Friday Favorites: Thoughts of Home

I'm in a bit of a transitional phase, and I've been spending a lot of time thinking about home: what I want it to be, where I want it to be. Exciting changes are coming. {Click on the images for links.}

ikea stockholm collection.

Todd and I have been trying to move away from super cheap, poor-quality furniture in our home — but we still love us some Ikea. Yes, you can find plenty of particleboard stuff there that won't last a year, but they have some really beautiful, well-made pieces as well. Have you seen their new Stockholm collection? It's lovely.

the office.

 

via.

While I'm busy trying to wrap my mind around the idea of living in a brand new city, I've barely even thought about the fact that I'm about to make a major career change. I've spent the last six years working 40 hours a week in an office, and as much as I loved the City Paper, there was always a part of me that was jealous of our freelancers and their, well, freedom.

So I'm giving it a try. I have a lot of projects I'll be working on, like Copy Cat, Whiskey Kittens on Etsy, helping Savage, and writing for publications in Charleston and Boston. Todd will work from home too, so we might be sharing an office (though the house we're hoping for has room for two offices). I'm determined to make it a workspace that will be welcoming and comfortable, that will get our creative juices flowing. Here are some spaces that are inspiring me.

the hooks. the chair. the parsons desk.

some space to stretch out.

plenty of storage. and more hooks!

a place to eat.

When Todd and I moved into our second house together, we bought a dining room table and chairs off of Craigslist. They were basic, sturdy, and utterly boring. So when I'd saved up a bit of money from my Etsy sales, I knew it was time to upgrade.

I thought I knew exactly what I wanted: a round table with vintage-inspired, curvy, comfy chairs. I took to Pinterest for inspiration, and that just made my decision even more difficult. 

via 1 * 2 * 3 * 4 * 5 * 6 *

Eventually, my budget won out and I settled on a set of white metal Tabouret stacking chairs from Overstock (amazing deal) and a round wooden thrift store table (even more amazing deal). I love them, but I still find myself window shopping on Pinterest every now and then. Which is your favorite?

stairmaster.

I live in a very small house, and most of the time I love it. It's easy to clean, cozy, and just the right size for my little family. But sometimes, I can't help but daydream about all the things I could have in a bigger house. Like stairs.

That's right — I have stair envy. And I'm not talking about your standard staircase whose main function is getting you from point A to point B. I mean the kind of stairs that are a major focal point in a building. Stairs that know how to have fun.

via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Which ones do you like best?

fireplace.

The fireplace is one of the coolest features of our house — it's what everyone comments on when they walk in (see it here). (It's also a little annoying — it really only allows one set-up in our living room.) It's currently non-working, so I've been trying to figure out what I want to use the space for. Here's some inspiration I found on Pinterest.

 

chevron love.

I have an addiction. And like most addictions, it's unhealthy, but I know it's one I share with many. I just can't shake my love of the chevron.

 prudent baby.

oh joy, via pinterest.

this is glamorous. 

west elm.

white washed.

all.

I'm currently floundering in home-buying purgatory, waiting for a closing date that keeps getting pushed back. It's been a frustrating process, but the end seems to be in sight. All I really want to do is hibernate until I have those keys in my hand.

On another note, I really love white kitchens. Like, really love them. I wasn't even aware of this obsession until looking at my Pinterest Kitchens board. Good thing my new house has white cabinets, white subway tiles, and crisp white beadboard ceilings. I'll show you a picture, just as soon as I get those keys.

laundry room moment.

 

I'm experiencing laundry room envy. How nerdy is that?

all images via Pinterest.

home gallery.

As we're drawing ever closer to closing on our house (I'll let you know if it ever actually happens), I've become a big fan of Young House Love. The Richmond-based bloggers are always working on their old house, doing everything from building a patio to refurbishing secondhand furniture. Lately I'm obsessed with their hallway, which they turned into a little gallery. We have a long, blank wall in the new house, and I love the idea of filling it with a ton of different photos and prints that will invite guests to just stand there and take it all in.

20x200 has a fun selection of affordable prints. Here are a few faves.

Martha Rich

Lisa Congdon

Alexander Beeching