Remember way, way, way back....

Do you happen to remember this or this?  It was a full on dining room dilemma.  Well after much advice research, procrastination and sleepless nights (totally kidding, but doesn't it sound dramatic?).  I made a decision...I chose this photo:

I love the light and I thought it would really brighten up our dining space.  I blew up the photo to a hefty 3' by 4' size, had it mounted and wrapped on gator board and tada!  It's done and I pretty much adore it!  I have to give special thanks to Krissy, Charmaine, and Denise.  These ladies sent emails, offered up photos and specifics and were like my own little crack team of designers.  The rest of you deserve thanks too for simply commenting, graciously giving your opinions.  It is crazy how important the opinions of my blogging circle can be...Actually, not so "crazy."  I constantly look to your blogs for ideas and inspiration because you are all so talented, creative and/or just plain have great taste. Muwah!!!!  I refuse to decorate without you!  

Well here is the result....it makes me happy and that is all that really matters.

~Here's the scoop my friends:  I did nothing.  I sent my photo file via email here, I told them I wanted it to be 3 feet by 4 feet, mounted on gator board (1/2 inch), and wrapped around the edges (exactly what this gal told me to say).  Then I went and picked it up the next day (they were ridiculously quick and helpful!).  Finally I took it home and mounted it on the wall with Velcro (exactly what this gal told me to do).  Easy, easy...

I heart Monday.

I still heart these shoes.  I got them way back in March and my love for them continues...definitely my favorite pair.

I heart this photograph.

I heart watching my tiny plants grow (shocking!  because I never thought I would.).

I heart this pillow.

I heart this shift.

I heart my little collection.

I heart these pins.

I heart this idea so much (Thank you Tyler!).

I heart this rug (via Little Willow).

I heart this "sprout."

I heart these bloomers and these "pebbles and pods."

I heart this card holder.

I heart this bracelet...and the lovely designer, one of my new blog favorites!

I heart these umbrella bowls (via Greedy Girl).

green is so much nicer than dried up and dead

The Frenches have been known to be a family of black thumbs.  We have killed lawns, trees, countless flowers and plants.  For awhile I had felt a sense of reponsiblitly to the leafy community not to plant anything.  This was all fine and dandy when we lived in Minnesota.  Then we moved to beautiful, lush, green Portland, where having pretty plants is almost a given.  I still had managed to stay away from vegetation, then we became good friends with the ladies next door.  

They adopted us.  They genuinely love B and he (actually we) love them.  I honestly don't know what we would do without them.  Since B was tiny he has referred to them as "the ladies."  Actually, more like "the yadies."  They are a huge part of our life and green thumbs as all get out.  Due to them I actually began to feel guilty for not taking care of our weed-filled nasty plot of land.  Especially since it is right next to such a pretty, pristine plot next door.  The Frenches have began to reluctantly make piece with the leafy kind.  We have ever so slowly began to plant and care for our vegetation.  For the first time ever we have not killed everything in sight and I have to admit I actually enjoy it.  

A huge factor in all of this is the beautiful nurseries in Portland.  Our favorite is Portland Nursery.  This morning one of our ladies mentioned she was heading out there, so B and I jumped at the chance.  I had no idea Mable would take to the nursery the way she did and actually am excited to go back without the B-man and take photos until I can't possibly take anymore.  

This whole post is a very, very, long and wordy way of saying "We went to the nursery with our neighbor and liked it very much.  I took a few pictures and would love to show you now."

Second Chances

I'll admit it, coming up with an "I heart" list every week makes it hard to remember some of my past loves.  I am fickle that way.  Always looking for the next best thing (remind me to share the Mr. French story).  Then just when I feel as if I have forgotten a previous love there will be a reminder.  Today that reminder came from Design Sponge.  Do you remember these?

The fabric, the design, how they look all snuggled up next to eachother...how could I have forgotten?  I am not quite sure where I had first seen the tiny "hide boxes" but feel as if I have cheated myself since by not taking notice of the other products created my Modern Twist.  Everything is fantastic!

I also rarely take the time read the "about" blurbs on a website, since this was my second chance I didn't want to miss a thing. My favorite exert: "The idea is to create products with modern means, using materials or objects in a new way, often combining industry with nature and giving the products an organic feel." Beautiful!  I am now wanting everything on the site.  Maybe remembering isn't such a good thing...

Skona Hem: White

Skona Hem day 2!  As I was going through the photos in my "Skona Hem" file I began to notice an undeniable trend?  Can you see it?  Pretty sure it doesn't take a designer to figure it out....WHITE!!!!  Obviously I love it, I mean really, really love it.  Crisp, clean, pristine and perfect...so unlike my current life.  I love my current life, but would really love to step into this one for awhile.  I am thinking I need to place my life somewhere between the two, I am working on it.  

I get to pick up my photo today and chances are if I have a new photo I will need a light fixture to go with it (anyone ever read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?).  It's a dangerous cycle my friends. 

(Gray...can you believe it?  I chose a photo with gray walls!  I am patting myself on the back for this one!)

Skona Hem

I have been impressed with my ambition to make my house a "home."  I have managed to start many small projects, only to bore quickly and move on to the next.  I have many ideas.  Lack of ideas is certainly not the problem.  Lack of focus and funds seem to be what holds me up time and time again.  I think I have tried to be the gal that can redo a home using things I already have and some ingenuity and in the process have turned into the girl with expensive taste and big ideas.  Nothing is at a standstill right now.  Actually everything is moving about a zillion miles per hour.  However, most of that movement is going on inside my noggin.

Oh well...I have been compiling beautiful ideas for quite some time.  Currently, my favorite resource is Skona Hem.  An absolutely perfect design magazine from Sweden.  I checked into a subscription, but found that a 200 and some odd dollar magazine subscription would not help my home endeavors.  Thank goodness for wonderful websites!  I am pretty sure I will barely scratch the surface with this post and may have to make it a two day series (really sounds fantastically important, doesn't it).

I have managed to choose a photo for the dining room and am in the process of getting it blown up and mounted on my wall...stay tuned for photos!

Thank you.

Yay!  I am so happy with the responses and advice.  I think #2 was the winner.  Now for my decision......take more photos (this is why Mr. French hates helping me make decisions)!!!  Actually, there is a reason for this: I love #2, but feel as if I also received some insightful tips from everyone.  I decided to apply some of that advice, pack up Mable (that's the name of my camera, totally insane, I know) and go out and take some new photos.  I am completely happy with my new choices.  The pretty pink flowers are still in the mix, along with some new Dogwood shots.  

I really have been studying my cave of a dining room and believe that the new photos could really brighten it up.  It is sad to say, but our dining room is actually more of a large hallway.  Hopefully, one of these will help. I am either going to go with canvas or a gator board option.  On top of everything else I may paint the room white!  Stop me now before my head pops off!  I will keep you posted.

The photos(it will be a surprise as to which one I choose):

 

 

 

HELP!

I have been trying very hard to make my home more of a "home" and less of a transition.  All the while trying to stay within a modest budget.  This entails much thought, research and dwelling.  I dwell so much my head hurts.  I think of an idea and I mull it over and over and over and still feel as if I need 1 or 100 opinions.  Sadly enough, I have been turning to Mr. French in times such as this.  Foolishly thinking his opinion would really be helpful.  It's not.  He is sick of me asking and I am sick of him blowing it off.  In order to save my marriage I need to stop asking him...seriously.

Which is why I turn to you!  I have been shocked and delighted by the level of creativity, beauty, and amount of taste I have stumbled onto in the blogging world. I can't believe it has taken me so long to tap my most amazing resource.  

Here is my latest fleating idea.  I want to spiffy up my dark tiny dining room and something like this is what I have come up with (not the tub, the larger than life photo).

Photo take from Style on a Budget by Emily Chalmers, photo by Debi Treloar

I am currently stuck for 2 reasons.  First I am not sure where to go (hopefully online) to create this type of thing.  I don't think I want canvas...I want smoother than that.  However, it has to have a bit of thickness to it because I don't want to frame it.  Maybe about 1/4-1/2 inch thick?

Ok here is the second issue: Which photo?  These are my current candidates (below each photo is a number).  I would be over the moon thrilled if you would leave a comment giving me your choice and/or advice.  

1

2

3

4

5

THANK YOU SO MUCH!  

Oh and the room is a very pale blue...but no windows and quite dark.

I Heart Monday (at least I am trying to).

I was having a serious "case of the Mondays" (if you have seen Office Space, you get it).  Then I reluctantly started this post...I must say it helped.  Hope this post brightens your Monday, for at least the couple of seconds it takes you to get through it: 

I heart this postcard.

I heart all the birds hidden in this photograph.

I heart this plate.

I heart this "floaty top."

I heart these "glow bowls."