Dining room love with a casual style

My dining room, er, nook in my living room, is really in a sorry state so I'm hoping some of these images get my butt in gear and give me some ideas for sprucing up the space!

Gorgeous table - and right by a cozy fire!

3 above via Maison Interior

So pretty.  I'm considering a round table for our space.  Even though round tables aren't the best use of space (ie: not great for tight spaces), I feel like they are more intimate.

via Anthology

Love the modern pendant hanging from the medallion.
via Bolig Magasinet

via Heart Home Magazine

via Me and Alice

Beautiful and small: spaces to inspire small-space dwellers

This kitchen is too cute! Lots of cabinetry, and a space-saving pegboard add storage space.  Checkout out the kitchen pegboard organizer I made.

I've always loved this idea:  Install a shelf in a window (preferably glass, to let the light through), and you can grow some herbs, or have extra display space.
2 above via Small Space Style

This kitchen is small, but functional and pretty.

If you live small, you've got to think vertically when it comes to storage.  No room for nightstands doesn't mean you have to go without the convenience of a place to put a lamp a clock, and some accessories.  This shelf does the trick just fine.  Check out my small space solution to nightstands in my former Brooklyn apartment.

Clear and glass furniture don't take up a lot of visual space since you can see through them.

Mirrors are an old and good trick for making a space seem larger.  I always place mirrors across from the main light source in a room, usually the window, so they reflect the light and also make the space brighter.

6 images above via BHG

Tuesday Treat: A bright and airy NYC apartment tour

This apartment belongs to the uber-talented founder of Rubie Green, Michelle Adams.

This image makes me fall in love with white all over again - but boyfriend likes the darker woods.

Michelle is all about sustainable, green design.  This cypress trunk side table is free of toxic finishes.

The striped modern upholstery balances out the traditional frames of the dining chairs

I love the idea of using what you already have.  Under the table cloth (which is actually a drape that Michelle already had but didn't fit any of her current windows), is a sideboard that she found at a thrift store.  She wasn't able to get it repaired as she planned, but instead of tossing it and buying something else, she worked with what she had and made it work.  I think it looks great.

The textiles you see around her home are from her store which carries green fabrics, Rubie Green.

What do you think?

via Lonny Mag (April/May 2010 issue)

A sweet, vintage tresure-filled Toronto home

A Monday pep-up for you! I love the modest, personality-filled character of this home.

Great light in this room!

Plants add so much life to a space.  We currently have 4 in our small living room.

I can't decide if this dining room would benefit from a flat-weave area rug.

via Covet Garden

Home office bliss

The home office is so important to me since I work from home. I think with more and more people working from home these days we'll be seeing even more great home office inspiration and solutions in mags and blogs.

Happy Friday!

a fab duo office

via Ballard Home

so pretty!  The white, the cube shelving - the window seat!!

via BHG

Tons of storage for inspiration!  My shelves are always overflowing, but sometimes I feel like the more storage space I have, the more likely I am to hoard more stuff...
via Ikea

Looks like an archivists dream right?

via Inc.com

A down-to-earth but still chic space.

via House of Fifty

via Ivy and Piper

Only problem with this one is that the gorgeous wall mural might have me daydreaming of tree houses all day

via Sweet Home Style


Which one do you like best?