Open Plan

So I guess almost year between posts in normal when you have a baby, right? Here's hoping to a little more consistency as I now have a TODDLER! (How did that happen?)

I love Jenny's blog Little Green Notebook and was perusing her posts last night when I saw THIS:

everything. I love everything.

It literally took my breath away. As I scrolled down looking at each beautiful image, I realized my appreciation was not just for the style and aesthetic, but also for the open plan. I've often been an open plan snob. Often clients ask me for a melding of the formal and casual spaces which can often look mish-mashed. And often times builder-ready homes marketed to have "open plans"really just look like a great room with no delineation of space.

paintings above the sink

But now that I am a mother and have a VERY busy toddler who always wants to be under my feet, I am COMPLETELY ENAMORED with the concept of an open plan living space. I mean, wash the dishes in a closed off kitchen that's separate from the family room? Last week when I did that, I found my 15 month old, in the powder bath, stirring toilet water with one arm up to her armpits, and holding her can of puff snacks with the other- I presume she was attempting chip 'n' dip. ::Shudder:: Gross.

fridge, microwave, beg area opening into the dining area

So anyway, I'm a recent convert to open plan homes. And THIS one does it so well.

those shades WITH the patterned draperies! (She's also a textile designer and that fabric is her own design! Love a woman who creates in several media!

You may have already seen these pics in Domino of Lauren Liess's incredible renovation. She tore down walls, re-configured the kitchen layout completely, added a big beautiful island, and made a bar/fridge nook off to the side near the dining space. It's so incredible.

the flavor of her kitchen just flows right into the open family room. 

She did such an amazing job creating a large multi-tasking space with style that flows. I love how well she did that!

The space has such a great vintage/country/industrial vibe that is inviting, unique, and casual while staying stylish and cool. I think those open iron shelves are my favorite too- although I'm still not convinced I could do open shelves in my own kitchen (too many mismatched messy things!).

I also LOVE the barstools and that leather living room chair in the bottom left-hand corner of this photo.

For more photos, check out her blog here.


 

Home tour

Did you guys see this home tour in Rue? I've always loved the Aldrige's interior decor style, but their newest re-do is breath-taking. Simply breath-taking. Prepare to drool:

It's dark, moody, luxe, and layered with collected pieces from foreign places.

 I'm so in love with the living space. The low lighting, the use of texture, and the neutral but rich color palette. yum.

 Don't you want to move in? I would... if it wasn't Dallas. ;)

P.S. my obnoxious post about menu/shopping yesterday actually proved quite productive. See the fruit of my labor: tequila chicken, green onion slaw, and pappasito's black beans. nom nom nom. so good.

sidenote: please disregard the lone Ibuprofen sitting inside a key chain. This I know: composing photos is not my strength- HA!

 

xoxo,
 

Houston Hot Houses

 Um, I'm going to this. Anyone else?

Here are a few of the homes that will be shown:

  via.

xoxo,


 

Run-by Mod

If you run the Rice University loop, you have more than likely seen this incredible house. I can't believe I missed the open house tour in March by Rice Design Alliance. But every time I run out there, I slow my pace (even more than normal) to cast a longing gaze at this modern beauty. I've always wondered about the people who live there.

 I LOVE this back courtyard.

 I also adore this kitchen. Look at that island!

Master bedroom is a little sparse for my taste. I'd add some some mid-century upholstered pieces.

But the view of the other Rice homes is so lovely.

  Glorious master bath. Yum.

 Of course I love the tub.

Every time I run Rice, I see this house with this giraffe in the front second story window. It's neat to see the inside of this child's room and get full view of that little giraffe buddy. :)

All pictures found here.

Home was designed by Strasser Ragni Architecture.


When can I move in?


xoxo, 


 

Easy Breezy

I promise to blog about something other than home tours soon. I guess I've just been super inspired by lots of blogs and mags lately. I hope you don't mind my sharing. :)


I've really been thinking about the whole "bloom where you're planted" thing and the genius behind Apartment Therapy that "nothing you do for your home is ever wasted." I've been re-inspired to work on our temporary little apartment and really make it something functional and something we love.

Home tours like this one from Design*Sponge, really get my creative juices flowing.

 I like how the slouchy linen slipcovers protect the furniture and also lend a casual feel to the space.

Everything about this home in Madrid is so easy, breezy, and do-it-yourself. I love it. 

Read the full post here.

xoxo, 


 

Mid Century Modern Dream

Oh I love a good Mid Century Modern Home, especially when it's a local Houston home.

Architect Kellie Mayfield, of Rottet Studio, and her husband designed the renovation. I adore that black and white painting. It's #85 by Christopher Deeton.

Kellie customed designed this credenza- kind of an homage to graffiti. Love that exposed brick!

This room is a flex space kind of room: guest room/office/extra room. The panton chairs are my favorite!

 Beautiful white lacquer cabinets. The counter top is Pierre Brun Limestone from Walker Zanger.

 Master bedroom has sliding doors that open up to the courtyard- so very cool!

The baby's room has a cool hex shelf, designed by Kellie. I spy a CB2 green pouf!

Isn't this house incredible!? I love reading about cool design in my own town.

(All images from Houston House and Home.)

xoxo,