Lavender, purple, eggplant and more.

Like most people in the process of designing a new home, I am constantly collecting gorgeous photos that speak to me. If I love it, I grab it for future reference. I don't judge it or mull it over or wonder "where in the world would I do something like this?" Even if I know that the photo has no bearing on my lifestyle or my family home - if it catches my eye and makes me feel all gooey inside, then it goes in the dream folder. Then, when I go back and look at them, I notice certain patterns emerge. This week, I noticed that I am really gravitating towards purples. This is something I would not have known if I hadn't been collecting and ferreting photos. So, maybe I need some dusky lavender accents to go in that gray-brown living room I'm fixing up?

Check out this lavender ceiling! Love it!

Kristena Derrick

I've just discovered Kristena Derrick on Flickr and spent over an hour last night at her beautiful craft blog, Thimbly Things. Here are some serene little scenes from her lovely home filled with charming, clever, handmade wonderfulness. Perfect for a Saturday morning post!

The Dining Room Calls

I love the dining room in our new house. Its probably my favorite room because of the amazing light quality, original hardwoods and the beautiful picture window that overlooks our front yard. Below is a photo of the room before we moved in. The only thing that remains is the dining table and chairs. I haven't done a thing with it since we moved in.

But now, the room is calling to me. Just dreaming out loud here: My husband and I have decided on a color and are now beginning to envision what the room could be for our family. We want to replace the wonky ceiling fan with a drop down pendant. My husband is partial to the equator lamp below from CB2. I am too.

We love the pagoda style table above, found here. And we already have these two chairs set up in the window. They were a Craigslist find!



As far as color goes, we're thinking about heading in a dark brown direction. Martha Stewart just came out with her line of paints (replacing the Ralph Lauren paints) at Home Depot and I brought home some awesome color samples - I'm partial to Tilled Soil and Molasses.

What do you think?

Color Cleanse

I had a wonderful trip recently to Cayucos, CA. My husband and I were married there and every summer as kid, my family would spend a week in Cayucos in a shabby-fabulous rental beach house. Below is a photo of my own son playing on the beach in early January. Talk about real freedom!
The colors of that beach town are so vibrant and rich, even in the middle of winter. The colors of the water and the bright grass green coastal mountains mixed with the pink, purple and aqua exteriors of the beach bungalows is spectacular. The colors of Cayucos were the perfect palate cleanser for this winter worn traveler. Pure Inspiration!

Have a Green Seat

After reading Monday's color combo post at My Favorite and My Best, I got inspired by kelly green. Its really a cool color that I never utilize for interior design. But I found these green chairs and am now reconsidering my kelly green strike.

The Shop

We're taking a moment away from your regularly scheduled programming with an update from the Informational Shopcasting System. I've just updated the La Maison Boheme shop at Etsy! Hope you're all having a beautiful Wednesday!

Please visit Etsy La Maison Boheme for more information.