wedding dress

This is Angela's soon-to-be living room. she wants a new take on the fireplace.
First, the gold tone of the actual fireplace? Must go. The brick can go either way.
Here are a couple of non-brick options.

All wood mantle. Make sure it makes a statement with lots of levels and textures.

All wood with a metal center.

Stone-not one of my personal favorites but a classic none the less. I think that this option demands a floor to ceiling approach.

All stone. Likely very expensive, but gorgeous.

Wood with tile.

The fireplace has a lot of brick. Personally, I don't think it is necessary to get rid of all of it.

You could get rid of the raised ledge and cover a good portion of the brick with a wood mantle.

Painting the brick white is a current trend.

You can't see this one well but it has almost the same color brick as what Angela will be inheriting.

Paint the brick white and add a full wood mantle.

A more colonial option.

A good example of exposed natural brick with a wood mantle.

And one last fireplace!
via finish dimensions, a room somewhere, michael folks, fireplace makeover, 123RF, fuller's woodworks, desire to inspire, decorology

I was talking to a friend the other day about TV placement. How do you put a TV in a room without making it a focal point? I think this a good solution.

My bedroom has two bedside lamps. They don't match, but I would like them to. Or at least have them look like they belong in the same room. I started perusing CSN's lighting store because they have every sort of lights options out there. If you would like a chance to win $35 to spend at ANY CSN store leave a comment. Here are some of my favorite bedside lamp options.

My Mom bought a similar Tiffany Lamp for my old bedroom. I was somewhat surprised to find that I absolutely loved it.


This lamp looks like a dream come true. The ability to move the light would be perfect for a bedside lamp!

I like this retro-looking glass lamp.

I love the look of this lamp. Would it work for a bedside table?

I love this chandelier. I worked for a woman who had an ornate chandelier and ever since then I have loved the look of crystal/glass chandeliers.

Many of the older homes in the area I grew up in have lion statues that flank the entry ways to their porch. I love the idea of lions outside the home, they add such an interesting element to the exterior. Here are some pictures from around the web of lion statues.



The houses in my neighborhood would always decorate their lions for the holidays. Wreaths in December and pumpkins under the raised paws in October.








While we are on the topic of statues, here is one of my parents neighbors newest. It kind of creeps me out...

P.S. Travel Tuesday is coming back next week with a vengeance, be very excited!
via jwinfred, photo-steve, becky e, authalic, irwin-scott, biltmore, bakati

Here are some random bits of color I have found over the web...

I love this statement necklace, I think it definitely qualifies as a splash of color.

The only thing I really like in this room is the green island.

This yellow dresser is gorgeous, I think my little sister would love something like that.

Last but not least, the blue wall...

via Etsy and House Beautiful

I read an article that said when trying to sale your home do your best to make it look like a Pottery Barn room.

It has had me thinking about how I can rearrange my house to look more spacious and Pottery Barn-esque.

On a different note, I absolutely love the rug and flooring in this room.
via house beautiful and pottery barn

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This is one of the coolest libraries I have seen. Isn't it gorgeous?

I love these two rooms, especially the wreaths in the windows.

via greige and black eiffel

I love this Santa ornament, my tree is crying for it.

I read somewhere online that gray is the new taupe. Thank heavens for a new neutral.

I love this couch. Notice the light gray walls?
via my favorite and best, house beautiful and house beautiful again

I love this house makeover on House Beautiful, or at least the makeover of these spaces.

Chalkboard walls: lovely, practical, awesome.

I want one for my grocery lists.

via caitlin wilson design and unknown

You know you are getting old/growing up when you have a dream laundry room. But this laundry room makes my heart beat faster.

I love the look of the frame hanging on the bookshelves and the styling of the books as well.

I am always intrigued by those who can make white feel chic rather than plain and stark. I need some of their brilliance.

via Elle Decor

I am a sucker for a Georgian home and this one is stunning!

I honestly don't think there is anything better than a rectangular pool.

And those windows. Probably a pain to clean but lovely to look at.

photos via greige