Rush and Rest

Dream Kitchens!

Thank you Electrolux for sponsoring this post. Check out sleek Electrolux matching kitchen suites for a stylish, consistent design look with innovative product features for your kitchen.

It’s not very often I get to sit around and ponder what my “dream kitchen” would look like so I was very excited to get to partner with Electrolux to share my design inspiration with you! As many of you know, we are currently residing in my Grandmother’s 1970 rambler. It’s a great house but the kitchen is dated and not as functional as it could be. It still looks like this, minus the wallpaper and fluorescent light {which we changed before we moved in}.

So, what would my dream kitchen look like?

Eclectic Kitchen

Better Homes & Gardens

Contemporary Kitchen

Better Homes & Gardens

House Beautiful

Suite Design via Electrolux

Traditional Kitchen

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

A Mid-Century Sofa {Update}

Remember this couch? Well, we finally had it reupholstered and I wanted to share it with you!

Say hello to our 8 foot beauty in a luxurious gray cotton velvet:

We used a small mom and pop shop in Seattle and they did a wonderful job, I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. Obviously, it will pop a little more once it’s styled with the right pillows and a coffee table but it's a start! I’m so happy we were able to keep it in the family and still have a quality piece of furniture that we can use everyday!

Soothing Mobiles for Baby

With the impending arrival of baby boy #2 in April, I’m finally starting to feel that nesting urge to work on the nursery – and a simple, handmade, calming mobile is on my list of must-haves. It’s almost comical how obsessed I’ve become, because when I was pregnant with Sky, I was very anti-mobile….not because I didn’t like mobiles, but because I was turned off by the cluttered and busy mainstream options.

So far, here are a few of the options I’ve been eyeing lately:

I have a slight obsession with cloud/balloon themes for baby so this hot air balloon mobile instantly caught my eye. It’s made of paper and can also be customized for your color scheme. It’s a bit out of my price range so it’s probably not something I’ll be able to buy {but a girl can dream right?}. The star mobile is something I’ve had pinned for a very long time because I really think I can make this. How hard can it be? I love how open and airy it feels.

It’s no secret I love anything nature-ish when it comes to décor. This woodland animal mobile caught my eye because it’s rustic and simple, but not too cabin/lodge feeling. It would be perfect for a little baby boy. Garlands are yet another option. They can be hung against the wall like the picture above, or suspended from the ceiling. Plus, they are easy to make and inexpensive to buy. I thought these little felt balls were precious.

Nautical mobiles also seem like a good fit and I love the one pictured above from A cup of Jo. Or, perhaps some friendly puppies? Flensted makes some wonderful {reasonably priced} mobiles – there is something for everyone.

I thought this wall-mounted bird mobile from Boon was especially clever. It might be too modern for my nursery but I do love how clean and simple it feels. Next, we have Petit Collage, one of my FAVORITE places for beautiful wood art and décor for baby. Any mobile will do really, I love them all.

This Anthropologie-insipred paper circle mobile would be easy to make and it’s been good starter inspiration for other paper punch/circle type hanging structures, most of which I already have the supplies for! And last….but certainly not least….one of my favorites from you are my fave: a DIY tree mobile made from a wood veneer kit. Perfection!

Do you have a favorite? Or, even something else not pictured here? It will be hard to choose which one to go with but my feeling right now is that I’m leaning toward making something….but might cave if I find something I love at a good price. We’ll see!!

Friday Favorites

1. A beautiful 2013 calendar {+ the perfect alphabet print}!

2. I want to make one of these sooo bad for Sky.

3. I’ve been feeling a little “bah-humbug” and overwhelmed about New Year’s resolutions and goals for the coming months….so much so, that I’m not really committing to anything. So far, Joy’s post has been my favorite on this subject – simple and exactly in line with what I would say…{if I were making resolutions}.

4. Some really cool desktop wallpapers for your computer!

5. 10 ways for bloggers to gear up for 2013.

6. Perfect business card storage.

7. Seed money!

8. A lovely shop, with beautiful things….although not in english.

9. To satisfy my pastry obsession, I would like to make this ASAP.

10. A $200 giveaway to Anthropologie! YES!

Happy weekend all!!

Grandma's House: Progress

Last time you saw this house, it was still in it’s original state. So much has changed. Here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to for the last 3 months {and when I say “we” I mean our amazing contractor, Wes}:

New plumbing and bathrooms, popcorn ceiling gone, flooring and doors replaced, fresh paint…SO MUCH. It’s sad to see some of it go but the house has life now! It’s fresh and new but still has little memories of grandma – like the way the floors creak in spots and the hum of the furnace.

We are now to the point where we are move-in ready! I hope to share pictures very soon but in the meantime, I’ll be up to my eyeballs in boxes. Wish us luck!

In case you need to catch up, more details on the big move can be found here.