Smoke Detectors & Vaulted Ceilings

So, it happened. I knew it was only a matter of time. The battery of the smoke detector in our bedroom died. And so the chirping began. At 2:00 in the morning. Why does that always happen in the middle of the night--in the room with the vaulted ceilings? Of course, we don't own a ladder, so I had to stand on Jeremy's shoulders. I didn't know what I was doing and accidentally pressed the test button, so that every single alarm in the entire house went off.  I could hardly reach, but I was able to pull out the battery--which we all know does not stop the chirping.  (Remember the Friends episode with Phoebe and the smoke detector?!) Luckily, we had a battery, and  we were able to make the switch. You know, you never know when your high school cheerleading skills are going to come in handy.  And, I'm just sure that Jeremy really appreciated my, "Ready one two's" at two in the morning. But, in spite of the three ring circus in our bedroom last night, I still LOVE vaulted ceilings. Check out these lovelies. 

P.S. Remind me to buy a ladder when we move...

image from NC State News

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Things Are Looking Up

I'm pretty sure I've used that title before, but, let's be honest, it works. Aren't these ceilings amazing? I love the detail and character of the ceilings in these pictures. I would LOVE any of these. Actually, I would be happy with ceilings, period. And guess what--we may be getting ceilings sooner rather than later. (And walls and floors, too!) That's right, after weeks and weeks of waiting for permits, we're ready to dig, folks.  And though my ceilings won't be anything like these, they will be our ceilings, and I can't wait!

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image from West Newton Interior Designers via  Houzz

Ceiling Love

Oh hi.  Remember me? Yes, almost three months later and still trying to get my groove back. I'll find it, right? RIGHT? Please tell me I'll find it! (And don't tell me if I won't, mmmkay?!) Anyway, how absolutely stunning are these ceilings? I would so move into anyone of these houses without even seeing any other rooms, that's how beautiful these are. Ok. I wouldn't really do that, but let's be honest: To. Die. For.

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image from Decor Pad

image from NYC & G

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Just a Touch of Paint

I'm definitely a sucker for an all white room, but there's no denying the complete and utter awesomeness of the paint in these rooms. I mean, really, how yummy is that lilac in the first picture, the bold stripes in the second, and don't even get me started on the ceiling in the last.  I love them all, especially the lilac. And, of course I would need the couch to go with it. And obviously, the windows...

image from Bloomingville

image from Daily Dream Decor

image from Design Sponge

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image from Style at Home

[color kreyv]: Radiant Orchid

Pantone has named radiant orchid as 2014's color of the year. Radiant orchid is kind of an amped up purplish pink. You know, like an orchid, but radiant…(such a genius statement). I am not going to lie. Purple is not a shade I am usually drawn to. For some reason, it's just not on my radar. I like it, I just kind of forget about it. (Who forgets about a color like purple?) Radiant orchid works for me, because it's got some pink in it, and I think it would be super unexpected and chic in small doses. Anyway, since I'm doing such a fantastic job of articulating my relationship with purple, let's just look at these pretty pictures, mmmkay? Radiant orchid: yay or nay?

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image from Project Nursery

image from Apartment Therapy

[color kreyv]: Charcoal Gray

I'm not going to lie. Between the cardboard boxes, lack of decor, piles of clothes on the floor, and the three things we have left in our fridge, I'm feeling a little bit white trash. I figure I should just get into character and quit altogether with the hair washing and make-up. (Who am I fooling, it's not like I was a frequent hair washer before...) On a brighter note, I did clean the oven today, and I was glad to check that off my list. Let's just say it wasn't pretty, and I may or may not have avoided that task altogether. For three years. Don't judge.

Now that you have several unflattering images in your head, let's talk about charcoal gray and the fact that it's my new favorite color. Wanna know why, cause you know I'm going to tell you. It has presence, and it makes a statement, but it's not as harsh as black. It pops against white, but it also looks awesome mixed with wood tones, and really, any color. It's masculine (not that I care about that), but it's still super glam and looks super posh with golds and other metals. And, really, I just love it. I think it definitely needs to make an appearance at the next place...somewhere other than my oven, because that was pretty much the opposite of posh. And P.S., we're still not judging.

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image from Thom Felicia via House Beautiful

image from Decor Pad

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image from Caldwell Flake via Decor Pad

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image from At Home

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image from Delaire Graff Estate

Things Are Lookin' Up

For some reason, I've been really digging on kitchens lately.  Not sure why, there's certainly nothing I can do with my kitchen, but it's fun to dream, and that's what this blog is all about! White kitchen, beautiful backsplash, painted ceiling...forget about it. LOVE, LOVE, aaaand, LOVE. This post was really supposed to be about ceilings, but I especially love the two kitchens pictured...and I'm not the best at staying on topic.
So, we sold our couch this weekend, which is a good thing, because I was about two days away from being annoyed at the couch in our dining room. People on Craiglist are such teasers. Let me break it down for you..."I'm really interested in your couch, is it still available? I want to get it today." Never hear from them again. Then there's the, "I love the couch. The price is great. I'll have it picked up, just give me all of your personal information, so I can mail a cashier's check." I might be desperate to sell some furniture, but I'm not stupid. My favorites, though, were the, "Where are your pillows from?" or, "Is the starburst mirror for sale?" Why yes it is. It's $500 and comes with a free couch. Anyway, it's sold. We got more than we had anticipated, it's gone, and we've got the cash in hand. Phew. Check that off my list of things to no longer worry about! 

image from Decor Pad

image from Kendall Wilkinson

image from Decor Diary

[color kreyv]: Turquoise

In honor of my guest post today at The Turquoise Piano, I thought I would feature more turquoise. Kelli obviously loves turquoise, and I don't blame her one bit. It's pretty much amazing and it goes with everything. (Speaking of amazing, let's talk about that art in the first picture. How hard could it be? Someone should make it. I would, but I'm out of walls, and the hubs is out of patience.) Anyway, Kelli is a super talented DIYer. We also went to middle school and high school together, which makes her extra cool. So go check out her blog! (That sounded bossy. Let me rephrase, if you would like to, you should visit her blog. I strongly recommend it. Better, right?)

image from Lonny Mag

image from Phoebe Howard

image from Studio Ten 25

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image from Kendall Wilkinson

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image from House Beautiful

Home by Novogratz

Have you been watching Home by Novogratz on HGTV? In case you haven't, it's about a husband/wife interior design team (Cortney and Robert Novogratz). They used to have a show on Bravo that also included their family life. (They have seven kids.) But on their HGTV show, it centers around one space design per episode. You should definitely tune in and get inspired. (HGTV doesn't even pay me to say that.)

They create some very "out of the box" designs. Their work is trendy, fun, and very unique. Here are a few of my favorite designs.

I am in love with these stairs that they designed for a family/play room space. (When my hubs saw this picture he asked, "What's the deal with the writing on the stairs?" Duh, it's fabulous, that's what!)

Speaking of stairs, I am dying over these. Do you think they wear well, though? Beautiful, regardless.

On the last episode, they designed this space for a trendy couple who's design style was industrial/cozy. They mixed industrial pieces with very traditional pieces and very over the top chandeliers. My favorite part was the chalkboard paint ceilings and the black and white wallpaper in the bedroom.
And, my last fave is their photo collage wallpaper. Totally cool.

all images from HGTV

Things Are Looking Up

I can barely talk my husband into painting walls. I don't think I could ever talk him into painting the ceilings! I love it--especially the striped ceiling in the nursery. Painting your ceiling is a great way to make a statement without going overboard. I would never paint an entire room purple, but the ceiling...that looks sophisticated and understated. If you do paint a ceiling, make sure the walls are white or really light. Otherwise, the room may look too dark, small, or closed in. That, my friends, would be no good!

image from Make Decor

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Cactus Creek Daily

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Alicia B. Designs