Casual Friday: August 16, 2016

Where do you find inspiration? The General Muir Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, designed by Square Feet Studio, not only speaks to me--loudly!--but helped me make a lot of decisions this week, by simply representing a feeling I align my own design sense with. Although it's a restaurant and not a home office or side yard (both spaces I was deep into this week) referencing the photo helped me flush out shallow ideas, or ideas that maybe I wouldn't be committed to long-term, and I was left with choices that really reflect our home or what I hope our home to be. I feel like I made one hundred and fifty thousand decisions this week for our home--what light fixture here, what about for the ceiling, what hardware, countertops, etc.-- a lot of people assume it's easy for me to make these kinds of decisions quickly, but there are times when I can dwell on two hardware choices for the better part of the morning. That's when I pulled out this inspiration photo and thought--simple. Keep it simple. And I chose the simple, round knob. I think it's also this picture that pushed me toward our new black leather sofa. And if I keep it up, the girls' bath might end up with buffalo check floor tile--don't be surprised. But really, I think inspiration photos can help inspire a mood, style, or level of complexity as much as they illustrate specific details, don't you?

Other fun things this week!

I bought these birch branches last week as an easy way to transition our decor through the fall and winter. I leaned them up against the wall in our living room, next to an end table and it's funny how many compliments we received on them. Check out my Instagram Story for a visual. They're simple and seasonal without feeling too crafty or cliche. (Also come in a taller size here.)

Towel versions of the Pendleton National Park blankets--yes! (Here's the popular Glacier Park one for even cheaper)

I was enthralled with @mepflug's Instagram Story this week. Watching her carefully remove large 90s square tile to uncover the most amazing vintage penny round design was what Instagram stories were made for.

Are you wearing flares again? My favorite pair are on sale. They're high-waisted, come in petite, regular or tall, and I like wearing them with a crew neck tee.

Greta went back to school this week (with the rest of the world it seems) as a first grader. It's her first time going to school all day long. She is having a great time and loves socializing with kids her own age all day, but it is wearing her out big time. She's been going to bed around 5pm nightly, completely exhausted. I'm sure she'll adjust, right? As soon as Greta is "night night" as Faye calls it, she usually wants to go to bed too. So it's been quiet around here. And Charly has been a little bored, too. Chris and I are not complaining. In the same vein, the girls are dying to share a room and I'm gathering as much inspiration as I can before we dive in to that project. That is to say, my Kid Rooms Pinterest board is seeing a lot of action these days.

The Amazon Tap is on sale! It's our new favorite thing in our home and favorite gift to give, too. Even, our girls love requesting songs themselves all day.

We're off to the mountains this weekend to bundle up and chill out. Hope you all have a great one!