Inspiration: Country Living Make a craft, wrap and gift closet DON’T WORRY! I’m not pining away for Christmas yet. I’m still enjoying summer. But I have always wanted to be one of “those” people who is so organized that they have all of their Christmas shopping done by fall and they can FULLY e

Once upon a time, I was definitely a reluctant entertainer. I wasn’t reluctant about having people over, though, I was reluctant to have them over for dinner. I didn’t know how to cook anything that resembled what I thought was a “guest worthy dinner.”  I was intimidated by friends who made deliciou

There is nothing more exhilarating and refreshing in the summer than a can of spray paint. Well, except for maybe this. What have you been spray painting lately? So far, I’ve sprayed chairs, candlesticks and tables. No pictures of my progress yet, but we’ll get to that. But perhaps more importantly, what ice cre

And the winner of the frame is … And I know she is going to have to be one of my new BFF with a name like Domestic Indecision. Congratulations! Email me your address and choice of frame! For the rest of you: Are you sad you did not win? Me too. You still have [...]

I saw this image of a trellis mounted herb garden on House to Home {Homes & Gardens June 2010} and thought it was pretty clever! We have a very small deck off of our kitchen and I was just wondering how I could fit more plants on it. We need privacy too, so trellises with [...]

{Southern Living} W hen you have a lot to do, you need to be organized to manage it all.  I am not always the most organized person, but I try. So far in this new house, we have not yet set up a “command central” area like I have had in other houses. I am a [...]

Hand made cottage picture frame I could barely contain my glee when I was introduced (by a blog reader) to these absolutely beautiful frames (Thank you Lisa!). I love when blog readers know just what I would like! I have always loved having framed art and photos on my wall, but honestly I never really paid much [...]

Aren’t these chalkboard labels cute? These labels are now for sale in my OpenSky Shop and I heart them. Go get some! You will heart them too. I use my trusty chalk pen and can label just about anything! Or, you can use them for adorably original gift tags! What about using them on wine glasses or as place cards? Littl

I do heart this little twiggy, oh so sunny yellow plant stand I found at HomeGoods. I was going to put it in front of the fireplace with some summer plants. But plants in a plant stand were so, well, predictable (well, actually I couldn’t find any I could keep alive.). So, for now, I decided what [...]

For old time’s sake and because I have a serious addiction, I went on a little drive by while I was in Portland last week! Ahhhhh it has been way too long! I started out with a quick drive through of my old old old (i.e. several houses ago) neighborhood, First Addition in Lake Oswego. [...]

I spent the last week in Portland hanging out at my sister’s house while my son and nephew went to camp. I love going back to Portland because I get to do some antique shopping at some of my favorite shops! I came home with some fun goodies, but I was super excited about the [...]

My son loves collecting little keepsakes and treasures. Sometimes we go on leisurely treasure hunt walks through our neighborhood, hand in hand, to see what we can find. We pick up pine cones, bottle caps, pretty rocks and leaves. I love going on treasure hunt walks with him. He also enjoys finding or buying little [...]

BH&G 1. Simple is best. Good-bye heavy complicated curtains! For a casual home, simple is best.  These light and airy curtains could be made out of anything (including sheets!) and hung from hooks mounted from the ceiling or wall. They frame and soften the window as well as the bed itself, while the simple classic blin

Traditional Home I always enjoy making lists. I am not always the best at following through with things but if I have a list, at least I can clearly see where to start and how to finish. I don’t know about you, but at our house summer flies by way too quickly. I [...]

Images: This Old House I saw these three white kitchens with striped rugs at This Old House. Of course, my heart skipped a beat. Two of my favorite things: white kitchens & stripes. Heart. ---- Many thanks to the sponsors of The Inspired Room: Royal Design Studio - designer quality stencils Gussy - has a lot to say

Porch in progress At my house, when it rains it pours. And I’m not talking about all the depressing RAIN we are having in July (although I do live in Seattle and it is in fact raining). I’m talking about all the projects I’ve got going! The other day I was feeling overwhelmed about my to do list [...]

Funky Junk Interiors This week I’m inspired by women who bravely create a home that is beautiful to them. I do not care if someone’s home is in style, out of style, magazine or photo worthy, old or new, farmhouse or English cottage, colorful or neutral or somewhere in the middle. I love the idea of the beautif

Traditional Home I sn’t that a sweet little pup? I kept seeing his picture on Traditional Home’s website and couldn’t resist showing him here. As you might remember (he makes appearances here now and then!), we too have a little Westie named Winston, who has always ADORED the beach! Oh my word, he loved th

After the very lovely white beach cottage I featured yesterday, I thought I might as well talk about another way to do “beach style!” So many wonderful options for interpreting our own idea of “beach!” While many elements might remain the same, the way it all comes together might be very different! H

Please welcome Sarah from A Beach Cottage! Hi everyone! Thanks for having me over Melissa, I am so glad to be here at your place…I love visiting and always come away brimming with inspiration! So, when Melissa asked me about a nice summer guest post at The Inspired Room it got me to thinking [...]

Sunshine Inside. Sunshine Outside. That is what summer is all about. I’m enjoying a few days at our family’s beach house! And there is nothing more beautiful than sunshine inside and out on the Oregon Coast. GLORIOUS I tell you! I’ve been really really enjoying your links each week! I hope you all enjoy v

Welcome my friend, Sandy Coughlin! Gardening seems to be more fun in the early summer, I think because it’s fresher and more exciting and the weather is cooler. Later in the summer we have to deal with the weeds, the heat, and it just seems like more work. We love to entertain outside [...]

My mom’s beach house window seat From the time I was little, I remember thinking about houses and how much I loved them. I spent countless hours as a grade schooler drawing floor plans, looking at design books and magazines, riding in the backseat of the car going on “drive bys” with my parents, and decora

Southern Living Do you ever just feel like something is wrong in your living room, but you aren’t sure what? Sometimes the problem is you have too many legs or too many skirts on the furniture pieces in your room! Look around at your furniture, including tables, ottomans and seating. Can you see the legs on all [...]

I’m a pillow lover. Are you? And for me, not just any pillow will do. Hate me. I like special pillows. Many of you might remember my adorable bird pillow (above). And many of you have asked where I got it. I happened to get mine as a gift, it came from my favorite little boutique in [...]

Mercy. Now and then I stumble upon some rooms that make me drool. Right on my keyboard. I gaze at them. Study them. Covet them. Hate Love the people who live in them. Then I ponder whether or not there is a take away idea or two from the photo that I could recreate. With no money. I [...]

Greetings blog friends! I’m still hanging out at the hospital taking care of my momma (definitely my highest priority right now!), but I finally am able to pop in during a little care giving break to tell you about an idea I found that I really like and I think you will too! I love the look [...]

I love creating a home that is personal and meaningful to me and my family, especially when it comes to the artwork we display in our home. The other day I had a blank wall to fill and I really wanted it to be filled with reminders of our summer vacations at the beach. I [...]

Time for another powder room update! In my wee little powder room, I decided to do a very basic makeover with paint and accessories. I of course had grander visions of stunning wallpaper and beefy wainscoting and a new solid wood door with new hardware, but because of how many projects I have planned around our [...]

I’m in love. I’ve been ooh’ing and ahh’ing over Sarah’s House (HGTV) for a few weeks now. We’ve been talking about it over on The Inspired Room facebook page and I can see quite a few of you love her show too! If you haven’t seen it yet, go (run!) find some reruns because it is [...