Cozy Recycled Nature

Good Morning, Happy Monday! 

Are all of your resolutions still intact?

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We had our big family party this past weekend and we also celebrated two of my boys birthdays. Try to imagine giving birth to your first child Christmas morning- that's what happened to me twenty four years ago. That was incredible and my newest teenager was born on New Years eve day! So, phew, the holiday season is officially over! It's no wonder I've been imagining a cozy place to curl up and rest. 

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There are all kinds of places that feel cozy, but in the winter I think cut wood and split wood evoke feelings of warmth. Maybe it's because my childhood home was heated with a wood stove- wood that my dad cut from our property and split by hand. He would say, "Cut your own wood, and you are twice warmed".

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When dad was cutting wood I would often see disks like the one above. I wished I would have thought of that- how clever! I can think of a myriad of collections that would be awesome displayed on that.

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Now this chair is um, pretty um- unique. If I had thought of it I'm not sure I would have went there but it is humorous.

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I've seen cut wood and branches used for all types of home decor- 

end tables, light fixtures, accessories and a lot of furniture. 

Check out these beds:

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Isn't it amazing how wood, in it's natural state, can be so rustic but at the same time...

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... be kind of elegant!

Do you like bringing natural elements into your home?

Clever and Chic Kitchen Storage

Piggy backing off my last post Perfectly Organized Pantries, 

I bring you more storage and organization ideas.  

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Unless we add an addition to our house, we simply will never have a butler's pantry- I need to get over it! Open shelving can be an attractive option- it certainly is a functional one. 

By using baskets, much of the clutter can be disguised.

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Clustering appliances and canisters on a shelf,  instead of having them spread out on the counters, not only frees up counter space but makes for a more visually expansive space and reduces that cluttered look. 

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The down side of open shelving for me has always been the dust and grease factor. 

I guess you have to weigh the pros and cons. The other thing of course, is finding the space for open shelves.

Consider this:

Putting shelves right across the windows is actually an option. (Also, notice the shelf over the window.) Why haven't I thought of this?! One of the reasons I have a storage problem is because one of my walls is windows, duh!- put shelves right over the windows! 

More storage plus a place to grow herbs- sounds like a 2012 project.

Southern Living

Or...shelves around the windows as well as in front of them.

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If your storage is out of reach- you will have an excuse to get a rolling ladder. 

That's as good of a reason as any!

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No room in the kitchen, shelves in an adjacent eating area- just as useful.

Isn't this pretty?

Apartment Therapy 

And to wrap it up, 

If you have an open shelf with an open bracket, you will have a place to display a random branch. 

Now that's pretty cool :)  ...and functional!

Tomorrow, some more fun and creative ideas!

Perfectly Organized Pantry

Happy New Year!

Was your holiday season everything you hoped it would be? 

I'm in that I hate to see it go (but I'm glad at the same time) because I'm in desperate need of routine! I was invoking marathon running strategy the few days leading up to Christmas. I had one of the chants that I murmur to myself toward the end of a race, running through my head more than once- 

"just get there, just get there"! 

It was an amazing, crazy "race" with a glorious "finish"!

So long holiday season!
(via Shadetree Photography)

Onward we go...

When I think of January, I think of organizing. I'm sure I'm not alone. After the weight of the holiday decor, getting it all packed up and put away feels like loosening a belt. It's a fresh new start. 

My posts this week are all about organization and I'll start with the pantry!



Unfortunately, I can only dream of having a pantry and doesn't this pantry look dreamy? I can see myself sitting amid my perfectly organized shelves, with Gourmet magazine and a cup of tea-
I wonder if it's sound proof ;)

But wait...look at this one




A pantry behind a a pair of bookcases- love it! As if books and pantry adjacent to one another isn't enough... the french doors, transom window and gorgeous light fixture make it extraordinarily perfect.

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I think I'm partial to light colored pantries....



but the black cabinetry and white countertops are stunning and dramatic, especially since there is a  natural light.

Here are a few from Country Living magazine:

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Love the three panel door with chalkboard paint.

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A lively color with ornate fret work.

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How about replacing an ordinary door with a brightly painted screen door.

Crown Point Cabinetry via Old House Online

This one is a classic butler's pantry. What a luxury to have a sink, among other amenities, in the pantry.

Plain and Fancy Cabinetry via Old House Online

Old House Online has an interesting article on designing pantries and some history as well. HERE  

Before you go check that out, you may want to consider this:

No room for a pantry? Do you have an empty hall available?

Soo jealous!

Merry Christmas and 

Happy Holidays to all!

Enough Design...Lets Go For A Run (There's a gift at the end!)

I know I'm taking a few liberties here, this is a design blog after all, but between the mild weather in CNY and the hustle and bustle of the season- this has just been an A-MAZ-ING December! I want to show you where I do so much designing. The type of designing I call "thinkatecture".

I do feel so totally blessed to have this small lake and nature preserve within running distance from my home. Often, I am greeted by deer, roaming around, many times with fawns at their side. A sight that stops me dead in my tracks- their beauty is just overwhelming.

Believe it or not, even this foot bridge is special to me. My son built it for his Eagle Scout project over an area that typically floods in the spring, rendering the path unusable . Of course I can't run over it without thinking of him.

While running, I was thinking about my blog. I'm approaching my one year anniversary and I was thinking of what I've done, what I'd like to change and how I can improve.  

The last few months I've been inconsistent and I'm looking forward to getting back on track, adding some regular features and I'm also considering changing up the blogs look a bit.

I've been asked to write a post for My Life As A Blog a feature of Blogstar. It will be featured January 15. Writing that post will help me to really put this past year in perspective! I'm looking forward to sharing it with you, so much of it will be about you- all of the readers of Ispirato Design blog. 

I'm also looking forward to building more relationships this upcoming year, interacting more with readers and other bloggers. Now that the logistics of starting a blog are finished, that is definitely going to be my focus!

I'm excited to give a gift! 

Back in July, I offered a Pet Portrait Give Away to be given away when I reached 200 followers. Even though I'm not there yet, I want to play Santa and give one away today! 

I'll start another pet portrait give away in the new year.  

Now, I'll go to random.org and generate a random number to see who the winner is- hold on, I'll be right back :)

Okay, I'm back... and the winner is: 

Elsina

Congratulations!!!

My Good Mood In Pictures

Greige Design

Hello friends- Happy Monday!

I have to tell you, I'm having one of those days that I'm feeling such an abundance of blessings. 

I think that I'm officially feeling the Christmas spirit :)

...let me share my mood in pictures.

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Hope you are enjoying your day!