{Design Edition} Surf Shack

How flippin' rad awesome is this surf shack owned by Richard Christiansen of the ad agency Chandelier Creative? Available for the exclusive use of their staff, clients and friends consider me jealous....and also looking at potential job opportunities there. 


What? Some people like a good health care benefits, me, I prefer travel benefits. Besides, let's be honest here, anyplace that calls themselves "Awesomeville" is automatically a-okay in my book.  

{Via Here and HonestlyWTF}

{Design crush} Introducing Ms. Mae

Happy Friday! I'm off to the studio but I thought I'd share an introduction of Ms. Mae, one of the first chair's I upcycled and reupholstered completely on my own.

Perfectly imperfect, this sweet gal was almost beyond repair. With a bit of love, and a lot of elbow grease (and potentially some swearing), she’s been given a lovely new lease on life. 

To see more pics of Mae, including her before & after makeover, check out my write up on the process over at Calalita Designs.

xx

{Design crush} Martini Table

This martini table may be a bit too OTT for my tastes (mostly because I need things that can withstand my clumsy destructive ways) but damn if this isn't the prettiest lil table I ever did see. With it's raw organic top balanced perfectly by the ultra glam gold metal base, it's a fabulous study of contrasts. 

{Via coco+kelly via Matthew Studios}

Mustard + Grey

Calalita Designs, or rather Ms. Ivy, has been featured in an oh so charming Mustard + Grey Treasury on Etsy! 

To see the full treasury, with links to all of the fantastic shops, go check out the full post on Calalita Designs

xx

{Design Crush} Kitchen Makeover

{All images via The Bee Hive}

This kitchen makeover found via the always incredible Design*Sponge makes me weak in the knees. Done in only 3 weeks, it seamlessly blends industrial, rustic and vintage elements together to create a bright, airy and inviting space. I adore the use of high gloss white paint here to balance out the rough exposed beams and matte gray plaster walls. It's a gorgeous combination that was not only cost effective but simple to do. I never fail to be amazed at how easy a coat of paint can transform things! Add to that pretty turquoise accents, a salvaged wood table with mix matching chairs (love the green one) and a stunning light fixture and this little kitchen is being filed away for future reference. For more info and to see the "Before" shot (along with more finished pics!) check out Design*Sponge and The Bee Hive. 


Enjoy!

{Design crush} Wedding Love

{All the lovely images via Heidi Ryder}

I've seen my fair share of wedding porn over the years, but nothing has ever left me so utterly breathless before. Not only are the bride and groom oh so cute and stylish (I love her blue cardigan and birdcage veil. And those shoes! Those shoes are the perfect blend of classic and quirky, beautiful and bold) but their entire event, down to the tinniest DIY details is simply amazing.


The venue itself is stunning.  The vintage cameras, books and framed posters that all coordinate with the cushions and linens sets my heart a flutter. The oversized button cushion? The escort cards pinned to a mannequin bust? The adorable homemade signs to wave after the ceremony? The gorgeous wreath and fantastic bride/ groom chairs? The taco bar?!? Be still my heart! It's all almost painful in it's perfection. I am so inspired by this beautifully crafted, one of a kind space I want to live here.  Heck I'm so in love with this event I want marry it and have it's little wedding babies. 


{For more images and info on this lovely affair check out Heidi Ryder and Wedding Bee} 

{Shop love} Terrain

{All photos via Terrain}

Loving this gorgeous rustic gem of  shop Terrain which, for good reason, has been making the rounds online lately. Their vintage furniture and one of a kind industrial pieces are beautiful and I imagine I could spend hours wandering around the store's grounds. Located in Pennsylvania, I can't wait to visit next time we're in the area. 

Pillow crush

I kinda have an obsession with pillows. They're the easiest way to add color, make a statement or completely change the feel of a room. In my opinion, you can never have enough. 


That said, I just stumbled across this dodo pillow (that also happens to be on sale), and I'm not gonna lie, I'm having a hard time resisting. I know I show, but seriously, how can you not love this? Just between you and me, I think this quirky lil guy would be perfect in my living room...

Master Bathroom Makeover

Happy Monday Nuggets! Remember way back when, when I mentioned that I was redoing our master bathroom? No? Well suffice to say that project came and went I just realized I never shared it with you. Pretty horrible of me I know but to kick off this week I thought I'd make amends. It's the least I can do. 

This was what the master bathroom looked like before. I'm afraid I didn't take any proper "before" shots of the apartment - in my crazed need for color I randomly grabbed whatever shade of blue made me happy on the day. Looking at it now it kinda reminds me of a color you'd paint a nursery, or 5 year old boy's room.

Either way it was miles better than the original beige colored walls that were here when we moved in, though to be fair, it's still miles from where it needed to be. Everything was sort of cobbled together in a failed attempt at a cohesive look or feel that neither worked in the room alone, or as a part of the bedroom.

Since this would be the second time I'd be painting the room, I wanted to make sure that it actually flowed from the bedroom and worked with the rest of the space while keeping costs as minimal as possible.

Once I decided on a color scheme that would work with bedroom along with the towels and linen I already had, I made only a few minor changes. I switched out the rubbish bin along with the baskets for our toiletries (as bathroom storage doesn't seem exist here in Ireland).

The soap dispenser was found on sale for a few euros at T.K. Maxx, while the little "sugar" holder was found for only .50 cents at a charity shop. The sea shells were collected from the beaches in Florida and the woven balls had been used in a different room (originally from IKEA a year or so ago). I distressed the frame I had to give it a more weathered look and replaced the print with an old vintage map of Ireland I found on ebay for 8 euros.

The wooden mirror I actually had stashed in the back of a closet for a future project and had completely forgotten about it. It wasn't until S. Monster accidentally knocked over and broke the old mirror, causing a need for a new one, that I even remembered it. Talk about a happy accident! The mirror has a wonderful nautical feel that reminds me of a porthole on a ship and I think added the perfect finishing touch.

Personally, I adore how the bathroom came out. The color used on the walls is a gorgeous deep teal that seems to change from blue to green depending on the light. As this was the first time I'd used such a bold jewel tone I admit I was a bit nervous but am completely in love with it turned out. The depth and richness of the walls are only accentuated from the various textures used. I think it all comes together to create this feeling of being out at sea, as if everyday is filled with infinite possibilities. Who says design can't inject a little fun and adventure into your day?

It took roughly only 3 days and 60 euros to transform the bathroom which in my mind is only further proof that great design doesn't have to cost a lot!

{Design crush} Kitchen envy

I am completely smitten this little kitchen. The beautiful pale gray walls, salvaged reclaimed wood table, duck egg blue industrial pendant lights, copper topped bar stools, graphic pop art and blackboard creates a wonderful eclectic mix that eludes warmth, personality and charm. 

{Found via Knack via Kitchenisms}

{Design crush} tropical chic

I (re)found this home when rummaging through my inspiration folder the other day and fell in love all over again. This light and airy beach house warms my Floridan heart on these cold and rainy Dublin days.

The bright, bold palette of turquoise, green and yellow exudes a happy tropical vibe and when paired with simple clean white furniture and accessories, the look is fresh and modern. I love how the original old growth fir floors keep the space relaxed and grounded, while the painted white ceilings adds a cheerful, light fueled airiness. Color, texture and flea market finds, combined with a few high end pieces creates a delightfully preppy bohemian beach house chic!

More info and photos via apartment therapy

Double Duty DIY

My dear friend Crystal sent over a link to this cool little diy project- a table that double duties as a picture frame. For all us small space dwellers this is a nifty option for times when you need a lil extra floor or table space.

There's so many ways you could make this project work for your home. You could go as bold and crazy or as simple and minimalist as your lil heart desires. From glam to bohemian the options are limitless. With the ability to easily (and inexpensively!) make this yourself, this fun, funky and functional table is clearly the bees knees.

For more info check out Paper Jewels

{Design crush} Flaming Lips psychedelic pad

Wayne Coyne, frontman of acclaimed rock band The Flaming Lips,  recently renovated his Oklahoma compound, and the new one-of-a-kind space is a delightfully trippy assault on your senses. Constructed by Fitzsimmons Architects, the use of color, reclaimed materials and innovative design creates a funky and eclectic vibe that fuses functionality with playful imagination, rock-n-roll sensibility and psychedelic flair. 

From the Gaudiesque bathroom pod, to the mirror tiled tunnel leading into an outer space meets Supperclub themed bedroom and the Moooi ceiling light in the shape of a spider that dominates the kitchen, this home is sheer pop art awesomeness. A Dali, Gaudi, Warhol mash up that leaves me nothing short of inspired. 

photos via New York Times and Fitzsimmons Architects

For more details check out the New York Time's article here

For before photos and more sensory overload check out Fitzsimmons Architects

{Design lovin} Midcentury goodness

I saw this room on Bright Bazaar a few weeks back and haven't been able to get it out of my head. I'm not usually a white walled kinda gal, but the rich wood floors, abundance of light and bright pops of color work so well in this space. The mix of mid century furniture (how awesome is that sideboard? and the yellow couch?) and funky flea market finds creates a lovely eclectic vibe that I would be right at home with.

In other news, if you haven't checked out Bright Bazaar before (and like me, you're a design junkie who just can't get enough), then you must go there. right. now. Will's eye for color fueled designs and groovy details makes my lil interior lovin' heart swoon.

Rawr!

Amiee  is totally rad.
Zack  and Rick are pretty nifty as well.




Simple, clever, genius.
Plastic dinosaur planters via PlaidPigeon