Happy New Year! Some gorgeous spaces to inspire a home cleanse...

I ended up taking a longer break than I expected, as I had a lot of work to finish up for my web design business. But, I'm glad to be back, and I hope everyone is having a great New Year thus far. Here are some little projects I am undertaking to sort of "cleanse" my apartment and start fresh.

Clear your surfaces!  In general, I think people have too much stuff on their shelves and surfaces.  Remove all of your tchotchkes, candles, trays, vases, etc., and put them in a bin.  Then, slowly add back a few carefully edited pieces.  A few well-chosen objects are all you need. It might look sparse at first, but once your eye adjusts, you will love the clean, mind-clearing look of a more minimalistic homescape.  Keep any unused objects in a bin, label accordingly, and when you're aching for a refresh, swap out what you have on display now with another round of objects.  This method works great for me, and I make less purchases, because every 6 months or so I "rediscover" the objects I had packed away!

Embrace bright white. Leave at least one area of your home white. The best spot to do this would be anywhere you really have to focus, concentrate, write, or create.  It might seem counter intuitive, but a space of lower visual stimulus will be less likely to distract you, and foster a steadier mind for getting work done.

Hang your artwork!  Someone once said, art is like jewelry for your home.  For me, I finally feel like a room is complete, or feels like home, when I have hung my art.

Style your book shelves.  This concept is in the same vein as hanging your art.  There is more to decorating than arranging furniture, details such as arranging your books and objets d'art makes a big impact.

Carve out a permanent space for something you do often, or for something you'd like to do more of.  Do you enjoy the process of putting on makeup?  Carve out a small vanity area - and make it gorgeous!  Wish you could sew more put don't because you have to pull out your sewing machine every time?  Dedicate a small desk or table as a permanent sewing station.  If you want to do it enough, and even if it means changing the purpose/function of an already existing piece of furniture, you can make it work. Spending more time on things that make you happy will make you happier!

What are your 2013 plans for your home?

1. Adore Home 2.-3. 91 Mag, 4. Angie Hranowsky, 5. BHG, 6. Rue Mag

Treat yourself to the wishlist items you didn't get!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Mine was full of yummy food and catching up with family. I got lots of lovely gifts, but I'm sure that like me, there are a few things on your list that you didn't get. Lucky for us, post-holiday sales are even more enticing than pre-holiday sales, because stores are trying to clean house before the New Year.

Now, as some of you may know, I have a weakness for those "flash sale" sites. I'm not really a big shopping fan, but I love to virtually curate my home and wardrobe from a few of these sites. Here are my latest fave's on my post-holiday shopping list:



From Joss and Main,  the chronic home decorators playground:

I've wanted these pillows for my bedroom since last year.

And 4 of these for my antique Duncan Phyfe table.

One of my all-time favorite flash sale sites is Ideeli. They always have a wide variety of apparel and home decor.

I store baking ingredients, rice, and beans in hermetic glass canisters, and I always find myself wishing I had a couple more!

I've been wanting a classic gold watch for about a year now.

How cool are these mugs - and maybe I wouldn't be perpetually drinking cold coffee.

I've also been wanting a green or yellow handbag.

Another old favorite - Rue La La, has some great post-holiday sales

I have a lot of upcoming business trips, and this blouse would be a cute and comfortable way to look professional.

Rue La La also has a good variety of home decor.

All my wishes for a beautiful holiday to all of you!

Sadly, this holiday season is tainted with the tragedy that took place in Connecticut.  All of my deepest, DEEPEST condolences go out to the families, friends, and neighbors or the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.  In all of the chaos of the holidays, be sure to take at the very least a moment to bask in the warmth of family, old and young, close and not so close, human and furry.  It is our relationships with one another that are the true gifts.

I am so thankful for all of my readers, and I wish you all a healthy, safe, and beautiful holiday!
I plan on taking off next week, so I will be back with you after the New Year.

1. Sweet Paul, 2.-3., House of Fifty

Beautiful interior eye-candy from across the pond

I need a little Christmas decor detox today, so I though I'd share some lovely spaces from British e-glossy, Heart Home Mag. Enjoy!

I really like this - but I'm confused by the TV placement...

 Love

 Gorgeous dining room - the block printed table cloth adds warmth.

What do you guys think?

All images via Heart Home Mag

Announcing the winner of the Novica $100 gift code!

Jessica - Congratulations to Jessica!  Jessica has her eye on the fab Paracas Princess handbag.  Looks like someone will be having a VERY Merry Christmas!  Thanks to all who entered - I will be announcing new giveaways shortly!

Only a few hours left to enter to win $100 from Novica!!

Get your tushies over to this Decorology post to enter to win a $100 gift code to use at Novica!!! You must enter by 12 AM, Dec 14th for a chance to win!!   Artisan apparel, jewelry, home decor, and much, more.

Beaded basket by Wayan. Click here to see it.

Mirror by Edmundo. Click here.

Quilt by the Artisans of Tilonia.  Click here.


Hurry over to this Decorology post to enter!

My Christmas Wreath, other people's gorgeous wreaths, and Christmas mantel decorating ideas

Yup - another Christmas decorating inspiration post!  I've gathered up a bunch of wreath and mantel eye candy for you to enjoy!

Love this wreath of Noble Fir and Eucalyptus.  Love this one.
DIY here.

via Martha Stewart

A pretty glittery option - great if you're theme is white and metallics.

via Seasons of Joy

  The above is my first stab at wreath decorating.  After seeing the ones above, I can see I need a little practice, but I love the fuchsia ornaments! I also strung some fake pearls of various sizes together in little clusters, added some battery operated lights, and pinned on a few feathers I found at my parent's farm.  Yes - the greenery is fake, but it's from FMIL, so I had to make sure it was displayed...you know how that goes.

The Holiday Mantel, Demystified
from Eddie Ross for Country Living

The photo below has corresponding numbers with the tips for

1. Work what you've got. Ross started with the accessories that always sit on this ledge: the 1940s clock in the center and the matched pair of hurricanes at either end. 

2. Embrace asymmetrical symmetry. Moving inward from the hurricanes, he added objects that mimic each other, sort of.Note how the candlestick holding the textured gold ball is roughly the same height as the standing reindeer, though their shapes differ. Ditto the prone deer and the brass cup of paperwhites. 

3. Throw a major curveball. Next, Ross introduced items—the framed portrait and loving cup—that don't even pretend to parallel each other. The purpose: Infusing the whole scene with energy 

4. Fill in the blanks. The designer tucked gold garland throughout the arrangement. For a final stroke of genius, he draped glass beads from elk antlers hung on high. "The silver and gold strands help the mixed metals seem intentional," Ross says. 

 In the above photo: Ross purchased the silver-plate hurricanes at Costco, the deer figurines at Michaels, and the stockings on Etsy. The elk antlers are over 100 years old.

via Country Living

Love these canvases on the mantel , especially the one with the lights behind it!
via The Lovely Cupboard

via BHG

via HGTV