blank canvas

It's official! I am finally moving into a new place and I couldn't be more excited. Our apartment has a couple of great features: vaulted ceilings, 5 huge closets, 2 bedrooms (upgrading from a one bedroom, this is like heaven) and a fairly efficiently planned kitchen, making it the ultimate blank canvas for me to play with.

So I decided that it would make a cool blog feature to document the process of making this place our home. Here we go:

Just got the keys!

This is the view from the entryway looking at the living room, with the dining area straight ahead and kitchen on the left. The door leads to the master suite.

A shot of the pass-through at the kitchen (another feature I love in small spaces)

A nice little kitchen (take note of the open shelving on the left. This will be fully utilized)

looking at the living area with sliding patio door (the patio extends to the left across the master suite with doors as well. I didn't photograph this.)

And, finally, a not-so-great shot of the 2nd bedroom, which will be my new office. Despite the photo, it actually has great natural light.

Stay tuned for my moving adventures. I'll come up with some nifty storage solutions too when we move onto the closets and bathrooms. So fun!

Farm to Table

Check out this great article on what to do with those seasonal finds at the farmer's market, courtesy of the daily green.





What's in Season at the Farmers' Market?

in the library 9.28.09

This week's focus is all about small things that make a big difference. Color is one of those elements: it can make or break a space, and a little can go a long way. So this week I'm suggesting that you add a great book on color to your library.

find it at Barnes & Noble or your favorite local retailer

{fall} weekend project

Now is a great time to get started on projects that will keep you cozy as the weather turns cooler. Here are a few quick and easy projects courtesy of the queen of crafting, Martha Stewart. Happy Weekend!

Sweater Pillows


Quick Quilt


Slipper Socks


Oak Leaf Bowl

in the library 9.21.09

I love fall weather, and each year I get nostalgic about the days I used to spend all bundled up going to flea markets and antique shows. If you're like me, you'll love this week's book selection, which shows some great ways to incorporate your fancy finds into your existing decor.

On a side note: if you don't get the fall weather because you're in L.A., but want to enjoy a day at the flea market, the Pasadena Flea Market is an awesome one. It's held the first Sunday of every month from 8-3 at Pasadena City College. More information here.

find it at amazon or your favorite local retailer

get your weekend started early

This is a great article posted today on the Daily Green, with recipes and ideas on cocktails you can literally whip up from your backyard.

Organic Cocktails: I Grew It in the Garden, Then Drank It with Booze

ware {house}

With a collection of salvaged, found and re-furbished industrial wares, Cleveland Art is one of my favorite resources for unique furniture. A new shipment just came in and I wanted to share some of my favorites.

in the library 9.14.09

A great designer will take a client's true personality and turn it into a functional space. Objects and artifacts can be as important in a room as the furniture and wall treatments that surround them.

This week's book selection is a showcase of just that.

click here to buy online, or purchase from your favorite local retailer.

weekend project

One thing that helps minimize the stress that seems to come with the changing of the season is to get organized. Spending a weekend cleaning out closets, pantries and other areas of disarray will make things easier as your schedule gets busier.

Labeling is an easy way to keep everything in order once you've done the dirty work. Martha Stewart has some great templates for everything from food labels to birthday charts.
Here are my favorites.


keep track of food freshness so you can just grab and go


make recycling easy for everyone


plan lunches (or dinners) easily with a magnetic food chart

Click here for the full gallery

If you live in Orange County and need some help, I offer affordable organization services through Suite Luxury

End of Summer Party

Labor Day usually signals the end of summer (and the use of white pants and shoes) but it doesn't mean that you have to give up that laid back summer attitude. Give your grill and patio furniture one last go-round before the weather starts to turn with an end of summer party.

fretwork glass and wood tray, Dransfield & Ross
ceramic take-out dishes, Lorena Barrezueta
black and white table runner, plum party
natural oval baskets, plum party
tree towels, Branch Handmade
strawberry angel food trifle, epicurious - recipe
frosted glasses, vivaterra
parmesan roasted butternut squash, epicurious - recipe

in the library 9.07.09

This week's book pick shows us some inspiring spaces that seamlessly blend the old with the new (think of that ornate armoire in your grandmother's bedroom that will someday be your property, or your problem, depending on how you look at it).

I happen to love old, well made and unique pieces of furniture and find it comforting to have items around me that have seen several lifetimes. As long as I can mix it with my Ikea, I'm good.

I love the industrial light fixture used here with simple and somewhat rustic elements.

Hey, there's that armoire I was referring to! Look how great it is when re-purposed as a pantry (or a bar).

I found these book images at The City Sage blog, so thank you Anne. Do check out her blog, I just found it this morning but I'm already a fan.

find the book at Amazon or your favorite local retailer

home-work

I know I talk about home offices a lot, probably because I and many other people I know are currently working from home. But I actually do have quite a fondness of the idea of working where you sleep (though not literally). There is something very personal about the kind of work you create when you do it in a space that means a lot to you. For me, I love having my dog at my feet all day and I enjoy making lunch in my own kitchen.

Not that I wouldn't love to have a large expanse of counter space in an offsite office, but I should make the best of what I've got for now and I'm grateful to have a space that I run how I want it (though slightly more messy).

Here are some inspiring images of home offices in all their efficient and well-organized glory.





images from Martha Stewart's Home





images above from Pottery Barn

And some clever ideas for storage in your own space




a cool magnet board made from a baking sheet


I need this! A wine rack for my plans



storage ideas from Better Homes & Gardens

One-of-a-Kind Recycled Home Decor

I had to share an article posted this morning on The Daily Green. Here are a few of my favorites.

One-of-a-Kind Recycled Home Decor







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