The Hunt for the Perfect Wine Rack

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So many women can't live without their chocolate or their salty potato chips. I cannot live without my wine. There is something about the beautiful labels, the variety flavors that pair so well with foods and the elegance of the bottle shapes that I just love. Honestly, I don't really collect wine. I'll get a bottle for a specific meal and then use it throughout the week for other things, like cooking or a night off. So recently, Jeff and I enrolled in a wine club through The City Wine Market. As you can tell, I'm stoked. My only issue is storage! Where can I put these bottles and store them properly?

Here are a few important aspects about wine storage (well, at least to me)

1. I don't like a cluttery counter. Of course, dirty dishes happen, but I really don't like to leave out much more than my Kitchen Aid.

2. Wine needs to be kept on its side to keep the cork moist.

3. Wine must stay out of direct sunlight. (This is why you see red wines in tinted bottles. Beer is much the same)

With these three requirements in mind, I have been wine rack shopping. First, I really hate those cluttery wood jobbies. I don't want a wine rack that looks like a tinker toy, thank-you-very-much. Secondly, I can't put a rack on the wall where the bottles stand out towards you. We need all the floor space possible and sticking bottles out where dogs may roam is just asking for a disaster. Third, gaudy, spirally, kitschy, crap is just not my thang. No offense if you really enjoy fake metal grape vines and butler statues, but I just can't do it in good conscience. Man, I sound whiny and demanding! So the hunt is on. The top two photos are definite contenders but I'm going to continue my search. I do have a handy dandy husband, but I might just be outta luck there. We'll see!

Any thoughts?

Hope you have an amazing Friday!

Hearts, Lauren

Martha Stewart Kitchens

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THIS, my friends, is my dream kitchen. I love the color scheme, the simplicity, the slight nod to country decor as well as a modern/scandinavian/classic feel. While my countertops and back splash will be completely different, I hope to embrace the same ideas. I just thought I'd share. This is also totally not 1963, I mean, if I really try, maybe. What's your dream kitchen?

Chalkboard Walls

Today Apartment Therapy ran this article. After finding out about Hudson Chalkboard Paint I am so tempted to do this in my kitchen. I mean it looks so beautiful in these photos.

I guess my dilemma is that I do not want to replicate an over done trend in my home. I also am constantly thinking about the resale factor. Okay, not that we're thinking about moving, but when this is probably the 10 or 11th house I've lived in I just can't help it. My thought on this is, if I kept it the classic slate gray in a lighter gray and white kitchen, it just might work! Who knows. Any thoughts? Would you use chalkboard paint?

On the Hunt!

I have another DIY dream. I recently saw this article on designsponge.com. Now I really really want to do something like this! I need new kitchen lighting, preferably on the cheap. Take a look!

It's amazing how a can of spray paint can turn the ugly into something special. Thank you Krylon! Now I just need to find the chandelier.....

P.S- I had to change the URL of my blog due to an unfortunate misspelled word. I can't believe I never noticed it! So change your bookmarks asap!

New Goodies!!!

So at the end of last week I acquired some new chairs! My amazing Mother-in-law found two rocking chairs that work perfectly in the house. I'm excited about my new projects!

Take a look:

I also purchased two of these chairs. I found them at the local Habitat ReStore. I believe they're from the KU campus because I've seen a few scattered around the libraries and such. They will be painted to match the last set.

One more thing! Today is my second anniversary with my lovely husband Jeff. It's been a fantastic two years and I couldn't have imagined that I'd have it so good. We're off to the Country Club Plaza for dinner tonight and hopefully I'll have a slew of photos to show you tomorrow!

Happy Monday!

Look!

Aren't these cool? I really think it'd be fun to have a collection of portraits and old photographs. Film just has a different aesthetic than digital photos do. Just sayin'

Both images are from Art.com and were taken by Edward S. Curtis

DIY Dreamin'

Okay, so many of you know and fully understand/appreciate my addiction to decorating blogs. I'd love to blame it on my mother, but that just wouldn't be fair. Anyway... So recently, I came across this post and I'm dying (DYING) to do it myself.

So... Wouldn't these make awesome pendant lights??? I just need to find a place to put them.

VintageMixes

Of course.... I need to finish some other DIY projects laying around my house. (Cough cough...chairs...cough cough)

What projects do you have up your sleeve?

Family Room Dilemmas

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Our little 1963 bi-level has blessed us with two living room areas. I have kept the upstairs more formal and the downstairs as our "pseudo home theatre". We've been looking at a new tv; maybe one we can mount on our gigantic fireplace. This would be more beneficial first because of the layout of the room, and second it would free up some much needed floor space. Basically, I'm all for Jeff buying a new tv and how many husbands can say that about their wife? So my dilemma now is color. This room is downstairs, and with all of the speakers and equipment I would prefer to keep this room as un-fussy as possible. My first thought is white. White walls and woodwork would simplify the room, especially with the red brick. It would also brighten the space considering it is partly underground with little tiny windows. The issue is Jeff is against white. He believes it cheapens the room. Basically, it's boring. Is that true?

My thought is to add color through paintings, throw pillows and blankets, window treatments. So, I'm not sure how many people read this; but if you do, comment and add your thoughts on white. Is it too plain? Help!

Little Red Telephone

Grynbergs

I'm being plagued by a color problem. I've noticed that my house is turning into a green/blue/grey soaked nest. There is nothing more that I detest than getting stuck in a rut of any kind. As much as I love those three colors, my house lacks a challenge. It's too easy to pick an overdone color palette and leave it as is. I need to shake it up a bit! So here is my idea, at least for the living room.... red. I'm starting first with a red rotary phone. Maybe not the one pictured above, but a red phone nonetheless. I also think I'll pull in a tiny bit of red on some throw pillows (I'm talking tiny), and maybe a vase or bowl. I hold fast to the rule of threes. Three sources of light, three objects in a grouping, three pops of color! It just looks better that way, I promise. Anyway, time for Design Star. Ciao!

New Obsession

Typewriters!! I love them, always have. My parents found an old one for me to play with when I was little. Unfortunately I have no idea what happened to that thing; it was probably sold before one of our many many moves. I've been searching for the perfect one on Etsy. I really wish I could find one for under $50, but I'm starting to believe that's wishful thinking.

Enjoy the pretties!

King Dog Vintage

Meedily

Juniper Home

Family Photos

This is a photo of my grandparents on their wedding day. I believe they've been married almost 55 years! (Correct me if I'm wrong mom). I've been searching through my computer looking for old photos I can print and frame for our house! I love these. There is something so personal about them and even though I wasn't alive on their wedding day it brings back memories of growing up and visiting them.

Here are a few more of my favorites...

My Dad and his father

My mother's parents

My Mother and her mom

My mother and her dad

I love these. Hopefully I'll find a good place for them in my house!

Old Man and the Sea

This is probably the best thing I've found on Etsy to date.