Office Inspiration

I am such a sucker for a great before and after room photo. I flipped when I saw the Lonny Mag office transformation. I think this would be my dream office to go to everyday. I picture myself sipping a morning latte with the wonderful women of Lonny while discussing the latest interior trends we love. In my vision we would also be wearing cute shoes of course. Below are some inspiring photos from the Lonny article, as well as a few of my favorite accessory picks they used. Hopefully it inspires you to create a wonderful space to work from. Instead of staring at your employee Harry all day why not add some fun accessories on your desk to personalize your space a bit. Add a splash of red with a photo frame or pen holder. Add a bright yellow desk lamp on a stack of style books. Mix in a little python tray to hold chotchkies. Even the smallest of spaces can have killer style. ~xo~ Annie





My favorite accessory picks!


pagoda mirror at horchow


{from the top left to right; yellow truffault lamps, schumacher hollyhock print, abstract printed pillow and masai rug}

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Fun Summer Gifts

{all items from alice supply co.}

The much needed long Memorial Day weekend is upon us. This means it's time for summer fun and parties. Here are a few summer gift ideas that are sure to wow. Nothing says let's have summer fun like Alice Supply Co. They know how to take the most mundane objects and give them that wow factor. ~xo~ Annie

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Stud and Python Trend

{items above rubie square pillow cover, stud table lamp, jet set ipad case, gladiator flat}

I am loving the stud and python trend in both fashion and interiors. Of course this trend should be attempted in small doses unless your Lady Gaga and can pull off an entire ensemble of studs. I prefer small accents of a trend, such as a tray on the table, accent chair or ipad case. Bring out your inner bad girl with this trend. ~xo~ Annie

{items above studded pillows, snake letterpress flats, faux snakeskin tray, snake chain fabric}

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My Dream Address

What more could a girl ask for than a pad in New York designed by the top 10 designers to watch. Elle Decor will open the doors of The Modern Life Concept House on May 27th. It looks like a dream collaboration with leading interior brands and the designers that know how to showcase them. You can visit Modern Life Concept House to get the virtual tour. Oh how I wish I lived in NY, so I could get a real glimpse of this space. I think my favorite touch is the takeout menu back splash in the kitchen...what is more NY than that? ~xo~ Annie


{photos via blog.lonnymag.com}

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Loving Leah Duncan

all photos via leah duncan's blog freshlychopped.blogspot.com

You may have seen her handy work at Target, Urban Outfitters and Teroforms. I got a glimpse of some photos from Leah Duncan's booth at this years Surtex and fell in love with her textiles. She has everything from wonderful pillows, custom keds to yoga mats. Oh and she also has an Etsy shop making her very accessible. It is so great to see a women like Leah doing what she loves and how much that shows in her work. ~xo~ Annie

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Not Your Average Picnic

It is picnic season yea! I hate to admit it, but I usually bring a raggedy old blanket to the park for a picnic. It always seems to kill the whole picnic ambiance, something about it not looking the same as depicted in the movies. Well now I can create a more stylish picnic thanks to the Sewn Natural Etsy shop. They make adorable picnic blankets to suit your style. They have everything from a Marimekko and folk art prints to something more mid-century modern. I can't wait to pack my basket of wine, cheese, latest novel and now a chic blanket. ~xo~ Annie

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Dallas Modern MyDiab Design

Here is the latest Dallas design I completed last week. Like I always say each MyDiab client is different from the next. I have never had two designs that are alike. It is not often that a Dallas client wants to go ultra modern, so I was very happy when I received this design mission. The mission was to create a family room that accommodates entertaining as well as relaxing in front of the TV or reading. The style needed to be European modern in light and soothing fabrics. The unique shape of the space allowed us to create two separate seating areas. One area was for entertaining and sitting near the fireplace. The second was for curling up on the sofa. I gave the client two furniture plan options that allowe them to chooser their favorite. I selected all light upholstery fabrics and added interest with texture. Color was added with spa toned accent pillows and artwork. We created more interest on the firplace by selectng a bamboo mosaic blend tile. Modern spaces can become very cold, but I think with this design we achieved a calming and relaxing space to live in. ~xo~ Annie



















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Etsy Shop for the Party Thrower

I stumbled on the Etsy shop Jaime Mancilla while searching for fabric garland to hang in a child's bedroom design (fabric garland makes me oh so happy). The site made me want to throw a home spun style birthday bash or shower for someone. Every item just made me smile from the cake bunting decoration to the vintage crochet hangers. This Etsy shop was so inspiring to me. I can't think of any girly birthday's or showers coming up, so I think it will need to be a "just because party". ~xo~ Annie


{all items at Jaime Mancilla's etsy shop}

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Children's Bedroom Design Brooklyn, NY

It is not often enough I get to design children's bedrooms, so I was very excited when this project arrived in my email. Designing children's rooms allows me to be a kid all over again. This recent design was for a brother and sister in Brooklyn, NY. They live in a temporary apartment while their family is looking for a home to buy with more space. The design mission was to create a room for both a 3 year old boy and his little 1 year old sis. They already had the furniture, so I just had to make it all work together in the space. I had to be careful to not make the room too boyish or too girly. I achieved this by going with area rug and artwork options that will speak to both boys and girls. Both kiddos love to read books with their parents, so I created a cozy reading corner. I emphasized the reading corner with fabric party garland found on Etsy and a cozy sheep skin rug to lounge on. I think it is a must to display children's artwork on the walls. I selected mismatched frames from West Elm to collage and display their masterpieces. I can't wait to get another children's room design, so please keep them coming! I hope these kids have as much fun playing in this room as I did. ~xo~ Annie










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Etsy Faux Folk Pillow Find

Hey friends I hope your all having a great week. I really love these faux folk old star pillow covers I discovered on Etsy. They have a cool modern twist on an old classic style. I think they would add a nice pop of needed color and style to any room. You can find them at Etsy Shop Cozy Blue. Enjoy! ~xo~ Annie

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Literary Lamps

{photo via ready made}

I spotted these literary lamps on Etsy and immediately fell in love. What a great project for recycling discarded books. They are just so charming and whimsical. Someday I hope to attempt this brilliant diy project. Get the full tutorial here. ~xo~ Annie

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Oh Anthro How I Love You

Why must Anthropologie do this to me? I always want everything in the store. They manage to have the perfect style blend of world travel, vintage and sophistication. Below are a few items I wish to have. I want to swing in a knotted melati chair wearing feather sandals and beaded detail dress. Not only can you find a great outfit at Anthro, but furniture to match that outfit. It's really scary sometimes. They just always suck me into their brilliant marketing of creating a girly paradise of special things. ~xo~ Annie



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Casual with a Formal Twist

I loved seeing Keri Russel's Brooklyn home in Elle Decor. It is the perfect balance of casual with formal twists. In the living room I love the dressy fireplace and crown moulding mixed with the comfortable linen upholstery and shag rug. In the kitchen dining I adore the crystal chandelier mixed with a more rustic farm table and old brick fireplace. It's all about mixing and not matching to make a house a home. ~xo~ Annie

{all photos via elle decor}

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DIY Gifts for Mom

No one more than Mom loves a gift you made. After all she still has the mug you made her in 6th grade pottery class. Here are a few DIY gifts to make for Mom this Mother's Day. She will be so impressed at how far you have come since your mug making days. These are some of my Design*Sponge DIY faves. ~xo~ Annie


{all these projects are available on design*sponge's diy page}


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Ripe Fruit Trend

{spring 2011 stella macCartney }

From Stella McCartney's runway to home accessories the fruit trend is ripe for the picking. Add a little fruit flavor to your home or wardrobe this Spring and Summer. Fruit juice just tastes better when you drink it from a orange shaped pitcher or fruit glasses. Add an orange slice pillow to your breakfast nook for a quirky touch. Find someway to squeeze a little of this trend in to your life...(pun intended). ~xo~ Annie


{from the top left to right; orange slice pillow, crate and barrel juice glasses, pear napkins, orange pitcher and cups}



{fruit pump}

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