The "Decor-Whore" Shares Some Happiness

Tumblr is not only a place of angsty words spilling from the mouths of privileged teens, or incessant photos of naked women in distinctively awkward poses. It is a land of gems, just hidden gems. Hence why I still have a tumblr, even after slamming my head into my keyboard about four times whenever I scroll through and see yet another girl in a flannel shirt, holding a coffee cup, with the caption, "I just need somebody to love." YOU WON'T FIND SAID PERSON ON TUMBLR.

Well, actually, true story, a girl I knew in high school did in fact find somebody to love in this bizarre world. They're still together, too. Makes for an interesting, "And how did you two meet?" story. But this is beside the point. 

Recently, I wandered into quite a hidden treasure trove actually. Please don't dismiss this tumblr based on its name. Each interior is quality stuff. So this is to you, decor whore, and all your wonderful choices in life.

(I feel as though I should make this a running series. The hidden gems of tumblr. It's tough to find, but when you do find them, it is so worth it.)

The high ceilings are almost reminiscent of a studio, especially with them sleek appliances. But then we can see the farm-house details making an appearance, whether through the statement door at the end of the kitchen, or the paneled cupboards. The implicit contrast is endlessly pleasing. 

There's man caves, and then there's lady caves. This is an example. 

!!!!!

This is the cheeriest kitchen I've seen in a long time. Perhaps it's because of that adorable dog staring longingly into my eyes, or perhaps it's because they combined the two most pep-me-up colours known to the human eye: sunshine yellow and happy skies blue. 

what's up, buble

A pleasant mixture of rustic and minimalist elements (aka my favourite mixture ever), and I think it was a particularly smart move to adopt the minimalist shelf against the window rather than an aged wooden one. The light coming in is left nice and pure.

Living small - fairly sure that's a washing machine or dryer. Economical! Or just a dishwasher, which may be more probable. But hey, regardless, this kitchen makes me think of baking cupcakes. Fresh, girly, retro times. 

Ah, sometimes light is the only thing you need in a room. It's just a blanket of happiness. I would feel so zen in this room, and that is not a word I regularly use (for good reason, don't wanna be the girl that always comments on the zen qualities in her life... how many people actually know what zen really means anyhow?).

An aga! I grew up with an aga. Reactions are always very perplexed as to what this odd, often colourful cube structure is doing in the kitchen. Is it... a dishwasher? Are those... cabinets? And then you take out a perfectly cooked turkey and their minds are blown. And omgthatwallpaper. Could it be any more adorable? NO. The answer is no. I'm fairly sure I would spend at least five minutes a day just taking in how pretty it looks. 

So much to look at without feeling bombarded by details. This floor is begging to have slippered feet slide across it. Doesn't this table just look like it would facilitate such artistic conversations? A clan of sculptors each making their way into the big league. 

Has anyone seen Tangled? Please don't judge me... but it was a fandiddlytastic movie. Anyway, this room is reminiscent of a modern version of the tower she was locked away in. Surprisingly full of light, with vines creeping in and potted plants. Either way, I would not mind being banished away into a room as cheerful as this. 

*m

January's Pressures

I think of all the months, January very well may have it the hardest.

Just around the corner of New Year's ecstasy lies the first of January, gleaming in the light of a fresh start. She's dressed in garments of hope, and ambition, wearing a beret made up of future artistic endeavours, and peers through sunglasses moulded with confidence. We practically knock her over when saying hello, bursting with anticipation as we shake the hands of a new year. We begin to recite to her the dreams of 2013, and she smiles and nods and agrees with our aspirations. After all, how could she deny us this giddy desire for a whole year's worth of days? The first of January is no stranger to such greetings, as it comes every year without fail. Whether we publicize our greeting with her or not, everyone has the same twinkling wish in the backs of our minds for the best year yet.

Then we meet up with January 15th.

How are the daily runs going? January 1st told me all about them. Sounds really great. You mean you didn't actually get up every morning at 7 to go for a jog? You know what, that's cool. At least you go three times a week? O-oh, well once a week is really good too! Oh, no times a week? I guess you can't succeed in all of your resolutions. I'm sure your school work is going swimmingly then. No? Have you been keeping up with the readings? Have you dedicated an hour to blogging everyday? Have you made sure to line up a summer internship yet? No? NO?

WELL THEN. I GUESS YOU FAIL.

January 15th pretends to be sympathetic, but we all know she's a judgemental bastard. You came to January 1st with such ambition and innocence, and now you're slowly admitting defeat to every day after. But hey! Wipe those hypothetical tears away! Go back into your closet and grab those hypothetical garments of hope and ambition and all that jazz! Snatch those glasses moulded with confidence that are gathering dust and put 'em on with pride! I challenge you to face up to one of your New Year's resolutions for today and push that condescending reminder of your procrastination to the very back of your mind. Put it out of the way. January, as hyped up as it is with new dreams and rules, is just another month to try and be your very best. Every month should be greeted with such anticipation. Every day should be greeted with just as much excitement.

Now let's just take a moment to reflect on the corniest motivational speaker post ever (this is really all a way to take a break from calculus).

I'm starting afresh as promised and will deliver you a post of goodies! January 1st is back!

That is all, lovelies. I'm off to fetch a pita.

*m

Pretty Patric Pictures

After perusin' through SF Girl By Bay's latest posts, Patric Johansson came into my life.

Yes, we eloped.

No, I kid. But I can say that his photos sure enticed me. 

Ranging from dainty tea parties to industrial white kitchens he's got it all. Take a peak at the goodies over in his portfolio. Don't say I didn't warn you though. There is a high risk of lingering for an hour or two, especially once you start finding where all of the photos otherwise live (Swedish Elle Interior or IKEA catalogues, for example).

Now that I've most likely sufficiently creeped out Patric, let the beauty commence.

Hope your thanksgiving was splendid and delicious and joyous.

*m

Always Anthropologie

Right now I'm looking outside into the thick wall of grey clouds barricading my home, the rain stubbornly falling for literally the tenth hour straight, so it hardly feels like summer. Actually, you know what, it isn't summer. I pronounce that summer is officially on pause because summer just doesn't coexist with this weather. Defies the laws of the universe. Simple as that. 


Just a few places I'd rather be.

Chillin' with some Aussies during a casual sunset dip in the ocean...

Doodling away in a kitchen drenched in sunlight, some creamy earl grey tea and biscuits waiting to be devoured...

Nestled away in 505 Somewhere Lane, awaiting my caramel macchiato, probably a beret artistically balanced on top of my head...

Or as this kitten. Who looks like the comfiest creature known to mankind. 

Anyways. Today I happened to be in Anthropologie (for an interview actually), and whilst I was waiting ever so patiently for our group to gather, I was just gaping at the dresses draped over the mannequins. Honestly, if somehow capitalism was destroyed and everything was free (go communism go! i kid.) then I would have scooped up about twenty dresses under my arms and pranced down the street, flinging them into the hands of women wearing yoga pants who needed them most everywhere I went. They would call me: Anthro Woman. (If I were a man, it would have a better ring to it, wouldn't it: Anthroman!)

How do you do? I'm just on my way back to my summer abode in the countryside of France if you care to join me. There will be an abundance of cute French boys swimming in nautical stripes and wine.

Oh hello there! You just caught me leaving my favourite exhibition of Monet at the art gallery. It's a pity you missed it. I can tell you all about it over a cup of coffee if you like, where I will also lend you pearl necklaces and we can rave about my view of the Empire State Building.

Oh hi, I'm actually a sunset in the form of a dress, so of course you'll want to befriend me ;) I'm gorgeous to look at too, which is a bonus, because of my irresistible blend of pinks and oranges and reds, but with a flirty twist too... most couples seem to choose to stare at me when they're feeling all lovey dovey. I'm just too tempting!

How do you do? I'm going to let you in on a little secret, if you haven't taken the cue from my adorably bold hair, I'm from the future. 2092, to be exact. This is how we look at paintings here in the future! The streets of Vancouver have never been more aesthetically pleasing to walk down, and women everywhere just flock to one another over the latest paintings draped over their bodies. 

Meow! Meow, meow, meow. Meow, meow, meow, meow? Oh, sorry, I was just talking to my cats. There's only seventeen, don't give me that weird look! If I was a crazy cat lady, well then I bet I'm the chicest crazy cat lady you've ever come across. Oh jeez, there's a dog. Rollin' out. 

I'm too seductive to show you my face. You can continue admiring me as I saunter away to the patio, though.

Stay tuned. Anthro Woman is coming to a town near you... with heaps of dresses to fling joyously into the sky! It's raining dresses, everybody! PRAISE THE LORD!

*m

{1234 - blackbook, 5-6-7,8-9,10-11-12- anthropologie}

My Love for Ryan Gosling = My Love for this Kitchen (almost)

Ryan here, as you can see, has just about the highest amount of swag injected into his veins as humanly possible. Even if you weren't a fan of say, one of the greatest love stories of all time, The Notebook, or the critically acclaimed Blue Valentine, or the just ridiculous Drive, (best playlist known to mankind), but seeing him saunter out of the airport like so. It's too much. You can't deny his swag. 

And then I lay eyes on this...

1. The light. So welcoming and cheery and full of hope, I can't stand it. Cue the whistling birds on the window sill just outside.

2. Those darn cute pink chairs. Look at them for a second time, but this time, wash them over in a black colour. Or metallic. Yes the room is still a beauty, but is it as perfect as Ryan Gosling? Can't say it is, can't say it is. The injection of colour in this room is to the injection of swag in Ryan Gosling's veins. It would just be incomplete without.

3.White on dark wood. The perfect balance between maintaining that airy feel that you will inevitably have with so much light, but giving the room some much needed contrast, à mon avis! 

4. Last but not least, the organization of it all. The wall of cabinets, surrounding that fridge (which is actually so beautiful), it's very refreshing to see, partly because it isn't the classic cabinets above the counters type thing. This way, they can have more space above the surfaces, like, say, another window, or glossy tiling behind the oven.

I could go on, but I don't think you're interested in me analyzing every detail of what makes this room perfect. You just need to look at it, and you'll know what I mean. 

And there ya have it. Perfection in a kitchen and perfection in a man. Weoo!

This could change your mind on which is more perfect.

Or maybe this. You never know ;)

Hope your Monday was as happy as a Monday can actually be!

*m

ps. Check out Jessica Helgerson mastermind interior designer. Pictures are larger too, so ooh la laaa.

{jhinterior design}