a perfect nursery

when i picture myself having kids, for whatever reason, i always picture them being boys. not that i have much say in the matter, but i think i just feel more confident in my rough-and-tumble sports skills than any girly influences i might possess. but then i came this incredible nursery from designer extraordinaire, emily henderson, + i'm not quite sure which i want. guys, this nursery is incredible.

i absolutely love the color palette + the wallpaper is pretty much to die for. you can see more on the nursery makeover (including product details) at emily henderon's blog.

the argument for "stuff"

I have a lot of stuff. Random collections I've started + long forgotten. Late night Etsy finds. A vase or tray for pretty much any occasion. At my old apartment I had a specific place for everything + it worked. When I moved last month this "stuff" 1. scared the crap out of my boyfriend + 2. seemed to have lost its place/purpose. I plan to share more soon on the progress at the new place soon but in the meantime, here is my argument for "stuff."

Below is the jaw-dropping London home of stylist + photographer Carole Poirot. She demonstrates perfectly that you can have knick knacks + trinkets without them over-taking your whole space. These are the little details that I absolutely love.

 

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mcdream home

I probably stopped watching Grey's Anatomy a good eight or so years ago but I admit that for those first few seasons I was a loyal fan. I thought Meredith Grey was the cool yet slightly neurotic girl we all strive to be + of course McDreamy was a total babe. I don't know what fate had in store for Meredith but apparently things didn't go so well for McDreamy as I recently heard murmers that he had been killed off. Excuse me a minute while I let one single tear fall..

If his (fake) death meant I would have gotten to see the inside of his home sooner then I wish they whacked him in season one. I am morbidly visualizing an incident involving a defibrillator. (Sick, I know.) Let's take a peek, shall we?

 

 

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spicy

I took a cue from my favorite blogger, Daniel of Manhattan Nest, + got a little OCD last night. Or maybe I was just horribly embarrassed that my mother sent me out into the real world ten years ago with spices from the DOLLAR STORE. Talk about trauma. That woman loves the dollar store.

Fun Fact: These $3 spice jars from The Container Store cost me more money than my mom spent on the actual spices. Worth it.

living room two point oh

I have alluded to this before, but I spend entirely too much time dreaming about my future home decor + how my current pieces are going to fit into the mix. I also already have had a scheme in mind of what I want this living room to look like but now I feel like it's actually starting to take form...take form very very prematurely. 

I already own seven of the items above. Five of which are incorporated into my current apartment, two of which (the rug and pillows) were bought for one day use. It is a bit delusional, I know. Tastes change but I really do feel like when the day finally comes to do a full living room re-haul I will still very much want the same (or similar) look. I still love my current look, it's just a bit dark so I know that I will want something lighter, like this, next. These pieces have legs though. I'm sure most of them will make it to version 3.0 too.

bones

When I think about my dream home it looks a little something like this but with an updated kitchen + baths + probably some more closet space. But for $4,000/mo this 1,800 sq ft three bedroom, two bath rental near Brooklyn could be yours as is.

I'm a total sucker for exposed bricks + wood beam ceilings. Quite honestly, a place like this in Chicago isn't totally out of the question either if only I had a little bit thicker of a wallet. The West Loop has quite a few spaces like this with the character I love. I would pretty much die + go to heaven if I could have a place like this for my own.

dude decor

There have been a few occasions where guys have asked me for my help with decorating their homes. I feel pretty confident that I have good taste + that my apartment is put together well but I have never really thought about decorating a more masculine space. My home isn't overly girly but what are the alternatives when you are not decorating with fur + vases full of flowers? I was a bit stumped but turned to my trusty sources for some inspiration that would make any man feel at home.

 

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Tips On Decorating Like A Man

1. Use Masculine Materials. Think metal, wood, leather, plaid, + concrete

2. Keep the Colors Neutral. Use a mix of black + white as well as colors that sway on the dark side

3. Showcase Your Hobbies. Whether its sports, travel, or music we want to know what you enjoy. Display what you like to do in your free time with photos, books, + knick knacks

4. Increase Your Chances of Getting Laid. At the very least you should always have extra toilet paper, clean towels, throw blankets (because chicks are always cold), + sheets, blankets, + extra pillows on your bed. Bonus points if you have plants, family photos, + mirrors.

Manly Starter Items
(That chicks like too)

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Where To Shop

Unlike me, you probably aren't willing to spend much money on decor. A few places to get started are: Ikea (for good linens), Roy's furniture, CB2, Craigslist (wood/metal items only. Fabric items are too creepy), Etsy (for unique items you can't get anywhere else).

where the dear + the buffalo roam

I have been a fan of Sharon Montrose for a while now + never cease to be amazed by the new work she puts out. I also love to see the beautiful homes that her work is featured in. This makeover is no exception.