A fantastic surprise home makeover for a soldier returned from Afghanistan!

What caught my eye in this home makeover was the casual, "collected-over-time" look. What I loved way that newly wed Meg Stein surprised her Army sergeant husband with this home makeover when he returned from Afghanistan! How sweet is that?

I love the cozy but clean design of this dining room.  Wood chandelier - $50 at a garage sale...vintage Duncan Phyfe table - great deal on eBay.

It's all about white kitchens for me.

Meg already had the flat file coffee table, so she designed the room around it.  I really like the file as a coffee table.  It's unexpected, and what a great way to store mags!!

What do you think of this charmer?

via HGTV Mag June/July 2012 issue

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Kitchen Love

I cook a lot more in the fall and winter, so I'll be spending a lot more time in the kitchen.  I imagine that in some homes, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house.  Our kitchen is a small galley kitchen, so it's not suitable for hanging out in, but one day I hope to have a kitchen that opens up to the living room.

This kitchen is simple, but white is my favorite cabinet color, and the light is really nice.

2 above via Apartment Therapy

If you are very good at keeping your items tidy, open shelves can be really attractive, and the open backs don't hide the eye-catching backsplash.

via Hus & Hem

Talk about amazing kitchen design, all those windows would make you feel like you're cooking outside year round.

via ?

via Heart Home

via House of Fifty

I like this unique kitchen layout.

via Home Designing

*disclosure: this post brought in partnership with thegoodguyskitchens.com

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Brighten up your Monday - some uplifting, cheerful rooms

It's hard to feel cheerful with all that's going on in the country and the world, so you may have to make an extra effort to be grateful for the gifts in our lives, I'm hoping these rooms put a smile on your face and remind you of the most important part of any home: family.

The colors here are so gorgeous.

possibly my dream kitchen!

great way to keep your fireplace during summer

A quirky canopy bed.

all images via BHG

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Liveable rooms full of attainable glamor...

This light-filled kitchen stays humble but pretty with simple, classic cabinets, and simple light fixtures.

A dark neutral adds instant elegance

This room is literally brought to life with plants.

I ADORE this bedroom. The bedding adds a lot of glamor, which is kept down-to-earth with a neutral, solid rug.

This room is very mid-century mod, but it doesn't feel overly gimmicky to me.

If you're scared of bold color or pattern - do it in a small space like an entryway or powder room first. I tend to think "big impact" is more interesting in small spaces anyway.

How have you added a little glam to your home while still keeping it liveable and low-maintenance?

via BHG

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Green and Glam... a house that proves you can have both

*tip - click on each image if you want a closer view

check out the gorgeous rough backsplash

A clever way to create a laundry room if you don't have one

amazing coffee table, amazing cabinet, amazing floors!

I've been loving navy lately

Not crazy about the laser cut mirrors - but otherwise this foyer is gorgeous...

What do you think about this home?

via Pure Green Living

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Making the details count

I love the little "moments" in a person's home where you just have to stand and let your eye travel around the nook, shelf, or table top where you find the little details that speak volumes about the owner.

I think these shelves are from the home of Jen Ramos of Made by Girl
via Adore Home Mag

Love the wallpaper on the back of the shelves - you can tell this person has a feminine aesthetic and pays great attention to detail.
via BHG

via Ivy and Piper

Possibly the most adorable and chic little kitchen ever.
via Adore Home Mag

via calle pompón

What spot or room in your home speaks the most about you? What does it say?

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A super cute Swedish abode in a mix of styles

What a great dining room. It's hard to incorporate color like this without making the room look like a kid's room, but I think they did a great job!




Love the tiles.
This kitchen is so bright and cheery.
via Lantliv

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Amazing inspiration from my favorite blogs

It was other blogs that got me started blogging, so I try to set aside some time every week to peruse three blogs from my blogroll and share my findings with you. Enjoy!

The images below are from the always inspiring Herman Miller "Lifework" blog. Corporate and company blogs can often be a total snorefest, but Lifework is sensational. It really appeals to me because I am a freelance web designer and work from home, and the blog consistently features inspiring home offices from other designers. Super inspiring.

Check it out - Lifework.





The images below are from the Michelle Rago Weddings blog.

Love this wedding inspiration board. Looks like a glam Victorian theme

And this dress? I don't have anywhere to wear it but oh how I'd love it. Simple but not boring. (It's a Badgley Mischka if you're wondering)

Michelle found this amazing artist who she featured on her blog - Jim Denevan makes temporary drawings on sand, earth and ice that are eventually erased by waves and weather.

Beautiful no? See more at Michelle Rago.

And last, but definitely not least, one of my first blog friends - Linda, and her wonderful blog Lime in the Coconut.

Her gorgeous tropical home - looks so effortlessly beautiful.

Love the floors of this kitchen - love the whole thing really...

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