Best of Pinterest: My Latest & Greatest Pins

I'm so happy it's Friday, how about you?! Today's post is all about my most recent/ favorite pins on Pinterest. I love that site! It's seriously the best tool for those of us who are constantly bookmarking images online. The first image is STUNNING! The rich jewel tones against the deep charcoal gray wall and that incredible chandelier? It makes me want to rethink my entire apartment design :) Anyway, enjoy the inspiration and have a lovely weekend. Any special plans? I'll be attending my second baby shower, this time given by my Mother-in-Law. I can't believe that sweet little baby will be here so soon...I still have lots to do to prepare for his arrival! xoxo - Julie

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Get Organized! The Dreaded Closet

Living and working out of a one bedroom apartment has forced me to become super creative when it comes to organizing. I've become quite good at getting rid of / donating things on a regular basis (my husband on the other hand, still has trouble parting with just about everything...like old tee shirts from college and little trinkets he's collected over the years...but that's a whole other can of worms!). We've made it work thus far with just the two of us, but with a baby on the way (due in just 6 weeks), I've really had to channel my inner organizer to make way for the newest member of our household.

So where to start? The dreaded closet! Luckily we have a pretty large walk-in, however, it's become part storage for clothes and part storage for boxes and bins of STUFF since we don't have a garage. We've made pretty good progress over the last few weeks and I've picked up some helpful tips along the way, many of which I'm going to share with you today. How's your closet looking these days? Is it time to deep clean and re-organize? (I promise to share before and afters once I'm finished with mine).

First, some inspiration...these closets are to die for! I don't know if mine will EVER look like this, but a girl can dream!

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Steps to getting your own closet organized...

{1} Clear it out! If you haven't worn it in a year, donate it or sell it on Ebay. Store this season's favorite accessories in visible spots to make it easy to find what you need. Relegate out-of-season shoes, handbags, and hats to containers stored on the top shelf or even in another room.

 {2} Once you have whittled down your wardrobe, assess the layout of your closet and create a plan. Measure the space you have, making sure to utilize backs of doors, floor space, and all interior walls. When you shop for boxes, bins, and other necessary space-savers, make sure you have your closet measurements in hand. Use every square inch of your closet. Hang shoe racks on the back of your closet door. (Image credit)

 {3} Canvas bins and hat boxes are excellent for storing handbags, linens, seasonal clothing and more! (Image credit)

 {4} Simple wall hooks are great for belts, jewelry, hats, etc. Store up to 10 scarves on a wooden scarf hanger. Classic belt hangers with multiple hooks are also a good solution for hanging camisoles, bras, or scarves. Sturdy bins with handles like these ones from the Container Store are versatile and they keep things looking clean and streamlined.

{5} Keep your boots well preserved with Boot Shapers, and store under your bed or hang in your closet. If you have the space, hang purses from durable hooks to keep them from slumping and losing their shape. Organize by color and season to make it easy to find the handbag you want. Store shoes in clear containers for easy visibility, like these stackable ones from the Container Store.

 {6} Matching hangers. I've been working on this slowly but surely, purchasing packs of wooden hangers when I can. Everything looks so much better when hung from the same hanger, right?! (Image credit)

 {7} Organize your clothing by color...something I'm also working on! I love the idea being able to select what to wear by color. (Image credit)

{8} If you can, install a closet system with shelving, racks, drawers, etc. IKEA carries the PAX system, which allows you to build your own dream closet with the components and features that fit your needs.

What other tips do you have to add when it comes to organizing the closet?

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Design Book Review: Be Your Own Decorator by Susanna Salk

I'll admit it - I'm a total design book and magazine junkie...and I know many of you are too :) Book publisher Rizzoli USA has been so kind to send me advanced copies of fresh new design books from time to review and share with you. The latest book I reviewed and can't get enough of is Be Your Own Decorator by Susanna Salk, which was released yesterday (3/27)! This book is packed full of nothing but photos of stunning interiors by some of the industry's leading interior designers, such as Kelly Wearstler, Bunny Williams, Albert Hadley, Nate Berkus, Mary McDonald, and Tobi Fairley. See below for details on this fabulous book. It's a must for every design library, I promise!

"Organized into chapters on balance, color, mixing, accessorizing, arrangements, rule breaking, and whimsy, Salk walks through the process of great design, illustrating how the featured designers made the decisions they did to make these rooms look so great. The book’s encouraging, conversational tone, practical tips and ideas, and quotes by the designers themselves explaining their philosophies empower the reader to create stylish, functional, and unique rooms of their very own."

{© Julia Lynn Designed by Angie Hranowsky}

{© Bjorn Wallander, designed by Annie Brahler}

{Design by Diamond Baratta, pg.158-159}

{© Peter Throsby, designed by Diane Bergeron}

{© Zach DeSart, designed by Celerie Kemble}

{Snapshot from my copy of the book}

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Get your copy of Be Your Own Decorator here!

Inspiration Snapshot: Bright & Airy Dining

Isn't this beach cottage dining room sweet?! For starters, the soft gray walls make a nice backdrop for the furniture and accents, especially the pale pink loveseat. The ultra light bleached wood floor keeps the space feeling light and airy. And the wood dining table adds a rustic touch, which works really well with the rest of the modern accents and keeps the space from feeling too feminine. I love the chandelier and the white directors chairs too! What do you think about this space?

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Quote of the Week

"The rules we cling to are all too often the very elements that keep a room from looking fabulous."

- Be Your Own Decorator by Susanna Salk 

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Styling 101: The Dining Room Buffet

Make the most of your dining room buffet or credenza by styling it with fabulous accessories and accents! There are several options when it comes to choosing what's right for your dining space and today's post is filled with great examples. You can add one or two decorative lamps, stacks of books mixed with accessories, layer pieces of art, hang a mirror, add a tray filled with liquor or interesting objects, etc. The most important tip of all is to make it your own and style your space with the things you love and what feels right to you. It's the finishing touches and small details that complete a space and add personality, right?! Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend. xoxo - Julie

 

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