fresh

These spaces designed by Porchlight Interiors have such a fresh feeling to them.

I love the use of color through out, just enough to keep things interesting.

what i love most about my home

Ah sorry to just disappear last week. I had a school final that I had to study and stress over but it's over with so now I can breath again. How was your weekend? We finally had rain here and that in itself made my weekend. I don't think we've had a good solid rain storm since May.

A while back I shared a little teaser of a wood stained painting that I did using Nicole's tutorial. We finally hung it up yesterday on a tiny blank wall and I thought I'd share the result. I'll be honest, my writing is not straight nor perfect and at first I let that bother me but now that I've been staring at it I think I like it that way, gives it a little more character (at least that's what I keep telling myself).

 The quote is a spin off of the quote 'What I love most about my home is who I share it with' first seen here in this design*sponge sneak peek. I was going to do the original quote but knew I was going to run out of room so I had to change it up a bit. Now it's a little more me I guess. :) 

beside the bed

These two photos featuring pretty nightstands caught my eye recently. I really like seeing how people style these little intimate areas. Often times it seems that these little tables get forgotten when it comes to decor but they have the potential to play a big role in how the room looks and feels if styled.

Right now I'm trying to figure out what I want to do for the bedside tables in my room. I've been thinking of doing something with stacked art like this first photo but haven't found the right thing(s) to frame. Decisions, decisions, right? ;)

 

Source: kerrisdaledesign.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: stylebyemilyhenderson.com via Heather on Pinterest

Tell me: What books are currently on your nightstand? I have a break in school semesters coming up and I want to read something just for the fun of it.

p.s. Thanks for your kind comments about my stripey skirt. :)

group discussion : plate walls

In my dining room I have two small walls that meet together (hope that makes sense) and I've been trying to figure out what I want to put on them. Plate walls are so pretty me thinks and has been something I've wanted to try in my home. Those two walls might be good contenders for something like the above. I especially love plate walls when they are more of an eclectic nature, with a good mix of prints, patterns and colors.

Are you a fan of plate walls? Have any of you ever tried this and what would be the best (and cheapest) way to hang the plates? I know you can get the metal spring type ones that wrap behind the plate but is that my only option? Please help a girl out! :)

this kitchen...

                             makes me all sorts of happy. I think it's all the bright colors and that tile backsplash.

p.s. I'm back-ish. I say that because there might be a chance my computer will die again. Sad.

{image via --> via}

pretty hanging things

For a while (and possibly still now) there was much excitment in blogland over hanging tissue pom poms used in party decor. I can certainly see the appeal, they are very pretty and fun. I've used them. :) Anyway...I was trolling through my pinterest boards and noticed a trend of using (other) pretty hanging things to pump up the party decor. I think my favorite is the one using ribbon (or are they crepe paper streamers?) paired with cafe string lights. So simple but very festive.

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: thepleatedpoppy.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: bumpsmitten.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: bumpsmitten.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: 8foot6.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: somewheresplendid.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: jldesigns.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Are you a fan of this, shall I say, trend?

p.s. Need an invite to pinterest? Send me an email and i'll send an invite your way.

on my mind...

I'm back! We're all moved. It's crazy hot here in TX (hello, 105!?!!). We have internet now. I missed blogging (and you of course)!

Since we've moved into a new space I've had decorating on the brain. I know what I want to do in some rooms and others I'm not so sure...one thing I do know is that I love this little corner of Jordan's San Fran apartment and can't get that grey and yellow combo out of my head. Oh and the horse picture, really liking the horse picture.

{image : aubrey trinnaman via oh happy day}

romantic summer tablescape

If you've read olive & a for a while it's most likely no secret that I wish I was skilled in the art of floral arranging and party planning. I've probably talked about it enough. ;) But since I'm not, I'll just have to admire those who've got themselves some skills. A good representation of said skills in my book would be this gorgeous tablescape styled by Elizabeth Anne Designs. I just can't get enough of the colorful flowers mixed with the airy table and room. It makes for such a pretty and romantic statement.

p.s. I love the lace table runner that was created using simple strips of 6″ lace stitched together on the straight side. So sweet.

If you are wanting to see more of this gorgeous shoot head here.

right now...

I'd love nothing more than to escape to a secluded cabana with a book and cold drink in hand. Read for a while, dip in the pool, then read some more, followed by another dip in the pool.

{images via Lonny}

great idea : gallery wall layouts

Aren't these great guides for starting a gallery wall? Definitely handy!

Source: flickr.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Heather on Pinterest

designing for little ones

I mentioned a while back that we'll be moving into a new (to us) house soon. The kids will be sharing a bedroom in our new place and I've been trying to figure out how to make the space come together. My goal is to try and make the room clean and unfussy but still fun. If you're interested, I'll share how it (hopefully) comes together. 

One of these days, Landon will have his own dedicated space and I would love to do something similar to this room. It's youthful but not childish. That wood plank wall is pretty much awesome and I'm a big fan of the color scheme. I'll need to remember this for when that day does come.

modern kids design by san francisco interior designer Jute Interior Design

Speaking of my little guy, here he is swinging his heart out.  Hard to believe he's 7 months.

good {party} idea : carnation cones

I've been sifting through some old issues of Martha Stewart Living and came across this sweet idea that I wanted to file away.

The idea is originally for valentines but I think it would be so fun to use as a party favor, say maybe for a baby/wedding shower. It could also be used as a place card for a brunch or dinner. Carnations are relatively inexpensive and you could use any kind of heavyweight paper to go with your theme. 

country kitchen

I'm a fan of Ina Garten so it's only natural that I love the country kitchen that she designed for House Beautiful's kitchen of the year in 2009. I know I've shared white kitchens before and they aren't for everyone but I am still enamored by them. One of the reasons this kitchen appeals to me is the open ceiling with the exposed rafters and beams. It is so light and airy. Definitely a kitchen that wouldn't be hard to spend time cooking and eating in.

Happy First Day of summer by the way!  

{images via house beautiful}

the essentials : Elizabeth from The Mustard Ceiling

It's no secret I'm a big fan of interior design and diy projects so I naturally love Elizabeth's blog, The Mustard Ceiling, which is chock full of both. Take a look at her newly designed dining room with ikat fabric she made herself. Talk about diy! Oh, and Elizabeth and her husband are renovating a classic airstream. How cool is that? Please leave her some love and go check out her blog!

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Hi, olive &a readers! I am happy to be here today to share three essentials
that I think are key when designing a room.

There are many pieces that come together to make a design successful, but the following three are extremely important in my book.

1) Personality, a design should reflect who you are. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the latest trends, but you have to remain true to yourself. Design with elements that will make you happy.

Source

Source

How do you find your style?

Lots of research, thumb through design magazines and blogs. Bookmark ideas.

What do you like or dislike about a space? Soon you will see patterns emerge and you will begin to gain more understanding into your design style.

Source

An inspiration board is a great way to keep track of your of your ideas and help you define your style.

2) Comfort and Function. In my opinion, comfort and function are both equally important and essential to a well-designed space. If you are not comfortable in your space, or it is not functional, what is the point?

I read a cute post on Three Boys,the other day, called Decapitated Duck and a Mother's Dream . I believe Sarah summed up perfectly why a space should be functional and how the definition of functional changes through the years.

Source

Source

Which room do you think would be more functional and comfortable for a young family?

3) Focal Point. A focal point is the main design element in the space. Examples of architectural focal points could be a fireplace, built-in bookshelves, a large picture window.

However, focal points are not always architectural elements. You can create a focal point by using a large patterned rug, or a dramatic piece of art-something that will draw attention into the room and invite you to stay.

Source

What do you think the focal point is in this room?


Heather, thank you so much for having me today!

framed

In a few weeks we will be moving into a new place and I'm excited to try some new things in terms of decorating. To be honest, our current place isn't really decorated. When we moved in here we were under the impression that we'd only be here for four months. Well...four months has turned into a year an a half. It's sad. We aren't sure how long we'll be in our new place but I'm determined to not live with blank walls.

Gallery walls seem to be ever present in design these day and with good reason. If presented well, they are a great way to show off art and photographs in your home.

We will have a skinny wall between two doors in the living room that I'm thinking something like this chic monochromatic gallery would look good.

{via made by girl : photo - Ashlee Raubach}

 OR, something like these all-white frames that showcase a more relaxed/casual but still well styled look.

{via}

{via young house love}

Olivia and Landon will be sharing a room so I have been entertaining doing a more funky gallery wall in there with some fun art and pictures of the kids and family.

{via made by girl : photo - Ashlee Raubach}

What do you think, are you a fan of gallery walls? Have you done one in your home?

this bedroom...

is currently serving as inspiration for my bedroom. I could totally see myself : sleeping, reading a book, blogging, playing with my kiddos, folding laundry, etc in this room.

sweet find : mason jar drink dispenser

Source: elizabethannedesigns.com via cornflake on Pinterest

I thought I would share this find in case anyone else is interested. I've been on the hunt for a drink dispenser for what seems like forever now so I was a happy when I came across this mason jar dispenser at World Market. Perhaps a little bit picky but I wanted a dispenser made of glass, not expensive, and simple in design so this one being glass and $15 bucks made it perfect for me. Can't wait to use it this summer!

Do tell: What's your favorite summer drink?  Me? I'm a pink lemonade kind of girl.

hudson river farmhouse

Life on the farm looks pretty good if these are the accommodations. This rustic glam Hudson River farmhouse was one of my favorite features in Rue's 5 issue. They've got some great party stuff in the issue as well.

{photography: Emily Gilbert}

love

I love this pretty little framed l o v e gallery that would be so simple to recreate.

Source: designspongeonline.com via Heather on Pinterest

If you've been longing to pin on pinterest, send me an email and I'll send you an invite. :) Happy Monday friends!

currently loving...

1. the library ladder (!!!)

2. the mini shoe/handbag closet

3. the penny tile flooring

{image}

*This post was originally posted yesterday but it looks like blogger had issues so I'm re-posting it. Any comments that were made are now lost...sorry!