Until next week...

Have a marvelous weekend!

Image: Anna Maria

Happy Little Loveseat

If a sofa could smile, this one would be cheesin'!

Image: Shoot Factory

Blank Canvas

Yesterday, I was looking through some of Mary Ruffle's photos, and I clicked on the source for one that I really enjoyed, and discovered Shoot Factory. One word: AMAZING. I had a really hard time deciding on which photo to share today. There are so many incredible interiors, but for some reason, this empty room really struck me! I love the idea of a blank canvas. I can just imagine filling this room with my own furniture, or even designing it from scratch...Can't you?!



Image: Shoot Factory

Cupcake "Collection"

Okay - I own a few cupcake-related items...but I hesitate to call it a collection, because then people picture this "cupcake shrine" in my kitchen. It's just a few accessories!

Kiddie Kitchen

I might as well declare this "kitchen week" on Pickin' Cute! While we're on kitchens, I figured I would share my daughter's little one. I think I love it as much as she does - if not more!

Cute Kitchen Storage

Is it too early to start a Christmas wish list?! This would have been on my list, except that it costs several hundred dollars. I've been a good girl, but probably not that good!

Image: The Kitchn

Ooh's and Ahh's

My "likes" and "dislikes" change every year...sometimes even monthly, weekly, or daily. There are certain styles or pieces that I know I will love forever, and others that make me "ooh and ahh" for a minute, and then I'm over it. I am infatuated with the use of color in this kitchen at the moment, but I'm afraid it isn't true love. I don't know that I could live with these colors for decades, but I am definitely enjoying my moment of infatuation. "Ooh!...Ahh!"

Images: Better Homes and Gardens - September 2007

Rosie NYC

I know I mentioned my cupcake obsession, but did I mention that I also have a thing for chandeliers?! If I could, I would have one in every room of the house. I am so impressed with Lisa Nardone of Rosie NYC, and her unique chandelier creations. I could peruse her site all day!

Images: Rosie NYC

One Fancy Picnic

I want a set - in every color!!! Yes, they're plastic...but it's sturdy plastic, and they're dishwasher safe!

Image: Charles and Marie

More Bliss

Today I discovered "A Field Journal" - thanks to Rebekka! I'll give you a little sneak peek, but highly suggest visiting the site for yourself...it's a treat!

Images: A Field Journal

Whimsical Bliss

I have a zillion magazines to go through, and I finally decided to tackle them over the weekend. This page in Home Companion is just delightful. For some reason I am on a pink and orange kick right now! Plus, I am a bit obsessed with cupcakes - but more about that another time!

Image: Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion

Peekin' on Pickin' - Kalia's Room

Yes! I Love pillows. You can never have too many!

This was one of my very first "antique" finds. I found a set of two, and I still love them!

I found my daughter's nightstand at a flea market in Illinois.

This chair was a hideous color of pink (and I love pink!), so I had it reupholstered in a minty green toile.

A kindred spirit (as Anne would say) introduced me to Huldah Cherry, and I love her paintings in my daughter's bedroom. When I was pregnant, I found one with a mother and daughter, so that one holds a special place in my heart.

I just wanted to include a better angle of the chair!

My mom actually tried to talk me out of this bucket at a flea market, but I just knew I had to have it. I'm so glad I followed my heart on this one! We used to use it for diaper storage.

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's so fun to visit a friend's home for the first time, and get a little tour of the place! Every once in a while, I would love to be able to peek inside "real" homes here on Pickin' Cute...and I thought we could start with mine. I chose to share my daughter's room first, since it's probably my favorite. Come on in!

lmnop

Attention moms! Actually, I enjoyed looking through kid products and design even before my daughter came along, and we all have presents to buy for children, right?! There is a great online magazine called "lmnop", and the latest issue just came out today! Did I mention that it's free?!

I ran across this cute tooth fairy kit on the "lmnop" blog. I guess the tooth fairy has come a long way since I was a kid! What is the going rate now, anyway?!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Esther! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and be sure to join me next week!

Image: Mary Ruffle / Martha Stewart

Gorgeous Bouquet

I was peeking at Decor8 today, and ran across a post on Rachel Whiting and her amazing photography. I fell in love with this bouquet, and just had to share!

Images: Rachel Whiting

The Silhouette Man

A Children's Boutique in Lexington, KY once hosted "The Silhouette Man", and we were lucky enough to land an appointment. Apparently he resides in Tennessee, but will take orders by mail if anybody is interested. He has done silhouettes for President Bush's Grandchildren, and is recommended by the Smithsonian!

Poor Neglected Closets...

Closets are probably the most neglected spaces in a home. There are so many beautiful wallpapers available, but I think I am afraid of commitment. Applying it to the inside of a closet doesn't seem as drastic, and if I woke up to get ready in such a beautiful atmosphere, I might actually become a morning person!

Image: Domino

Anne of Green Gables

I have always been a huge "Anne fan", and would love to make it to Prince Edward Island to see the beauty that inspired the story. I am also a fan of Lauren Child's "Charlie and Lola" books...so I can't wait to get my hands on her version of Anne of Green Gables!

Tea, Gentlemen?

Since we're embracing our femininity today, we may as well serve our little frui-tea cups in our beautiful pink dining room. (Wink, Wink). I truly wonder how many wives would secretly love to use more pink in home decor. What we do - (or DON'T do) - to please our men! I just have to add that I love the mirror, doors and sideboard in this room. I can't say that I mind the pink walls, either!

Image: This Young House

Frui-tea Cups

The idea of serving fruit salad in teacups is just brilliant! I personally LOVE a variety of china, and started a teacup collection of my own a few years back. I enjoy embracing my femininity -and frankly, eating or drinking out of china makes me feel like a woman! Can anyone relate?!

Image: Tracy Porter

Summer Dreamin'

This cold weather is really starting to get to me, so I find myself being drawn to summer-inspired color schemes. I notice that my "design moods" and tastes tend to change with the four seasons, as well as "seasons of life". I love this color combination, and I just wanted to share these cheerful images with you on this gloomy day!

Images: Domino

Garnet Hill

It looks like I'm on a bedroom kick right now. Eventually, I will move on to other rooms - I promise! A long time ago, I was inspired by these sets from Garnet Hill, but had not yet joined the blogosphere, so maybe these are "old news" to some readers. In my opinion, they are still share-worthy! The Guitar Shop bedding could work in a little boy's room, and would definitely be something that he could grow into. I could also see this in a "man cave" for the musician - or rockstar wannabe. The Dreamsicle room is obviously little girl material, and most likely wouldn't last into the teenage years...but with warm weather right around the corner, this bedding just gets me summer dreamin'!

Images: Garnet Hill

Fabulous Bedroom

If this bedroom belonged to me, I don't think I would ever get out of bed! I love the contrast of the light furniture against extremely dark walls, the beautiful sconces, and the good mix of old and new. Just fabulous!

Image: Livingetc.

Craigslist Sofa

I have been scouring Craigslist for the perfect dining table, and found the perfect sofa. The only problem is that I already purchased a sofa a couple years ago. We are really disappointed in how the pillows have (not) held up, but at least we HAVE a sofa, I suppose! This brown Norwalk beauty that I found on Craigslist happens to cost less than the one that we purchased a few years ago, and I would imagine that it is in very decent shape, since it has only been used for photo shoots. I can't stand it when I have regrets...but it makes me feel better to share this good deal, and maybe I can help this baby find a good home!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo: Flickr - Merwing Little Dear

kukunest

This "Lantern Festival" bedding from kukunest pretty much speaks for itself! I will add that it is eco-friendly, and that someday I would love to see it in my little girl's bedroom...along with her display of Momiji dolls. In the near future, I will reveal a rug that would also look fantastic in this imaginary room that I am dreaming up for my daughter.

Love Momiji

My first introduction to Momiji dolls was at a cute little shop in Lexington, KY, and it was love at first sight. I decided to start a new tradition, and will be giving my daughter a Momiji doll every year for her Birthday. I love that there is a tiny, fortune-cookie-sized note that is tucked inside each doll, so I can write a special Birthday message, along with her age. My little one turned four in October, and she absolutely loves The Sound of Music. I happened to find the "Cha Cha Cha" doll, and it says on the bottom of her bag that she too likes The Sound of Music! Aren't these just so pickin' cute?! Oh, and PS, you should really check out the website. Even the little cartoon dolls with zany music are a treat!

Voila!

After "stalking" design blogs for what seems like a couple of years now, I have been dreaming of having my very own, where I could post photos of my work, inspiration, thoughts, and ideas for my future dream home. I am just bursting with ideas about various postings, and now that I actually have a blog title, and a pickin' cute header, it just didn't seem proper to dig right in without first introducing myself.

My name is Abby and I have always had a passion for design, but took a while to discover myself. Back in my Jr. High days, I would cut out photos of rooms I loved from my mom's old magazines, and paste them together to create one big dream home. I also enjoyed making up floor plans. I know...strange entertainment for a 12 year old! Anyway, at some point during high school, I decided that a major in psychology would be a great fit for my future career in counseling. After a year or so of studying different parts of the brain, I decided that psychology wasn't such a great fit after all. I took some time off from school, and while home, asked to spend a day with an interior designer in town, to see if this could possibly be the path that I would like to pursue. The day that I spent with those ladies changed everything. I transferred to a school with a FIDER accredited interior design program, and was offered an internship during my summers, working for Angie's Interiors...where I "found myself" in the first place.

Angie became my design mentor, as well as a wonderful friend, and "so pickin' cute" is something she often said about anything design related, that we obviously found to be super cute! I would love to say that my design style is sophisticated, formal, and avant-garde, but frankly, I just prefer cute! I plan to use this blog as my personal design journal, where I will post about anything that I love, despise, or just plain feel like sharing. So voila! Welcome to my blog.