Steamer Trunk

While cleaning out the attic in order to get ready for my move,  my Dad came across a vintage black steamer trunk. This is almost identical to the one we found, except the brass is in better shape on mine. I'm contemplating keeping it to use as a bed side table. I'd shine up the brass and stack it with books and an oversized vintage lamp. (Another thought is to use it in my son's room)  Here are a few other ideas for the trunk. I can't wait to find a home!! I'm staying someplace temporarily while I search but my head is SPINNING with ideas!! Here is a snapshot of the trunk we found, it obviously needs some love but could look cool cleaned up.

This fabulous Louis trunk is via Ivy and Vine.

A Bar

A coffee table

Layer it under a table - I would still stack it with great coffee table books and the one I have may be too big to layer under a table.

Although this isn't a trunk I love this shot. My thought is to use it in my office. It could house my favorite fabrics samples and be used during the day for drinks or simply as a working space!!

Dear West Elm,

Many of you might remember back in August I posted asking your opinion on my new living room rug. See earlier post here. I ended up going with the Kilim, Kite rug shown above...The issue is it's been on backorder since August! Ugh, I am getting very sick of my bare floor. So W.E. if you could get it together and send my rug along, I would really appreciate it! The design sort of reminds me of the graphic image below, doesn't it?? I love how this small kitchen makes room for a work space! A reality for most.

J'Adore - Adore Home Magazine - Read my tips for a personalized work space!

Have you had a chance to check out the newest online design magazine, Adore Home? If not, head over right now!  Australian based Adore, is filled with fabulous eye candy, homes, designer's tips + tricks and so much more! I'm thrilled to be a part of their Premiere Issue! Read all about my creative space and design tips below! Thank you Adore Home and congratulations on your first issue! I love having another favorite magazine to add to my reading list!

a sneak peek inside!

Designer Cristina Re's beautiful shop and stationery line.

Louise from Table Tonic's  {blog and home-boutique} gorgeous kitchen and home.

The thrill of the..

hunt and a quick fashion peek...I found this cool vintage tray at The Todd Farm Flea Market the weekend before last! Now I just need to polish the brass! Any magic tricks on how to do this please send them my way.

{i'll be working on my window treatments very soon, they are currently bare}

was also digging these looks from Chris Benz's Spring 2011 collection !

A favor to ask...

Okay so here's the scoop, I entered the CB2 The Selby is in your place contest! You know The Selby right? The funky photographer who captures the creative dwellings of a slew of amazing people? Be sure to check out his creative goodness here! The grand prize winner, wins a photo shoot at their home with the Selby himself! Very Cool! Now I need your help! If you could take a minute to vote for my office here, I'd greatly appreciate it! The front runner now has 520 votes {we can beat that right?}! Thank You So Much!!! xx. Julie {ps. - they will prompt you for your name - just note that you don't want to receive any mailings etc.}

narrowed it down!

1.

2. 3.

4.

I took a break from my own home design this summer..but now with Fall approaching {can't really believe it's 9.1} I need to finish my baby girl's nursery! I of course always love sharing my finished spaces with you, so I'll be sure to do so..! I've definitely decided I am going to design her headboard {there is a guest bed, that will eventually be her bed in the room} and call it Emerson {her name} and add it to my furniture line! {that's in the works and will be open, for sale, and added to my website by mid-winter - beyond excited about this!}..So here's my question to you..because you may be future customers right? What's your favorite? I will of course tweak the design a bit, but I'm leaning towards a timeless, feminine feel! {oh and would I love to use Leontine Linens? - you bet cha,, but unless they have a huge sale, it's not going to happen in a child's room}

image credits: Coastal Living, Kimberly Ayres, ?, La Dolce Vita

{ps. I'm off to West Elm to pick out my rug - see previous post here}

Emerson's room - back to work!

When I return from Vermont {see yesterday's post} I'm going to resume work on Emerson's room! Don't you know designers always finish their homes last? Okay so now the point of my post. I've got a cute little dresser that I'm planning to paint! I really want to mix two colors, but I'm not sure of how I'm going to approach it! I'm liking both the idea of either painting the architectural details white {above} or the drawers a lighter shade {below - love how this works with white and light grey}

+ finally I'm pretty sure the main color for the piece is going to be lemon yellow - {the shade below to be exact}

images: ?, The Decorista, Thomas Smythe

Which do you like?

Deep Grey Diamond

Okay, so I had to return a West Elm rug today, it was in my living room but just wasn't holding up well! so now I need another rug {from W.E. - with my credit} and I'm torn. I love both the diamond and Chevron (zig-zag) look. I feel like the diamond looks a little fresher and would most likely hide stains better {I have a three and six month old}. So I ask you..Which do you prefer? Diamond or Zig-Zag?
If you read my blog regularly, it's going in my living room, {as seen here}which as quite a bit of dark brown..but I'm thinking of mixing in deep charcoal. My husband just painted the inside of my back door black and I'm loving the look, so I'm going to have him paint the inside of my front doors too! (oh btw. I used Zorro by C2 - it's a rich inky-grey black, love it!}

+ an update on my gallery style art wall. {PLEASE excuse the poor photography - I don't have much light in my foyer - when I'm done I'll have this professionally shot}

I'm almost finished with my art wall...It's a mix of high and low, some of the art is by my three year old son. Most of it is from various trips I've taken. I think artwork is the best thing you can buy when traveling {unframed that is}. I need to add two or three more pieces. {to the right side} I'm thinking I'll add a collage, and maybe a still life of flowers or something??? It's getting there! Oh and I'm definitely going to add one of these Suzanne Kasler for Ballard Designs antlers to the mix. {i was inspired by that from a photo of a previous post}

a couple close up of two pieces.

Working on {personally}

a picture wall in my entry-way! It's almost done..I'll be sure to post it soon!

images: Jonny Valiant, via white and wander blog, lonny mag

Couldn't Resist!

I think when choosing a piece of art it should move you, speak to you and this little guy just did! So I bought him for Emerson's room! I discovered this watercolor among many others via the Etsy shop of Italian artist DIMDi via High Street Market{one of my newer favorite blogs - she sells some amazing finds}! Can't wait to see my piece..I'm slowly but surely gathering unique goodies for my little pumpkin's nursery.