Persian Rug Fever

Ok everyone, I have something to admit:  over the last few months my house, which once was pulled together with some semblance of design direction, has become the land of lost coffee tables:  a castaway island where craigslist comes to die.  Tired of living amongst the winnings of the thrift store lottery, I bribed Erin with booze to pretty please come over and help me refocus.  No more random tables!!! I cried while swiftly pouring double vodka tonics.  My living room needed a new direction and that direction, we both agreed was a Persian rug.

While just one persian rug will do for now, I plan to relocate here within the coming years.

Yes,  a warm red rug against my white floors, couch and table will get me back on track

These lights may not hurt either.  But the rug, the rug is my beacon shining in the night.

Of course, my whole inspiration was 2-year old Ike's room, which seems both totally ridiculous and absolutely appropriate.

Shiny Kitchen Bling, Plus Some Other Stuff

I had ambitious plans to write an epic post regaling you with tales of golden glory longer than Rapunzel's hair. But since I was up late helping the in laws move into their fancy new pad and didn't even get to scarf down my pizza dinner until after 10 pm, I think I'm just going to keep it summer short (with some awesome good pictures at the end). Ok and maybe I was too busy swimming in their fancy new pool to put anything major major together...

Julie has already christened this "margaritaville" and I am quite sure she is right. Guess I'll break that to the inlaws, uh... now. They read this little old blog sometimes.

Anyway, expect A LOT of paint, furniture and kitchen posts to come in the next weeks as the inlaws have a ton of decorating to do. Woo hoo! We already kicked things off with an inaugural trip to Ikea, where I spied the most amazing mirrored oven:

Sorry -- pictures of this stupid oven are rarer than a one legged unicorn, but I think you get the idea. It's insane. And I think it belongs in one of these kitchens:

I haven't the faintest idea what this gorgeous kitchen bar is made of... Karly would say angel tears.

Jesus, this kitchen even has a gold dishwasher, wtf do they need with a mirrored oven?

Uh.... yeah. Those cabinets + that oven = fingerprint hell. But also one heavenly kitchen.

Later, taters. I have important proxy shopping to do.

[Dimore Studio, Philippe Stuebi, Pia Ulin via Head Over Heels]

Colors are Pretty

Y'all, I don't know what's wrong with me. In the last week I have stopped and started posts on art, posts on architecture, and a GIANT post on couches (which I will finish, and it will change the face of the earth -- trust). But every time I near completion, I just get glazy eyed and tired and bored with myself. Summer has reduced me into a sensory cellular mass, an oozing ball of goo goo ga ga, "look I see pretty colors." Pathetic. But I'm rolling with it.

My new summer place. You know they serve Pimm's Cups with a splash of sassy there.

I am always a sucker for vintage glass wares.

Words cannot express my utter and complete obsession with this lake house.

Don't forget to look at the curtains...

I am very interested in that tray table and patterned book. Can you tell I've been trained to look at the corners of images?

I'm sorry my summer brain is not capable of anything witty or pithy or even grammatically correct. I can feel your laser like disappointment searing my already guilty conscience. Please don't beat me.

I promise next week will be better. I think.

[AD Russia, Elle France, Kay Douglas via MFAMB, Interior Design, via The Zhush]