Design Inspiration: Pink and Gold Home Office

I’ve touted the merits of Adore before, but this latest issue really puts it over the top. Everything is so bright and cheery and beautiful!

The theme is workspaces, which doesn’t usually interest me, but lately I’ve been dreaming of a home office (and a pink one at that!).

This is blogger Monika Hibbs‘ home office. I’ve been lusting after those Kate Spade nesting boxes (I’m partial to the polka dots and stripes set), and I love that she DIY’d her coffee table and bookshelves from IKEA’s Vittsjo series. Chic and affordable. Who said it couldn’t be done? I think that’s why I like it so much. It’s gorgeous… and not completely out of reach.

Even if you’re like me and don’t have room for an office, I still think you can still glean some inspiration from the fab spaces—office and otherwise—in the June/July issue. I swear I found something to love on every single page—even in the ads!

Flip through the entire issue here. And Adore editors, bring that new book of yours stateside, pretty please! I can only imagine the eye candy in there..

Design Inspiration: Scandi Inspired

A new issue of Adore is out! I don’t even remember how I first came across this online-only mag—it’s out of Australia, after all—but the most recent issue is stunning. (Did I mention that it’s free?) I’m a huge fan of the home feature, “Scandi Inspired,” which shows off the home of designer Michelle Halford. (She has a beautiful blog of her own, The Design Chaser, that’s worth checking out.)

I love that she so obviously has a vision and sticks with it. Anybody could tell that just by looking at the pictures, but she mentions it in the story too:

“I definitely have an overall vision, which is of a home that is white and bright, with clean lines and an elegant, pared-back aesthetic. Functionality is also really important, as is a home that grows with our family as we plan on being here a while. My sense of style can be seen in the finder details, such as the subtle addition of colour and texture, artworks, sentimental items and the mood board in my office.”

I guess I’m attracted to commitment as I still struggle to determine what my design style is. (I can’t be too hard on myself though; I have come a long way in a year or so!) But her repeating color scheme and lack of “stuff” certainly invokes a sense of calm.

Halford’s minimalist vision is especially refreshing at this time of year when everyone’s home seems to be chockablock with (often tacky) decorations, presents, kids, dirty dishes—you name it. I’m not saying I’m not guilty. Maybe I’ll steal that washi tape tree idea for next year…

Click here (and turn to page 91) to see more of Halford’s home in Adore!

I Want That Wednesday

I don’t know if it’s the excessive heat or what, but the city has felt especially claustrophobia to me lately. After all those years of playing in the 5-acre wooded wonderland that I called a backyard, perhaps it’s just “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl” syndrome. That’s not to say I don’t love living in an urban area—I do. But can’t we strike a balance?

Sure, with a lot of money.

This Australian home featured in Dwell has all of my favorite things: green space, water feature, outdoor grill, huge windows, tons of natural light, dogs… OK, that last one isn’t exactly a design aspect but still. I would kill for a backyard retreat.

Think this is cool? Check out the front of the house. Not so much… It really is a party in the back!