Play Rooms

I have been thinking a lot lately about playrooms. I think having two girls, now at a stage that we have toys taking over the whole house (I know you parents out there know what I'm talking about) doesn't help. It would be nice to have enough space/room dedicated to nothing but their play area and creative space. My older daughter loves to write, and paint all the time, and it would be great to have a space where she can have the freedom to just go crazy and not be worried about getting the stains and marks on things. Her sister and her are at a point now that they can play, and it is so cute and heartwarming watching them.

via Project Nursery

via HGTV

via Project Nursery

I like different aspects of all the rooms above.  I like the use of chalkboard paint all over the wall in the first image, how fun for kids they can write on the wall without getting in trouble. Plus you'll get new art all the time for free. :-) That second room is so fun and bright - what a great hang out space. I like the personalization of the ottoman in the last image.  The perfect playroom to me is one that is full of whimsy, a creative space that allows kids to learn, explore and experiment. And of course you get a room for all their toys. :-)

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

(Images as sourced above)

Novogratz!

Ever since I first saw the Novogratz's show on Bravo, I've been mesmerized. The Novogratzs are a husband and wife design duo, Courtney and Robert. Their interiors are as unique and creative as they are stylish. They call their style Downtown Chic, and it is all kinds of wonderful! I wouldn't say it is my style, but I seem to love every space of theirs that I've seen. Even if you look at any of their spaces and think "this is not my style" you still can't help but appreciate, and see the immense creativity and originality in them. There is always a cool idea in their designs that could inspire you in whatever style yours might be.

I am so happy that they have a show on HGTV now and the rest of us can check in with them on a weekly basis.

Seriously crushing on this chair, and don't you just love that huge cat sculpture!

I love how bold their designs are, and they are ALWAYS so very different yet very them. Their designs are bold, unapologetic and confident. I love that they are self taught and they make their own rules.

Such a happy kitchen. All these beautiful bright colors. Loving the pink deer head :-).

Pink bathroom, HELLO, you know I adore this. 

One of my favorite things about them is the fact that they are a couple with 7 kids, a successful career, and they seem to effortlessly juggle all of that.
I find their personal life and work so inspiring!

(All images from The Novogratz)

Absolutely Beautiful Things

Absolutely Beautiful Things is a perfect name for the gorgeous blog I'm about to share with you today. Anna Spiro is an Interior Designer in Brisbane, Australia, and her blog is filled with colorful rooms with all kinds of brilliant prints harmoniously living together. I first heard of Anna's work on Decor8, but I didn't get a chance to really take a look at her blog till recently. She also has a store called Black & Spiro, and some of these pictures are from there. I can only imagine the wonderful experience it must be to walk into that store, browsing around at all their gorgeous pieces. They have a new online store coming soon, and I can't wait!

Is it crazy that, that pink chair is probably my favorite aspect of this room! :-)

What a lovely display!

I love all the different patterns and colors going on in this room.  I absolutely adore that wallpaper!

Absolutely Beautiful Things blog is just that, and I encourage you to take a look at all the gorgeous spaces, and things there. Anna has a wonderful eye for mixing prints and colors! I admire her way of pairing bold prints and colors, in an effortless and gorgeous way!

(All images via Absolutely Beautiful Things)

Bird Cage Finds a Home

So you might remember this birdcage from my thrift finds last weekend. My older daughter had the same reaction I did to the bird cage, she immediately wanted it, and demanded to have it in her room.
At first I thought but I want it too, but then I decided to be the perfect mother and let her have it. :-)
Plus, I really didn't have a spot for it, but I bought it because I loved it, and after thinking about it I figured it will be perfect on a shelf in her room. She thought so too!

I couldn't decide between white or red paint at first, but I went with red, and I am so glad I did. I think the red gives it a great punch, and it is perfect in her room that has the white walls with strong pops of color. Plus if she ever got tired of it, or we just wanted to change the color it is easily done. A can of spray paint and... done.
She loves it and I'm happy!

It's good to be kind, because the very next day I got this gorgeous piece of work from her :-). Now that is called good karma! :-)

I wish you a beautiful day!


(Images: Fatou Bah)

Anthro Does It To Me Again!

Oh gosh! This is more than a crush, it is deeply, madly, head over heels, in love. Am I been dramatic? Maybe, but this feeling is oh so real. Anthro (as we crazy fans lovingly call Anthropologie) always manages to do this to me somehow…I just idly go cyber strolling, and BOOM it hits me like a ton of bricks. The kind of love that will torture me for months, days if I’m lucky. I fight hard to get out of this insane loves grip, because I know that there is no way I can afford this. It is my fault though, as I can’t stay away, and I know this won’t be the last time either. I will be back. Shame, shame.

I picture it with tons of gorgeously printed floral pillows, or in an entryway gorgeously nude, as it is gorgeously perfect on its own and needs no accesorizing. Yes, I realize I've used gorgeously three times already, in one sentence, but I can't help it!

Oh you wonderful people have a lovely weekend! :-)

(Images via Anthropologie)

The Other Side

I am quite excited about this post, because I get to share some beautiful pieces from Svenskt Tenn, an interior design shop in Stockholm, Sweden. They have a beautiful stock of furniture, lighting, table linens & wares, textiles and more. I was born in Sweden and even though I left when I was 5 and didn't return till I was 14 for a summer holiday. A part of me always longs for the land I know so little about yet is a huge part of me. But this is not why I'm excited about this post, I'm excited because I get to share pieces that are not the typical Scandinavian designs we see everywhere.

I love the Scandinavian design sensibility, but for me not been too accustomed to seeing this side of their design, this was quite exciting when I stumbled on it. Its like the perfect  marriage for my Swedish and African sides.
I was born in Sweden, left at 5/6 went to Gambia, where my parents are from, and left for the states when I was 15. I'd like to think I have a little of each place in me.

I love seeing the other side of things, rather than the typical things we associate with things/places/people. I don't know if its human nature, and/or it makes it easier to find one thing to associate to a people or place. Maybe its like an ID badge, and it makes it easier to identify those persons rather than seeing a more well round perspective of them
I know its just furniture/design whatever, but it is definitely worth thinking about. I always seem to be the different one where ever I go, and I find that I get asked a lot about stereotypical things.  Like when I first moved to the US - I can't count how many times I was asked if we have lions in our backyards in Africa, or did I leave in a hut, or did I just start wearing cloths (since in Africa we don't) etc. I remember the girl who asked me the lion question been very shocked when I said "nope I actually first saw a lion here at the Zoo."  I didn't understand at first why people would always ask me such questions, but I do now though.
As Africans our "ID badge" is we live in huts, don't wear cloths (another question I had), and we play with animals all day. An idea more foreign to me as a person from Africa than an American, as I'd never even seen those images to even think that there are people who possibly lived this way.

Okay, strange the turns thoughts can take, because I had absolutely no intention of getting into all this. But I guess it needed to come out for some reason so there :-).

Don't you just love these bold colors and vibrant prints? There is no way one can be sad in rooms with any of these pieces. I completey enamoured with that green print, I'll take the chest or chair, or both. :-)

They have so many gorgeous things over at Svenskt Tenn, it is so worth getting lost in their world for a bit. The history of the owners is such a wonderful story as well if you have a chance to read it on their About page.

Have a lovely day!

(All images via Svenskt Tenn)

Two Tone Walls Anyone?

Apartment Therapy is always a good source for beautiful, creative ideas, and design, and this post is no different. I came across these pictures and they totally had my attention.

via Marie Claire Maison
Okay so this wasn't from there, but I got to it following the AT trail. Its so lovely how we are all connected in this virtual world.

Decor8 via Apartment Therapy

Design*Sponge via Apartment Therapy

Design*Sponge via Apartment Therapy

via Design*Sponge
Peach is a color that I have never really gravitated towards, be it in design or fashion, but in this room it looks so gorgeous and fresh.

How beautiful, such a simple treatment to give any room a huge impact! I see the one wall painted a different color or wallpapered to be the focus point of a room, and one could argue that it's a similar idea, but the way this is carried out makes it oh so interesting. What I love about it too, is that you can do so many variations in the way you use the colors. You can use the colors in the same proportion, vertically, diagonally, as much or as little of one or the other as you please.

(Images sourced as listed)