Designing a bathroom or kitchen sometimes can be very daunting. No one wants to spend thousands of dollars on a remodel only to hate the tile or the cabinets once the remodel is complete.  Yup you definitely don't want that.


If you are considering a kitchen or bath remodel and you're on the fence or stuck on what you actually want, check out Design in a Bag.  The site has many pre-made bags that you can choose from or you can purchase a custom one and the cost is very minimal.





Above are different design templates from Design in a Bag.  Even if you choose not to buy a kit, it's a great place for design inspiration.  Take a look and tell me what you think, isn't that a great idea?

My twin sister is planning to redo her living room and I'm currently creating three mood boards so give her different ideas that she can choose from.  Below is the first of three.

The economy sure took a bite out of the shelter magazines.  We lost so many such as Domino and Metropolitan Home, it's really sad.  But with changes great things can happen such as the numerous emagazines coming on the market. 

Check out a couple of my faves:

Lonny Magazine  - This is fairly a new magazine with only three issues but it's really fab and has great design eye cand.  Make sure that you check out all three issues.

issuu.com - Has a lot of design and other magazines listed on the site.

Nesting Newbies  

Southern Florish  - fresh off the presses


Oh just make sure that you have some time on your hands, because you can spend hours browsing these magazines.

Check them out and let me know what you think?

A couple of days ago I was flipping through the channels trying to escape the Bachelor. I mean even when the season is finished the producers still try to find a way to prolong the agony and suck you back in.  After Jake picked Vienna (not that she's bad person, but I think she's a little too young to be divorced and looking for husband number 2), I was seriously baffled and it�s going to take me a while to watch that show again.  I can only say that some men really don�t know what they want.  I think most of those Bachelor and Bachelorettes folks need Patti, Bravo's matchmaker to help them make better decisions.

Oops, forgive me that little rant, let me back on topic.  While surfing the channels, I saw that Mr. & Mrs. Smith was on and couldn't resist watching it.   While the movie was okay, the house was the star for me, it was FABULOUS.  I couldn't even watch the house destruction scenes; it was tragic, I tell you, Tragic!

While the house had a traditional facade, the interior was a great mix of traditional and contemporary furnishings.

                          

Using the house as inspiration I'm going to be doing a series of the posts on some the rooms in the house. I�m going to try and pull some key pieces out of each room and see if I can find a replica for much cheaper, because we all know that movie sets cost thousands and thousands of dollars.  

Let's start off with the dining room.   Do you see that chandelier, isn't that a statement piece.... as my kids would say "pretty, pretty, shiny, shiny�. 

The original chandelier is called Cascade Luminaire from The Kenfield Company.  The cost is around $5,000.  It's pretty but not that pretty. lol  

Here's a replica chandelier, even though it doesn't look exactly the same it's very close.  The replica is called Drops of Rain from WeGotLites.com and the price is $599.

Aren't those dining room chairs great, the clean contemporary lines are perfect mix with the traditional table.  

I'm not sure who made the chairs but I found a similar one at Overstock.com called the Lancester KeyHole chair and the price is only $206 a pair.

I would love to be able to see that house up close and personal, wouldn't you?

I love a good mirror, I think a good mirror can serve two purposes as art and as a reflective piece in the room.
 House Beautiful featured this sunflower mirror on the front page, doesn't it make a beautiful statement over the fireplace?


I went looking for the mirror and found it at Tonic Home  for $375.


Even though the price wasn't shocking,it's still not a bargain.  I did a little research and found a MUCH MUCH cheaper one from Pier One on clearance for $40.  Isn't that a great price for a beautiful statement piece?

Cabin fever has set in, what's up with the cold weather and freaking rain all the time?
I'm so looking forward to warmer weather or a vacation to the sunshine.  In looking for my next hotel inspiration, I knew I wanted to a destination with a warmer climate.  I found a fabulous hotel named Gansevoort Hotel on Turks and Caicos.
The hotel decor blends dark and light in a beautiful cohesive manner and can be easily transfered to real world  living.

Enjoy the pictures below... I can certainly see myself there can't you?



This bathroom is a beautiful mix of materials. With dark cabinets, white countertops, white vessels sinks and blue tinted shower doors the room has a understated elegance while retaining that fresh and clean feeling.


This kitchen could have been very dark but the white countertops creates a great balance and is very luxurious.

Crisp white linens will always give bedrooms an airy feeling.

I have a friend who loves loves loves Target. Did I say she loved Target?  If I call her on a Saturday or Sunday, 75% of the time she's in Target.  She thinking about redoing her living room and I thought what if the entire room was decorated with only Target products.
She loves blue and I think that this soothing blue would look great in the room.


1. This Home Fretwork Rug is a good start for the room. Even though it's monochromatic, the raised pattern gives it just enough interest and elegance.

2. I firmly believe every room needs a little bling and this mirror definitely delivers. Since the mirror only costs $80 the price is well worth it.

3. This side table is a great piece with clean lines.  The drawer will be a good place to store small things.   For a $100 it's a great buy.

4.  This lamp also has a little bling with a shape that is very modern and takes up little visual space.

5. Ottoman's are such versatile pieces, this leather ottoman also includes storage and doubles as a coffee table and extra seating.

6. This Manhattan TV stand with its clean lines is a perfect fit to this living room, it can hold all the stereo components and books if need be.

7. Isn't this pillow darling?  With its intricate scroll work, two of these would look great on the brown sofa giving it a punch of design.

8. Two of these stripes slipper chairs won't take up too much space and the stripes gives the room some color without overwhelming the room.

9. The leather sofa is a classic and will last for years to come.  It will anchor the room and provide ample seating and a nice place to snuggle or take a nap.

What do you think; isn't Target a good place place to shop?

I'm currently in the process of looking for a desk for my master bedroom.
When I saw this desk from Jonathan Adler, I fell in love, but the price gave me sticker shock.
Heck I'm still shocked every time I see the price, Can you imagine $2,750.00 for a desk???



I went looking a desk with the same lines and to my surprise I located one at Walmart.  Got to love the mart.
And the price - $149?  Isn't that fantastic?