Tag Archives: design

Love for Minted.

Hi lovelies!

I don’t often post on the weekend but this couldn’t wait! I just discovered a treasure of a site full of beautiful artwork, stationary, journals and other paper pretties. I’m in heaven!

These days, curating is a serious business on the internet, with a plethora of endless choices it’s so refreshing to see the cream of the crop all in one place isn’t it? Well, that’s what I love about Minted. They support creatives all over the world by selecting gorgeous designs and artwork and then make it easy for us to get our paws on all the goods! Love that. Sure they do custom photo cards and all that but what I really adore about this company is the stunning collection of artwork and stationary that is available! I literally spent a good chunk of my morning perusing all the paper goodness – my favorites list is rather long…

So, here are just a few of the things I had to heart!

minted collage 2

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

So pretty right? If you are a sucker for lovely paper products and unique artwork like me – go check them out. I’m off to go order some custom journals! :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! It’s a rainy one here!

xo,

Ivy

Advertisement

6 Comments

Filed under Art, decorate, Love, Shopping

I’m dreaming of…

Hi there. How’s life treating you? We are back into the swing of school around here and I’m trying to get organized and make the most of each day. Not easy. I often find myself being pulled in so many directions that I get overwhelmed. So, I retreat into my own little daydreams. Highly productive. Not.

We have been renting a beautiful home in a fabulous neighborhood but it’s been three years and I’m getting itchy feet! Growing up, I lived in 10 different houses and two countries (the U.S. & Australia). When Chris and I got together, we moved 5 times in 4 years. Finally, we settled in Portland and have lived here for almost 11 years. No wonder I’m getting wanderlust!

Moving is in my blood and I’m totally dreaming of us buying a large piece of land and building a sweet farmhouse. I want a big porch, an old barn for my art studio, chickens (why not?) and a large, white kitchen, where I would bake bread and make delicious meals. Realistic? Probably not, I don’t even bake – but wow, does it sound good to me right now. I’m being drawn to wide open spaces, quiet, solitude, a slower pace. A place to focus and create. Sometimes life just feels so noisy. Know what I mean?

So in my procrastination, I pulled my favorite farmhouse images from my Pinterest board to share my vision with you…

52aa6cd2dc1b8dfa32e4b6b4184e1448

1e2cd25b0426cb7b41952e30598c7150

88d04c547a58d2c822bf9a673d0eab05

2361ecfff52046ff719226ebb31059ab

91abbff07a9f9f8987d6d423051e9beb

99ea1acdf09419bc30933fca5a6f7ca4

85650ae1c3c578ada5daa1d1e32d8c78

32098758cdc3d9ed083c0b89c7b3abad

e6e314c86abb5d1bc7e7cf8dfab39d7f

fb32374663852575b354d212e1a3d55a

e25b003922ebef5b8ea2c1a22cd0ed02

Okay…I think I got that out of my system. Now back to the laundry…ugh.

Have a beautiful afternoon.

xo,

Ivy

* For sources and more dreamy Farmhouse images see my Pinterest board.*

3 Comments

Filed under decorate, Home, Inspired Spaces, interior design, Pretty Rooms, Thoughts

Inspired Spaces: Swedish style

Hello there! Okay I’m back with a sweet interior to share with you! I adore Swedish style and this home has such a beautiful blend of charm and elegance…

Screen shot 2011-04-16 at 2.41.22 PM

I love all those neutrals with subtle accents of pattern, texture and soft color. It’s somewhat formal but approachable at the same time.

Screen shot 2011-04-16 at 2.41.40 PM

Very British i Särö-1

I will own a clock like this one day!

Very British i Särö-5

Great mix of fabrics used here. Color ties them all together, making the look successful.

Very British i Särö-7

Very British i Särö

A classic Swedish fireplace done in Delft tiles…so lovely!

Very British i Särö-4

Very British i Särö-6

Such a gorgeous home! Hope you enjoyed the little tour.

Have a wonderful day!

xo,

Images via Skona Hem

6 Comments

Filed under Inspired Spaces, interior design, Pretty Rooms

Some exciting news…

Hello there. How was your weekend? Ours had everything typical of a weekend including, pizza, thai take-out, a kids birthday party, sleeping in (not) and pancakes. Not exactly exciting, but fun anyway.

I have some exciting news to share with you today. On March 1st, Somerset Apprentice will hit store shelves and little ole’ me will be featured within its inspiring, art filled pages! I feel so lucky and humbled to be included among such wonderful artists!

somerset apprentice 2013

One of the projects I did for Jeanne Oliver‘s class – Creatively Made – will be outlined in detail with a helpful DIY guide that will walk you thru the steps to create a vintage journal. I can’t take credit for the idea, since Jeanne masterfully taught the lesson within her e-course but I was very pleased with the process and the outcome. It was a joy to build this romantic book. You can check out the full post here.

vintage journal collage

So, I hope you will check out the latest Somerset Apprentice. If you have never read the magazine, it is bursting with creative ideas and projects – many by very successful and well known artists – all laid out with guides to their processes! Brilliant! It’s a must read if you need to fire up your artistic side!

Thank you again, dear readers, for all the support and encouragement you have given me. I will always be grateful.

xo,

13 Comments

Filed under Art, Crafting, magazine features, News, photography, Stories

Up for the challenge…

Hi everyone. Happy Friday. I come to you today excited about possibility, learning and expanding! Even though I am exhausted from a night up with my poor teething, Claire – I am thrilled at some of the new things I’ve been trying lately!

First of all, I am super excited to let you know that I just signed up for Blog Boss – a new e-course with Holly Becker from decor8! I took her first course – Blogging your way – a couple of years ago and it taught me so much! This next one looks to be amazing and I can’t wait for class to begin. There is still time to enroll – check it out here.

8488219001_66bd99db2d_oLately, I am trying to expand my photography knowledge so I’ve been dabbling in portrait photography. I know you have all seen my attempts with my children but recently I’ve been taking pics for friends and it has been quite the learning experience. I have such respect for those professional photographers out there that do portrait work. It is a true art! My latest subject was my neighbor, Taryn Emerson. She is such a fantastic friend and an incredible interior designer too! She asked me to take her portrait for her website (in production) and online social profiles. I agreed. So, last Sunday, I handed over Clarie to my hubby and off I went down the street with my trusty camera, in the hopes of capturing my friend and doing her beauty justice! The overcast sky provided the perfect, softly filtered light. We jumped around from her place to mine, outside, inside, front yard, back yard…but ended up with this as our winning shot!

Taryn b & w touched up2

Some of our other attempts…

PicMonkey Collage taryn 2

Taryn was a great sport and put up with all my amateur-ish mistakes. In between giggles, she was poised and patient.

It is so wonderful to have another creative buddy right in the neighborhood and she is always encouraging. She likes to challenge me too…which is a rare gift in a friend. Since I have been avidly taking pictures, she suggested I shoot her gorgeous designer kitchen for her portfolio too. I balked at the request, insisting I knew nothing about interior photography and how we would probably have to rent lights and wide angle lens. She rolled her eyes and said, “Oh come on, let’s just try it!” So over a bottle of wine that night, we styled the entire kitchen and shot it the next morning…

kitchen 4 touch up

It was so much fun dusting off my interior design skills to style this lovely space and collaborating with another designer is something I have missed! When we started the shoot it was dark and gray outside and I was doubtful that the light was sufficient but like a sweet gift, the sunshine broke through the clouds, spilling light into the room. We scrambled to move Taryn’s heavy kitchen table so we could let the shadow of the window unfurl onto the warm wood floor.

kitchen2 touch up

kitchen 3

All in all, we were both pretty pleased with ourselves and I learned a lot! There is nothing better than the feeling of meeting a challenge, especially a creative one. So don’t limit yourself, expand your creative gifts – sure it can be a little scary and you might even mess up but one thing is for sure – you will learn and you will grow – and that is worth it every time!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

***Check out more of Taryn’s beautiful interior design projects here and like her new Facebook page here.***

10 Comments

Filed under decorate, Home, interior design, News, photography, Stories, Styling

Guest Post: Vintage Dressers & Chests

Hello, everyone! It’s Mari here from Arcadian Home blog, a wonderful place to find lots of decorating inspirations, including all kinds of lovely lighting fixtures from ornate torchiere lamps to massive crystal chandeliers. I am so happy to have the opportunity to visit Grace & Ivy with a guest post about appealing vignettes that show off the beauty of vintage dressers and chests.

Today, I’ve brought along eight images to inspire you to continue to explore the possibilities of giving new life to one or more of the many vintage chests and dressers just waiting to be discovered at a local garage sales, flea markets or in family attics and basements. Please enjoy!

Vintage Vignette

Our first vignette is the focal point of this all-white bath up under the rafters. This antique piece has been transformed with a glossy white paint finish and deep contemporary vessel sinks. It’s quite charming with a vintage floor mirror and cherub pendant light.

Vintage Vignette

An ornate bombe chest gets a new life with coats of chalky white paint from those cute little feet to the swirly metal drawer pulls. What a perfect baby shower vignette that includes a charming collection of DIY cake stands and gorgeous dessert offerings!

Vintage Vignette

Even a broken vintage dresser can get a second chance at life in a guest bedroom. The “shelf” left behind by a missing drawer becomes open storage for extra towels. Lots of table decor (read found objects) add to the dresser’s worn charm.

Vintage Vignette

A small vintage vignette atop a distressed gray chest fits in beautifully with a charming wall gallery and metal pendant lights at the top of the stairs in this country home.

Vintage Vignette

A beautiful focal point is created in this farmhouse kitchen by pairing a vintage chest turned marble-topped work island with a glorious crystal chandelier. It seems even Mr. Dog appreciates great design.

Vintage Vignette

A vintage chest stripped down to its bare wood, lovely little arm chair and interesting side table create a stunning corner vignette. I am a big fan of contemporary lamps, but have never seen one quite like this tabletop beauty I’m quite smitten by its unique design.

Vintage Vignette

Quirky little “decorative accessories” add a sense of fun to this vintage vignette. How cool is the look of an oversize swing arm floor lamp as it appears to inspect the sprouting bulbs atop the repurposed map chest?

Vintage Vignette

Even a distressed chest deserves one last chance to shine. This aging beauty with peeling paint is perfect in an appealing outdoor vignette. What a pleasure it is to see vintage pieces that have served well for many years still being enjoyed well past their prime!

What do you think of these vintage dressers and chests? Leave us your thoughts below and be sure to stop by our website for more home decor, lighting, and inspirations!

Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

2 Comments

Filed under decorate, Guest Post, Home, interior design, photography, Pretty Rooms, Shopping, Styling, vintage