Beds in windows.

When my BFF Jen moved in with her boyfriend this past week, they came across a typical challenge most couples are faced with - having two of everything. This resulted in the need to condense and make the most out of the space they have. One of the largest challenges they encountered was their bedroom with its wall of closet and wall of windows leaving little space for furniture arrangement.

Using the handy dandy floorplanner.com (as mentioned here, here and here), I recommended a layout that seriously condensed the amount of furniture within the space and used the window as a backdrop to the bed. Thinking more about it, windows can be one of the best backgrounds for a bedroom - often framing the headboard and offering great natural light to wake up to. Below is the layout recommended, a very early pic texted by Jen and some additional inspiration for trying this out in your space. Now we just need to work on the decor to brighten the space up!

(layout recommendation)

(sorry Jen, but you get the idea)

apartment therapy

live in des moines

decor pad

the bump

classic furniture

nic nac maniac

Design Inspiration: Senate

I took the boyf out to dinner at Senate, a gourmet hot dog place in Over The Rhine, for an early birthday present. We both had been dying for some good hotdogs - especially a Chicago style one - so it seemed like the perfect place to go. The place was decorated in a more modern, simplistic fashion that, if I had the 4G with a flash, I would have snapped at least 30 pictures of the spot. Since I'm only at 3GS status, I will have to describe instead. In total, there were three significant points of highlight that could be applied to the home:

• Concrete countertops. The first thing you notice when you walk in the door is this amazing concrete bar. The countertops were mimicked in the bathrooms along with the kitchen station which gave an industrial feel while brightening up the space otherwise filled with brick and wood. If you're not able to refinish your floor or redecorate your kitchen, ways to incorporate concrete into your space include small accessories, molded vases or even large tiles rested on countertops or pieces of furniture. Balanced with more "cozy" textures such as wood or wool, concrete can portray a more modern feel without looking overly stark or cool.

top to bottom: senate pub, concrete network

• Exposed brick walls. The second thing that you notice when walking into the restaurant is the exposed brick walls. It made the place feel homey while at the same time consistent with the overall modern feel. Unfortunately, exposed brick can't exactly be faked. Either you have it or you don't. 

top to bottom: design is mine, apartment therapy

• Wallpapering small spaces. For some reason, I am absolutely obsessed with wallpaper - the more busy the plan, the better. Lately, I have loved the idea of wallpapering small spaces. At Senate, the restrooms were smaller, one stall spaces that were adorned with a beautiful gray damask. For some reason, a busy pattern opens up the space by applying a similar pattern from floor to ceiling. 

FAKE IT: For those of you (like me) that can't wallpaper their spaces, try grabbing some sample pieces and either framing or pasting onto a series of canvases. It will give off the same effect without being permanent.

top to bottom: frill, decor pad, gaita interiors, life is good

C'mon, just let me paint.

In the midst of redecorating, I am really getting the bug to paint my walls. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to (according to my landlord) so instead, I thought I'd daydream about it. 

Painting is one of the easiest ways to revamp a room. And, if you purchase accessories in multiple colors, all you need to do is change up the wall color for an instant shift in moods without the added stress of finding new accessories to match. 

If you are lucky enough to be able to paint your walls, here are some ideas along with reasons why they work. As for me, I'll just stick to daydreaming and hanging up tons of pictures.

To me, kitchens have always been the room that gives me the creeps and I'm pretty sure that being a lousy cook is the reason for it. Painting the kitchen  a bright color however, makes the room seem less scary and more approachable. Choose artwork and colors that are a little more unexpected (steer clear of the typical fruit ensembles and yellow hues) to modernize the space and take off some of the pressure.

Wallpaper companies have made huge strides in their patterning, making wallpaper a great choice for adding some texture to any room. If you take a look around and notice that all of your furniture and/or accessories look sort of plain (neutrals, patternless, etc.), wallpaper may be your best bet to add some visual interest. Focus on a neutral pattern or one with a few different colors to make the look more versatile.

I had this one bathroom in my first apartment after college that I painted two different shades of thick green stripes and absolutely loved the look. Paired with a claw foot tub, the bathroom ended up looking regal and luxurious and you almost didn't notice the gold laced linoleum floor (yuck). Striping can also let you paint a room with a brighter color (as seen above) without looking overpowering. Try a bright pastel or a monochromatic combination to keep the room looking fresh. Mix the paint finishes to add just a tad more drama.

Not exactly a room, the decoupage idea in this window display can translate really well on a feature wall or in a small powder room. Staying with newspaper can keep the walls neutral enough to stay versatile but if you're feeling up to it, magazine ads and feature articles would really add some quirk and humor.

I absolutely love the idea of painting an area dedicated for featured artwork. This painting frames the bed in a way that makes it more inviting while filling a corner that would have otherwise looked bare.

FAKE IT: Not good at painting? Check out etsy for some wall graphics to get the same effect without the mess.


top to bottom: design sponge, simply grove, decor pad, re-nest, paulhina

Gray and gloomy with a side of sun.

Today was just another gray day in the wonderful city of Cincinnati and I am officially in desperate need of some sunshine. Then I thought of a color combination that is perfect to write about on a day like today - gray and yellow.

These days, this classy duo can be found anywhere from the bedroom to the bathroom, the trick being able to choose one of the colors as the primary and then balancing the warm with the cold. There are two directions you can take with gray - warm or cool. A warm gray has a taupy undertone that works well with a golden yellow. A cool gray has more of a purple undertone that looks incredibly chic with a very saturated yellow. Try adding gold, silver or white to the mix for some extra splash. To add more depth to a space, mix different shades of the primary color of your choice. A few inspirational rooms to get you started below.

  top to bottom: Domino, Decor Pad, Rate My Space, ShakinStyle, West Elm

DIY OPP: Looking for artwork to finish off the room? Try making your own. Grab a canvas and stripe on some gray and yellow paint or, if you aren't a painter, check out Flickr's Color Lab. If the image is under a Creative Commons liscence, you can download the image, blow it up and get it printed on paper or canvas. Import them in iPhoto to add some personal flair and choose a black or dark brown frame to help draw attention to your beautiful masterpiece.

If you have the artwork covered, try constructing some pillows (two cloth napkins will do) or crocheting a bright yellow blanket to use as a throw. Here are some great ideas.

 top to bottom: flickr, flickr, sew on 'n so on, Delicate t Bone, flickr