The Sinks Everyone Loves: Across the Pond

I'm real excited to have my girl Megan from Across the Pond

here today holding down the fort for me while I'm recovering. Remember two weeks ago when I had my girls sharing their favorite design trends of 2011? {the color pink, ikat, and wallpaper!} I saved Meg for today!  She's a ball of fun. Get ready to laugh a learn an awesome design fact, that I'll admit I didn't even know!
***
Hi future designers and non designers of the world
I am Megan from Across The Pond
happily gracing my lovely Michaela's blog.
I like it here.
Which is why you may have seen me here before.
I am that person.
the one that keeps showing up.
and never leaves.


I really like dreaming of my future non purchased non existent home

and all of the non existent children that will live there..

My favorite room in a house is the kitchen

insert resounding 'duh'..

I may be late on the train

because I am no interior designer

but I am all about those big deep sinks

(I'm pretty sure that is the exact word for them)

ACTUALLY

(get ready for mind blowing)

but those sinks are actually called a Belfast Sink

originally designed in Belfast Ireland.

I know this because I created the sink in ireland.

I joke

I know this because my friend is from northern Ireland

and he told me so.

which means its true.

So while you are around the dinner table talking about sinks

You can say

"well actually that sink is called a Belfast sink"

and they will say

"well how do you know that?"

And you will say

"because I READ"

and that wont be a lie

because you read blogs.

You win.

You are welcome.

Repinned to Interior Design 8 hours ago from Windows by Stephanie Laughlin

Pinned to Remodel Inspiration 10 weeks ago via pinmarklet

double the pleasure...double the fun..

if washing dishes was fun..

pinterest

Pinned to Kitchen Inspiration 7 weeks ago via pinmarklet

oooo modern deep sink

Pinned to 101 Greenbank Lane 6 weeks ago via pinmarklet

I think you get it.

***
Thanks, Meg, for sharing your favorite design trend. You never fail to crack me up.  I will read this again on Tuesday (I'm scheduling it on Sunday night) and be laughing a whole lot more just for kicks and giggles.
Those sinks really are my favorite.  My future home WILL have one!


Have a wonderful Tuesday, and go say helllloooo to Megan!
Love,

No commentsRead more

Fashion Friday #38: Ikat Sundress & Waterfall Braid Tutorial

Summer rocks for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it means lots of cute prints, dresses and sun!

Remember Natasha's guest post last week where she shared her favorite design trend of 2011?  Yep, it was the ikat trend.  And can I just say how glad I am that it's carried over into fashion, too? Or how glad I am that I found this cool-colored ikat dress at TARGET?!  Shut the front door, I know.

So for our first 85 degree-Northern-California-summer-day, I sported it:

She makes me laugh.

Dress: Target
Shoes: Nordstrom
Flower: Whippy Cake


I'm excited to share with you the tutorial on how to do your very own waterfall braid like I showed you last week:

Here's how you do it! It's a tad bit dark, but I hope you can get the general idea:

Happy weekend, friends! Let me know if you try it.


Don't forget to RSVP to the San Francisco Design Blogger meet up on July 21st if you'll be in the Bay Area (: We'd love to have you if you blog about design, interiors, or home decor!


Love,


PS. I'm partying with Michelle from

and linking up to her Summer Fun Link Party! You should join, too (:

No commentsRead more

To the Window to the WALL...

You know you appreciated that title (:

Today my sweetie pie-southern-blogging-bestie is here sharing her favorite design trend of 2011.  I have to say, for a non-design blogger, she rocks this post. Here's Megan from Mackey Madness:

Hey loves! My name is Megan and I blog over at Mackey Madness. 

I am literally giddy about taking over Michaela's blog today while she is getting ready to head home for the summer! She is one of my absolute blogging bffs...and a reason that my daily text message count has majorly increased! : ) I want to channel my inner Mich and talk about my favorite design trend of the year: wallpaper!

I am certainly no interior designer, but I think that this fun wallpaper trend is amazing. It's a perfect way to add some interest or color to a room...and there are tons of ways that it can be done!

Kinda nervous about using wallpaper? (ME!) It can be done light and dainty:

via

via

via

via

Or if y'all are feeling fierce, it can be done BOLD and BRIGHT:

via

via 

via 

via 

Still not feeling convinced? I'm loving it in different rooms and used in different ways:

via 

I would definitely enjoy doing laundry in there...for a day or two at least! : )

via

I'm loving this framed wallpaper collection. 

via

Who wouldn't LOVE to have a pretty closet like this?

via

Even I could be creative in this office beauty!

via 

This may be my favorite way...framed wallpaper panels. #divine

via

Does this look familiar?? It's Michaela's DIY bookshelf wallpaper! I love it!

So, give me y'alls verdict...is wallpaper a yes or a no? Have y'all done it anywhere? Do y'all prefer the bold colors or the lighter look? It's a toss up for me...I think I love it all. 

Thanks so much for having me, Michaela! Congratulations on being done with school for the summer!

Thanks, Meg! Didn't you love talking about design for the day? Like I already told you, you're a natural (: Wallpaper sure is a fun way to add lots of spunk to your room! If you're feeling nervous, start in your closet...it will give you something to look forward to every time you go to pick out clothes.


Run {yes, virtually...} over to Mackey Madness to get more of my BFF's cuteness! See you in July, Megan!

Love,



PS. Next time you think your house is messy, look at these pictures of our apartment. Packing is never an easy task, especially with 4 girls.  Here's us keeping it real. These will be the worst, most unattractive interior pictures I will ever post (:

Ha! The joys of moving.

No commentsRead more

Ikat is Everywhere: Schue Love

My girl Natasha is here from Schue Love and she's sharing one of her favorite design and fashion trends of 2011! It happens to be one of mine, too!
***


Hello to all of Michaela's lovely readers!  I'm Natasha from Schue Love and I'm having fun playing Michaela today!  As always, I am constantly inspired by Michaela's beautiful blog and happy to share my favorite trend for 2011 {so far at least!}.

I heart ikat!  I'm seeing it everywhere and not just on home decor prodcuts...but in the fashion world as well!  There is something so beautiful about the bold and colorful patterns...I just can't get enough of it!  I'll show you what I mean...

 Ikat looks great as fabric on chairs...loving the chevron rug too.

Or as a fabulous print on a dress!

These Anthro bowls are uber versatile...I want one in every color they come in!

I love ikat on the curtains and pillows...the two compliment each other perfectly, don't you think?

And I'm pretty sure I need this J.Crew purse...the ikat is subtle and lovely.

Ikat and succulents?  Perfection!

For those of you that know me...you also know how much I love scarves...this one is so SO pretty!

 All images via Pinterest

Isn't this final space stunning??  There are many things to love about this space, but certainly the ikat stool is not to be missed.

So...what do you think about ikat?  Will you be adding it into your home or wardrobe anytime soon?  I know I will!  :)

Thanks for having me Michaela...I had a blast, as always!

xo natasha

***
I think all bloggers love a healthy dose of ikat! That scarf is FAB. Happy Tuesday, sweet friends. Hope you're all having a great week!
Love,



PS. I'm over at Courtney's blog today participating in her Five Minute Projects series. Head on over to see how to spice up some mason jars and bottles (:

No commentsRead more

Perfectly Pink: Ten June

Since I'm studying my bootie off for finals {my mom is so proud of me right now for actually taking a week off blogging to study} I have my girl Michelle here dishing on one of her favorite design trends of the year. Michelle is awesome and I can hardly wait to see her in July when she comes to visit me in California!


***
Helllloooo friends! I'm Michelle, from Ten June.

I always love stopping by Michaela's blog. She's definitely a blestie (read: blogging bestie... I have a tendency to make up random words, so just roll with it, ha!) of mine and her readers are just adorable. So I am happy to be here today!

Just like Michaela, I'm a huge interior design junkie. In fact, I blog about my obsessions with all things pretty as well as the design and renovation of my home over at my blog! I simply love all things design. But one of my favorite recent design trends is the trend towards all things... PINK!!

It used to be that pink was only used to decorate little girls' nurseries or perhaps a teenager's bedroom. But now, pink is all over the place and in a sophisticated way! In fact, one of House Beautiful's most recent issues was completely dedicated to the color!

Don't know what I mean? Here are some gorgeous pink interiors that I find oh-so-inspiring.

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

I could go on forever!! So many pretty pink spaces. Now I only have to convince the hubs to let me do a room in pink... I can convince him pink is manly, right?!  ; )

Thanks for having me, Michaela!!

***

I agree, girl! Pantone sure called it right when they announced Honeysuckle as "color of the year"! There's something about pink that fills me with joy and lots of energy.  I love that you can do it in small doses, and even get away with it in big ones, too.  Thanks for sharing one of the best design trends of the year, Michelle! 
Run over to Ten June and say hello!

Love,

PS. Julia from Pawleys Island Posh is giving away one Basic Package from my list of online design services! To win, head over and enter!!

No commentsRead more