Whenever I'm feeling stressed, I take a mental vacation on the internet to look at pretty things. Who is with me?
On that topic, look at the amazing job Brooklyn Home Company did in this house. The people that live here are clearly too cool to want to associate with the likes of me but I think we could be besties if they just give me a chance. Kidding. Sort of.
Today's Great Renovation post is such a wonderful illustration of how different a space can look when put into the right hands. A mudroom in of itself is a luxury in any form but it often can become a messy catch all. A space that is forgotten in favor of other 'more important' projects. Not so for Melinda of House 214 Design who transformed her mudroom into something spectacular both in function (who wouldn't kill for for that storage??) and form?
Melinda's whole house is a stunner but this is the space that I seem to catch myself doing a double take every time she shares it. Check out more of her work on her House 214 Design and don't forget to follow her insta feed!
The past few months have been a bit of a whirlwind. I'll admit I'm struggling a bit getting my mojo back - balancing 2 kids and being back to work full time is a balancing act I haven't yet mastered. Some things fall to the bottom of the priority list but I still love a good party!
Aggie's fourth birthday was celebrated with a Beauty & The Beast theme and a house full of 4 year olds. I went pretty simple on the decor this time around - a rose in a cloche, an antique clock and a stack of books decorated the cake table. A small table with a selection of tiaras and crowns and septors made up a "Coronation Station". A simple DIY bellini bar that was much appreciated by the parents (non alcoholic "princess punch" was an option for the kids) and a grilled cheese station rounded out the menu. For entertainment, we went full on cheese and had Beauty & the Beast stop by to read stories and sing songs. It was an exhausting day but this age is so magical and she loved every minute. I'm glad we got to do it for her.
As a lifelong New Yorker, having a small bathroom is just one of those things that most of us live with at one time or another (or forever!). A small footprint can be functional but it's often a challenge to make it beautiful at the same time. Enter Kyong who did such an amazing job with her renovation, I want to pack my bags and move in. You've already seen her kitchen so it's no surprise her bathroom would be as stunning. Her powder room is this week's Great Renovation.
She took a piece of this bedroom and created a stunning powder room. The wallpaper is eye catching and the brass accents are perfection with it. The herringbone floors! The black high gloss door!
Source List: Wallpaper Lighting build by northstar builders interior design by white + gold photos courtesy of blush photography
ICYMI: Click on any of the images below to explore more great renovation features.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by World Market but all opinions expressed are my own.
You guys! This is huge. Years and years ago, I fell in love with Cost Plus World Market while on vacation in California but had to spend the next decade without any local outposts. But hooray, there is finally one only a few miles away from my front door step! It's large and well stocked and has parking. Woo-hoo. The official grand opening is this weekend and you know I'm going to be there A LOT!
In addition to great furniture and lighting, world market has a fabulous kitchen section where you pick up all kinds of goodies. I hit them up last week to get supplies for a Bellini bar and it was a giant hit! So simple to throw together and everyone loved to make their own mix.
During my visit, the store was just gearing up for the post Christmas stock but there were so many great pieces I had never seen before. Like this wood topped tulip table that I'm going to need to find a spot for and these glass and metal globes that were calling my name. I could go on but let's get back to the grand opening details.
The celebration starts this Thursday, January 12 and runs all weekend. You know I'll be hitting up the festivities. If you would like to join me, here are all the details:
·$10 Cost Plus World Market gift card for the first 100 customers in the door!
Thursday, January 12th – Sunday, January 15th
·Free tasting and live entertainment
·4-7pm Thursday & Friday, 1-4pm Saturday
·Free tote bags for the first 100 customers in the door each day.
·Daily raffle drawings! Prizes include two (2) $250 World Market gift cards each day.
·Spend $40 and get 2 FREE* Movie Admissions. Limited to the first 250 customers each day.
Plus,Save an extra 20% Home Furnishings, Decor, Gifts & More/Save 10% on gourmet food & non-alcoholic beverages (Offer valid 1/12/17 – 1/16/17. Valid at Liberty View (Brooklyn) Cost Plus World Market store only. For coupon: worldmarket.com/brooklyn)
It's the new year - my very favorite time to plan home projects. So what better time to feature another kitchen in the Great Renovations (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times...get it?) series. Julie Nay started her insta account 8 months ago and has amassed a fabulous following because of her wonderful light and open style. She is tackling a renovation of her 1980's home and I'm sure you'll agree are doing a great job of it.
Her "before" is a kitchen we've all seen a lot over the years.Now check out the after! With a few simple changes she managed to open up her home, add lots of style and add some great functional touches as well. Bravo Julie!
I love how she opened the wall and made the most of the light and window she had. Removing the upper cabinets was a big risk but sometimes less is more and that is certainly illustrated perfectly here! Thank you Julie for sharing.
While some make resolutions, I use the first few days of a new year to look back at what worked (and what didn't) in the past 12 months. It was a pretty big year for us overall. Let's take a trip back, shall we?
On the DIY/Design front, this was the year of the room makeover for me.
Starting with my brother's country cottage living room. I just love how this turned out!
Moving to the NJ shore with our newly partitioned bunk room. Why didn't we do this years ago??
A long overdue update in our guest bathroom.
A refresh in our backyard. I can't wait for spring to get full use of the new potting bench as well.
Oh and course we threw a few parties including Aggie's Paris Pretend Play 3rd birthday (we are gearing up for her 4th birthday party this weekend).
It's easy to get caught up in all that I didn't get done in 2016 but looking back on this list, I'm feeling pretty good. How do you celebrate the year gone by?
