I have always been so inspired by nature and despite moving further into the city and beginning a new design job I have actually been finding myself even more inspired by nature. The entire office space I work in was based off of a design concept of a tree. How awesome is that! I also now have my very own backyard that will allow me to do a little gardening this summer. I found this video today and thought....I could totally live this woman's lifestyle. It sounds amazing. My grandpa was a farmer and I grew up on a farm, so it will always be in my heart. Hope you enjoy the video as much as I did!
Women Farmers - Michelle Cotton from Anthropologie on Vimeo.

Make Your Own Table

Restoration Hardware Version

If you have been reading my blog over some time you would know how much I have been dreaming of getting a farm table for years!  I love the look and feel of it and imagine having great family dinners or game nights or even using it for sewing projects.  It has that rustic feel but can work beautifully in a modern, traditional, country, or eclectic style home.  I plan to pair mine with the Eames Molded Plastic chairs I already own.  

The table pictured above is from Restoration Hardware.  You can find it here.  It is made from salvaged wood and has an extension to seat up to 12 people.  While I love the table it is far outside of my price range.

Then I found the amazing replica of this table pictured below from an article in Country Living magazine.  Check out all of the pictures of the North Carolina couples home here.  Believe it or not they made the farm table below for a mere $11.00!  They were given the salvaged wood and only had to buy hardware to put it together.  They used this plan.  I am incredibly excited to make one myself, hopefully with my dad's help seeing that I don't have power tools.  However, even if you don't you could always rent or borrow the tools.  The only major thing you would need is a circular saw.  This is going to be a summer project for me and will fit perfectly into our new home.  We will be renting another place....not yet buying....but it has a lot of space and has potential for us to buy in the future.  Of course the wheels have been turning for how to decorate the space.  Much more on that later.  For now I am on a mission to find some salvaged wood somewhere in Chicagoland!

Homemade Version

Mint Green Spring

Spring time is here!  And spring pastels are the major trend this year.  My favorite is the mint green.  I suppose it could be since it's always been my favorite ice cream flavor.  I am loving it in fashion, jewelry, and interior decor.  Take a look at the inspiration below. 

Nothing like inspiration from Paris!

J. Crew Viv Flats.  Sadly no longer available in this color, but check out this nautical stripe version here!

Loving this YSL ring!

Update on the Maps

I received a lot of questions on where to find maps or map wallpaper on my previous post.  Here is another beautiful living room where they framed one.  I would check out antique stores, flea markets, or even garage sales for maps to frame.  Or if you're lucky you may have some family members like me with several you could have!  Here are a few other options below as well.  I hope this gives you some additional ideas!

My personal favorite, wallpaper from Ralph Lauren Home

Wall decal found here

Wallpaper from Home Depot

A Large picture you could hang from Ikea

Eco- Friendly Floor Cleaner

This past year I've really been focusing on environmentally friendly ways to clean my home and ways to save money on all the expensive environmentally friendly cleaners you can buy at the store nowadays.  Here's a perfect recipe that I've been using for a while now and it works perfectly!

1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
5 drops lavender essential oil (or scent of your choice)

Fill a gallon bucket with hot water.  First add vinegar as it fills and then the baking soda and drops of essential oil.  I stir in the baking soda to be sure it dissolves.  Then mop away.  I also recently purchased a microfiber mop that's head can be thrown in the wash, so you can reuse it for a long time to come.  Happy cleaning!

Spring Fever

Today we are finally getting that well deserved snow fall that Chicago has mostly lucked out of getting this very spring like winter!  I am tucked away cozy in my apartment for the rest of the evening watching the big beautiful snowflakes come down, but it has gotten me thinking about how I am just about ready for spring.  I always like to change up my home a bit with the seasons.  I adore velvet and leopard print and cozy textures and fabrics in the winter.  In the spring I really love to bring out lots of florals, plants, linen fabrics and just freshen everything up a bit.  Take a look at the inspiration photos below and start planning for spring.  It will be here before you know it!

Missing Christmas

This time of year always seems to be the most tough since there is so much to look forward to all fall with the fall weather, apple orchards and pumpkin patches, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas.  And then it is all over in January.  Christmas comes and goes so fast each year and with all the fall festivities it is tough to find time to plan your decorating or Christmas gift making, so I've decided to start now.  Here are a few inspirational photos for ideas for next year's decor.

Loving this jute webbing chair upholstering material used as garland and tied into a bow to top the tree.

They simply used 2 hooks at the top of the door to hold this garland up.  Simple but beautiful.

This pine cone garland could stay up all fall and winter.

This is a great way to add some Christmas to your bedroom or any room that you have a mirror hanging in.

Very pretty hanging ornaments from a chandelier.

Definitely want to do this next year.  You can just wrap a bulletin board in holiday wrapping paper or fabric and then put all your Christmas cards and a few ornaments on display here.

I used wine bottles as candelabras this year for my Thanksgiving table but I love these clear glass vases filling up the table.

Before we know it winter will be over and we'll be renewing our homes for spring.  For now I'll enjoy the winter light and feeling cozy inside my home watching the snowflakes fall.  How do you make winter more enjoyable?

Wood Paneling

Who says paneling is outdated?  Not when it's done in salvaged rustic wood panels!  Of course, I am biased due to the rustic/modern combination being one of my favorites, but I think you'll love it too.  Just take a look at these rooms!

I plan to do this in my next place in the master bedroom with boards running horizontally on the wall behind the bed. It would be the perfect feature wall. Wood finishes really warm up a room. I hope you'll give it a try too.

Map Decor

Thought I'd do a post with something a little more masculine that the guys out there can get into.  Although this would certainly work great for both guys and gals.  If you dream of traveling or have been lucky enough to do a lot of it you will love these wallpaper maps.  It's definitely a fun way to really liven up a room.

This study is truly full of someone's finds via their travels

Love the vibrant color of the map wallpaper in this bath

Even can be used in a baby nursery

Here's a black and white version wallpaper you can purchase here

If wallpaper isn't your thing or to be a little more budget friendly you can always frame some maps.  You can usually find some great ones at flea markets or check out Ebay!

Serafina Fabric

 

I have my heart set on the Pottery Barn Serafina Fabric that has been discontinued for some time.  (Pottery Barn used to sell it by the yard).  I have scoured the internet for it hoping that someone would have yardage for sale but to no avail.  I plan to find 2 club chairs similar to the one above off of Craig's List or Ebay and have it re-upholstered in a fun bright printed fabric to bring a great pop of color into the living room in my design plans for our next home.  The colors in the Serafina fabric are perfect since you could go in many directions with the rest of your accent colors.  It's a modern print but you could pair it in either a traditional or modern room.  I have just begun my search for something similar but thought these Joseph Frank Textiles were a possibility.

This last one is an Otomi fabric.  I am really liking the colors in this one as well.

If anyone has the Pottery Barn Serafina fabric let me know!  What is your favorite option from above? 

Dandelion Art

I discovered this dandelion art installation done by German artist Regine Ramseier.  Absolutely stunning.  Happy weekend all!