{ happy, happy friday }

Are you as excited as I am that it's finally Friday? I thought I'd share some inspiration from Amy Butler's gorgeous portfolio of lifestyle photos that I just discovered today thanks to Victoria*. Amy's wonderful captures and cheerful prints + colors make me oh-so-happy--a great way to kick off the weekend. Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating couple of days! xo

P.S. If you haven't already, you must go see sfgirlbybay's favorite things as featured today on craftzine.

{ interior inspiration: johnér }

Oodles and oodles of inspiration found on the Johnér site. 

I love the fresh, relaxed design approach captured in these images.

{ interior inspiration: rummage }

I can't believe I'm just now discovering the lovely blog, Rummage and Curds n Whey flickr stream. Holly featured both this week and I'm smitten. I love cozy, well lived in {yet still stylish} interiors. One gets the sense that each of the pieces in this fun, colorful home has it's own story to tell--I love that!

{ white house tour }

Lyn Gardener, whom you might remember from this post way back when, has recently unveiled her latest undertaking--The White House Daylesford--a dreamy, fully restored 1850s brick miners cottage in Daylesford Victoria {Australia}. I love the subtle mix of city meets country--the industrial elements add interest and texture without taking away from the coziness of its countryside setting. My favorite spot is the old garden shed, which has been converted into a separate guest room {top photo}--like I said...*dreamy*.

all images {and more} found here

{ try-it tuesday: colorful photo clipboards }

I purchased these clipboards months ago and have been planning to create a photo wall with them since spotting this photo in this post way back when. I considered painting the clipboards first, but never narrowed down a color nor did I seem to make the time to just do it. Instead, they sat in a bag cluttering up our closet. 

Then, the other day, I had an A-ha! moment upon spotting these adorable sets of scrapbook papers in Target's $1 bin {yes...12 sheets for $1}--perfect for adding a fun and colorful background for the photos I plan to display in my daughter's clubhouse. I was inspired and got to work immediately. If you'd like to try it yourself, here are some very simple instructions:

Each 12 x 12 scrapbook sheet is large enough to create two mini clipboard size backgrounds. *I used double-sided tape to mount the paper because I wanted the ability to easily change out the background paper with the seasons. However, spray mount or modge podge would work well if you're looking for a more permanent and durable solution. Voila...you're done!

Coming later this week: An unveiling of the clipboard photo wall--stay tuned.

{ summer freshness }

Do you ever take a look at your home and suddenly feel like everything looks dreary and drab? I'm soooo there right now. With Summer just around the corner, I'm hankering to lighten, freshen, and cheer things up around here.  

Carolyn Barber's photography has me thinking about how I might update a few pieces using cozy whites and gorgeous pops of color...

stay tuned...

all images via Carolyn Barber

{ where you'll find me when i win the lottery... }

Happy Monday and Happy June! Can you believe it? June already. Thank you for all of your sweet comments and anniversary wishes over the weekend--they meant so much to me.

I recently stumbled upon this new blog--authored by artist/photographer--Tim Irving, who's currently living in Southern Europe and journaling his discoveries via the oh-so-lovely StyleMed. It's quickly become my new escape whenever I need a few minutes "away".  Rather than a travel guide, Tim's posts and photography offer an insider's peek into mediterranean life, design, and decor. And yes...it's every bit as charming and genteel as you'd imagine.

This home spoke to me immediately. Lovingly refurbished, decorated, and furnished with materials obtained freely from salvage yards and builders skips scattered around Europe, the home's meticulous restoration took nearly 3 years to complete. *Sigh*...one of those storied pasts I finds so irresistible.  

Simply divine

Private courtyards, quirky birdhouses, and the cutest flamenco dancers ever--all waiting to be discovered on the breathtaking StyleMed blog. Treat yourself to a visit when you have a moment.

Thank you Chelsea for the intro. All images via StyleMed

{ inspired by: sunset magazine }

Over the weekend I had a chance to catch up on some magazine reading and ended up spending an hour or so oogling over the February issue of Sunset Magazine. Sunset has always been a favorite of mine, but over the last year or so, they've really kicked it up a notch. It was difficult to choose which articles to read because every. single. one sounded great--from West Coast travel escapes and drool worthy home tours to the inside scoop on making designer flower arrangements at home. 

After seeing interior designer, Sheri Sheridan's Oakland home tour and reading through her secrets of freestyle decorating, I just knew I had to share it with you all. Are you ready for a little design inspiration to kick off the week? Let's go...

Rule: Shun Labels {love this!}--instead, Sheridan mixes time periods and styles so they work together.

Rule: Salvage Something--Sheridan found this little bench in disrepair. She repaired the leg, repainted the frame, and used a fabric remnant to reupholster the cushion. Isn't it lovely?

Rule: Celebrate Tchotchkes--Make what you already have display-worthy

Rule: Be selective when shopping--choose low cost options and accent with pricier items. Here, a budget friendly solid color pillow from Crate and Barrel is mixed with a designer accent pillow by Thomas Paul.

What do you think? I love it when practical mixes with pretty, don't you? If you would like to view more of this home tour and Sheri Sheridan's design tips, click here. Be sure to take a moment to browse Sunset's fabulous site, where you can visit many more inspirational galleries and access most of the feature articles found in the mag.

Psst: they also have some fabulous blogs.

All images by Thomas J. Story via Sunset Magazine

{ dreaming of a makeover monday }

Last night, while visiting Shannon's lovely site, I clicked on the Modern Country link in her side bar and soon found myself immersed in a sea of white.  There's something about the clean simplicity of white that I find quite soothing and relaxing. It also doesn't hurt that these talented ladies know how to do white right...

These charming wreaths popped up frequently in my virtual travels. Does anyone know the story behind these?

What a dreamy hint of blue

images above via biskopsgarden

There's that blue again--

natural elements, touches of greenery, & weathered metals add texture and interest

{3 images above via min lilla veranda}

image above via biskopsgarden

Is it any wonder why I want to snag a few buckets of white paint and makeover my entire house this morning? *sigh*

Happy Monday everyone. It's great to be back here starting a fresh week with all of you. I hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend. I look forward to sharing the week ahead with you, which will include S.HOPtalk's first ever reader giveaway. Stay tuned...

INSPIRATION

Hello sweet lovely friends!
Melissa here from Melissa loves. I am thrilled and honored to be posting here in my friend Suzanne's stead. As I think she is one of the loveliest ladies in blogland. I glean so much inspiration from her and in her honor(and thanks to my friend Ez for the idea) I thought I would do something related to inspiration. I am sure most of you are inspired on a daily basis by any number of things. A photo, a person, a piece of art, a sweet gesture, a phrase or quote or something in nature.....there are any number of ways to be inspired. For me, this time, it was this brooch. Something about it captivated me....maybe the colors?( I do love grey :) or the bird? ( I do love birds) or the way the designer has mixed materials so well together? (I don't know) I am known to love sparkle but, conversely love simplicity as well. Maybe that is it....the sparkle and the simplicity. It inspired me and I hope you enjoy what it conjured for me.....what is inspiring you today? I would love to know!





























(beautiful brooch here)






























~awesome ring here
~clothes here
~beautiful necklace here
~lilac flats here

Sweet & lovely Suzanne(and her lovely readers)..thank you so much for having me !
It was so fun to be here!
xo
Melis

{ sunshine on a cloudy day: shannon fricke }

These days, when I need to chase away the winter chill and dreary gray days, I sneak over to my new secret source for a dose of inspiration, color, and sunshine...

All images courtesy of the lovely Shannon Fricke--an interior decorator and stylist for Australian mags such as Inside Out and Country Style. After reading several of Shannon's posts, I can sense her hip, warm, and friendly demeanor which shines through in her casually chic interior styling and modern, yet approachable, design aesthetic. If you haven't yet, pop over to Shannon's blog for an instant pick me up and loads of inspiration. 

Psst: Don't miss Shannon's Sense of Style series of books, which look to be A.mazing!

{ ikea in the house }

Oops...it appears Ikea didn't get the memo.

Pictured here is the Swedish retailer's vision for the new Oval Office, decked out, head-to-toe in full Ikea glory. The replica, which is on display in Union Square in Washington D.C. through Wednesday, is actually part of a new Ikea ad campaign, "Embrace Change 09", that honors President-Elect, Barack Obama. 

Full details of the campaign are here. Don't miss the Embrace Change 09 site where Ikea fans can design their own Oval Office {and voice their suggestions for "fiscally responsible furnishings"}. Clever branding at its best!

{is it spring yet? }

adorn your home or yourself in a bit of sunshine...

inspired by pantone's color pick for 2009: Mimosa

Sources from upper left corner:

Umbrella & patent-trim tote: Old Navy

Yellow Lacquered Watch: Forever 21

Pantone Mimosa Color Swatch

Bright Yellow Ikea bed via Apartment Therapy

Ella dress in deep yellow on sale at J.Crew

La La Love Poster: Sparkle Power

Before & after bed via Domino

{ makeover monday }

I love before-and-after makeover features--especially if they include a budget friendly twist. I recently spotted this kitchen makeover while perusing the Cottage Living site and saved it for my inspiration file.  I thought you might like to take a peek as well...

"Before"

Rather than completely demolishing her kitchen and starting from scratch, this homeowner simply gave her existing kitchen a new and improved facelift--an option that's both budget and environmentally friendly--so right there I was hooked. It also doesn't hurt that I love this homeowner's aesthetic and the finish choices she made with her upgrade. 

The existing upper cabinets were raised to the ceiling allowing room for a single open shelf to be installed below them. Simple details like V groove and crown molding were added to give the room some architectural interest.

Black honed granite replaced the older laminate

The existing upper and lower cabinets were given a fresh look with a painted finish

A new backsplash of white subway tiles...*sigh*

The new display shelf underneath the upper cabinets is such a brilliant idea-I love how it turned out.

The new view from the dining room...gorgeous!

What's also nice about this approach is that one could budget it in stages if necessary. For example, start by refinishing the cabinets and then updating countertops and appliances down the road...or floors, etc. Though not as seamless of a process, it does offer budgetary options.

More details and a complete slide-show of the remodel process, including additional before and after photos are available on the Cottage Living site. I recently read that the November/December issue of Cottage Living will be its last. I'm so disappointed...it's one of my favorite mags.

Feedback please:  I'm considering adding Makeover Monday as a new feature, offering a variety of makeover ideas and inspiration--from repurposing a piece of furniture to complete room makeovers. What do you think...is this something you would enjoy?