Mountain Blues Dining Room Inspiration Board

It's pretty obvious that I've been working on my dining room. I've purchased new furniture and for the last month or so, I have been pouring over wallpaper samples; a task that I still haven't finished.

Here are the three issues associated with my wallpaper conundrum. 1. There are just too many wallpapers out there available for purchase. 2. I am not going to pay premium for something that I will only enjoy for 2-3 more years. 3. I wanted blue, then I thought about grey, now I am back to blue.

It's difficult. But knowing what I want my dining room to look like is not. I am settled on that.

Grey Wallpapers Under $100

Deciding to wallpaper something whether it's furniture, an accent wall, or a whole room can be a daunting challenge. Before you prep a wall or hang that first piece, you must first decide on the wallpaper- a task that can be costly depending on sample prices and the number of samples you order a well as frustrating because of selection of wallpaper available for purchase.

Of course, there is the budget too.

Here are 20 grey wallpapers, all hip, all costing under $100. Happy wallpapering.

1. Oslo 2. Helix 3. Geometric Blocks 4. McGregor 5. Geometric Diamond 

6. Vibration 7. Golden Leaf  8. Little Leaves 9. Vertex 10. Modern Rose

11. Facet 12. French Knot 13. Kinetic Grey Geometric 14. Modern Floral 15. Modern Graphics

16. Innocence Grey 17. Aura Grey 18. Mirage 19. Plaid Charcoal/White 20. Grey Tinted 

Time Flies with Colorful Barstools

Am I having fun?  You bet your bottoms.  I can not believe it has been over a month since my last post.  Needless to say I have been busy.  BBQ Cook-Off, school, work, school, work, bought a dishwasher, work, more work and cleaning house. 

So have I done anything around the house?  My answer is the same as it was a month ago.  No.  Although I need to do stuff around the house.  For starters, we discovered our master shower has leaked a little into our closet.  So I have to fix that.  The backyard?  It looks like freaking Jurassic Park back there. We lost a weekend to being lazy after a hockey game, another Saturday was lost to errand and dish washer shopping and then the majority of my evenings have been spent watching Fraiser on Netflix and browsing Pinterest.   So NOTHING has been done.  I have missed to Sherwin Williams sales and I have rooms to paint.  I have just about give up on searching for a breakfast nook table.  

Do you hear the violins in the background?  Right now I don't even want to think about what my Feedly looks like.  Gracious it has got to be bad.  To make up for it, here are some colorful barstools.

They are happy, fun, and look great with natural wood or white or both. 

Contemporary Kitchen by Auckland Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Lucy G Creative NZ Photography & Splashbacks

Midcentury Kitchen by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Urbanism Designs

Midcentury Kitchen by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Susan Jay Design

Time Warp, It's Saturday?

Wow this morning is getting under my skin.  Blogger is being buggy and I just deleted yesterday's post on accident.  Not that it was important, it just peeves me off when a program goes all crazy.  So now that's out of the way I can get back to what I was attempting to share with everyone.  Mint shoes.  I know, it's not related to decor and I probably need mint shoes like I need a hole in the head.  But darn it, they are so freaking cute.  So here are my findings this morning while I am enjoying my cup of coffee.  Enjoy!

First on the list, Scalloped Mint Flat.
Cute I know.

Loeffler Randall Milla Mint Flat, Zappos, $250

Next up, fabulous Manola Blahnik.
Yep they will break the bank but look at them. 

Mint Manola Blahnik, Nordstrom, $595

Here we have two more affordable options.
Both will take you all the way through spring.

Mint Suede Oxford, ASOS, $83.34

Mint Suede Ankle Boots, ASOS, $88.89

And for summer, why not mint sandals?
Hurry though, these are on clearance.

Lucky Brand Mint Sandal, Nordstrom, $23.60

I Like Love That

Coronata Stars Decal via wallsneedlove.com

1. You might remember my post I did on removable wallpaper. Seriously wallsneedlove, you crap is amazing. I love the Earth Triangles, Polka Dots & Dew Drops
2. New collection at West Elm.  Livingston Sofa, I love you. But don't worry Tiered Tower Bookcase & Nook Console you also have a special place in my heart.
3. Poufs.  I love poufs and they are expensive.  Here is a link to a tutorial to make your own, save $$.

Time Warp- It's Saturday?

This morning I woke up realizing that I start a new semester of school this month and that I have no clue which day that is nor have I rented my text books.  So first thing this morning was to take care of that and I am glad I did.  School starts in little over a week.  For some reason I thought it would be later than that.   Oh well, crisis averted. 

Today Andy and I are going into town for a trip to West Elm.  I am excited to check out the new collection.  They new blues in upholstery are very pretty and I am totally grabbing swatches of them.  Also, I will bring back reviews of some of the new items I see on the floor.  In addition to that?  Who knows, maybe some Vietnamese food.  

I purchased a Rast from IKEA in order to give it a tiny makeover for Andy's bed side.  I do not think I will be getting to it this weekend.  Maybe assembled but that's about it.  I need to get caught up with some laundry and some light cleaning plus there is today's trip into town and Prince is getting a hair cut.  In lue of show casing my Rast project, here are some great bedside table ideas to inspire you.

Eclectic Bedroom by Rockville Architects & Designers Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC
Here a mirrored desk works as a night stand and a work station.

Eclectic Bedroom by Fort Worth Media & Bloggers Hilary Walker
A beverage cart can also serve as a night stand.

Eclectic Bedroom by Sandy Media & Bloggers Michelle Hinckley
Ah, an IKEA Rast hack.  It's really classy all white with the bright colors behind it.

Industrial Bedroom by New York Photographers Chris A. Dorsey
Shipping crate or bedside table?  Line it with some wallpaper for color and pattern. 

Eclectic Bedroom
Organize your bedside with a filing cabinet.  You can get them used and cheap.  
Paint it a bright fun color to revive it from it's former cubicle life.

My Bedroom

What do you do when it is raining outside and the house is clean?  Why take photos of your master bedroom of course!  It is a room filled with cool blue colors, mixed wood and a little bit of shine.  I've included the source list below.

Sea Glass & Industrial Inspired Bedroom

Time Warp- It's Saturday?

It's been a week since my last post. I know this and I can explain.  Monday was my last day of class and Tuesday we went out to dinner.  Wednesday I went shopping, Thursday I also did nothing and Friday I took a trip to the landfill, did a little more shopping and did nothing except watch hockey and play on pinterest.  Life has been good.  The weather has been a little crazy in the last week with so many highs and lows, sun and showers.  Nothing has been going on in the garage because of this.

I hope next weekend I can post pictures of the bedroom or the dining room.  Both are "done" and can be shared however they are in total disarray because of finals, the holidays and life events.  I also also starting to think that the dining table might need other table linens besides the ones present.

Anthropologie has nice table runners, but taking out a second mortgage on my house to afford one seems a like a bad idea during the holidays.  Leif, a new store I have discovered, also has cute/ affordable table runners.  Then there is always IKEA and Target but they are BLAH with Target being the better of the two.  For a little more cash there is CrateandBarrel and a little less West Elm with the latter being the most exciting out of those two.  

While all selections are not bad, I am starting to thinking a ombre table runner might be the thing for me.  With green of course.  Maybe some awesome stitching to go along with it?  I am thinking heck yes if I can find some time to make this happen.

Purple Ombre Table Cloth, unknown source, via Pinterest

Time Warp- It's Saturday?

Whew!  I know right?  I do not know about you guys but I have been BUSY.  Christmas shopping, in-laws, finals, work and home stuff.  My plate has been full which tends to be the holiday standard.  I can not remember if I have mentioned that we have put off listing the house at least until the beginning of next year.  There is just too much happening and not enough time in one day. 

House & decorating wise?  Well, the bedroom is looking great.  Just a few more touches and you can stick a fork in it.  The dining room is also just about there.  I am just having a tough time finding table linens and figuring out what to hang on the wall above the front door bench.  I returned the IKEA Docksta table that was meant for the breakfast nook and have no found anything since.  So there's that and the french doors still in my garage.  My father in-law thinks they will work but he needs his tools.  Hopefully next time.

No Christmas decor this year except for the pallet tree again.  Originally, I did not feel like bringing it down since we were going to list the house.  Now I am just too lazy to bring it down.  No one will be stopping buy our house so really there is no point to make it all pretty if there is no one coming over.

So what is trending in my mind lately?  Colorful canopy beds.  There are so many options.  You do not have to be stuck with oak, white or blackish gray metal.  Alternatively, if you have some cash to spend Room & Board offers the customizable Architecture Bed in a variety of colors and sizes. All of which can be delivered to your door step if you have the cashola.  I say go find a cheap one at a resale shop and make it your own.  If you can not go that route, go to overstock.com, buy this bed, get some spray paint and call it a day until you find an Ikea Edland somewhere on Craiglist.

Yellow Canopy Bed, materialsgirlblog.com

Pink Canopy Bed, propertyfurniture.com

Green canopy bed, Gozetta.com

Orange Canopy Bed, roomandboard.com

I Like Love That

Faux Fur Throw- Mongolian Lamb via West Elm

1. Went to West Elm on Friday & fell in love with the faux fur throws.  Target has a more affordable option which isn't exactly lamb fur but will for-fill your needs if $119 to over $2K is a little much.
2.  I am loving Scandinavian Christmas decor this year.  IKEA of course has a cute selection and Himmeli has taken over the DIY world.  Dalahorses are also on the LOVE list this Christmas too.
3. Advent Calenders.  Who doesn't love all the new way people are creating advent calenders.  This mirrored grey one from Target is cool, modern and affordable.

Time Warp- It's Saturday?

There is nothing more crappy than when you plan an entire weekend's worth of projects and a cold front blows through.  No, there is not a blizzard outside, but it is wet and windy and not ideal for painting a wall.  Well crap, there is always Thanksgiving weekend.

I have however managed to start the dresser revamp.  For one reason or another, I thought it was a great idea to paint my IKEA Hemnes dresser a bright, high-gloss orange with dark glaze.  I think I liked it about a year before I decided to lighten up the bedroom colors.  Here is where I am right now, a half painted dresser, stained drawer fronts & brass pulls.

IKEA Hemnes Re-Vamp In Progress

Supplies

Slowly but surely I am sure it will come along and look pretty awesome when it is all said and done.  It is just a slow process because of the weather. 

In other news, Andy and I are going to an open house today and tomorrow we are going to check out another house.  So while the one wall in my bedroom might not get painted, we are going to check out some potential new places to live.  I am hoping we can have our house on my market by the second week of December, we will just have to see how much crap I get done with the end of the school semester arriving.   Hopefully the Fridays I have off will help out a great bit, but we shall see.

Mid Week Update

Look at me go, my mid-week update is actually happening mid-week.  Yeah, so I skipped school tonight.  I decided to do some research on housing in our target area, catch up on a paper,vacuum the living room and of course, give the few of you who do read insight to what's happening in my life right now. 

This Friday I am off and I plan to paint over the stencil in my bedroom and take down some personal effects to prepare the house to be up on the market.  Saturday I hope to finish my dresser project and Sunday I plan to make like every other Sunday, house work and completing any unfinished projects.  I am actually going to have a total of four Fridays off before the end of the year which will be nice.   It will allow me to take care of crap I have largely ignored during the semester WHICH is almost over.  

In other news I am still sort of obsessing over matte black bathroom hardware.  My only reservation about it is the effects hard water will have on it.  If someone out there knows, let me know because I am thinking of going that route for the next place, at least in the guest bathroom along with my plywood countertop.

Black Bathroom Faucets from Build.com

Black Faucets with Vessel Sinks via Apartment Therapy

I Like Love That

Oh Joy Studio, Emily Henderson

1. I love dark green sofas right now. So much in fact I think the brown hand-me-down Petrie might have to turn green one day and not navy. West Elm Settee  C&B Rochelle  R&B Murphy Sofa
2. New Nate Berkus at Target.  I love the Hexagon Wooden Tray
3.

Time Warp- It's Saturday?

This week, on two separate occasions, I have discussed how fast time seems to be flying.  One minute it's July next minute it's nearing to an end in November.  I must be having a lot of fun because to me the days are flying.  With every day going by so quickly and we about to sell our house and hopefully purchase a new one, I am staying on top of the game by planning and pricing out potential things we will need to purchase for our new place.

The new place will not be new, it's going to be older.  Something in a more established neighborhood with trees.  With that being said, there will need to be some updating needed.  I am not talking about knocking down walls but more cosmetic details.  Bathrooms I know will need to be updated.  I for one am all about reusing materials, freshening things up with new paint and hardware.  However, sometimes it's bad and needs to be replaced.  So cabinets are on my pricing list right now.

I love grey vanities in bathrooms.  I am thinking white subway tiles with dark grout, cork floors and a gray vanity would make a bathroom freaking sexy as hell.  Opinions?

Beach Style Bathroom by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Rachel Reider Interiors

Bathroom by New York Architects & Designers Miller & Wright Architects

Traditional Bathroom by Boise Carpet & Flooring ESL HARDWOOD FLOORS

I Like Love That

FK Kashanian Rug Collecttion at OneKingsLane

1. My lucite obsession continues. This night stand from Mar Silver Design is freaking to die for and probably really expensive. But hey, awesome is awesome right?
2. Origami: it's cute, somewhat easy, geometric and apparently trending.  I love that Lonny Mag put the spot light on Origami in this months issue.  Check out my Origami Project here.
3. I love hip rocking chairs.  Of course IKEA has the Poang which is affordable. On Etsy there are a a few good ones including this danish number right here.  Also at West Elm, the James Harrison rocker.

Time Warp- It's Saturday

Wow, there has been a total lap of time since I last threw up a post.  We've just been wrapped up with life.  A LOT has been going on.  Let's just say some stuff might happen in the near future which will affect a lot of crap and I will announce it as it happens.  For now, let's talk headboards.

I don't know when we purchased our mattress, maybe like June I think.  Since then, there has been no headboard.  I purchased a box spring cover from West Elm, new bed linens, pillows, the whole enchilada; but no headboard.  After staring at the wall and bed for roughly five months now, I have decided, finally, it's headboard time. 

Andy and I collaborated and thought about it.  After making a trip to Lowes last night and playing in the lumber aisles, we have a plan.  This morning I searched the internet and became inspired.  I am thinking next weekend we are going to make this happen.

Inspiration: Multi-Stained Wood Slat Headboard

Inspiration: Multi-Stained Wood Slat Headboard

Not So Mid-Week Update

Dudes, I know it's Friday and the mid-week update is really more of a "week coming to an end" update. However, as before, I have been busy with school & my in-laws came in last night. For this weekend, we have no immediate plans, just hanging out with Andy's folks for the couple of days they are here. So, for the few people who read this blog, if you don't hear from me until next week, you know what the deal is. With that, I leave you with some eye-candy.

Eclectic Living Room

Contemporary Living Room by Boston Architects & Designers Stern McCafferty

Contemporary Living Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Todd Adams Design Services

I Like Love That

Brass Stair Rail, David Chipperfield Architects

1.Woo, IKEA, I love your new lighting.  The Ranarp Lamp Collection is freaking amazing, Ljusas Ysby in Green is prettier and greener in person, and the Arod Collection is gray at it's finest.
2. What is it with me and brass bathroom fixture lately?  I love gold faucets for vessel sinks, as part of a shower system.  I especially love the gold with the black and white in bathrooms.
3. I love the sputnik ornaments at CB2. The acrylic snowflake ornaments are also cute and for-fill my love of lucite right now.

Time Warp- It's Saturday?

I had three late nights this week versus my normal two. I've been working on a paper, reading, note-taking and everything involved with school.  So this morning when I woke up at 7, I took a look around the house and realized I've been slacking just a teeny bit.  So this weekend, it's back to getting it together.

I know last weekend I promised photos of the dining room.  Not happening.  I've got lawn work I need to knock out, a hair cut appointment in the afternoon, stuff around the house to take care of and as always, school work.  In addition, my in-laws arrive at my house on Thursday, so I need to get everything cleaned up for them.  The dining room completion might just have to wait which sucks because it's uber close.

So for today I will leave you with my obsession for the day, plywood countertops.

Modern Bathroom by Seattle Architects & Designers Studio Zerbey Architecture + Design

Modern Kitchen by Other Metro Appliances Thermador

Related Articles:
Apartment Therapy
eHow
doityourself
Remodelaholic

I Want to Say I Do To This IKEA Ranarp Lamp

This lamp looks really ridiculously good in person. I saw it the other day amidst a massive overhaul at my IKEA. The cord is fabulous. The lamp is a pretty large size and I just love the white and brass. Hands down, it's one of the better looking lamps IKEA has released.