Category: Design2

What I think I’ll miss most about Madison is my condo. It’s 651 square feet of mine and I loved pulling it together over the past two years. Not to mention Ryan and I have many of our beginnings here (our first kiss! our first home!).

Our condo is one of the smallest in the Capitol West building (and also the cheapest – hooray!). Prior to my condo, I lived in an apartment that was about 500 square feet so the extra space was luxurious. I didn’t want something much bigger for one, because of the obvious pricing reasons, and two it’s much harder to clean, and finally, environmental concerns make it important for me to live in a small footprint.  The space has a gorgeous view of Lake Monona  since Madison is built on an isthmus. I will miss that a lot.

I bought the place before it was even built so it was pretty standard when I moved in. Here are some pictures from the day I closed on the condo:

Once I moved in, I was having a hard time coming up with wall colors – most seemed far too boring. I knew I had chosen some great and versatile furniture pieces… I just needed the color to make them pop! Since it’s a small space however, I didn’t want a bold color to be too overpowering.

Finally, I happened upon two photographs that served as inspiration. One featured a half wall of paint that mimicked a modern chair railing, and the other contained a wall color that was so exactly what I never knew I wanted.

I thought this was a good solution because it allowed color to come into the space, while still allowing the space to breathe and for the focus to remain on the view.

And so the taping and painting started:

Aye! What a mess!

I was so anxious to see how it looked, I wasn’t willing to let it dry… good thing for plastic!

Looks good, except for that corner… hm…

Ah, better! Ta da!

Next, a little rug and some throw pillows to cozy up the joint:

And curtains… oh how I love floor to ceiling curtains…and see how the wind is coming in from the window there? I love that.

The beginnings of my modest art collection and some family heirlooms:

Starting to feel homey, eh?

This is my favorite shot:

Let there be light! A pretty light!

I hung the flat screen TV when Ryan moved in all by myself… big holes with big toggl bolts. Quite terrifying.

Don’t look at the mess. Look at the art! More great art!

A balance between screens and books… see how I sneakily hid the TV cords? YouTube taught me that.

We also painted the bedroom “Ashley Gray” when Ryan moved in. It made a huge difference.

And hung some more floor to ceiling curtains… this time in luxurious velvet! We should be able to wrap ourselves in velvet, don’t you think?

Here’s my legendary library card file that holds all of our little things:

This is a wine rack that Ryan got me for my birthday last year. Isn’t it cool? I had a little trouble hanging it straight, but once I got that settled… wow!

And finally, those finishing touches. Do you see my cute little wall lamp?

Here’s where I got all the loot:

Arlington Sofa, Pottery Barn.
Arlington Ottoman, Pottery Barn.
Peyton Curtain Drapes, Pottery Barn.
Voile Sheer Drape, Pottery Barn.
Quinn Felted Shag Rug, Pottery Barn.
Formosa Tray Table, CB2.
Retro Metal Wall Lamp, West Elm.
Silverado Dining Table, CB2.
Icon Dining Chairs, Callagris.
IQ Hanging Lamp, Century House.
Velvet Drape, Pottery Barn.
Organic Carved Circles Duvet, West Elm.
Organic Percale White Sheets, CB2.
Parsons Console Table, West Elm.
Rosendahl Wine Tube, Century House.

For my birthday this year, among other gifts, Ryan got me this coat rack. I didn’t get to hang it yet because well, we’re moving to DC! I think it would have been the final touch, so perhaps it’s fitting that we’ll get to take it to our new place.

I’ll miss you, home sweet home:

These are photos from a Cobble Hill apartment in Brooklyn, home to the architects/designers behind Workstead. All of the pieces are meaningful in some way to the couple, have a rich history and a story to tell. The boyfriend had this lovely quote in the article:

“When I bring something home that’s new, or if I’m not sure where it came from, I find it loud, distracting,” Mr. Highsmith said.

via Seesaw via New York Times.

Great furniture pieces from Studio Ziben in Berlin. I love that the weirdness in each of these pieces isn’t overwhelming, but adds a beautifully fun character to the modern designs and classic lines. Much of the time, designers who try to pull off this kind of work go over the top and you wouldn’t actually want to live with the pieces. But these, can’t you you just imagine looking over each day at your cabinet and giving a little smile?

PS – The first piece is called, “Monkey.”

via decor 8.

The proportion, placement and pattern in this spacious, art-filled house on the West Side Highway are gorgeous. Owners and designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz are self-taught and have a show on Bravo. I’ve never seen it, but these photos are making me want to start.

via New York Social Diary.

By Jan Eleni via Decor8.

Love this 900 sq ft place. And the color of the wall in the first photograph is very similar to the color of one of my walls. Whoop!

via New York Times.

These still act as neutrals even though they are printed. Reminds me a lot of these bags. And I like.

$1200 at The Old Cinema via Design Mom.

Did you see this today in the New York Times? A young designer, Zach Motl, came to New York – before he knew he wanted to be a designer – and decorated his 178 square feet apartment.

He discovered a job at Robert Couturier & Associates, the upscale architecture and design firm as a junior designer. The ad stated applicants needed three years’ experience and knowledge of AutoCAD, the computer drafting program. Mr. Motl didn’t meet any of the requirements, but he did have pictures of his apartment.

And he got the job.

Pride and Prejudice fans will love this! Such sweet romance…

$11, Mr Darcy Proposal Dish Towel via Design Mom.

Beautiful tapestries from dutch designer Nooosugar.

Should this beautiful all-white house be in a row of other modern houses, it wouldn’t look twice as cool.

I am also adoring the Robert Indiana Love print. Ryan and I were in Philly recently for a wedding and got to see the statue from afar several times.

Via MadeByGirl.