Wednesday, February 24, 2010

OUT With Granite, IN With Marble

Ok Ok I still love granite, it is extremely durable and it can take a beating...but I'm sorry nothing compares to Carrara Marble. It's classic, it won't go out of style, and it just makes a room look WOW. I know it's extremely expensive, but I can dream right?

If you know me, you know grey is one of my favorite colors. I wear it almost everyday (2 grey cardigans I alternate ha), my wedding colors were grey (white and green), my purse (for the moment) is grey, I drive a grey car (alright it's silver) ok you get the point...I lust grey!

Since I don't think I could ever justify doing an entire kitchen or bathroom in marble, here are some of my ideas to get a little bit of "out of my league" stone in my home


Marble Backsplashes





Marble Islands


(love the marble island paired with the dark granite)

Marble Fireplace


Sunday, February 21, 2010

Rio > White

I have a thing for white furniture. White couches, chairs, linens… I heart them so much! It’s crisp, clean and gives off a statement without being obnoxious or too trendy. Nevertheless my love for white is small in comparison for my love for Rio. Rio is our 11 month old puppy, who according to our vet and doggy day care staff is the most energetic dog they’ve ever met. Rio likes to swim in the pond, dig to China, and jump on every piece of furniture we have.

So my love for white furniture will have to stay in my dreams…

Look at these amazing white ideas…

Pottery Barn - White paired with beige tones and greys







Restoration Hardware - Besides the beautiful linen couch look at the map of Paris, you could easily do this at home for minimal cost.





I really like fabric chairs, besides Rio, I worry about other peoples grimy fingers, but nothing a little Scotch Guard couldn't help prevent






Z Gallery - Hollywood Glam! Pretty trendy right now, but I bet your could find an old thrift piece of furniture and have mirrors put on the drawer fronts Crate and Barrel - Colette Chair, save some money and just buy two for the ends of your table






Well maybe I can have just one piece of white furniture…This couch is from Ikea, it has a removable slipcover that can be machine washed and it’s only $399!!!! Add some chic pillows and I’m set!

Friday, February 19, 2010

East Side Costa Mesa

My husband and I are living with my mom right now in order to buy our dream home in East Side Costa Mesa. People are like "OMG you live with your mom...isn't that hard?.... I could never do that...yada yada." I can't tell you how AMAZING it is to have my mom understand the importance of us buying our first home together and letting us stay here so we can save for something we really want, not just something we can afford. I guess I should mention that she's awesome and her house is big enough so we don't feel like we are on top of each other. Plus our dog has a great backyard to run around in that we couldn't find in any apartment.


Anywho, whenever I'm in the Costa Mesa area I go to my favorite coffee spot, Kean, where the coffee is fantastic and makes you feel like you're on crack...but in a good way.



I pop into all the great boutiques and yummy pastry shops like Susie Cakes





And then with my coffee, cupcake and dog I drive...or sometimes walk...the beautiful streets and let my imagination run wild. I love that every home is different, that the lots are large, some are single homes, duplexes, or apartments. I picture us raising our kids in an environment where they can walk to a store or to their schools.


Right now I have my eye on this house...it's a total fixer upper and probably needs about $100,000 worth of work done...our families think we are nuts...but I don't care because whatever home we buy it will never be finished...



Imagine the trees gone...fresh new sod and simple ferns...painted white with crisp black shutters...a porch added...and a cute white fence...it takes a lot of imagination :)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Home Is Never Finished

Hi friends! I'm Dara, a 27 year old girl who is absolutely obsessed with homes! When I was little I would sit and read my mom's "Better Homes" Magazine's instead of watching Nickelodeon. I love everything about homes down to water heaters and electrical sockets. I am very eclectic with my taste and unfortunately fall hard for trends, at one time everything in my bedroom was from Ikea :( I am not an interior designer, I have not taken any formal interior decorating classes, but I do know what I like. I hope you enjoy my blog!

In a perfect world the front of my home would look like one of these....








You are going to notice trend of black and white... and many other details






Love Love Love the flags!








It's "The Father of The Bride House"...the only thing it's missing is my wrap around porch and a fun colored door :)