Lauren Liess' House in Domino!

If you've been waiting to see what Lauren Liess' house looks like, the wait is over - the new issue of Domino is out!    It's classic Lauren, a mix of neutrals and texture, with a celebration of natural elements throughout.  Here's just a few scans from the feature on Lauren's beautiful, chic home. (photographs by Brittany Ambridge, text by Brittany S. Chevalier)

The kitchen features a mix of metals and a collection of favorite paintings over the sink.

Breakfast room

Lauren added a cedar ceiling to the dining room to create a cozy feel. 

The loft is my favorite room, absolutely love the color of that sofa and the pillows on the window seat.  Big DIY takeaway as well - the shelves are made from Ikea butcher block countertops!

This new issue of Domino is full of inspiration - heavy on the features and interiors with only a few ads here and there. In my opinion, absolutely worth the $11.99 price tag.


Hope you have a great weekend.  If you're in the DC area, it's the Bear  Bones Tour  this Saturday March 1st for the DC Design House.  (aka Bare Bones Tour, Bear is a cute play on The Children's Hospital mascot)

 4600 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008
 March 1st, 2014, Bear Bones Tour, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 Entry-$5 (or FREE with $25 purchase of DC Design house ticket.)

One Room Challenge Now: the herringbone insert

When I signed off from this past fall's One Room Challenge  library/dining room, it was with the herringbone insert I had planned not quite finished, laying on the floor.  Well, it's finally in!  (Again, thanks to Linda because I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be if it wasn't for the ORC Now follow-up) Notice all the little triangle bits of wood on the right?  There's a way to avoid that and it has to do with better planning the size of your wood pieces in relationship to the opening but that's one of those "When I do it next time…"  Which of course, in this case, there won't be a next time.   Anyway, you'll also notice I've added in two green and white chinoiserie ginger jars and elevated one of the moss balls.

Right now the insert is  raw wood and I've been on the fence about giving it a light weathered gray wood stain.  So I would love it if you'd leave a comment - Stain or No Stain.

As a reminder here's the before picture.  

Update on  THE FLOORS

If you remember from last time, I really fretted about having painted my floors white.  Well, now I LOVE them.  I think it has to do with a few other changes I've made to the room.  As soon as I have those ready for prime-time, I'll put up a post.


Now, be sure to head over to the One Room Challenge Now where I'm betting you're going to find a lot of great updates.  I mean, have you ever met a blogger that doesn't keep changing things?

Left Brain Right Brain - what about you?

This 30 second Left Brain Right Brain quiz was fun - especially because it involved more than just answering opinion questions.  If you're curious - head over here.    All this left & right brain stuff got me thinking about the intersection of the rational and the creative as it relates to interior design. Here's a few pins from by Ideas Board that I think are both practical and creative.

via pinterest

via pinterest

via pinterest

Hope you have an innovative Monday!

Now for the Inside

In yesterdays post, a few people commented about wondering what the inside of Arkansas based landscape designer Daniel Keeley's home.   Well, here it is - looks like his talent extends to interior design too!  Images via Outside the Box with D. Keeley - At Home in Arkansas.

Exterior renovation featured here.

An Amazing Exterior Renovation!

From simple and forlorn, to striking and dramatic.  Can you believe this is the same little house?  Arkansas based landscape designer Daniel Keeley transformed this house with new windows, a brick facade and a lot of talent!  Images via Outside the Box with D. Keeley - At Home in Arkansas.

 

Push Dick's Button

I have and always will LOVE Dick Button!!  When people play that game, "What famous people would like to invite to dinner?" I always include Dick Button,  2 time Olympic Gold Medal Champion and best commentator on the sport ever.  Always tells it like it is, and in my book, right on target.

Now I'm over the moon to discover his recently released book - Push Dick's Button: A Conversation on Skating from a Good Part of the Last Century--and a Little Tomfoolery

My Valentine's Day is complete!

Beautiful Staging

Ekster Antiques posted about a staging project they recently completed in a DC home currently for sale.  Isn't the plaque above the fireplace incredible?  All the items in the home are for sale.  It also happens that Ekster Antiques next barn sale is Feb 21 - 24 in Hamilton, VA (just outside of Leesburg).  

 

 

Now on an Olympic note - 

Congratulations to Emily Hamlin of Remsen, NY for winning the Bronze medal at Sochi - becoming the first ever singles medalist in USA Olympic luge history!  (Photographer David J. Phillip)

My Recent Ikea Buys (including the store model)

Have you ever bought the store model at Ikea?  An Ikea staff person saw me searching for the white version of the Ranarp Work Lamp but there were none to be had.  After I lamented the fact they were sold out, she offered to let me buy the floor model.  I didn't know Ikea did that!  They fill out a special slip of paper that you take with you to the register.   They were also out of the Ranarp clap spotlight but I really didn't need that one…  Love these lamps with the brass and black & white cording - kinda have a nautical vibe to them.

Also picked up a pair of theses Knivig sconces - which can either hold a candle or flowers in the glass tube.  They first caught my eye when I saw them in a post by elliven studio's visit to the 2014 Interior Design Show in Toronto.  The vase portion looks like lucite.

If you've somehow avoided seeing the 2014 Toronto Interior Design Show Ikea kitchen and bathroom so far, you're in for a treat - more here.

Speaking of Blue and White Lattice

Monday I posted about Blue and White lattice for The Pink Pagoda's Blue and White Bash. Well, if you don't want to go bold on the walls, how about this fabulous Navy Lattice Lamp from Charlotte & Ivy?   I'm  also loving the lucite base and the fact that it has a three-way switch.

Hope you have a great weekend!  Michele

IMO Best Candle if You're Sensitive to Fragrances

I am one of those people that is sensitive to smells and fragrances.  Can't tell you the number of times I've had to leave a terrific store because the candle they were burning gave me a headache or made the insides of me ears feel hot ( I know, weird symptom)  Finally, I've found a candle that I can burn at home that has a clean, fresh scent and doesn't cause any allergic symptoms in me.   It's the  k hall designs Jar Candle, Sweet Orange and Cassia.   The other good news is that they really do last for as long as they say they will - 60 hours.   Just passing this on in case you're like me and are looking for candles you can enjoy!

Haute Fabrics: My Recent Finds

The other week I headed over to Haute Fabrics in Arlington and picked up some great remnants.  They'll be made into pillows for some changes I'm making to my One Room Challenge  Dining Room. Got to get ready for the One Room Challenge Now link-up  over at Calling It Home on Feb 26th!

Isn't this chinoiserie-inspiredembroidered fabric amazing!