Chaotic Color

While I love a beautiful white, restful room/outfit/style, either in modern, urban farmhouse or shabby glory... the chaotic color vibe pulls me in, at least for a little while. Just long enough to get my toes wet in something eclectic, before I retreat back into sterile, predictable comfort. I think I get whip lash changing back and forth, so while my slipcovers went back on today, I felt drawn to these photos. Just like this lovely home above of jeanhclee. For some reason, I'm sensing a familiar color pattern of pinks, oranges and greens. Bright colors have a jolt of energy to them, you know? Perhaps my body is clinging to these sprightly images as a subconscious way to burst me out of this crazy,stressful fog I've been subjected to lately.

Awake is the New Sleep cover art, Ben Lee

Before the Voyage photograph by elle moss

hobby holly tutu inspired prairie girl portrait by Oh So Posh Photography

award ribbon canopy bed, Chrissie Rucker

Colorful ribbon woodland chandalier mobile tutorial by A Fanciful Twist

Connecting the Dots via decor8

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Trash the Dress Wedding Photography by Lynn Michelle

 via

Sew in Love thread on wood spools photo by Iris Inspired

Colorful IKEA Love

We went to IKEA with our way awesome Swedish friend over the weekend. I feel in love with this fabric... and how they hung it with coordinating yardage like tapestries. I'm going to do that... eventually.

design: Lotta Kuhlohm 2008 IKEA of Sweden AB, Annamoa range

(Love the ideas Rosie found of this fabric in use.)

Apparently, the 'art' of the couches is to awesome to sit upon. Really, some of those couches were so full of crap, there would be no way to sit on them anyways. (Some really were awesome though). Maybe that is what I will do with my white slipcovers when they become too stained for the bleach to handle, just color the heck out of them and call it art.

 I love this... how simple! It's just a curtain rod hung vertically on the ceiling. Something I am totally equipped to lovingly/sweetly nag my not extremely handy husband to do.

Valentines Favorites

valentine arrows tutorial by the thompson family via design sponge

As with all holidays, I enjoy learning a bit of the history, who was the Saint, what were the pagan beliefs, how was it commercialized and spread worldwide? Go here for some excellent reading on Valentine's Day.

 But I also love the treats, the warm feelings declared by not only lovers, but friends and family as well. The decorations and of course, the treats are definately a huge plus as well! What is your favorite association or anti-reasoning of this holiday?

valentine cookies by i am mommy ... cookie and frosting recipe here

valentine fort tutorial by justina blankeney via design sponge

shakespearean paper garland by bookity

 valentine heart cake tutorial by i am mommy

vintage inspired paper heart garland by edge inspired

love swan valentine shadow by by jessica jane

 lots of free valentine printables  complied at living locurto (those shown by pepto girl)

valentine cards free pdf images and garland idea from vanessa of a fanciful twist

 valentine mice by betz white

valentines mantel by the stories of a2z linky

(her mantle here

valentine strawberry chocolate cupcakes recipe by tidy mom

*Bakerella's valentine baking round up. 

*Living Locurto's valentine baking round-up

*I am mommy valentine baking round-up

Playfully Somber

floral canopy bed ~ tracery interiors

There is a balance to be had for a somber effect. An endearing touch to make the space inviting,
and it's in those playful touches that can be achieved. The floral canopy isn't particularly somber
with all of the white, but it does have some melancholy feel to it. Perhaps it's just my perception,
with all of the canopies in the victorian gothic novels I have read.

I have an abiding admiration for vintage ephemera and those who procure them so freely for the
internets enjoyment. These images you can print and play with seemed fitting in some way.

farmhouse chair fine art photographic print ~ jack the hat

la mode illustre patterns from april 19, 1896 ~ free images via the graphics fairy

dining table ~ lonny

butterflies and beetles ~ lisa leonard

bedroom~ photographer tobias harvey
I'm actually kind of in love with this bedroom.

 old book png image ~ free graphics at percy and bloom

Little Outdoor Rooms

outdoor retreat ~ house to home uk

Springtime is the ultimate outdoor time around here. It's not too hot, (in which Texas summers I practically hibernate), nor is it too cold.

treehouse ~ home sweet style

Seeing how a simple shed, garage, canopy tent, or even a tree house can be turned into a sweet little escape, gives me a glimmer of hope when we finally are able to move to a place with a backyard or patio of our own.

outdoor canapy draped boudior ~ hilary robertson

garage turned retreat ~ paul whicheloe photography

mediviel inspired outdoor canopy dining ~ mimicode

gorgeous pink india inspired outdoor patio with birdcage ~ domino

outdoor magical mad hatter wagon ~ a fanciful twist

 outdoor kid's playroom tips from ideal home uk:

*Decide on a theme for the play room: we've chosen 'cowboys' - a fake cowhide rug as a wall hanging is perfect for adding touches of the wild west.

*Keep the look rustic. You don't need to paint the walls. Just varnish the floor, adding a rug to prevent splinters.

*Choose a child-size table and chairs for craft activities. Pick ones that are light enough so they can easily be lifted out on the lawn.

*Set up a craft corner. Cover a table in a wipe-clean oilcloth and a wall organizer for brushes and paints.

*Include storage for toys. Provide tubs, boxes and shelving to store toys.

*Push furniture to the sides of the room to leave a play area in the middle.

*It's a good idea to damp-proof your summerhouse – to do this, build it on a concrete base, laying a damp-proof membrane between the summerhouse and the concrete.