Interiors // Lofty Sophistication

Not so sure about that hippo, but I otherwise want to roll around on everything and pee in all the corners of this amaaaaaaaazing space to mark it as my own. Can you imagine? I suddenly need my warm red brick loft walls back in a big way.

Want in Every Color // 03

My spring wardrobe (yes, I know we're not there yet) is going to need some serious updates, and I'm all over button down blouses that you can dress up or down with almost zero effort. Casual day? Wear it with statement stud earrings, boyfriend jeans and flats. Need a look that can go from day to night? Pair it with a chic skirt or white flares (love these!) and simple heels. Going out? Get it with some bangin earrings (technical term) or a statement necklace, leather pants (affordable version, dah), clutch and heels that bring the hotness. I mean, a classic top that comes in this many colors should be a staple in any girl's closet, no?

Signature Equipment Blouse

Type Tuesday // Jess & Russ

I can't believe so many of you read all the way through yesterday's wordy post! Gosh, you guys are awesome. Your enthusiasm seriously means so much. Thank you!

Today, let's just peep the amazing details of Jessica Hische's wedding, shall we? Jessica is crazy talented, and someone that I've always admired as a typographer/lettering artist, being that I am employed in a very similar trade. If you think you've never heard of her, you've probably seen her work, you just don't realize it.

Long story short, she is responsible for the lettering on all of her beautiful reception elements, and the details could not be more impressive!

 

Monday Blues // 20

It's Monday, ya'll! For once, I'm actually kind of ready. Last week rocked, so I'm looking forward to seeing if this week can do the same. Or, hey, if it's in the mood to top the last 7 days, I'm certainly game.

Today's Monday Blues shot is going to shock you . . . Hey! It's another blue dining room! How does this keep happening? I don't know for sure, but I'm going to guess it has something to do with the fact that we just painted ours a very similar hue. Only ours has WICKED painted out trim and is going to look ridiculous once we hang a proper chandy and get things all dressed up.

In good time.

 McGill Design Group

Last Friday, I put together an Inspired By post that apparently didn't save. Here are a few of the highlights without the pretty pics:

1- Crazy inspired by my girl, Meg, and her new Manifesto line!!!! Cannot WAIT to see this collection as it rolls out each month. And, yes, that is her own amazing handwriting. Don't even call that shiz a font.

2- LOVED reading The Everygirl's Jamie Meares interview. I'm not really one to gush over people publicly, mostly because I think it's gross, but I admire Jamie on so many levels and this interview just demonstrates (yet again) how down to earth, loaded with talent and inspiring she is. The ultimate triple threat!

3- Really, Kimberly? First shot at painting since high school? Be serious. Me wants. Also, that bar is too full. I can help you with that. We can drink out of those pretty little gold rimmed glasses and discuss composition like we're sophisticated.


And just a bit of housekeeping . . .

1- If you follow BIA via Google Reader, you might be happily delighted to see that I've decided to enable full post viewing again. Or maybe you don't give a shit? I don't know. While this goes against everything I've learned about improving official traffic numbers, I have to admit that it drives me insane to have to click out and I've given up on a few blogs myself because of it. So, in the interest of maintaining maximum levels of awesome, there ya go.

2- I knoooooooooow that I keep pumpfaking about showing house updates here. I honestly have every intention of doing so. But it is winter and my daylight hours are scarce and the last thing I care about doing on my precious weekends is styling my house to shoot it unfinished. Sooooo if you really want to see shots of mi casa, I do a pretty good job of posting progress pics on Instagram (@tobe_reed) so follow me there. This is not me, trying to boost my Insta following. I'm just trying to give the people what they want. (And my house just got 20 years younger by going from deep gold to a foxy Parisian gray in the family room, and me thinks you want to see that biznass.)

3- Also, I jumped right on that Vine bandwagon. You?

3- I have big. ass. news to share with you guys very soon!!!!!!!!! And I hate it when people do the whole "exciting news but you have to wait for it" business, but I just cannot contain myself. Major news. Soon.

Whew. That's a lot of words. You still reading?

Happy Monday, playas!

House Guest // (BAD) Blog About Design

Today's house guest is a man after my own heart. He has a great eye for art (umm...holy gorgeous), loves vintage furniture and, as evidenced below, needs to be dressing me. With the cool weather we've been experiencing lately, I'm all over this spring inspiration!

http://www.elledecor.com

Hello Because It's Awesome readers! Brendan here of (BAD) Blog About Design. I want to thank Tobe for having me on today's house guest series. Living in NYC, I'm feeling the cold temperatures. So I wanted to take my mind to spring and out of the winter. The space above was featured in Elle Decor, I love all the pastel colors and bright pinks, oranges, and graphic art in the space. It's an inviting Living Room, that makes you want to kick your feet up and relax. My favorite pieces in the space are the two bright orange armchairs. I'm huge fan of anything vintage. I love the 1960s-80s and often find myself buying pieces from this period. The chairs have a strong form and really ground the seating area. If you want to give your Living Room some updating for the spring, stick to bright solid colors. Lamps, flowers, pillows, are a great way of giving your space a new look with minimal work. I'm kind of curious as to what the view is looking out those floor to ceiling windows? What do you think of the space? Below are a few fashion picks that have a similar look and feel to the space. They're all great pieces for the spring. 

(1) Moschino Cheap and Chic Floral Print Dress, (2) Ben-Amun Round Crystal Drop Earrings, (3) Iris & Ink Brushed Silk Shirt, (4) Jean-Michel Cazabat Ella Suede d'Orsay Pumps, (5) Christopher Kane Princess A-line Skirt, (6) Some White Sunnies (7) Michael Kors Gia Ostrich Embossed Clutch, (8) Erdem Floral Scarf, (9) K Jacques St Tropez Delta Suede Sandals, (10) Paris

Thanks for the warm up, Brendan! ox

Interiors // Heidi Merrick's (girly/not-so-girly) home

Just the other day, as I was perusing Glitter Guide's Style at Home archives, I came across Heidi Merrick's gorgeous abode. Even though I've seen it before and those beautiful shots have floated around Pinterest ever since, seeing it in its entirety let me view it with fresh eyes. And so I fell in love with each and every crisp, eclectic space all over again.

Artist // Marcel Christ

Master of still life photography, seems Marcel Christ can make anything look like art.

Check out these amazing pigment explosions!

 Marcel Christ, spotted via Good Design Makes Me Happy

Monday Blues // 19

STILL looking for that perfect set of dining chairs. Damn my poor person budget constraints! Why can't the Craigers gods send me a set of these?? I love the look and durability of that leather (which would prob be vinyl for our house.....)

Maison Luxe

Must. Adopt. All. The. Pets.

OMG, you guys, I can barely handle the awesomeness.

Please, dear God, replace that Sarah McLachlan mess with this and I will adopt 1,000,000 cats (not that I wouldn't do that anyway without an allergic husband).

Enjoy :)

SPCA Pet Adoption Video from Chester McPurrs on Vimeo.

Interiors // Guest Room Inspiration

I mentioned last week that Eric and I have made some great progress on the house since the holidays. (Two full weeks of vacation always helps.) I have a pretty good vision for where most of the rooms are going . . . with the exception of the family room and G's/the guest room. Which is soooooo frustrating because G's room was literally the first one actually furnished. There are a lot of decisions left to make about finishes. I think my struggle is in making it fit for a preteen's taste while still being somewhat neutral and welcoming for adult guests.

Not as easy as I thought it would be. Especially after covering the walls in Kalamata Olive.

But we will get there, I know this.

I stumbled upon this room the other night on Pinterest and am completely reinspired. I'm working with so many similar elements, it's uncanny (you know, with the exception of deep purple walls).

 

Etsy Crush // Vintage Luxe

I am constantly scouring this treasure trove for fabulous barware and beautiful trinkets.

items available via Vintage Luxe

Type Tuesday // Song Reader

This is ridiculously amazing. I had to double up on posts today.
Enjoy!

Type Tuesday // Kelsey Cronkhite

I love this piece (the whole campaign actually) by type aficionado and blogger Kelsey Cronkhite.

Kelsey Cronkhite

Monday Blues // 18

Doesn't a lazy brunch right here sound amazing on this Monday morning?

via

I think so, too.

Inspired By 01.11.13

Today, I thought I would just mention a few of the things that are inspiring me this week.

1 // Every year I tell myself that I will do a better job of sending birthday cards and giving people little treats on their special day. This is the year, people. Pretty sure this packing tape would make sending those packages to friends and family a little bit more fun.

2 // I can't get enough of graphic black and tan combos lately. 1 // 2 // 3

3 // For the last few years, I've chosen a word to define the upcoming year. It's as far as I'm willing to go with resolutions. To be totally honest, 2012 was a major fail with SIMPLIFY. I did nothing of the sort. I'm hoping for a little bit more discipline in 2013 with EMBRACE. I chose EMBRACE because it's time for me to stop over thinking everything, trying to control my situations, not honoring who I am and where my strengths and passions lie, and thinking that life needs to be something more than what it is. A girl's gotta have goals, no doubt, but I tend to have such a high bar for myself that I fall short a lot. It's time to BE BRAVE and EMBRACE who I really am. This print from those talented Ampersand girls would be the perfect everyday reminder!

4 // Eric and I have been machines getting things done around the house this past month. My office is almost done! (Here's hoping that makes for a more organized and better blogger, hmm?) I'm thinking that a few finishing touches like this pretty pillow from Arianna Belle are due.

Happy weekend! ox

House Guest // Catfish & Caviar

Today I'm excited to introduce the very stylish Drew from Catfish and Caviar! She's talking chic small space decorating but, frankly, I'd like to apply a few of these concepts to mi casa regardless.

Small space living can have it's benefits; cheaper heating bills, less furniture & they force us to stay organized 24/7. They can also be challenging when trying to fully maximize your living space. If you're like me & have a major shopping addiction, especially when it comes to decor, then you know how crucial it is to not go overboard. Buying too much "stuff" can make you look like a hoarder ESPECIALLY in a small apartment. Here I have listed 3 main tips to simplify your stress when decorating your tiny space. 

Pendants & small scale chandeliers are the next best thing when you don't have enough windows to brighten up a room. These ceiling lamps not only add light but they are art pieces in themselves.

 

Capiz Pendant || Pose Pendant || Noir Pendant || Big City Chandelier || Cage Fuel Lamp

Multi-functional furniture is key when decorating a small space. These pieces are awesome. I don't even know where to start with this Format cube. It is clear which creates a floating illusion & you can display your objects on top or inside. You can set it on a table top or hang a couple on the wall for added dimension. This toilet roll holder seems like an odd addition but when you have a box of a bathroom it acts as a shelf for your toilletries too. A tall vertical bookshelf creates a sense of height but also fits in a skinny space. There are a few finds like the one shown on the CB2 site that I just love. For the hostess that loves to entertain once in awhile this serving tray is perfect. It folds up & the tray is detachable. You can use it next to your sofa or bed or to serve your guests a few cocktails. A chaise is the ultimate in multi-purpose furniture.  You can use it as a guest bed, extra seating in your living room, or outfitting a reading nook. 

Mirrors are the easiest way to open up your space. They add dimension by giving an illusion of added space & you can use them to achieve different effects. These are some of my favorites!

Leaning mirror || Konos mirror || circle mirrors || wall mirrors

**Real Simple & Apartment Therapy have some awesome ideas on how to make the most of your small space!

 

* * * * *

 

Drew was sweet enough to have me over to Catfish and Caviar last month as part of her Short List series. Super honored to be among so many other stylish ladies!

Design // Montero

I haven't posted much on the design front lately. Guess my attention has been elsewhere (like on actually getting a house decorated!) These branding bits from Anagrama are definitely inspiring me!

Artist // Simon Birch

I stumbled across the beautiful work of Simon Birch recently. Quite smitten.

The Things That Keep Me Alive Keep Me Alone

I mean, who wouldn't want a portrait like this?

Stabbaticalar

Realism with a touch of abstraction.

 Snowblind

Monday Blues // 17

Well hello!

I hope this finds each and every one of you on the backside of full holiday splendor. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! and all of that good stuff. After a little responsibility and blogging hiatus, I'm back in full swing and ready to tackle an amazing new year! I have a feeling 2013 is going to rock my world. How about you?

Nothing like the Monday Blues to kick things off, eh? I've long been in love with this space by designer Ashley Whittaker. I die for the texture of the grasscloth, the coordinating trim, the gold accents, layering of pattern, those lampshades!!!!, and the glorious sofa piping detail. Dramatic, quirky and expertly polished. I would be very very happy in this room, I tell you. Very happy.

Ashley Whittaker via House Beautiful