Beautiful House Tours

Is it just me or does it seem like there have been some especially eye-catching home tours on the interwebs lately?

First up is this absolutely wonderful California space. It's totally a man's place but in a way that's actually comfortable and very well designed.

I love the bench, and the dark trim, and the...all of it!

View the rest along with a beautiful patio, here.

This next one is so my style. I have gone back to look at the images over and over again. 

This modern home in Charleston is the home of interior designer Angie Hranowsky.

I'm completely smitten with the renovations she did in the kitchen.

I'm in love with the color palette in the living room. It's great inspiration for my own living room. And look at all the marble! She custom designed the fretwork on the right herself.

See more here.

Then this tour from Amie Corley. I love the combo of salmon, green and white. And look at the cute little benches, I spy some contrast piping...

Takes your breath away doesn't it? Just wait for the bathroom...

Hello Cararra Marble and Chrome accents, want to come to my house?

See more here.

I still can't get over this gorgeous Hollywood apartment. This image absolutely slays me!

Again, pink salmon and green. Love it!

See more here.

I know I may sound like a broken record but I just love seeing REAL people's homes. Not some over designed baloney that no real family could ever live in. I'm just thankful that we have wonderful places (& people!) who bring these tours to us.

Have you seen any great homes lately?

A Bit of Rustic Charm

I'm not sure if it's the weather or if my taste is changing in general but I'm loving more and more a bit of rustic charm in my decor. It just adds a level of warmth and texture to a room like nothing else. I especially love it juxtaposed with something glamorous and girly. The perfect mix...

I'm loving this color combo

I am not so sure about this light. It reminds me of a spider and I HATE spiders.

I want this so bad it hurts...

Color Me Happy; Pink!

Happy Monday! And hopefully for most of you this is a short work week. I know it is for me! You'll be happy to know I got absolutely nothing done last weekend! Yay for procrastination! I'm still getting over my cold so I just didn't have the energy. Shame because the warm weather is quickly running out so I MUST finish my chairs before it's too late!


Now on to the Pink! I'm in love. When I was a little girl my whole room was pink. I even had pink carpet! I thought I had moved on forever but oh was I wrong. This color always holds a special place in my heart.

Could you paint brick pink?

 

What a girly dream!

Wouldn't this be a great room for a teen?

I'm loving this trend of throwing fur on chairs this winter.

I'm dying over this headboard.

 

Have a lovely Monday!

Last Day to Join the Gift Swap!

Hello lovers and happy Friday! Today is the last day to sign up for my handmade gift swap. See details here. All you have to do to join in the fun is email me with your name, address, and website (if applicable) at myflightsofwhimsy (at) gmail (dot) com by the end of the day.

Sometime this weekend you will receive info on who you will sending your gift too. I know you are giddy with anticipation. And for this of you who think you don't have the skills or talent to join, TSK TSK!I BELIEVE in you and you can do this! So don't be skird!

I'm dedicating my weekend to holiday decorating. It's nothing fancy, I have way too many other things going on to get all creative decorating but I am going to get our tree up and trimmed. I'm not allowing myself to start any other projects until I'm done refinishing my dining chairs. I have been avoiding this project for way too long.

Enjoy your weekend!

An Abandoned Castle in Spain

While browsing one of my favorite websites for time-wasting, Mental Floss, I came across this post about an abandoned castle discovered in Spain.

I'm quite intrigued by it and thought you would be too. I wish someone knew the story behind the castle and it's inhabitants but that story and the location of this place even, seems to be a mystery.

Just look at the beautiful canopy and detailed carpets in the master bedroom. The owners clearly left in somewhat of a hurry. Their stockings are still lying out on the bed...

 

The kids room is creepville! It's very surprising this place hasn't been looted.

I find these "time capsules" incredibly interesting. There are a few more pictures of the castle available here on the photographer's Flikr. There's what I think is a Parlour room that I find so beautiful as well with a huge carved mirror and unique lighting to boot. How awesome would it be to be this photographer? Going around taking beautiful photos of incredible things such as this?

Speculation in the comments suggest a few things as to what happened to the family who lived here;

"As far as why the castle was abandoned, I would guess that is has something to do with the revolution in Spain and Franco’s coming to power in the 1930s. A lot of people who were against his dictatorship were forced to flee the country when he came to power to avoid retaliation. People literally ran from their homes once the news came, hence the castle being left in that condition. Unfortunately, a lot of people were captured and executed. Of course, I guess we can’t be sure, but that could aid some research. Spain’s early 20th century history is really fascinating!"-Julia

I am such a history nerd and how awesome that my love of history and design can become one!

Sleep to Dream

I've been feeling a bit under the weather this week with yet another bout of sickness in a two week span. Word to the wise people, don't go the mall this time of year. I think that's where i picked it up over the weekend. People are so rude goin around touching things when they're sick, RUDE!

Anyhoo, my meds are leaving me feeling a bit groggy and zombie-like this morning and getting back in bed is all I can think about. To bad I have to make a living so I can buy crap like paint and fabric and blah blah blah.

So here's to wishing...

 

I've been seeing these feather things everywhere. Any one know where they're from? I like.

Happy Wednesday!

Housin' Around

I recently finished up several projects I've been ever so slowly working on so I'm really excited to share them with you!

First up, I refinished the table in our entry and styled out a little "moment" for when you walk in. It's not quite complete because I'm still collecting beveled edge mirrors for above the table so I put a piece of artwork we already owned there temporarily.

Check out the before;

Can you say blah? But I had big plans for it!

It's hard to tell in the pictures but the color is Pillow Mint by Valspar. It's a great crisp and light minty color. I love it! The console I painted glossy black with white glossy drawers and new knobs from Anthropologie.

 

This little cup is from Goodwill and usually holds my Husband's keys.

This beautiful vintage tray was a gift from my very best friend. It has hundreds of butterfly wings pressed in the glass. Hopefully they were already dead before their wings were stolen...

I also added some cute but functional pieces like this mail basket from Aidan Gray.

And this is where our dog leashes live, glamorous no?

My awesome mirror found it's permanent home by the TV in the living. I love it so...

I scored these super cute sconces for $40. Not sure where their home will be but I'm excited to figure it out!

And last but not least I did a little hallway makeover. No reason for a hallway to be neglected right? It was supposed to be a weekend project that turned into a two-weekender + some evenings. Technically it's still not done but it's close enough to show you!

Before;

Boring-city, sorry for the crappy picture quality.

And now!

It is reeeeeally hard to take a picture of a hallway. Anyhoo I painted stripes with my favorite gray, Nimbus Cloud by Martha Stewart. Then I bought some simple frames from Hobby Lobby and painted them a Robin's Egg Blue.

I love the way these colors look together. I'm still waiting on some mats to come in to finish out the look. Bee-tee-dub, don't buy 10x13 frames. You can't find places to print a picture this size or pre-made mats for this size. Just save yourself the hassle and skip them.

Overall, I'm really excited about the new look. The only thing I'm hoping to add is this light fixture from Ballard's.

I think this would look great in here. It's on my wish list for Christmas (ahem, cough cough family)

I also decided to go with the small stripe on our dining chairs.

 

I know most of you said to go big but with my cat I just knew it was a bad idea. Meowser would sit on all the chairs and possibly throw up on one right on the white part and then Scott would have to hear me cry about how "we can never have nice things" and that would be bad. 

What do you think? How was your weekend?!