Staircase Obsession

I'm not going to reference Stairway(s) to Heaven on this post (which was way before my time, by the way) , but I'll be honest, I was thinking it. I mean, honestly, these staircases...pure obsession here, aaaand a little bit of disappointment that mine are not going to look remotely like any of these. World wide web, why do you do this to me?  You with all of your beautiful pictures and things to buy. Sigh*. I mean, in your defense, you were helpful when I wanted to look up the artist and year of Stairway to Heaven, I will give you that, but who cares about that when there are so many pretty pictures to look at? Not me.

image from House of Philia

image source unknown

image source unknown

Things Are Looking Up

I'm pretty sure I've used that title before, but, let's be honest, it works. Aren't these ceilings amazing? I love the detail and character of the ceilings in these pictures. I would LOVE any of these. Actually, I would be happy with ceilings, period. And guess what--we may be getting ceilings sooner rather than later. (And walls and floors, too!) That's right, after weeks and weeks of waiting for permits, we're ready to dig, folks.  And though my ceilings won't be anything like these, they will be our ceilings, and I can't wait!

image source unknown

image source unknown

image from West Newton Interior Designers via  Houzz

Pretty, Pretty Pins (I think.)

Oh. My. Gosh. I am so annoyed with myself. I have been so very indecisive lately. I'm driving myself crazy! It seriously just took me almost a week to make a decision about pillows for my bed. A week. For pillows. It's the weirdest thing: I can make selections for a client, but for myself? How about I change my mind 17 times and then overanalyze my decisions? I've got to get it together! Can you even imagine if I ever had the opportunity to build a home? I think I'd scare Jeremy away! I mean, what would I do? It's not like I can return a home like I do with everything else. If you think I'm joking, read this post about my four couches in three years. People, I have issues. Or maybe not. I'm not sure.  Let's just look at these pretty pictures that I pinned.  And breathe.

image from Jatana Interiors

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image from Design Amour

[kreyv of the day]

image from Mobel Pobel

[color kreyv]: Charcoal Gray

I'm not going to lie. Between the cardboard boxes, lack of decor, piles of clothes on the floor, and the three things we have left in our fridge, I'm feeling a little bit white trash. I figure I should just get into character and quit altogether with the hair washing and make-up. (Who am I fooling, it's not like I was a frequent hair washer before...) On a brighter note, I did clean the oven today, and I was glad to check that off my list. Let's just say it wasn't pretty, and I may or may not have avoided that task altogether. For three years. Don't judge.

Now that you have several unflattering images in your head, let's talk about charcoal gray and the fact that it's my new favorite color. Wanna know why, cause you know I'm going to tell you. It has presence, and it makes a statement, but it's not as harsh as black. It pops against white, but it also looks awesome mixed with wood tones, and really, any color. It's masculine (not that I care about that), but it's still super glam and looks super posh with golds and other metals. And, really, I just love it. I think it definitely needs to make an appearance at the next place...somewhere other than my oven, because that was pretty much the opposite of posh. And P.S., we're still not judging.

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image from Thom Felicia via House Beautiful

image from Decor Pad

Dreaming of a Loft

So, you know how we're moving in T minus 56 days?  And, you know how we don't have a house, yet? Well, there is this house I'm in love with, and it has a loft. Naturally, I've been doing some imaginary designing trying to figure out what to do with the space. In my dream house, I actually have a loft. It is full of built in book shelves and comfy chairs to sit in, so maybe I could do a cheaper, less permanent version of that. I also like the idea of having a TV room with some of Stella's toys, so that I can get that big ol' TV out of the living room. Or, I can throw a mattress in there, and make my mom sleep there whenever she comes to visit. (The last option will most likely not happen. I think Grandma Jude will get her own private room. It's the least we can do in exchange for all of the free babysitting she'll be doing for us. Hehe...) I guess I should mention that this house that I love with said loft is probably not available. You see, it is available now, and people just really don't like the idea of keeping their properties vacant for T minus 56 days. Not even Mr. Cute House with a Loft Guy who will TOTALLY be missing out if he rents it to someone other than us. That's right, Mr. Cute House with a Loft Guy, if you're reading this, don't say that I didn't warn you. You will never find renters better than us! (By the way, that was in a nice, joking, completely not creepy, non-threatening, if you really do read this blog, keep doing so and tell your friends about it tone.) And to the rest of you, what would you do with a loft (that actually looks nothing like these, but aren't they amaze balls)? 

image from House Beautiful

image from Feldman Architecture, Inc. via Houzz

image from 

[kreyv of the day]

image from Vogue Living Australia

Happiest. Stairs. Ever.

I hope ya'll you all had a great weekend. (I just can't pull off ya'll...wish I could, but I can't.) Our little fam had a great weekend, and my little baby is practically a big girl, now. I really can't even handle it. One day she's using the potty like a big girl, and the next she'll be filling out college applications. (Of course, she'll get several scholarships.) I could cry just thinking about it. In fact, I have. So, rather than letting that happen again, let's turn our attention to these fabulously happy stairs. 

I am so in love with all of these stairs. While I was posting, the hubs asked me if I would really ever want stairs like this. Would I really? Heck yes I would. I think it's the perfect place to add some character. Love, love, AND love. Have I mentioned that I love these stairs, because guess what. I do.

image from Serena & Lily via Apartment Therapy

image from Royal Design Studio

image from Painter Girls

[kreyv of the day]

image from Alice Lane

[kreyv of the day]

image from Traditional Home

Just Plain Ol' Good Ideas

So it's the last day of the week of organization. (Technically, you still have Saturday, but we don't do that type of thing at our house on Saturdays. Saturdays are for messing up the house, or so some people in this household may think. How did you do? I can't say I did any major, life-changing projects, but I did something each day--mostly things I've been putting off. I organized Stella's bows; I cleaned out my side of the closet; I cleaned out my dresser drawers; I finally vacuumed, wiped out, AND washed the car (in a car wash, of course); and I cleaned and organized my desk, which has been the home of lots and lots of random piles of papers. I've only been in this house for a year, so I didn't have a ton of stuff to get rid of (plus, I throw things away on a daily basis, it's what we OCDers do). I also have a hard time getting rid of clothing, even if I haven't worn it for a while. Oh well, at least I made some progress!

Today I'm posting pics of good organization ideas I've come across. One reader is looking for ideas on organizing shoes, so let us know your ideas. At our house, we have a basket in the entry, and we use shoe shelves in our closet, which, by the way, aren't even tall enough for the pumps I wear, so I just have to line those up on the floor. The crown molding idea would definitely solve my problem.

And, last, but not least, check out The Scoop on Poop today. She's featuring me and my lil' ol' bloggy, [kreyv]. Oh, and one more thing...have a great weekend!!

image from Chiswick Woodworking

image from Creating Keepsakes

image from Better Homes & Gardens

image from Living in a Nutshell

image from Thea's Mania

[kreyv of the day]

image from House Beautiful

Home by Novogratz

Have you been watching Home by Novogratz on HGTV? In case you haven't, it's about a husband/wife interior design team (Cortney and Robert Novogratz). They used to have a show on Bravo that also included their family life. (They have seven kids.) But on their HGTV show, it centers around one space design per episode. You should definitely tune in and get inspired. (HGTV doesn't even pay me to say that.)

They create some very "out of the box" designs. Their work is trendy, fun, and very unique. Here are a few of my favorite designs.

I am in love with these stairs that they designed for a family/play room space. (When my hubs saw this picture he asked, "What's the deal with the writing on the stairs?" Duh, it's fabulous, that's what!)

Speaking of stairs, I am dying over these. Do you think they wear well, though? Beautiful, regardless.

On the last episode, they designed this space for a trendy couple who's design style was industrial/cozy. They mixed industrial pieces with very traditional pieces and very over the top chandeliers. My favorite part was the chalkboard paint ceilings and the black and white wallpaper in the bedroom.
And, my last fave is their photo collage wallpaper. Totally cool.

all images from HGTV

Coolest House on the Block

I've always wanted a house (I could just stop there) that my kids and their friends love to hang out at. You know, the fun house in the neighborhood? The fun house in my neighborhood belonged to our friend Gayle.

Gayle had THE coolest house, coolest toys, and the food was to die for. (Her mom was always baking homemade bread--at least in my memory). Everything was the best at Gayle's house, and besides having the best stuff, her family was just wonderful. My sister and I still talk about her awesome pop dolls, playing in her mother's furs, and being brides walking down the winding staircase.

I don't think the whole baking homemade bread and fur coats is going to happen at my house. So, does that mean I have to get a slide?

all images from Odeedoh

One More Place to Decorate

I love these pictures. Of course, the first one is my favorite. I've never seen such a thing! The stairs are often just looked over, but talk about making a statement! I most likely would not carpet my stairs, because I have bad memories of having to vacuum the stairs as a little girl. I hated that chore!

image from Living Etc.

image from design sponge

image from unknown source

To. Die. For.

I recently stumbled upon this beauty on 6th Street Design School. I love it! Granted, we will never need a house this large (as if there are people who NEED houses this big), but it's so fun to look at and get ideas from. This house is actually for sale in Provo, Utah. If we only lived there...

The exterior: look at that wonderful symmetry, the tall entry, not overdone on the landscaping (I'm guessing). I'm also guessing there are mountains close. I think I may have seen this place.

Ahh, the entry. Where to start? The staircases, the ceiling, the doors, lights? You get it. I love everything. I love all of the visual interest without being overdone. And, who doesn't love that fabulous clock? I told you: TO. DIE. FOR.

Aerial views of the living room. Amazing. Notice that none of the walls are painted anything but hues of white. The entire pallet is very neutral (floors, rugs, furniture, walls, etc.), yet it is far from boring. In fact, you hardly notice.

Pictures of the family room. Still, a very neutral palate, very calming. I love all of the random but not random pieces in the room! It really makes me want to stay a while just to take it all in! Love it all! This room was done by Alice Lane. I always love their work. If we ever move to Utah, I am definitely stopping by their store--most likely more than once!