my favorite images from my favorite blogs...

Happy Friday! Time to relax and enjoy a little eye candy. Presented in no specific order from some of my favorite blogs...


some beachy beauties from Completely Coastal...

oh my...to have that beach so close by...

The four below are from Providence Ltd. Design

so cool

fabulous kitchen.  who knew a kitchen could be so luxe?

The last three are from my friend Liz's blog(s) Chomp Chow Chew, and Special Delivery.  She's a fellow RISD illustration department grad.

I love visiting with her and her boyfriend because I know that, aside from catching up, I'm in for some great meals.  They always know the best restaurants and markets.

 Liz has an amazing color sense.  Isn't her palette a work of art in itself?

 mm....Real ramen...

Creating a space with whites/neutrals, and dark accents

So reader Cynthia wrote me with a question regarding her bedroom suite and using it to create the look she's going for:

"We are in the process of moving into our new house and I was wondering if you could help us with the decoration of our bedroom? We have an antique white colour bedroom suite (same as the photo attached but the only difference is ours is antique white in colour).

We would like our room to be cosy and elegant,with loads of neutral colour and loads of dark wood. Our main inspiration is from the house in "Something's Gotta Give". We are just worried that it might look out of place with the white bedroom suite and that would throw the whole scheme off.."

Here is the style of her bedroom suite - but her's is antique white.

Here are shots from the home in "Something's Gotta Give, " to get an idea of the look she's going for


So lots of neutrals, creams, and dark wood accents. The floors are also a dark wood.
Movie shots via Hooked on Houses

Pretty much, I think the look Cynthia is going for is totally possible with the white bedroom suite that she already has. The important thing is to keep in mind the proportion of lights and darks when decorating the space. So Cynthia might want to balance out her white bedroom suite with some furniture pieces in dark wood - such as lamps, a side table, chair, etc.

This room has white furnishings but dark wood beams and a dark piano.
via Living Better Together

The white furniture in this room is kept from being too matchy-matchy be the addition of the brown leather chair.
via House to Home




3 above via DecorPad

via Ideal Home
The three images above all display a casual balance or white and/or neutrals, and dark woods.

This room is a mix of so many styles but still gorgeous
via DecorPad


via The Lennoxx


The four images above illustrate how even with dark walls white furnishings can be integrated with dark wood; just make sure you supply adequate lighting.
2 above via CocoCozy


Well, I hope I was some help Cynthia - or atleast provided some eye candy. If anyone else has some advice for Cynthia please comment!

A gorgeous coastal cottage

It has been so dreary and chilly - I'm chomping at the bit for summer. What would be even nicer is to have a lovely cottage on the beach like this one - a little break from the hustle and bustle. What's your ideal escape home?












via KML Designs

Tropical Style Bedrooms

First, I would like to thanks Rachel for lending a hand while I'm out in Alaska running my marathon in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I finished in one piece but I am really feeling it today! Without further ado, Rachel -

Hi Everyone! I am so excited to be here today guest posting for Ashley while she is away! My name is Rachel and I normally blog on dwellings and decor.
I decided that doing a guest post on Tropical style bedrooms would be fitting since we are getting into Summer and I am from Maui where it seems like all I ever see is tropical style. In my opinion tropical style can be hard to make chic. I guess I get tired of the same old tourist condos with the rattan furniture, Tommy Bahama motifs and so forth. It can also sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between coastal, Asian or tropical and I am no expert but hopefully these photos will give you an idea. Enjoy!







Row 1: Piet Boon Pierce Allen
Row 2: Harlequin Adeeni Design Group
Row 3: One and Only Resorts Kerry Joyce
Row 4: Sarah Kaye Plymouth
Row 5: Ellen McDermott Phoebe Howard
Row 6: Fuse ID Phoebe Howard


Thank you Ashley for having me guest post today! Hope you are having a wonderful time!

...and...me at the finish - a little delirious! THANKS to all for your support along the way :)

I'll be back soon! I'm going to visit a place like this...

I'm off to Florida you guys! I'm taking a much needed long weekend to visit one of my sisters and relax on the beach. So, I'm leaving you with ways to add some light-hearted, tropical air to your space.

oh...this is so me... natural wood tones and white

via the beautiful blog, this is glamorous




West Elm(top)/Pottery Barn ( 2 bottom) via Material Girls

Material Girls gave some really good advice on achieving this look:

• Rattan or wicker furniture
• Wood flooring
• Natural area rug- seagrass or sisal
• Mixing lots of texture and pattern is a must!
• Comfort is key- large upholstered furniture in preferably white or off white will give it a fresh, clean, and crisp look
• Animal prints!!!!
• A few leather pieces
• Try to stick with these colors- pale yellows, browns, golds, beiges, natural greens that have more yellow in them, soothing blues, whites, and splashes of red, black, and chocolate brown
• Wood furniture
• Lanterns
• Bamboo shades for your windows
• Table setting- they have these great round textured placemats at Crate and Barrel/ C&B Outlet or you could do wooden bowls
• Large floor vase with bamboo sticks
• A candle in a glass container with water rocks/stones
• Wood bowl with real fruit

But if you want more of a beach/nautical look, here are some of my favorite accessories:

• Faux coral- I can't say enough about it, I have a piece of it in my Living Room that I bought at Crate and Barrell and it just makes my coffee table.
• Extra large clam shells- I know we have done a high low feature on this before, but you can find them everywhere these days- they are very in style!
• Anything dark blue and white
• Stripes are always nice for this
• How about putting starfish in a bowl or in a jar?
• Shells on a stand or in a glass bowl
• A glass apothecary jar filled with sand...my mom (who inspires me every day!) has been collecting sand from the different beaches she has visisted while on vacation for the past I don't know how many years- she then puts the sand in different glass jars and labels them where they came from. It makes a really cute display and a great conversation starter about all of your travels!

Tips via Material Girls (more great info to be had)

via Home Decorating Reviews






Tropical island architectural genius! I love the use of stone! It must make the home feel so cool when coming in from the beach.

viazlgdesign