Chalk it Up

With my Sister and her family finally all moved into their new home, our thoughts have already turned toward the various "projects" we've lined up, that will not only breathe new life into older furnishings, but add a little whimsy and spice through new decor that the kids will appreciate. One of the things that will probably make an appearance somewhere in the house is a custom chalkboard wall. Because they are leasing, we will likely opt not to paint the actual wall, but rather hang or lean a large framed chalkboard against a prominent wall in the house.

In the meantime, there is lots of chalked up inspiration to be had.

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I love how the graffiti essentially became abstract art in these spaces. How much fun my nieces and nephews will have getting creative in their own home!  The second image above utilizes a folded screen and is another idea for the less permanent solution we're after.

We've been tossing around a few thoughts about where the chalkboard should be placed. In all likelihood, it will probably end up in the kitchen where dust clean up over easy-to-wipe floors is possible.  But I love the idea of doodling while lounging around in other areas of the house, as seen below.

UK Elle Decoration Via

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Stay tuned as I blog my way through this project, as well as others for the space including custom upholstered headboards, colorful refinished furniture, a gallery wall and new draperies- all on the list of eventual to-dos.

New Beginnings

Mondays always seem to signal renewal, like a mini New Year of sorts, chock full of resolutions. I'm going to eat better, start exercising, start taking better care of myself. I'm going to work harder when I'm at work, live better when I'm not. I'm going to start that project I've been meaning to start, tackle that to-do list of things that have been hanging out there for far too long.

I guess it's human nature to want to have that line drawn in the sand and a new week seems just as good a time as any to cross the threshold and start fresh.

On this Monday morning, my sister and her family woke up in their new home. She dropped me a note at dawn, beaming with excitement over what she saw when she opened her eyes. I thought it was good reminder that around every corner, when we might least expect it even, there lies a bright and sunny day to bask in, new plans to be made, new dreams to be had.

Here's wishing you a new week with bright and sunny days ahead.

I Dream in Lucite

I aspire to a lucite console table- or perhaps someday even a delicate foot stool upon which I'd balance, while gingerly applying mascara to my lashes each morning. But what sweet translucent dreams I'd dream beneath a lucite canopy. 

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Somehow, the quilt-like textures that lie at their feet seem just as dream inducing.

Modern Day Work Sheds

I've long dreamed of carving out some little niche in my yard for a separate workspace. I think this desire was born out of necessity- or maybe just pure insanity- when we once lived in our little back house by the beach. One of the two bedrooms in the house had been outfitted into an full fledged office, complete with all the unsightly media equipment that space could handle. It was always quite the juggle when we'd have house guests, blowing up air mattresses and such to return the makeshift home office to it's natural bedroom state. Add to that the bevy of sewing and art supplies, gift wrap and the like, and soon that little room was bursting at the seams and taking with it every bit of productive energy I had in me.

I was reminded of that time when I recently saw this custom workspace featured on Grassroots Modern.

It so beautifully solves that modern day problem of creating separate working and living areas at home. I was immediately drawn to all that gloriously stained wood- my obsession of late. The surrounding modern xeriscape creates further divide between the house and garden aspects of the property, with concrete pavers marking the way toward an easy morning commute.

It made me curious to see what other pre-fab solutions might be out there for those of us not so handy in the create-a-building-from-scratch department.

Modern Cabana

These window-ful stunners are by UK company In.It.Studios 

Poteet Architects, out of San Antonio, also came up with this colorful eco-friendly shipping container solution that has been making the internet rounds.

Speaking of color, Modern Shed offers some retro-chic options that can be customized to add a few extra hues to the garden landscape.

I'm still partial to the warm wood siding paired with the darkest of grays. That little shack would be right at home here at Holtwood House post-reno.

Have you come across others out there that have become your inspirational workday hideaways?