Beautiful? Yes. Functional? ...Maybe.

I believe in surrounding yourself with beauty. It's an outward form of inspiration. Just by looking around, you can be reminded of your own creative, artist power. Here are a few displays that create visual interest:

Sources: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six.

Destination Stay-cation

Take me away...but not very far!

Small oases in the midst of home.
1,2,3,4 and 5.

Reinvention: From 'stuffy' to 'stylish'

1. Oly Studio showroom
2. Contemporary sofa
3. Eclectic hallway 
4. Studded chair + stool

A Vibrant Start

via

Here's a fun way to start 2012: incorporate Tangerine Tango, Pantone's 'color of the year' into everyday life. You can challenge your creativity and use the color in different facets of life: from inside the home to elements of personal style.
I've already begun searching around for the vibrant color. You can follow my style board on Pinterest as I hunt for more. For now, here's a few items that have caught my eye so far:

Find them here: Parlour chair, Platform heel, Shift dress, Blouse, and Sleeveless button-down.

Simple, Rustic Charm

This week I'm really into hand-crafted items. They give everything more meaning, don't you think. The thought that someone out there just like you can create beautiful things is exciting; it gives the things around you a personal story. And what's more, it proves you can make interesting items too if you commit to it! To illustrate this, here's a site called Nightwood that reinvents old furniture to fit a modern aesthetic. Enjoy!

Celestine Couch, Geometric Painting, Whitman dresser.

Contemporary Glam: Room with a View

I'm starting my weekend with daydreams of my future.

The beauty of nature + the allure of modernity = happiness for Jay Bijou!

via Contemporist

Have a great weekend!

It's the Idea that Counts

Let's say you are in the market for a headboard. What do you in envision? My guess is it's very palpable, but it doesn't have to be! It can be fun (and even cheaper) to challenge yourself, and look at things in unconentional ways. What are headboards for, in a design sense? Unless you have back problems, wall art can serve the same purpose. It adds beauty and visual interest to a space, and show off who are really are— a unique, creative soul who likes to have fun with design! A few wall art pics:

Wall art: headboard, window, chandelier.

Design Profile

When you think of Scandinavian design the first thing that comes to mind is Ikea, but there are hundreds of other companies out there— Bolia, for example. The designs are always clean, cool and sophisticated. Their aesthetic is so edgy and yet functional. Bolia makes you feel like you could host a dinner party, even in the simplest of rooms. Photos from the 2012 catalogue:

Monday Motivation: Embrace Nature Year Round

With fall weather approaching, it is only natural to escape the cold and seek solace indoors. I can appreciate the change in the landscape during the fall/winter seasons, but I will miss the life and color I see during the warmer months. One solution is to bring the outside in with beautiful plants you can enjoy year-round. Now there are creative ways to display them and give your home a unique organic feel, even when the landscape outside your window is lacking.

Sources: 1. Tropical bathroom, 2.Vine leg table, 3.Organic Entryway, 4.Living wall art.

Ikat: From Fabric to Tile

I always appreciate when artists have the imagination to transfer ideas from one medium to another. At New Raven Mosaics, designers took the visually interesting Ikat textile to vertical limits, creating vibrant, dynamic wall tiles. No matter how small or boring a space, this design element will definitely bring exciting energy to any room.

via Apartment Therapy

It's the weekend! On that note...

I'm leaving you with the photo of the week.

A real walk-in oasis via withlovefromkat. Enjoy!

Monday motivation: organization + inspiration

via Bodie and Fou

One of the best desk rules: a clear space = a clear mind. An organized space is essential to starting off your week right. Surrounding yourself with images you love is even better. If you have a tidy area, you'll be more motivated to do other tasks because you feel like you have something done already. Inspiration boards are a given for me as well. They're like automatic mood-checks. If you feel down or become distracted,  inspiration boards can remind you mind of your purpose in a beautifully artistic way. I hope everyone is motivated to make the most of their week!

It's the Weekend! On that note...

Here's the next photo of the week:

Source: Contemporist

Have a great weekend!