Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year! Here’s a lovely little quote from one of my favorite authors. Such a bright thought to kick off the new year, no?

Look for more posts from me soon. Until then, I hope you are enjoying a restful New Year’s Day!

Lately…

It is the last week of October. The last week!

Let’s just let that sink in for a minute.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like October went by at lightening speed. It’s my favorite month of the year, and this year certainly did not disappoint.

Settle in for a little catch up…

The biggest event of this past month was definitely the marriage of my little brother! Michael and Leslie (remember the bridal shower?) tied the knot, and it couldn’t have been more special. This is the reception site, a renovated barn at Heartwood Hall in Piperton, Tennessee.

Reclaimed wood beams, tealight candles in the trees, floor to ceiling stone fireplace – this place is breathtaking. And, what did I do? I danced. I danced and danced and did not take one photograph (save this one). I’m a bad blogger. I’ll leave the question as to whether I’m a bad dancer up to any impending video coverage (which I can guarantee won’t make the blog).

Of course, with the wedding came a weekend of hanging out with family, including this guy. Jack may be getting a little white in the beard (do dogs have beards?) but don’t let that fool you. Jack (Jackson, if you’re feeling formal, Jackie if you’re feeling cuddly) will get tired of running after a ball long after you get tired of throwing it. Jack is the son of our beloved Ginger, who passed away last year, and I stand by my claim that between the two of them, we have lived with two best dogs ever. Period.

I’ve done some sprucing to my bedroom lately, and this may be my favorite addition. It’s a bit more whimsical than I usually go, but I just couldn’t resist. It fits in perfectly on my nightstand and it makes me smile.

I also fixed up a little jewelry station on my dresser. It’s perfect for getting ready in the morning and let’s me see all my jewelry at once. Love it.

This weekend, the River Arts Festival took place downtown, in the South Main area. It’s one of my favorite Memphis neighborhoods, and its old storefronts and warehouses provide the perfect backdrop for artists selling their wares and demonstrating everything from pottery throwing to glass blowing.

I picked up this beautiful mug from local potter David Johnson and I swear it made my coffee taste a little better this morning. Love local, usable art (complete with a Jack photo bomb).

How’s your world been lately?

PS. October 20th was the 1 year anniversary of this little blog! Thank you so much to all of you have followed and participated over this year. I have learned so much this year, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I hope to get back to a regular schedule soon. I hope you’ll continue to have some pretty little fun with me!

The Night Circus

Have you read The Night Circus? I finished it this week and I miss it. I really do. I was one of those books that sucked me in to a completely surreal world. It’s magical.

Of course, it got me thinking about fabric. The colors and textures described throughout the book are so rich, yet so simple – shades of black and white, with a pop of crimson. The gold stars in the sky provide the only other pop of color at the circus.

Click the image to enlarge the fabrics and learn about sourcing.

Wouldn’t these fabrics make a cozy movie room or reading nook? I am especially fond of the black and white dots. The one in the upper-right is Michael Miller Atomic Dot ($8.98/yard Fabric.com) and the one below that is Mesh Polka Dot White/Black ($3.98/yard! Fabric.com).

Another cozy idea for these non-traditional fabrics would be a non-traditional room, like these lovely attic converts.

These rooms are like little bits of fairy tales. Love.

Would you use whimsical colors and patterns in your home? Or would you rather leave them for a set decorator (what an amazing job that would be for this story!)

Let’s Go Read a Book

Happy October! This is my favorite month of the year – the anticipation of fall, pumpkins and the holidays – love it!

October makes me want to curl up with a thick blanket and a good book. Where is your favorite place to read? Wouldn’t you like to curl up in one of these cozy nooks?

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Katie on Pinterest

Source: ernestogarciadesign.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: dagmarbleasdale.com via Katie on Pinterest

Happy Monday!

Kitchen Dancing

What is it about the kitchen that begs for some dancing? When I’m cooking or doing dishes, I’ve got to have some upbeat tunes playing. It gets me thinking…what’s the soundtrack for your home?

For me, Sunday mornings are for Otis Redding, Al Green, The Temptations and a host of other soulsy singers. Something about those old songs makes doing the dishes a little more fun, and it’s the perfect background music for brewing some coffee and whipping up a lazy Sunday breakfast.

When I’m getting ready to go out, girly pop is where it’s at. Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears…oh yes. Nothing says “gettin’ pretty” like applying lip gloss to a little Vogue. Don’t judge.

Lately, the all-around soundtrack of Casa Katie has been the new album from the Avett Brothers. It’s brilliant from start to finish, like their other albums. It’s available tomorrow; check it out if you’re in need of some great fall music!

What’s the soundtrack of your home?

 

Coffee Table: Found!

This post is a lesson in never say never.

Remember a while back when I posted about the coffee table of moment?

Home Decorators

Restoration Hardware

I kind of mocked the fact that the table style was popping up in every home decor blog and magazine.

At $350 (West Elm) to $1400 (Restoration Hardware)  prices for the style varied widely. And, if you’ll recall, another man had caught my eye:

Well, that was until this weekend. In a tour through Sheffield Antiques (seriously, it’s my happy place), I saw something I couldn’t quite believe.  Hidden beneath a pile of knick knacks in a back booth was my coffee table.

Was it gold and spindly and Queen-approved?

No.

Was it iron and wood and previously featured in Elle Decor, House Beautiful and DesignSponge?

Yes.

Was I in love?

Yes!

I’d seen the table a million times before, but for some reason, this time, it felt right. Banged up reclaimed wood? Check. Antiqued iron base? Check.

Oh, and did I mention it was $30?

$30! Like less than a haircut. Less than a tank of gas. Less than $1400! (Looking at you Restoration Hardware!)

The price wasn’t the deciding factor, but it did push me to buy it and worry about whether I’d like it in the room later.

That little bit of not caring paid off. I got it home, stepped back and beamed. At last, I found my coffee table!

Now, things aren’t quite perfect yet. Bringing in the new coffee table made me realize this end table – pictured below circled in red – gots to go.

See how there’s air underneath the other end table and air underneath the coffee table?

I need air under the left end table. It’s looking a little too solid over there. (Remember this tip for making spaces feel bigger?)

So, next on the mental shopping list is an airy end table. That might just be where I indulge my gold and spindly craving.

What have we learned? Never say never.

And never, NEVER, pay full retail price.

PS. The yellow couch isn’t really that radioactive shade of yellow it’s appearing to be. It was late when I was editing these pictures and I was playing around with the exposure, and, well…I don’t really know what I’m doing. 🙂 It’s more of a pale yellow in real life.