Dreaming of Kitchens

You know that feeling you get right when you graduate from college? The feeling that you can accomplish anything you want and the world is yours to conquer? Well right out of college I became a kitchen designer. Now I had never really pictured myself as a kitchen designer; in fact it wasn't even close to what I had planned; I had envisioned big architectural firms in fancy cities preferably on the East Coast! But atlas we all find that you have to begin somewhere and for me kitchens were my beginning. So began my love affair with cabinets, granite, tile, hardware knobs and pulls, appliances, glass and all things KITCHENS!
Here's a list of all the things I love about this kitchen!

• I love the white and grays with the pops of my favorite aqua blues!
• The simplicity in the color scheme that makes the small details stand out
• Gray and white marble is so classic
• The big square windows that let in all the natural light
• The white cabinets are painted white not that crappy white plastic stuff
• The glass french doors with transoms over the doors
• The island!
• The apron sink and awesome faucet
• The open shelves that display fun dishware
• Hello! a TV in the kitchen (above the microwave)
• The big wood table with the white chairs and fresh flowers

I love all the materials that go into a kitchen; their texture, their color and shape; it's all so fasinating and alluring. I can't stop by a granite display without checking out all the colors and running my fingers over the cold smooth surface or go into a tile store without cheking out all the new glass tiles they have or pulling out a few floor tiles and pondering where I could put the min my house. Go ahead, tell me I'm a design junky! It's really okay, I already know!

I am Patriotic

One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July! It's mostly because I love FIREWORKS. But it's also because I have a deep sense of pride in my country. It's easy to live life and go about our daily routines and forget how lucky we are to be living in this wonderful land. I am grateful for our forefathers who stood up and fought for what they believed so that we can all have the freedoms we do. Our country was founded on the belief that everyone deserves life, liberty and equality.

The founding fathers believed they were setting up a nation that would "establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." There aren't many other countries that have the same sense of duty to their citizens as ours does. I realize our country is undergoing a lot of tribulation and growth right now and I hope those in charge remember the beliefs and ideals this great country was founded on.

I'm also grateful for those who are currently fighting to keep us free and safe. I believe America is a great country! And while I love to visit other places and I'm fascinated by their culture; I'm always happy to be coming home to my US of A. I'm proud to be an American!

I See It

Sometimes I feel like this starfish.... I'm amazing all on my own!

(my other thought was -everyone can see how awesome I am so why am I all alone- but I decided to be more optimisic today, Ha!)

Have a Little Circle With Your Room

Circles are a great way to add variety and soften sharp corners in a room. Circles suggest comfort and completeness. And I like how in each of these rooms they give a touch of unexpectedness! This mirror is so great.

I think these are a little overdone lately, but hey this post is about circles!
I like oversized!

This is just cool.

I love this circle mixed with all the curved lines.

How about this pendent light? I just think bubbles!

Circles in the mirror, lamp and the floral arrangement. Great contrast with all the squares.

Under the sea!

Take the time to plan your space and think about mixing up the mood by adding fun and interesting shapes to your room. Be a little unexpected!

Outside the Box

This is definitely a "thinking outside the box" approach for shoe storage!

Hamock Anyone?

In my online perusing I came across this great twist on the classic hammock. It's called the Wave . Designed by Swedish designer Erik Nyberg and Gustav Strome, the Wave is a sculpture as well as a luxurious piece of furniture. The idea behind the design is to have the user feel as if they are lying underneath the canopy of a tree, the fabric is semi-transparent which allows light in while blocking 85% of the sun's rays. Doesn't it look so inviting and relaxing? The shape reminds me of being wrapped up in a cocoon. And I could use that kind of comfort today.

Being Drunkenly Aware!

Sometimes it takes a lot of work for me to just relax and let life happen. Why is it so easy for us to get so wrapped up in our problems but so hard for us to see all the good things around us?

I think I get impatient in what I want to accomplish in my life that it makes me want to rush things and then when the outcome isn't what I had envisioned I just want to throw my arms up in the air and surrender.

Lately I have been more daring, spontaneous, silly and impulsive. And I am thoroughly loving it! I still get feelings of being rushed and unsatisfied but by trying to focus on the ride and not the outcome I am living my life the best way that I can. And that brings me satisfaction. So my goal is that I will be drunkenly aware of all my life has to offer!