the great sconce debate.

IMAGE SOURCES: TOP ROW: LEFT / MIDDLE / RIGHT | MIDDLE ROW: LEFT / RIGHT | BOTTOM ROW: LEFT / MIDDLE / RIGHT

Hello again! This post title is a bit melodramatic, but seriously: does anyone ever feel like they have these crazy internal debates about the most non-life threatening decisions? I know I do -- and I can't blame my pregnancy hormones. I'm a perpetual second guesser. It is still a wonder to me that I was able to make so many decisions for our house build while pregnant with {jv}. It is an even bigger wonder that I still love 98.9% of the decisions I did make. (I have a few minor things here and there, which is partially the source for this post.) 

In case you were wondering, the "great sconce debate" arose recently... after one too many run-ins with the lamps under our living room windows by our crazy active 13-month-old. We have a large set of windows (two double-hung windows with a picture window in between) which basically run the length of our living room. These windows do not need window treatments (hooray!) because they face the rear of the house -- and we will never have neighbors behind us (double hooray!). I just love the natural light they bring in and how open they make the house feel. Here's a little peek at the room as it stands today:

PILLOWS: locally made at Fabric Connection with Jonathan Adler for Kravet Collections Fabric | COUCH: Pottery Barn | TOY BOX: Pottery Barn Kids | LAMPS: Pottery Barn | SAILBOAT: One Kings Lane (exact boat not available currently, but it does come up frequently!) | RUG: Dash & Albert

The layout of the room necessitates that the back of the couch is parallel to this "wall of windows". There is roughly two feet from the couch to the windows, in which we currently have two large floor lamps. I loved these floor lamps in our previous apartment. Aesthetically, they work well in our current space -- bringing out the oil rubbed bronze look on the finishings (like the knobs for our built-ins, etc.). However, they do not work functionally in the space with an on-the-go kiddo. In a post a few months back about kid-friendly living rooms, I never even thought to address lamps. I was clearly wrong. In trying to come up with creative solutions, I started searching for things like "lamps over windows", which led me to sconces.

It may be weird, but I have always hated the word sconce. I always thought they were kind of an antiquated way to light a space... until recently. I started to fall in love with the idea of a few sconces over the windows in the living room to replace the floor lamps which are like fire station poles to my toddler. The above inspiration photos are also fueling my sconce love. Even though we have recessed lighting in this living room, I love the warm light that lamps provide. I just need that warmth in a more kid-friendly way!

I'd love to hear your input -- or any other tricks you think could work -- for solving this great debate of sorts. Will sconces be too specific to fit the next homeowner's decor? (Does that even matter?) Would they still give off that warm light I'm craving on a cold winter's night? Can't wait to hear what you think! xoxo {av}

minted art print giveaway.

When we moved into our house nearly a year ago (where does time go?), I always knew I would have some trouble filling certain "holes" in our decor. One such hole? The large space above the tub in our master bathroom! It took me months to finally decide upon a solution. With the help of Minted, I was able to fill this blank space with something beautiful and perfect for the space!

In case you didn't know, Minted now offers large scale art prints which help make those mysterious voids in your decor history! The print I chose (Savannah Lands by the uber-talented Emily Jeffords) was the ideal solution to our window-less master bathroom. Since much of our bathroom is gray and white, I needed a pop of color without completely overdoing it. I couldn't be more pleased with the final look! (FYI: I chose the 54" x 40" framed print, which filled the space without a hitch.)

Minted is incredibly generous and is offering to give one long distance loving reader an art print of their choosing. The winner will be able to choose one framed print of the size and scale that will fill their "hole" on their own wall -- up to $325! From photography to modern art, there is truly a print for everyone. See their complete collection of fine art here. 

To enter the giveaway, hop over to my Instagram for two easy ways to win! Best of luck! xoxo {av}

Please note: This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States, 13 years old or older. Entries will be cross-referenced. The giveaway will end promptly at 8:00pm EST on Sunday, November 1st. The winner will be shared on the original giveaway post on Instagram. Should you have any additional questions, please email me.

This post was made possible by Minted. In agreement with sharing information about their brand and promoting their products, I was provided with this art print. As always, I only share about brands I truly love and support on long distance loving. Thank you!

kid-friendly living rooms.

left column:  top - middle - bottom   |   right column:  top - top middle - bottom middle - bottom

When we moved in our last apartment, {cv} agreed to adding an amazing glass coffee table to the mix. My naive (and non-parent) self didn't think about the potential long-term hazards of such a heavy and rigid piece; I was just blinded by all its clear and simple beauty ;) Now that {jv} is crawling (!!!), I know it is time to finally address the elephant -- er, the glass coffee table -- in the room.

The living space in our new house is definitely open concept, so I'm running into a number of design challenges. We have a large sectional (with two equal sized arms), which I positively love. However, it raises the question about whether to find a square table or maintain the current rectangular shape. There is also a small part of me which loves the idea of a round tufted coffee table. As you can tell, my indecisiveness is out in full force. Unfortunately, I can't delay the process much longer. The little one crawling around our main level needs to stay far, far away from the rock solid edges of our current coffee table. The sooner I make a decision, the better.

After some extensive hemming and hawing, I am leaning more toward a square or round option with a little cushion. I pulled a few of my favorites here. Whenever I do these product round-ups, I do them so you can avoid the lengthy research. My pros + cons lists were to elicit your help in choosing one for our space ;)

Dorel Living Hastings Tufted Ottoman via Wayfair: $228.99 + free shipping; 38.75" square (Pros: leather, nailhead detail // Cons: lack of options, questionable leather quality for the price)
Skyline Furniture Linen Tufted Cocktail Ottoman via Wayfair: $311.99 + free shipping; 35" square (Pros: well-reviewed, linen is a plus // Cons: feet are more detailed // Note: this is strikingly similar to the Elliot Ottoman offered by One Kings Lane in a few different colors at a slightly higher price tag of $409)
Restoration Hardware Cooper Upholstered Square Ottoman: $335 to $845 + $199 shipping; 36" square (Pros: extra simple design, available in a number of colors and fabrics // Cons: lack of storage, potentially too simple in design, high shipping cost)
Home Decorators Collection Mila Ottoman: $359 + $60 shipping; 42" in diameter (Pros: wicker look will go with any decor // Cons: cats and wicker don't always mix)
Home Decorators Collection Farrow Round Tufted Ottoman: $359 + $55 shipping; 36" in diameter (Pros: leather adds a little masculinity to the decor // Cons: smaller size, not all that elegant looking)
Seagrass Coffee Table via Wisteria: $379.99 + $125 shipping/handling; 42" square (Pros: uncomplicated and versatile // Cons: cats love seagrass...)
Ballard Designs Hayes Round Tufted Ottoman: $399 to $759 (shipping cost unclear); 36" in diameter (Pros: extensive color options, hidden storage, well-reviewed // Cons: smaller than I hoped)
Home Decorators Collection Custom Abingdon Upholstered Ottoman: $519 + $15 shipping; 36" square (Pros: lots of color and fabric options // Cons: assembly required, not in love with the multi-ball feet)
Home Decorators Collection Riemman Ottoman: $519 + $60 shipping; 39" in diameter (Pros: uncomplicated shape, simple ball feet // Cons: few color options, many of which are microsuede -- not my favorite)
Cara Round Ottoman via One Kings Lane: $579 (shipping cost unclear); 39" in diameter (Pros: available in a number of colors (via search by product name) // Cons: too many "buttons", a bit short at 16")
Ballard Designs Carmel Cocktail Ottoman: $589 to $904 (shipping cost unclear); 45.5" square  (Pros: hidden feet, plenty of colors and fabrics // Cons: may just feel too big)
Serena & Lily Chelsea Ottoman: $895 + $150 handling; 43" square (Pros: endless color options for both the fabric and feet // Cons: high handling cost, no storage)
Blu Dot Paramount Ottoman via Wayfair: $899 + variable shipping cost; 40" square (Pros: simple, streamlined design // Cons: limited color options, may be too modern for our space, silver feet may not match our decor)
Pottery Barn Caden Leather Square Ottoman: $1099 + $40 delivery surcharge; 42" square (Pros: lower storage, nailhead trim // Cons: maybe too rustic or masculine for our space)

The number of option seems daunting, but gathering them in one place makes it feel less frightening. I would love your input on the matter, along with any other tips you have for making your living room kid-friendly. I am all ears! xoxo {av}

#goodnights, every night.

This month, {cv} and I faced the dreaded four month sleep regression headfirst. With the exception of what I will affectionately refer to as the "daycare cough", {jv} is slowly but surely getting the concept that he sleeps in his room and we sleep in our room. When The National Sleep Foundation approached me to do a #GoodNights Spring Cleaning Challenge, I didn't hesitate for a second. With as much as we have been focused on our little one's sleep, it was time to pay attention to our own. 

I never struggled with sleep before the 38th week of pregnancy. I'll admit I was one of those lucky "head hits the pillow" sleepers. When baby {v} arrived, my sleeping world was rocked -- and I don't mean in the glider in our nursery. When we made it out of the fog of the first six weeks, I started paying closer attention to {jv}'s sleep but neglected my own.

Thankfully, the National Sleep Foundation came to my rescue. If anyone knows sleep, it's them. I did a little research before we began our "spring cleaning" and I learned so much about the importance of a good night of sleep. I loved these design tips and worked to employ many of them in our space. It makes perfect sense, but clutter is a subtle sign of chaos. Making a few adjustments to your nightstand can be particularly impactful. (Pro parent tip: we added a basket below each of our nightstands to collect the miscellaneous baby items which end up in our room.)

In looking to improve my sleep, I found out that much of what we were doing to help {jv} learn to sleep through the night would also work for us. I also made a concerted effort to stop using my phone after a set time; if I needed to use it, I made sure the brightness of my screen was dim. After this challenge, I determined my bedtime should be roughly 45 minutes earlier than I had previously been hitting the hay. I am no longer half the night owl that I was. Let me tell you: those extra 45 minutes of sleep are crucial when you're a working mom (or anyone!).

SOURCES: Stacked Crystal Glass Lamp - Exotic Angel Plant - Planter - Candle (no longer available, but similar here) - Rope + Glass Ball - Wicker Basket - Marble Coaster (DIY -- see more info here) - Nightstand (no longer available via West Elm) - Headboard - Bed Linens (no longer available via Matouk)

As an added benefit in this challenge, I received a few eye-opening products from PureCare and Exotic Angel. These National Sleep Foundation partners provide thoughtful solutions for better sleep. Before the #GoodNights challenge, I never thought to swap out our mattress or pillow protectors. Adding a bit of aromatherapy created a calm environment to ease into a deep sleep.  I loved that the lavender scent wasn't too overpowering, as it sometimes can be. The eucalyptus scent also helped with my intense seasonal allergies. All in all, this simple switch made a big difference.

Unfortunately, we couldn't keep the gorgeous Exotic Angel plants out at night -- or else our deep sleep was interrupted by curious kitties. Even still, they brought a burst of life in our tranquil space when they did grace our nightstands.

Decluttering our nightstands and keeping technology at bay wasn't the easiest, but it definitely paid dividends in our sleep. While I know they're not 100% accurate, my Jawbone UP24 band showed a vast improvement in the soundness of my sleep at the conclusion of this challenge. (I'll take it!) I don't want to give it all away, so be sure to check out my post with Sleep.org for the results of my #GoodNights challenge. Regardless of your life stage, sleep is the cornerstone of health and happiness. Our nights may not be perfect with a baby in the house, but we are making the most of the quiet hours we do get ;) If you're spring cleaning, don't forget that your nighttime routine might need a little dusting too. xoxo {av}

P.S. The whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" thing is bogus. Am I right?

This post was sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation. On occasion, I will partner with brands and organizations to bring fresh and relevant content to {long distance loving}. I chose to partner with the National Sleep Foundation because sleep is such a crucial part of the first year of parenthood. All opinions are my own.

patio style challenge -- revealed!

I am so excited to finally reveal the results of my Patio Style Challenge post with The Home Depot! Turning our empty deck into a backyard oasis was just what the doctor ordered after the brutal New England winter. {cv} and I hadn't invested much thought in our outdoor space. When The Home Depot offered me the chance to work on this project, I jumped on it! I spent a good deal of time at three of my local stores during this challenge. Their staff amazed me with their expertise and patience. Though the cold weather threw things off a bit (and subsequently killed my basil -- boo!), we were able to capture the patio on the one nice day in a very long string of rainy days. Here are a few teaser images from the day...

The "placemat" below is actually a marble tile cut to 12" x 14" by a friendly Home Depot employee. I added a few felt pads to keep the scratches to a minimum. These beauties won't blow away and they'll survive in any weather. I am just a little bit obsessed.

Since our home is in the Ocean State, we had to pay homage to its nautical roots. I created these rope coasters, which could be made in a number of sizes, to use under pots of plants on the deck and under hot plates on our patio set. They add an extra splash of color and definitely gave the space a nautical vibe! (If you want to make your own, you only need rope, a glue gun, some masking tape, a utility knife and a lighter. For all the details, check out my post for The Home Depot here.) 

I must give BIG props to my sweet friend, Bree Hester. She took the photos for this post and completely knocked it out of the park! Bree was an absolute lifesaver the day of the shoot -- I seriously couldn't have done it without her. Credit must also be given to my dear friend, Meredith, for whipping up my chicken scratch designs into those nautically inspired pillows. She is a rockstar. Last but certainly not least, I am so grateful to The Home Depot team for making this post possible. We cannot wait to share this space with our friends and family in the coming months. I hope you love it too. xoxo {av}

Want to see more photos? Click here to see the full post + sources!

This post was made possible by the generous support of The Home Depot. They provided me with the patio set and a gift card to cover some other costs associated with this project. All opinions are my own. Many thanks for your support of brands that support long distance loving.

eight shades of gray (paint).

SEE THEM HERE: Horizon (OC-53) | Halo (OC-46) | Moonshine (2140-60) | Pale Oak (OC-20)

Gray Owl (OC-52) | Stonington Gray (HC-170) | Revere Pewter (HC-172) | Chelsea Gray (HC-168)

A few weeks back, I asked for your advice on choosing the right paint for your home. Your responses were incredibly thoughtful and insightful. Not only did your input guide the decisions we made, it allowed me to maintain some shred of sanity in the final days of our build. Though we didn't go with an entirely gray color palette for the #bartonbuild, it is definitely prevalent throughout our home.  I tested these hues in every room and also did a side-by-side comparison (which I tried and failed to capture with my iPhone). After a ton of deliberation, these are the colors we chose for the aforementioned spaces:

Open-Concept Kitchen, Living Room + Foyer: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (HC-172) Since this space spans two floors, we needed something that would pop against our trim and this hue did the trick. In person, Revere Pewter shows tan in some lights and gray in others. We were pleased with how it warmed up our home -- without making it too dark.

Guest Bedroom + Office: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52) These two rooms receive the first light in the morning. We went with Gray Owl for these spaces because it is a touch 'cooler' than some of the other grays we tried.

Nursery + Spare Bedroom: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray (HC-170) If I'm being honest, we chose Stonington Gray for the nursery because it best matched the swatch for glider we chose. I kept it going in the other (mirrored) bedroom because the glider might one day move to that room. It is also slightly 'warmer; than Gray Owl in person.

Master Bedroom: Benjamin Moore Horizon (OC-53) Not to be confused with Horizon Gray (2141-50), Horizon was a last-minute addition to my sample options. Since we have a deep gray headboard (almost like the Chelsea Gray seen above), we didn't want anything too dark. Using our fabric swatch as a guide, we agreed this was a light enough hue without being a boring choice.

Master Bathroom: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (OC-52) Our master bathroom is outfitted with some beautiful marble. Even in the absence of windows, the Carrara tile just popped next to Gray Owl.

The extras: The other bathrooms, mudroom, laundry room and master closet add a bit of color -- and another paint distributor -- to the mix. (I'll share those in another post soon!) 

Though it may look like it, this post was not sponsored by Benjamin Moore. I simply liked a few of their colors better and invested the majority of my research on their color families. I learned a lot about paint stores in this process. The biggest takeaway? Any paint store can use another distributor's color numbers as guides to create the paint. It may not be exact, but it comes out close. If you're worried about precision, it is best to trust that particular brand's experts. 

I loved nearly every shade of gray we tested, but some had to win. As always, this post isn't one-sided. If you have other grays you love which I missed, be sure to share them in the comments below. Thank you again for all of your wonderful insight in this process -- I can't wait to share some photos with the paint in action! xoxo {av}

barton build: an overdue update.

With fall only a few days away, I can officially say that this summer passed in a blink. The craziness of the last few months has prevented me from sharing updates on our #bartonbuild. Aside from an occasional snap on my Instagram feed,  I apologize for keeping you in the dark. We have made some serious progress since my last official update two months ago. I'll do my best to get you up to speed with this post!

First, a disclaimer: you will see plenty of miscellaneous boards, buckets, and dust throughout these photos. As much as I would like to make these glimpses picture-perfect, the reality is that we are in flux. I keep telling myself that the final product will be that much more exciting once the dust has lifted! Moving on...

I wish I could give a bulleted list of all that has been done in the last few months, but you would be reading a book {not a blog post}. From the street, the most visible change from my last update would be a completed exterior: the roof is on, the cedar shingles are installed, and the windows are in place. My favorite feature? THE PORCH. I'm already counting down to next spring when we can enjoy it!

Moving inside, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see we are well beyond the framing stage. You can no longer see through our walls! Sheet rock was installed last week and it finally feels like a house when we walk in the front door. The picture above is a look from the edge of the kitchen into the living room. You can see space for built-ins on both sides of the fireplace {!!!}. I just can't get over all the yummy light.

Don't worry -- there will be railings on these stairs; they just aren't in place. The photo above is a look from the second floor down into the foyer. One day soon, there will be pretty light fixture suspended here. {We have to choose it first...} We really focused on creating an open space when you first walk through the door. Until the drywall was installed, it was hard to get a feel for the space. It is amazing what a difference it makes!

This photo was taken from the landing on the stairs, looking into the open concept living room and dining nook. The kitchen is off to the left, but the island will be visible from this view in the coming weeks. While there is still a fair amount to do, we have made some big decisions on the hardwood floors, appliances, and kitchen cabinets. Those aren't the only decisions we've made, but they are the ones which stand out the most.

Over the weekend, I made a pilgrimage to Benjamin Moore for paint samples {after all of your wonderful help!}. I still need to grab a few others, but we should hopefully have those choices nailed down later this week. We have some of the other finer details to choose as well, but we are on our way! Everyone warned us that the stress of building a home would be tough to juggle with a baby on the way, but we are taking it in stride. Since it is truly out of our hands, I don't ask about our move-in date. Our builder has been on "schedule" thus far, so we trust him to make it happen before baby {v} arrives. While we are taking it one day at a time, a mid-November completion would be quite the treat. 

As always, I am open to any and all bits of wisdom on homeownership. Are there any "little" things which might make a huge difference for us--while we still have the chance to make it happen? I promise more frequent #bartonbuild updates here on the blog, but follow along on Instagram for the most timely updates! xoxo {av}

choosing the right paint.

Building a house from the ground up isn't all roses. While {cv} and I agree on most everything house-related, we are at a bit of a crossroads with the overall color scheme of the house. As my #bartonbuild board would attest, I gravitate heavily toward the white and gray tones. {cv} isn't opposed to this vision; he has simply expressed some concern that it could be too "basic". I think it's clean, but that's just me. These four examples only brush the surface of why I like these soft and subtle tones...

{top left: Gaylord Designs | top right: S.R. Gambrel | bottom left: abode love | bottom right: Terracotta Properties}

Since marriage is all about compromise, I realize I may have to bend a bit on this gray and white dream. I simply want to hear all sides of the story before the construction crew goes to town with a paintbrush. With sheet rock going in next week, our builder has encouraged us to get the ball rolling on our paint colors. We are a few weeks away from the final call, but I would love to get a few opinions on how you handled paint choices in your home. 

• Did you do the same "base" color throughout your house? If so, how did you go about choosing that one color? It seems like an incredibly daunting process to pick just one! With the light a bit different in all corners of the house, I feel like it would be difficult to choose one that is universally wonderful. {If you know of any such universally wonderful colors, help a lady out!}
• If you chose to pick colors room by room, how did you make those decisions -- especially in advance of other big decisions like furniture? Since we currently live in a two-bedroom apartment and will be moving into a two-story home, we will have to furnish the house over time -- not overnight. While I wish it was in our budget to just get it done in one fell swoop, it isn't a reality. I want the house to have character, without regretting the choice when we finally do have the chance to add pieces of furniture over time.
• What tips would you give for deciding on colors? Did you paint a small section and look at it over the course of the day? True story: I have chosen the paint color for one room in my entire life. I failed miserably with a horribly dark caramel color in an already dark bedroom. It felt like I was living in a cave the entire year I lived there. I know paint can be easily changed, but I would rather not have to do much changing once we get in the house with a little one. 

While this post seems to prompt that I know what I'm doing here, I can only anticipate that your comments will be the backbone of this post. {I just ask way too many questions!} One thing is for certain: I can always count on my readers for the best advice. I sincerely appreciate your lifeline to sanity during this house-building process. You're the paint on my paintbrush -- in other words, absolutely essential to the final product. A big thank you in advance! xoxo {av}

P.S. Have any favorite grays or whites? Be sure to share them below! I want to round up a few fan favorites! Merci :)

darling doormats for all budgets.

1) West Elm Anchor Doormat {$28.95} // 2) Classic Home Darcy Doormat {$35.00}

3) Rubber-Cel Herringbone Coir Doormat {$30.99} // 4) L.L. Bean Nautical Rope Doormat {$44.99}

5) Entryways Simply Green Non-Slip Coir Doormat {$29.97} // 6) Trans Ocean Signal Flags Doormat {$39.90}

7) Lulu and Georgia Arya Doormat {$40.00} // 8) Bungalow Flooring Neoprene Radial Weave Doormat {$24.97}

9) Frontgate Hydrangea Non-Monogrammed Coco Entry Mat {$71.00} // 10) Liora Manne Starfish Mat {$29.99}

With our house build in progress, my mind is constantly running with the little details...though we have plenty of big details to choose first. Since I left the nest for college, I haven't had a doormat of my own. It seems like a small thing, but dorm and apartment living aren't exactly conducive to displaying a little personality with your doormat. This month, I devoted my Houzz ideabook to a few darling doormats which fit in all budgets. Even after doing this round-up, I still can't make up my mind about which one will grace our front porch later this year. With so many pretty options, I may have to pick a few seasonal favorites ;)

Do you have any secret spots where you find fun yet functional home goods? While I love places like HomeGoods, I don't have time to stop by weekly for new items. You never fail me with your knowledge, so I can't wait to hear your ideas.  xoxo {av}

ikea hack: malm dressing table.

Six months ago, I assembled this IKEA MALM Dressing Table to use in our master bedroom as a glorified TV stand. The size and height worked beautifully with our space, but I didn't anticipate the eyesore in created: a mass of crazy cords from our TV, cable box, and wireless router. After staring at these cords every morning, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I needed an easy {and affordable} solution stat.

Since we aren't going to be in this apartment forever, I didn't want to spend much money on the solution. The dressing table itself cost $149, so I ideally wanted to round out the project for under $200. I realized the best method to cover this mess would be some sort of curtain. Since curtains don't really come in that size, I knew I would have to make my own. 

To hold the curtain, I found a white tension shower curtain rod at Bed Bath & Beyond for $11.99. I used a 20% off coupon, so I took it home for only $9.59. For the curtain itself, I wanted to use a few yards of the Pottery Barn linen fabric to match our headboard. However, our budget got the best of me. At $40 per yard, I knew it wasn't worth the price for a nine-month solution. I stumbled upon NY Fabric Center online and found a nice linen for half the cost: $18.49 per yard. I was even able to score a free shipping coupon via RetailMeNot.com, so my grand total for the fabric was $36.98. {Note: I'm sure you could find some other fabric to your liking at your local fabric store; I just made a quick decision late one night and went with this!}

Below,  you can find a little play-by-play of how I made this hack happen--pin it for later or download a PDF for easy reference by clicking here!

The total cost of this project came to $195.57 {$149 for the table + $9.59 for the rod + $35.98 for the linen}. As for a time investment, I would estimate at least 60 to 90 minutes for the assembly of the table itself {more if you're not familiar with IKEA products}. The sewing of the curtain should take less than 30 minutes. I'll admit that it had been a little while since I used my sewing machine, so it took me a bit longer than I had hoped. All tolled, I was at my sewing machine for 60 minutes.

I apologize for the long post, but it was necessary to include all the details. Coming in under $200 with relatively little headache, I'd say this was a win for me. {cv} even agreed ;) Have you found any other fun hacks {that worked} across the interwebs lately? Please share! xoxo {av}

choosing the right tile.

A few weeks ago, I shared the little excitement going on in our corner of the world: we are re-engaging the build process! When we went through the motions last spring, it felt very real. However, we've learned this spring we only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the decisions to be made. I find the process extremely exciting but daunting at the same time. {cv} and I are aiming for the most timeless look our dollars can afford. It is proving to be quite the hunt!

While we haven't chosen the exact tile we plan to use, {cv} and I did make the rounds of a few tile stores over the weekend. We noticed some common--and pricey--themes with the tile we liked. We definitely need to do some digging to find options which look like what we love but have a smaller pricetag. We have repeatedly heard that it is worthwhile to invest in tile for your master bath and kitchen. Other rooms like the kids' bathroom {no, we don't have those yet--just in preparation!} and the laundry don't require the same investment. We can always "upgrade" in the future, but we are trying our best to choose something which wouldn't require us to have builders back in our home three years down the line.

For all you homeowners out there, what tips would you give on choosing the right tile for your space? Which rooms (in your opinion) deserve the investment of nicer tile? Whether you built or bought your home, your advice and expertise are very much appreciated! xoxo {av}

barton build.

If you've been following {long distance loving} for any length of time, you might remember a post filled with excitement about our upcoming build last spring. The excitement dissipated when we hit a few bumps in the building process. Sadly, 2013 was not the best year to build a home in our corner of the world.

As disappointed as we were, we decided to take the optimistic angle on the whole situation. For a little change of scenery, {cv} and I signed a lease on a newer apartment across town and bought ourselves some time to find out what to do about the house. By September, the pain subsided and we were enjoying our new place. 

When the calendar turned to 2014, {cv} and I found some renewed hope in the housing market and our timing. I'm cautiously happy to report we're back in the throes of the build process. In just a few weeks, we will be meeting with our builder to make the final design choices and I am o-v-e-r-w-h-e-l-m-e-d. Though I've been compiling ideas for years, I decided it was finally time to create one Pinterest board to share with our builder and to wrap my head around the vision for our home.

We spent a good portion of yesterday roaming the halls of Lowe's and grew increasingly overwhelmed by the number of decisions ahead of us. {The Pantone paint chips were one of my happy discoveries!} I snapped about a billion other photos of things we liked or hated. Wrapping our heads around the build is daunting, but we are just grateful to be making this little dream of ours a reality. It's like my Dad always tells me: "you can rest on the bus." In this case, we will rest in that new house.

Any tips from house building vets out there? Whether you've built a house or watched your parents agonize through the process, I'm curious how you {or they} were able to make the little decisions so far in advance. I want to make sure the house we are building is timeless. Any and all help is very much appreciated, as are prayers that this is the right time for us! xoxo {av}

geometric goodness for your home.

This month, I created an ideabook for Houzz all about adding geometric goodness to your home. I've long been a lover of straight lines and right angles, so these patterns and motifs have a special place in my heart. Here are seven of my favorite pieces to add a little {or a lot} of angular flair to your own space:

1) Arianna Belle Trellis Print Pillow || 2) Lulu & Georgia Metron Mirror {only $99!}

3) Lulu & Georgia Gage Lamp {an investment!} || 4) Design Darling Periwinkle Geometric Throw 

5) Caitlin Wilson Textiles Greige Greek Key Pillow || 6) Wisteria Pyramid Pillow {a bargain!}

7) Overstock.com Hand-woven Coral Alpina Wool Rug

Does that rug look familiar? It should: we have it in our master bedroom {see it here and here}! Though geometry was far from my best subject, I still feel the pull toward these designs. Have you incorporated any geometric goodness in your own decor? If so, where? Share the love! xoxo {av}

hunters alley.

find them here: Faux Bamboo Mirror | Bulldog Poster | Porcelain Elephant | Brass Ribbon Hook | Beer Signage | Hand-Knotted Runner | Zebra Pillows | Crown Votive Holders

 

(Before I introduce you to the magic of this new website, I want to let you know I'm sharing this without any sponsorship or affiliate benefits. I just love what they're doing.) With that out of the way, my little history-loving heart is so excited to introduce you to Hunters Alley. I've always loved the vintage selections on One Kings Lane, but Hunters Alley wrangles all of this goodness together in one place. It should come as no surprise then that the fab folks behind OKL are also behind Hunters Alley. Every detail of the website is incredible--and I'm not exaggerating.

Antique lovers and sellers alike can browse their website and "love" certain items. In the end, you get a curated collection of the goodies you'd love to make your own. {See the start of my treasure hunt here!} I know the collage above is a bit random, but it is only indicative of the wide variety of items available on Hunters Alley. I also love that you can easily browse the other items from shop owners you love and follow other "hunters" in the process. 

From a girl who would spend hours digging through her local antique mall at age 16: thank you for simplifying my life, Hunters Alley.  I love finding items which have a story behind them, especially stories which reach back a few decades. While the clearance aisle at HomeGoods is a hotbed of fun, the 100-year-old flag I found at the Rhode Island Antique Mall wins every time. What items do you have in your home with a story behind them? Happy hunting! xoxo {av}

P.S. If you want to follow along with my hunt, click here. My taste may be eclectic, but I promise plenty of fun!

wallet-friendly furniture finds.

from top: Paige Skirted Ottoman in Pink | Portrait of Camelot | Melissa Side Table in Gold | Carney Table Lamp in Glossy Dark Blue | A Passion for Blue & White | Mara Roll-Arm Storage Bench in Linen Gray | Grace Accent Chest | Berit Ottoman in White + Blue | Gray Buffalo Check Dog Bed

This year, I have tried desperately to cut down on the "junk" email coming through my inbox. Even though I get their emails twice a day, I decided that One Kings Lane made the cut. When we moved into our new apartment last June, we went on a furniture buying frenzy {mostly because we didn't have anything to fill the space}. This rolled into an all-out buying freeze after {cv} and I realized how quickly it was all adding up. Now that the holidays are over and life is getting back to some sort of routine, I decided it might be time to peruse One Kings Lane again.

Today must have been my lucky day! I scored a few things {including a bench, a trio of mirrors, and a sidetable} for more than half off the retail price. Our guest bedroom will be much more guest-friendly once these beauties arrive! Even better, they have a promotion running for a one-time $9.95 shipping fee for the month of January, which means you can save a ton on shipping through next Friday. I'll take any savings I can get!

If you haven't lately, it's worth looking through One Kings Lane again. All of the items below clock in below $300, though most are much below that threshold. The empty corner in your room will thank you ;) xoxo {av}

P.S. I was not compensated by One Kings Lane for this post--I simply decided to give it another try ;)