Urban Cottage House Tour

I just came across "Karen's Urban Cottage" house tour, and i LOVE it. The wall colors, choice of furniture, patterns, and objects -- all after my own heart. I've been waffling between painting my kitchen a shade of green or of yellow. This post has me leaning toward green, and for my room and/or living room: a light sage or french gray (which was the color of my bedroom in SB.)

Paint & Colors:
All Benjamin Moore
Trim/Molding/Bead Board/Doors throughout - Decorator White
Living Room - Sag Harbor Gray
Hallway – Woodlawn Blue
Kitchen – Pale Avocado
Downstairs Bath – Carrington Beige
Upstairs Bath - Marilyn’s dress
Master Bedroom – Pale Sea Mist
Front Bedroom – Covington Blue
Study – Dill Pickle

LOVE

I want it all!
http://rice.dk/default.aspx

"Name That Extra Room" Contest

I received word yesterday that my potential roommate is a no-go, leaving me with an entirely vacant bedroom. At the moment, I am using it to finish unpacking and sorting my remaining boxes -- but then I am faced with a dilemma: to look for a roommate or not to look for a roommate?

If I don't find a roommate, what do I do with the extra space? My office/sitting room is so far working out very well, and I already have more space in my kitchen, bedroom and living room than I've ever had. What's a girl to do?

Some ideas I've thought of:

1. Move my office to the spare room. There's more light, more space, and I would never have to worry about the neatness of my workspace in the rare event of guests. 
2. Create a dedicated guest room. I like the idea of a spare bedroom for guests, and could even have it available for short-term rentals or visiting students/scholars/faculty.
3. Work out/yoga room. If I had an entire room dedicated to exercise, am I likely to do it more? 
4. Some other combination of uses I haven't thought of yet?

Post your suggestions and daydreams for me here!

Poppy Artwork

I ordered this print, "Poppy," by ally gore and Robertz Reader for the kitchen a few weeks ago, and it arrived just before I moved. The colors matches are spot on, and the poppy matches the hue of the counter-tops exactly.

Amazing Tile Project Idea

I love the whimsy and boldness of the tile-work in this Charleston home, featured in Apartment Therapy DC's recent gallery. The first image is a children's bathroom, but I doubt I'll have the time or money to invest in gutting my own bathroom and installing a new tile shower or floor. The second image shows a tile-topped table, which would make an easier, more portable project for my kitchen.

Step 1) Find a table from craigslist or thrift that would look attractive with a tiled top.
Step 2) Establish a color palette. Been there, done that.
Step 3) Make nice with some local flooring contractors or tile distributers, and see if they'll throw a surplus tile or two my way.

Btw, don't you love the barn door in the second picture? Another future project perhaps: separating the kitchen from the rest of the house for  cat-free cooking and outdoor patio entertaining.

Color Palettes

Yes, thinking about colors is my favorite thing to do. Here are a few combinations I've collected, largely inspired by art nouveau. The mosaic tile pattern is called "Red Poppies and Air."

Current Living Room Inspiration

Here are two pictures of a random living room i like. i'm considering a similar wall color.

Week One: Creating A Vision

Heart
I'm still working on a vision for my bedroom, but swapping my desk and bed was a huge start. I also removed my big green carpet and replaced it with a beautiful woven rug., which is more appropriate to the small space and brings together some of the colors. I may want to find a smaller rug yet, but the room is starting to feel cozier. I realized that I'm sort of going for an eclectic cottage vibe -- so that I can imagine myself in some sylvan retreat.

Bones
I started a clipboard to hold my list of repairs. So far, one of the most annoying items is the wooden floorboard around the radiators and in some doorways. They are chipped, degraged, or black. In one case, a folded pizza box is used to hold the radiator in place. I need to do some research on wood repair. I'm also inclined to refinish our wooden floors this summer.

My most exciting accomplishment this week was to mop and vaccum all the common floors in the apartmet, including the entryway. It took three hours, but there were parts of the apartment hadn't been fully cleaned since we moved in. The whole house smells like Murphy's oil now.

Breath
I put a clock and a pair of candle holders out on the curb. It's not much, but they were taking up space and I have no intention of using them. I'm considering replacing my laser printer (in photo), since it's so huge -- but I will have to research replacements before kicking it to the curb.

Head
Having moved my room around, I am now able to observe the space from the Southeast window. I'm reconsidering my hallway and behind-the-door storage, both of which are visible from the corner. I also need to relocate my paper files to the basement.

The Interview

Favorites
actresses: parker posey, judy dench
actors: bill murray, vince vaughn
artists: klee, rauschenberg, mondrian
writer: gloria naylor
music: gutherie, be good tanyas
restaurant: del rio
automobile: my toyota, old school jaguars
TV show: buffy the vampire slayer, law and order
clothing: my hat, red shirt, good pair of jeans

Describe your styles (3 words)
1. colorful
2. eclectic
3. simple

Where have you lived?
Born: traverse city, mi
Grew up: ann arbor
As an adult: santa cruz, santa barbara, somerville

Whom would you consider a role model?
my folks

What 2 adjectives describe qualities that you admire in this person?
capable
generous

What is the problem with your apartment (3 words)?
1. storage
2. clutter
3. flow

If you apt could speak, what would it say is the problem?
"Too much baggage."

What one thing would you like to do or do more of in your apt?
Study.

Eight weeks from now, how would you like your friends to describe your home (3 words?)
1. Creative
2. Clever
3. Functional