Graphic Green Guestroom

Being snowed-in this last weekend finally gave me some time to put together an Inspiration Board for our guest bedroom!   I'm going green, graphic, bold, and fun.  What do you think?

SOURCES: 1. Terrarium ($39) - Urban Outfitters // 2. Knobs ($8 each) - Anthropologie // 3. White Ceramic Vases ($20 for small) - West Elm // 4. Wall Hook ($18) - Anthropologie // 5. YHL Large Wire Globe Fixture ($89) - Shades of Light // 6. Chevron Stripe Fabric in Kelly Green, for curtains ($27/yd) - Spoonflower // 7. Quote Print ($18) - NeueGraphic on Etsy // 8. Baxton Studios Wishbone Chair ($170) - Amazon // 9. Tangerine Sheet Set ($290) - Dwell Studio // 10. Benjamin Moore "Clover Green" 2034-10 // 11. Esme Glass Lamp ($425) - Stray Dog Designs // 12. Basnas Rug ($199) - Ikea // 13. Cowhide Rug ($199) - Ikea // 14. Knotted Trellis Ink Standard Pillow Cases ($24 for pair) - Dwell Studio // 15. Zebra Kelly Green Pillow 20"x20" ($63) - Dwell Studio // 16. Buffalo Check Pillow Cover 20"x20" ($48) - KariFisherDesign on Etsy // 17. Colorfield Collage Pillow 20"x20" ($88) - Anthropologie

You may ask, what got me going on this rather vivid color scheme?  Well, two beautiful inspirations, you see...

1) This gorgeous purse that I scored during a sale on a sale online at Kate Spade....if you hadn't heard, emerald is THE color of the year.

via

And...
2) This lovely creation of a room by the ever-talented Angela of The Painted House blog:

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You really must check out her Guest Room Before & After blog post to see pictures of this entire space.  The design of the room is so beautiful and the mix of vivid colors is so daring and unique - I absolutely adore it!

I cannot wait for this room to come together...as the budget allows, of course.  I'll be making some adjustments to existing accessories to avoid major expenses, like the luscious lamp and sheet set shown in the inspiration board.  After all, that's the beauty of an Inspiration Board - it serves as a custom guide that can be referenced to find exact or similar (and often cheaper!) options.

(Please contact me at {inspiredwhims@gmail.com} if you'd like a custom Inspiration Board for a room in your home.  It's a super affordable way to get some great design solutions for your space!)

Midas Touch - Sunburst Mirror Gets Updated Gold Finish

I know, we see sunburst mirrors everywhere...but they're a classic, so I'm confident that they'll stick around a while.  I bought the one below about 7 years ago at Hobby Lobby for a steal, and I've displayed it all over the house since then.  In our most recent home, it has landed in our master bedroom...  

In hopes of embracing the add-a-dash-of-metallics-to-every-room trend, I decided to zoosh up the 'ol sunburst with some Rub N' Buff in Antique Gold.  What sun wouldn't look fabulous in gold?!?  Here's the quick and easy for how to use Rub N' Buff to update any accessory you might like to add some life to.

Materials:
Rub 'N Buff in Antique Gold (purchased at local craft store for about $5)
Soft Rags (one for dusting, and one for buffing)
Painter's tape

Instructions:
1. Dust off your accessory with a clean rag to remove any dirt, then tape off the parts of your mirror, frame, or whatever you're Rub 'N Buff-ing to protect the parts you don't want gold.

2. Grab your Rub 'N Buff.  Squeeze a small amount onto a clean, soft rag and buff away with an even finger sweeping motion.  (It's pretty forgiving, but it does dry quickly)

(You can opt to rub off more of the gold finish in the crevasses, if you want a more antique finish on a more detailed item.  I was going for a more consistent coverage on my mirror.)

Here we are at the half-way point, so you can see the comparison...left has the Midas touch, right does not.

3. Let dry for an hour or so, and then hang!  Yes, it was that easy...

What do you think?  Doesn't it look nice the way it contrasts more with the Smoked Oyster (Benjamin Moore 2019-40) wall hue?

I think it definitely adds a little somethin' somethin' to the space.  While I like both sunburst versions, the gold is more sophisticated and eye-catching.  Do let me know what you think of it!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

It's almost Valentines Day!  Here are a few fun and affordable finds for those you love:

1. Doesn't everyone want a chair for love day?!?  I couldn't resist when I saw this Lexington Modern Wood Pyramid Arm Chair ($115 on Amazon) in the perfect Valentine's Day red.  The perfect pick for the design aficionado in your life...like me.

2. This adorable White Poppy Vase ($20 at Anthropologie) is so cute, I hunted it down in person yesterday so I could see it's real-life look.  It's just as cute face to face...I promise.

3. I love arrows, and the arrow necklace trend.  This On the Mark Necklace ($49 by Stella & Dot) is streamlined and simple.  A nice modern symbol of love, if you ask me.

4. Because most ladies simply cannot resist a good heart shape, these Be Mine Studs ($48 at Kate Spade) are the perfect earrings for any girl in your life.  I'd wear them all year long as a good classic wardrobe staple.

5. This set of 3 Heart Valentine Cards ($7 on Etsy) are too adorable to pass up.  They remind me of grade-school, but any adult would love to receive one of these.

6. For the Downton Abbey enthusiast in your life, this I Love You More Than Downton Abbey Greeting Card ($6 on Etsy) says it all.  This made me smile...I think I'd have to frame it. :)

7. A Heart Pillow Cover ($32 on Etsy) would add a dash of love and sunshine to any room in your loved one's home.  It also comes in red for all you Valentine's Day traditionalists.

8. This beautiful and cozy Wool Throw Blanket ($77 from Nalata/Nalata) is the perfect complement to any interior, and encourages plenty of cuddling.

9. A place to keep the keys to your heart (and home), this handy Magnet Key Holder ($18 from Kikkerland) is a practical and fun gift for your object of affection.

10. Art always leaves a lasting impression...this 8x10 Matted Art Print by Kristen of Whimsy Inspired ($35 on Etsy) features a gorgeous relief of a heart in turquoise, red, black, white, and gold.

11. This classic Red Umbrella ($60 from Nalata/Nalata) was handcrafted by artisans in Vancouver, Canada.   The beautiful wood handle suggests sophistication and great taste.  A true win for anyone who appreciates good design with a full dose of functionality.

12. For your beloved coffee lover, a Vintage Heart Mug ($9 on Etsy) that reminds them of your never-ending love.  No one else at work would have one just like it...

Which item would you pick, if you could choose one?  I want one of each, but the heart earrings are at the very top of my list...with the pyramid arm chair at a close second!

Super Bowl Snacks

In preparation for the big event this weekend, here are three of our favorite crowd-loving party snacks:

And, because I simply cannot leave you hanging with drool exiting your lips, here are the recipes for said snacks!

Click {here} for Buffalo Chicken Bites

Click {here} for Pull-Apart Pizza Bread

And, keep reading for the delectable yet healthy Fruit Salsa + Sweet Chips recipe....

Ingredients for Fruit Salsa:

(Fruit, any fruit, will do for this recipe, so use what you have and you won't go wrong!)

2 large apples

1/2 pear

2 kiwis

12 oz strawberries

2 Tbsp peach apricot preserves (or any kind of fruit preserves or jam)

A splash of orange juice (if you need added moisture, but I didn't this time around)

Ingredients for Sweet Chips:

8 small flour tortillas

4 Tbsp butter, melted

Cinnamon & Sugar to sprinkle

Directions:

1. To prepare the sweet chips, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil.

2. Slice flour tortillas into small chip-sized wedges using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.

3. Lay the wedges out on foil-lined baking sheet, and brush surface of tortillas with melted butter.

(yes, that's a paintbrush...don't judge)

4. Sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar.  Give it a generous dusting, or two.

5. Bake chips for about 15-18 minutes in preheated oven.  They'll come out golden and crispy like below.

6. To prepare the fruit salsa, cut up your fruit into equal size pieces.  And, toss them by the handful into a food processor or blender.  Your final consistency should be that of regular salsa, just a bit chunky but not too watery  (I used a blender and was careful to use the pulse function so as to not turn it into a fruit smoothie...)

7. Pour salsa out into a bowl, then add your 2 Tbsp of fruit preserves and splash of orange juice, if needed.

It's ready to serve, or you can put it in the fridge overnight.  Delicious, either way!

Now, grab your snacks, pop a squat, and enjoy the game.  (Go Ravens...only because we used to live in Baltimore and Baltimore sure does love their hometown team!)

Designer Spotlight - Susan Long of SB Long Interiors

Anyone else in the audience love design magazines?  I'm admittedly one ounce short of being a design magazine addict, but I guess there are worse addictions to be had...  My all-time favorite publications are Better Homes and Gardens, HGTV Magazine, House & Home, House Beautiful, and Architectural Digest.  And then, there's one little local magazine from Dallas, Texas that I can't help but love any time I get my hands on it...D Home (an affiliate publication of D Magazine).  I discovered the beautiful and inspiring work of the below designer, Susan Long of SB Long Interiors, when I grabbed a copy of D Home when down in Texas a few weeks ago.

Originally from New York, Susan Long recently relocated to Dallas with her family and will surely make the Dallas metro area (and the entire Lone Star State, I hope) a bit more beautiful, at least on the inside!  Aren't these the most gorgeous rooms?  Something about her bold, yet careful, use of color is simply stunning!

via SB Long Interiors

via SB Long Interiors

 via SB Long Interiors

 via SB Long Interiors

 via SB Long Interiors

 via SB Long Interiors

via SB Long Interiors

via SB Long Interiors

Looking through her diverse portfolio, I was amazed at the myriad spaces Susan Long has designed.  Everything from mountain lodges, to NYC lofts, to hotels, and even cruise ships.  (The last photo featured above is the Owner's Suite on one of the Oceania Cruise Line ships!)

SB Long Interiors shines with both contemporary and more traditional design styles.  A true gem in the design world, if you ask me!  Dallas scored when she moved down south, for sure.  What do you think of her work?

Easy Dolled-Up Picture Frames

So there we were...scoping out some scrapbook paper at the local craft store.  My little one was behaving well so she had earned the privilege to be out of the cart.  And she was doing so well just looking around the aisle as I was distracted by all the pretty papers.  Suddenly she comes up to me so excited because she had found this paper...

I have never known a little girl who so loves Buzz and Woody as my little does.  She has a Toy Story beach towel from my Aunt that she uses every night to dry off from her bath.  And, any time she sees the Buzz action figure in the kid play area at the gym, she lights up.  Bottomline, this paper was hers and I needed to figure out a cute way to display it back at home.  Enter the dolled-up frame concept below...

Materials:
Plain photo frames
Decorative Trim or Ribbon
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Scissors
Your photo (or beloved Toy Story paper...)

Instructions:
1. Come up with a simple design and cut trim or ribbon to size.

2. Attach trim or ribbon to frame with the hot glue gun.  A small bead of glue will keep it from oozing out around the trim.

3. Put your photo in (unless you jump the gun like I did and put it in first...) and enjoy!

Not rocket science, but they sure are cute!  And, I can use the frames for other pictures once Buzz and Woody move on.

Your options are limitless and this project only takes about 10 minutes, so it proved to be a good "naptime" endeavor for me.  It would also be a fun birthday craft/take-home favor for kids since they're easy to make...may need some parental supervision with the glue gun though.