A New Workspace

I just found my way into a new cubicle twice the size of my old desk, which was perpetually piled high with binders and papers and perfumes and pencils and lip balm and dust and more papers. I had minimal drawer space, so spillover was inevitable. However, my new workspace is spacious, clean, and a startling bright white—and I'd like to keep it that way despite my hoarding habit. Seeing as I spend eight hours a day there, I'm open to investing a little bit of time and love and money into it. How? With a little help from my friends:

1. This Diane Von Furstenberg tray, on which to keep my millions upon millions of lipsticks and nail lacquers organized (or, at the very least, not strewn across my keyboard). Playing with products helps me write about them, and I need them there to look at and smell and, uh, wear. I've even started a new trend called Painting Over Whatever the Hell Nail Color I Have On at Any Given Moment.

2. Giant Sticky Notes from Poppin, because I'm just not the sort of person who can cover her desk in a sea of little Post-Its. I have a lot to say and just one measly 3"x3" note is not going to cut it.

3. A West Elm task lamp, because there's nothing that can make a workday feel longer than harsh, unflattering florescent light. But let's be real, I mostly want this because it resembles that sassy, hopping Pixar desk lamp.

Photo: Danielle Moss, Breakfast at Toast

New Space

I've been MIA, but not without a fairly good excuse: I've moved on short notice from a dark first-floor apartment to a little studio above Manhattan. The view is nice and all (also qualifies as fantastic), but it is nothing compared to finding the holy grail of NYC apartments: an ensuite washer and dryer. I used to drag my laundry upstate because I hated paying so much for it; I'm so excited about this that I've been doing laundry two, three times a week, full load or not.

However, I was a little apprehensive about living alone. This post from Joanna at Cup of Jo was so comforting (and fascinating), and to be honest, I'm already enjoying the abundance of alone time amid my books and magazines. Do you, or have you, ever lived alone? Did you like it?

Vintage Finds

Years ago, when we were children, my parents would lock me and my siblings in the car while they went antiquing. It seems cruel now, but we brought it upon ourselves by wreaking havoc in many an Oriental rug warehouse. (Listen, it's extremely fun to play tag on five-foot high stacks of Oriental carpets). Also, they'd come back at intervals, give us ice cream, and break up fights. It happened. Now, my parents' house is like a gold mine of interesting little artifacts.

I thought antiquing was stupid until I grew up and realized that having an urn from 40 BC in your formal dining room is pretty stellar, even if no one else notices it (ever). And then I realized that I'd inherited the antiquing gene. Why? Because I found this couch and I want it:

It's located in a shop called El Changuito in Barcelona, and honest to God, how cool are those built-in arm...tables? (Please note that I'm not even close to Barcelona yet and I'm already shopping). I also really like the lamp on the right, so if the couch proves to be out of my souvenir spending-budget (it will) or if my parents call to remind me that I have nowhere to put a couch, I'll settle for just that.

Do you antique? Do you refuse to use "antique" as a verb? I just remembered that I had a thing for miniature tea sets when I was younger, the ones so small that they could fit in the palm of my hand. I guess those would be easier to fit in my apartment than a couch..


Photo courtesy of: Patterson Maker

Painting the Blues

Within the next few months, I'm moving into an apartment that I'll likely be in for a good number of years. Do you know what this means? PAINT. PAINT. PAINTING. COLORS. I'll no longer rely on curtains and a duvet to provide character and personality.

However, my parents think that beige is a nice, sensible color for a small New York apartment. What this means to me: I can pick any color I want as long as its muted, light, and not cherry red. I fought very hard for a red foyer and was shot down. And then I found this photo, in which my affection for grey was usurped by a newfound love for the palest blue:

I imagine that Marie Antoinette would've insisted her walls be painted this color. Isn't it so feminine and light in the most subtle way possible? It has a hint of mint within the blue, which really brightens it up. Luckily, it happens to be similar to Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year, Wythe Blue. Paired with pops of dark pink (flowers, lacquer boxes, etc), it would look so gorgeous.

Photo courtesy of: Patterson Maker

Addicted to Adler

The other weekend, I decided to take break from HGTV (Property Virgins, anyone?) and switched the channel to E!. I never watch E! besides the occasional Sex & the City rerun, and Sex & the City reruns trump everything, even Frasier. So there you have it, an inside look into the shows that still have me paying for cable.

I caught an episode of Fashion Police, during which I remembered how I feel about Kelly Osbourne's grey and/or mauve hair. (I loathe it). Fortunately, I was able to distract myself by ogling the set, which has Jonathan Adler splashed all over it. See here:

Chartreuse drapes? Chandeliers? Black walls? I want them all. But what stole my heart were the black and white armchairs. The shape is classic Louis, but the glossy white lacquer (lacquer!) and charcoal upholstery update it to fit the eclectic-chic vibe.

The thing is, I'm so cheap that I make two trips around the supermarket: the first to put things in my cart, and the second to take out everything that isn't absolutely necessary, like meat tenderizers and boxes upon boxes of apple turnovers. Therefore, I will not (and really, cannot) drop $1,300 on an armchair. Plus, I've always had a crush on everything in Roxy Te's (of the fabulous blog My Cup of Te) home line, Society Social. Naturally, something like this was bound to happen:

Compared to the Jonathan Adler version (left, $1,295; Click to Buy), the Society Social Duchess Chair ($395; Click to Buy) has the same traditional-goes-rogue feel and a similar color scheme, both for a fraction of the cost.

Consider me sold.

Good Morning Mug

I love mornings. My undying love for breakfast food notwithstanding, my parents trained us to wake up at the crack of dawn to get a head-start on the weekends. To this day, sleeping past 9 AM causes an existential crisis about how I'm wasting my life. The downside is that I usually nod off by 11 PM and rarely partake in fun social activities. I'm nearly certain that my parents planned this in advance.

This Morning Mug ($29; Click to Buy) is such a cute illustration of the night-to-day transition.

The mug is "asleep" when cold, and as fresh coffee or tea is poured in, the heat "wakes" the mug. Is this not adorable? (Yes. Yes, it is.) It would make such a great hostess gift, or a present for that friend who has everything except a cheeky little mug.

Come to Light

This week, I read a semi-helpful article in the NY Times about how to create natural light in an apartment where there is, well, none. Semi-helpful because a) I already do everything it advised, and b) it basically squashed my dream of lacquered walls in a New York City apartment ("Avoid glossy finishes," the article cautions). I guess I should have made that "Not-very-helpful."

Then I read another NY Times article, this time about buyers who search specifically for dark apartments. Though many have schedules that suit a constant lack of light, there are a few that claim that bright artificial lights are enough. Plus, darker apartments tend to be set in the rear of buildings. Read: they're quieter. Quieter, unless you have a very bitter little cat that sits outside your window and cries all night. Did you know that a wailing cat sounds unnervingly like a screaming woman? As someone who can't watch Dexter without locking all of the doors and windows first, that's one harrowing sound to wake up to at 4 AM.

What's your take? Thanks to this apartment, I've realized that natural light is a nonnegotiable for me. I can't wait for the day I wake up to sunlight...or a thunderstorm...or anything but the sounds of pigeons getting to "know" one another in the Biblical sense. It's the little things, after all. Right?

Photo credit: Charles Spada and 79 Ideas.

Lacquer Up

One of my bosses went to a get-together at her daughter's classmate's apartment. This wasn't just any apartment—it was a sprawling, 5000+ square foot expanse (in New York City) (IN NEW YORK CITY) on Park Avenue with freshly lacquered walls. Naturally, my boss took pictures and shared them with me. We cried a little. Since then, I've been OBSESSED with lacquered walls and ceilings in the most saturated colors. Sunny yellow, navy blue, chartreuse green...I can't get enough. I think it looks especially gorgeous on the ceiling, but if you don't have enormous rooms, a coating or three on the walls will do.

Filing this under "Things to do by the time I'm 35 and when I get my own home and/or marry rich."

Photo credits: Apartment Therapy and Patterson Maker

Fur Better

Ann Taylor has fluffy and adorable fur pillows ($78; anntaylor.com). YOU ARE WELCOME.

[photo cred here]

Hit the Lights

Hi, I'm Susi, a blogger for Arcadian Lighting, where I write about design and lighting ideas and inspiration for the home. I love visiting blogs like Mellow Fever as a guest blogger. My post today is about 8 fashionable apartments. Small on space but not on style, these apartments are chic and fashionable. What makes a space fashionable for you? Floor, furniture, light fixtures, decorative accessories--each can make a stylish contribution. Enjoy!

Clean, modern lines make this open apartment feel fashionable and chic. Vintage and contemporary pieces mix together, just like in fashion, to create a cool living space.

I love this dining area that is bordered by a bookcase. Combining a dining room and library can give an apartment a fabulous chic pied a terre feeling. Eclectic finds make the space feel personal.

This chic apartment living room seamlessly combines living and home office areas into one fabulous apartment. A mix of furniture styles, crisp artwork, and clean lines make the space fashionable.

When the view out the window is spectacular, the décor of the apartment should be downplayed to avoid competition. The neutral décor of this fashionable living room manages to still be stunning, without competing with the skyline.

In fashion, black never goes out of style. In decorating, black is a bold statement on walls. Here, the kitchen and dining spaces are joined by the color black, expanding both spaces. The simple pendant light picks up that black theme.

For an apartment that is big on style but small on space, low profile seating is a good idea. Backless and simple take up less space than big, bulky pieces. I love the gallery wall.

Lovely elaborate “gates” separate the living room from the hall in this gorgeous apartment. A light pastel palette gives the apartment a fashionable, feminine style.

Beautiful ceiling lights set the stage for gorgeous art and furniture in this fashionable apartment. The dark chocolate walls recede, making the space feel larger. Wouldn't you love to come home to one of these fashionable apartments? Stop by Arcadian Lighting's blog for even more stylish ideas and decorating inspirations!

(Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

The Glass Doorknob

About three weeks ago, I stole something.

I stole a doorknob from a frat house. It was a pretty glass doorknob that most definitely did not belong in a hazy crowd of boys, so I slipped it into my purse and bolted. Now, I own this gorgeous doorknob and am trying to figure out what to do with it. I can't use it in a door because I'm actually not that handy. Plus, I think I'd need another doorknob for that. So. About the stray doorknob.

Things I could do with this lone doorknob:

1. Use it as a cork in the bottle of week-old Prosecco in my fridge.

2. Talk someone who IS handy into mounting it on a wall as a towel hanger.

3. Do something creative and DIY with it, but forget to glue a part so that it falls to pieces. Loudly. In the middle of the night. (This has happened before, most often with Christmas decorations).

4. Leave it where it is on my desk and be mildly irked that it's not serving a purpose.

What would you do with a spare, vintage-looking doorknob?

[photo cred here and there]

Floral Surroundings

For some reason, I've always considered wallpaper to be a little antiquated, something that peeled on the edges and paled in comparison to the bold color of paints. This might be because my parents literally stripped all of the wallpaper from our house a few years ago. Not that I'm pointing any fingers. (But I am).

Not anymore! I was researching Cynthia Rowley (naturally) and came across this wallpaper she designed for her apartment. I liked it. We fell in love. (It may not have been mutual...). Then, I found the floral paper (beneath)—it's just so perfect for a little girl's room. Florals with a graphic touch don't have the saccharine or even stuffy feel of the traditional patterns.

I'm jonesing for this quirky, graphic floral wallpaper from Flavor Paper (below):

When I get my own apartment and/or do not rent and/or have an expendable budget, playful floral walls will be mine. And there will be flowers everywhere. Obviously. And a Philippe Starck Louis Ghost armchair. Did I mention an expendable budget will have happened by this point?


[photo cred to Elle Decor and here]

Venus in Fur

In a cruel twist, one of my best friends has achieved my dream: a chandelier in the bathroom. This is in addition to high ceilings, a bay window and a kitchen with legitimate counter space (as opposed to a cart wedged up against the sink). How? She lives in a wonderful old building in Lincoln Park, Chicago. If her apartment were available in NYC, I'd have to sell my foot on the black market to afford it.

Just because trappings (har har) of luxury aren't built into my apartment here doesn't mean I can't fake them with warm, cozy textures like fur and fleece. Like so:

You never know just how tempting it is to turn that fur vest into a pillowcase until you catch a picture like the above. Not so crafty (or really attached to your fur vest)? Here are two terribly tempting options:

I love the Target pillow on the left for its a) price, and b) neutral color, but the Anthropologie throw on the right has just taken me to dinner and a movie before leaving me on the doorstep with just a peck on the cheek. I need you, flouncy fleece throw. I think we would be great together with a cup of tea and a chilly, drizzly morning. And let's be honest: it's not as though my IRA is going to keep me warm at night.

[photo cred here]

Neat Or Naughty

Are you neat...or not? I line up my pencils and have everything in my room just so, whether it be parallel or color-coordinated or arranged in height order. Ever since I've moved to NYC, though, my apartment is so clean that it looks sterile. I kind of want to leave a drawer open and scatter jewelry across my hybrid desk/dresser. On the other hand, I wouldn't be able to sleep if my perfumes weren't arranged by their top notes. (Yep). (Top notes). (Yep).

What would you suggest? I can't decide whether I want to turn my room into a really pretty, feminine pigsty or leave it the way it is and paint the wall or something.


[photo cred here and there]

Missoni Magic

Full disclosure: I'm far more excited for the Missoni for Target dishware than the clothing. Give. Me. Those. Mugs. And those trays! They're the exact things I need to spice up my very new and very white apartment. I want to buy a million and put them everywhere, just to make the place look lived-in and cozy. I wouldn't even keep them in cabinets.

I also adore this pillow—it's such a cute, 70s-esque riff off the classic Missoni weave. And the wine case would make a chic but inexpensive hostess gift. Just pop a bottle of Chianti in there and you're set. Wallet, be prepared!

(photo credit here)

Paris Chic

I have such a massive crush on Erin Fetherston's Manhattan apartment...if only mine resembled this! I used it as an inspiration for my room and have an intricate curlicue vanity, white ruffled curtains and a pink ruffled (I couldn't help it) bedspread. Pictures will be coming soon, I promise!

[photo cred to Claiborne Swanson Frank for Vogue]

Dreamy Vacation Home

I only recently had the luck to find a little {dash} of ash, and man, am I happy for that! I had an immediate obsession with the design inspiration boards that Ashley puts together, and am so pleased that she's doing a guest post of just that for Mellow Fever. She's incredibly sweet and unbelievably creative; I know I can always find something lovely on her blog. Meet Ashley!

                                                                                                                                                                     

Hello friends of Mellow Fever! This is Ashley from a little {dash} of ash. Deanna asked me to do a guest post while she is away on Spring Break — the theme: my home decor inspiration for a dream vacation home! I was really excited and thought it would be so easy to put together a collage of my inspirations — but when I started to think more about it, I found it to be a harder task! Most likely because I have so many different visions of a "dream vacation home"!

Did I want to create a beach house in whites with subtle hints of navy (nautical) or soothing blues that reminded me of the shore? Did I want to create a house in the mountains with lots of large stones and hints of greys and greens? Or, a small little cottage on a lake with shabby chic details? I started browsing through some images on {pinterest} and quickly found a common theme of an entire vacation "experience"! What do you think of my Scandinavian Inspired Beach Retreat? One day.... For more inspirations — check out my blog {here} - xxoo! Ashley

[photo cred to Pinterest and Ten Scenic Drive]

Petals and Windows

The arches on these windows are so elegant and luxurious. Sunshine pours in, petals begin to unfurl, and it's a little easier just to breathe. Hope your Wednesday is sunny and bright!


[photo cred to 1, 2 & 3, all via Patterson Maker, and 4]

Room of my Own

Yesterday, instead of doing anything terribly productive, I reorganized all of my shelving and ran around my room with a camera. My off-campus apartment in Evanston is pretty stellar for a college place — pale green walls, hardwood floors, bright windows, and lots and lots of open, built-in shelving. On the other hand, I'm only here for ten months, so I didn't feel the need to invest a lot of money into it or continue to harass my landlord to paint the irksome white spots on my wall above my bed. If I think about it hard enough, I can pretend they're little stars. Kind of. See below, top right. 

Here's a list of things I'm apparently bad at:

1. Hanging things properly.

2. Stealing maps of the El from the train cars without tearing them.

3. Just kidding, I don't steal. I borrowed that map from the Chicago Transit Authority.

4. Hiding wires.

Nevertheless, words cannot express how much I adore my floor-to-ceiling bureau and the bean-shape of the glass desk. What would you do with marvelous shelves like these?

Rose-Tinted

I'm not usually one for pink, but my hyacinths are blooming and I'm so grateful that I haven't killed them that I've decided to write a post they've inspired. And now, after finding these elegant and oh so grown up ways of incorporating pink into my sartorial choices and surroundings, I'm a little obsessed with pink. 

Maybe it's the combination of warm blush tones and a clean, classic black and white palette. Maybe it's Audrey Hepburn's obvious approval, or every single thing about that luxurious pink foyer. Maybe it's the satisfyingly thick Vogue tucked into the rosy-hued bag. Whatever it is, I know I need to have that unabashedly bright splash of pink in more than just my hyacinths.

So tell me, though I'm a little late, how was your weekend? And thank you for your really sweet support yesterday — things already seem to be looking up.

[photo cred to, clockwise, Top It, Retinal Delights, House Beautiful via Design Crisis, coco+kelley]