{Images from last weekend's trip to Charlottesville}
9.30.2009
Fall is Here
Today's Agenda: Being inspired by all of the colors of Fall and that nice, cool, crisp air!
9.23.2009
Thanks for a Great Birthday!
I am also incredibly thankful for my friends and family -- I had a great time this weekend checking out some local Arlington hotspots -- Spider Kelly's and Galaxy Hut -- and my friends on the Hill made a spectacular dinner {including a delicious, classic icebox cake for dessert!} on Sunday that would be hard to beat. Shared a decadent piece of cake with my husband on my actual birthday (after going on a what I'm sure he thought was a wild goose chase for the "perfect" piece of birthday cake last night)...
...and still have more fun ahead with a tasting and cooking demonstration at the Mexican Cultural Institute tomorrow night!
And, while not the most important thing about a birthday, I did receive the most thoughtful gifts this year. Here are pictures of some of them. I was really surprised and touched by all of them. Thank you.
9.21.2009
Searching for Ottomans
Today's Agenda: Scouring the Internet for a few good ottomans.
I especially like this one. In every color. Just imagine how one in a different color could completely change the look of a room. // Or two, at the end of a bed, in lieu of a coffee table, in a sitting area.// Yum.
*Update: I ordered sample swatches of these ottomans and all of the color are delicious! If you needed a really fun, different piece to a room the yellow and deep purple are divine.
I especially like this one. In every color. Just imagine how one in a different color could completely change the look of a room. // Or two, at the end of a bed, in lieu of a coffee table, in a sitting area.// Yum.
*Update: I ordered sample swatches of these ottomans and all of the color are delicious! If you needed a really fun, different piece to a room the yellow and deep purple are divine.
Inspiration
Today's Agenda: Uploading pictures from (and digesting) this weekend's Kalorama House and Embassy Tour, a Pilates lesson, real estate pre-licensing class, and printing Save the Date invitations (did I tell you how I'm obsessed with envelope liners?? I will, don't worry). (Oh, and a little Excel work. I have to admit that once I get into Excel I get slighty addicted to it and want to see what else I can put into an Excel sheet format...It explains a little bit of why I was attracted to my husband.)
There are two annual DC events that I love -- the Taste of Georgetown and the Kalorama House and Embassy Tour. The days the events are held on are always gorgeous sunny days (cool in the shade, warm in the sun)!
While I love the actual food at the Georgetown event and many of the homes and embassies on the house tour are fantastic, what I love most is leaving both events feeling inspired. At this year's house tour, I was focused on paint colors and window treatments. I was surprised by some of the more modern touches at the French ambassador's residence {I'm not sure how well they worked...am still debating}. Happy to see neutral colors used in a creative, classy way at the Venezuelan ambassador's residence {a large room with four separate sitting areas with coordinating neutral colored, patterned fabrics used among the four sitting areas}. But most inspired by the two personal residences on the tour. And, the residence of the Netherlands' ambassador.
One of the personal residences is owned by a couple that spent their career at the State Department. It was filled with personal effects from their travels in a wonderful, purposeful way. And, what was lovely was that that was their design aesthetic -- the memories from their travels. Everything else -- paint color, flooring -- seemed to recede.
The second residence is a fun, modern approach to design and living in Dupont Circle/Kalorama. Here is a link to the owner's business and you can get a peek inside his home here as well {and I have included a few of the pictures that are from his website and an article about him right here}.
One of the volunteers noted that he likes to change up his space often, which I appreciate {in fact, the rooms on his website are different than how they are designed now! But some of the materials were used in other rooms, which is fun to see and something that I have strived for in our own space}. What he said in an interview I found online was that he would like to have to have lots of homes, which isn't practical. So he uses this one space to fuel and satisfy his need to continually create visually stunning spaces. A design experiment that is continually evolving...I love it. I'm now thinking about what to do next in our space...in the meantime, here are some pictures from the tour.
There are two annual DC events that I love -- the Taste of Georgetown and the Kalorama House and Embassy Tour. The days the events are held on are always gorgeous sunny days (cool in the shade, warm in the sun)!
While I love the actual food at the Georgetown event and many of the homes and embassies on the house tour are fantastic, what I love most is leaving both events feeling inspired. At this year's house tour, I was focused on paint colors and window treatments. I was surprised by some of the more modern touches at the French ambassador's residence {I'm not sure how well they worked...am still debating}. Happy to see neutral colors used in a creative, classy way at the Venezuelan ambassador's residence {a large room with four separate sitting areas with coordinating neutral colored, patterned fabrics used among the four sitting areas}. But most inspired by the two personal residences on the tour. And, the residence of the Netherlands' ambassador.
One of the personal residences is owned by a couple that spent their career at the State Department. It was filled with personal effects from their travels in a wonderful, purposeful way. And, what was lovely was that that was their design aesthetic -- the memories from their travels. Everything else -- paint color, flooring -- seemed to recede.
The second residence is a fun, modern approach to design and living in Dupont Circle/Kalorama. Here is a link to the owner's business and you can get a peek inside his home here as well {and I have included a few of the pictures that are from his website and an article about him right here}.
One of the volunteers noted that he likes to change up his space often, which I appreciate {in fact, the rooms on his website are different than how they are designed now! But some of the materials were used in other rooms, which is fun to see and something that I have strived for in our own space}. What he said in an interview I found online was that he would like to have to have lots of homes, which isn't practical. So he uses this one space to fuel and satisfy his need to continually create visually stunning spaces. A design experiment that is continually evolving...I love it. I'm now thinking about what to do next in our space...in the meantime, here are some pictures from the tour.
{the venezuelan ambassador's residence}
{our new friend at the venezuelan ambassador's residence}
{the modern staircase at the venezuelan ambassador's residence; also the entry to the pool. If I were an ambassador, I would definitely require a pool. The one at the French ambassador's residence would do just fine.}
{the french ambassador's residence...apparently he is single!}
{a clock from Versailles; also the last picture I got before I was scolded -- figures I was scolded at the french residence and not at the venezuelan -- ...oops...}
{the restored call boxes}
{dilapidated embassy, but wonderful greek key motif}
The Choice of the Next Generation
One of my favorite places in our home is not really inside our home. As you peer out onto the lofts named after hip, New York streets and over the cleared land, development delayed by the recession (apparently over, you know), you see a few of the last vestiges of the "edginess" of Rosslyn (our neighborhood in Arlington which apparently wasn't always so PC**) -- the lit up Pepsi machine.
I get a kick out of it everytime I see it. I have this vision of people in the middle of the night craving a Diet Pepsi, getting out of bed, scrounging for change and hitting up the Pepsi machine on the side of the road. Or a small group breaking out into "Billie Jean" around the Pepsi machine.
I haven't actually gone up close to see if it even works -- I'd like to think that it does and let my imagination entertain me.
**Note that apparently in the 1870s - 1890s, Rosslyn experienced a period that may have resembled the likes of pre-Giuliani NYC. It was home to a number of brothels and bars, many of which were open 24 hours. In addition, a short distance up Lee Highway (maybe near the famous Italian Store?), was an area known as Dead Man's Hollow. Rossylyn's website notes that the area was considered so dangerous that Virginia farmers returning from DC with proceeds from weekly produce sales frequently traveled in an armed convoy. A series of raids in 1905 led by Crandall Mackey, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, resulted in the closing of several illegal businesses and a “clean up” of the area. This was not, apparently the "right" side of the river for reputable men and women. I also learned all of this from my friend (and home office redesign client! Pictures to be posted soon!) Amy who is in an amazing band called Dead Men's Hollow -- check it out here -- they are playing at the Birchmere for New Year's Eve!
{see the lit up Pepsi machine?}
{zoomed-in view}
{tried night view...it didn't work out so well}
I get a kick out of it everytime I see it. I have this vision of people in the middle of the night craving a Diet Pepsi, getting out of bed, scrounging for change and hitting up the Pepsi machine on the side of the road. Or a small group breaking out into "Billie Jean" around the Pepsi machine.
I haven't actually gone up close to see if it even works -- I'd like to think that it does and let my imagination entertain me.
**Note that apparently in the 1870s - 1890s, Rosslyn experienced a period that may have resembled the likes of pre-Giuliani NYC. It was home to a number of brothels and bars, many of which were open 24 hours. In addition, a short distance up Lee Highway (maybe near the famous Italian Store?), was an area known as Dead Man's Hollow. Rossylyn's website notes that the area was considered so dangerous that Virginia farmers returning from DC with proceeds from weekly produce sales frequently traveled in an armed convoy. A series of raids in 1905 led by Crandall Mackey, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, resulted in the closing of several illegal businesses and a “clean up” of the area. This was not, apparently the "right" side of the river for reputable men and women. I also learned all of this from my friend (and home office redesign client! Pictures to be posted soon!) Amy who is in an amazing band called Dead Men's Hollow -- check it out here -- they are playing at the Birchmere for New Year's Eve!
9.18.2009
Friday's Organizing Item
I'm not sure about you, but no matter how large or small my under the sink storage in my bathroom is, I still have a hard time making my hair dryer (mostly, the cord) keep to itself. Right now, I have a hair dryer that has a retractable cord, which is helpful. But I just end up just tossing it under the sink on top of the organizers so that under the sink it doesn't seem so organized anymore!
This is where the aptly named "Hide n sink Organizer" comes into play. No need to create a separate space for your hair dryer in your cabinet or drawer any more!
9.16.2009
Pillows to Love
Today's Agenda: Wrap up the save the dates I'm working on, second day of pilates lessons (yea!) and third night of real estate pre-licensing class. Plus a short trip up to Bethesda. Pretty full day, am psyched.
In the past week I've come across a couple of pillows that I have fallen in love with. You know the ones. The ones you pick up and immediately put your head on and can't stop squeezing and slightly oddly caressing as you carry them through the store. And with the weather getting cooler it's the perfect time to switch out your pillows to ring in Fall and update your look.
This one is from Pottery Barn and it's not even on their website yet. It has a nice casual look and texture to it but with the bold pattern it keeps it dressy. Good mix of modern and traditional.
This one is from West Elm. I immediately felt calm when looking at this pillow. Great for a sitting area or to cool down a room.
This one just made me laugh out loud. I laughed even harder when saw it was $118. (It's Thomas Paul so has a little street cred (and I love his rugs), but still...)
In the past week I've come across a couple of pillows that I have fallen in love with. You know the ones. The ones you pick up and immediately put your head on and can't stop squeezing and slightly oddly caressing as you carry them through the store. And with the weather getting cooler it's the perfect time to switch out your pillows to ring in Fall and update your look.
This one is from Pottery Barn and it's not even on their website yet. It has a nice casual look and texture to it but with the bold pattern it keeps it dressy. Good mix of modern and traditional.
This one is from West Elm. I immediately felt calm when looking at this pillow. Great for a sitting area or to cool down a room.
This one just made me laugh out loud. I laughed even harder when saw it was $118. (It's Thomas Paul so has a little street cred (and I love his rugs), but still...)
9.14.2009
Friday's Organizing Item
Today's Agenda: Playing catch up a little bit. This includes fun things like my first day of my real estate class and my first day of pilates, and not-so-fun things like finally filing my rebate for my new phone.
One thing to catch up on is to finish my post for Friday's Organizing Item...I thought about Friday's organizing item on Friday but just couldn't get to it. So, here is my organizing item, a couple days later...
Introducing the Lillholmen! Yes, from Ikea. Yes, a lifesaver. When we moved into our home one of my goals was to have a way that we could manage our clothes. Two problems really -- quantity (my issue) and a place to hang them after work (Aaron's issue and my issue too). So I installed over-the-door hooks, hooks in the bathroom and also these little farfugnuggen (sp?) looking things. What I didn't realize they would be great for is hanging laundry to dry --- it's perfect for this and if you don't get to putting away the laundry for a couple of days it's at least not laying on the couch or all over the chair in our bedroom. And they are fairly inconspicuous when nothing is hanging on them.
One thing to catch up on is to finish my post for Friday's Organizing Item...I thought about Friday's organizing item on Friday but just couldn't get to it. So, here is my organizing item, a couple days later...
Introducing the Lillholmen! Yes, from Ikea. Yes, a lifesaver. When we moved into our home one of my goals was to have a way that we could manage our clothes. Two problems really -- quantity (my issue) and a place to hang them after work (Aaron's issue and my issue too). So I installed over-the-door hooks, hooks in the bathroom and also these little farfugnuggen (sp?) looking things. What I didn't realize they would be great for is hanging laundry to dry --- it's perfect for this and if you don't get to putting away the laundry for a couple of days it's at least not laying on the couch or all over the chair in our bedroom. And they are fairly inconspicuous when nothing is hanging on them.
9.13.2009
Really?
Today's Agenda: Going through my brainstorm pictures (i.e., pictures taken at stores of things I like).
I was pleasantly surprised by World Market this weekend. Some casual but elegant stemware. A healthy stock of Bodum coffee accessories. Decent rugs. Beautiful glass candle holders.
But, this was my favorite.
And, it wasn't for sale. I asked.
Will post some of the items that were actually for sale.
I was pleasantly surprised by World Market this weekend. Some casual but elegant stemware. A healthy stock of Bodum coffee accessories. Decent rugs. Beautiful glass candle holders.
But, this was my favorite.
And, it wasn't for sale. I asked.
Will post some of the items that were actually for sale.
The Devil is in the Details...
Today's Agenda: Meeting with a great couple to help them generate ideas to redesign the living areas of their Capitol Hill home.
As I was preparing for our meeting, I kept going back and forth between the big picture items and the details -- Okay, I need paint and some sort of carpeting. Okay, I love this silverware because the grommets are gold which picks up on the gold trim of their china. It was a lot of fun to generate ideas for a project like this and I felt it was important to focus on the small details just as much as it was to choose the right paint color.
After our meeting (I love using the condo for these meetings -- it's the perfect space!) I took a minute to sit down and thought about all the details in our home that I love. And, then got the urge to snap away. Here are some of the details that make me happiest at home.
As I was preparing for our meeting, I kept going back and forth between the big picture items and the details -- Okay, I need paint and some sort of carpeting. Okay, I love this silverware because the grommets are gold which picks up on the gold trim of their china. It was a lot of fun to generate ideas for a project like this and I felt it was important to focus on the small details just as much as it was to choose the right paint color.
After our meeting (I love using the condo for these meetings -- it's the perfect space!) I took a minute to sit down and thought about all the details in our home that I love. And, then got the urge to snap away. Here are some of the details that make me happiest at home.
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