Blissful Musings

It’s no secret that I love all things paper.  Paper crafts, stationery, letterpress, my cricut that cuts paper, paper collections and any sort of detail that involves paper.

Lately I’ve been wanting to create some sort of paper garland to decorate our home.  I know it’s often used for a party but, I think the right combination and placement can add some pop and fun to a room.

Paper Garland inspiration…

Even the spools are cute.  I think some layered strands criss-crossing over each other would be a fun backdrop.

Kristina Marie Etsy Shop via With this Ring

When the garland hangs straight down it creates almost a chandelier effect.

Eat Drink Pretty

This is such a creative idea.  Imagine adding it to a little boys room.  I love the simplicity of white airplanes, but coordinated colors could look just as good.

Smile and Wave

Bunting is so popular right now.  Ruffled Blog makes it easy with downloading your letters in different patterns.

Ruffled Blog

I adore this version of paper garland with the different patterns and how each piece fans out.

The TomKat Studio

Sometimes it’s not so much your DIY but appreciating someone else’s. I want to buy something from this shop, I just can never make up my mind which one.

Bookity from Etsy

Now I just need to get out my paper and start cutting away.

p.s. I start my sewing class tonight!! So excited!!

We are always watching HGTV, DIY Network and reading all the awesome home renovation blogs, but in reality many things do not apply to us.  We rent our home and size is not on our side.  One day, right?  In the meantime we need to figure something out.

Renting creates some complications.  The place is your home, but it’s not quite your own.  This means taking out walls, adding tile, making large holes, hanging new doors, and anything that is permanent or leaves a permanent “stamp” is off limits.  Even painting is conditional if allowed at all.

Our old place allowed paint, but the standards for the wall once the lease was up, left us being hesitant to bring out the paint brushes.  In our new SF condo we rent from a private owner and painting is off limits, in fact we got a better deal on the place because she didn’t repaint.  This left us with a black accent wall in the bedroom, but that’s another story.

How do you add style, personality and design to a rented home?  It’s a little bit more of a challenge.  Lately I’ve been keeping my eyes open for fun, home DIY projects that we can use in our rented condo.  (Really, they are awesome for home owners too though).

Wallpapered Bookcase by Pepper Design Blog

A wallpapered bookcase will add color and pop and is a great alternative to actually hanging wallpaper.  Also, it gives you an excuse to buy some fabulous wallpaper.  (Have you seen Oh Joy! is coming out with a design?)  Some paint can also achieve a similar effect.

Collapsible Storage Bakets by Sew 4 Home

Who can’t use some extra storage?  Plus if the storage coordinate with the room, you are adding style not an eye sore.

Coffee Table to Ottoman by Pepper Design Blog

A little more of a complicated DIY project.  However, I think it challenges you to look at pieces you may already have and how you can recreate them to compliment your home.

Fabric Drawer Liners by Mod Podge Rocks (and a fun new knob)

Another reason why Mod Podge is awesome.  Also, finding a cool knob can completely change the look of a piece of furniture.  My favorite knobs are at Anthropologie.

Summertime Wreath by Cartwheels in My Mind

This project is so adorable and full of fun personality.  I LOVE the flowers especially.

Paper Capiz Shell Chandelier by Design Sponge

The chandelier is just ridiculously creative.  It’s worth looking at the tutorial just to see how it all comes together.

Recovered Lampshade by Olive and Joy (via ish and chi)

I really want to try this project.  I love patterned lampshades and they always seem to be so expensive.  This seems like an easy alternative to get the same style.

Fisherman’s Orb and Vignette by Love & Lace

Stephanie and Love & Lace has seriously some of the BEST DIY projects.  Her home is amazing and I’m constantly in awe of her awesome ideas and style.  Plus, she is super sweet too.  I love the idea of creating a vignette on the wall with some DIY pieces and simple shelving.

The best thing about most of these projects is that you are creating pieces that have flexibility whether you are just rearranging a room or actually moving.  If you own a place and aren’t up for major renovations or projects these ideas will work just as well to update or refresh a space.  It’s investing in “mobile decor” that will travel when you move to the next place, move it to a new room or are setting up your first permanent residence.

Any simple decorating tips that are rental friendly?  What’s a favorite DIY “mobile decor” project you’ve done?

Also, check out this post from Ish and Chi for some more rental decorating ideas.

Lately I’ve been picking up flowers from the farmer’s market each week.  Something about fresh flowers in the house just adds a welcoming touch.

Here are a few recent bunches we’ve had…

What is your favorite type of flower to have in your home?

Remember my post about bedding?  It’s still on my mind.  Especially after I came across some lovely duvets at West Elm that wouldn’t break the bank.

Don’t you think these would just invite you to crawl into bed after a long day?

I just want to sink into this bedding at the end of the day.  The texture just looks luxurious.

The simple pattern doesn’t overwhelm, but still draws attention.  I’d maybe go for some more simple throw and pillow covers to balance the actual duvet.

Can’t you just imagine this with some cute yellow throw pillows?  I’ve been into pops of yellow.  I like that this bedding has a pattern, but at the same time potential for a different look and feel depending on what else you match.

{all photos from West Elm}

I just want this room in general.  It feels welcoming and comforting and exactly where I want to land at the end of a long day.  The wall vignette is actually what I’ve been wanting to do in our own room.

When we were registering there was a great debate about the bedding.  Mark didn’t want anything that had floral or was too loud of a bedding as he prefers neutrals.  Oh and it couldn’t be over the top expensive.  I wanted some sort of pattern and color.  This seems like a simple request, but in reality there wasn’t much that fit our criteria at the stores we registered at.

Eventually we finally found a pattern and color we agreed upon. It was the Cole Stripes from Pottery Barn.

While we both like the look of this bedding and have been happy, the biggest downfall is that lovely DRY CLEAN ONLY silk.  Oops.  In our excitement of finally finding a bedding we agreed upon, we didn’t think through the whole cleaning thing.  Which is now a pretty penny.

Now as we contemplate getting some new machine washable bedding I am again debating do  you go pattern or plain?  Color or neutral?  And now I’m not so sure I am on one side of the debate.  I decide to randomly go through my google reader and look at all the various bedrooms I’ve saved and “starred.”  It’s kind of all over the place.

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Maybe the secret is neutral and plain with pops of color and pattern in the pillows?  Or the bedding is the focal point and everything compliments that.  But then what kind of pattern?  I just don’t know.  As you can tell I feel very indecisive on the whole topic.

So what do you say?  Do you prefer pattern or plain?  Bright colors or neutral?

As I was doing my nightly routine of reading through posts on my Google Reader, this post from Three Men and a Lady caught my attention.   I seriously wanted to save every picture on the post.  Then I went the website and got even more excited.**

Kara and her husband Tim are design consultants that will help you design your space, create custom artwork and have a website full of tons of great ideas and inspirational spaces.  I want to give them my whole 1 bedroom apartment to transform.  Seriously.  Don’t tell my husband.

Okay that is just a small glimpse of everything I found, bookmarked, and stumbled etc.  Go to their blog to find more of their work.  You’ll end up staying for awhile.  Just warning you.  Now my wheels are turning on how I can add some of that same pop and personality into my own home.

**I am not sponsored by any of the mentioned blogs or vendors in this post.  I just got really excited finding all sorts of home decorating and inspirational goodness.

I wish we had a guest bedroom, but unfortunately it wasn’t an option when we moved the city.  This is kind of a bummer because we LOVE to entertain.  We have an open door policy for our friends and family.  We love to have people over, hang out and spend some quality time.

I just wish we had a lovely and comfortable guest bedroom to put them in.  Because right now here is our guest bedroom.   That is really an AeroBed in the living room.

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Now this was an investment and we did what we could to make sure we got the best and most comfortable air mattress possible.  And we make it pretty with bedding.

BUT if I could really have my way I’d want our guest bedroom to look something like this…

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However, who am I kidding?  Let’s be honest, I just wish our bedroom looked like this.

Do you have a dream room?

Hello?  Anyone still here?  Yes, I know I’ve abandoned the blog for a few weeks.  I just got the point that one more thing on my to-do list was driving me crazy, and when my creative outlet of blogging starts to feel like item 52 on the to-do list, well it’s time to take a small break.

Since I last posted I’m happy to announce we have successfully made it to San Francisco!  We moved into our condo, have unpacked all boxes and are basically settled other than a few blank walls and some random displaced items in the bedroom.

I’ll give a “tour” soon, but here is a sneak peak.

So far we are really enjoying the city.  We live above a grocery store, are in walking distance to work and are exploring the city.  It’s definitely different than our San Diego and Orange County upbringings.

Here is a quick summary of life in the last few weeks:

• With the help of my MIL unpacked the kitchen the same day we moved
• Woke up on our 1st morning to the annual Bay to Breakers run complete with sequins, leotards, giant human carrots, runners with kegs and naked people (just google it)
• Ventured across to the Bay Bride for a trip to Ikea and Target.  Only got lost once.
• Walk back and forth to work everyday
• Watched the season/series finales of LOST and 24 (what did you think?)
• Breakfast at Brenda’s French Soul Food
• Accidentally walking through the Tenderloin on the way home from Brenda’s Soul Food and witnessing a drug deal (Tenderloin is not the best area of SF)
• Dim Sum in Chinatown.  Mark bought the $2 backscratcher he has been talking about for months
• Ate at the delicious A16 with Mark’s mom and our family friend.  Pizza, pasta and the food is to die for.
• Bought umbrellas. Realized we need to add some jackets to the wardrobe.
• Watched In The Heights at the Curran Theater with my aunt and extended family.  Fantastic music!  If you love musicals go see it.
• Fly back down to Southern California for my cousin’s wedding where I finally got to meet the amazing Mrs. Lemon of Weddingbee and Kimberly Michelle, who was the MOH.
• My parents and brother drove us back to SF where we proceeded to have the car transmission die on the 580 and leave us stranded at the bottom of an offramp (thankfully we had made it to civilization and were no longer in fields along the 5).  We got a tow truck and took an hour cab ride back into the city.
• Saw our 1st Giants game with my family.  Super fun, extra innings, Giants lost in the end

I’ll post more about our restaurant experiences here in the city.  Let’s just say I already have a wishlist of where I want to go.

Overall things are really good.  We miss our family, but know that they will be planning trips to visit in the near future.  I’m terribly behind on catching up with friends due to the new schedule.  My phone dates with all my best girl friends used to be on my drive to and from work.  Now with a less than 10 minute walk and long hours, I’m overdue on about 10 calls.  But more than anything we are so excited for what is in store.

Basic summary?  I’m back.  Ready to share new experiences in San Francisco and get back to my regular blogging.

What’s new with you?

Let’s be honest I love drooling over the latest issue of Coastal Homes, Architectural Digest or House Beautiful as much as everyone else.   Whenever I drive by incredible homes I am always imagining how amazing the inside must be to match the immaculate outside.  However, the likelihood of me living in a large, gorgeous home anytime soon is 0%.

For now I will be living in a little one bedroom apartment.  And I’m content with that.  We choose to live in California so therefore it’s more expensive to buy a house and we will be saving for awhile.  In the meantime I get really excited whenever I see small homes, spaces or nooks decorated to perfection.  I’m inspired, encouraged and suddenly ready to make great use out of my small space.

Apartment Therapy has a contest on “Small Cool” Spaces and I always look forward to seeing all the amazing pictures that come pouring in.  Here are a few standouts so far…

Isn’t this window just beautiful? I’d love to have a bay window.  I imagine it would make your small place seem so much bigger.  I like the mismatched chairs and white dresser especially.

Something about this room is just intriguing.  It feels almost slightly tropical with the low wooden frame, good light and that palm tree.

This couch converts to a bed at night and still looks just as cute.  Love the storage ottomans that are also trays.  We have one from Target and was a great purchase for us.

This apartment was decorated so well.  The wall colors make it seem so homey.  I also like how they used the floating shelves to add some interest.

Such a simple uncluttered kitchen.  I really like the open shelving and the selection of glasses and bowls.  I’m not sure I could actually do this without appear cluttered though.  We have way to much stuff cleverly fit (by Mark) into our cabinets to maximize space.

Again the wall color and simplicity draws me to the space.  I also love the wall of frames.

My favorite parts of this little kitchen are the rug and those EAT letters you see on the right.  I want those letters.  Are they the ones from Anthro?

all pictures via Apartment Therapy Small, Cool Contest 2010

What are your best tips for decorating a small space?  Do you live in a smaller apartment/condo or a bigger home?

How was your weekend? I enjoyed lots of quality time with friends and family and was sad to see it all come to an end. I’ve been on an Etsy kick lately, and I thought a good way to start the week would be with some thoughtful sayings that I’ve seen on prints.

Dylan by Studio Mela

Best Day Every by ErinJaneShop

Love is Everything by Studio Mela

Imagination v2 by Studio Mela

Do What You Love by LetterHappy

Flock Together by ErinJaneShop

Erin Jane Shop and Studio Mela (dazeychic) were new Etsy discoveries for me and I think I may have “favorited” half the items in their shop. I want to build a wall of frames with prints and pictures. I think these prints may be a good start…

If you are going to fill blank walls you might as well fill them with positive words right? What are some of your favorite sayings?