House Hunters | Foyers and Entryways

I always knew I was obsessed with stairways but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered my true love and appreciation for the stairs’ wingman – the entryway/foyer. I love foyers! Foyers are so much more complex and dynamic than most people realize. They are the invitation into the home; the warm welcome; the first impression upon setting foot inside. Maybe I ought to start an interior [and exterior] design blog! :)

If you’re new here, I should also tell you about my love for HGTV’s show, House Hunters. I record it daily and have come to find some of my most favorite features and items that will be at the top of my “must-have” list one day! Until then, I have this blog to document and share my home inspirations. Every so often, I’ll have this House Hunters feature where I’ll show you ideas I love for a different section of the home. Today, it’s all about entryways and foyers. [Check out my dream kitchens here!]

While choosing the below entryways, I tried to be at least somewhat realistic for the most part. After all, I’m sure the square footage of my first home won’t be ridiculous – but hey, who knows? ;) Then again, some of these were just too pretty not to share! I realized a couple common denominators after selecting each of these pictures – light and color. I love a house full of sunlight [but also with some privacy! What would I do without window treatments?] and everyone should know by now how much I ADORE color!

Whether it’s a splash of color using accent pieces and fun furniture, or whether you paint the entire door a bright color or utilize color and patterns through wallpaper – I’ve got to have it!

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Beautiful French doors, splashes of color, and the vintage archway. Not to mention, how gorgeous are the white wash floors?

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Again with the arches - another common denominator I suppose! The color here was added through the wallpaper and pillows.

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I tried my best to ignore the staircases, but look at this! The wrought iron with the light yellow is just so Mediterranean

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I think it goes without saying that I am a huge fan of the vintage, Old Spanish architecture. It just makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a film from the 60’s. I love the charm and character of this entrance from actress, Amanda Peet’s home.

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I know, I know. You think I’m crazy for posting this. Take away the mural, and honestly, I kinda like it! Mainly because turquoise is my favorite color. But seriously, how fun is that carpet going up the stairs?

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I don’t love the dominant black and white for the entrance but I do love the mood that the thick striped walls and patterned carpet give off. So unique!

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We’re back to the old Hollywood flair. Swoon. The French doors. The black and white tiled floors. The archways. The greenery. I am in love.

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My favorite color yet again! What a fun way to add some color. Just add a little paint!

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Can't say I'd personally go with green but I sure love how the color is incorporated into this space!

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Old, classic Hollywood! I adore this space. And check out the beautiful stairway!

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This is a great example of a smaller entryway that is still decorated wonderfully. Simple yet pretty!

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If you know me, you know I posted this picture solely because of the stairs!

So, these are just some of the examples of entryways and foyers that I'd look for in my future home. Let's not forget - I'm sure these spaces didn't always look this inviting so keep your mind open if you're house hunting. All it takes is a little creativity :)

Today is the LAST day to enter my giveaway for a bracelet of your choice from my jewelry shop, After Sunset! Be sure to enter here :)

House Hunters | Kitchens

You might remember several months ago during one of my Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday posts, I did a “House Hunters” special. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out here and then come back :) In that post, I showed you a few different architecture styles that I would LOVE to have as my home someday. Well, now it’s time to start showing you what I’d like the inside of my house to look like as well. Every so often, I will be sharing inspirations from different rooms. Today, let’s get started with…

KITCHENS!

There are certain aspects I would love in a kitchen and certain things that just aren’t deal breakers for me. For example, I don’t NEED granite countertops. In fact, I’m not even sure I would want them. I think there are so many other options today that would be quality and still give a great vibe. I’ve learned that I’m a more practical kind of gal rather than a total “character” gal.  Let’s start off with this kitchen:

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The number one thing that attracts me to this kitchen is the light/openness.
Here we have skylights, multiple types of ceiling lighting, as well as built-in lighting underneath the hanging cabinets. The stainless steel appliances are a nice touch, although I’m not a stainless steel snob :) The dark hardwoods also add a rich, classy contrast to the light cabinets.

I could also see myself in a kitchen like this:

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Nothing crazy, right? White cabinets with darker counter tops. I’m loving the backsplash and again, the lighting under the hanging cabinets as well as the lighting in the glass cabinets. This kitchen isn’t quite as bright as the first but it still has a fresh, airy vibe to it.

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This kitchen is huge. I’m not sure I’ll be seeing a kitchen quite this big in my near future, however, I looove the openness. The open ceiling is super unique as is the grey island. I’m just now noticing the contrasting counter top colors which I’m not crazy about, but I love mostly everything else about this one.

While I love white cabinetry, I also love color. A lot. Too much white in a kitchen just seems to drown everything out. So, there are a couple other options. First, you can go with darker wood cabinetry. This has been popular for a while now and really provides that rich, traditional feel.

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Or, you can really add some fun with COLOR!

If I had nothing else holding me back, this is probably what my kitchen would look like:

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Seriously, if I walked into a home and saw this kitchen, I’d have to buy it. It’s as simple as that. I’d also wear a dress like that every time I was in the kitchen.

Moving on… here are some other colorful kitchens that I always wouldn’t mind having in my house:

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This kitchen incorporates everything I’ve discussed. The white cabinets, dark wood, and a little splash of color.

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I’ve never really been super into vintagey kitchens, but HOW could I resist this one? That fridge and the oven? Beautiful! Not to mention, the backsplash is a lot of fun too!

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I’m a total blue fanatic. I do think it’s kind of out-there to have cabinets that are a non-neutral color, but, they’re fun!

Who knows what kind of kitchen I’ll end up with when I buy a house? Maybe it will be a mixture of all three styles that I’m into. Perhaps my style will change in the next few years and I’ll go back to liking the super modern style again like I did when I was a teenager. We shall see. Until then, I’ll be enjoying all the beautiful kitchens and homes I can browse through on the Internet {and on House Hunters!} If you don’t already, follow me on Pinterest here to see some more of my inspirations :)

Now, tell me, friends – what does your dream kitchen look like?

I Could Live in This Store

Due to #bloggerblitzdc and an extremely busy Monday, there was no blog post yesterday. That felt weird. Blogger Blitz was a total blast and I met so many wonderful DC ladies! I can’t wait to share more later this week :) Today, however, I have to tell you about one of my favorite stores. Ever. The good thing about moving back to the DC area is re-discovering stores that I loved that just were non-existent in Utah. Well, Z Gallerie is one of those stores.

This weekend, I braved the Christmas masses and headed out to Tysons Corner. Basically, it made me regret moving back to Northern Virginia. Just kidding. {But seriously.} That place is the maddest of houses this time of year. All was well in the world when I set foot in the most gorgeous and perfect store that has ever been created. Z Gallerie. I mean it when I say, I could LIVE in this store.

This is my new home:

Turquoise is my middle name, in case you haven’t heard.

Z Gallerie, for the most part, can be a bit on the expensive side if you’re looking to purchase things like a chaise lounge or beautiful new head board. However, I was pleasantly surprised {and extremely excited} to find some amazing steals.

Now, putting the whole budget thing aside, here are some of the pieces I found and fell in love with and will one day have in my future home:

Dining Room Set | Agate Coasters | Jeweled Chargers

Miles Sofa | Filigree Urn | Juliette Pillow | Miles Chair

Mimosa Reversible Bedding | Angelique Mirror | Pauline Chaise

Yes, I would have a chaise lounge in my room. It would be my fainting chair. Also, I’m sure it’s not obvious what my favorite color is. I can’t help it.

They had some great sales going on! For example, the chargers were only $5.99 and they even had some other pretty ones for only $2.99! I’m pretty sure I walked ran through the store saying, “Ooh look at this! And THIS!” I also tried out a bunch of the sofas and they were super comfortable so at least the price tags can be justified :) One day, one day.

Have you been to Z Gallerie? I feel like each furniture/home goods store has a personality. Z Gallerie is mine. What is yours?

Oh, How Pinteresting | House Hunters

You can probably tell by the title that House Hunters is one of my favorite shows and, I admit, I’ve been watching it lately which is what inspired what I’m about to share with you. I normally end up yelling at the people on the screen. “Pick house #2! Come on! You have to! #2, #2!!!!” They always go with #3. You know, the “charming detached with a view.” So, after seeing how specific all my pins were this week, I decided to share with you what my “qualifications” will be when I’m on House Hunters ;) I’m linking up with The Vintage Apple, as always!

Let us start off with the randoms. We’ll call these the “charming detached” homes

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Charming, yes? A house has got to have personality in order for me to move in! As you can see with the above houses, I like asymmetrical everything which eliminates most cookie-cutter homes for this girl. I’ve found two main styles that really catch my eye {and heart}

First, we have the beach cottages

 

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That last one is definitely one of my favorite houses ever. I’ll move in tomorrow. I love the soft colors, the beautiful shutters, the roof, and the palms of course :) I think what I love about it the most is that it’s a mixture of a beach cottage with my other favorite style of architecture:

Mediterranean Homes

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Mmm, there’s just something about a tile roof with stucco mixed with a little stone. Reason number 5,427 why I love California so much but that’s a whole other story!

Now, unlike House Hunters, we don’t have the chance to see the inside of each of these homes :( I see a theme of posts coming in the future: Chelsea’s dream living room, kitchen, master suite, etc. Fun, fun!!

However, if I could choose from any of these, I’m really leaning towards the “cute beach cottage with the shutters” :)

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I’m also linking up with Jamie again for What I’m Loving Wednesday!

I’m loving writing by hand. Just for fun. It’s always been a favorite of mine.

I’m loving Pinterest again. We are no longer on a break.

I’m loving dreaming about places I’ve been. Like Venice, Italy.

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I’m loving the latest addition to my Essie collection: “Merino Cool” although I haven’t even worn it yet

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I’m loving wedding cakes and, well, all things wedding-related. I’m an event planner, after all!

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But, most importantly, I’m just loving this life. I love each day – each memory that’s created, each lesson that’s learned, each page that’s turned.

Stairway to Heaven

I think I’m obsessed with stairs. Climbing stairs, looking at stairs, seeing stairs in movies. I don’t know what it is. They are just dreamy.

So, today while I’m linking up with The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday I thought I’d share some of my snazzy stairway finds with you.

I found random stairs. Stairs I would never want to climb, swirly stairs, floating stairs, neon stairs…

Source: thriftify.wordpress.com via Gwendolyn on Pinterest

Source: nellafragola.tumblr.com via ApartmentCat on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Nick on Pinterest

 

 

Source: thedecorista.com via Hillary on Pinterest

 

And, I found a million sets of staircases that I love and wouldn’t mind having in my future home. Here are some of my favorites:

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Katie on Pinterest

 

Source: capital-style.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

 

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: hollydymentdesign.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

 

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Alicia on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: designspirationsk.com via avivabrooks on Pinterest

Source: idesignarch.com via Gena on Pinterest

 

Source: homeklondike.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: idesignarch.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: younghouselove.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

 

Did you notice the animal print carpet on that last one? Can’t say I’ve ever seen that before!

I could go on and on but I don’t want to bore you with endless pictures of stairs (no matter how exhilarating that sounds to ME!) I assure you, pretty soon I’m just going to have to create a board on Pinterest dedicated strictly to staircases. Sigh.

I’d love to hear which staircase is your favorite! Am I the only one with this obsession? Anyway, go link up and show off your latest pins :)