Rugs Rugs Rugs

Keeping the focus on floors these days, I'm pretty excited to show off a favorite of mine today. Antique and vintage rugs are a great way to add a little pattern and eye candy to the floor!

via Houzz

If you aren't sure of what type of rug to look for, Scandinavian rugs are great for pastel rooms. They tend to have lighter colors in them and the designs are beautiful!


via ApartmentTherapy

Mixing and matching rugs are a great way to bring two spaces together. Using the same color options but getting different patterns or styles can help define a space but keep the natural flow of the room.

via Houzz

For those who love a lot of color and mixed patterns, using a rug with like colors can tie in a space. Moroccan rugs would be a great choice for this situation as they tend to have bright lively colors.


via Pinterest

For those of you who love the simplicity and neutral colors, this is a great way to step out of your box and add a great pattern to the view! There are some amazing places that sell vintage rugs for great prices and they are great quality.


via ApartmentTherapy


this post is in partnership with nazimyalcollection

Creating a space for entertaining

More and more, Chris and I were finding our small apartment tough for entertaining.  One thing on our "To Do" list for our new home is to knock down the wall between the kitchen and the living room to create a breakfast bar. That would give us a little more space to entertain, but mostly it would vastly increase the flow in our home, making even our modest space more conducive to guests.

via Angie Hranowsky

This seating area isn't particularly large, but the open concept layout and variety of seating makes for plenty of ways for guests to mingle.

via BHG

This kitchen bar can be a great addition to more seating.

via  Houzz.com

Sometimes the bar stool itself can make a big difference. Having backless bar stools still gives you the visual space you need but allows for guest seating. 

via  Houzz.com

I love this "campy" industrial wheeled cart turned bar.
via Country Living

This post in partnership with barstools.co.uk

Dear Boston,

You're tough and beautiful...you're in our prayers.

Some house tours from Boston, a city of some of the best bones in the country.

via Apartment Therapy

It's the small details

that make some spaces so delicious

I am crushing on that blue hexagon tray SO BAD.

Love that table - I suspect it is a lucky antique fine.

1.,2.,3. High Gloss, 4. Llamas Valley, 5. Lonny Mag, 6. Sweet Home Style

My latest crush: Blackband Home & Design. One FAB porthole mirror, and a little peek at my apartment..

I'm giddy today as I am sharing with you the newest addition to casa de Ashley, the gorgeous Porthole Mirror. Convex and framed out with a painstakingly detailed antique gold finish, the mirror was inspired by an antique discovered by the brilliant minds over at Blackband, so the piece is truly a very special replica. The gold is a perfect compliment to my robin's egg blue walls.

*Swoon! I love it!

It really turned out to be a perfect addition to my space - I couldn't be happier.

A close up of the detailing that went into getting the perfect patina.

I thought the cloche bell jar was a nice complement to the convex surface of the mirror.

I found an abandoned robin's egg, so I emptied it and brought it home to see if I could find a place for it in my apartment.  I also had some feathers from our guinea fowl, so I strung them both up in the cloche as an objet d'art.  What do you think?

Getting back to Blackband, here's a little bit more about them:

"Wendy Blackband, co-owner of Blackband Design, is one of Southern California's most sought-after designers; known for her eclectic take on coastal elegance. A California native, Wendy grew up on Balboa Island and has traveled and lived in Africa, Spain, Australia and South America. Her style inspiration has been influenced by vibrant colors and foreign cultures that punctuate her fresh and
distinctive "Coastal Bohemian" look. 

Blackband Design enjoys a well-deserved reputation for fair pricing, exceptional client service, and a personalized approach for every project, regardless of scope."

Here are a few more goodies from Blackband's online store that I have my eye on:

 Vintage wine jugs.

 Red coral (this would also look great with my light blue walls)

 White and blue lamp.  Love it.

Blackband also does interior design and showcasing.

This might possibly be my dream bed.


Want to see more? Go to Blackband Design to shop online and see more of their work.


 disclosure*: I received the mirror as a sample from Blackband Design

A beautiful old home that's upcycled and chic

I was feeling pretty uninspired today trying to decide what to post today. But I remembered I had a new issue of Covet Garden sitting in my inbox - and knew once I saw this first image below that this house tour was the inspiration I needed.

A gold-framed mirror leaning casually on top of a weathered wood bench is the perfect contrast.

We have those chairs, (Ikea), but in black.  The table is amazing.

The house looks like it has great bones, the moulding and ceiling is gorgeous.

The family has decided that this is their forever home - they hope to enjoy it for a long, long time.

The images below are from the family's flower shop, Jaidens Petals.  It shares the same upcycled style as their home.

so pretty!

If you want to see or read more, check out Covet Garden's April Issue

A house tour that oozes comfort, clean design, and individuality

This house tour is coming at you from a BRAND NEW online mag from our stylish friends across the pond, 91 Magazine.  It comes as no surprise that this UK e-glossy is full of charming and lovely crafts, style, inspiring vintage decor, and shopping.

The feature that caught my eye was this fabulous house tour of a Surrey semi-detached abode of a couple and their 3 year-old daughter.  Enjoy!

I like to see a salon-style wall with a lot of different style frames

I love the simple and clean look

Neutral tones keep the space airy

What do you think of 91 Magazine's debut house tour?

via 91 Magazine