Subway tile and open shelves

I was looking through my Future Home pin board on Pinterest the other day and noticed a theme: I really like subway tile and open shelves. Unintentionally, almost every kitchen image I post has at least one or the other. The combination looks so clean and fresh, and you get to display your pretty dishes! But for the record, I'd definitely want some closed cupboards - all open shelves could get unwieldy, don't you think?

P.S. I also love it in the bathroom!

pics | 1 (lost source!)| 2 | 3 | 4

House Hunting

Yesterday, Joe and I decided to visit a few open houses around Seattle. We are, by no means, looking to actually buy right now, but it's kind of a fun Sunday afternoon activity. Stephanie and I went condo-shopping (for her) a few weeks back and it got me hooked on the idea. One day, when I'm all grown up, I'll own a cute little house with a nice kitchen, pretty decorations and a yard and/or big deck for entertaining. One day. A girl can dream. In the meantime, I'll be content pretending how I'd spruce the place up and add my mark while strolling through open houses.

Our faves were a little Tudor in Ballard and a Craftsman in Maple Leaf. Aren't they cute?

pics via RedFin

A splash of orange

If you've been to my place, then you know that I like decorating with peachy oranges. I just love how bright and happy the color is. In my continuous scouring of design blogs, I always come across rooms that are filled with orangey goodness. I save all of my favorites (orange or otherwise) in a folder on my computer named: Future home inspiration. At least I'll have ideas in the hopper when that home-buying day comes!

(If you remember, I once shared some of the kitchens I envy.)

(If you know the picture sources, please let me know. I realized that I don't actually save the links with the pictures. So don't sue me. I'm not taking any credit for these pretty rooms :) Probably a lot from belle maison 23)

Kitchen Envy

I used to never pay attention to kitchens. Now, I'm in love and can't wait to design and decorate a kitchen of my own.

Here are a couple of my favorites. (There is another one that I found once with a shiny copper backsplash, but have no idea where it is now!)

I love the color blue.

As my mom would say, this kitchen has great counter space.

Again, blue = pretty.
(plus, that chandelier rocks)

Aren't these chairs awesome?

pics: here here here here