Ideas for lighting your home

Lighting in a room can really make or break a space! Unfortunately, the lighting fixtures in my new home are as far from my style as you can get, so I have my eye out for some inspiring solutions to light my dining room, kitchen, halls, and master bath...

I've been scouring ebay and craigslist for a mod brass chandelier like this one to hang above my dining room table.
via House Beautiful

I've been crushing on sleek chrome or silver lighting in the kitchen like the fixture hanging over the island in this GORGEOUS kitchen

via BHG

via High Gloss Magazine

Lacking in natural light?  Join the club. There are a variety of light choices for any space you have in your home. What do you think of the multiple sconces used in this space?

I love how this homeowner jazzed up an affordable light fixture by winding rope around the cord.
via Rue Mag

via Houzz

I'm not generally a fan of recessed lighting, but done unusually I think it can add to a space.  Just make sure it's on a dimmer!!!

via Apartment Therapy

Basements can be the hardest to light because there isn't much natural light there. I like the idea they have here of using the long drapes to create the feel of a large window and using larger lights to warm up the space.  If you live in a basement apartment or spend a lot of time in your basement this is such a cool idea!

this post in partnership with mailorderlighting.co.uk

Patio inspiration

Love the ambiance of string lights outside.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

I'm also a sucker for non-outdoor style furnishings outside.

via Pinterest via Stylish Living

 Love this spot under the trees.

Flea market fab!  Check out the grasses growing in a salvaged fireplace surround, and a day bed turned into an amazing chaise.

via BHG

Have a great weekend!

Quietly stunning: Dining rooms with glowing repose

I've been having a huge dining room crush lately, and I think it's because I don't have one, and it's not likely that our first home will have one either. These dining rooms also reflect the style I've been loving lately - not too shabby, not too chic, but a lovely mix of clean, sensible design with a touch or two of glamor.

This dining room is quiet and peaceful, but the pink sofa adds a little wink.

A sunny spot to eat breakfast is the best!

I want those chairs so bad!!! Anyone know of something similar thats affordable?

The white "leather" bench is actually faux leather vinyl - great for kids (or me!).  This owner recommends Grain de Cuir by Nobillis.


1. via BHG, 2. via Lonny, 3. via Laura Ashley Advertisement, 4. via Interiors Porn, 5. via Lonny, 6. via Southern Living.

Divine Dining Rooms: My guest post on SummerHouse's blog: Always Summer

I got the great honor of guest posting over at Always Summer, SummerHouse's blog.  You can see it some of it below, but go to Always Summer to see the whole post.

I'd say that the dining room is probably the room I talk about the least. I major part of that is probably because I've never had a proper dining room, and because even after spending hours in the kitchen preparing a beautiful meal, you're likely to find me enjoying it curled up on the couch.

However, I'm coming to realize that now that we are looking for a home, I might actually have a real grown up dining room, and once I have kids we will not be dining on the sofa. Also, the up coming holidays are probably when dining rooms see the most action, so I've gathered up some dining rooms to inspire me and other dining room neglecters like myself to give it a little more attention. Your sofa will thank you!!

I wish I was genius enough to put together spaces like this... those benches with that wallpaper? Sublime.  I also think that's the closest to sofa-like one can get proper dining room seating! Oh, and did I mention those windows!?!

Okay.  Can we talk about that amazing gold chandelier?!?!  There is very little I wouldn't do for that chandelier....very. little.

See more...


1. via BHG, 2. via FLOR Blog, 3.  House of Fifty

Table inspiration and eye candy

Pretty uses for one of the most versatile pieces of furniture.

The most apparent use - for dining...highlighted here by a conversation-starting chandelier and a salon style wall.

If you're like me, you can never choose just one book to read. A table gives you the space to spread out.

My office desk is more like a table, because the surface space is so vital to my productivity.

1. House of Fifty 2. Traditional Home 3. & 4. Ryland Peters & Small