In Praise of the Pink Kitchen

I'm not sure what it is lately with me and pink. From clothes and nail polishes to chairs and hell, even appliances. I can't get enough. Maybe I'm experiencing the residual effects of my Halloween costume.  I'm suddenly pondering painting my bedroom a pale seashelly pink instead of the moody black I've been wanting for months. Most unexpectedly I'm absolutely loving it in kitchens. From pastel Smeg refrigerators to hot pink accent walls and backsplashes it's all I can do to keep my inner Barbie from giving my rental kitchen the full on cupcake treatment.

via The Glitter Guide

Via Indecora

via Apartment Therapy

via Hom-e

via Nothing But Bonfires

Chic in Pink via Design Shuffle

Good morning, darlings! This time of year, the fundamental theme in many of our lives is change. We seek to change our appearance, our habits, our goals and our environment. We seek to think outside the box, and for many that box is a bland builder's beige. So if you're the type more likely to hit the paint store than the gym come the new year, I've got a wonderful guest post to share with you with lots of (perhaps unlikely) inspiration. Enjoy!

Hi, I’m Joanna, a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, an online portfolio site for interior designers and design enthusiasts. I am fortunate enough to spend my days gathering images of the most beautiful interior designs from around the web. I then get to share them on blogs such as this one. Thanks to Idle Fascination for letting me share with you today.

Pink is one of those colors many women embrace and many men feel alienated by. In interiors, those opposing perspectives can be merged into a happy collaboration by using a light touch to keep the pink hues as gender-neutral as possible. To achieve this, darker furnishings can be included with pink for a more masculine feel or the color can be added in tiny touches such as throw pillows. Take a look at some of the pink-infused rooms we found and get inspired. Would you and your significant other feel comfortable in these spaces?



A traditional living room looks stately without seeming fussy by using the lightest pink on furnishings and at the bookshelves.



The soft pink walls and light gray and white flooring of this living room balance the bold furnishings beautifully.



Dark chocolate and black furnishings give a masculine feel to this pink and white living room. A sisal rug brings a casual touch to the space.



A single throw and several small floral arrangements give this sunroom just the right amount of pink.



A very masculine space gets a feminine touch from a few pink throw pillows. Doesn't this room inspire lots of living room ideas?



A blue Chinoiserie room gets a blast of pink from its dining chairs. It would be nice if the room had another bit of pink somewhere in the room to anchor the color.



A statement chair introduces pink into a bright white room. Sometimes just one touch of a vibrant color such as this is all the room needs.



In this bedroom design, dark furnishings, art and lighting contrast with the pink walls nicely. Surely a man would feel comfortable in this space. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Did you like these pink inspirations? Tell us what you think! Also, be sure to check out Design Shuffle where you'll find our interior design guide and great fantastic inspiration from Boston interior designers and more!

Holiday Decorating Inspiration via Arcadian Lighting

Good morning, lovelies! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Even though in Canada Thanksgiving comes around waaay back in October, I've always found American Thanksgiving kind of kick-starts the holiday season for me, it's my ready-set-go to begin my holiday shopping… and decorating! So in that spirit, here's a fantastic guest post chock full of inspiration to deck your halls and yada yada. Enjoy!

Hi everyone! I'm Jessica from Arcadian Lighting, a blog and website all about the latest in interior design trends and a wide selection of lighting fixtures to go with them. The holiday season is upon us and one of the best ways to get into the spirit is by decorating your home to reflect your festive mood. But holiday decorations don't have to be identical. I've compiled eight examples of unconventional, modern interior designs for the holiday. Enjoy!

The tiger striped chairs in this dining room may not be what immediately comes to mind when you think of the holidays, but it adds an unexpected and fun twist. Garlands hung with sparkling lights on the mantle, and miniature Christmas trees at each place setting bring in traditional holiday accents.

An all white dining room is the perfect canvas for pops of sparkly, vibrant holiday decorations. The chandelier makes an even more glamorous statement when dressed up in beads and ornaments in a cool color palette.

This sparse, contemporary living room gets festive in an eclectic way. The lush wreath and garland-wrapped-antler are rustic, natural touches that contrast well with the abstract Christmas tree style decoration.

Using white as the dominate color, this living room showcases traditional red and green holiday colors, while still feeling very modern. The paper snowflakes and tree patterned wallpaper are playful touches.

Dazzling gold ornaments and table decorations make this dining room glamorous and modern. Black furniture and drum pendant lights with glitzy crystal beads are beautiful and stylish accents.

A comfy bed decked out in red and white with snowflake details is perfect for the holiday season. The thick knitted blanket and pillow are cozy touches, and the garland and red reindeer overhead are adorable, as well.

This bedroom takes its inspiration from the season's snowy landscape. DIY snowflakes are a fun addition to the wrought iron bed frame. The neutral palette is fresh and bright thanks to pale blue accents, and the chocolate brown wall sconce complements the color scheme beautifully.

A roaring fire in the fireplace, a candle-lit mantle and a twinkling Christmas tree all create an idyllic holiday scene. A big comfy chair and fluffy throw complete this warm, elegant living room.

How will you decorate for the holidays this year? Will you go minimal and chic, or glamorous and colorful? Check out Arcadian Lighting's blog for fresh decorating ideas for every season! (Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

In Praise of the Bar Cart

I've been coveting a lovely little bar cart for my dining room for quite some time. And with holiday entertaining season looming before us, a well-stocked and accessorized bar cart makes the perfect festive vignette for those of us inclined to have our hooch on display. Too bad they don't come pre-stocked!

 

images via apartment therapy

Halloween Decoration Inspiration

I've been wanting to decorate my apartment for Halloween, which is my absolute favorite holiday, mostly for myself, seeing as I've been reluctant to have people over because I don't feel my apartment is quite finished enough. I seriously need to get over that. I just wanted to have a few glam-macabre touches here and there. I found a bag of magenta glitter skulls at winners yesterday but I was hungry and the line-up at the cash was gargantuan so I left them behind. Hopefully they're still waiting for me. The ravens have unfortunately all left the Dollar Store but there are some glitter spiders there I may fill a tall vase with. In the meantime, here's a little home decorating inspiration for my kindred Halloween spirits...

I'm in love with these glittered pumpkins via Made By Girl. Click here for an easy DIY.

Demonstrating that his time spent at Martha Stewart Inc paid off, Eddie Ross whips up
this to-die-for centerpiece. Love!

These gorgeous black candlesticks are lust-worthy all year round. They may just end up
on my Christmas list. via Remodelista.

Oddly, I've never considered myself as a skull person, but I think the glitter skull is my
favorite Halloween decoration. It could find a permanent spot on the bookshelf.
And way cheaper than a Damien Hirst. via Cupcakes and Cashmere

If I can track down one of those Dollar store ravens it's going to be living on my work
desk, all nonchalantly spooky-like. via Cupcakes and Cashmere

How adorable are these masked vintage portraits via Design Sponge?

Nesting Instincts

Nesting Instincts by idlefascination featuring long sleeve shirts

Five Phenomenal (yet totally do-able) DIY Projects

First off, let's get something straight: I am not a DIYer. Unless you count adding truffle oil to my microwave popcorn (I'm fancy like that) or assembling (not hacking) anything and everything from Ikea. The arrival of fall, however, leaves me wanting to make over my space as much as my wardrobe. But my budget? Minimal at best. Maybe I'll try one or more of these… perhaps a hybrid of #2 and #5? And I'm absolutely d y i n g over that fire pit, perfect for the little balcony just off my living room, provided I don't inadvertently set it on fire. Let me know if you try any of these.

DIY personal fire pit via The Art of Doing Stuff

DIY floor cushion via Living With Punks (this one's intended for kids but it can certainly be super-sized)

Nautical-chic DIY rope mirror via Apartment Therapy

DIY wood stump coffee tables via Thrifty and Chic

DIY block-printed chevron fabric via Design Sponge

Tuft Love

I. Die.
I just finished watching this weeks' episode of The Rachel Zoe Project and would have much prefered to spend less time with Kim Kardashian and her texting addiction and more time shopping in that super fun furniture store with Jeremiah. I just about dropped the jar of Nutella (don't judge me) when I saw that blue velvet tufted sofa. If wanting a living room that looks like an "80s porn set" is wrong, then I don't wanna be right. Behold: some tuft-y goodness from Room Service:

The heart-stopping sofa in question.

The same sofa in a safer beige linen offset by some super sexy styling.

Glam. Rock n Roll. Perfection. Gimme.

No thank you. I have enough trouble getting out of bed as it is.

Alright. You, I'll get out of bed for. You can be my new favorite Netflix & Nutella spot.

My 8 year old self would be very disappointed if these chairs didn't get to join the party too.

Okay, okay, I pretty much like anything tufted. Add some nailhead trim to it and I'm a goner.