happy halloween!

In honor of my blog, I feel like I should have been something design-y for Halloween.  Noel tossed around the idea of us going as an architect and an engineer, but that's what we are everyday...so where's the fun in that?  Besides, I wanted a costume slightly more elaborate than a pair of glasses :) 

So instead of our usual architecty & engineering selves, you get Happy Halloween wishes from Bob Ross and his happy little tree!

If you don't know who Bob Ross is:

1. who ARE you/you mean you didn't watch 234,098,748 hours of PBS growing up?! 

2. Here's a remix of what you missed:

short & sweet

I'm on a crazy streak right now trying to finish up my last midterm and get these house projects done.  So as a heads up, I'll probably be MIA until next week.  In order to make this post not completely worthless, here's a sneak peek of the inspiration wall in our office.  If you want to see more sneak peeks as we finish things around here, follow along with me on Instagram (kdanielledesign).

progress. and a birthday.

So, that happened.  What, you ask?  I'm old as mid-twenties as mid-twenties can get.  That's what.  Yesterday, I turned 25.  Aka, I have now lived a quarter of my life (and yes, I do intend to make it to the triple digits).  To celebrate, I told myself I was going to take the day off and "do nothing."  Or so I thought.

I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to take all of my classes this semester online, which meant I was able to have a school-free day without having to skip class.  Awesome, I know.  I'll be paying for it later this week, but I was well on my way to having a relaxing "me" day.  

I decided to do a little shopping to try to find some things for the house I've been looking for.  One thing led to another, and I found myself at Lowe's, knee-deep in lumber, determined to build a headboard.  Ironically, my day of doing nothing, turned out to be one of the most productive days I've had in a while.

First up, I found a rug!  The top two were ones that didn't work in the space.  The brown one on the left I showed you all before, and although I loved it in the store, I didn't love it in the house (mainly because the brown will clash once we get our black table).  The one on the right was SO beautiful in the store...but once I put in on the floor, it looked washed out and downright boring.

And then I found it: the perfect rug.  I stumbled upon it at the other Home Goods near us (yes, I live within 5 miles of 2 Home Goods - how lucky am I?!).  It has cool hues that pull in colors from the chairs, our future table, the wall color, and even our cabinets.  Plus it has a pattern similar to that of the brown rug above, which I originally fell in love with.  It looks ill-proportioned in the picture, but that's just because I was to lazy to actually center it under the table.
 

Then as I said, I somehow ended up at Lowe's, which resulted in me spending majority of my evening constructing our new headboard.  I worked, Noel watched, you know, the way it should be on your birthday :).  Just kidding, he did help by cutting a few boards.  

I haven't quite finished the headboard: the original plan was to put nailhead trim around it, but then I got carried away with the amount of padding I put on it...thus making it nearly impossible for the nailheads to stick.  So, plans changed, and I'm instead going to make it tufted.  Which means I need to get buttons.  And make a frame.  Oh, the projects never end.  And for those of you wondering, yes, I did do all of this in a dress.  That's just the way it works around here. :)

With all the crazy go-go-go that went on around here yesterday, we did take some time out of our night to sit back and celebrate, sushi style, followed up by some deeeelicious Coldstone, (birthday cake remix, naturally).  

All in all, the birthday was a success, but I've got to run seeing as I have a mound of homework piling up.  Adios!

office paint

Today I'm reaching out to you for your advice.  I finished the bookshelves this weekend, so they are bright and shiny and white.  I need to paint the backs of them still, but I haven't decided what color I want to use as an accent in the room.  Where I need your help is with the walls.

As much as I would love to come in and paint them a fun color, they are going to have to stay neutral.  Our plan is to sell the house within the next year (hopefully), so there's no way I am going to want to repaint in that short of time.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, neutral paint sells houses, so we're sticking with a neutral color.  

My original plan was to paint the office walls gray, and most likely a slightly darker hue.  I am a sucker for contrast, and I knew that would make the white bookshelves pop.  However, the space is rather small, and although one wall is almost all window, I'm a little afraid it's going to make the space feel almost cave-like.  

Gray is huuuuuuge in the design world right now.  I love gray - it's fresh, contemporary, and gorgeous.  My only concern: gray is becoming somewhat of a norm, and I like to be different.  We've already painted our bedroom gray, and Noel does not like the idea of having every room the same color.  That doesn't bother me though...because I think it is ridiculous when every room in a house is a different color: houses need to flow and feel cohesive.

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

When I got out my fan deck and starting looked through the grays, the color that actually jumped out at me wasn't a gray at all - it was greige.  For those of you who don't know, greige is a mixture of gray + beige, hence the name.  It is a gorgeous color, and has a feeling of warmth to it without looking too beigey.  Greige isn't quite as popular yet, but is definitely making a statement.  I think it won't be long before grey and greige are battling it out for the top neutral paint color.

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

Just as I was starting to really like the idea of greige, I turned to my pinterest page for inspiration.  To be more specific, I starting searching through my home office board.  When I got there, much to my surprise, do you know what I found?  A lot of white on white.  And for me, that's rare.

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest                       Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest                                Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

I talked last week about how much the color orange terrifies me.  Well, here's something else you don't know.  White walls scare me just as much.  With white, you run the risk of looking empty and unfinished...but as I was looking through my board I saw image after image of beautiful, all-white spaces...and my mind started racing.  

My plan for the office is to have a very neutral, monochromatic palette in terms of the walls, furniture, and curtains.  Then I would add pops of color through the accents, artwork, and the back of the bookshelves.  By painting the walls white, literally everything would fade into the background, making the colored pieces stand out so well. 

But white is scary.  I've always painted over white rooms.  I don't want my room to feel unfinished.  So what should I do?

Choice #1: Gray.  I know I'll love it.  It's gorgeous, fresh, and will provide the contrast I want.  Yes, it's done all the time, and yes, I've done it in my house.  But I adore it.

Choice #2: Greige.  It isn't as common as gray, it's slightly warmer, and will still provide the contrast I want.

Okay, this color looks gross.  The swatch I have on the wall looks much better than this - I blame the limited color selection in SketchUp.

Or do I take a huge risk and go with Choice #3: White.

I'm just afraid of it turning out like this image below.  They have all of the components for a GORGEOUS room...but it doesn't have that wow factor.  Something is clearly missing, and I think it may just be some color on the walls.

Source via Kirsten Danielle on Pinterest

Which would you choose?

change.

Where do I begin today?  I have so much to share with you that I don't even know where to start.  Let's talk first about where I've been the past few weeks.  As you may have noticed, before yesterday, I hadn't blogged since, oooh, the beginning of October.  It's bad, I know, but it was a much needed break.  School was hectic, life was hectic, Noel tore his ACL, you know, the makings for a crazy life.  But the real reason for my absence?  I was bored with my blog.  I started this blog because I love writing and sharing my design ideas, but as of late, I wasn't inspired, which led to some pretty lackluster posts, or no posts at all.  It was as if I no longer had a clear vision for this blog, and because of that, my inspiration was clearly lacking.  Now if you stumble over to my pinterest page, you'll see what inspires me EVERYWHERE...and this blog needs to be more like that.  So, moving forward, it's all going to change.  It's time to get back to the basics, back to what I love: homes and design.  Starting with ours.

Throughout this summer, we've slowly been making progress on our home.  I know slow and steady wins the race, but at this rate, we won't cross the finish line for at least 3 years, which isn't going to cut it.  Noel and I set a deadline by which we want to have a TON of stuff done in our house....and that deadline is only a week and a half away.  We have so many in-progress projects that we just need to buckle down and finish.  We have some rooms that are 90% done, but we were dragging our heels and kept putting off that final 10%.  So, to hold ourselves accountable, I'm sharing with you pictures of what everything currently looks like (and trust me, I hate showing unfinished pictures)...plus a list of everything we hope to accomplish by November 1st.  Ready, set, go!

Master Bedroom:

This room is SO close to being done.  It is definitely one of our 90% rooms.  What I still need to do is:

• Remake my DMB artwork to hang above the two chairs (I ended up selling the ones I originally made)
• Buy a bed or make a headboard
• Hang the headboard
• Move the black shelf out of the room
• Buy sheers for behind the curtains
• Make artwork for above the bed
• Hang pictures on the blank wall

Laundry Room:

Another 90% room - this one we've been putting off because we didn't have the right tools to finish.  But all that's left is:

• Trim the middle shelf and hang (we're not sure if we'll be able to trim it down because we think the shelf isn't sold wood and is instead hollow)
• Install the clothes hanging rod
• Add labels to baskets & dispensers

Dining Room:

• Replace the chandelier (I'm moving the black one to the office)
• Get our new table
• Find a rug (I got this one yesterday at Home Goods and it is just not doing it for me)

Buffet:

In those boxes is our fabulous new chandelier for above our kitchen table.

• Hang shelves/artwork above
• Accessorize

Office:

We got to work last night on the office, so it's looking a little cray cray in there right now, but hey, I said I'd show you what each room currently looked like.  The white stuff everywhere is the aftermath of me starting to DIY those bookshelves.  

• Paint walls
• Paint bookcases
• Paint drawers
• Trim down countertop
• Replace curtains
• Replace light fixture
• Re-upholster chairs
• Make shelves
• Find a desk chair
• Hang artwork/accessorize

I can't wait to finally have these four rooms finished, and to share with you the final results.  And don't worry, for that, I'll actually take good pictures :)  Have a lovely weekend!

color trends: tangerine tango

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I adore fall.  Everything about it screams comfortable, warm, and inviting.  Temperatures outside may be dropping, but that just gives you a good excuse to wrap up in your favorite sweater, throw on a fun scarf, and wear those fabulous boots you've been longing to wear all summer.

If you're into fashion at all, it's likely that you've noticed certain colors in particular making their presence known this season.  The colors are bold and ready to make a statement, both through your wardrobe and your home.

Today I want to talk about one color in particular, which happens to be Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango.

Here's a secret: the color orange terrifies me.  I love contrast and pops of color, but I lean more towards subtle colors.  And let's be honest, there's nothing subtle about orange.  Sure, you can dull it down, but then you run the risk of getting a yucky peach that looks like it came out of your grandmother's living room.  Moral of the story is: orange is a HARD color to do right.    

Just because it's difficult doesn't mean it can't be done.  It may not be subtle, but you can use it in subtle ways.  By adding pops of orange to an otherwise neutral palette, you create a strong balance in which orange can thrive.  Below are some of my favorite applications of this year's color of the year.

Image credit: {1} {2} {3} {4}

What do you guys think?  Are you brave enough to try out this color trend in your own home?  I'm still working up the courage.

sponsor spotlight: urban outfitters

Notice anything different around these parts?  The blog is getting a little bloggy makeover, which is currently in progress.  So pardon the mess.  The last layout was leaving me feeling a little claustrophobic, so I'm in the process of simplifying and streamlining.  But if you glance on over to the right side, you'll see some exciting new things.  Namely, some wonderful new sponsors.  And today, we're going to talk about one of them: Urban Outfitters.

While most people often associate Urban Outfitters with fun, funky clothes, what you may not know is that they have some seriously awesome and unique items for your home.  From furniture to bedding to artwork, they've got it all, and I can guarantee you it's all stuff you've never seen before.  

Quirky, fun, funky, fresh - head on over and take a looksy at some of their amazing products...or at least take a look at some of my faves:

Go check'em out.

DIY pumpkin centerpiece

Here's a little tidbit about me: I love fall...especially October.  Maybe I'm biased because it's my birthday month, but whatever it is, I love this month.  Because of this, I've been getting in the fall spirit lately: making apple cider, acorn squash, lighting pumpkin spice candles...all of the wonderful goodies that come along with this season.

Well yesterday as I was picking up some things for dinner, I just couldn't pass up the gorgeous flowers on display at Trader Joe's.  A few bouquets and several pumpkins later, and we now have this fabulous centerpiece.

Want to make one of your own?  Well here's a secret: it's SUPER easy.  All you'll need is:

1. Pumpkin
2. Flowers
3. Vase (that fits inside the pumpkin)
4. Knife
5. Flower food

Step 1: Cut a large hole in the top of the pumpkin

Step 2: Clean the seeds out of the pumpkin & put the vase inside

Step 3: Add water & flower food to the vase

Step 4: Fill with flowers

Step 5: Surround with several smaller pumpkins, then enjoy your handiwork!