Applaro Storage Bench

Now that the East Coast has finally gotten the memo that it's spring, I've decided to break out the patio furniture and get the yard ready for the outdoor season. We have the basics, and by basics I mean a patio table, six chairs and a bench, so this season I can finally focus on accessorizing and adding fun pieces. I decided to start out with a much needed coffee table to place in front of the bench. I searched high and low and finally found the perfect solution at Ikea (duh! Should have just checked there first!).

The Applaro Storage Bench fits the bill perfectly. It's large enough to serve as a space for people to place drinks and plates, but not so huge that it overwhelms the space.  Plus it serves double duty by offering storage for extra cushions and the like. Assembly of the bench was fairly quick for an Ikea purchase - it took me about 15 minutes to put together. Now I just need to find the perfect rug for underneath...

Masculine Vintage Chic Family Room

The Family Room has been a work in progress for awhile. I wasn't really completely sure of the direction it was going in for a long time as this area, more-so than the rest of the house, is meant to be a reflection of not just my style, but my husband's as well. In other words, he has a large collection of Boston Red Sox paraphernalia and it was either going in here or the master bedroom. While I didn't want the family room to take on a sports bar theme, I had to find a way to mesh sports into my eclectic modern vintage style. As you can imagine this took a lot of careful consideration and lots of back and forth with decor ideas.

The family room currently has this awful orange-ish red carpeting that I'm hoping to ditch ASAP. We're going back and forth between installing hardwood flooring or just replacing the carpeting with something a little less offensive to the eyes... perhaps a cream colored carpet. The dark wood paneling on the walls were very outdated and gave the room a cave-like feel, so one day I decided to give the room a face-lift and paint it a lighter color. I painted the walls Vanilla Custard (Behr paint) which is the cream color in the color palette. In order to give the room a masculine feel I'm using warm brown tones in the furniture and,a vintage yellow as the accent colors in the room.

Cream Sofa Bed - Due to the transformation of our guest room to a nursery we are lacking adequate accomodations for guests so a sofa bed is the perfect solution. I really love this cream colored sofa bed and it is exactly the look I'm going for in the space.

Traditional Media TV Stand and Bookshelves - After spending several months looking for the perfect tv stand, I purchased this cherry wood media stand from Target which I love. Ideally, I would love the flank the tv stand with a couple of medium height bookshelves for additional storage. Unfortunately the tv stand does not come with coordinating pieces and it's been difficult to find shelves that I feel mix well with the color of the stand. So the bookshelves continue to be a search in progress for now.

3D Baseball Artwork - I figure if the husband wants to incorporate baseball into the room, it might as well be done in a stylish way. I got this piece of artwork as a birthday gift for my husband. I've satisfied his desire for the inclusion of sports related decor and my desire to maintain a chic style by keeping it limited to vintage inspired pieces.

Coqo Floral Curtains - I am in love with these curtains. They would look amazing over the sliding glass doors that lead out of the family room an onto the patio. They have a vintage vibe and have a feminine feel that isn't so overpowering that it would go against maintaining the masculine quantities of the room.

Throw Pillows - Pretty throw pillows similar this lovely pleated yellow and textured tan would be the perfect, comfy addition to the sofa.

Tullsta Chair - We currently have the Tullsta Chair in the Family Room. Unfortunately the white fabric was no match for my toddler. Luckily there are covers available so I'll be able to bring new life to the seating instead of having to buy a whole new piece!

Brown Shag Rug - I have a brown shag rug left over from the guest room which is currently collecting dust in my garage. However, it would be perfect in the family room and it's rich brown color certainly screams cozy!

Wicker Basket - A couple of wicker baskets placed around the room make great storage for extra toys, magazines and throw blankets.

Trunk/Coffee Table - A wood trunk would double as a great masculine looking coffee table while also providing storage for guest blankets, pillows and sheets.

Boston Red Sox Artwork - A couple of framed black and white Red Sox stadium and team photography is a chic way to incorporate Brian's love for the team into the room.


*Original Post 12-31-2010
*Updated Post 02-16-2013

Heart Garland

On my most recent trip to Target, I spotted a lone felt heart garland among the Valentine's Day decorations. I thought it was adorable and although I don't typically decorate for Valentine's Day, I threw it in the cart in fear someone else would snag it. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it, but I had often stared longingly at the cute felt garlands I see on Pinterest. I knew it was something I'd never get around to making myself and I figured $7.00 was a small price to pay for one that was already completed.

After some mulling it over, I figured my daughter's Alice in Wonderland inspired room would be the perfect place for the heart garland. I decided to hang it over one of the windows. She loves it and every time she enters her room, she points it out and squeals "pretty!" Another decor success courtesy the big T.

Crafty Containing

Recently we trimmed down our two desktop computer household to a one desktop computer household. Having two desktop computers was a little excessive, but I resisted for some time due to my husband's tendency to crash every computer he comes into contact with. For someone of the technological age, the guy is surprisingly not computer savvy. The good news is that the elimination of one desktop computer freed up a desk which has since become a craft table. Having a craft table has been helpful in getting some of my supplies out of the storage boxes I currently have piled on the floor and on display. I had this wood crate leftover from a Melissa and Doug music set that I've been hanging onto in the hopes it'd come in handy one day. Lucky for me I did because it makes the perfect storage for craft paint!

I've also been saving up my empty glass candle jars. I am particularly fond of this glass jar which comes with a lid. So pretty and perfect for stashing random crafty odds and ends. Plus I'm being a good citizen of mother earth by re-using materials. Karma points! 

Notice that I didn't include pictures of the complete crafting area. There's a very good reason and that reason is a large pile of boxes and crafty trash. I still have a long way to go in terms of organizing my craft supplies and area, but so far, so good. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day!

Antique World Map

Over the last few months, I've become bored of the store bought framed pictures in the living room. I wanted something a little more "worldly" and eye catching. I decided to replace the sepia toned photos in the frames with an antiqued map.

I purchased this 16x20" map on Ebay tonight in hopes it will do the trick. I plan on replacing the pictures in the two end frames and perhaps leave the architectural close up in the middle. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Serene Breakfast Patio Inspiration Board

Even though it is still cold outside, my mind can't help but wander to warmer days. It doesn't help the all the stores are clearing out the winter gear and replacing with with bright, spring items. We have a small strip of yard on the side of our home. There is a door in the family room that leads to this part of the yard. My plans for the space is to turn it into a small "breakfast patio." Just a small spot where I can have a quiet cup of coffee outside on a clear summer day. My goal is to make this space happen this year!

Threshold Yellow Hawthorne 3pc. Bistro Set - This bistro set is the perfect size for a small space and intimate breakfast for two.

Antique Hummingbird Feeder - I am in love with this hummingbird feeder. I've been on the hunt for a bird feeder with style and this is it!  I would love to hang this in a corner to bring a bit of wildlife to view while hanging out on the patio.

Kensington 2-Tier Solar On Demand Fountain (Antique White Stone) - A soothing solar powered fountain will provide beautiful, nature inspired sounds.

Applaro Serving Cart -A wood serving cart would be perfect for holding breakfast food and drinks for those days I invite others to join me on the patio.

Applaro Storage Bench - A storage bench would be perfect for extra seating as well as a place to store pillows, outdoor candles, etc.

Potted Flowers - Of course an outdoor space wouldn't be complete without flora and fauna!  I think a scattering of colorful potted flowers would give the area an appropriate amount of color.

Video Tour: Half Bathroom/Laundry Room

Video tour of the half bathroom/laundry room located in the basement office area.