inspired life, final day

Thank you everyone for all the support this week, it's been an important series for me personally and I hope a helpful one for you too. As we bring this giveaway series to a close it's time to look at a topic that is often overlooked but just as important to living a balanced, happy life.

Let's talk about passion.

Think about your life for a moment in pie-chart form. The portions are divided between things you don't like to do, things you do like to do, and things you don't really mind doing. And then there is the section of your life that is spent doing something that you are passionate about. It lights you up from the inside, something you can get lost in and feel richer for. What percentage of your chart falls into this category?


Stop and think on this. Letting your passion play a larger role in your life will create a sense of self that nothing or no-one else can give you. If your 'pie-chart' number is relatively low or non-existent, now is a great time to really examine the things that make you feel whole. Once you are aware of how much or how little time you devote to your passion you can figure out ways to bring it into your life even more.

Let's use me as a quick example. I know I'm passionate about design. I also love giving advice. I get excited when I find cool, design-y things in magazines or on the internet. I'm giddy when it comes to fabric, dinnerware, pillows, you-name-it. I'm a self-proclaimed design geek! So when I sat down a year ago and had this same conversation with myself...this blog was born.

And when I had this conversation with myself (and my husband this time) a few months ago, another project came to be. We decided to open a furniture and home decor store. That's not exactly how I planned to announce it, but in the spirit of openness -and getting the point across- this is the perfect place to put it out there.

Even when life gets crazy, demands are high, money is tight, and support is hard to come by, there is always room to nurture what you love to do. So the assignment today is to look at your 'chart' and see where it falls. I imagine that most of us could use a little more spark, so my next assignment is to have that conversation with yourself about what exactly makes you glow. Once you've got it identified you can begin to work it into your life with small (or large) steps.

Enter your comments or email me at linsi.brownson@gmail.com to enter yourself into the last day of our giveaway from living rooms direct for a chance to win this awesome, design-y pillow from allmodern.com


Every day you've commented or emailed to let me know you're participating becomes one entry into the drawing. As a bonus (thanks to Tyler of Living Room Furniture) if you repost this on your own blog you get an additional entry. Hey, if it makes an impression on you why not share it? You can enter until midnight tonight -not like anyone is at home reading blogs on New Year's Eve, but whatever - and I will announce the winner on Monday. How exciting!

Thank you once again for following along and I hope you've enjoyed doing this as much as I have. I feel rejuvenated, inspired and ready to take on the New Year. Cheers!

Oooh, one last thing. If you're inspired by this to seek out a new passion, check out this great article from Life Coach Cheryl Richardson. Click here

in the library 12.07.09

Design inspiration is everywhere you turn and this week's book selection takes a look at interiors inspired by fashion. Whether you wear it or live in it, the process of turning an idea into reality is similar and altogether beautiful. Check out some of these awesome boards and the rooms that result in The Well-Dressed Home.

can't believe I didn't know about this!

Can you hear the trumpets? I just stumbled on something so genius and wonderful that I can't stop smiling (maybe a tad melodramatic, but seriously I am excited). What did I find?

Spoonflower, a company that lets you create custom fabric that they will print for you with no minimum yardage requirement. In my constant quest for the perfect pillows and curtains (and chair re-upholstery, etc. etc.) I have totally hit the jackpot here. To sweeten the pot, they offer eco-friendly fabrics and some seriously amazing prices. Plus, you can order a swatch for only $5 so you get to see your creation before you commit.

If you are looking for some inspiration or you'd prefer to let someone else's right brain do the walking, you can browse through the public libraries that are also for sale. And to make it all the more exciting, you can enter your creation in a weekly contest. So bring out your inner textile designer and get to work. I know what I'll be doing this weekend!

Here are a few of my faves:

light bright

Check out these cool new light fixtures from artist Rick Strini

The New South

If you haven't picked up a copy of Southern Living lately, now is a perfect time. They have recently revamped the mag to appeal to a more modern Southern gal, but I think the reach extends from coast to coast. The October issue, hitting newsstands this week, is jam packed with great recipes, healthy living tips, travel features and some truly inspiring homes.

Here's a sneak peak:

a fresh look for the cover

I love that the home section features classy interiors, but also points out some easy elements to translate into your own home.

take a scenic drive to catch these gorgeous scenes

And plan a party that's more cool than creepy. I'm really excited to try the pumpkin cheese ball...and blood orange martini. Cheers!

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!

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

in the library 8.24.09

Luxury is a term often thrown around in the design world and it seems to have taken on a slightly different definition as of late. Terms like simple elegance and casual luxury lend themselves to a very different approach to the way we design spaces. Luxury now can mean anything that makes you feel rich (in whatever capacity that entails). Surrounding yourself in things that you love - unique artwork, handmade tschotskes, plush fabrics - means that every time you walk into a space you think "I love this room!" And that is a designer's true goal.

My book selection of the week addresses this perfectly. Defining Luxury: The Qualities of Life at Home. The collection of spaces designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber are beautifully photographed to capture the character of each room, the details that make it feel casual and elegant at the same time.

available at amazon.com

wonderful walls

Inspired by yesterday's post, In the Library, I decided to pull together some wall treatments to put a little skip in your step (at least that's what it does for me...)

The first one comes from Farrow & Ball because, after all, they were the inspiration for the post. This print is called Lotus from the special edition collection. Visit Farrow & Ball to order a free sample.


This print, Arches from Phillip Jeffries, is printed on hemp paper which adds a textural element and makes a bold statement in blue.

This image, from the September issue of House Beautiful, features fabric covered panels from Lee Jofa used to create a textured crewel wall treatment (and the pitchers are vintage Wedgewood...love love love these!).

image courtesy of Signature Prints

I have long been a fan of Florence Broadhurst's - partly for her bold graphic designs and partly for her mysterious murder (I'm very intrigued by that sort of thing). This print, called Shadow Floral, is one of my favorites. Shown here in dusty turquoise.

Wall coverings are a great way to liven up a boring wall or bring focus to areas that sometimes gets overlooked (like an entryway, the interiors of open cabinets, even ceilings). The next time you're in the mood to shake things up, sit down with a book of wallpaper and see if you can't just find something that inspires you.

my {little} dream office

Oh my, how things do change. Once upon a time I may have wished for a large open space to scatter all my design paraphernalia about, but not so anymore. Now I crave efficiency and organization, mixed in with some personal touches (i.e., things to inspire me everyday).

That's why I love this small office space shown in the new Pottery Barn catalog. The 'office' is actually a closet, so not only does it not take up any additional space but it also creates a lovely little enclave to help you focus...at least that's what I'm hoping it would do. I love all the details; the lighting, the blue wall, that ceramic bird and the re-purposed jars to house office supplies (which, by the way, is what I use in my current office. I guess I'm off to a good start, eh?)