The Great Comforter Debate?

I read a kind of interesting article by Sara Ruffin Costello the other day... and I say kind of interesting because it brought up a debate that I didn't even realize was going on.

Big fluffy down-filled duvets vs. simple and flatter blankets or coverlets.

For a long time now, it seems like big and fluffy was the way to go. You at least saw a duvet folded at the foot of the bed. But Sara brought up some good points in favor of ditching the big fluffy for the flat and simple, so as I looked back at my saved pictures I realized that many of them were already sporting the cleaner and leaner look.

I'm not sure where I've been, but there does indeed seem to be a battle raging... which side are you on?

Flat:

or Fluffy:

Flat and tucked in:

or Fluffy:


Flat and layered:

or Fluffy:

Flat with texture:

or Fluffy:

I've been kind of thinking for a while that I would take the down-filled comforter out of my linen duvet, and maybe just use the duvet cover flat as a coverlet. Chris hates sleeping with it on his feet (because it's too heavy), so most nights it ends up folded over into the middle of the bed anyways - even in the winter. (He doesn't understand why we can't just have sheets only on the bed.) I also really like the look of an interesting thick blanket at the foot of the bed, especially in plaid.

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my contest for a $50 gift certificate at CSN Stores! All you have to do is leave a comment on that post.

Office Inspiration Board

office inspiration by Racheltx on Polyvore.com

So, here's the plan (minus the bookshelves which I didn't have a good picture of and am still trying to decide whether or not to keep black, paint white, or some other color).

Dark green walls, white slipcover from Ikea to tie in with the big white desk that is already in the room, side tables in natural stained wood, a big reproduction of a Texas map, accents of silver and chrome, a little bit of plaid, bamboo blinds and seagrass rug...

It's coming together, bit by bit.
(finally)

Is there such a thing as too much plaid?

I think the above photo shows that there is...

However, I kind of like this hallway. I think because there's really nothing else going on - the plaid is it.

I came across these while pulling some pictures for an inspiration board for our office (yes, we're still slowly slowly working on it - but remember, the tortoise finished the race!).

I know it's such a cliche, but I really do love me some plaid in the fall and winter.

How about you?

I Got Nada

...but some pretty pictures that make me happy it's fall

Again With the Bookcases...

The bookcases above caught my eye in one of Grange's new ads. What I am loving about them, and what made me stop and take note for our office re-do, was that they are finished black on the outside, and the interior is left with the natural wood or wood stain.

Our Craigslist shelves are black, but not "real" wood with a grain that we could sand down. I've been thinking that we would paint them, but this picture offers up a kind of cool idea.

Enter this:

Woodgrain contact paper.

Not the same as real wood, I know, but for smaller shelves filled with books in a small home office done a super tight budget... I think it could be worth a try.

I'll be filing this away for later... once the crap is fully cleaned out. (Yes, we've hit a few stalls and bumps in the road...)

I really like this room

It's warm gray walls, those dark linen chairs, that dresser, the unusual wooden table.... It's beautiful and masculine without being *grunt* MASCULINE.

I wonder if I could convince Chris that he really likes this look? ;-)

Have a great weekend!

*photo from Reclaimed Studios (it's her living room!)

Dark Green Inspiration

If you remember, this is where we've last left our color decisions for the office:

Chris wants a dark green for the walls, but I think the greens he's chosen are a little too dark for our small room.

So, I've pulled some images to show him for inspiration:

I'm still debating on whether I'd paint the bookcases white (to go with our white desk), or if I'd paint them the same color as the walls but in a glossier sheen. Also, whether I would keep the slipcover blue or get a new one either in white or beige.

Hmmm..... decisions.

Of course, this is just MY thoughts for the office. Chris has his own "vision", as he's told me. I would like to find a good color that we both love and can be happy with (and that doesn't look black on the walls!)

More to come!

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

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??