of an addiction I'm afraid. There's a line-up of them in my attic waiting their turn in the limelight. 

I've been holding onto my Alphabeasties Alphabet Flash Cards until just the right display came along. Found these great, extra-long windows the other day at Pat's Corner for practically pennies. A perfect fit for Ben and Bear's room. 

Vintage Find

Vintage stand with brass finials and wheels. Yard sale goodness. 

Jaws + Painting?

Tonight's agenda: Lincoln's first viewing of Jaws and painting my dining room this gorgeous shade of blue. (Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore) 

"This shark...swallow you whole". Yikes. 

The Perfect Rug

Of all the decisions to be made when designing a room, choosing the right rug is the most difficult in my opinion. A rug that compliments the room, but doesn't overtake it. One that is comfortable, long-wearing and affordable. A tall order to fill. 


After months of looking, today was the day.  West Elm's new "Tangled" wool rug. Chunky, plush, hand-looped wool in grey and ivory. Built for wrestling boys in the day and lounging on to watch the Bachelor at night. Perfect 

Hooray!

Bear's mixed reaction to hugging "Dr. Evil", the camp villain 

A new logo! I'm so excited about it. What do you think? 

We're headed home from Oakbridge tomorrow. It's been a great month, but we're ready to settle back into the Giant Peach and kick back a bit. The kids are all water-logged, tan and a little bit sassy for my taste. It'll be a bit of Byard boot camp this week. I'm sure it's been a little bit quiet around the neighborhood with our boys gone, but it's about to get a whole lot noisier... 

Summer Lonny

Have you had time to look at Lonny this month? As usual it's full of beautiful homes, design ideas, and unique products. It was hard to choose just three, but here are my favorites...

Nate Burkus' Chicago Offices. Love the concrete floors, outdoor pendant lamps, trestle tables, and open space. 

Love the black trim against white bedding in the bed nook, the sectional facing the windows, and geometric rug under the white-washed wood table.

Love the deep daybed, cluster of chandeliers, and wood paneling in this outdoor space. 

Last Minute Easter Ideas

It's been a busy week around here, and decorating for Easter has fallen by the wayside. Thankfully, there are still two days left! As the class parties wrap up today, we'll be heading home for some egg-dying and craft making. 

Here are some Martha ideas I'm going to be working on. I purposely chose things that I already have all the supplies for. Happy Easter!

Pounded Grass Place Mats 

Potato, Scallion & Goat Cheese Frittata

Crepe Paper Birds 

Eggshell Flower Arrangement 

Botanical Decoupage Eggs

Weekend Projects

 Before: Grey planters handed down from Jessica. Thanks!

 After: Celery green planters filled with lavender

 Before: Weather beaten IKEA patio set 

 During: Scrubbing & staining

After: Good as new!

I always thought my mom was nutso when she said yard work was relaxing.  As I get closer to 40, I totally get it. 

My favorite part of the weekend was yesterday afternoon in the yard doing projects while the kids played. Our garden is planted, we have new planters & our patio set is ready for business. Voila. Productive and relaxed? Mission accomplished. 

Favorite Vintage Etsy Shops

 L & R Vintage 

 AM Radio

 Epoca Eclectic 

White Wonder

Bits & Pieces

Lonny's current issue is out and lovely as ever. 205 pages full of great ideas and inspiration. There were so many great articles to choose from. I picked a page or two from a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

New York apartment's blend of modern and traditional 
http://www.lonnymag.com/issues/16-march-april-2011-issue/pages/1#p85

 1960's Cape Cod, filled with vintage finds

Andy Newcom's home, featured in Undecorate

Comfort Food

I've always wanted to have a couch at my dining room table. Is that strange? We decided to re-arrange furniture this week and I finally had the opportunity to move my camelback slip-covered couch to the dining room. (Yes, it's white. No, the kids will not be eating on it!) While I love the modern lines of my dining table, bench and chairs, I really like how the couch softens it up. 


We gave it a trial run last night for a dinner party and it received rave reviews. It was especially fun to lounge on after dinner with coffee and dessert. 


What do you think? Would you have a couch in your dining room? 

Daily Dose of Green

Real Simple 

Modern Green Stacking Chairs 

Country Living 

Dwell Studio Sevilla Pillow 

House Beautiful 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you have some fun plans to celebrate...


I'm celebrating by looking at all of the home design ideas I love that incorporate green. Not sure I'm ready for green paint on my walls, but I'm all in for green pillow, rugs, chairs and dishes.  I think grass green and grey look great together. 


Thanks to the Irish for making green fashionable, but especially for making Guiness. 

Library Candle Collection

Poe. Austen. Whitman. Thoreau. Library Candles from PaddyWax. Spotted these candles at the Ace Hardware by my house. Yes, Ace Hardware. (It's the best one in the world.)

With combinations like Cardamom, Absynthe & Sandalwood or Gardenia, Tuberose & Jasmine, there's not a bad choice in the bunch. I'm a big fan of Poe myself. Perfect for the living room. 

Re-sized.

 Measure twice...

 Cut once...

When you can't find the the "right" piece of furniture, maybe it's just hiding. Cut down legs. Add longer legs. Re-use things you already have. Share furniture with your friends when you're done with it. (thanks Brooke!) 

I love this piece as a coffee table. It's drop leaf on both sides. Gorgeous, distressed color and unique shape. Cut to the perfect height (20 inches tall) for morning coffee and blogging. 

Outdoor Space.

image via Lonny

Yes, it's still January. Some of you are still sporting down jackets and shoveling snow. But we've had some 80 degree days this week and I'm in the mood to be outside. Particularly in a spot like the one above. Wouldn't you spend all of your free-time here if you had this space? Well done. 

I Love Lonny

I love when my online subscription to Lonny lands in my email box. I wish it came every month. I still miss Cottage Living and Domino, but Lonny has almost taken their place. Did you know that you can click on the items or paint colors you like in the magazine and it will give you the information on purchasing? So cool. 


Here are my favorite layouts from the December issue. Favorite things from these pictures...
1. Reflection of art above the couch. Eclectic use of art and staging. 
2. Sunburst mirror paired with unique black fireplace insert. 
3. Serene bathroom with distressed tub surround paired with bright hall color. 
4. Glossy fireplace treatment and antique family portraits. 
5. Chandelier centerpiece (love the reflection) and black doors with wood floors.
6. Detail on the fireplace mantle and the hardware the dog portrait is hung on. 


See you in January Lonny. Two issues in a row. Sweet.