Sneak Peak {NYC}

Last weekend I drove a lot, used my hand as a pin cushion, made a new furry friend, and watched a LOT of Rue Paul's Drag Race.  Oh, and I spent the weekend in NYC helping my amazing sister-in-law make her apartment amazing.  Check out the "befores" of the apartment here. We pretty much spent the entire time recovering the couch, which really was the elephant in the room.  There's still a lot of finish work to do in the room, but it's starting to look pretty great.

Well on it's way to looking like an apartment fitting a dazzling young actress, don't you thing?

Soaring Solo in NYC

A vibrant 25 year old aspiring actress in NYC should have a vibrant exuberant home, don't you think?   That's why, when my wonderful sister-in-law, Lily, moved into her first solo apartment a few weeks ago, I offered to design it. Sorry, only "Before" pictures to share today.  I'm just getting started on plans now, but I can already see how amazing the space is going to be.  I'll be visiting her in 3 weeks, so the design countdown begins and I need to start pulling the first room together (AK, only 3 weeks to pull together a design!)

Our first design target: the living room.

Since this is her first place sans roommates, we're starting with a near blank slate.  I mean really blank- all she's done is unpack, so the apartment is just waiting for my vision.  She has very little usable furniture and a modest budget to work with.  I couldn't ask for a better client, though.  She's not afraid of color, pattern, or having fun with design.  Sounds like the recipe for a good time to me!

We'll be reusing and revamping what we can and looking for bargains and creative solutions for the rest.  (This isn't going to be ANY fun for me at all... ok, maybe a little)

My plan is classic chic with a glam twist and pops of color.  Can't you just see it already??  I totally can, and I can't wait for it to materialize.  We've got a few DIYs planned too, so I'll definitely have some fun projects to share in the near future.

Behind the Objects: Getting Catty

In my last post, I tried to hammer home the concept of personalizing your space.  But what does that really mean? In the land of design blogs, we talk a lot about things.  Furniture, art, accessories... material objects.  What really makes a home's design special to the occupant, however, is the meaning behind the objects.

In this new series, I'll be taking the time to celebrate the personal significance of the things I surround myself with.  The stories of my home.

Without further ado (and in no particular order whatsoever)....

Object #1: Brass Cat

My parents came across this cat about a year ago while cleaning out my great aunt's house.  She was, to put it nicely, a collector.  It needed a serious scrub, but what an outcome!  Maybe it's because I dabble in being a crazy cat lady, I love this little guy.  So regal.

I still haven't found the right spot for him yet (I really need to style some vignettes around this house), so currently he guards over our computers from his perch on the bookshelf.  I'm not sure of his age (certainly not new) or origins, but he feels like he has a story to tell.  Maybe it's a story of my great aunt.