Pop of Yellow: My Tivoli Radio

(Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, I just really love it)

One sweet thing about M. is that he likes to surprise me. Take the time a copy of Elle Decor showed up at my door. Unbeknownst to me, he signed me up for a year subscription. 

Another prime example is this little Tivoli Radio in  the happiest yellow, which was a 'just because' gift. Not only does it look perfect (I love the retro vibe) in my space, it also hooks up to my ipod/iphone/laptop and has excellent sound quality.

Truth be told, M. said he was tired of listening to music off my 'crappy' laptop speakers while he was here. I have to admit, music sounds so much better coming from this little yellow box, and now I always have music playing in the background while I work on renderings and designs. A home filled with music is a happy and inspiring home!

Big thanks to M. for this gift that brings me joy each day! You're the best.

xox

Bar Cart Sketch

If you follow my Instagram you'll know that I am still constantly drawing, but I just realized that it's been a little while since I shared my artwork here on the blog. Since Wednesday has always been the day I share my drawings with you guys, I figured today would be the perfect time to show you my latest piece. It is drawn with Prismacolor markers, and took about an hour and half to do!

Cheers to being halfway to the weekend!
xox

New Leopard Pillow

Many of you probably already know that I've been eyeing this pillow forever. Every once in a while for the past year and a half, it will come up in one of my posts. The other day, in light of some exciting news (secret for now!) I decided it was time to treat myself! I ended up getting it from this etsy seller, whose price was the best that I could find! I am so happy with it, I think it gives my room the final pattern that it was missing. 

After I posted this photo on instagram, I knew the room needed it, the combination really spoke to me:

Here are some more shots of my living space now!:

Have you treated yourself to anything lately? You deserve it!

xox

A Bust is a Must

I am so excited that the spring weather is finally kicking in because it means its time for one of my favourite things: Outdoor Antique Markets. Oh there is just something about a good day at the flea market with my best friend that is pretty hard to top.

I have a few items on my list that I will be keeping an eye out for at the fleas this summer. One of them is a bust. I think busts add a feeling of timelessness and elegance to a space, as well as a hint of the strange and unexpected that every room needs.

via Lonny

via Christine Dovey

Michelle Adams via Domino

via Lonny

via Domino

via Domaine

 M. said no to me getting a bust, but I'm ignoring that. I think his Brixton fedora would look just perfect perched on top of an importantly moustached bust.
xox

Mirror (on) Mirror, on the Wall

Earlier this week, I mentioned the mirror-on-mirror idea as a possibility for my $100 bathroom update. I thought I would share some inspiration images where this has been done right!:

Tricia Huntley

via Better Homes and Gardens

Kelley Proxmire via

via Carter & Co.

Veranda magazine via La Dolce Vita

What do you guys think of this look?
I read a tip from designer Tricia Huntley (who designed the first image) on Apartment Therapy to use a small i-hook and fishing wire to achieve this look in a rental. I am worried that it won't be strong enough though...my mirror is pretty heavy!
Happy Weekend! xo

Rental Dilemmas: My Basic Beige Bathroom

There is a part of my apartment that you all haven't seen much of, and that's my bathroom.
Functionally, my bathroom is perfect. Firstly, it's giant. It's got a large soaker tub, a huge shower, and a decent sized vanity. There is also a large window so I have ample natural light. The layout is also ideal, and the fact that I don't have to share it is pure bliss.

Aesthetically...it needs a bit of work. There is nothing really wrong with the way it looks. It's fine. My instinct as a designer is to replace all the tile with something fabulous and paint the vanity blackt, but let's face it, this is a rental and the fixed elements are not changing. Not only would my landlord say no, it also doesn't make sense for me from a financial perspective. But, I am thinking I could spruce it up for around $100.

Take a look at its current state:

^ Call me crazy but I actually kind of like the light fixture. I know it's super outdated, but it reminds me of an old Hollywood starlet dressing room. Things I don't love (but cannot change), are the  plain mirror, the counter top, faucet, light oak vanity colour, and the boring beige tile floors....so pretty much everything.

^ I do like the toilet. It's fairly small and nice looking. 

^ I love my tub and the big window. Again, the tile is not my favourite but atleast it's neutral.

^The view of my shower.
I also currently have pinky corally bath towels hanging on the wall opposite my vanity:

I'm thinking it needs a few minor tweaks to make it look a bit more cohesive, and a lot more styled.
Even though it's perfectly clean and tidy, it looks kind of hodge podge and cluttered to me.

I saw a small graphic black and white rug at The Home Depot that I am considering to replace the boring brown one I currently have. I put my black and white pillow down to get an idea of how it would look, and I'm liking the contrast:

I also think that the black and white help to make the fixed elements feel more 'goldy', which I like.

I also know that I can't change the mirror, but lately I've been seeing a lot of 'mirror on mirror' in bathrooms.... I wonder if there is a way I could put my octagonal mirror on top of this one in a non-permanent way....

Lastly, I'd add some chic accessories, and paint and hang a couple of abstract black and white paintings. I did a quick twenty minute brainstorming sketch:

What do you guys think?
xox

Art for my Music Loving Boyfriend

I don't think I've told you yet, but M. is an amazing musician - singer, songwriter, plays the piano. Really, could I be any luckier? I love listening to him play music. He's recording some new stuff right now, and I can't wait for the day I can share it with all of you! In the meantime, I noticed two spaces recently that featured art that I think my music loving boyfriend would like. I'm not talking music notes or treble clefs on the wall (no offense to anyone with large music notes on their wall...just not my thing), but really cool pieces.

Johnny Buckland's Home via Elle Decor

^This is the home of Johnny Buckland (the drummer for Coldplay) featured in this month's Elle Decor. I loved the entire home tour, but this painting of record spines really caught my eye. M has quite a substantial vinyl collection, so this piece is kind of perfect. It's by artist Dave Muller, who has painted a variety of record spine collections at large scales like this. I love them!

Photo by AC for Tompkins Lloyd Interiors via Mimosa Lane

 ^ My blogging friend Albertina of Mimosa Lane photographed this gorgeous home, and as soon as I saw this vintage boombox art I thought of M. It adds a nice graphic element to this space (and let's not even start on the burled wood end tables!).

One day in the future, I might have to consider merging his style and mine, and I have to say, these pieces would make it pretty easy!
xox

Black Bathrooms

I have black bathrooms on the brain. They are moody and sexy, yet somehow relaxing all at the same time. It all started with Jenna Lyons' bathroom that everyone fell in love with when it appeared in Domino back in 2008, and from there, my obsession has only grown and grown.

Jenna Lyons via Domino November 2008

Mark D. Sikes via Domaine

Gaby Burger via The Vault Files

via Lonny June/July 2010

via Cupcakes and Cashmere

I love Emily's recently unveiled powder room in the last image. It actually reminds me a lot of this powder room I designed for school a year ago! (read more about the project here and here) :

How do you guys feel about the whole black bathroom thing? Would you, could you?
xox

Cane Chair Score

If you follow my instagram account, then you might have seen this beautiful cane chair that I picked up at Good Will for $10 last week (excuse the iPhone picture..read more about the mirror here):

 I was so happy when I found this. I have been looking for a cane chair just like this for well over a year now. Last summer, I saw one at the flea market but they were asking $90. My best friend Laura major low balled for me and we basically got kicked out of the booth. Good times.
But, I'm glad I held out because this one is gorgeous, in great condition, and a great price! Ideally though, I'll be able to find a partner for her, and a great reupholstery fabric.
I  might leave the wood natural though...just touch it up a bit...is that crazy?:

via Lonny February/March 2010

via Lonny February/March 2010

Do you think this is an upholstery job I can tackle on my own? I am an upholstery virgin, keep in mind.My girl's Hannah and Elizabeth were able to do some amazing cane chair makeovers! Check them out.
xox
 

Leopard Print Prints

Who doesn't love a good leopard print? And what about a leopard print print. Are you following? I have two leopard print prints in my own space, and I must say that as far as I'm concerned they were made for each other. Together, they are making my desk area so lovely.

The 'As far as I'm concerned leopard is a neutral - Jenna Lyons' print is from SS Print Shop.
The YSL leopard loafer print is from The Aestate.

How do you incorporated leopard print into your own decor? Let me know in the comments below.