trash to treasure

Lately I've had a bug to purchase old pieces of furniture and antiques to refinish them. I think my new favorite hobby will be reupholstering and refinishing furniture and accessories! There's nothing better than reusing pieces with style and freshening them up to fit with your own decor. Here are some inspiring ideas from Chic Antique to get my wheels turning...

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happy friday...

Friday is finally here...and I'm celebrating with these unique ways to add stripes to a room! Some are a bit wild for my taste; but inspirational and quite creative! Some actually make me a tad dizzy, but that could also be due to ladies night last night at Chopstix. Thanks to Portor House Designs for the great pics!

Hope you enjoy the photos...and stripe your little hearts out this weekend!

new fall finds

As much as I don't want to kiss the Summer months good-bye....I am loving the new fall lines in furniture and accessories!

I am in love with this leather chair from Williams-Sonoma Home; it is a beauty from every angle and would look amazing in a den, library, bar or lounge. These Saddle Stitch Hurricanes are also quite fabulous from Williams-Sonoma....and I actually like the brass! The chandelier from Restoration Hardware is made of wood and zinc...so unique and stylish. Love how versatile this trunk can be from Restoration Hardware; function and beauty in one. And who wouldn't love to sit in a rocking chair made to replicate the comfort of a hammock. This bookshelf also from Restoration Hardware would surely spice up any home office!

the look and feel of faux

Sherwin Williams has come out with a line of faux finishes for your wall called Faux Impressions. All you have to do is select from one of their four textures and you'll be well on your way to adding drama to your room. There are even instructional videos for those who want step-by-step guidance throughout the painting process. Here are some photos that use the Metallic Impressions line and the Quartz Stone Impressions line.

make a wish

I decided to post about beautiful beach houses today...why you may ask? Well it's a beautiful sunny day in Seattle and it's my birthday! If I could pick a place to spend my birthday this year, I would gladly take my friends and family to a beach house to celebrate! Slightly far-fetched, but a girl can dream...right?! Enjoy these breezy, relaxing photos below from Elle Decor and dream along with me.

dining in beauty

I'm on the hunt for a dining table and have found some very inspiring dining rooms along the way....hope you enjoy! Love the different chairs, lighting, and wall treatments to make the rooms unique.

too cute for words

Last night I went to an amazing party where the most talented ladies showed off their adorable creations! Here are some photos from My Oleda....wishing I had a baby to dress in these breathtaking outfits and accessories!

Here are some photos from Happy Hollis Design too! Love!

purple is back in full force

According to Seattle Homes & Lifestyle the color purple is back in style and people are incorporating it not only in fashion but interiors too! Go ahead and drool over these luscious wallpaper patterns from Kravet, adorable tea set from ASA Selection, and sleek vases. I can see that stunning crystal chandelier from Schonbek in a little girls room...perhaps over a charming seating area next to a window. So beautiful!

dear summer....why did you seem so short?

I am not ready to kiss the summer months good-bye quite yet. Already miss the long days and early morning sunshine....here are some photos that remind me of a beautiful breezy summer day courtesy of decorpad.com.

design inspiration

Colors, texture, and fabrics offer inspiration for fashion in the same way they inspire interior design ideas. Here's a beautiful color board of inspiration from Blissliving that was used to create their new fall and winter clothing line.

I love the teal and coral colors together....fresh, tranquil and vibrant!

delta new touch technology

Delta has come out with a new faucet with Touch2O Technology! Do you have dirty hands and don't want to touch the handle to turn your faucet on? No problem....just tap anywhere on this faucet and it will turn on and off!

It is currently only offered in a couple of faucet styles...but it's sure to gain popularity soon and will be offered in a variety of styles in no time.

You even save water using this faucet because of the convenience in turning it off and on....I'm sold!

google sketchup

If you have trouble visualizing spaces both interior and exterior, SketchUp is just what you've been waiting for! My new goal is to learn SketchUp, a 3D computer program that allows you to draw virtually anything from landscaping designs, furniture layouts, exterior details, and an entire home or city! This program is incredible and will help many of my clients visualize their home or room before it is complete.

So many people are visual learners and this program could easily help homeowners make construction decisions by taking a tour both inside and outside of your home to really get the 'feel' of the space.

Stay tuned for my progress in learning the program...

ready for a dip in the pool

This weekend brought record high temps in Seattle. The heat must of gotten to my head as I am inspired this morning by these amazing photos. Oh...how I would I love to go for a dip in some of these stunning pools. Love the outdoor living spaces...an entertainers dream!

your mood and how it relates to design

Research done by Research Design Connections proves that a positive mood is not only good for your health and stress level, but also helps you open your mindset and visual scope. Those that have a negative mood tend to only be able to focus on a specific element being evaluated. With a positive mood, you are more able to compare different elements of design and tend to have a stronger memory of what elements are discussed.

Leah's Tip of the day: When your creative juices just aren't flowing and frustration sets in, take a break and restore your mind to a happier more positive state before you tackle your design project.

Better yet, take a walk or enjoy some peace and quiet in a beautiful setting such as this gorgeous sun room. Chandeliers in a sun room....Yes please! Love how this photo combines nature, charm, and glam all into one space!