The Design Boards

Shopping for new frames...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:04:00 +0000

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I know it's been quiet around here lately, I've been feeling under the weather and I am trying to focus on getting myself better.

One thing that I've got my mind on is a new pair of glasses. My obsession with oversized, nerd-esque glasses goes way back and I've been dying to find the perfect pair but none of my local frame shops have anything I'm looking for. I've been lurking around Warby Parker trying to decide on a pair and I think I'm going to try their 'home try-on deal'. You get to try 5 pairs for 5 days, for free! I think these are the ones I am going to try out. What do you think?

Travel by Design - Pantone Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:03:00 +0000

I know it's been a while since I've done a travel by design but I spotted this hotel and had to share it with you. Pantone Hotel is located in Brussels and is literally a showcase of beautiful and vibrant color. I love the colored glass on the exterior of the hotel - it gives you a little hint of what you know you are going to experience once you get inside!

All photos via Pantone Hotel

Things that make me smile...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:35:00 +0000

Sort of a random assortment of lovely little things that are making me smile on this beautiful Tuesday...what's making you smile today?

Photo via a note on design

Photo via ache

Photo Jorma Marstio via Apartment Therapy

Photo: followstudio

Life...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:40:00 +0000

I've been trying to snap more photos with my phone when I think about it, of course I usually forget but not always! Here's what life looks like lately, according to my iPhone...

Interior of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:14:00 +0000

I can remember a lot of the amazing spaces that came from Domino but I don't remember this one, do you? I love the wall of photos and the low profile shelving. This is exactly what I want in our living room, it's perfect storage for our books and records. What do you think?

Photo: Domino Magazine via Girl of 100 Lists

Fresh Flowers...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:24:00 +0000

One of my goals for this year was to start a cutting garden. I love fresh flowers and unfortunately we don't have access to any great floral markets here so I always end up with supermarket bouquets, which is generally fine but there isn't much variety. I would love to have a little garden of flowers just for using to display around the house. I love the simple look of wildflower bouquets and greenery. Anyone have any good bloom suggestions to get me started? Preferrably things that are easy to grow and tolerate high Florida heat.

This is one of my favorite flower displays. I love these brown apothecary bottles and have been collecting them from antique stores for a while now. They are perfect for single blooms and greenery. I love the contrast of brown against green - much prettier than a typical clear vase.

Photo: Studio Choo via Apartment Therapy

This display reminds me of the flowers that were in our hotel room in England last summer, a fresh display of wild flowers. I love groupings like this, always so bright and cheerful!

Photo: Peter Carlsson via Johner

What's not to love about this display? I love the simple look of white and green flowers together. I love this idea of using a large glass vase and putting simple flowers inside. I'm also mildy obsessed with that table in the photo!

Photo: Frederica Furniture

Things that make me smile...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Photo 1: Allenaim Photography / Photo 2: i.Anton / Photo 3: laurasici

Off to enjoy the long weekend...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:11:00 +0000

It's a long weekend here in the states so I will be taking off a little early today to enjoy it. We're headed to the beach for some rest, relaxation, and family time. I will see you back here on Tuesday!

Photo: waner.z via Everly True

Instagram Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:39:00 +0000

I am obsessed with instagram...I love taking photos and playing around with all the great filter options (especially when I'm having a bad hair or makeup day - those filters hide all the flaws!) Since one of my new years goals is to snap more photos, instagram definitely comes in handy because Mike and I always have our phones with us and I've been finding all kinds of awesome things to do with the pics once they've been taken.

I love how easy it's become to keep and store photos since digital cameras were invented but it's so hard to actually get photos printed out and put into any kind of photo album. That's why these blurb books are amazing, they have special Instagram photobooks where you can download your entire online album and have a gorgeous photobook made and sent to you. We have used blurb for several projects in the past and have always been so happy with their products.

Photo: Blurb

I love this idea of creating photo strips from your instagram photos, this tutorial is super easy to follow.

Photo: The College Prepster

Postal Pix is an app you can get for your phone where you can literally order prints from any photo in your camera phone library. I love this. You could snap tons of photos while on vacation and then have them ordered and on their way to you before you even get home!

Photo: Elsie Larsen, A Beautiful Mess

This is another genius idea, instagrams made into magnets. We keep a bunch of our favorite photos on display on our fridge but over time they get kind of beat up. I am going to start ordering these to have a rotating display of photos up.

Photo: Stickygram

Creating an outdoor studio space

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:40:00 +0000

One of the renovation goals Mike and I have planned for this year, if it's in the budget, is to convert our screen porch into an office space / small guest room. The space is approximately 80 square feet so there isn't a lot of room to work with and we are relying on a lot of custom built-ins to make it super functional. Of course, we are also trying to tackle putting in new floors and a new kitchen this year so I'm trying to come up with budget friendly alternatives. One of my favorite options is to put in a small shed that can serve as a studio space in our backyard. We definitely have room for it and there are so many cute options out there, here are some of my favorites. What do you think of this idea?

Photo: Rise over Run via Treehugger

Photo: Keiko Oikawa via Design*Sponge

Photo: Ira Lippke via Michelle de la Vega

Photo: Bret Gum via Sunset

Things that make me smile...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I've really been missing the English countryside lately. We are planning a trip to France over the summer and plan on exploring the country much like we did in England last year. I just hope it can compare to how amazing England was. Has anyone traveled to both? Does anyone have any suggestions for must see areas of France? Right now we are talking about Normandy and Brittany but I'm also really considering Provence which I have heard is beautiful.

Photos: Sources unknown all via Ignite Light

Food Styling - Lakshmi Wennäkoski-Bielicki

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:58:00 +0000

Over the holidays I came across the blog of Lakshmi Wennäkoski-Bielicki, Pure Vegetarian, when I followed a pin from Pinterest to her citrus cake recipe. I was immediately drawn in to her thoughtful writing style and gorgeous food styling. Over the weekend I began perusing through her previous blog posts and portfolio of work and just could not get enough of her beautiful photography. Unfortunately, she is on a bit of a blog hiatus while she waits for the days to get a bit longer so she can photograph in natural light, but there are tons of stunning posts and photos to keep you entertained for a while.

Photos: Lakshmi Wennäkoski-Bielicki via Pure Vegetarian

Goals for the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:39:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Did you have a good Christmas? Mine was amazing...I'm always sad to see this time of year go but glad to get back to normal routines. In typical new year fashion, I've been planning out my goals for the new year. I love the fresh start a new year brings and while I usually keep a running list of goals throughout the year, I always like to initiate a few new ones at the start of the year. Here are a few that are at the top of my list.

1. Take more photographs and document our life through pictures.
I'm sad to say that Mike and I have gotten very lazy when it comes to photographing our life. It's sad to look back on a year and not have much to show for it in terms of pictures. We do so many fun and amazing things and I really want to start capturing more of it through photos.

Photo: The Sweet Light

2. Create a family photo wall in our house.
This has been something on my to do list for quite some time but I'm motivated to complete it this year. We have the perfect blank wall picked out in our house and now all I need to do is start collecting frames from thrift stores and flea markets.

Photo: Young House Love

3. Entertain more with our friends.
The reason we don't entertain as much as we would like is because there is always some house project going on or something that needs be done but this year we are hoping to really tackle all of the house issues so I definitely want to enjoy it and throw lots of parties and get togethers.

Photo: Jamie Grenough

4. Take some interior design classes.
I decided last year that I really want to learn more about this topic that I am so passionate about. It's one thing to look at pictures and know what I like but I really want to dig deeper into it and see if it's something I might truly be interested in pursuing.

Well those are my top 4 goals for this year, followed by several smaller ones. What are your goals for the new year?

Things that make me smile...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:55:00 +0000

Photo 1: Unknown via Brown Dress with White Dots / Photo 2: Arjan Benning via Iiiinspired / Photo 3: Unknown via Pinterest / Photo 4: Unknown via Plum Pretty Sugar

Interior of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:46:00 +0000

I want a shed just so I can decorate it like this during the holidays. I love the rustic look of the dogwood branch wreaths. I wish we were somewhere where a white Christmas might actually be possible. It's 80 degrees here and doesn't feel anything like Christmas which is probably contributing to my lack of holiday enthusiasm. I can't believe Christmas Eve is tomorrow. I still have so much to do! I will be taking a few days off from blogging next week to enjoy the holidays and spend time with family and friends. Have a wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas!

Source: Donna Griffith via House and Home

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:31:00 +0000

I am in love with this dining room...in love. We just recently moved a couple of glass doored bookcases from our office into our dining room. It was meant to be a temporary fix to free up more space in our office but we ended up loving the way they looked so I think we are going to keep them. Of course they aren't as remarkable as the beauties in this photo but they are still very nice.

Open storage can sometimes feel like more of a nightmare than a blessing because everything is always on display and needs to be styled in a way that is both functional and appealing to the eye. One thing I've struggled with is linen storage, I've resorted to just stuffing everything in an empty cabinet where it can't be seen but I love the way they've displayed their pile of white linen napkins - right in the middle of everything else like they just belong there. I'm definitely pulling inspiration from this pic when I style our shelves.

Source unknown via Pinterest

Things that make me smile

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:02:00 +0000

Sorry it's been a little quiet around here lately. I've been feeling under the weather. It seems the stress of the holidays has gotten the best of me and I've come down with a nasty head cold.

I have to admit I'm having a hard time getting into the holidays this year which is sad because this is my absolute favorite time of year. There are just so many projects in the works that Christmas almost seems like a hurdle in my path rather than a blessed distraction! I hope to share with you a few of these top secret projects I'm working on after the new year. Until then I will share a few inspiration photos that I'm using to help me get in the holiday mood...

I just finished wrapping all my gifts, now all I need to add are the embellishments. I like simple things like bakers twine and pine cones. I'm drawing inspiration from photos like this one with simple butcher paper, twine and stars. Lovely....

Isn't this citrus cake beautiful? I already have my Christmas dinner menu planned out but I am keeping this one marked for next year.

I'm seeing a lot of black and white Christmas decor this year. I have to admit that I love it. I don't know that I'm brave enough to ever pull it off in my own home but it is still beautiful to look at!

On Christmas day I always like to keep snacks around for guests who want something to much on while waiting for dinner to cook. An assortment of mixed nuts and dried fruit is simple and easy and there is no prep work involved! Add a few spice cookies and some sweets to the mix to appeal to all your guests tastes.

I love rustic and simple decor, especially in holiday decorating. This table setting is so lovely isn't it? A few cuttings from the tree, some small lanterns for candlelight, a few groupings of flowering paper whites and the tree sparkling in the background....a perfect setting for a holiday meal.

Here's another rustic inspired table setting I love, this one has a little bit of color thrown in which really makes it feel festive.

Sources: Christmas wrapping inspiration via ett horn av eden / Citrus cake via Pure Vegetarian / Black and white Christmas inspiration via Lily / Holiday snacks via Stylizimo / Rustic Christmas table setting via Stylizimo / Red and white rustic Christmas via Lolalina

{Mag}rouge

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Have you see {Mag}rouge yet? It's a new online wedding magazine based in New Zealand that is full of beautiful inspiration and party ideas, even if you aren't planning a wedding!

Things that make me smile...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:31:00 +0000

Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4

Interior of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:37:00 +0000

This week's interior was spotted in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Mag and is the home of Ballard Designs creative director, Jill Sharp Brinson. I am obsessed! This home is absolutely stunning and I love the subtle holiday decor that really blends in to the existing design. There are a ton more photos on the magazine's site so be sure to check them out.

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:49:00 +0000

A few years ago my mom made this cocktail for Christmas that she had spotted on an HGTV special - a Pomegranate Champgane Cocktail...it was delicious, super easy to make and the finished product is so pretty and festive!

Cocktail Recipe, adapted from HTGV

Champagne
A syrup made of 1 part simple syrup to 1 part Pom juice
Pomegranate seeds
Rimming sugar in a festive color (or you can make your own)

Place a few pomegranate seeds at the bottom of your champagne flute. Add 2 teaspoons of the pomegranate syrup and fill the glass with champagne. Enjoy!

Sources: 1. Edge Flute via Crate and Barrel / 2. Pomegranate Rimming Sugar via Stirrings / 3. Pomegranate Juice via Pom Wonderful / 4. Moet & Chandon Golden Jeroboam via Susan Tabak / 5. Martini Pitcher via Williams-Sonoma / 6. Champagne Bucket via West Elm / 7. Fresh Pomegranates via Pom Wonderful / 8. Red Cocktail Napkins via Wisteria

Creating a Home Bar for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:48:00 +0000

A home bar setup is a must have if you like to entertain and are becoming more and more common. I keep spotting them in all my favorite design magazines. They can be as simple as a basket full of liquors, a shaker and a few cocktail napkins or as elaborate as a bar cart full of top shelf liquor and all the accouterments. We outfitted a small vintage wooden credenza that we picked up at a thrift store for $15 as our home bar. It's the perfect size and has great storage.

If you will be entertaining at all this holiday season it's a good idea to stock up on the necessities. A few basic liquors that you will always want to have available are vodka, tequila, gin, and rum. You can also get fancy and show off to your friends a little by keeping a nice bottle of scotch and bourbon around.

You can't host a party without good wine and beer. Pick up a few of your favorite craft brews and choose a favorite, inexpensive wine that you can use as your "house wine". Buy it by the case for a discount and you will always have wine on hand. I always like to keep a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge for those special, unexpected 'good news' announcements or just because!

Stock up on basic mixers like soda, tonic water, cranberry and orange juice and keep an assortment of garnishes nearby for adding the finishing touch to a cocktail - cherries, lemons, limes, and olives are perfect. I like to use small vintage silver plated cups and dessert bowls in different styles to keep garnishes and mixed nuts and snacks handy on the bar.

Some essential bar tools are a great cocktail shaker - we picked up a beautiful glass vintage shaker for $10 at a local antique store. I'm not into those fancy, expensive gadgets that open wine - a waiter's corkscrew is simple, functional and easy to store, an added bonus is that it can open a beer bottle too! A shot glass or jigger is also handy. We use a vintage pyrex beaker like this one and display metal martini toothpicks in it while not in use. A small ice bucket and tongs or a scoop are also a necessary addition to your bar.

Once you've got your bar essentials, find a corner of your home where you can set everything up. Create a fabulous holiday play list, make some yummy hors d'oeuvres and invite over your closest friends for a holiday bash!

Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4 / Photo 5 / Photo 6

Things that make me smile...

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:49:00 +0000

Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4

Wood Buring Stoves

noreply@blogger.com (The Design Boards) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:08:00 +0000

Ok so this might sound like a crazy idea because I live in Florida, but I have dreams of putting a wood burning stove in our dining room. I love fireplaces and actually many of the homes built here in the 1920's do have fireplaces, unfortunately ours was built in the 60's and did not come equipped with such luxuries.

The idea of having a mason worker come and install a full blown fireplace in this house is a little absurd. But, a wood burning stove is equally, if not more beautiful and is much easier to install. I know it seems odd to install a heating device when as I sit here and write this post it's 75 degrees outside and we are in December but it does get cold here and our home is concrete block so it really holds the cold in and our heater does not work well at all. Plus, did I mention just how beautiful they are...

Sources: Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Photo 3 / Photo 4