Soft and Stable

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Ma

The craftsmanship of a durable and strong wood frame wrapping itself around a soft and elegant upholstery is just what I’m after. I love how the two materials work together. Wanting to tie in the traditional and cozy with the rest of my more contemporary room with gray accents, I found a plethora of chairs for my space. Perigold has the elegance and quality that I’m looking for in my home.

I have an empty space in my living room right next to our baby grand piano and under our English cottage-themed oil painting. Scroll through some of my top picks. I’m loving the last chair (saving the best for last?) with the round frame to fit by the outer rim of the wing-shaped piano. The chairs with the hand-painted floral motifs are simply beautiful however the wrong shade for me. Does the thought of relaxing in a comfortable yet solid chair inspire you? Or perhaps even just looking at a piece of furniture such as these! I will most likely sit across from this functional work of art and enjoy the look of it. That’s one way to inspire Ma!

The Character of Crown Molding

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Ma

As I sit in my favorite chair in the living room, in my home of over 13 years, I’m suddenly completely bothered by the fact that the walls simply join with the ceiling with absolutely no finishing touches. The room feels incredibly unfinished! Why has this not been a problem until now? I’ve always thought our dining room needed a crisp white wainscoting below our navy paint. However, now I must add crown molding to the living room as well as our bedroom. I imagine I won’t be able to stop here. Being that our home was built in the late 1960’s, I’m longing for the historical feel of the 1920’s or earlier. It’s a cozy feeling, but also of stability. I’m excited with the idea and option to alter our home in this way. Are you also inspired by beautiful architectural elements? These details certainly inspire ma!

photo credits included in links of each photo

Friday Finds {area rugs}

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Ma

I have changed out my area rug in the formal living room several times in the last decade. My latest one is a keeper! Gray can be a tricky color with so many different shades. Sometimes the gray appears more blue or green. However, I found a real gray! It has a gorgeous pattern and looks so much more expensive than it is. With the vintage-inspired, slightly-distressed look, it gives the room the style I’m going after. It’s modern, clean and classic all at the same time. If you’d like to check out this lovely rug, it is by Langley Street on Wayfair.

Let’s not stop here! I also thought it was a great time to redecorate our screened-in back porch. It’s also gray but with a blue design motif. This one, too, is actually a perfect gray but to pair with the blue. This indoor/outdoor rug is offered in many different colors but I chose the one below which is Gray/Navy. Being that this room is between the backyard and the family room, I was a little afraid of this rug’s shade being too light and therefore would show dirt from the kids and puppy. Of course Ma worries about this but it was needless. This rug is durable and is holding up like new. It still looks fabulous after not only many feet walking over it, but also after a torrential downpour where water flooded along the edge of the room. I can’t wait for the weather to get warmer again so I can sit out back and enjoy it some more! This one is by Red Barrel Studio and can also be found on Wayfair. Are you inspired by what’s under your feet? Without the rug stealing the show, it can really make a room. A beautiful, patterned area rug certainly inspires Ma!

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Classic White Subway Tile

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Ma

The classic white subway tile is simple yet there are so many options. A lot of thought goes into the final decision. Variation of size, material, coating, shade of white, grout color and pattern installation are all details to be considered. I recently renovated the kids’ bathroom with all of this in mind. What about the border tile, pencil or bullnose? With the inspirations above, I am thrilled with our outcome. The tile is classic bright white with a frost grout, gray walls, blue vanity/marble counter and gold fixtures. With this classic beauty, the kids are even extra careful to keep the room clean. Sometimes I walk in the room to just look around, makes me smile and I close the door again. Do you have a renovated room that inspires you? Our new tiled bathroom Inspires Ma!

Gazing Out to Sea

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Ma

Let’s imagine plopping down a simple, fabric sling beach chair right here. Gazing out to sea with the sounds of the ocean waves. Do all your concerns melt away for these moments? Does the beach life inspire you?

Summer Grilling

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Ma

ShishKebob

When I think of relaxing summer dinners, I think of grilling cheeseburgers, french fries and corn on the cob. Potato and egg salad sides are also a favorite. However, color always inspires Ma so the other day we went against the usual and went for the unusual! Shish kebobs were in order with lots of colorful, juicy peppers!
Do bright, summer colors on the grill inspire you?

@erinmcgrathphotography

Hygge and Me

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Ma

Every evening, I actually look forward to getting my comfy clothes on, relaxing under low light and reading a nice story. “Getting cozy” fills me with joy. This time of year, Spring, I should be embracing the longer days of sunlight and the outdoors. Instead, I am still as happy as can be quietly unwinding in the early evening hours under my blankets. This feeling is so delightful to me that I even have a special reading nook in the corner of my room with a gray pillow with the word COZY stitched on it. I have often wondered why such simplicity creates such an enjoyment for me… even during the warmer, brighter months. Recently I came across the Danish word hygge (pronounce hue-gah). It is difficult to translate directly because it’s more of a feeling or state of mind, but it can be compared to “coziness”. According to the Macmillan Dictionary, it’s defined as “a type of lifestyle practised in Denmark where the focus is on simple pleasures, comfort and cosiness, and spending time with friends and family.” This interpretation matches me! Between my great-grandmother having moved to the U.S. from Värmland, Sweden to my other great-grandparents who also moved from Northern European countries, perhaps this could explain the nordic, cozy, hygge feeling that is in my blood. Realizing the meaning of this word actually thrilled me because it’s not just me! It so accurately describes what makes me happy each evening and it makes so much more sense now. Is it a trend? For some, I’m sure. For me, it’s been carried down through my lineage so I will always embrace hygge. It makes me feel content. It inspires Ma. Does hygge inspire you… even during the Spring?

Je ne sais quoi

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Ma

Cochrane Design Victorian Villa, Clapham victorian-living-room

Photo by Paul Craig Photography. See more victorian living room designs

Photo by Horchow. See more traditional living room designs

Traditional Living Room traditional-living-room

See more traditional living room designs

Photo by User. See more victorian entry designs

Photo by 82mmphotography. See more contemporary home office designs

See more traditional bedroom designs

Do you ever walk into a room and it moves you but you just don’t know why? It’s hard to pinpoint what makes it so special and inviting. Sometimes you have to really look into the details; details such as the wall moldings. It’s a successful room when it grabs you but not for something that shouts why. I find that the moldings are a special touch that really inspire me in a subtle way. They are beautiful when camouflaged into the walls such as the images above. They work well in many styles whether they are in a traditional room or a contemporary. Is there a specific image above that grabs you?

Wallpaper

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Ma

Victorian wallpaper

Mill Valley Classic Cottage farmhouse-kids

Photo by HEYDT DESIGNS. See more farmhouse kids designs

Chastain Park 2 traditional-laundry-room

Photo by Abbey Construction Company, Inc.. See more traditional laundry room designs

Beechwood & Llewellyn traditional-powder-room

Photo by ML Interior Designs. See more traditional powder room designs

North Kent Showhome contemporary-home-office

Photo by User. See more contemporary home office designs

Wallpaper?! Isn’t that what people are ripping off the walls of their newly bought homes? Their homes that were recently bought from the original owner of 50 years? I love the look of so many patterns. Damask, toile, floral and geometric shapes. I am very happy when looking at patterns whether for a pillow, bedding… or just plain old inspiration. Wouldn’t it be inspiring to have it hanging on a wall in your house? Maybe the 21st century way is to apply it only to an accent wall. What do you think about wallpaper on all four walls of a room versus one wall? Does it depend on which room? I used to think that applying it to one wall was a cowardly way of using a bold color or pattern but maybe that is the way to go.
What inspires you?

Breezy Bayeaux

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Ma

Bayeaux, France in Normandy looks like such a gorgeous town. It’s between the port city of Cherbourg and the university city of Caen. I’m now sitting here daydreaming about this place. I find this sort of thing so inspiring!! Do you? Well, I took it a step further and actually found the perfect rental. I was so excited to find a beautiful place by the sea, in a cute town, with a second bedroom with three beds. This is perfect for our family. Now let’s just hope this is still available in a few years. Do you enjoy daydreaming about spending time in a little town by the sea and eating pain au chocolat while eavesdropping in a new language? Even if you know it’s just a daydream?