I really love sleeping. I really, really do. And I especially love sleeping in soft beds made up of layers of snuggly duvets, crisp, cool sheets, and plump pillows. Bonus points for a mix of slightly mismatched patterns.

{via This is Glamorous}

{Martha Stewart}

{Pottery Barn}

via {this is glamorous}

Previously:
Deep window seats
Filled with light
Walls of books
Kitchen Island

One of my favorite parts about our current apartment is the kitchen island, and the fact that the island faces and is completely open to the living and dining room areas. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to anything less. Here are a few of my favorite island looks…

P.S. We’re in the market for some stylish, not-terribly-expensive stools. Any great online sources you’d care to pass along?

{Shelter}

{Alice Lane Home via Black*Eiffel}

{Style at Home}

{Martha Stewart}

{Better Homes & Gardens}


{BHG}

{Southern Living}

Previously:
Deep window seats
Filled with light
Walls of books

I love fresh flowers with the best of them, but live blooms aren’t always in the budget. Which should explain why when I cracked open my copy of Martha’s April issue, I didn’t even finish the book before busting out the supplies to try my hand at her paper dogwood flowers. I also love the original version of this Good Thing, a paper cherry blossom display that first appeared in April 2006.

I must say, I’m pretty happy with how my version turned out! Here’s Martha’s:

And here’s mine:

What do you think?

I pretty much followed Martha’s directions (which you can find here), with just a few tweaks: I didn’t see the need to buy a “starburst” stamp, so I used the eraser of a fresh pencil for all of the stamps instead of just for the middles. I also subbed in a thick green marker in place of a stamp pad. If I were to do this project over again, I think I would make the blooms a bit smaller than the 5 inches she suggests — or at least have some larger and some smaller flowers.

{via Martha}

All in all, though, a very easy and satisfying project! I would highly recommend.

Yes, they are ridiculously heavy to pack. And yes, they might not be the most practical collection for a couple who’s likely facing several moves over the next few years. But I can’t help it — books are one of my absolute favorite things to have lying around in massive quantities, and if they can be contained in built-in bookshelves, or even — dare I say it? — color-coordinated, well, there’s really not much better than that.

{via Simply Seleta}

{Elle Decor}

{via Simply Seleta}

{Martha Stewart}

{Domino}

{BHG}

Previously:
Deep window seats
Filled with light