Boy Meets Girl...

This weekend, Erin is heading off to Portland for some time with her boy... but I know that some serious shopping is on the list as well, since they've just merged their homes and my girl is in search of inspiration for keeping her boy's style, while infusing her own.

E ~ this room is for some shopping inspiration while you head to the state of tax-free purchases! (woo hoo!)


This room might be my new favorite. I was saving it for a little Room of the Week inspiration, but thought she could use it now :)

So... what do you think? Girls, could you live with this? And boys (if you're out there), could you??? Personally, I think it might be perfect. A cozy fireplace, high ceilings complete with gorgeous beams, a little desk for Erin's obsession with that category, and great texture. Maybe switch out the plaid bedding (a little too Ralph Lauren/college boy for me!) for something a bit more feminine, and I'm good to go on this room!

(Room via desire to inspire.)

Necessary Objects

So it's done.  I've made THE MOVE.  I will no long call Apt #34 home.  It is now "the condo" and home is *our* home.  Me and the s.o.  Things went relatively smoothly considering that in the first hour he observed aloud "wow, baby, you have a lot of stuff."  Which is probably true.  Try as I might, but I tend to be a keeper.  I promise I'll show some sneak peaks when all the "stuff" is out of the garbage bags (yes, I moved using garbage bags!) and commingled a little bit more.

Now I like my decor like I like my fashion, interesting, layered, textured,  but with an edited simplicity.  The s.o. takes simplicity to another level.  It's definitely male-minimalist.  Which from the outside I really appreciated.  No clutter, no excess.  But now, from the inside, I'm finding I need a little bit more.  

As I survey my piles I find myself wondering what is an absolute necessity when it comes to decor and, perhaps even more importantly, creating a home? Where do you find the you in your "stuff"? 

mgoc minh ngo

I actually love the look of the art and books on the floor.

mgnoc minh ngo via .v

This is certainly minimalist but even with only a few pieces of furniture and miniature details like the teapot and the flowers, it doesn't feel incomplete.

ngoc minh ngo via .v

I love the subtle texture of the shag rug, the cloth on top of the sideboard and a few personal items in view.

I also have a love of bookshelves. They let you see found treasures on a daily basis.

ngoc minh ngo again

A bookshelf like this is like a choose your own adventure every time you look at it.

thomas o'brien via coco+kelley

Adding dimension and depth and juxtaposition, ala the room by Thomas O'Brien, suddenly deepens a space.  It creates nooks and crannies for you to cuddle up and burrow into.  I like feeling enveloped when I walk into a room, like the room is gently hugging me.  

But, I also want to respect the balance.  I want to mesh, and truthfully, accumulate less.  

I'm curious, what do you find necessary and what can you live without?