A Functional Office

Between tax season and spring cleaning, I've been trying to plan how I'm going to reorganize and clean out my office to make it a little bit more functional and pleasing to the eye. Here are some looks I've been loving

via livesimplybyannie

Loving this cabinet/bookshelf. Use matching decorative boxes or baskets to store receipts, paperwork and office supplies that you don't use on a daily basis.

via pinterest

Labeled drawers are a great way to keep your supplies and items organized. I love the simple look of the picture above and the labels are barely noticeable so they don't take away from the piece of furniture. The large drawers are great for keeping papers flat and not bent or rumpled.

via theglitterguide

A simple open shelving bookcase with a few baskets might do the trick for you! This can give you great places to add a little decor as well as store items. I actually have this same shelving unit in my office and love it.

via BHG
Keeping everything I need to get my task complete close by is key for me to stay productive.

I love a good inspiration board as long as it's kept somewhat tidy! Mine can get a bit cluttered and then I find them distracting...
via Sweet Home Style

Collections and archives are great as long as you are able to keep them grouped together and orderly.
via Sweet Home Style

Make the most of a snow day with some of these projects

Four great ideas of things you can do to change your decor while your stuck inside (since we are snowed in with over a foot of snow here and it's still coming down!). Might as well have fun - and if you're like me I can only watch so much TV before I need to get up and do something!

1. Rearrange your furniture:

via BHG

I get so excited rearranging my furniture.  It is really refreshing and can make old things seem new again. It takes some trial and error to get things just right, and don't forget that you can "shop" furniture from the rest of your house!

2. Clean out your drawers:

via bhg

In your kitchen, bathroom, pantry, bedroom, and more! Clean out those drawers by creating three boxes: throw away, give away, keep. Sort your items and when you get to the keep, figure out if you have any good trays, shoe boxes, or containers laying around that would keep the items corralled.  It looks like the drawer above is using small jelly roll pans, which is really clever.

3. Make that gallery wall you've dreaming about

I like Design Crush's tutorial, but there are a lot of great ideas and step by step instructions online i you just search for something like "create your own gallery wall."  Even i you don't have all the art you want to use yet, gallery walls can be flexible and expand over time, or you can at least decide where you want it and start composing it in kraft paper.

4. Style Your Bookshelves

2 images via DesignSponge

You will be surprised how many compliments you get when you thoughtfully arrange your shelves.  Thinking of a bookcase or set of shelves as a composition really lets you show off your favorite accessories and books while also serving a purpose. I'm not going to lie, it's not always easy to strike that perfect balance, and you'll likely always be making little tweaks.  I would start by pulling a few images that I really like to use as a guide.  Next, collect the items that will be on the shelves.  You may have to omit some items or add some along the way.  You will want items with a variety of heights and widths.  Other than that, a lot of the process is just "feel."  Step back from the shelves from time to time to make sure you are happy with how your "composition" is taking shape.

Timeless Inspiration

Finding that perfect piece of furniture to fit your space isn't always as easy as it seems. Luckily there are plenty of timeless iconic pieces that have been making statements and creating inspiration over the years.

This chic colorful armchair adds a little hint of playful to a room but keeps the glamour alive! Perfect for small spaces where you are looking for a little more seating but you don't want it to just blend into the wall!

Looking for something a little more rustic and original? This coffee table would definitely be the talk of the room and pull together your room for a finished touch. The gorgeous wood taps into the traditional design but the wheels keep it modern and almost give it an industrial feel!

Going for a rich luxurious look? A desk like this would make anyone feel like a professional! I love the sleek look of the drawers and the rounded edges of the legs. It screams elegance!

If comfort is more you style then sit back and relax in this gorgeous simple armchair. This seat may not steal the scene in your room but it will definitely be a favorite among many! 

All of these pieces have been acclaimed iconic design and will be timeless additions to your home. You  might even consider them a piece of art! Each of these pieces have been found via Infurn who is known for providing great classic pieces of furniture at affordable prices.

Furnish your dream home without emptying your wallet

If you remember not too long ago we did a post about Updating Your Furniture by using many different options like Craigslist, Auctions, and Consignment and I wanted to give you an idea of some of the great things you can get.

Here are some ways to get the look you are going for without completely blowing your budget

You can get this gorgeous nailhead trim bed costs around $1,099 on Horchow.

or you can get this nailhead trimmed bed from Joss & Main for $506.95! That is a huge savings! And it's made in the USA!

This amazing leather armchair is $2,199 on Crate an Barrel

This chair (which I might like a little better...)?  $745.80 online!

The classic and chic Parsons Desk from West Elm is $349.  Not bad...

...but you can get almost the exact same piece and a steal of a deal at Overstock.com for $159.99 (and it has amazing reviews!)

It doesn't have to cost a fortune to update the furniture in your home with the same concept and style you are looking for. Sometime's it's just a matter of doing some research on where to find it! If you are looking for a great place to shop these amazing deals, take a look at Quicksales they have some amazing items for great prices!

Keep your eyes open and do a little research before you give in to those big numbers!  When looking at cheaper options, make sure you try and find some product reviews before purchasing (same with expensive options for that matter).

My wish list and inspiration for my new home

Now that we've been living in our home for a couple of month, I've been having more and more ideas for what I'd like to do with it.  Unfortunately, my wish list and ideas rarely align with our budget.... sigh... a girl can dream though...

Here's what I've had on my inspiration board:

 I've been loving iron and wood...

We plan on knocking out one wall in our kitchen and putting in a breakfast bar.  These pendants would look great above it.

 A glam tufted ottoman would have so many uses!

I desperately want a wing back upholstered bed, not just a headboard.  I am so tired of ironing and readjusting bedskirts...

 I've always loved chunky throws...

This rug is like a toned down cozy sweater...

All of these items from Joss & Main...

Have a great weekend!

My spring wishlist!

My apartment is still in cold weather mode, and could really use a little spring pep-up and some brighter color.  Here are a few things I just added to my list.

These pillows would be AMAZING on my couch or my bed...

This really pretty console table is on sale for only $186!  - A great choice if you love nature and organic shapes, but you aren't into full-on rustic decor.

I've had my eye on these tables for awhile - they're chic and I haven't seen them before.  I just don't think I have space for them right now...bummer.

I've always loved the lines of this chair.
What changes, if any, do you do to pep up your home for spring and the warmer months ahead?

PS:  If you like what you see here - it's all on sale at HauteLook.  If you're a member - go to their home section for these sales, if you aren't a member - you can use my link (it's fast and free to sign up).

Furniture wishlist

So I don't have space for most of these beauties, but maybe one day I'll be able to add a few to my collection..

A color statement dresser.  I kid you not my dresser as a kid was extremely similar.  Like most of the furniture in my bedroom I assumed my grandfather had made it.  Being that the dresser was shared among four small children though, the dresser was pretty banged up and covered in stickers...
via Ivy and Piper

The french chic upholstered piece.  Works in so many spaces
via Pinterest

This porcupine quill-framed mirror.  Need I say more?!?
via Real Simple

via The Nest Mag

The Scandinavian sideboard or console.  The mother of all clean design.
via BHG

The bold print chair.  I don't care for the frame being painted blue.  But I'm loving all the bold upholstery I've been seeing.
via Country Living

The velvet chaise lounge.  What girl secretly (or openly) doesn't want one
via Crate and Barrel

Lovely coastal and country French furnishings

While in Colmar, a city in the Alsace region of France, I saw this store, Maisons du Monde, from the street and they had a stack of magazines outside the shop. So I picked one up for some train reading material. They have some nice styling, and the furniture seems decent, so I thought I'd share. Can anyone attest to the quality?


- never seen a couch with such high arms!





They seem to carry furnishings in all different styles.

really like the chair.

This would be a great piece for a fine artist!









What do you think? Kinda has a Pottery Barn look to it.
via Maisons du Monde