QUARTER OF A CENTURY

My 25th birthday is coming up in 2 wks, July 2nd, and I know most of you are wondering, "what can I get Katie Beth for her birthday?" ;)

Just for fun, I have put together a wish list with some of my favorite current items in the retail world. Feel free to purchase any (or all) and ship to Melrose....or just lust after with me...

[click on image to enlarge]

1. Anthropologie (&) 2. Ballard Designs 3. Daytrip Society 4. Anthropologie 5. Amazon 6. J Crew 7. Gap 8. West Elm 9. Rubie Green

Some of these items are not available online, but I saw them here in Birmingham. Maybe once you see them they will make it to your wish list as well!

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR BED?

Lately I have been noticing all the different "bed making" styles. I have been trying to decide on the perfect "make" for the master in Melrose. One of the first things I bought for Melrose was this lovely quilt + shams from Serena and Lily - I actually ordered it way on sale through One Kings Lane:

[the gold quilt only]

And I also purchased 2 of these small, cream pillows from Urban Outfitters - 1 side is velvet and the other is linen. The room has creamy-beige velvet curtains that puddle on the floor so the accent pillows help tie them them in to the room.

I also just ordered these gray stripe sheets and pillowcases from West Elm (I have been eyeing them for awhile and finally bit the bullet):

I am looking around for a natural linen bedskirt to go along with the accent pillows. The one I have found may or may not be on my bday wish list inspiration board on Monday. ;) Now, I am debating on what else the bed needs - euro shams, a throw, a fluffy duvet - so many options!

Here are some images of my favorite, delicious beds:

All tucked in? Love the simplicity in this room - I like the flat blanket folded under the mattress and light throw...so streamlined. [the city stage]

Pretty and neat? I like the euro shams against the wall as a makeshift headboard and the duvet folded at the foot. Laying the other pillows in front is an idea. [unknown]

Messy and comfy? [nest egg]

Adding a pop of color? Neutral color palette with the euro shams making a statement. [style at home magazine via made by girl]

Matchy matchy? LOVE this color scheme, by the way. [dwell]

Lots of pillows? [pink wallpaper]

Right now, I fold the sheet back and tuck all excess under the mattress, then I fold back the gold quilt mid way to expose the sheets but I leave it hanging over the mattress - can't wait to have the striped sheets for this reason! I stack all my pillows - smallest to tallest...so, I guess I am in between all tucked in and comfy??? 

THE GOOD STUFF: logo

Well, I finally did it! I created a "logo" for myself. No, I am not starting my own business, but I just wanted a little tag that I can use on invitations, personal stationary, thank you cards, etc. that I design. Some items, depending on the quantity, I can print at home my office ;) and I can simply print the logo on the piece, but on items I get printed, I will use a stamp to incorporate my logo. I just ordered the stamp in 3 different sizes so I can't wait to see it!

I thought about tying in Melrose to the logo but after a few attempts, I just decided it wasn't working so I moved on. I wanted to handwrite (and put my calligraphy classes to use) "the good stuff" so I just played around with the words until I found a format I liked. Here are some early sketches from my idea book:

[sorry for the quality, taken from my iphone]

Since I had the grass "squiggles" stemming from "good stuff" I thought a branch with a birdie would be the perfect accent. Here is the final logo in black/white and color:

What do you think? I will be creating a gadget on my sidebar with my information if you want to contact me for any personal design work. I am shooting some more of my pieces tomorrow so hopefully I can share some more of my recent projects. 

B&A: the STUDY

This room has been "done" for awhile now, but I just haven't taken the time to post after pictures. So...here she is before:

This used to be Melrose's front porch and the previous owners closed it in to create more area. She still has brick floors and paneling on the walls. I think the brick really fits into the rustic theme of the house.

First, Brandon and I primed the walls - it took a few coats to cover up that green! 

Remember my stripe inspiration post? Well, it was put into use here! I wanted to use the white from the den and the beige from the dining room (the 2 rooms splitting the study) and paint 6" vertical stripes. Due to the uneven paneling grooves, I just had to ignore them and measure off the distances myself. This was pretty time consuming but well worth it. 

And here is the final...

[click on all pictures to elarge]

I wanted to point out the patterned texture on the ceiling because I really love it. Some people probably hate it and think it is odd and I not sure the goal of it, but it is so discreet you barely notice it, but when you do it is a nice little surprise. I like that the pattern is simple and conservative, nothing too ornate or floral. I wonder why the previous owners chose to put wallpaper on the ceiling? 

I am still not sure on how I want to decorate or furnish the study, but I am thinking a long bench under the double window and a ladder shelf in the corner between the 2 windows??? I am still trying to collect framed pieces for the collage above the desk. So far, all I have is my Auburn University diploma (Brandon has his hanging in his office). Any suggestions?

OLD LADDER FOR SHELVING

[greige]

Isn't this a cool take on using an old, rustic ladder in your home? My dad has a really cool wooden ladder with lots of paint splatters that was his dad's that I have been eyeing lately. Unfortunately, he actually still uses the ladder so I will just have to wait til a rung breaks - or maybe I should replace it with a sturdier metal one and then he could part with it?

I just thought it would be neat opened up in a corner (similar to this picture) in the striped study with books stacked horizontal and vertical. The only problem would be it needs to be an area without a lot of traffic flow since the opened legs will take up a lot of room. 

I am also intrigued by 1-leg  ladders propped against a wall with items hanging over the rungs. I like how this picture has newspapers draped over the rails.

[cote de texas]

I thought a ladder like this would also be a good storage solution for light blankets. I have an open wall next to the front door and I am debating on what to put there. I have considered leaning a ladder (like the picture above) and hanging an umbrella, scarves, and jackets strategically over the rungs. I also thought about hammering in a few nails along the vertical leg to hang keys on??? What do you think? Could jackets get too messy on there? It wouldn't be a ton because the coat closet is next to the wall as well. Just something to consider...