Opposite of Man Friendly?

Getting the new chairs and settee into the space I see that my current chrome and glass coffee table tones done the femininity of these pieces. So That will be staying along with the chrome pharmacy lamp. Next is upholstery...

Thinking black wrapped around the back of the settee, painting the frame black, and using a graphic black and white fabric on the front and seat. Either the Kelly Wearstler fabric you see on the pillow to the right, or a diy fabric. A white background with a black splash, not splatter but more like someone took a bucket of paint and threw it across the fabric.

Man Friendly

Progress may be slow in my apartment, with a small budget and all. So I'd like to share design boards that I randomly create when the mood strikes. This one I created several months back, the inspiration was "Man Friendly Decor". I have to admit that the quatrefoil oomph table is undeniably feminine but come on... I said man friendly not man cave.

Also, a lot of the photos I current have and use don't have sources since I saved them before I knew I'd be using them on a blog. Moving forward I will be saving sources.

I think this piece behind the sofa would be lovely.

Kijiji finds and other things

Found this lovely but hurting settee on Kijiji... going to pick it up tonight. Was originally thinking I would place it on back wall behind a dining table. New thought is opposite the sofa.

Going to find a bright pink fabric that would balance the Wu Does Pink art that I received in the mail yesterday. She's so beautiful in person, and tall... like a supermodel.

Dropped into a lovely bakery on Agricola, I'm having fun getting to know my new neighborhood. Had a favourite comfort food,  corn chowder.

Picked up these Kijiji finds last night. Matching pair that will look beautiful refinished in a black gloss with white fabric and those tiny black nails you see on older furniture (not sure what they are called, will have to figure this out).

Believe it or not I attempted to cut my own hair today, actually succeded! Would rather spend the money on furniture... and hair stylists and I seem to speak a different language. Thinking I may post a photo tomorrow along the lines of OOTD.

Change of mind

While looking for an overdyed rug I came across a photo of a floral shag rug in a new department store in Toronto... Marshals I think.

Wouldn't that feel amazing underfoot?

After changing out the rug I began making other changes and was further inspired by this headband...

and this stencil...

Then ended up with this board. I suppose I'll have to find a spot for the gorgeous Wu in the bedroom (maybe the wall you first see when walking in the front door straight through to the bedroom, nice way to be greeting upon coming home).

So, what do you think?

Yesterday I posted a design board for my living/dining room using art from JessicaIllustration. I promised to explain where the the other pieces came from.

The pic I had split in half of a settee from Bijou and Boheme, I want a set of side chairs with a similar look.

Went for a walk down Argicola Street in Halifax yesterday and found a wonderful shop Geddes Furniture, the owner (I assume he was the owner) showed me around and I found many wonderful items I need/want. One of which is a chair that he can custom design to look similar to the above settee. Best part is it doesn't come with a custom designed price tag.

The ottoman is from Jayson Home which isn't exactly what I'm looking for but filled the image for now. I'm on the fence about keeping my current chrome and glass table.

The rug is an overdyed piece no longer available from One Kings Lane that I hope to find a similar version.

The tiny dining nook/room I want a table and chairs with a similar feel, this image came from Elle via Habitually Chic. The mirror is a Home Sense find, and the pendant is Eurofase.

Wu

Growing up was never a "pink" girl, quite the opposite actually. But in my adult years its grown on me so much so that it competes for my favourite colour.

Although I do love pink, I'm timid to use it in my home. Not sure why. Maybe I'm afraid of all the things that pink can mean... Baby's room. Not thanks, grown ups only in my livingroom. But I'm going to go for it. Be bold.

Love this skirt, and generally anything Jason Wu designs.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I came across this illustration by Jessica Durrant on Etsy.

After creating a mock up of how I would style the room with this piece as my inspiration I decided to go ahead with it. I've ordered it in a 36 X 48 size print to dominate the wall behind the sofa.

My next post I'll explain a bit about the other items in the design board. Now that school has all but wrapped up for the semester I'll have more time to post! Yay!

Base canvas

Moving into the new apartment I had a few items that could be used in the living room. The coffee table was an amazing kijiji find for less than a hundred that I didn't want to get rid off so I stored it since the bachelor was too small. So these are the items I have to work with, or not.... Not sure if I still want to use the milo style chair since cat claws have taken their toll on the leather.

I'm looking for something more traditional feeling to balance the more modern coffee table and sofa. 

Outlet for my obsession

Hi, I'm Natalie and I'm a designaholic. I have an obsession with all things interior decor related that keeps me up into the wee hours saying to myself, "Just a few more minutes." Hunting for furniture, lighting, and accessories online and in person consumes my spare time (and cuts into my study time if I'm being honest). Reading shelter magazines and blogs is pastime that makes me giddy. This is an addiction I do not wish to recover from.

I've started a blog in the past but gave it up due to the unnecessary stress I put on myself regarding spelling and grammar. Writing anything to be read by another human being gives me temporary OCD, wondering if I've punctuated my sentences correctly and used proper grammar. So this time around I'm going to do my best to keep my temp OCD to a minimum and focus on the parts I do enjoy. Posts won't likely be daily, I do have to drag myself away from this to study.

The focus of this blog is going to be what inspires me and the process of decorating my new apartment (oddly, I don't like the word "decorating". Suggestions for alternatives are more than welcome). Previously I was in a teeny bachelor no more than 350 sq ft so the new place is sparsely furnished at the moment. Being a student I am on a tight budget but I don't want my home to look like it is. I prefer to only purchase items I plan to keep long term rather than short term solutions. I like to combine my kijiji finds with splurge items. Although I still try to get the splurge items for a deal.

 My first purchase for the new place was the sofa I picked up at Zepher Rug and Home here in Halifax. I knew from past experience that the sofa was going to have to be the splurge in the livingroom, this one from Van Gogh was the winner. Love at first sight and it was discount by nearly a grand! I'm not above buying the floor model thank you very much.