Inspiration Request

My good friend Megan asked if I would post on bookshelves. I LOVE book shelves, mostly because I love books...and always wish I had more time to read. Megan loves to read and I thought what a perfect request coming from her. So, here's to you Megan, hope it helps inspire you.

I realized when I went through my pictures that a LOT of bookshelves are painted the same color as the walls of the room. Something I had honestly not thought that much about before. Here, the bookshelves are set back into the wall with a simple trim around it. Then the shelves on the right stand out better too. (Also, notice the mantle and how simple it is...you can see my mantle post here)

I love this office. Anyone who has been to my house knows I use a lot of baskets on my shelves. Maybe that's why I like these bookshelves so much.

A more classic look for shelves...and oh-so-pretty! I love sconces on bookshelves!

Another shelves painted the same as the wall color.

I LOVE this room! Out-of-this-world ottoman, fabulous floor, awesome light...so fun. Again, same color of shelves as walls. By painting the shelves the same color as the walls, I feel like you notice the things on the shelves better.

Love the lights on top of the shelves here. I bet this room is so cozy at night.

These shelves are very busy, but it's offset by a room that is more simple.

Isn't this so pretty? Great way to set up all their pretty books. It's so much more interesting than setting them all upright.

I've posted this one before, but I thought it was a good one for showing how the bookshelves are once again the same color as the walls.

Here, they are the same color, but they also have some detail on the top that makes them more unique.

Again, same color as walls, and drapes!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Where Does it Go?

Time...Ugh! I can't believe this little guy is 8 months. He is crawling and pulling up on things, but still not sitting on his own. Does that tell you anything?....yes, he is going to be a mover.

Look at that cute little face!

And this one (Will at about 2yrs.)...

Is going to be 4 in a couple of weeks!!! (Sorry, bad picture, I didn't realize until I posted that I maybe should have cropped in)

Love this little face.

My little buddy. (and no, the grill is not hot)

Be Inspired

Well, I had a friend comment about her entryway and I thought, 'I have a lot of pictures of entryways, I should post some pictures'...so here you go.

I love all three of the old chandeliers in this pretty hallway entry.

Simply love it.

Love tables in a larger entryway.

Another one. Isn't it such a great door too?

Very simple...but so nice.

This is one of my favs., because of the great door, the picture and the color combination.

Isn't this so pretty?

LOVE white wood floors!

Another great table, plus isn't the black/brown strip of wood

over the top of the door very attractive?

Another fav...probably because of the brick.

Too many favorites.

Love it.

Color me pretty

Since I have been doing a lot of 'simplicity' posts, and might be getting boring for some of you,

I thought I would do one on color.

I LOVE color. I have just become very careful with what I put on my walls...since it can be so easily overdone.

I think this green kitchen is fun, but feels a little overdone

and wouldn't like to cook in it for long.

Another fun idea and great color, but I would get tired of it.

Isn't this so cute? But can you imagine seeing it EVERY day...a lot of the day?

Bright color, well done...in my opinion.

Great color.

I love this color and the way it's done.

Another beautiful color that, in my opinion, is well done.

For a bright color and one that isn't used much on walls, this is so pretty and nice.

Dream colorfully!

For What it's Worth

A friend of mine asked me to blog about Dining Rooms. I hardly knew where to start, because I have SO many dining room pictures, that I didn't know which ones to post. So, hope these pictures can help inspire you.

It is hard to know what to do with the dining room sometimes, because unless you are entertaining, you don't really use this room.

Again, at this time in my life, I like simplicity...maybe it's kids, maybe it's a style phase, maybe I'm just lazy and don't want to clean around everything...whatever it is...I like simple.

So, this room, even though it is very eye catching...it's got a little too much going on for me. However, if you are going to do something fun and crazy, you can do it in a dining room or powder room, because you don't have to see it all day long...like a kitchen, bedroom, family room, etc.

Also, most of us live in cookie-cutter houses...so we look at something and think, 'I don't have the house to do that'...well, it can be very simple making things look a little more unique...like wallpapering...something that is back in. I love these walls (I believe they are papered). If you would like to learn how to wall paper, I could do a class and teach you...I have been wallpapering since I was in Jr. High...or before...really, I started young.

Another way to make a room seem more unique is to add crown molding, or a great light fixture, or paint the trim of the door...all things that make this room look more upscale.

I love this room, but it would be too much for everyday,

so I would do fun table cloths only when guests came.

Here is an example of a room that seems fun when you see it flipping through a magazine,

but I would HATE if I had to live with it.

This room has a lot going on, but the neutral colors help it not look overdone.

I love the this room. The light, the mirror on the ceiling, the color on the walls. Isn't the panelling great?! Another way to give a house character. My sister Rebekah did this to her dining room...picture next.

My sister's dining room. Isn't it pretty? She made all the chair covers herself.

Get a great light.

I love the chandelier and one piece of artwork. That's another thing, if you have one thing you love, don't distract with a bunch of other things that don't mean anything to you.

Botanicals are always great to decorate with.

Aren't the throws on each chair so fun?

Great floor and hutch. Simple table, chairs and walls.

Simple colors and decor.

this room is such a romantic feel with the drapey curtains and table cloth.

I love this room. And if you notice,

most of these tables have one arrangement or nothing at all on them.

Love the gauzy table cloth, color of walls...very nice.

Love the long drapey curtains, the chair covers and great table.

elegant.

More casual, but so nicely put together.

One of my favs!

Love the old hutch!

I almost didn't post this room, because really, who has AMAZING rooms like this

in their house. But it's so great that I had to post it.

And for my ABSOLUTE favorite dining room picture that

I have had for a few years now. I just LOVE it!

The wall color is oh so perfect, the chandeliers, the floor, the chairs,

the fireplace...ok, I am being a little dramatic, but really, don't you think?

Hope this helped inspire you Mindy.