A tour of my Brownstone studio apartment

I was really flattered when Marcela of Deco and Design asked me for a little house tour. Unfortunately since I am currently "without house," I had to send her photos from a very cute studio apartment I lived in a couple of years ago. It was on the ground floor of a brownstone in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope. I was even lucky enough to have my own little backyard. When I signed the lease on this apartment is when I really started to get interested in interior design. I had no idea how to decorate a studio and finally didn't have any roommates and could decorate how I wanted. Most of my furnishings are hand-me-down or cheap finds, as my entire budget went to rent on the place. So, really, this apartment was my first stab at decorating.

You can read her post on my apartment here.
MOSTRÁ TU CASA - LA CASA DE ASHLEY


The apartment had a lot of charming little built-ins, like the pantry above - and the desk and shelves below


The apartment did have a separate eat-in kitchen, which was really nice.


I was always changing things around as you can tell

This is the cooking area. The counter had been covered in a hideous, old, stained yellow laminate, so I went and bought some cheap textured drawer liner and resurfaced the counter for less than $14. It help up surprisingly well. No air bubbles or leaking into the seams or anything.


A non-working fireplace in my living room/bedroom.

I loved the shutters, hardwood floors, and tin ceiling.

Sorry another blurry shot - this cupboard was also built-in.

So, I know it's not much, but I love looking back to it!

Cozy autumn interiors (real interiors!), and some easy feng shui ideas

I was recently introduced to Manoblue Interior Design & Feng Shui, and I wanted to share with you a few images from the portfolio which just really spoke to me. As you may know, I really like real, lived in images of homes over staged environments any day. They're inspiring because you know a real person lives there, and it just gives me hope!

I ADORE this bedroom! The fireplace, the tall pillar candles beside it, the wood bedframe, the corner window with the reading nook! This is my dream bedroom! Even better is that it's real and attainable.

This hall with the artwork is so welcoming. This is what feng shui is all about and why it makes so much sense.




See more at http://www.manobluedesign.com. Marie also has lots of helpful feng shui tips on her blog - such as this one, which I'll be reading, on bringing money!

From my library - small space living

I thought I'd share from you some of my favorite images from one of the very first interior design books I ever purchased. It's always fun to look back!

I love these wooden floors - and the fireplace!



charming - and checkout the blue floor!


It would require a lot of tidying - but I really like the glass front pantry. Check out the mix n' match table and chairs.

I liking the look of art leaning against the wall more and more. I also really like the fuchsia carpet and the retrained fireplace decor.

I love old houses - and when a renovation includes old architectural elements I don't mind "newness" so much.

A really good way to divide spaces in a studio - this solid screen acts as a wall/headboard.

A romantic treehouse retreat...

All images from Susan Boyle's "The Smart Approach to Small Space Living"

A STUNNING Victorian Restoration

Tattersall Love says "A striking Victorian renovation which retains period features, but offers an all-white backdrop to bold colour and pattern accents, successfully juxtaposing quirky vintage finds with more contemporary designs. The bathroom features a marble tiled wall and very modern fittings alongside its ethnic furniture pieces and the kitchen opens onto a wrought iron balcony which leads in turn down to the ivy strewn courtyard garden."

Check it out below -


My bedroom is a similar blue and I love it!


very nice salon-style wall

*heart* the fireplace!



woah! woah! That blue cupboard!! I have to get something that beautiful color...

My House Beautiful May Favorites

I just thought I'd share a few yummy morsels from House Beautiful's May issue - there were a handful of bright, happy, spring-time feeling goodies.

click on the image above for a larger view - the fireplace is amazing. I also love the painting above it.

I really wish I was disciplined enough to keep flowers in my apartment all the time. I love fresh flowers.



Jonathon Adler of course! - All those bright colors are so cheerful!


It's a more modern take for kitchen wallpaper - for us who like our veggies but don't want grandma's wallpaper

My dream bathroom

I love the eggplant and aqua swatches - with a tan that would be a favorite trio of mine.

All images via House Beautiful

Interior design serenity for a monday afternoon

Monday's are tough - but looking at these rooms are a good way to relax a little. It is 4pm - so home is not too far away!


Love the blue on the walls, and the folding doors as a headboard are really pretty too.

nice salon style wall - I also love that there isn't too much matchy-matchiness going on.




A nice and bright little home office alcove. *super jealous of the sawhorse desk!!*




I'm not a fan of the cowhide rugs - sorry, I grew up seeing those rugs walking around outside my window as a kid... Regardless, this studio space is really well done. I love the fireplace, and the partition of sliding screen panels.

via Wish