Milk and Honey Home

So, I became a daily reader/stalker after seeing Milk and Honey Home featured in Better Homes and Gardens. I love these ladies' style! Mixing vintage with modern, keeping a lot neutral, but knowing when to add the right amount of color. I keep going back to their portfolio for inspiration. And the more I look at their newest project, the more I love it, and it has me wanting slipcovered wingbacks!
This entry has my name written all over it!And seriously, how amazing is this?!*All pictures Milk and Honey Home. I accidently saved the thumbnails so they're really small. check out their portfolio to see more. Trust me, you Will Stalk!!

A Kitchen Before and After

I can't stop thinking about this kitchen re-do that Marianne Strong did for a client. Someone needs to do this! I think it would be fairly affordable and a good DIY.

Before:





After:
A little inexpensive subway tile, paint the bottom cabinets gray, rip the top ones out and swap them for ikea shelves. Totally cute, classy, and fresh. LOVE!

Needing A Creative Outlet

So, I quit blogging, obviously. It was just too much to try and crank out 3 or more posts a week with 3 small boys. And honestly, I think I cared way too much what people thought of my posts, and I got caught up in the decorating "trends" instead of doing what felt right for the "bones" of my house and mixing what I really love together. Make any sense? Now that I've figured all that out, this time around I'm going to post when the mood strikes.

For the past, almost year (feels like FOR-EV-ER) I've been saving up for built ins for my living room. And I'm so excited to say that they'll finally be built next week. Here is my inspiration

And then I'm adding a built in desk to one of the shelves, like this.

I have a vision and I hope it comes to life the way I have it in my head. So I'll keep you posted.

PS. If you need kid friendly rugs check out Bryn's post today. I love Dash and Albert!

*All images are Pinterest but I didn't save the source :(

For Sale

Garage Sale

Saturday, June 4th 8-11am
683 S Cove Street (600 E.)
Providence

My friend and I are having a garage sale on Saturday, and we've got some quality items up for grabs. I've decided to part ways with my mid-century dresser, not because I don't LOVE it, but because it just wasn't working. If you can't make it to the sale and are interested in the dresser shoot me an e-mail.

Mid -Century Dresser $150

We'll also have lots of home decor, fabric, name brand girls and boys clothes (I'm getting rid of all my boys clothes) and women's clothes. As well as other great furniture pieces! If you're in the valley I'd love to see you!

Re-Thinking the Living Room

What's the definition of insanity?...Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I have to remind myself of that every now and then. This time it was for my living room plan. I couldn't get anything to feel quite right. The big wall that my TV sits on was struggling, and it finally dawned on me to go back to what I've always wanted for the room but couldn't afford, built-ins.

This time around I'm having them bid out to see if I can, and if I can't then I might just figure out how to do it myself....scary, unrealistic? Maybe, but the non-order of this room is killing me!

I'm thinking of only going 3/4 up my wall (my ceilings are vaulted), doing a bookcase on one side, TV in the middle, and a storage bench on the other. Sounds random...but I have a plan. Here are a couple built-ins I've been gathering ideas from.

via decor pad

The other thing...I'm still saving money for a couch, so I need large bills to start growing on trees! (image Klaussner)

A Few Of My Favorites

I'm constantly in awe of the talent people have. Here are a few of my favorite projects that other bloggers have been doing.

I adore Holly Mathis' style, so when she designed a room for her two little boys I was immediately drawn. Seriously....LOVE!!






This family row house from Little Glass Box has me wanting to move in. Such a great mix that works so well together!


And finally, a serene guest bedroom makeover from Loft and Cottage. Everything about it is so right!



I've officially been inspired!

Guest Post: AJ Cooper Design

Happy Monday friends!! I'm so excited to have Amanda from AJ Cooper Design here today, I really think this gal has mad skills! She is a Design Director for an Architecture firm in San Diego, as well as a design blogger. Check out her son's nursery, LOVE! In honor of sunny days, Amanda is taking design outdoors for us.

Hello, I am Amanda from A J Cooper Design and I am so pleased to be posting on my favorite outdoor spaces for Cove Street today! When Katie asked me to do a guest post I was so flattered, it's my first request and I hope you enjoy.

With the warmer weather and spring in full swing, I've been thinking a lot about outdoor living and outdoor spaces. As I looked through images of my favorite outdoor spaces, it quickly became apparent that I am a cabana girl, and let's face it, nobody does cabanas better than Kelly Wearstler.

One of my all time favorites has got to be the Viceroy Santa Monica:

There are so many great elements in this cabana: the Hollywood Regency look, the striking black/white contrast, the large romantic lanterns and the suspended mirror reflecting the pool beyond. Dinner under this canopy would truly be a night to remember.

Another favorite is also by Wearstler; the Tides Miami has a whole different look and feel but at heart it's got the same great design elements:

Although this isn't technically a cabana, it's a sheltered outdoor space that is treated as though it's a comfortable, highly stylish indoor space. The furniture is unexpected in an outdoor setting (although manufactured to withstand the elements) and the chairs, oh those gorgeous hooded chairs are like small cabanas all by them selves. The idea that outdoor furniture doesn't have to look like it's outdoor furniture is a key element here. And by no means do things have to match, this space is held together by color and texture; the back wood wall takes a traditional outdoor element and turns it into art. Absolutely stunning.

And my third favorite outdoor space is close to my heart since it's one that I worked on at the firm I work for.

This outdoor space has two areas, a dining "room" and a fire pit lounge. Once again, the furniture is not your typical patio furniture. We used the wing backs around the fire pit to create a sense of intimate space in an open setting. The "dining room" was created by walls with inset panels. I love how the panels provide dimension, interest and feel like a very graphic wall covering. The crowning element is the light fixture which was retrofitted for outdoor use.

Although each of these spaces is at a resort, the concepts can easily be applied in your own backyard.

This space (via) is a great example of an outdoor "living room".
Some of the elements working here are the use of texture and fabric to create softness (notice the drapery panels and the area rug) and of course the furniture and accessories are beautiful choices that are mixed well to create interest and harmony.

What amazing spaces, thanks Amanda! Keep up with Amanda on her blog, I know the future holds big things for her.