Category Archives: inspiration

photo by ModFruGal

This post by ModFruGal yesterday made me long for holiday decorations in our apartment. Her simple, beautiful little “tree” can fit anywhere and make a big impact. Maybe a couple vases with dressed branches in each, grouped together on the credenza or bookshelf, of even on top of the fridge?

I haven’t done any decorating for the holiday season since we lived in California, where we bought a crappy little tree that caused a big old mess. I have too many things in my apartment. Too many “accents.” Too many decorative objects, plain old kitschy stuff. Granted I love these items and I appreciate waking up in the morning and looking at the pretty tableaus scattered throughout the house but right now I’m thinking of putting everything up for the season and adding some holiday cheer to the space.

This is another lovely take on branches from nicoletter, a beautiful German blog penned by a graphic designer.

How simple, how pretty. Easy to throw together and it would fit right in with the vintage feel of our kitchen. I surmise I’d have to remove the candy canes every morning before leaving for work lest the puppy get a hold of them. Via jutta on Flickr.

The bowl with ornaments, the JOY sign. All elements I can add to my branches and mini tree. Via simplygrove on Flickr.

Now I’m in the spirit. Are you decorating this year? Did you get a tree yet?

I showed you my living room a few months ago. Talked all this jazz about how I was going to really tackle it, really get down to business and make it beautiful. I do that a lot– put good intentions into the universe and then promptly ignore them and go on about my life. I’m sad to report that that is precisely what I did with my living room makeover.

BUT: this weekend I actually did give it a try, spending all day Sunday messing around with the art I found in the closet, a few random thrifted pieces and even pages taken from a book on African Market Literature. I tried to do one of those neat-o collage-above-the-couch-thingies. You know, like this, except above the couch.

via art hound

It didn’t really work and no I will not show you pictures. In all, I spent over four hours trying to get it right and I’ve got somewhere around forty-two thousand holes in my wall to prove it. I know what I did wrong– using the same color frames would have unified the space better and I did some spray painting in those hours to test my theory and it actually started to look okay for a little while– but even after my realizations, I don’t think a wall art collage is really what I want in the space.

I want shelves that art can perch upon. Dark wood, thin, with spots for vases and framed pieces and little figurines maybe. I don’t know how to pull off the look above without it looking too busy. The room is busy enough; it needs symmetry and balance. So, shelves.

Or, I want one big piece similar to what we have in the front room. I’m just not sure. I need some help. What do you think should be above my couch?

I’m putting this into the universe and hoping not to disappoint myself with my lack of progress the next time this living room is revisited. What’s above your couch?

click on photo for source

Color me happy. I’d never have thought to pop a plant into a vintage drawer. Looks like I have another item to add to my thrift wish list this week.

About the living room update: it’s coming along. I’m a little frustrated with the amount of stuff we have in this apartment and lamenting about that is taking up much of my time. I’m a brooder. So guess what? Rummage sale time!

Details to follow. If you’re in Chicago, I hope you’re free Sunday morning!