Before & After Chair

This before and after chair project was a recent favorite of mine from {Design*Sponge}. Absolutely beautiful work! I love the contemporary colors and stripes with a traditional floral design with the hint of wood grain coming through. I think I just got inspired to do something like this to my dinner table and chairs...

Pet Beds!

Here are two very different kinds of pet beds, both awesome in their own ways. I love the simplicity in design and the patters of the {wall mounted pet beds}, but I also love the vintage traditional look of the {DIY pet center} transformed from an old secretary desk.

Grace + Aaron's Wedding ~ Mrs. Design*Sponge :)

Those of you who are avid readers of {Design*Sponge} like me, we have been patiently awaiting the photos from Grace Bonney's wedding! Being that her wedding was being featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, she had to wait until the issue was officially on the stands. The wait is finally over! Here are just a few from the ones she {posted}, as well as some from {Martha Stewart Weddings} site. The photographer for her wedding was {Bethalée}.

Absolutely beautiful and just the style I like! Maybe that's why I love her blog :)

Mother's Day <3

I know that we are only 2 days away from Mother's Day, but here are some sweet gift ideas...maybe for a belated one? Top to bottom:

1. Hand-printed {sachets} with a pair of fern fronds on soft natural linen. They are filled with dried organic lavender buds. These would look great on a dresser or a bathroom shelf and will also add a fresh natural scent to your linen closet or lingerie drawer.

2. Not only are these necklaces a cute idea for mothers, but it also looks nice! The lettering on each {necklace} is individually hand stamped. The hammered and antique some pieces to give them distinction and antique charm.

3. I love the one-of-a-kind, limited edition patterns, and fabric combinations of these purses. They are handmade by {MS Handbags} in Sydney, Australia.

4. Looking for the perfect accent to your living room or bedroom? You just might find it here! These pillows by {Alexandra Ferguson} are made using 100% post-consumer recycled felt, that is made from recycled water bottles. One pound of fiber is the equivalent to of 10 water bottles that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Each pillow cover is made up of about 4 water bottles. And to make it even better - the felt is also made in the USA! Other than her side, her work can be found on {Etsy} as well.

A Foreigner Feels at Home

After having moved to New York 5 years ago, from South Africa, Bradly "feels at home as a foreigner". To cope with homesickness and carry on his South African pride, he keeps importing mementos from back home. After having a stylist go to work in his one bedroom, 800 sq ft, condo - he is very happy with the finished product. The overall style is mid-century modern with eclectic African influence. Everything works so beautifully together - I especially love that he has straight-edged clean elements mixed in with interesting organic objects. There is a great balance of color and texture throughout. He was inspired by the eclectic style of luxury boutique hotels that started opening up in South Africa in the mid 90s - they were mixing urban elements with local flavors - standing out from the rest. When he first moved to NY, he only had a suitcase of clothes - since then having built a beautiful home for himself on the Upper West Side. Furniture are about the only things that are not from South Africa - each time he goes to visit, he comes back with bits and pieces of home - lamps, photography, home accessories, and knick-knacks of all sizes and shapes. During his 5 years in this condo, he renovated and expanded the kitchen and main closet of the apartment, closed off extra closet doors and created a solid living room and dining room area. After all of this and many good times - he is selling this place and moving on. I wish I lived in NY - I would love to live in this condo! This was a wonderful find from {Apartment Therapy} today.

Wedding Traditions

I have always been fascinated with the merging of two totally different family and cultural traditions. I found this perfect example on {100 Layer Cake} for the wedding of Ameet, who is originally from Bombay and Lainie, who is from Missouri. In order to honor both traditions, they had two ceremonies - double the fun in my opinion!