Inspiration that Sticks with You

I hope everyone had a great weekend! We sure did. We drove to Kansas City to spend Easter with family...the way it's really meant to be celebrated.

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Do you ever have a decorating photo that just sticks with you? You just can't seem to get it out of your head? There are plenty of photos out there that I really like, and plenty I love...but every once in a while, I stumble on one that puts me in a decorating trance. I hope I'm not alone in this.
Here's the most recent photo that's been sticking in my creative little brain.

It's from The Home Book (which I finally returned to the library after renewing it as many times as they would let me), and I just love everything about it. I love the soothing color palette, the fluffy cushion and pillows that beckon you to curl up and stay a while (and knit a color coordinated scarf...if you know how). I love the mix of fabrics on the pillows, the sumptuous window treatments, and the charming white woodwork. I could design an entire room around this photo.

Here's another one that has inspired me. It's from Cottage Living (R.I.P...sniff), and I keep referring back to it even though I'm pretty sure I've memorized every detail at this point.

I love everything in this room, the comfy white chairs, the brown ticking stripe pillows, the cool brown fabric on the ottoman, the neat details on the mantel and coffee table. This could be my living room and, even I, wouldn't get tired of it.

Here are a few photos that inspired my kitchen makeover.

Photo: Cottage Living

Photo: HGTV Rate My Space - JBeachem

Photo: Unknown via Camilla at Home

Here's one more that I keep going back to over and over again. It's the fabulous Meg Duerksen's gorgeous master bathroom.

Umm, looking back at these photos I guess it's pretty easy to guess what color palette I'm most drawn to...lol. I guess that's the point of inspiration photos that really touch you, though.

If you haven't already done so, I'd highly recommend going through your favorite photos, placing them side by side and looking for similarities. It's very enlightening I tell ya. And when you find those photos that make you get all googly eyed and adrenalized hang on to them for dear life. :-)

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend! Here are some inspiration photos in case you need to do some last minute decorating. They're all from MarthaStewart.com. You have to admit, Martha does the "pretty" part of holidays right.

XO ~ AnNicole

Laundry Closet Solution

Well one thing's for sure, y'all like to daydream about Pottery Barn as much as I do! A few people mentioned that they'd love to have a Pottery Barn house, except for the fact that it's impossible with young kids. Hello?! That's what Pottery Barn Kids is for!


All you need is a little pink kitchen set for your daughter...



...And a craft cubby wall system for your son.



Problem solved, eh? Oh, and if you're a really good mom, you dress your children to match the room. I think you get extra points for that.


Okay....enough...I'll stop now and get to today's REAL blog post.

Remember when I bought these curtains a couple weeks ago at Ikea? I had a few different ideas of where I was going to hang them, but when I came home from work the other day and found out that one of the doors on the laundry closet had "broken" (allegedly...I wasn't there to witness the whole situation). So, I knew exactly where the curtains needed to go...not that the whole one-door thing isn't classy.

I pulled out an extra shower curtain rod I had in the garage (don't ask me why I had an extra shower curtain rod..I honestly can't remember) and voila! My laundry closet went from ghetto to lovely.

I also hung a few cute little mirrors I had around (are you getting the impression I have extra stuff tucked into every corner of the house...I promise I'm not that bad).

I actually love the curtains so much I may send my mom to her local Ikea to buy another set for me...you know, so I have options in the future. I always hate it when a pattern I love sells out and I can't ever find it again. It's the Alvine Smal pattern in black and white in case you're interested.

The Pottery Barn Lifestyle

Oh Pottery Barn...you wiley little temptress. As much as I resist, you get me every time.

I sometimes tell myself I can't like Pottery Barn because it's too commercial, not original enough, too expensive (it IS too expensive by the way...you listening Pottery Barn?), but I'm still entranced every time they come out with a new collection.

The thing is, I think Pottery Barn is genius at selling a lifestyle...and, I don't know about you, but sometimes I kind of want that lifestyle. It's kind of like how I secretly want a J. Crew boyfriend...but that's another story .

I really want to go outside on a sunny Saturday morning and soak in some rays on these outdoor sofas.


And then later in the day I really want to have a summer evening dinner party that looks like this (and yes, a built in grill would be great).

"Cold drink anyone?"

"Oh wait, I'll bring it to you on this adorable galvanized tray."

"What?! You brought me a present. Oh you shouldn't have. I'll set it right here on my perfectly organized and accessorized desk."

"Where did the guys go? Oh, you say they're inside watching the game on our ginormous 60 inch flatscreen? Oh...those silly guys...."

"What do you say we take our stemless glassware inside?..."

"...And sit and chat by the fire?"

"Oh the game's over already? Thanks everyone. That was a great night. I'm off to take a soak in my tub..."

" ...And then curl up in my incredibly fluffy and inviting bed."

Um...is anyone still reading? Please say you'll keep reading my blog :)....

I love my imperfectly perfect life and I wouldn't change a thing about it, but it is kind of fun to pretend sometimes, isn't it?

Oh, and if you know my J. Crew boyfriend give him my email address...HA! Seriously, don't start giving strange men my email address. I was totally kidding about that.

My Faux Vintage Grain Sack

Remember when I was playing with the idea of making my own faux vintage grain sack in this post? Well I finally did it!

I basically followed Joy's instructions on Joys of Home. First, I put together a pattern I liked and then printed the words in a large font. I held the pattern and fabric up to a window and traced the pattern on the fabric in pencil, and then painted the design with black craft paint.

I think I have the perfect spot for it, but I can't show you yet. Stay tuned....