House Progress // The Dining Room

 That post title is deceiving. "Progress" should definitely be loosely interpreted. The only solid progress I've made on this room is the gorgeous Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggins chairs scored from Stephanie Scofield on Scowters.

 House of Fifty via

Which I'm still completely obsessed with except one little thing....It's been tough to find a table that can hold up to those beauties. At least, a table that I'm willing to pony up for. That is round. Preferably 60" round with a pedestal base.

 The Style Saloniste

I mean, is that too much to ask?!

 via

See, if I were a good designer, I would be putting together a moodboard and executing piece by piece. You know, I'd have my window treatments figured out....a sideboard/credenza (well, I had this until we decided to move it to the nursery)...accessories and wall art...lighting...possibly a rug...and, of course, a table. All of that would be selected so it fit together just so. But is that how I do anything?

 via

Hell to the no.

 Nuevo Estilo

I collect slowly with whatever I come by and/or will justify paying at any given time. Which is fine. I've learned to embrace this. Except that, like I said earlier this week, the nesting is setting in and I just want things generally finished. Or at the very least, I'd like a dining table.

High Gloss ... RIP

* MAN, I want those chairs. JK! I basically have those chairs. HOLLA *

The problem, if you will, is that I've gone somewhat dramatic with this room. Between those glorious chairs and the rich glossy blue on the walls (trim painted out to match), it's becoming rather...glam? And I love glam as much as the next girl, don't get me wrong. But I kinda want relaxed glam if that's such a thing? Because the rest of the house isn't glam. It's eclectic, casual and a wee bit traditional.

 McGill Design Group

And I need the dining room to be like that, too. So I've rounded up some options (mostly for looks because I'm not willing to pay any of these prices just yet....although I have had my eye on one for quite some time. Maybe I just need to pull the trigger? It's even on sale right now!)

zinc door // crate and barrel // 1st dibs (too small, but amazing!) // zinc door

Why can't i just find something nice and warm with just the right amount of grit like this?

Las Tias

 Although, I'm pretty sure both of these local boys are still sitting right where I saw them last....

I'm really only serious about that one with the toddler friendly angles and edges....

Could I maneuver that into a round with marble top (a la this but with blue walls) or would that be too much brass?

Will happily accept links in the comments and moodboards in my inbox! :)

Interiors // Miscellaneous Perfection

Sorry, guys, but last night when I should have been writing today's post, I was busy eating a McDonalds McFlurry (serious guilty pleasure) and watching the baby kick. Quite honestly, I don't know how long this has been visible because I don't tend to leave my white belly exposed, but I have been feeling kicks since week 15 and Eric was able to feel it at about 18 (we're at 23 now). So if we'd tried, I'm guessing we might have seen this a bit sooner.

I can't say it enough. This is so. surreal. I was absolutely mesmerized.

Also, Baby is an eggplant. Whoever came up with the fruit and veggie size chart was pretty brillz. I love comparing my unborn to what I should be eating (turns out there are no McFlurries on the size chart. hmmmmm).

Enough baby talk. Let's just look at some pretty pictures, shall we?

One of the best kitchens/eat ins of all time.

Mark D. Sikes via Lonny Magazine

Crazy perfect dining room.

Lindsey Adelman chandelier via Small Shop

And I'd like to be here...

Home Decor // Loving Lately

rug // chandelier // bolster pillow // lamp // sofa // horn tray // cocktail table // dining table

Monday Blues // 25

Eric Linebarger Photography for Because It's Awesome

Dining room snippet. Woop!

Happy Monday!

The House // Snippets

Sometimes it's nice to go through the old photo roll and realize that we are, in fact, making progress around here when it can feel so slow-going. Which I'm fine with since it means I'm finding unique pieces that I really love. But, damn, at some point you just want to be proud enough to show pics of your house, you know?

Just a few snippets . . .

The formal is feeling like an actual room. Those shelves were a total disaster zone until recently.
Need to figure out what to do with the other side of the room, but it's getting there.

The (adjacent) eat-in actually has art on a wall! Unheard of.
This piece is an original from Jamaica in the 1960s. The color and graphic elements sold me on it.

Once it gets warm enough, we'll paint the door to the garage (in that alcove to the left) for a pop of color.

Still debating said color. Could just go black. Who. Knows.

I'm also intent on painting the sliding glass door to the backyard black, but Eric is fighting me on it.

Guess it will be a lot of work. (Which means it will totally get done in a timely manner...)

The dining room and trim are painted out in a glorious moody blue (semi gloss Ralph Lauren Rue Royale).

Unfortunately, we still have to paint that window (*groans*) and choose some drapes.
Choosing fabric and upholstery kills me. KILLS ME. So hard to commit.

Now that ma sexy new chairs are in (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I really think we need a new table.

And obvi an amazing chandy. We've discussed this already, haven't we?

sidenote: YOU GUYS, these chairs not only look amazing (how did I score brass? I'd never even seen them with brass frames until last week!), but they are comfortable. as. hell.
I am going to loooooooove hosting peeps and sitting here for hours on end!

Bonus: the upholstery doesn't make me want to vom.

(You're seeing packing marks on the seatbacks in this pic. Those are gone now.)

To rug? No rug? I dunno.

A few of you wanted to see the bathroom after I posted shots on Vine.

This room is TOUGH to photograph, but here's a lil bit to show layout.

 All of the walls have art in gilded frames except one (I'm sort of afraid of clumsy drunk men knocking them off the wall in front of the toilet. Is that weird?)

Guess if you didn't know before this post, you know how much I love brass now. ha!

Our family room has been painted, but we have a long way to go.

We've been trying to hold out for a sectional, but thems be spensive. Not sure it's gonna happen.

In the meantime, we have gray walls, a sage green couch, blue parsons chairs, a dark leather chair, dark wood, a giant BAR that we're housing for my brother and a red/orange/pink/navy persian rug going on. Can you say hot mess?

The entry still needs love as well, but I'm debating wallpaper there.
Sadly, I have very expensive taste in wallpaper. Shocking.

Fun in store for you guys tomorrow so be sure to check in! ox

Monday Blues // 22

It's been two weeks. Cue obnoxiously gorgeous blue dining room.
Do you not want to lick those walls and ceiling??

Veranda

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!

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.

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

Monday Blues // 13

Happy Monday, peeps! How did the weekend treat everyone? We finally got our tree up and all is looking quite festive. I need to fill in some serious holiday decor gaps (I finally purged a lot of hand-me-downs despite the extreme guilt), but that may have to wait until post holiday sales ensue . . .

Today's Monday Blues shots are kind of awesome in more ways than one. First, Señor Robshaw is supremely talented. I dare one of you to tell me you aren't obsessed with his fabrics. No seriously. You probably can't because I adore his fabrics and you're here so therefore you must love his fabrics. It's the law of physics or something. Well, his Manhattan apartment is beyond. You can find the whole thing in this month's Elle Decor.

John Robshaw as seen in Elle Decor

Let's not leave out his kitchen and those sic custom cabinets. I mean, please.

Elle Decor

But wait. Then there's his office.

Elle Decor

Monday Blues // 11

Happy Monday, kids. Hope you enjoyed your weekend! Our weather was outstanding, so I made sure to play in it a little bit, but most of the weekend was spent getting used to my new iphone (#deargodfinally) and rearranging cleaning house in anticipation of guests this week. Eric and I are really excited to host Thanksgiving dinner for the first time since we've been together! Both families will be in attendance which means we'll be serving 19 and playing host/ess for a few days. I. Can't. Wait. The entire house got rearranged in the process, so stay tuned for some updates.

Naturally, this week's Monday Blues had to be a dining room!

Eric Lysdahl via House Beautiful

p.s. I get to play the Insta game now!! You can follow me @tobe_reed. Woop!

p.p.s. Huge shoutout to Lisa of Elembee for introducing me to Picmonkey. What an amazing  resource for maintaining image quality when resizing photos! Was I the only one that didn't know about this??

Interiors // Lauren Santo Domingo's Paris Apartment

Oooobsessed.

Oberto Gili  for Vogue // spotted via Sukio

Makes it look so easy, doesn't it?

Interiors // Design Manifest

Today I think we should talk about the supreme talent that is Design Manifest. Many of you may already be familiar with this father/daughter team, even if you're not aware of it. Remember this loft that made blog rounds awhile back? That's my girl, Naomi. She is seriously tops and she's at it again.

Truly a master of the mix, she is aces at combining color, pattern and scale for maximum impact. She also shares my intense love for persian rugs. I mean, please. Freaking look at the color in that bad boy! Plus stripes and a peacock mirror? Game. Over.

The global influence is always apparent, but appropriately exercised. There's a classic element to her work that tempers the bohemian vibe just right. That balance is so dang hard to achieve! Lots of people overdo it.

The color whore in me is squealing right now. The rug and the light fixture combo slays me. I've considered Panton chairs more than a few times (poor Eric is tired of hearing about the dining room chair debate) . . . don't you think they would look so good with the new rug?! Part of me will always resist what's already been done though. I need covetable chairs that no one has ever seen! (And at a good price. And in time to host Thanksgiving dinner. No big deal.)

Courtney Apple photography for Design Manifest

She's revealing the living room of their latest project today (rounding out the tour of the spaces I've shown), and it's going straight into the inspiration files for our pad. White walls, saturated rug, pops of color, graphic art and such an elegant ease to the space. I'm entirely obsessed and I want it all now. Way to go, Nay!

At Home // Dining Room Rug

The Persian is here! Phone pics aren't doing it justice, but I haven't been home during daylight hours since its arrival.

Will update when the walls get painted.

Enjoy the weekend!

Interiors // November 2012 Elle Decor

I'd like to call a moment of silence for the home of Alex Papachristidis as seen in this month's Elle Decor.

 

Now let's talk about what's working, starting with the library above.

Oh, wait. That would be everything.

Except I'd maaaaybe consider painting the ceiling a (light) color. Icy blue?

Mmhmm. Complaints here?

Only that I am fairly certain I can't afford that wallpaper.

I'm obsessed with all of the cool tones/fabrics and their play with the golds/woods/warm wallpaper.

Everything looks so rich. It's tough for some people to make antiques look so inviting.

Please look at that floor. Shit be busy as hell in this space and it's still soothing, particularly in that first shot of the living room.

Is that even possible?

 This dining room is nails (no pun intended).

Nailheads on walls is very clearly trending this year. I'm okay with that.

The peace sign throws me a little bit. Looks sort of like my 6-year-old niece made it out of tinfoil.

Ready for the bedrooms?

No you're not.

Boom!

Granted, it would be a lot to take it every morning and every night.

But let's say it's your guest room. Your gorgeous over the top guest room.

Or perhaps you prefer reds?

Sweet Jesus, I would pay good money to see this place in person. Obscene amounts to be their guest for a night or two (one night in each room for good measure).

Well done, Mr. Papachristidis. Well done.

Monday Blues // 05

nuevo estilo

I'm not sold on the bunny art, but i like it in theory. You know, touch of whimsy and all.

Those windows kill.

interiors // favoring white

there must be some severe shift in the planetary alignment or something because i've been favoring white as of late. which is not unheard of as far as spaces i'm occasionally drawn to . . . but it's really something i never consider for my own home.

this got the whole thing started:

design by laura day, photography by patrick cline // lonny magazine

because the chairs and those mirrors don't hurt anything either.

my dining room and office are begging for it.

any warm whites i need to know about?