Ode to the Fiddle Leaf Fig

via

Oh, fiddle leaf fig... how I adore thee.

I admire your unique, sculptural beauty.

Your lush green leaves are incredibly charming.

Your natural allure is quite disarming.

You grace the rooms of many a stylish home.

I knew I wanted you for my own.

via

I searched for you at nurseries, big box stores and the internet.

But, finding you nowhere, I began to fret.

via

Then one fateful day, I squealed with delight...

via

When at a local nursery you came into sight.

So happy to find you, I knew just what to do.

via

I said "what the heck," and came home with two.

I've professed my love for you, and I haven't been shy.

So do me a favor, and please don't die!!

Dining Room Project

As you are aware, I have decorating ADD and tend to jump from room to room rather than completing an entire space at one time.

So I set a goal for myself that when the kids went back to school this Fall, I would get my dining room finished.

I have intended to have slipcovers made for the host and hostess chairs from the time I bought them at a consignment store more than a year ago. Well, I'm happy to report that I finally have the fabric and the chairs are headed to the upholsterer on Thursday!

The next project that was staring me in the face, or rather burning my eyes from the sunlight, were the windows. I have needed window treatments for years and have just been unable to commit until now.

I hinted last week about pink silk. Here's a little sneak peek of what's to be...

The middle pink and the greek key trim

I am excited and nervous about my decision. I could have taken the easy way out and gone neutral, but my gut told me to go for something bolder. Hoping I love it, because it's too late to turn back now :)

When I get the slipcovers and window treatments done, I'll be able to finally call this room "finished."

I still daydream of replacing my china hutch with a vintage French armoire. I've actually found a few around town.

The first two were in a local antiques shop...

They were both way out of my budget.

The next two were at a local store called Surroundings. Have you ever gone in a store and wanted to move into it and live there forever? That's how I felt.

Sorry for the lousy iPhone pics. This last one was my hands down favorite...

Supposedly it came from Mrs. Neiman's estate. As in Neiman Marcus. Needless to say, I couldn't afford it.

I tried to convince the store owner to let me put it on a 30 year layaway plan. He didn't go for it.

Hope you're having a great day and checking some projects off your list!!

Pretty In Pink

While I tend to decorate with lots of blues (hello! I have 4 boys), few colors make me as happy as pink.

via

Vibrant or pale, pink coordinates beautifully with lots of different colors.

via

This kitchen is lovely, but the pop of pink on the barstools really makes it sing...

via

While pink may seem juvenile and better suited to a little girl's room, the right hue can be quite elegant when mixed with gold, or black & white, or blue & white.

Pink is also right at home in boho chic settings.

via

When used correctly, pink won't make your room resemble a bottle of Pepto Bismol. Small doses of pink in pillows, rugs, art, accessories, flowers and furnishings add sophistication and drama. Let's take a look at some pinks that are done right.

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

I've used pops of pink throughout my house in the living room, family room, and mudroom.

But I'm getting ready to use pink in a pretty big way in our dining room. Hint: it involves silk. I'm ordering the fabric tomorrow to take advantage of the Calico Corners' 20% off sale. I'll show you next time what I've got up my sleeve :)

How do you feel about pink? Love it, hate it? Tickled pink by it?

Wet Bar Under The Stairs

In order to convince my husband that we should turn our family room wet bar into a home office space, I have to prove that there was a better location for our beer fridge and wine rack.

Luckily, I know just the spot...

Under the stairs in our kitchen is a closet and a very small desk that basically becomes the dumping ground for all our clutter. (I cleaned it up for you :)) The printer takes up all the surface space, so no one really works at the desk.

If we were to have built-ins in the family room that could accommodate the printer and store the paper clutter behind closed doors, we could turn this space into a beverage center.

Perhaps something like this ...

via

or this...

There are plenty of stylish options...

via

via

via

via

via

Call me crazy, but I think it makes much more sense to have a bar in the kitchen, where you pour drinks over the hardwood floor rather than the carpeted family room. Don't you?

I'm looking forward to my meeting with the cabinet maker next week. Crossing my fingers that he can work with my champagne taste and my beer budget :)

Happy Hump Day!!

Home Office / Homework Station

Last week I told you about my potential plan to turn our outdated family room wet bar area into a homework station for our kids.

I really like the idea of having a designated area for the kids to do their homework with cabinetry to hide paperwork and the printer. This would also allow us to have the kids' computer in a central location, where we can keep an eye on its usage :)

Of course, whether we move forward on this plan depends on the price tag. I'm meeting with a cabinet maker next week, and I've been collecting some inspiration pictures to show him.

Here are a few I'll be sharing with him...

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

source unknown

via

via

via

via

Obviously, we will need something that blends well with the living space, and doesn't look too "office-like." I think with open shelving above, the right desktop surface and chairs, it could be stylish, as well as functional.

Of course, that means we need to relocate our little beverage refrigerator and wine rack, and I have the perfect place in mind. I'll share that soon.

Have a terrific Tuesday!!