I wish I could say my college digs had half the style of Maximilian Sinsteden’s dorm at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.  Unfortunately, my collegiate apartment was built on a firm foundation of Ikea, and accessorized in a strictly black and gold swirl of kites and pansies.  (Until you’ve seen a sorority girl’s dorm, you don’t know the definition of a “themed room.”) 

While Max’s decor doesn’t necessarily mesh with my own preferences, you’ve got to hand it to him – the boy’s got style.  Check out more of his fantastic, personalized space here.

When I heard that The Nester, one of the inspiring home decor bloggers I read religiously, created an eBook encapsulating her home style philosophy, I nearly jumped out of my hotel chaise with joy.

Her eBook – It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful – puts some of my own thoughts into words far better than I ever could have.  It’s also pushed me to really identify what I want goals I have for the Dream Apartment – what feeling I want it to evoke and what actions I want it to encourage.

To get a copy of her fabulous mini-book, visit her blog entry here and sign up for her brand-spanking-new newsletter (which I’m sure will be equally inspiring).

While browsing Apartment Therapy today, I came across the most darling idea for those of you with outdoor spaces and al fresco entertaining in your future.

Although they’re lovely in their native silver, wouldn’t these also look sweet painted fresh shades of white and light blue or mint green?  Click here for the how-to from the UK’s The Guardian.

{Sipping Sangria Blanco sounds like a perfect way to spend this sunny Sunday}

She was the inspiration behind my mantel/TV makeover, so it’s only fitting that I dedicate a Design Crush entry to the fabulous Kelly Giesen.  Her clean, neutral, and unabashedly feminine interiors are downright swoon-worthy.  I love how she proves that an apartment doesn’t have to be big to have big, glamorous style!

For more glamorous-delish style, be sure to visit Kelly’s online portfolio, her blog and her home tour on Open House NYC!

I know that according to my exciting upcoming outings post, I was supposed to go to the Georgetown Flea Market this weekend.  And while the weather was downright perfect for outdoor antique shopping, we had much more pressing work going on indoors at the Dream Apartment.

You see, while I am happy to have an antique mantel propped against my wall for weeks on end, allowing design ideas to marinate and grow, Hubby is not as excited about extra “stuff” in our already small apartment.  So this weekend we drew up some blueprints, trekked to Home Depot and built ourselves a fabulous TV unit.

I wish we had some great “during the process” photos, however, I was needed as an actual contributor in the project and couldn’t be excused to play photojournalist.  The photos of our sidewalk-takeover would have been fun, though.  Oh the perils of construction projects for apartment dwellers!

After two Home Depot trips, three cans of paint, two afternoons of sweat and tears, and what feels like a million L-brackets, I am proud to debut our beautiful mantel-turned-TV-cabinet!

 

*If you are interested in our old TV unit or a set of lovely wooden stools and live in the DC area, be sure to check out our Craigslist ads!

As I mentioned previously, I’m looking forward to this year’s Georgetown House Tour, particularly because I’ll be serving as a volunteer docent.  Today, my excitement peaked when I saw the Washington Post’s preview of the DC Design House, aka House #12 on the tour.

Click here for more photos.

It’s not just a clever name, folks – the Westin’s Heavenly Bed is truly remarkable.  Every time I settle in, whether to type up some work or to watch TV, I fall asleep almost instantly.  It is really that comfortable.  And for a mere $2600, I can make the whole set my own at home as well!*  So if you don’t hear from me for a while, it’s because I’ve settled in (at least until my trip ends on Friday).

 

*Only in my alternate universe, where I’m not a girl on a serious budget, of course.

I was hooked from the first second I stumbled upon Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper, the beautiful and inspiring blog of Phoebe Howard, the design mind behind decor stores Mrs. Howard and Max & Company.  Her style is distinctly feminine, features calming palettes and incorporates traditional pieces with crisp, modern flair.

In a nutshell, I want to move into pretty much every room featured in her online portfolio.  Here are a few of my very favorites:

The early trip to Leesburg was a complete success!  I dragged Hubby with me on Saturday night, and we trekked an hour out of the city to see a beautiful, blue-painted antique mantel in person.  I found this lovely piece on Craigslist, and the price was right – just $45!

Unfortunately, she didn’t fit in the back of my baby SUV, but with a bit of rope, some creativity and lots of prayer, we were able to rig her up on the roof and safely make the drive back into the city.  Now she’s parked in the living room, waiting until the weekend to be built out into a full TV cabinet and painted creamy white.

Here’s a preview: