Re-Styling and Self-Regulation

I have a lot of stuff. I'm no hoarder or anything but I have significantly more than I need (I mean, don't we all?). The problem isn't that I can't get rid of stuff (I'm an excellent purger of things), but instead that I just don't want to get rid of my things. I have really great things. As a compromise (with myself; is that weird?), I decided I could keep all the things I love as long as they extra stuff fits in a small box in my closet. Yes, I have to rotate my toys decorative items out like a child.

This is embarrassing, but here is my secret stash:

It's not pretty but on the other side of the wrapping paper is a box full of frames, decorative objects, and other miscellaneous items that I love but don't have space for it right now.

Recently, I noticed that the shelf above my sink and the open shelving above my stove were getting a little cluttered. All my pretty things were getting a little out of hand so I did a little restyling and streamlining.

BEFORE

AFTER

 BEFORE

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Most of this stuff just got shuffled, but if you ever see something where before there was something else, you can pretty much guarantee it is from my secret toy box.

Buy Art: Maps Edition

I love maps. I love old maps, new maps, weird maps, and interactive maps. And pretty much any time that I see one I want to buy it. Surprisingly, I only have two...

This old map is from my Grandpa. It is on foam core and it's a map of the 'Soviet Union' and I mostly just like it because it is orange. 

My scratch map is newer. You can buy one here. I love it so much because you can scratch off where you've been, it's a take on those 'sticking a pin in the places you've been' maps. 

You really can't go wrong with a map on the wall since they are gender neutral and come in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. Here is a round up of some awesome map art:

via art.com

I love the simplicity of this Chicago rail map. Surprisingly, it's only $19.99 from Art.com. They also carry a bunch of other rail maps from other major cities. 

via RibbonsAndRetro

If you ever see an old roll-up school map for heaven's sake buy it! Those things are like the gold every thrift store shopper is searching for. Of course, you can buy them online (like this one from Etsy seller RibbonsAndRetro for $89) but they are going to cost more online mostly because of shipping. Your best bet is to go hunting in your city and hope you find one for a good price. 

via Society6

I really like this map by Bianca Green. It would look great in a layered Bohemian room or a little girl's room. It is a really good price too, the large print is $32.00 and there are smaller ones for a smaller price (sold on Society6). 

via The Literary Gift Company

A literary map of England? Count me in! I studied Jane Austen in England for a month in college and I literally think about it once a week (I'm serious). There is an American version too which is pretty cool. This poster is only $18.73! Buy it from The Literary Gift Company here. 

via Bold&Noble

Bold&Noble is this really cool company that makes typographical art. I love their maps section of course. They have everything from the world to individual cities. All prices are in pounds but the conversion makes most of their prints, including this one of Africa, about $67. Not cheap, but they are just so cool. 

via Sky Mall

If you are already laughing that's a good thing because I did just sneak a huge wall map from Sky Mall into this post about art. I know, I know, Sky Mall... but I love this giant wall map and I think it would look awesome in just about any room (dining room, kid's room, the hallway). Just think, for $149.95 you can have a major piece of 'art.' Buy it here or just wait until the next time you fly. 

via art.com

Michael Tompsett has 169 different versions of map art on art.com. It's kind of insane (there is one that is just a bunch of tiny dinosaurs grouped to make the shapes of countries ... ???). I really like the watercolor ones like this map of Ireland in shades of green. Beautiful. It is a large print (20" x 24") for $47.99 so not too bad, buy it here.  

via art.com

Maps don't have to be super traditional, they can be fun too like this sweet vintage map of Paris. I like how it is a combination of famous landmarks and roads. Buy it here for $29.99. 

via World Market

I'm not crazy in love with this map (it's a little muted for my taste) but I do like the idea of a map being broken up into sections like this. It would be a pretty easy DIY if you were able to find a large map and then cut it and frame the sections. Or if you you'd rather spend money instead of time you can buy this one for $143.99 from World Market. 

via Ork Posters

I think it is really cool to have a map of the city you live in or one you've lived in previously. I've wanted this neighborhood map of DC since I lived there but for some reason have never sprung for it. It's even a reasonable $22.00 (here from Ork Posters). 

Are you into maps as wall art? Are you drawn to certain cities or countries over others? I love a good world map, but I'm also really drawn to any map of New York City or Paris.

The Five Things Every House Needs

This is a completely subjective list of things that I think every house should have:

1) Art.

Everyone's definition of art is different so no matter what you think art is, you should have some. Maybe you can only afford posters and family pictures, great! Frame them and get them on the wall. I like to think of my walls as a storyboard all about me (narcissist much?). When people come over and look at my gallery walls they are getting a glimpse of who I am as a person by what inspires me or makes me laugh.

2) A plant.

Or two or three. I once read that being able to keep a houseplant alive is a sign of mental wellbeing and since I generally believe everything I read (especially on the internet) I went a bought a plant immediately. I've had probably ten over the past few years, some die quickly and others have lasted years only to be killed in a 600 mile drive (RIP Orchid 2006-2008), but regardless they have made my living spaces more beautiful no matter how long they last. I currently have four in varies stages of 'alive-ness' but I like the way they look and I think they help indoor air quality (just googled it, they do).

3) Something funny.

Lord Byron said it best, "Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Have something or many things in your house that make you laugh, even if no one else gets it. Actually, especially if no one else gets it.

4) Something old.

I like old things, not just because they often look cool, but because they have a history. Several of my old pieces are from my Grandpa and I like to think about how he found them and where they lived before they came to me. Being open to the chips and cracks and all the imperfections of old items is a good metaphor for life.

5) Books.

I need to have books wherever I live. Even in my dorm room in college I had a small bookcase just because I needed a few of my favorite books with me (holla Jane Austen!). Bookshelves are sort of like my gallery wall, if people look at my bookshelf they can get a pretty good idea of who I am as a person by what I read. And let's be honest, you look smarter if you have a lot of books around!

What would be on your list if you made one? I'd love to hear what five things you need to have wherever you live!

An Amateur's Guide to Styling the Top of Cabinets AKA Dead Space Styling

I had a request (a while ago) for a post about how to style the top of cabinets. It's a great post idea because decorating unused space is hard to do. The top of cabinets are generally too high to store things that will be used regularly so they are basically just dead space (hence the trend to take cabinets all the way to the ceiling or have open shelving). I really enjoy decorating but it's hard even for me to style dead space.

In this house I do not have open cabinet tops so this isn't really an issue for me.

But I do have a large bookcase and I plan to get another one soon which is essentially the same thing - dead space that isn't accessible but it still needs .... something. 

Here is the current state of the top of my bookshelf. A stack of books and twin greyhound statues. Nothing fancy or striking. 

But the request got me thinking because eventually (hopefully sooner than later) I will be getting my dream bookcase which will have six feet of dead space that I will have to fill so I did some research. Here are six objects or collections you can use to help fill any dead space in your house (top of cabinets, bookshelves, ledges, etc):

1) Globes. 

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I love this trend of layered globes. The best part about this version of dead space decorating is that you can get globes for pretty cheap if you look hard enough. The globe in my entry way is from a thrift store for $12. Yesterday at a thrift shop I saw a black globe (those are much harder to find) for $25. It would be a fun collection to start because you can always have your eye out for one. You can also enlist your friends to look for you too. Besides being affordable, this look is also great because it has such a strong color impact. To further add to the visual appeal you can stack them on books or put them on stands to give the look a more layered feel. 

2) Baskets.

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Baskets can go kitschy-country fast, but what I like about the baskets in these images is that they are big and bold. If you put a few small baskets up on top of cabinet they are going to look lost and sad but large baskets will fill the space better. I also like how the texture and color of the baskets contrasts so nicely with the white kitchens they are in. If you have stained wood cabinets try white baskets for a similar look. 

3) Your (fill in the blank) Collection. 

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Whether you are a collector of wine bottles, milk glass, vintage thermoses, or vintage tins; dead space is the perfect place for your collection. My theory on collections is that they look better all in one place. For example, I collect pencil sketches from the places I travel and I found that I like them best all grouped together as opposed to spread out around my house. The visual impact of a bunch of like items in one place is very strong. 

4) Monochromatic Layering. 

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It's simple; pick a color and get a bunch of items in that color. Go! 

5) Plates.

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Decorative plates were once reserved for your granny but times are a changin'. I don't own a decorative plate but I get the appeal. My good friend collects state plates and they look awesome hanging on her wall. You could do a certain color palette, florals, toile, or Little House on the Praire commemorative plates... the options really are endless. It could be something that you start to collect or it could just be a matter of visiting a few thrift shops and seeing what you find. 

6) Framed Art.

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Everybody knows I'm obsessed with gallery walls so it's natural that I'd want to stick art up there. It's actually a small miracle that I haven't stuck art above my cabinets yet (although I've thought of it often).  This also a pretty inexpensive way to decorate dead space. I like both the uniform look and the messier leaning look, either could work depending on the space. 

I hope that was helpful! I really enjoyed looking around to find all these images, makes me want to start collecting stuff. Just remember, as long as you don't resort to fake ivy and birdcages (like my Mom in the 90's) you are good!

Decorative Items Make Me Happy

Christmas was almost a month ago and I have yet to share some of the cool stuff I got as gifts. Well, better late than never. Here are some awesome things I got as gifts some of which I asked for (and have blogged about wanting previously) and some were lucky good guesses.

Do you notice what is different in this picture?

I got a white ceramic tortoise shell! Before I had a Singin' in the Rain poster there. I love that movie and I've had the poster for about 10 years, but it was time for a change up (plus, I didn't want to drill another hole). 

But I love the tortoise shell there. I like how the light sort of spot lights it. 

 

The tortoise shell is from Nate Berkus' Target collection. I blogged about the shell here and here and I'm pretty sure I told my Mom like five times that I wanted it for Christmas so I was very excited that I got it. 

My Mom is a major Nate Berkus fan so she also picked up this black and white chevron urn. I love it! I love a good black and white graphic print so it fits my style perfectly. I have a feeling this piece will be traveling all over my house but for now it is in the kitchen. 

Here's another think my Mom picked up for me. It is a sweet little spice jar from Anthropology. The name plate is chalkboard but I lost my chalk so I haven't written anything on it yet. I love the red lid and how it works perfectly with my other kitchen stuff. I keep matches in it.

My Mom also got me this awesome chain link from the Nate Berkus collection (I told you she was a big fan). I featured it in this post. I don't know what to do with this really, I just like it. It has moved around the house this past month, but at this moment it is on a side table in my living room. 

So those are few of the cool things I got for Christmas. Oh, I also got this:

But I somehow missed taking a picture of it. I've wanted this for like two years so I was very excited to get it! 

I love decorating but I can't go out and buy everything I want all the time so Christmas is a good time to ask for stuff like this. One of the major benefits of being unmarried is that my parents still buy me lots of gifts! 

Happy Friday!