thanks ballard!

Let me first start off by saying this is the room that probably sold us on the house. It was stunning and so unexpected hiding on the lower level of the house. The room over looks the back of the property with a view of White Lick Creek. I knew when we moved this time that there were a few important things on my list that our new house just had to have and having that perfect spot for a Christmas Tree was one them: Check! The space didn't need much work, just a little dressing up. We painted the walls "Dusty Road" by Killz, we also painted the ceiling beam the same color which had previously never been been painted. 

The room also had no window dressings... at all...ever. For a room thats being used 365 days a year this was a must from both an energy conservation standpoint and a privacy one too. I took a risk and went for the drama with the Concorde Medallion Panels from Ballard in indigo and I'm so happy with them. All 108''! They add just the right amount of spice and for the price they couldn't be beat. Eventually we will add bamboo roman shades to the windows that flank the sides but for now we're just enjoying the view. I can't wait to see the leaves begin to change. Below is a photo of the space before. 

Before with the previous owners furniture. 

sarah's house part 2

These are images from Sarah's House season 2 I believe. It's the 1960's back split level. I love that she chose such an unconventional floor plan to tackle. It sort of reminds me of  Lauren's home that she beautifully re-did.

 my favorite marble flooring.

 so light and bright.

 i remember from the show that she had the contractor re-do the the stain on the floor because it wasn't quite right the first time, they turned out so pretty. 

 i love the honeycomb backsplash.

open shelving is making a comeback.

 continuing the light bright theme.

 who wouldn't enjoy a little laundry duty in a space like this?

 are you digging the placement of the mirror?

 calm and soothing master although that silver tray is kind of giving off a bedpan vibe- just saying ; )

 that mirror is amazing.

i love all of the texture and pattern in here. 

bold yet soft and soothing.

apple crate book cubby

On our recent trip to Michigan I picked up this apple crate at my favorite antique shop located in Saugatuck. I didn't know exactly what I would do with it but who can't use an extra apple crate around the house, right? Then later on that same trip inspiration hit while shopping in my hometown of South Haven I  found this cute and colorful velvet rooster and a giant sunflower. They would look so cute standing on that apple crate, and taking it a step further why not hang the crate and use it to store books in the playroom. I finally got around to having it hung this week (at a kid friendly level of course) and I think it's so cute and functional. It's amazing what a $5 dollar old apple crate can do.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... you hear that? It's the sound of very loud crickets around here. I'll fully admit to just plain lurking lately. Oh yes I've been around every day soaking up the eye candy and creativity I just think I've hit that infamous blogging wall temporarily and the truth is I'm not sure I'm really quite over that hump. And as long as we're being really honest this post was for yesterday but I got about as far as the previous sentence and the everyday got in the way- it was a Monday after all. So I've struck a deal with myself to not feel bad anymore if I don't post on a daily basis or maybe sometimes not  for week in a row even. That said I can relax again now. 


Moving right along raise your hand if you can't wait to bid September adieu. Right here, this girl! I love October, partly for the selfish reason that it's my birthday month. Yeah that's right I'm one of those people that usually tends to extend their birthday from one day to at least 1-2 weeks. But also because this weather is the bee's knees. I actually had to activate the heat in our house yesterday. I love that smell the first couple of times a season you turn on the heat. Heat= cozy in the fall/winter.  

My girlfriend gave me this awesome book a couple of years ago and I recently cracked it open again to help me climb out of my cooking rut to prepare for Fall. LOVE this book!

Rut? What rut? I've got a pot of this in the slow cooker as we speak. 

We also hauled two tubs of outgrown/ summer clothes out of little L's closet over the past weekend to make way for warmer cute duds such as this one. (note: I bought the matching adult version because I'm that corny.)

 I'm still hard at work at some finishing touches around the house. I ordered the drapes from Ballard last week for the 4 seasons room and I'm chompin' at the bit to get them. Not my usual m.o. for design but that makes it kind of exciting.  

All that said there is still lot's of crafting, Halloween costume making, Christmas shopping, pumpkin picking and baking to dive into as well! SO excited two have a little one to share it all with this year. 

My Lucy's first word! Yes Mom-momm-momom- I am victorious lol! Only problem is now she won't stop, I've created a monster. I'm sure she has no idea what it means but I don't care. A words a word! =)