Styling the Expedits

Yesterday I shared how I keep our living room organized and yet comfy at the same time. I also shared that we added an additional Expedit on the other side our TV stand. I'm so glad we added the extra bookcase. After bringing home another bookcase I had the fun job of making both of the bookcase look balanced. I didn't want them looking like twins, I wanted them looking like sisters....same features, little differences, yet you know they are related. Yeah I know it sounds a little strange, lol. Again I arranged our books by color of the spine.


Here's how our corner looked before adding the another Expedit. The corner looked nice, but the space looked a little empty. Especially considering we had and bookcase on the other side.

Now the corner looks more flushed out with a bookcase on the side flanking the TV and the chair I recently painted { for extra seating } adds a nice pop of color.

A little potted plant in a white glossy vase added a nice pop of greenery in our bookcase. I added a personal touch in the on shelf with a picture of my son and I. I put a fabric swatch laying around to good use by framing it, love how fabric can be transformed into art.

On the lower shelves, I used a blue vase and a large beige S as bookends, the shelf below candle holders are used this time as bookends. Its fun to use unexpected items as bookends.

Our 'original' Expedit went though some some subtle changes when we added a new Expedit.

On both bookcase, I decided to have a shelf where there's only decor items and a pictures. Again I framed a swatch of fabric. I found the cute glass vase for 1.99 at Thrift store, love thrifty finds.

That's how I styled our Expedit bookcases to look like sisters and NOT twins, I think they pretty and balanced.

How do you style your bookcases? Lots of books or more decor items?

The Little Things

Have you even noticed how the little things in life add up to lots of smiles. That's how I feel around our home, the little things around here make me smile. Not only do they make me smile, they little touches make me our house feel more like home. Last weekend on a quick trip to Ikea, I picked up some cute little white vases each with subtle touches.

But my favorite buy is the cute little glass vase that was less than a buck. I also love the a little Chihuahua dish I picked up at West Elm. Perfect little dish to toss 'sofa coins in' Now our side table feels more complete and no longer so plain.

I lucked out when I was at Target this week when I found some shiny mirror inspired votive candles for only 1.19 each on clearance. The deal was so good I bought all six my store carried. I love the little shine it adds to our bookshelf. I look forward to using all six together during the holidays. The other four our chilling on buffet in the dining room

My biggest smile from the little things around my house come from my night stand. On my night stand I have picture of my husband and I at a friends wedding and along with a baby picture of me. I also love the glass heart on my night stand a birthday present form my husband,  I keeep my bouqeut broch and wedding rings in it.

Of course freash flowers on my nightstand always make me smile, the bud vase was a wedding gift from a dear friends.

What small things around your house make it feel more like home and make you smile?

This Got Me Thinking

If we were ever to have a little girl. I would so consider a pretty lilac nursery like Tiffani Thiessen's for her little girl. Which surprises me, because I love shades of purple {our wedding colors were plum and lilac, and I had purple all over our apartment} but don't have any purple of any shade in our house. Back to the pretty room below. 


I just adore this nursery, the pretty birds on the wall that fly up the ceiling, the simple roman shades and the two tone crib. I also like the contrasted piping on the chair and simply stated chandelier. The only thing I don't like is the tree, I just think painted tress are so much prettier. 

{pic via People}

If, you are or were having a little one, what colors would you want in your babies nursery?

Loving Acrylics for Work Spaces

I've been loving arcylic for quote sometime, even more when I added three acrylic bins to organize my makup in the my top drawer of our dresser.


I love the idea of using acrylic pieces to organize workspaces, the ones below are from CB2. I like the clear magazine holders the best, pretty and clean lined on top a desk or in a bookshelf.

These clear stacking boxes are the best. I might have to upgrade my work space a bit. 

Of course they gorgeous in rooms too { but i'm more a fan or the clear acyclic coffee tables }

{ image via decorpad }

What are your thoughts on acrylics?

Sons Tween Room: Tools, Not Just for Tool Boxes

I love the fresh modern style style of CB2. They have so many great items in there store that up the  'fun factor' in a space. I so glad they have a store about an house away for our house, we even popped in there a couple of months ago, and got plenty inspiration. A couple of days ago I was looking though their latest catalog they sent me and spotted a cute idea for a bookend. It's a large black carpenter's clamp.

I love how the carpenters clamp adds visual interest to a bookcase, shelf or desk top. I thought it would be cute to addition to my sons room. It's just so cool! While I love the large size of the CB2 carpenter's clamp, I'm not huge fan of the price $ 24.99 for one. Then it dawned on me to just buy one from Lowes! Plus I needed one anyways to finish up a project that Mr. CLH and I have been working on for on sons room. 

Our local Lowes has a whole aisle devoted to carpenter clamps, all types: metal, wood, and plastic. The metal ones range in size and price from $ 2.98 and up. 

I bought the four inch clamp which was only $ 5.98 which will work great in his room and work perfectly for the project. 

Tabari just got home yesterday and I showed him the progress on his bedroom as well as my idea for the carpenters clamp. 

Conversations With My Kid

Since Tabari's is fully involved in the process of re-doing his bedroom, I'd thought I'd share the conversations he and I have about design elements for his room

Mom: What do you think of the carpenter's clamp, being used as a bookend?

Son: It's cool, but I want a bigger one! 

Mom: Ok, sounds good. We can leave it metal, or paint it any color you like: red, blue green whatever.

Son: Um, I don't want red, I don't want too much red in the room

Mom: Really? Its your favorite color

Son: Yeah, but I'm thinking blue. Love you mom.

Mom: Love you too!

So the measly little four inch one I bought is too small for his tastes, lol. I'll be heading back to Lowe's soon and exchanging the carpenters clamp for a larger one. I'll also be picking up some spray paint, but will be paint the clamp light blue, or dark blue?

What are your thoughts about adding a little industrial edge into your home?

ps: Here's a recap of completed projects on our son's bedroom: painted the walls

Design Trends { Skip It? }

Recently I came across an article from MSN Lifestyle section say ' 9 Decor Trends to Skip ' I read the article and have my own opinion and my home according to MSN - has some items I should have skipped or put away! Here's the article along with my thoughts.

Trend #1: Antlers

Why Skip It: When the antlers craze hit, it hit hard. Mounted horns earned countless shelter mag centerfolds. Eventually, the trend spread to include objects fashioned out of antlers, from chandeliers to toilet paper holders. These days, they feel almost cliche. In short: Anything this hot was destined to become so not.

CLH: I think the right faux antlers can look so whimsical in the right space! I'd love some faux antlers in our new bookcase. Plus, I think if MSN Lifestyle saw how Janell of Isabella & Max Rooms has antlers in her  home, they would re-think their stance.

{ via here }

Trend #2: Taxidermy
Why Skip It: A few seasons ago, hipsters inexplicably embraced mummified mammals and petrified peacocks as part of the Gilded Age revival. This was not a look that worked for most people -- even (cough) the hipsters. Other components of this shudder-inducing trend: decorative monkey skeletons and those somber ancestral portraits where the eyes seem to follow you around the room. Rule of thumb: Anything that looks like the set of the last Tim Burton movie is a no.

CLH: Personally taxidermy is a no-no for me and creeps me out, BUT Jamie of Furbish makes it look so cool

{ via Furbish }

Trend #3: Inspirational Sayings
Why Skip It: "Keep Calm and Carry On" is an admirable sentiment, but it's become the '00s equivalent of those "Hang In There, Baby" cat posters from the '70s. In other words, it's time to let it go. Also included in the "do not want" category? Lettered wall decals with homespun homilies about friendship, clouds, or dreams. Put it this way: Not everyone wants to learn a lesson every time they drop by.

CLH: I love my bright yellow "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster in our living room, its a timeless saying that's been around since World War II. I know its been popping up everywhere, however I love it and it makes my smile and I get many compliments on the poster all the time.

Trend #4: Decorative Buddha Sculptures
Why Skip It: Sure, they're jolly, and their little bellies are hard to resist. But Buddha decor, part of the "Zen Retreat" trend that made family rooms all over America resemble the inside of Gwyneth Paltrow's yoga studio, is now pretty passe. In short: Buddha statues are religious symbols, not kitschy garden gnomes.

CLH: I don't have in Buddha's in my home, if I came across a cool one and had a spot for it, I'm sure it would be in my house. If they make you happy, why not?

{ via Apartment Therapy }

Trend #5: Ghost Chairs
Why Skip It: We know. We love them too. But they've lost their novelty, their ability to surprise. Plus they scratch easily. Out of all the trends on this list, we're most hoping these make a quick comeback. Until then, let them vanish into the night -- or at least the attic.

CLH:  For my household there not practical and always look so tiny, but they are cool in the right space. I like them paired in lofts with desk.

{ via decorpad }

Trend #6: Poufs
Why Skip It: Poufs came on the scene as niftier, hipper replacements for cubed leather ottomans, but they too have seen their day, thanks in part to an influx of homemade versions. We're usually in favor of DIY decorating, but we'd be happy if we never saw another lumpy, newspaper-stuffed pouf. Besides -- most adults prefer to sit higher than a foot off the floor.

CHL:  You all know I want to knit a pouf for my living room! I see poufs as a great spot for shelters magazines to land.

{ via Apartment Therapy }

Trend #7: Accent Walls
Why Skip It: When all-white rooms were in fashion, one brightly painted or wallpapered wall was a great way to break up the monotony. But now, with bolder paint colors the norm, accent walls have less purpose and can break up the flow of a room. Plus, what was once an unpredictable pop of color is now, well...predictable.

CHL: We have an accent wall in our living room, I like the pop of color on the wall, its not for everyone - but its works for us.

Trend #8: Boutique Hotel Chic
Why Skip It: The stiff minimalism, the dull neutrals, the oppressive uniformity. Where's the personality? Do we all really want to look like we live in a W hotel suite circa 2002? Conclusion: Modern luxury is all about ultra-unique pieces, so ditch the cookie cutter.

CHL: I agree cookie cutter can look boring. Hotel chic for me makes me think about a nice escape/retreat in your bedroom { which is what your bedroom should be an escape } as long as its personalized to you that's what matters.

{ via here }

Trend #9: Black Chalkboard Paint
Why Skip It: In theory, rooms painted to resemble blackboards have an old-timey, one-room schoolhouse- style awesomeness. In reality, they're dusty repositories of half-erased stick figures and long-forgotten shopping lists. Plus, everyone you know already jumped on this trend, so stick a fork in it. Exception: We think chalkboard paint in unexpected colors still has legs.

CHL: We have a dark grey chalkboard frame in our dining room and its so much fun to write notes on from grocery lists, to tonight's menu. I love them. Again, if you haven't seen how Janell used chalkboard paint in her Max's Big Boy Room, you will disagree with MSN Lifestyle.

{ via Isabella & Max }

Bottom line: I think homes should be a reflection of the individuals who live there, what works best them, how they use the space. Plus I think home also looks a little more fun, when a but whimsy is thrown into the design mix. Design is supposed to be fun!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the 9 Design Trends to Skip. Are you guilty of having a design No-No in your house according to MSN Lifestyle { like I am }, if yes which ones? Why do you love it?

Also which design trends above have you skipped?

Trading Places

Over the weekend, my husband and I were in Z Gallerie looking for some accessories for our bedroom. I came across a pretty water colored vase. It's a pretty shape and large for the price { $ 14.99 } I was thought it would look great on our newly painted dresser or somewhere else. I got it home and it didn't feel quite right in our bedroom.

Vase on the dresser

Then placed the vase in our dining room. The light blue water looked amazing with the dark stain of our table.

Most of the time we have a branch candle holder on the table, instead of tucking the candle holder away, I placed it in our bedroom.

Whne I'm our shopping for items for our home, I try to imagaine the accessorie in more then just one place. I like doing this because it keeps our home looking fresh. Another great thing to swap along with accessories is art. Sometimes moving art around your home keeps things fresh. I've done this with art in out living room. In case you wondering why there's a pillow on the floor, its actailly Mojo's new bedding.

Do accessories and art trade places in your home?