Living a beautiful life

Bilodeau Design & Décor is finally here!

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

I want to share the exciting news with all of you that Living a Beautiful Life has finally found it's home in a brand new web site. Bilodeau Design & Décor houses all the fabulous things that I am passionate about and live every day of my life doing, along with an amazing shop section that will soon be filled with custom graphic pieces and an array of found and refurbished items for the home.

The new site is still in it's baby stage but I wanted you all to be along for the ride as it grows... Check it out today and be sure to follow and subscribe to keep being a part of all the exciting changes that are happening!

Thank you to everyone for all of the amazing support and encouragement that you've given me along the way. I could not have done this without each and every one of you!

http://bilodeaudesignanddecor.blogspot.com/

Random pretty photos

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:13:00 +0000

Happy Thursday everyone!

Super chic house tour with a link that works!

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Sorry everyone! I was so excited to share this with you guys that I forgot to make the link actually work!

I'm literally obsessed with the photos of this gorgeous house tour. I'm particularly inspired by this photo and have decided that the interior doors in our next house will most definitely be painted black. Which will go perfectly with the pale grey and white color scheme we already have planned (for whenever we move...NO idea when that will be.) So I'm REALLY crushing on these pics right now.

I'm already in love with black exterior doors so it's only natural to be able to look at something I love so much all the time right? I think so!

Check out the house tour on Apartment Therapy and let me know if there's anything about it that inspires you!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/rich-amp-emilys-somerville-surprisehouse-tour-154380

New artwork project!

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:20:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

So here's a picture of the next project I have planned. I love all the old train station signs out there but really wanted one that had some sentimental value for us. I decided to use our most favorite vacation spots and made one of my own, now I just have to decide what medium I want to have it printed on!

Canvas is my first choice but it can be very pricey. My friend suggested having the text printed on vinyl and painting a salvaged door or piece of wood black then placing the letters on. LOVE that idea too so I'm not sure yet which direction I'll head in!

Let me know if you have any other cool ideas for this piece, I'd love to hear from you!

My current source of inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:42:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday everyone!

So sorry it's been ages since I've written! My schedule has been super busy lately with new ventures, developing plans for the future and quite a bit of travel. Things are finally starting to feel somewhat calm so I'm taking the opportunity to share a little beauty with you.

I decided to use the photo of this kitchen as my computer's desktop wallpaper so I can feel inspired by it throughout the day (even if it's only for a few seconds at a time when half of my usual 12 open windows are minimized.) I'm so in love with it. I find so much beauty in it's simplicity and I love the balance of masculine and feminine, which I strive to achieve in our home all the time.

The only aspect of this room I would change is getting rid of the entire wall on the right. I'd have this room open to the rest of the house like ours is set up now (so much more perfect for entertaining.) I'd also swap out some of the top cabinet doors on the left with the glass ones for a more airy feel.

My 3 favorite pieces are the chairs, window treatments and pendant lights. I would add all of these to my kitchen in a heartbeat! Perhaps in our new place? Once we finally find it that is... I'll keep daydreaming until then!

Cheers everyone! I hope you're all having a wonderful week!

Guest Blogger Post: Dining in Boston...

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Today we are going to take a little trip to Boston…..

I am in Boston very often and for those that love food, we know there are more then enough restaurants to choose from depending on your mood. My fiance and I have developed a love for Florentine Café’ on Hanover Street in Boston’s North End.

The menu offers a great variety and they have a great bar selection. We usually stop in for lunch but both know their dinner menu is just as delectable. Here are a few of their selections of the menu:

Veal Alla Crema – Veal scaloppini with shrimp, onions, mushrooms and roasted peppers in a sherry wine cream sauce over linguine.

Chicken or Veal Marsala – Chicken breast or veal scaloppini with prosciutto, mushrooms, Marsala sauce and choice of pasta.

Carpacccio – thinly sliced carpaccio of beef sirloin with asparagus, arugula, aged balsamic extra virgin olive oil and Romano cheese.

One of my favorite dishes and very easy to make at home is pollo con ziti – sautéed chicken with garlic, olive oil, garlic, white wine, broccoli and parmesan over ziti.

Vesuvio – sweet sausage, tomatoes, caramelized onions, smoked mozzarella, zucchini and parmesan.

Florentine Cosmopolitan Martini

Equal parts Orange and Citrus Vodka with Orange Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice and a splash of Cranberry Juice

Wines
2006 Maso Canali, Pinot Grigio, Trentino $10

2004 Rocca della Macie – Chianti $16

Bon Appetite!

Some of my favorite packaging

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:17:00 +0000

I'm currently doing trend research for two long days of marketing meetings, and have come across so many different beautiful and interesting designs for bags and boxes. From everything to small bags shaped like conversation hearts for Valentine's Day to gorgeously wrapped nesting boxes for Christmas or everyday.

Below are some of my favorites, especially the eco-friendly kraft products...just love the simplicity of them. I've also included some of my favorite retail packaging as well!!

Enjoy!

Today's Beautiful Room

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:29:00 +0000

So I had made up my mind to switch over to a cooler palette in our new home, and I've really been loving grays, purples, blacks and whites together for a while now.

However, while flipping through my new Pottery Barn catalog I absolutely fell in love with the feel of this room. It's so warm and cozy and I can't ignore the fact that I've always been emotionally drawn to that. It makes me think of long, warm summer nights with windows open, jazz playing and candles burning and the smell of delicious food that was cooked on the grill.

No idea what we'll end up doing but I already know which end of the color spectrum Jay's always on... super warm :)

Happy Sunday! Hope you all had a beautiful weekend.

For Japan With Love

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:47:00 +0000

My heart goes out to everyone who is involved in this awful disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Bloggers Day of Silence

For Japan With Love

FINALLY!

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:40:00 +0000

Happy Monday everyone! If you're far enough away from the East Coast to not be caught in this horrible icy weather I'm super jealous! I'm so grateful for telecommuting which is keeping me safe and warm inside today.

Well I have some very exciting news to share! Now that I have told my parents, siblings and girlfriends, I can finally share with everyone that Jay and I will finally be moving into our second home! We are purchasing another 2-family that is amazingly 7 houses away from where we live now which is great. The move will be a lot easier and maintenance and any emergencies that arise will be a piece of cake since we're so close.

Of course I've been a busy bee collecting all sorts of inspirational photos for decorating purposes and here's my collection so far! I don't love every aspect of these rooms, but will be pulling bits and pieces away from each to put our brand new look together.

Enjoy and keep an eye out for my revamped version of the exterior which will be coming soon!

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Current source of inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:04:00 +0000

I must apologize for being away for so long....the stress and germs of the season finally caught up with me and had me sick in bed and on the sofa for the last few weeks. But I seem to be on the mend (finally!) and I'm anxious to share this gorgeous room with you!

It's a guest room at the Elysian Hotel in Chicago, (photo courtesy of ELLE DECOR) and is my current source of inspiration to reference when we decorate our next home (whenever we finally purchase one.) My goal is to incorporate gray furniture and carpeting because my whites and ivorys are proving to be very high maintenance with a house full of pets.

I love all of the crown molding here and the black door is just stunning. The purple flowers and large wall mirror complete the look and make it feel polished and comfy at the same time.

So in love with it!! :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is staying warm wherever you are!!

Chic & casual beach living

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:41:00 +0000

I have to share with you one of my all-time favorite interiors...Meg Ryan's home on Martha's Vineyard.

When it comes to color palettes this is my #1 pick. I love all the whites, neutrals, metal, dark wood and pops of purple. Some of my favorite items in her home are the pendant lights in the bathroom, the numbers she uses on the guest bedroom doors (someday I'll have that many!) the metal Flowers sign and of course, the doors on the sliding tracks. Also love her bathtub too! Okay, the entire bathroom :)

All pics courtesy of ELLE DECOR.

Enjoy!

A tiny corner of Paris...right here in Boston.

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:53:00 +0000

New England Home is one of my favorite publications, and I fell in love with this Paris style apartment in Boston that was featured in the Nov/Dec. 2009 issue.

The feel of the home is so rich and luxurious, yet still very welcoming and relaxed. The perfect balance of comfort and beauty.

Enjoy.

Creative Tuesday: Decorating with Typography

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:42:00 +0000

One of my recent posts talked about my love of typography, and this is a follow up to that featuring two projects displayed in our home along with similar photos that I love.

The first one is based on a print I saw in an ad for Jayson Home & Garden. Totally fell in love with this print, but unfortunately I wasn't able to shell out the $2,495 for it. I was able to recreate something similar though and it's one of my favorite projects. I printed 3 separate pieces and attached each one to a small canvas. It has a more light and airy effect than the full size framed piece but I love it just as much.

The next piece I created using my favorite verse from our wedding song "Lonely Road of Faith" by Kid Rock. LOVE this piece.

My next project will be one with white text on black (which is my favorite look), just have to decide what I want it to say... I took a great photo of a subway sign when we were in NYC so I'm thinking of using that!
Enjoy the rest and have a great week!!

Texture

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:01:00 +0000

I've always loved the feeling that texture brings into a space. I love things to be clean and simple, but I'm also huge on the cozy factor so achieving both can be challenging sometimes.

My latest obsession for both texture and coziness has been faux fur & lambswool. The room doesn't even need to have much in it, but if the texture and softness of the fur is there it just works for me and feels super cozy.

I'm posting some of my faves and absolutely love them all!
Enjoy and have a great rest of the weekend everyone!
Photo credits: Casa Sugar, Coastal Living, Francis Kasvakreverden, Hoosta Magazine, Hus & Hem, Simply Seductive, Slumber Designs and The Lil Bee.

Friday's Food & Drink: Our favorite local watering hole

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:42:00 +0000

If you noticed my post title this week doesn't include wine, that's because although I do occasionally enjoy a nice glass of pinot here, the bartenders make the best french martinis in the city. It's our most frequented and favorite place for lunch and dinner...Cactus Jacks.

CJs (as we and our friends call it) has an amazing variety of dishes on their menu. They offer everything from pasta and burritos to gumbo and burgers. Our faves are the cajun bacon wrapped shrimp, BBQ OK Corral, seafood gumbo (pretty much anything seafood for that matter) and of course, the most delicious burger in town: the Black Jack Burger. We both love it.

They also offer a really great incentive program called Paybacks! For every hundred dollars you spend you get a $10 gift certificate. When we go with friends it's always a race when the check comes to see who can whip out their Paybacks card first. It definitely keeps us going back for more!

So if you want really great food that's delicious every time, a super comfy laid back atmosphere and some of the best drinks in town, head over to CJs! I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Cheers!

http://www.go2cjs.com/

Creative Tuesday: Design inspired by fashion

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:08:00 +0000

I decided to take a different approach to this week's creative post, and instead of writing about a project I've done I'm shining the spotlight one of my most favorite sources of inspiration: fashion.

While perusing Vogue.com the other day looking for an article that I wanted to share with my mom, I stumbled upon some fabulous photos from the most recent Fashion's Night Out (still can't believe I haven't purchased a t-shirt yet!)

I was instantly reminded of the ivory dupioni silk drapes that I bought for our family room when I saw all of these gorgeous skirts. I have to mention that Rachel Ashwell's bedroom drapes (2nd to last pic) are right up there with my most coveted.

Enjoy!!

Photo Credits: Vogue, Shabby Chic, Decor Pad, Decorology, Designer Draperies and Eva Designs.

A tribute to my favorite tree

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:06:00 +0000

So I'll start with this photo: It's from June of 1978 so I was a year and a half old, standing next to what would become my favorite tree, our white birch. It's the only one we had in our yard, and every time I see one I think back to this time in my life and have so many fond memories. Maybe that's why I love it so much.

I love incorporating pieces of white birch into our decor and here's a couple of examples (first two pics) ... it's just so beautiful to me, I have no idea why! Maybe because white is one of my favorite colors? Who knows!

So in love with all the photos below especially in Taniya Nayak's house tour on Apartment Therapy (Pics 3&4). Would love to do a statement piece like that in our house some day!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Friday's Food & Wine: Fine Dining in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:44:00 +0000

I was chit chatting with my dad earlier today as he was on a train ride into New York City for a weekend of delicious food and broadway fun with Sue (my step mom) and some friends. I was recommending some mouth-watering dishes from the menu at Tribeca Grill for them to try and right now I'm so wishing I was joining them for dinner.

Jay, myself and some friends spent a weekend in Manhattan back in October to celebrate Jay's 35th birthday and we had dinner at Tribeca Grill. The Sommelier was very friendly and super helpful in selecting our wine and our server was awesome! We chatted them both up most of the evening and had a really great time. They even brought out a complimentary dessert with a candle for Jay for his birthday! Tribeca offers some of THE best food and wine I've ever tasted in my life. The atmosphere is super comfortable & relaxing and the people who work there are so great and really make you feel like you're right at home.

We tried 3 apps, 3 entrees and 2 Pinot Noirs (the best one a wonderful birthday gift from my Dad & Sue) and all I have to say is DE-LISH to all of it!!! These are the dishes and wines we tried and are HIGHLY recommended by yours truly :)

Cheers everyone!!

Apps:
Braised Short Rib Pierogi 13
Roasted Mushrooms & Whipped Horseradish Crème Fraîche

Sautéed Jumbo Lump Crabcake 19
Cauliflower, Raisin & Tomato Chutney

Poached Maine Lobster 18
Golden Beets, Blood Orange & Persimmons

Entrees:
Sweet Potato Gnocchi 21
Fricassée of Wild Mushrooms, Acorn Squash & Black Truffles

Red Wine Braised Short Rib 28
Porcinis, Brussels Sprouts & Bacon, Parsnip Purée

Seared Sea Scallops 33
Caramelized Cauliflower, Chanterelles, Haricots Verts & Golden Raisins

Wine:
Aubert 'Reuling', Sonoma Coast 2005 185
Wesmar 'Balletto Vineyard', Sonoma Coast 2006 65

Weekly Creative Project: Window Treatments

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:39:00 +0000

I really fell in love with typography when I was in college. There's something so artistic about it, I'm always drawn to it. My first decade as a graphic designer was spent mastering typesetting & layout, therefore I was constantly surrounded by type. I began to incorporate it into our decor by collecting vintage signs, wooden beverage boxes and feed sacks. I also recently started designing custom art pieces, which will be available to purchase through my new business venture that is in the works as I type! (more on that later...)

My creative project for this week is the window treatments I made for our living room. We have 9 windows in the room so I've always opted for a valance style because long drapes would just be way too heavy and overwhelming for the space. I've been searching for my inspiration photo, but haven't come across it yet...I'll be sure to post it when I find it because the valances are gorgeous!

The valances in question were a nice rich taupe color, silk or satin fabric, masculine in style and perfectly beautiful and full. I searched for them everywhere but alas, had to make my own. I found a dozen old burlap coffee bean sacks on ebay and purchased them for $9.99. The result was exactly the look I was going for. The first 2 photos are of our living room, and as usual...some eye candy for you too!

Enjoy and have a great week everyone!

Photo credits: Country Living, Pure Style Home, Modern Jane Design and Sketch42blog.

Color schemes for the kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 22:40:00 +0000

I purchased my first book by Tracy Porter about 9 years ago (one of the many designers who has inspired me along my journey,) and one thing that really stood out to me that I've held on to all this time is the black stained wood floors she and her husband had used throughout their home. I absolutely loved them.

Our current kitchen has dark brown, slightly distressed hardwood flooring, which I love, and natural stained cabinets that my husband slaved over for weeks after we first moved in. They are gorgeous and original to the house, but I've always been partial to white cabinets. To me there's just something so light, sophisticated and beautiful about them...I'm hoping to have them in my next kitchen but stay tuned for that.

A good friend of mine has been rehabing her new home over the last couple years and installed gorgeous dark wood cabinets. I've been going back and forth in my mind, researching tons of photos online trying to decide which color scheme I love more: dark floors with white cabinets, or white (or light) floors with really dark cabinets. My dark floors won in the end, but I have to comment on how much I LOVE this first photo; the effect is so rich and gorgeous and so elegant, it almost makes me want to change my mind! Which do you prefer?

Happy New Year everyone!

Photo credits: American Beauty Kitchen, Apartment Therapy, Arizona Heritage Cabinetry, AZ Central, Beach Town Dream Home, Commercial Appeal, Decor Pad, HGTV, Home Bunch, HomeDesigning.com, House Beautiful, Project Convo, RM Kitchen and Wedding Bells Forum.

And the holiday season continues...

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:27:00 +0000

As I was sifting through almost a week's worth of emails late last night, I read something from a dear friend of mine that sums up the holiday season for my family in a nutshell: We are the only people she knows that celebrate Christmas Week. It can be a tad exhausting, but boy do we love it.

Our families (mine in particular) and circles of friends have grown quite extensively over the years. We have relatives that visit from up North and out West. Friends and their families who have welcomed us to celebrate their traditions with them. And this year we have new additions to both families that we are celebrating the holidays with for the first time, so the season has really been jam packed with Christmas cheer and lots of excitement. We are very blessed and enjoying every second of it!

I do apologize for being away from my blog for over a week... and I promise to sign back on once our holiday season is over and the new year has begun!

Until then, happy holidays everyone! And here's a Christmasy snug hello from Brady and Cali!
Cheers!!

Weekly Creative Project: Salvaged Wood

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:08:00 +0000

I'm extremely fond of salvaged wood. For me, it resonates such a warm and comfortable feeling. A feeling of nostalgia, history, life. It's a love that my husband and I both share. A very light shade of weathered gray is my absolute favorite. That's why when he came across this piece on a gorgeous beach in Kennebunkport Maine we just had to scoop it up.

He thought it would make the perfect towel rack in our bathroom and boy was he right. Paired with 4 vintage metal hooks passed down from generations in my family, it's a stunning piece and I'm totally in love with it.

I found some great photos that I wanted to share along with mine to show how endless the possibilities are to decorate your home with some really amazing salvaged wood.

Enjoy!

Photo Credits: Building a Timberframe, Donkee House, Garden & Gun, Houzz, Hudson Good, Lavender & Lillies, Modern Girl Style, My Home Ideas and Today and Yesterday Design.

Interior Doors

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Happy holidays everyone! The countdown is on, and no matter which traditions you celebrate, I hope you're all prepared and fully into the holiday spirit!

This week's blog post is dedicated to a super creative way to hang interior doors that I'm so totally in love with which is using a track system.

The first door I ever saw like this I loved immediately, was at our friends Sarah & Tyler's house (click here to see their gorgeous house tour (that I drool over every time I see it) on Apartment Therapy.) The first photo below is theirs.

I love the track system because it adds so much character to the wall that it's on and the room that it's in, and the more hardware the better in my book. The choice of doors to use is endless, and depending on your style you can really draw some great attention to your space with this design element. I think it offers the same space saving quality of a pocket door, but with so much more style.

Enjoy these beautiful photos and have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Photos courtesy of: Britannia Wardrobes, Closet Shelf, Design Sponge, Doors Sliding, Greene Partners, Luxury Ideas, Max Levy, Real Carriage Doors, Remodelista and Sunset.

Friday's Food & Wine: Local Favorite

noreply@blogger.com (BU. Create) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:45:00 +0000

For the premier of Living a beautiful life's Food & Wine segment, naturally I have to dedicate it to my most favorite local place to mingle, eat exquisite food and sip on some of the best wine selections in the area: Z Food & Drink.

After opening in 2007, Z Food & Drink has without a doubt proven itself to be one of the best spots for downtown dining, and just keeps getting better over time. The seasonal menus are jam packed with items dedicated to their motto of Seriously Fun Food and are sure to never disappoint.

Some favorites of mine and my friends are the Lobster Risotto, Flatbread, Veal Stroganoff and of course...the ever famous Asian Nachos. Top any of these off with a cranberry bog or a glass of Carmel Road Pinot Noir and you're in for an unforgettable treat. They also offer a wonderful Sunday brunch, with the most delicious french press coffee I've ever tasted.

I hope you get a chance to make it over to Z to enjoy a great meal if you haven't already done so! They recently expanded and doubled in size, adding on a huge & fabulous bar, comfy couch seating areas and offer some of the area's most talented singers and piano players for entertainment while you dine. Does it get any better than that? Not for this girl!!

Cheers everyone! And I hope you're all having a happy holiday season!