Killer Floor

It's like the Chanel of kitchen floors. Not that the rest of the place is shabby either.

{See more of this beautiful renovation, here}

Quietly Beautiful

{images via The Marion House Book, more here}

Pure Magic

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Barcelona. Magical Barcelona. With its fanciful, centuries-old architecture, lyrical language, beautiful people...that trip will forever be ingrained in my subconscious. So when I came across this masterpiece of an 18th Century flat, smack dab in the middle of Barcelona, there was no way that I wouldn't fall hard. And I did. Look at the tile, people. You know they had me at the tile.

For more images and to read up on this fantastic renovation, visit Dwell, here.

{p.s.- thanks, Cassie}

Now why didn't I think of that?

I don't normally post on the weekend, but I just spotted this clever, and great-looking, kitchen over on Apartment Therapy and I just had to share. Do you see that smart locker application? Yep, a set of six half-sized lockers was recessed into the wall between their kitchen and powder room. And voila, an instant pantry with fantastic style. Such a great idea! And those blue kitchen cabinets aren't too shabby either. This one is definitely going into the memory bank.

{See it here}

Kindred Spirit {of sorts}

Hi there ya'll. As some of you may have noticed*, I've been taking a bit of an unintended blog hiatus. A number of recent events and an overall increased busy-ness in our already busy and at times hectic household have made me come down with the blahs (that's an official medical condition, didn't ya know) and I just haven't been able to summon my blogging mojo as of late.

In particular, my sweet, sweet Grandmother passed away two weeks ago. I've lived within a 30 minute range of her my entire life, save for one year when my family immigrated to the United States when I was a child. Needless to say, this life changing event has left me in a bit of a funk and completely uninspired.

Which brings me to this post and the above (fantastic!) images. This home immediately resonated with me and made me instantly think of my beloved Babushka. She was a bit of a pack rat, as was my grandfather, and loved to decorate with found objects and lovingly curated collections. So I instantly fell for this farmhouse in the Catskills and its myriad collections of "artful clutter."

Admittedly, this look is not for everyone, but I just adore the layered upon layered feel and the sense that this home has evolved over time. There is no doubt in my mind that this house is much more then just a structure with four walls and a roof. No, in my eyes, it is a home in every sense...considered, yet effortless and unabashedly welcoming and inviting. I've completely fallen head over heels.

{images via The New York Times, photographer Tony Cenicola}

{read the full article here and visit the owner @ his brick and mortar shop, Kabinett and Kammer...I know I will if I'm ever in the neighborhood}

{*I just wanted to say thank you to those of you who noticed my absence and were concerned enough to check in. I so appreciate your kindness and sincere wishes. Thank you. And while I don't know that I'm back in full swing just yet, please know that each comment, every visit, kind mention and overall generosity of this blogging community have always brought a smile to my face.}

Farmhouse Living: "an old-fashioned, newfangled home"

What happens when two stylists with a lot of chutzpah and a little cash set their sights on a farmhouses from the 1800's? Magic, that's what. With a lot of elbow grease and determination they brought this ramshackle cottage back to life and turned it into a simple, stylish and lovely family home.

{images via Country Living, see and read more here}

And while we're on the subject of renovations...

Although I loved this one and this one, this amazing gamekeeper's cottage turned modern abode may very well be my favorite! Come on, who can resist the allure of a pastoral setting in the English countryside? Not I.

{images via dwell, read the entire article, it's a great story}

High and Low...

{josef frank headboard meets ikea chests}

{custom corian counter say hello to ikea island and stools}

{arne jacobson chair looks just peachy in an ikea kitchen}

{antique chairs look just right when paired with a sleek cb2 table}

{perhaps the best use of an ikea LACK bookself I've ever seen}


...co-exist happily in the countryside. Here's another beauty in Upstate New York which had seen better days, but that was lovingly brought back to life with a little vision and a whole lotta smarts. My favorite part of this renovation is actually the mix of high/low furnishings the architect owner brought in to outfit his family's weekend retreat. A little something special in each room (read: Jean-Michel Frank, Arne Jacobson, Josef Frank} goes a long way and elevates the most humble (read: a good smattering of IKEA pieces) into something really special. A bold move that resulted in lovely, not too precious, spaces fit for grown-ups and little ones alike.


{images via Met Home on pointclickhome}

DIY

This charming Catskills cottage was purchased and renovated on a shoestring budget. Granted the place was in a rather sad state, hence the $95,000 price tag. But considering it came with 8 and a half wooded acres and a barn to boot, I'd say that was a pretty. darn. good. deal. Throw in a pair of novice, but handy twenty-something New Yorkers with big dreams and you've got yourself a sweet DIY retreat. When I say this was done on a shoestring budget, I'm not exaggerating. The couple did virtually all repairs and fix-ups on their own and spent $12,352 on the renovations and decorating combined. Amazing what a little confidence, some really good sleuthing skills and a touch of elbow grease can accomplish. I'm duly impressed. Read the entire story here.

{all images via NY Times}