Who knew hanging plates on your wall could look so cool! And it’s easy and inexpensive to do..that’s important, right? Pick a theme with color and/or design. If you don’t stumble across any plates that catch your eye for your wall you can purchase enamel or glass paint and design your own! To build your arrangement simply cut out paper patterns of each plate and hang on the wall with tape so to easily move around. This will give you the freedom to play around with how you want your wall to look. You can purchase actual plate hangers, but I personally don’t like the edges of the hangers showing. An easy way from inmyownstyle suggests using a hot glue gun and paper clips for hangers, but only for lightweight and dessert sized plates. I’m going to try it out while making sure I have something below to catch any plates that may want to perform trapeze-like acts.

Maybe it’s the hot 95 degree weather that had me wanting a dipped ice cream cone. The healthy side intervened and I thought maybe strawberries with some dark chocolate would be the better choice. I decided it would be unfair to choose a side in this scenario and combined them for a scoop of ice cream with chocolate dipped berries on top. All this got me thinking of the combination of painted furniture and accessories, but not just in the normal sense. Hand dipped. Just like my ice cream cone and strawberries, it’s an equally delicious combo. It’s similar to color blocking your outfit, but dressing up those hopeless, plain, wood chairs that were getting ready to see their curbside fate. Don’t do it! Instead grab your favorite paint color, some trusty blue tape and dip away. This is such a simple project that doesn’t call for any crazy patterns or designs, just your favorite color and the piece your ready to give new life to. Don’t be limited to just using this technique on furniture, you can indulge your utensils, vases and coasters too. Great combinations are worth it.

After checking out Marimekko I’m inspired to pick up some fabric with cool prints, along with some inexpensive pillow inserts from Ikea and make some pillows.

Lately as I’ve been cooking in my kitchen I’ve been uninspired by what I’ve noticed. Being uninspired in the kitchen is never good, especially when trying to create a good dish. I need all the inspiration I can get! The other morning I tried to quickly reach for a utensil to aid in maneuvering around my now overcooked scrambled eggs and realized this was not an easy task. I also took notice that my kitchen counters in general were quite the opposite of my eggs. They were underdone and in desperate need of a refresher. They needed some fun, little accessories, color and a new layout!

Wasting no time I quickly cleared off the whole counter and went through what were my must haves and those items that maybe didn’t need to be out on the counter at all times. I needed a workspace, not a storage space. Also, knowing that a kitchen counter is like the accessory to the kitchen. You have to dress it up! It can truly give insight to someone’s personal style and lifestyle.

I knew my must haves on the counter needed to be the following: canisters, coffee maker (non-negotiable), utensil holder, toaster and paper towel holder. Ones I didn’t need out would be that large stack of mail building up, a mixer, blender or spices. Optional: my pasta jars, tea containers, knife set. Aside from a new layout I just felt I needed some new(ish) things or way to change up the ones I already have. These photos were a great way to change up my boring wooden utensils, store tea and give ideas for a fun way to organize. I am now inspired to thrift and find a new utensil holder or ways to display my vintage coffee carafe collection.

My kitchen is by no means one that I would imagine Rachel Ray or Bobby Flays kitchen to look like, but it’s better it’s mine. I feel it is closer to reflecting me and my personality and it makes me want to be in there more often. My kitchen is definitely improved and so are my eggs.

There is nothing like layering a room with rich patterns and textures. Woven patterned rugs, abstract artwork, exposed brick walls, refurbished wood and mixtures of different finishes on vintage furniture pieces make for a room with depth. There is so much to take in with spaces like these I just can’t stop looking around. If these walls could talk they would be shouting “Hey y’all come see how good I look!”