leahbrier.com

via apartment therapy

Apartment Therapy is in week 3 of their January Cure, the winter remedy for unruly households and the need for early spring cleaning. I am right there with them. I have been thinking about reshuffling my apartment for awhile now and this step-by-step guide looks like the perfect roadmap for success. Things for these last few days in January are a bit nuts so I am going to do the February Cure!

via the neo-traditionalist

As a forever fan of Katie Armour, I am so excited to finally see her bay area home shared on her blog. 500 square feet with chic style, flare and sophistication covering every inch. I love the colors and the homey feel, not to mention how perfectly pristine and clean everything looks — how do people get their apartment to look like that?! If it sounds like I am jealous it’s because I am!

via french by design

I have been thinking about change the 50′s/60′s parquet floors in my apartment for quiet awhile. I have considered just about everything from cork flooring to cement tiles but always come back to wood and think I have finally decided what I want. Knowing my feelings strong about honey and cherry woods (I dislike them immensely), I’ve decided to go with something weathered, pickled, grayed-out or whatever it’s called. I think they wear well, they are timeless and while they are a statement, when covered with a rug (I have 2 in my apartment that I love) the floors will just kind of disappear and play a supporting role.

via coco+kelley

I have been having some serious apartment envy since I helped my friend find a place a few weeks ago. After being in my apartment for about 4 years I am itching to get out for the chance to design the space to my exact preferences. Cue gorgeous (albeit impossible in any NYC apartment) white, clean, crisp, porcelain bathroom — with mismatched vintage mirrors….sigh! While recreating this room to spec is impossible big inviting basket (to avoid towels on the floor), the danty towel and bright pink roses are all very doable!

Thanks to an old family friend who actually worked for Hermes, she hand stitched the edges of the scarves, I have been fortunate enough to collect a few over the years. The first one I got I nearly wore into the ground, I guess I didn’t appreciate the value or the beauty at the time. But since I have received a few other special scarves and while I don’t have enough to cover my entire couch in pillows, like Kelly Bensimon, I think this is an inspired idea — the scarves are gorgeous and if you’re not wearing them why not share them with the world?!

via three potato four

I found Three Potato Four just a little while back and lust over it every single time I go to their site or see any of their awesome pieces on pinterest. My newest obsession is this gray military blanket. I just want to curl up in my big chair on a rainy day with this snuggled around me. Warm and chic, what more could you ask for!?

via cb2

A few weeks ago I bought new white towels to continue my quest to brighten up my bathroom. I really like the fresh look of white towels and I love the fact that I can throw them in the wash with some bleach and they’re as good as new. No dingy towels here! And if that’s not great enough, I received my favorite CB2 bath mat for Hanukkah to complete the room. (Have I mentioned that I have it in 2 other colors already?!)

Ahh, simple pleasures!

It’s the time of year when getting in bed is pretty much the only thing that gets me through the day. The days are cool and the nights are starting to get really cold and cuddling up under the blankets seems like the best option…ever. The only issue is that I need to sleep in a meat locker — I mean it has to be close to freezing for me to even feel comfortable enough to fall asleep. So in addition to never taking my air conditioner out of my window (just in case) I love the idea of getting this gorgeous white linen duvet from restoration hardware. I feel like linen solves any ‘cold side of the pillow’ issues that I have with my thicker cotton duvet now.

via elements of style

As mentioned yesterday with the change of season, and this nonstop rain, I’m feeling the need to spruce. I always like to change my bedroom as the weather gets colder because I end up spending a lot more time in bed when it’s too cold to venture out.

via house of turquoise

And I’d also like to work on my kitchen because my goal for the fall/winter is to start cooking.

The problem is that I’m lacking in the inspiration department…seriously lacking. I’m trying to figure out how to keep a space minimal and spacious but warm and cozy. It’s clearly possible, these rooms are exactly the look I’d love, but now its just about the execution.

More discoveries and inspiration for my favorite – coco+kelley. I have been introduced to a designer that I love: Wendy Schwartz. From absolutely beautiful rooms with delicate accents, minimal design and room to breathe to more opulent and glamorous spaces packed with books and trinkets that add character and life. While I am figuring out my own aesthetic, and I don’t think the crowded, cluttered look is right for me, I can appreciate the eye for detail in bringing items together and making them all shine. Shine on Wendy!