1 Inspiration from Apartment Therapy

I found lots of elements of Mazen's Tailored Toronto Townhouse really inspiring.  I've always loved the idea of bookcases either behind or flanking a sofa in the living room.  I love the balance of formality and comfort. See more images from the house tour on Apartment Therapy. 

9 So Much Apartment Progress!!

I know these photos are totally wonky (taken in the dark), but we got so much done this weekend I just had to share a little bit.

We used the long weekend to really work on the house...this is what we accomplished:
+ Purchased paint for the bathrooms - and painted!
+ Purchased patio chairs
+ Purchased succulents, cacti, and planters - and planted them
+ Purchased throw pillows and fillers for the couches and patio
+ Purchased accessories for the bathroom and patio
+ Hung some art in the living room
+ Donated six bags of clothes
+ Cleaned all over

I'm so excited.  I feel like things are starting to really come together.  I hope to have more photos to share soon.

I hope you guys had a good and productive (or purposely not) weekend too!

7 Bedroom Sneak Peek...

I know I've been way MIA around here, and as I've explained I hate it.  So...here is some proof of what I've been up to.  It is by no means finished, but I wanted to give you a little sneak peak at our house...well of my bedroom at least.  It's a little further along than the other spaces. What do you think?!


I thought I'd add some credits:
Paint: Benjamin Moore Soot and Decorator's White in Matte
Mattress: Ikea Hultsvik
Bedding: Dwell Studio Trellis in Grey , Black and White Graphic Pillowcases from TJMaxx, Blue and White Michael Kors Graphic Sheets, Yellow and White Zig Zag Pillow from The Lacey Placey
White Bedside Table: World Market (no longer available)
Yellow and White Lamp: Vintage
Dresser: Vintage Glenn of California from A La Mod
Planter: Campy Planter from Perch!
Striped Tray: Ikea (no longer available)
It's Ok from Multi Polar Projects
Dot Mug: Marimekko Fokus Latte
Ottoman: Target covered with Ikea Fabric (no longer available)
Quilt: Henrietta Quilt from Anthropologie
Calendar: Stendig 
Desk: CB2 Go Cart Console Table
Desk Storage: Ikea Helmer
Desk Lamp: Vintage Lightolier from The Brick House 
Landing Strip Table: Vintage from A La Mod

3 Ideas for My New Apartment....

So, it is finally time to get serious about finding an apartment in LA and choosing some furniture. For the most part I have enjoyed living at home with my parents, but some circumstances have changed and I need to get my own place soon or I may loose my mind.  I am hoping to move into my own place around July 1st, if everything goes according to plan...let's cross our fingers or these posts may turn into totally therapy sessions rather than happy home inspiration.

Anyway...so this is what I'm thinking so far.  You'll notice some pieces from my old apartment {see house tour here}, some items I've purchased since I moved here and just went straight into storage, a few new pieces I'm pretty sure I've decided on, and a couple that I still need to figure out.

Living Room: {clockwise from top left}

Dwell Studio Facet Rug in Cream & Citrine This is already purchased, and waiting in storage.

Ikea Karlstad Sofa in Sivik Dark Grey. I think I made my decision.  If you've been around this blog for a while you know I've been trying to decide on a sofa for years.  I don't think this is the perfect sofa, but I like it and it is comfortable especially considering it's price.  I MIGHT change my mind on this in the next month, but I'm pretty sure this is the one.  And actually if everything goes according to plan, it won't be just one...it will be a pair!

White Side Tables from World Market.  I had these in my apartment in NOLA, I still love them.  They were maybe one of my best purchases ever.  Side note: I cannot wait to start creating my little vignettes again.  I want this apartment to be a little less cluttered that my last, but I miss my awesome little displays so much.

Vintage Metal and Glass Bookcase.  Again, this was in my apartment in NOLA.  I bought it when I broke up with my ex, had basically no money, and had no idea where I was going to live.  I think I ate peanut butter sandwiches for two weeks, but it was so worth it.  I love it.

CB2 Beacon Floor Lamp.  This is one of the options I am considering, but I haven't completely decided.  I know I want a statement floor lamp, but I want to look around a bit more before I commit. I want to see this one in person to see what kind of light it produces, but I really like the way it looks.  Anyone seen this in person or have it?  Or have any other great floor lamp options?

Ottoman from Target recovered in Ikea Black and White Triangle Fabric.  This is from my old apartment and is currently being used as a multifunctional piece in my current room {mini tour here}.

Teve Lounge Chair. I would like to have another comfy single chair seating option.  Unless I find some great awesome piece for a great price between now and then, I probably won't buy one until I actually get a place and see if I have space.  Unfortunately, the Teve Lounge Chair probably won't be the one due to cost, but I like its lines, materials, and color of course.

Vintage Glass and Metal Pyramid Coffee Table...acquired for free and sitting in storage waiting!

Bar Area: 

A bar cart is a non negotiable item.  I must have one. I am really thinking that I want a Go Cart in Carbon from CB2.  I have my eye on this for a while...and I think it would a really good piece that could be serve a number of functions.  The price is right, and it gets great reviews.  

Urban Outfitters Zig Zag Printed Rug.  I ordered two a few weeks ago in black and grey.  I haven't gotten to try them out yet, but they look nice enough considering their price.  

AWESOME Vintage Letters.  These were in my old apartment, and are currently hanging in my room.  I love them.  They are awesome.  I will be hanging some of my art that I already have, but I would really like to pick up a few new pieces too...preferably mostly black and white with a geometric theme, any suggestions?

Adjustable Metal Floor Lamp from West Elm.  I've also been considering this one for a while, I probably won't get more than one floor lamp.  This is a contender too.  Any reviews on this one? {Just realized I first posted about this one in 4.08...it's been a possibility for a while.} 

Desk Area:

I won't know the layout to know what I have room for until I actually pick an apartment, but I know I at least want a small desk area.  I may either have my West Elm Simple Work Table painted, probably white, or get a West Elm Mini Parson's Desk.  I love it's lines and size, and again the price is reasonable.  

I will probably use the other Urban Outfitters Zig Zag Printed Rug in this area too.

Vintage Bent Wood Stacking Chair. I have three of these that I got at Neophobia in New Orleans for $30.  Mine are black.

Acessories might include some lacquered yellow desk goodies from West Elm, mixed with some of my vintage pieces that are all packed away, and my beloved Vintage Yellow Lamp that I purchased from Morgan of The Brick House many moons ago {that's how we "met"}

Not shown, but there will probably be an Ikea Alex Storage Cabinet in there somewhere...because I've always wanted one, and now that I live 20 minutes from Ikea, I can have one!

I don't know if you remember that I have {er had} a no more throw pillow rule.  It has totally gone out the window.  I think I'm going to be retiring most of my pillows from my old house {a few will probably stick around, like the black and white feather print from Thomas Paul} and freshen things up with some new ones:

First, if you follow me on twitter  you know I recently decided that I MUST own a couple of Hable Construction Pillows.  I have wanted them forever, but never ordered them mostly because they are rather expensive.  But I don't mind.  They are fantastic, well made....and I want them!  I ordered samples this weekend to help me decide, but I think I will be ordered one in Lemon Beads/Oyster and Turquoise Beads. 

I ordered a pair of Yellow Chevron Pillow Covers on Etsy this weekend. And I think I'm going to order this one too, I like the contrast of scale. I don't know, I might be getting a little carried away with this whole chevron business.  

The Lines and Arrows Pillow from Be Still has been on my wish list for a while...it might be time.

I am wavering on getting new bedding...I'm highly considering a Trellis Duvet from Dwell Studio, but I might stick with what I have for the time being.  But anyway...that's where I am for now! 

0 Cathy Echols' Eclectic Home

There are such a great mix of pieces in this home.  And I love that dark kitchen and the contrast to the light bedroom...seems counterintuitive, but totally works. 


Images by Jack Thompson. Found thanks to Apartment Therapy and High Gloss Magazine

3 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Lasse}

Lasse's Mulitpurpose Room, this year's Apartment Therapy Small Cool International winner

11 My New LA Room

It just occurred to me that I haven't shown you guys my new room in LA.  This is the room that my sister and I share in our townhouse in LA.  It used to be her room that I stayed in for visits, now it is my room that she stays in when she comes home from college.  It has been a mess, because my dad gutted our attached bathroom last November and has been VERY slowly working on it since. (hence the empty door frame in the last pic)

This is a temporary place for me to live, so I wanted to incorporate enough of my things to feel like home, but not go too overboard.  The floor plan is totally wonky because we need two beds and the walls are interrupted with all sorts of doors and nooks.  I still need a fantastic rug, and a bookshelf to go on the little wall to the left and behind the tv wall.  I haven't really put together my little vignettes yet.  Also, these photos are kind of horrible, you will have to forgive me.

I absolutely adore my vintage dresser that we picked up in Palm Springs.  I look forward to shopping Craigslist and estate sales while I'm here to hopefully get some more great vintage furniture for my next apartment.  My plan is to live here probably until next summer, or until my roommate comes home :) and then find an apartment of my own.  That way I can save up for something great.

I scored those fantastic Michael Kors sheets at TJ Maxx. You can't see the design in these photos, but they are essentially as smaller scale version of the same patterns as the curtains, but in turquoise and white.  I'm also pretty impressed white those black storage shelves.  We have had those forever (I actually asked Santa for them when I was like 12...I've always been this way), and were planning on getting rid of them.  However the closet isn't all that big, we needed more storage, and having the beds in the L-shape (which I like because it feels like a bed and a couch) creates an awkward narrow space where they fit perfectly.  So, we kept them, got two more shelves, and filled them with canvas bins for storage.  Then, I hung my favorite giant Stendig calendar (which stills shows that its August, but anyway) on the front to hide everything.

So what do you think?  It's not perfect, but if you saw the condition it was in when I arrived...whew! I've worked wonders.  My sister visited last weekend and said, "wow, it looks just like your apartment but all in one room." Haha....

0 Cheeky Boxes

I'm not always a fan of quirky bookshelves, but I like these Cheeky Boxes designed by Luci Koldova.

Found thanks to Apartment Therapy.

3 Bookshelves With Colored Glass...

Great idea to spice up a simple bookshelf...add colored glass/plexiglass...

Dining Room with blue colored glass pantry from Living Etc.

+

Plexiglass backed Ikea Billy Bookshelves from Marie Claire Maison via Apartment Therapy

2 Beth's Teeny Tiny Cottage

Beth's Teeny Tiny Cottage was one of my favorites from Apartment Therapy's Small Cool Contest, so I was very excited to see that Beth now has a house tour on AT...that wardrobe turned bar totally gets me!

3 Alligator House

I can't quite decide how I feel about the Alligator House designed by New Orleans based Architects Building Studio...what do you think?

Found thanks to Apartment Therapy. {You can read about the debate there.}

5 Yellow Doors Make Me Very Happy...

Yellow doors make me very happy...have I mentioned that before?
Found thanks to Scandinavian Retreat and Apartment Therapy.

2 New Art fom Wolfie and the Sneak...

My new artwork from Wolfie and the Sneak has arrived and is hung...I LOVE IT!

0 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Whitney's Well Organized Home}

Whitney's Well Organized Home...this is one of my favorites for such a little space.  I love that organization system.

1 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Samantha & Jacob}

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Samantha and Jacob's More Stuff Than Most...
I love so many things about this place, including:
That chevron rug
That wallpaper
The shape and color of the fireplace
That window seat...I've always wanted a window seat.
The photograph collage
The homemade shelving system inspired by The Brick House's project inspired by The Ace Hotel.

0 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Matt's Original Detail}

Matt's Original Detail...you know how I feel about art walls, especially when combined with mid century furniture.

3 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Chris's Furniture Tetris}

Chris's Furniture Tetris...I love when people do a good job of separating one room into different areas, while still keeping an open feeling.

1 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Natalie's Alcove Studio}

Natalie's Alcove Studio...I love that alcove.

1 Apartment Therapy Small Cool Inspiration {Beth's Peek-a-Boo}

This is one of my favorites...and it's from the teeny tiny divisions.

4 I Opened the Door!

I have now lived in my apartment for 8 months, and today I accidentally figured out how to open the second door to my balcony...my living room feels twice as big now.  I'm so excited!

In my defense, the lock/handles on these doors are very strange. I tried to open the second door right after I moved it, but it wouldn't budge.  I thought maybe it was a fixed door, or um something....I don't know I guess I never really thought about it again.

Don't judge...I'm having a blonde day.  Earlier I went to work without my purse that actually contained my wallet.