Urban Nest

Archive for the ‘Inspired Nest’ Category

Bold Blue

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Nathan didn’t nap this morning, ack! I realize just how much I count on these naps when he skips one. So, I have to be quick today. I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I’m really into bold blue these days. I’m even toying with a bold blue wall somewhere in our house – I’m inspired by these:

{image from Elle Decor}

{image from Sarah Richardson Design}

{image from Josephine Sasso}

I usually think of blue walls as pale and serene, but there is something about these pops of color that I really like. The question is, how long would love my bright blue walls? Hmm.

Tags: blue
Posted in Inspired Nest | 1 Comment »

Prismera

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

I discovered Prismera Design this week and have loved looking through Laura Su’s gallery of jewelry and art pieces. The wide variety of styles are unique, beautiful, and well-crafted. The necklaces below are inspiring me to create an outfit just to go with them! And while I don’t typically wear a lot of gold, I love the raw/weathered look that you get from these natural looking forms.

{ all images from Prismera web site }

Visit Prismera’s web site to browse through the whole collection. And check out the everyday section for art pieces and a selection of paper products. I love the silver and natural kraft paper look of the sketchbooks and postcards…somewhat reminds me of Oh Joy, elegant, but down-to-earth. And Laura recently added some sweet home goods in the Tinker Supply Section. There’s a little something for everyone at Primera…so visit today!

Tags: jewelry, paper goods, prismera
Posted in Inspired Nest | No Comments »

Just Another Literary Dining Room

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Not much more to say here. Just another well-read dining room from my ongoing collection of library dining inspiration. This one is from Kerri & Luke’s “Bang for Your Buck” Bungalow on Apartment Therapy.

Tags: books, dining room, library
Posted in Inspired Nest | 3 Comments »

Scout

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

This weekend, Juliet and I came across The Scout Guide for Charlottesville:

Blogger, Susie Matheson, created this pretty guide as another way to support and promote local businesses in C’ville. To say it’s a collection of business advertisements doesn’t do it justice. The ads are cute and clever and are printed on heavy duty paper bound together in a way that feels more like a book than a magazine. The guide includes some businesses that are new to me, like duo and derriere de soie:

I’ve put these on my list for the next time I’m in Charlottesville. It also has some favorite finds from a girls weekend last fall: Sustain and Mas.

I found my copy of this charming guide at Can Can – definitely keep your eyes out for it! I wonder if anything like this is in the works for Richmond…

Tags: scout guide
Posted in Inspired Nest | No Comments »

Falleluia

Friday, August 13th, 2010

That’s what I’ll be saying when the temperatures finally cool off around here and we head into the crisp weather of fall. Hopefully when that happens, I’ll be wearing something like this outfit from J. Crews’ fall lookbook:

I love this outfit – particularly the touches of bright blue. In fact, this bright blue has been on my mind for the past several months, and I’m planning on working it in to a little update to our family room. Here’s a sneak peek at a new piece that’s going to be front and center in my new scheme.

Stay tuned for more updates on my family room redo. I hope everyone has a great weekend and stays cool!

Tags: art, j crew
Posted in Inspired Nest | 2 Comments »

Design Star, Season 5

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Have you caught any episodes of this season’s HGTV Design Star? I have watched a handful and seen a few interesting ideas to keep in mind when designing in the future. From this past Sunday, I liked how Emily & Michael painted the ceiling in their dining room space. I thought it added the right amount of color without darkening the room…it was unexpected and fun. You can catch a glimpse in this image.

{ all images from HGTV.com }

One of my favorite elements in a room so far was the fireman silhouette painting that was created for the firehouse lounge room in NYC. I’m trying to think of a way to incorporate the same idea into a painting for my own home. I don’t have any connection to firemen, so I need some ideas of other interesting shapes that would relate to my family…hmmm…I might have to keep thinking on that!

Other recent challenges included designing and styling a kitchen for a Sears Catalog photo shoot and this was my pick of the two.

They are down to the final three designers, so tune in this weekend to see who will be left standing. Right now Casey seems to be the favorite among the judges and I agree. What do you think? Who should get their own show? You?

{ Casey, Emily, and Michael }

Tags: design star, HGTV
Posted in Inspired Nest | 2 Comments »

My Grand Foyer is Her Grand Living Room

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Remember my painted orange accent wall in my pseudo, er grand, foyer? I still love it. And I even got around to touching up all the fuzzy edges. Really it remains one my very favorite spots in the house.

Well, I can’t tell you how delighted I was when Gaby from After the Before, but Before the After wrote to tell me she was inspired to paint her living room wall!

Talk about “grand”! This wall is gorgeous.

What a dramatic effect this color and pattern have in Gaby’s living room. Don’t those sleek lamps create the perfect glow on the wall?

And I love that painted white chair to the left of the t.v.

Check out Gaby’s terrific blog to learn more about how she refined my process (thanks to her very own engineer!) and a few tricks she learned along the way that will make it easier for all of us the next time around. And be sure to dig around and see all the fabulous projects Gaby takes on in her home. She’s full of terrific before and after features!

Tags: before and after, painted wall
Posted in Build the Nest, Inspired Nest | 2 Comments »

Tommy

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Looking for more inspiration? Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson’s hilarious design partner, is now on facebook! Last week he posted pictures of this fabulous kitchen:

I absolutely love the slate floor, and the rustic dining table is the perfect contrast to the stainless steel countertop. I can’t wait to see what other sneak peeks he posts. Thanks, Tommy!

Tags: kitchen, sarah richardson, tommy smythe
Posted in Inspired Nest | 2 Comments »

I Have An Idea: Paint!

Monday, August 9th, 2010

I’m way behind on my blog reading, but got caught up on some print publications this weekend, so I hope this isn’t old news. In reading the August issue of skirt! magazine, I learned about IdeaPaint. Brilliant…

IdeaPaint turns virtually anything you can paint into a high-performance dry-erase surface, giving you the space you need to collaborate, interact and fully explore your creativity.

– IdeaPaint.com

Just think of the possibilities for ideas, memos and art…for kids (of all ages)…for recipes, menus and love notes…

{images: IdeaPaint on Flickr}

Tags: IdeaPaint, organization, paint
Posted in Inspired Nest | 1 Comment »

EmersonMade

Friday, August 6th, 2010

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen EmersonMade in the blogosphere before, but Sarah Richardson’s finds reminded me of these pretty fabric flowers. I love the colors – my fall wardrobe might just need one of these.