I Need Some Inspiration

We are still plugging along with the planning stages of our kitchen renovation (and still living with the ripped up floors.) We are making progress though. It all comes down to budget. This is (one of the) stressful times in the remodeling process when you have to decide what can stay and what has to go to make the project actually affordable. I really want a apron front sink but can I justify the extra cost in our budget. The banquette with drawers is too expensive. Can my contractor site build something to keep the cost in check? These decisions are not fun, but they are necessary.
So, having said all of that what I really need is to look at something pretty and think about how much I'm going to love our kitchen when we're finished. I made a mood board for the room to inspire us. The Husband laughed at me for calling it a mood board. Clearly he doesn't read design blogs!  This is what is currently inspiring me today.

1.  Cafe curtains for the kitchen windows in a pretty fabric inspired by nature, maybe like this one
2. A new burlap shade for the pendant light over the sink
3. Reclaimed wood openshelves with hand forged shelf brackets, image source here
4. A sleek single control with high arcing spout and a pull down spray possibly like this; in my fantasy kitchen it would be a beautiful bridge faucet with separate hot and cold water controls. But let's be honest, when your hands are full and/or covered in gunk you don't want to have to fiddle with the water using both hands to get the water that you need.
5. White recessed panel cabinets 
6. Pulls for the cabinet drawers...or maybe the doors in a brushed brass finish
7. A soft neutral wall color to let everything else in the room shine, Benjamin Moore OC-47 Ashwood
8. Lagos Blue Caesarstone countertops; what I really want is soapstone, but budget, grrrr, we'll see
9. Stainless steel range similar to our existing one we will reuse
10. New stained hardwood floors in a darker but not too dark finish
11. Knobs for the cabinet doors...or maybe the doors in a brushed brass finish
12. This is a Murano style glass chandelier that is serving as a lovely color inspiration for my own plans to breathe new life into a hand-me-down chandelier. More one that as the plans progress
13. An antique farm table; I have to say goodbye to a table that I love because I've finally accepted that it is and will always be too big for the room. Here's a little inspiration for future table shopping.
14. Cushion fabric for the banquette/bench seat in the kitchen, maybe like this

I'm feeling a bit more inspired. Hooray!  Now to get back to crunching the numbers! Question of the day: How do you determine what is worth it to you and what is not when trying to stay on budget?

A Little Something Pretty

I've been putting off my next post because there is so many more things that need to go on the To-Do list that I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and exhausted and I haven't even started!!  Let's all pause for a moment and look at something pretty.

Source: isleofviewblog.tumblr.com via Aimee on Pinterest

This is such a warm and cozy room.  I love some many things about it, but let's talk about that spectacular wall of art. I have the beginnings of another art wall in the hallway just off the kitchen that is a crazy mix of styles and color.  I still need more stuff to fill it out but as with most things in my house it's a work in progress.  The image above is such a wonderful inspiration because it shows how disparate pieces can really work together. But it also reminds me of how important the magic of finding just the right pieces that will actually work together is.  I might even be inspired to hang another frame or two.  

What's inspiring you lately?  I seem to have lost my mojo and wouldn't mind a creative shove in the right direction.

Brush, Brush

Source: flickr.com via Aimee on Pinterest

I came across this image on pinterest last week and now I'm completely enamored with bottle brush Christmas trees.  I don't have a collection yet, but I think i might have to keep my eyes open.  I may have something new for the mantel next year.

Here, someone has amassed quite a collection

via here

I love all the color

via etsy

And the ones without color too!

via the Tortoise and the Hare

And the ones that are flocked and have their own ornaments are beyond sweet

via A Life in Focus Photography

I've read grumblings that I could easily pick up a few at Michael's or Hobby Lobby that could be turned into something.  Maybe if I'm feeling crafty (oh, holiday knitting, will you ever be done???) I might try to create my own magical forest....they do look so cheery all grouped together. 

ETA: apparently I have the start to my collection already!  I just went downstairs and look what was sitting on the mantel

 

Friday Inspiration

Happy Friday!  This room makes me very happy.  It's warm, cozy and inviting without being too perfect. Hope your day feels like this too.

Keith Johnson's Home in Anthology Magazine (issue #5)

Don't forget about the Shabby Apple Giveaway!  Get your entry in by Sunday for the big win.  Winner will be announced on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Feeling Under the Weather & a Pretty Table

I'm just now starting to right myself from an icky stomach bug and a fall down the stairs earlier in the week (yes, I'm that clumsy & no, thankfully I didn't break anything)   Let's all think of something pretty to make me feel better.  In honor of Thanksgiving just around the corner how about a pretty fall table courtesy of Country Living Magazine

It's so light and bright.  I love the natural color palette of white and linen mixed with pops of orange, green and blue.  Now that I think about it I must really love this color combination. It's the colors of my living room!  

Are you setting planning to set a beautiful table for your big holiday meal next week? 

Friday Inspiration

It's a cool and slightly drizzly Fall day here at the Reslus Arms.  I've been looking for a bit of inspiration to make me feel warm and cozy.  I think this pic from Traditional Home might do it.

traditional home via pinterest

I love a great overstuffed room with lots and lots of layers.  Here, the neutral color palette helps it to feel cozy without being too overwhelming.

Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend!!

Friday Inspiration

Here's a few pretties from shopping with my iphone over the last few weeks.  First I spotted this bench for a client's bathroom in Homegoods

and this mirror to go over my mantle which I didn't buy (it was only $25) and now I'm kicking myself a little

Then I saw this Carlisle chair in Pottery Barn.  I'm thinking about the sofa version of this chair and I love the red pinstripe of this one.  It's super fresh, though I'm not sure I'm that fresh.

And finally I stopped in my friendly neighborhood Shades of Light with some clients.

 
There was lots of lovely things to catch your eye.  Besides lighting, this fun little chair grabbed my attention (when does a chair NOT grab my attention!) and I loved all the mirrored pieces surrounding it too. That Suzani  print in shades of blue is super-fantastic.

And I drooled a bit over all the lovely rugs on display.  Who doesn't love a good carpet!

Happy Friday Everyone.  Have a great Fall weekend. 

Feels Like Fall

I have a horrible cold and feel like poo so I thought we should look at something pretty to distract me. 

 

Country Living via Pinterest

This looks warm and cozy, just like Fall.  I want to curl up on that sofa with my knitting a enjoy the roaring fire.  I may have to find my own urns and branches for my mantle too.  And I really need to start that fireplace painting project, but that is definitely for another day.

I'm going to throw on another layer and enjoy the crisp air.  You should too.