Growth Charts

With our backs pressed hard against the wall and our breaths drawn in deep, I remember getting my height notched into the laundry room doorway growing up... it was so fun to able to see how much you had (or in my case, hadn't) grown. The problem we ran into is that we moved to Arizona from California and we had to say goodbye to the doorway that held all our years of growth and memories. Save yourself the trouble and opt for one of these beauties, you'll be able to move on without any "doorways" in your way. ;)

This seems like a great DIY idea. If you love shabby chic or the look of the amazing Anthropologie ... this could be the right fit for you. Found on etsy by MissNatalie found Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more after the jump! 

Baby Art

I think art in a baby's room is overlooked too often... or under-looked. Don't limit yourself to bears floating away with balloons, or ducks wearing bonnets. Keep in mind that YOU will be looking at these pieces as well, if you love those little bonnet wearing duckies...so be it. But for the rest of us, I've gathered up a few ideas of great children's art! For you and baby love to enjoy ...

Art by Dwell Studio found here

Adorable & statement making piece found on Etsy by UrbanWalls found here

Holy cuteness ! You could base the whole room off of these colors. Great unisex piece that will grow with your baby. Found on Etsy by calobee found here

Although he can be pretty pricey at times...it may be worth the money. Vintage David Klein travel posters are not just a great investment they are a fantastic statement in any vintage modern baby room. Found on ebay ( if you're lucky ) as well as from his website here

Baby on the brain.....

There is baby on the brain over here at the Durkin household. Or shall I say my brain. Whenever I get myself made up about something....what comes next? Well of course! Research....research ...research. Not about how to get baby here ( I crystal clear about that one )...but about baby products. I guess my un-dying love for design has the nesting coming WAY early. In of all of this I have done some mighty work, and now my friends I believe it is time I shared....

A Season for Sneezing

othing about being sick is fun. As I am typing this article I am currently sniffling & sneezing from a cold. The only positive thing that has come from all of this is suffering is the inspiration to write this blog entry.

If your household is anything like mine, there are tissue boxes scattered all of the place. Yes, Kleenex has come along way in their box design but it is still not as cute as a vintage ceramic teapot or jar, not too mention that can get pricey. And yes, there is such thing as tissue box covers...but this adds a bit more variety, and vintage variety :).

Warm & Cozy

ur home is a new build, which sadly now a days means no architectural style, cloned front yards & white walls.  We don't have to worry about fixing pipes here and there, but we sacrifice that for charm.  If your house was built in the last 20 or so years you might understand what I'm saying. We are living in a concrete jungle ... ANYWAYS now that I am done venting about suburbia, I will show you a relatively simple idea that makes a very big architectural statement.

Oversized Snowglobe Centerpieces ...

k so you can't shake um up and watch the snow twirl around ... but the snow globe is where these Hurricane center pieces got their inspiration. You can do this type of centerpiece with any pretty jars, doesn't have to be hurricanes such as these. Just simply take some faux snow ( I needed just one $2.99 bag from Target for all three ) and pour it on in. The next step is to place some of your favorite collectibles/ pretty ornaments/ small wrapped boxes in cute paper etc. on top of the snow. Try to think light to objects, the heavier ones seem to sink a bit. And presto ! Insta-Snow-Globe Wonderland... enjoy !

Items in the Hurricanes as fallowed :

1. Vintage celluloid glittler manger $1 ( estate sale )

2. Vintage celluloid glitter tree .50 cents ( estate sale )

3. Metal crown $10 ( small shop in Napa )

4. German Mica House Ornament $ 1 ( estate sale )

5. 3D sparkle snowflake ornament ( Target )

6. Small Shiney Brite Ornament (estate sale )

7. Vintage 1950's Pinecone man ( estate sale )

8. Hurricanes ( Crate & Barrel )

Sparkle while you eat ...

have to be honest, I didn't really care for that dining set when my husband first found it after weeks of scouring Craigslist. I'm not sure what was wrong with my eyes at the time ... but I can assure you they are seeing much clearer now. It is a teak Danish Modern dining set by Harry Ostergaard in 1961. I believe we got it for $650.

The Chandelier we got at a garage sale in our neighborhood for $60, it had some missing crystals...actually quite a few. But sometimes you have to put in some effort to end up with something you love for a price you love even more... so we have slowly added vintage crystals , about 25cents - 1.50 each to complete it. For Christmas I went to Target and purchased some long glass icicles, a box for only $6.99. I think it added just the right amount of sparkle without looking tacky ... another great idea I have seen is to hang vintage ornaments from your chandelier as well. With the light bouncing off of it like that it keeps you eyes dancing ;) And make sure to either use fishing wire or pretty ribbon to hang them, or else you'll notice old metal hooks instead of the old pretty ornaments !

Christmas Past ...

othing is more exciting to me than Christmas. It has always been my favorite time of the year. When I was little I loved the different traditions my family had, all the food and the festivities and of course the presents. It seems all the glitz and glitter that caught my eye when I was little still holds it to this day ... but with one giant difference : Christmas Decorating :) . One of my many new found passions.

Then if you want to times that excitement by 20 , make that decorating with vintage items. ( yes, I know how big of a dork I am ) But nothing is as exciting to me than finding a little antique hand painted German wooden angel for 50 cents at an estate sale... the same ones that stores like Anthropologie ( one of my favs ) makes repros of in China and sells for 20 plus dollars each. For the record , God bless Antrhopologie.

Hollywood Regency Wall Unit

My Husband and I found this amazing wall unit while " treasure hunting" last week ( also known as going to estate sales ) It's pretty unlike any other wall unit i've been able to come across. It is very versatile ... the style of the piece is Mid Century Modern ( very minimalist ) , but the chuncky black metal looks Machine Age Industrial , Then there is the Fluer De Lis tops which make it almost shabby chic French... hmmm ... what are you ?
ABOVE : Available here for $250

A Vintage wedding ...

ABOVE: The bride & groom driving away in a 1950's Bentley

A few months ago I attended a good friend of mine's wedding in Kansas City. Their wedding was everything you hope a wedding would be, a big church, a stunning bride, a dashing groom & a huge happy family. It took place on the second story of a 100 yr old factory in downtown... brick walls, hardwood floors & modern plumbing ;). Here are some of the pictures, I hope they inspire you like they inspired me ...

ABOVE : The bride & her brother dancing away. The bride wore a replica of a 1920's wedding dress & a vintage net wedding veil.ABOVE: A shot of the beautiful brick walls.ABOVE : The lovey bride with her flower girl/niece ;)