Here's looking at me kid

Inspiration Files | A Little Bit Grunge

Seven years ago today, you might have found me at the thrift store. In the boys' department. Looking for grungy band tees and vintage Levis. Don't believe me? Okay, I don't blame you. But I have something even more shocking to share: I still have some of those shirts, and I've been aching to mix them into my wardrobe today.

Through the years, my wardrobe has somehow become more refined. If you peek inside my closet, you'll find a rack full of ladylike skirts, instead of shelves full of worn jeans. Polka dots, ruffles, and pleats have crept in and edged out the... well, the edgier things. But lately I've been thinking more about blending my inner groupie with my outward Minnie Mouse, and these photos are just the inspiration I need.

Images: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Inspired By: Ana's Bohemian Home

Today I'm excited to share with you a little peak inside of Ana's very groovy pad. She's collected and decorated her way into a posh, bohemian home worthy of note taking.

Having lived in an open-plan apartment of my own for the past year, I can appreciate the challenges Ana faces in the configuration of her own home. Spaces tend to become lost amungs the chaos of furniture, clutter, and shelves if you're not a carefuly planner. I noticed Ana has anchored each space with tight gatherings of furniture to create zones. Even the art on the walls helps each living area feel separate from the next.

I D E A S   TO   B O R R O W :

Want to make your television less conspicuous?
Try arranging a variety of large and small art around your television set. This trick keeps the eye from settling on your big black moniter. Instead, your television will seem more like just another part of the art on the wall.

If you're in need of large statement art pieces on your walls, but can't afford one, try hanging tapestries or quilts instead.
They are great graphic pieces that can really anchor an entire area of your home. I love how Ana has hung a tapestry over her bed, where a headboard would normally be. I've been living headboard-less for a while, and tried something similar. I loved the way it made the space seem cozier.

M O R E   I D E A S   T O   B O R R O W :

Don't be afraid to mix decades!
This is my favorite decorating technique. It keeps a space from feeling stale, and is an easy way to mix lots of meaningful objects. If you are worried about everything not meshing well, just be sure you are only including very beloved pieces and balance each space with a little bit of each style. Rearrange things frequently, until you get it just right. And in my opinion, you'll never get it just right. But that's the joy of making a home! It's all about the process.

If you need a little more bohemian coziness in your home, try hanging portieres, or curtains, in doorways.
I've been contemplating doing this in my own home. You can use pieces of fabric, actual curtains, or even large scarves. It's also a great way to visually separate spaces that are open to one another.

If you like color, but are afraid of getting too crazy, stick with mainly neutrals for your walls and furniture.
Then, you can mix in colorful art, rugs, and pillows to brighten up the space. This is also a great idea if you're the kind of person who changes your mind a lot. Changing out a rug is typically a lot more feasible than purchasing a brand new sofa or console table.

If you're in need of even more inspiration for your weekend, check out other Inspired By: Fridays posts here. If you're looking for home related inspiration, feel free to browse Here's Lookin' at Me, Kid's home decor archives. You will find lots of inspiration from around the web, links to other great blogs, and even some images of my own home-in-progress.

Thanks, Ana, for letting us into your beautiful home!

Images courtesy of Ana aka Threadbare on Flickr. Click photos for original links.

Inspired By: Colors of Vintage Homes

It's pretty easy to get stuck in a rut when choosing colors for your home and wardrobe. Some people have stylists to select colors for them, or designers who limit the options. Even as a designer, I fall into the same color combinations over and over again.

As much as some people cringe at vintage decor and recall the stuffy homes of their fashionably challenged grandparents, I find that I'm constantly drawn to the vintage aesthetic. There's so much inspiration to be found from vintage decor, so I thought it would be fun to apply some color theory to the images I've been gazing upon recently.

1.  R E F R E S H I N G L Y    R E D
Such a funky and feminine grouping of colors in this space! It could be a bit much and too gaudy for my taste, but I think the large presence of light grey and splashes of black give it much needed balance. I would love to try this scheme in my own wardrobe.

2.  M E L L O W E D   O U T
I love the restrained shade of blue used in this bathroom. It seems more warm and cozy than blues usually do. Paired with a rusty orange and buttery yellow, it's the perfect color scheme to cuddle up in. I think I would most love these colors used in a bedroom or a two-dimensional design project.

3.  W A R M   A N D   P O L I S H E D
Sometimes I can get a little too carried away with warm colors. This space is full of them, with the only cool hue found in house plants. I don't usually count houseplants as part of a color scheme, but I really think it helps balance out this room. Add in the large presence of neutrals, and the room seems just cool enough to be cool.

4.  S U N N Y   A N D   C L E A N
This room has such a great amount of yellow. Because the yellow is found in the color of the wood paneling, it doesn't seem too overbearing. When applying this color scheme to a design project, I would probably use a natural image, like a paper texture or wood images instead of a flat splash of color. Throw in some cooler colors, and it works quite nicely!

5.  A U   N A T U R A L E
Pulling colors from desert landscapes, I think this scheme is fresh, without sacrificing warmth. I love the pop of orange-red with a minimalistic style. This is a scheme I probably wouldn't use in my own home- it's a bit too retrained. But I think this would work great in part of a design project.

6.  C O Z Y   B O H E M I A N
So much bright color! I want to crawl inside and stay for a while. Pink is naturally a very calming color, but this bright and reddish hue has a lot more energy. I think the bright, warm colors in combination with the natural hues of the wooden elements work together to create a very funky and energetic vibe. I'd love to incorporate more of these colors in my own home.

Images: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Sponsor Feature: Andrea of Paper Sparrow

After just a glance at her quirky wardrobe, fun illustrations, and chevron blanket, I was quite certain Andrea and I would be kindred spirits! I'm pleased to share with you a brief glimpse into her corner of the world, where she creates and sells wonderful little illustrations and shares with us her pretty fashion ensembles.

Whimsical animal illustrations are Andrea's signature creations. You can buy her original illustrations or her prints and stationery. Check out The Paper Sparrow jewelry and accessories line, including necklace pendants, brooches, earrings, and buttons. Andrea also sells fabric renditions or her illustrations that have been crafted into fabric pouches and plush animals. There truly are a lot of fun things to find in the Paper Sparrow shop.

In addition to the things you can find in Andrea's shop, she keeps creative in the wardrobe department. Capturing outfit ideas in a sketch book is an idea I totally adore! Dressing creatively is fun, but sometimes it's exhausting.  (Can I get a what, what?) You just want to wake up in the morning and get dressed without thinking about it. Aren't these pages so much fun?

If you like Andrea as much as I do, be sure to follow her blog, check out her flickr, and shop the lovely goods at the Paper Sparrow Shop!

If you would like more information on sponsoring Here's Looking at Me, Kid, please check out this link (or click the image below) for information.