Closets of the Rich and Famous

All this work organizing my closet (and I'm still not 100% done!) has sent me searching for inspiration...

What better places to look than in the closets of the "rich and famous"?

Of course, they are all big, gorgeous, and perfectly organized...

Really, I think I could actually LIVE in some of these. I'm sure a couple of them are bigger than some of my previous apartments.

And maybe while this isn't a "real" celebrity's closet, who doesn't recognize this one?? I think this closet is about as famous as some of the girls.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

*right click on images to see the famous names these closets belong to

Cleaning Out the Closet

It's a shame that this (above) is not my closet.

I have been thinking of painting my closet, however. The one above is really pretty - maybe it IS worth all the trouble....

Anyhow, my closet was looking more like the one below. Sad.

After getting a few new things to wear to work this weekend, I decided it was time to tackle and organize the mess that was our closet. I'm really ashamed to tell you that on the floor in a heap was a sweatshirt and a sweater that have been there since, well, the last time I wore them. Which was a long time ago, seeing as it's now July.

I'm almost finished. I still have my shoes and old purses (and other random bits) to go through, and then to put it all back together nice and neatly.

Hopefully my closet will look as nice and organized as this one. That would make me happy - am I the only one whose hearts skips a beat when I see things all pretty and organized like this???

How often do you go through your things and clean out your closets?

*pictures from: Google Images and TLC

TGIF!

Sitting at home on a day off, trying to decide between staying at home and cleaning the house (which really needs it) or going out and doing a little shopping. I know, hard choice, huh?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

DIY versus Aspirational Design

I had an interesting conversation with a designer yesterday about low-budget/DIY-design versus skys-the-limit/aspirational design.

He was complaining about there being too many "flea market" blogs out there, advising people to "When in doubt, paint everything white" (at which time, I took a small gulp...).

While we both agreed that not many can afford to have the budget that many of the homes you see in magazines do, I think his point was that when you cheap-out on all your decor and design, many times you can tell.

(Not that I think the above room looks "cheap" - I actually kind of like it - but just pointing out that you can see the difference in money spent)
Not to say that you can't have an interesting mix of high and low, or that you can't truly find bargains and deals, but that spending some money on a few noticeable things really can (and often does) make all the difference.

I am lucky that I have access to some of the most gorgeous homes, and I love looking through all the shelter magazines and blogs - it can really be inspirational, even though my own home is a far cry from all of that.
Whether it is only the use of a certain color or finish, a furniture arrangement, the use of a cowhide under our kitchen table (still my current obsession)... and even though I know I will probably never live that lifestyle, these interiors inspire me to make the lifestyle I do live just a little prettier.


*pictures from: Jan Showers Design, Desire to Inspire, Town & Country, Desire to Inspire, Elle Decor (maybe??) via Cote de Texas

Giveaway at Appletree Staging

Kristin over at Appletree Staging is hosting her very first giveaway from CSN Stores!!

As of now, I have a 50/50 chance of winning, and while that's pretty awesome, I think you should go over and enter too. Who couldn't use a $40 gift card to pick out whatever you want???

Enter by Friday, and if you win remember where you heard it from....

Black, White and ...

every color under the rainbow...

(Just not all at once, please.)

Happy Tuesday!

Cowhide Rugs

Right now, I'm slightly obsessed with cowhides...

I am thinking that a cowhide would be nice under our kitchen table.

Of all the different "colors", the one below is my favorite.

I know of a company that treats their hides with a silicon type of finish, which helps with cleanability.

Do any of you have a cowhide rug? What do you think of them?

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Any big plans??

Summer Camp

We went to see "Grown Ups" this weekend (and it was hilarious!) - but it got me thinking of a summer lake house, and how I would decorate it...

Some nice throws available for those cool nights...

A touch of plaid or some stripes on the floor...

And a deep comfy leather sofa to curl up on...

Some modern with the rustic - a cowhide under the Bertoia stools in the eating area...

Classic and simple in the bedrooms...

And after a long day, a nice view of the lake from the bathtub...

How would you decorate your summer house?