Black is the new white

Amy D. Morris Interiors via

If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I love white. But I am also loving black and white. My walls in my kitchen have gone from a dark gray to a dark charcoal and honestly, I would love them even darker. (I can hear my husband groaning even at the thought of another paint change!!).

[Kitchen Walls | Kendall Charcoal HC-166 Benjamin Moore]

[fabric ready to go to the workroom]

 My office would be the perfect place to go pure black on the walls ... they used to be the darkest walls in our house, but now they look pale in comparison to the new darker walls.

A while back I painted our guest room walls "black" but they came out lighter than I had hoped they would be. Do you recognize the chest that is now in my kitchen?

 I had to laugh when I saw this ... I thought about my house - every room does have a touch of black. Maybe I count as the antique!!!

Tommy Smythe Design | Photo: Michael Graydon

I did a little research on what the best black paint was. It seems there are about as many black choices as there are whites. So I'm curious ... have you painted your walls black? Would you? Do you have a favorite black paint?

Think happy thoughts

I am slightly obsessed with quotes and affirmations. I like to hang them all over my office to put good things in my head.  

They are good reminders, they encourage me and they help me to stay focused on what is true and lovely. 

"Most of all, let LOVE guide your life." Colossians 3:14

A few months ago I picked up a new one. (I posted about it here). Yesterday I had one of those coveted, lazy don't-get-out-of-your-pajamas-days and finally got around to hanging it. I put it right in front of my desk so it will be front and center while I am working. 

Non. Je ne regrette rien. It means "I have no regrets" (I purchased it here). It was inspired by the Edith Piaf song and is a simple statement that means life is to be lived without regrets and in full.

I love that.

And while I was in my office playing around and hanging the new print, I cleaned up my the magnetic strip that holds some of my other quotes ...

And printed out some new ones!

I think that positive words are one way to get rid of the ugly stuff that circulates in our heads. Usually that stuff is just made up of old thoughts and patterns that we don't want to let go of (or don't know how) and that aren't even true but affect the way we view and respond to different events in our life. 

In order to move forward and grow, we need to replace those old thoughts with new ones that are true and good. Repeating the new thoughts, whether they are positive affirmations or just reminders of what is true, is one way to get rid of that ugly stuff. 

You can find more inspirational quotes on my Pinterest page here.

A pretty bouquet

 I saw this sign at the grocery store this week ...

It was in front of their floral department. Nice!

I love having flowers in my house - they bring in a little bit of happiness. And they are nice to come home to after a long day of work. 

I sure am enjoying the flowers left from the wedding last weekend! And I am excited that another weekend is almost here ...
Happy Friday everyone!

Why they mail out catalogues

It completely irritates me how many catalogues I get in the mail almost daily. I have tried to stop many of them - but they keep on coming. Most of the time I just take them directly to the recycle bin but last week a couple caught my eye ...

ducduc for Nod

I love the Land of Nod and have always appreciated their clean lined furniture at reasonable prices and I am SUPER excited to see that they just partnered up with ducduc! I can't wait to design another nursery!

And these lottie dots decals ... I can definitely see these as a jumping off point for a fun room!

The other catalogue that surprised me was from Pottery Barn. I don't think I get more of any catalogues than I do from PB. They must send them every other week and I get them all (PB, PB Kids, PB Teen, Bed and Bath...) times three. Eesh. Usually I don't even look at them. But last week I got a new one that caught my eye... Pottery Barn DORM:

I'm glad that I looked inside!

PB Teen has always been a go-to place to get inexpensive colorful rugs and curtains - and not just for a teen room. 

Peyton Rug Navy | 8x10 $599 | PB Teen

 

Hi Sugarplum blog

Click here to see how Cassie from Hi Sugarplum, used pillows from PB Teen in her home.

And I am loving the new "dorm" bedding in fun, crisp colors and patterns. I'm so glad I discovered the new collection - you got it right with this one, PB.
(Hmmm. I guess that's why they mail out the catalogues!)

Vignettes

I was trying to find an image to help a client visualize an idea I had that she was struggling with and in the process came across some great inspiration. So much that I had to create a new pin board.

via

Christine Dovey | via

I have always liked shiny objects but I used to be an "all silver" girl. Not any more.

images

Thoughts on Love

We went to a lovely summer wedding last night and as I witnessed the bride and groom's love and joy for each other it reminded me of how sweet new beginnings are. And how love is such a beautiful gift and something to be cherished and never taken for granted.

{the cake was made by the bride's cousin who is a high school student - wow!}

{Congratulations Melissa and Blake - may your love grow deeper every year}

"Dear Friends, let us love one another, for Love comes from God. " - 1 John 4:7

"To love another person is to see the face of God"

- Les Miserables | Victor Hugo

photography - mine, quotes here 

Work | Play

work

play

I had a very productive work week and I am looking forward to a fun weekend. Hope you are too! Happy Friday everyone!