House Beautiful vs. Better Homes and Gardens - who gets your vote?

I've added a few images from each magazine for a reference. They might not really be enough to decide, but maybe they'll inspire. Which magazine would you be more likely to flip through at the bookstore, House Beautiful or Better Homes and Gardens? why?

House Beautiful:




Images via House Beautiful


Better Homes and Gardens :




Images via Better Homes and Gardens

Oh gosh thanks *blush*

Thank you Linda from Lime in the Coconut for honoring me with a Hooked on your Blog award, from Hooked on Houses. I am truly honored. Of course I'm a bit dense so I didn't really know what I was supposed to do with it. But I've finally caught on. Here are some blogs I love-there are sooo many others of course but I don't want to over-do it!
(in no particular order)

Lime in the Coconut of course (reminds me that some people are smart enough to take life slow and enjoy their homes, thanks Linda)

Dwellings and Decor

Daisy Pink Cupcake

Patricia Gray Interior Design

Cote de Texas

House of Turqoise

And...8 things you didn't know about me:
-I'm one of four daughters, so was my mom
-I LOVE dogs
-I grew up on 200 acres on the Chesapeake Bay
-My apartment is usually in a shameful state :(
-My favorite food is still pizza
-I play the guitar
-I know how to fish, shoot a .22, drive a front-end-loader, and chop wood- but I live in NYC :)
-I'm a blonde naturally, but dye my hair brunette

Modern or Traditional- which do you prefer?

1stdibs had some nice designer features and stories this month, and I was really pleased with how varied styles were between designers. It was interesting to see how they swayed to a very modern style or over to a traditional style. It did seem like the traditional designers were a little more inclined to add some modern elements to their projects.

TRADITIONAL

Joe Nye was deliberate in his traditional styling - I love how this room is so small, but still feels "complete"

This pretty pink room from Southern Accents is traditional in most of it's furnishing, but the restraint used throughout I find very modern.

I love the branches in vases, as opposed to flowers


A traditional bedroom by Jay Jeffers, in my opinion his use of color ads a nice contemporary touch.

MODERN




Carlos Junqueira's large white space in NYC is a showroom for his love of modern design.

All images via 1stdibs

Quirky, kitschy, beautiful

I hadn't been to Anthropologie in a while, so I thought I'd pay them a visit. I found some nice stuff in all departments! Here's some stuff I collected, see anything you like?

Designer Portfolio: Jan Showers & Associates

A designer portfolio to help you over hump day - which I can't believe is here already, but I'm not complaining!


Love that chair





I actually like the black walls in the entryway here...





I love keeping the desk open with a chair on either side






All images via Jan Showers & Associates

Pretty, cute, and totally attainable!

It's not too hard to find imagery of gorgeous interiors and rooms, but how many of those spaces could the average dweller pull off, and more importantly, live in? Not many. Any image can provide inspiration for a starting point, but I think these images go a little farther. Most (ok, not all- I tried) of the objects look like something you or I would use, have, and/or actually be able to afford in our homes. What do you think?

Old sheets, linens, or clothing could be patch-worked together to create a shabby-chic shower curtain like the one above.


We don't all have the space for a luxurious chaise in the bathroom, but even a chair can provide a little glamor.


Cluttered kitchen? Me too. Try and collect items within a color palette you decide on - or based on what you have the most of already, and the clutter won't look so chaotic, but cute. For example, all the kitchen wares in the above pictures are pastels, and therefore, even when things aren't put away, the chaos looks intentional.

Old pillows serve as cushions and dress up these chairs, found objects like the clementine crates serve as rustic table decor.

Vintage luggage as a night stand or side table can probably be found at yard sales or thrift stores, and lend themselves to a slightly "disheveled" look.


A pile of pretty pillows and a throw can disguise a not-so-great couch. And pillows are less expensive and easier to change out than a couch.



Again, these storage areas are kept looking tidy because all of the boxes, containers, and fabrics color coordinate.

Glasses and jars make a cute and casual flower arrangement



Cover a dingy side table with a vintage tablecloth


The "vintage" look is a great one to adopt, because you can be so versatile. Notice how a worn chair, or a worn tray table make cute nightstands.



I'm not a fan of matching furniture suites or sets. All of this furniture is different, but tied together by the vibrant blue used throughout the room.

A ho-hum and dark dining table is upgraded by adding modern accessories

via Easy Living