Cool in the Kitchen

A cook's dream come true! Ok, even a person who just likes to bake the occasional batch of cookies dream come true (that'd be moi)! This kitchen from the October issue of Homes & Gardens and designed by Toni Silver at Mark Wilkinson Furniture really stores it all in style. I'd love to have a walk-in pantry to hide all my stuff. And the mix of open shelving looks great too, as does the purple on the lower cabinets. But seriously people...the backsplash...the color on that tile is droolworthy!

There's still time to enter the giveaway for your own original Laura Trevey watercolor painting!

Soho House Berlin

Today we're in Germany at the decadent Soho House Berlin, designed by Susie Atkinson. The 40-room boutique hotel is located in an old department store building, which was seized to be the home of the Hitler Youth base during WWII, and later the headquarters of the East Germany Communist Party. Talk about a colorful past! I'm loving the herringbone parquet floors and all that velvet. The headboards are so grand! And what about the spectacular event space, The Politbüro?! Holy mackerel! Promise me if you ever have a party here, I'm invited!

Bright Bold & Beautiful Giveaway!

I'm loving this eclectic boy's room I found in the October issue of Marie Claire Maison photographed by Nicolas Matheus. The bedroom belongs to the son of Tracy Rushmere, a South African designer who created Shine Shine, a line of contemporary African commemorative cloths that includes the whimsical fabric on the headboard above. So fun!

Giveaway Time!

I'm absolutely thrilled about this giveaway courtesy of Laura Trevey, artist and blogger extraordinaire! So many of you already know and love her work and blog (and her turquoise studio!) which is why I'm so excited that she painted "Birds on a Wire", a brilliant original watercolor painting that measures 5" x 11.5"--just for you guys! Don't you love the colors and those plump little birds?! Additionally, Laura is offering a 15% discount, good through the month of October. (Just contact her for details.) Although this painting is exclusive and won't be available for purchase, I know you guys will love her "Winter Wonderland" that is being featured today on my Just Blue & Green blog. Or you can copy me and get your very own "Summer Breeze"...the colors are perfection!

To Enter:

• Visit Laura's website and blog Bright Bold and Beautiful then come back here and leave a comment below.
  
• For a second chance, blog about the giveaway and enter a separate comment with the link to your blog.
• Winner will be announced on Friday morning!

Good luck everyone! :)


Giveaway is now closed. Susie was the winner!

Weekend Bliss

From the bottom of my heart, thank each and every one of you for your comments about my grandma. Your thoughts and prayers have brought me a lot of comfort and that is very much appreciated. The last couple of days have been tough, but her memory will live on and will always bring me much joy. We had a nice time in Iowa, including a lovely afternoon spent at the farm. The weather couldn't have been any more perfect.

Speaking of weather, I have the feeling there aren't going to be too many more weekends here in Minnesota where we can enjoy our porches. Doesn't this one designed by Lee Ann Thornton take the cake?! It's crazy to me that something as simple as beautiful fabric can make my heart so happy. (Here we have Raoul Textiles...just stunning.) The weather is supposed to continue to be nice here, and I wish it only the best for all of you wherever you are this weekend!

Emily Gilbert

I love the warm yet refined vibe of this room captured by Emily Gilbert, a photographer out of New York City. (Remember these rooms?? Her talent too!) This space was actually part of the New Jersey designer showhouse Mansion in May and was designed by Christine Thompson. I love the ribbon detailing on the sofa, and how it's mirrored in the stripes on the painting above. All of the molding is absolutely breathtaking too!

A bit of sad news to share today. Last week my grandma passed away, so I'm headed down to Iowa today to say goodbye, and to celebrate her life with my family. My grandma has always been a huge inspiration to me in countless ways, and I'm so grateful that she lived to be 90. She will always continue to inspire me, but I'm going to miss her so much...

I'll see you guys back here on Friday.

Grandma and me on her 90th birthday back in May

Greg Scheidemann Photography

If these two rooms captured by Greg Scheidemann Photography don't get you in the mood to paint your walls turquoise and your floors white, I don't know what will! So fresh and cheery, it would feel like summer all year round living here! I love all that light flowing in!

Lee Ann Thornton

Usually when I sift through portfolios of designers, I'm lucky to find one or two rooms with a little blue in them. This was not the case with Lee Ann Thornton of Thornton Designs out of Greenwich, Connecticut. We're talking page after page of the prettiest rooms filled with shades of my favorite color. I think what I'm enjoying most is her genius medley of beautiful fabrics and wallcoverings. The furniture and lighting selections are utterly fabulous too! Lee Ann also has a blog (don't you love it when designers blog?)...check out It's Everything I Love...!

Mabley Handler Interior Design

Like so many of you, I love everything that Mabley Handler Interior Design touches. This beach-side Amagansett home featured in Hamptons Cottages & Gardens certainly is no exception. The clients wanted a sophisticated beach house, with a cool color palette reminiscent of the ocean and sandy beaches on a misty day. The serene pale oyster gray with a hint of blue is brought to life with texture and depth in such a beautiful way with all the accessories. (Oh my goodness, those chandeliers!) To read more about the home, head over here. And if you missed them before, check out these posts here and here for more eye candy from Mabley Handler! Enjoy your weekend everyone! :)

Alexandra Rae

That's it, I'm moving in! I love every little inch of this home from the portfolio of LA-based interior designer Alexandra Rae, whose work was recently featured on The Green Door. Dark hardwood floors paired with white and aqua always leave me weak at the knees! Just don't get me started on all the slipcovers, stunning lighting, and the prettiest light-filled bathroom ever!! Where's my keys?! Alexandra actually has her own blog too, check out My Pink Sketchbook for lots more!

Pretty in Pink Nursery

Isn't this the coolest nursery you ever did see?! I spotted this sweet space in an amazing beach house on Sketch42. All that pretty pink against the grasscloth is just a dream. Then you have the yum Quadrille fabrics on the windows and fantastic daybed. And the custom-made dresser by Ercole. And the TDF ribbon-covered pillows and chair! And and and...every other little thing you see! Read more about the room and see pics of the rest of the home here!

Tara Seawright

There's so much to love in this cheery Shelter Island home designed by Manhattan-based interior designer Tara Seawright and featured in Hamptons Cottages and Gardens. The serene and beachy color palette of the master bedroom is just perfect. How about the peacock blue library just off of it with the comfy sectional...what an escape! And did you spot the leather hippo footstool in the study?! Parents rest their feet or kids take a little ride...I love it!