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?

I recently saw this tutorial from Hazelnuts (via Indie Icing) and was instantly loving the adorable custom mug cosy!  How cute is that?

Adding it to the must have list for sewing now.  I’m getting out my sewing machine this weekend for some projects and I might be making use of this tutorial.

Any recent tutorials you have found and added to the to-do list?

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?