Inspiration

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Objectified

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Not in the usual sense of the term, of course.  Here I'm using the work objectified to represent the tchotchke-fication of a space.  Think- sexified with objects. Now that I've created a whole new vocabulary for my post and probably lost you within the first paragraph, I'll continue.

I've been thinking a lot lately(among every other house-related thing) about how to best utilize objects in a space to personalize it to add a WOW factor.  If you knew me back in middle school, you're probably thinking- "This girl has zero issues adding accessories (read: crap)."  My room was a tchotchke and color explosion.  Every surface was covered- horizontal & vertical.  Around the time I went to college, I woke up one day and realized how completely psychotic the space around me had become and proceeded to totally de-tchotchke-fy my surroundings.  Those 2 sides of my personality have been entrenched in a power struggle ever since.

In previous apartments, I've kept the accessories to a minimum (for me), but I'm realizing now that some of the spaces lacked a certain depth.  Just like Stacy & Clinton always preach on What Not to Wear, layering is the key to adding visual interest in an outfit space.  Layering requires a certain finesse that is admittedly my design kryptonite .  I get so distracted by the 'big idea' or little shiny objects that its hard to focus on the in-between.  I need practice in layering the big and little.  I am soooo tempted to run out and buy a bunch of brand new decorative items and start layering them, but I'm putting my own breaks on.  98.67% of the items* in our house are new(ish).  We have random items that have a history (a watercolor by Hubby's Nana, my Grandma's piano...) but most of the stuff we have just FEELs new.  Since we are striving for an eclectically sophisticated balance in the house, I need to even out the new pieces with vintage and vintage inspired.

I have a vision!

Well, I have many- generally multiple for each room of the house.  The specific vision I speak of is about candlesticks in the bedroom.  The other week at my successful IKEA trip, I also took home these beautiful silver glass pillar candlesticks.  So pretty (and shiny!) but on their own, they're lacking visual depth.

BUT as I mentioned, I have a VISION!  Those mixed with vintage ones acquired through tag sales** will be divine!  I've wanted to have this collection of candlesticks for years.  A couple years ago when I was designing my wedding center pieces (holy crap, where did the time go), my first choice was a collection of mismatched candlesticks on each table.  My plot was foiled by time (to collect them all) and by the fact that the location wouldn't let me put unenclosed candles (sadface).

Now I have a house and NO ONE (except maybe Hubby) can rain on my parade!

Did I mention I am excited for Spring and the start of Tag Sale** season??

How do YOU objectify your space?

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* Totally accurate percentage, I promise

** or Yard Sales, or Garage Sales, or whatever you call them

*** images from ikea.com, brides.com
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Spring Forward

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With the teasing yo-yoing Spring temperatures and the overdue melting of the snow, I've rediscovered that I have a backyard and more gardens than grass (yippee!).  Most of the current plants and bushes were ravaged by miles of snow on top of them, so out they'll go at some point.  Which means I have a (small) yard full of gardens to fill!  Before it's actually warm enough to do the work, I get to do the fun part- think about what I want my gardens to look like! Better Homes and Gardens never fails to impress.  I went to their website looking for pretty pictures and found detailed garden layouts.  For Hubby's future veggie garden (hes the chef, I'm the handymanwoman), they had 12 different 'schemes' ranging from Asian themed to pasta sauce themed to a salad garden!  The schemes show a layout, size needed, what to plant, and a detailed how-to.  Its pretty much gardening for dummies, and I'll take it!  I don't have a black thumb by any means, but I don't have enough experience with gardens  to know what to do myself.  My garden experience is limited to a small section of garden that my mom used to let me pick out flowers and plant in.  Even then, I didn't go by what the plant needed (sun/shade, etc), I picked out plants because they were bright colors.  I have 2 indoor plans of the same species, and I only water them when they start looking sickly... maybe once a month :-/.

I still pick plants because I like(read: am obsessed with) them.  I guarantee that whatever the garden outcome, you will see:

Alluims

Dahlias

& Hydrangeas!

So much pretty to happen!  I can't wait!