Shiny, Happy, Refrigerator.

Early on, I resolved to spare you the details of appliance selection.  I even managed to maintain my stand after a blog-worthy trip to an appliance warehouse where Chris, our well intentioned, early twenty-something sales associate, attempted to sway my oven choice based on its ability to a) produce absolutely perfect Bagel Bites and b) do a "super great" job reheating his Mother's Day lunch leftovers from Carrabba's Italian Grill.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, he highly recommends their Filet Fiorentina.

The main reason for my omission, however, is I simply find appliances uninteresting.  Too much function and not enough form.  But then, a chance encounter with a refrigerator of a different kind changes my tune.  In fact, the thought of storing my cold cuts in one of these beauties makes me feel downright joyous.

Big Chill, offers an entire line of refrigerators in a host of happy colors from Beach Blue to Pink Lemonade.  And despite their retro appearance, they are Energy Star rated and designed for modern living.  Umm...hi, Barbie Dream House??  Your refrigerator called, and it is a pleasure to finally make its acquaintance:

20.9 cu. ft. Original Refrigerator by Big Chill in Pink Lemonade

In addition to refrigerators, they also offer equally stylish stoves and dishwashers.  Here are a few photos from their online Kitchen Gallery:

Big Chill is hot in Hollywood too.  Basic White for Drew Barrymore...

and Buttercup Yellow for Scarlett Johansson.

I'm afraid no matter how deep my fridge love, this colorful concept just isn't going to fly with the Mr. Unless I can find a spot to sneak in one of their under counter models, I am going to have to wait for my girls-only fantasy club house.   In the meantime, perhaps my fifties fix could be remedied with one of these... 

Sink or Sunk?

Well, I did it.  After weeks of lamenting, I just ordered a soon-to-be-discontinued, non-refundable (even if you beg)  kitchen sink.  What would cause me to do something so mad?   This.  A little color sample  and an overwhelming desire to infuse aqua blue in to what will otherwise be a white kitchen. 

Vapour Green by Kohler

Kohler's "Dickinson" apron-front, undermount sink (shown below in Biscuit) is currently offered in this greenish-blue hue, but will be phased out of production June 1st.  Hit or miss?  I'll know for sure in approximately 28 business days.

Positively Pintastic!

So, I begin with a big thank you to my dear friend, Elizabeth, for introducing me to Pinterest. Described as a "place to catalog the things you love," it is an online tool that allows you to "pin" photos onto personal "pinboards."  Photos you already have saved can be uploaded from your desktop, and new inspiration can be quickly grabbed with their "pin it" button that resides conveniently on your toolbar.  Brilliant, I say!  No longer will I bog down my hard drive with folders named "cute pillows," or search endlessly for an image of a range hood I inadvertently saved under "Dad's birthday."  Here is a quick one I created to organize some of my kitchen ideas:

And, as if all of this isn't grand enough, you can gain loads of inspiration from fellow "pinners." Individual board collections are made searchable when they are assigned to a category such as design, kids, or home and furniture, to name a few.  Looking for birthday party ideas for a girl?  Get inspired by another board dedicated to just such a topic:

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest via Maurin King Sager

       

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things.  You name it, people are pinning it. A search for "Spring wreath" yields 47,492 pins including this one:

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest via Chelsea{twotwentyone}

This is fun.  I start searching random things.  I enter "dinner party" and wonder where I will be taken next.  Voila!  I am dining on a magical hillside under vintage birdcages:

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest via Imaginary Nest

I try to regain focus.  My fingers can't type fast enough...I search "mudroom," "pantry storage," and "vintage-inspired bathrooms."  Each search produces literally thousands of delectably inspiring images.


Getting hooked on Pinterest is easy to do, but there's a hitch.  You have to "request" membership (which I was informed can take up to a week or so) or be invited in by an already existing member.  If anyone is interested, post in my comments section and I will put you on my list of invitees. 


P.S.  A huge thank you to Kimba, of A Soft Place to Land, for letting me in on the inside.

The Tremendous Trellis.

In case you haven't been cued in by my recent series of posts,  I have a significant case of Spring Fever.  Between the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees, my thoughts seem to have been lifted directly from a Dean Martin soundtrack.  No hope of derailing them today.  Outside, the sun is shining, the temperatures are rising, and another favorite garden-inspired trend is on my mind:  the trellis.


There are several variations of the trellis pattern, as it is not dictated by a certain shape or color, but by the characteristic basket weave created by a repeating graphic and open voids.  The result can be bold and colorful, or light and understated.  A bounty of trellis patterned fabrics and wallcoverings can be found at F. Schumacher & Co:

This image of Chloe Sevigny's entryway featured in a January issue of former House and Garden magazine, has been picked up by just about every design-loving blogger out  there.  But, it is easy to see why.  The bold walls of this Parisian retreat force you to daydream about taking that vintage-y looking bicycle out for spin.  Just add a baguette and a bouquet of wild flowers.

Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler for Schumacher
Photo courtesy of Urban Casita

Here is the same pattern used to upholster a dreamy bedroom chair:

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest via Twig and Thistle

This gorgeous wall was created with (gulp) a stencil.  The Moroccan inspired Rabat design by Cutting Edge Stencils is available on both a large and small scale.  I have to admit my hand is cramping just thinking about it, but the end result is so very worthwhile:

Photo Courtesy of Cutting Edge Stencils

With my curiosity peaked, I do a bit more research to find out if anyone has tried this at home. Luck was on my side, and I stumble across this fantastic bath ceiling created with a similar allover design stencil called (appropriately enough) "Trellis"  from the same company.  

P.S. LOVE the ruffled curtain.  

Photo Courtesy of Three Men and a Lady

Shedding some light on the subject is this lamp available at Shades of Light:

Trellis Linen Drum Shade Pendant 

and these darling drums offered by Lamp Shade Designs on Etsy:

Perfectly suited for hanging around, the trellis is also right at home under foot...

Trellis Rug featured by Kelly Wearstler

Gate Azure/Cream 8x10 Rug by Dwell Studio

or just soaking up the sun.

Trina Turk for Schumacher Santorini Marine Blue

Trina Turk for Schumacher Arches Print Orange

In fact, it seems the simple, signature repeat of the trellis can give just about anything 

an air of subtle sophistication.

Imperial Trellis Wastebasket by Decorative Instincts on Etsy

Surrounded by Studs.

Three weeks into demolition, and 323 is not only being a good sport, she looks downright snazzy with her magnolia tree nearing full bloom.

In fact, from the outside, the casual onlooker might not even take notice. Provided, of course, they are able to "onlook" beyond this:

The changes behind the unassuming front door, however, are impossible to miss...

The former family room, which was converted from a garage in the 1970s, will be returned to its original state and function.  Currently, it is also serving as a storage spot for some "vintage-vintage" St. Charles cabinets and as a safe haven for the salvaged doors.

The living room...not so bad, hey?  This room will eventually be used as the dining room.

The former kitchen, and the area once known as the breakfast nook, is back to basics.  This space will be incorporated into the new kitchen/family room addition.

The second floor's [conspicuously missing] bedrooms and baths.

And, a notably "lighter" 
third floor has been exposed.

The Bees. (Part 2 of 2)

The image of the bee has its rightful place in decor, but also in history.  Often referred to as a "Napoleonic Bee,"  I was curious about the association of this beguiling bug and its notorious namesake.  Where better to turn than Wiki?  Though its historical accuracy is questionable, the theory is interesting: 

When Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) took up residence in the Royal Palace at Tuileries he refused to spend money on new decor. However, he could not allow the curtains - with their embroidered fleur-de-lis (the French Royal emblem) - to continue to hang in the windows of the palace. His solution was to have the rich and elegant velvet drapes turned upside down. The inverted symbol of the overthrown monarchy looked like a bee. From then on, the tenacious bee became the emblem of Napoleon Bonaparte. 

True or not, the tough-bee image just isn't working for me.  In fact, I think the bee comes off as a bit of a softy...even downright sweet.  Featured in French decor for literally centuries, this iconic insect seems more accurately described as timeless, rather than tenacious. 

A charming sheet and towel set from Pottery Barn, which in their words,

 "evokes images of...the lavender scented honey of Provence." 

 Hmmm, not sure about that, but it's definitely cute.

Bee Embroidered Sheet Set by Pottery Barn

Bee Guest Towels available at Pottery Barn

Speaking of honey, I am a sucker for a honeycomb print,

 and am loving this lamp shade from Shades of Light:

Retro Honeycomb Lamp Shade available at Shades of Light

A darling bee-themed plate at Anthropologie:

(French poodle not included.)

Natural World Dessert Plate
from Anthropologie

Image Courtesy of Anthropologie
 via Tina Frey Designs

Perhaps our refined friend would appreciate the addition of 

this flatware and glassware from Horchow to his tablescape:

Vintage inspired honeycomb vases and a sunny tablecloth from William Sonoma

bring flowers and bees together again:  

Bee Pressed Vases

Botanical Bee Tablecloth  

And, pillows from Ballard Designs take the bee back outdoors:

Napoleonic Bee Outdoor Pillow

Regal roots aside, the bee seems to fit in just about anywhere.