house dreamin'

Hope you enjoyed yesterday's second tour [non-culinary] around Columbia. Are you planning your visit yet? Are you tired of me demanding you come visit?

So I may not be able to stop thinking about the nesting/decorating that is to come when we move into this little house of ours. I've even transitioned from a "Nesting Dreams" board to a "Realistic House Planning" board on Pinterest. Because, let's be honest, most of those magazine-worthy photos are exactly how they were originally categorized: dreams. Also, my name is Meagan and I am an over-pinner. There. I said it.

And even though I am an over-pinner, I sometimes feel a little bit of bitterness towards the beloved Pinterest. Mainly in those moments that the inspiration excitement turns into fogged-out inspiration overload which leads to a total personal breakdown where I sit rocking back and forth in a dark corner for hours asking myself if I really do like chevron prints or are all the pins just getting to me.

That's not totally true. I don't normally rock back and forth.

This is an effort to filter through all of that inspiration and excavate my true taste in the world of interiors [which comes from growing up surrounded by estate sale finds and pink roses printed on something in every room].

[via, via, aaaad via]

[grain sacks, lamp, loveseat, topiary, fabric, mirror, sofa, rug, print, candle, map]

And I don't think I'm a fan of the basic chevron print. See how deep I can be sometimes? Know thyself, people.

mantel excitement and a download!

The mantel happens to be something D and I were both very excited to have in our little apartment. Me, because I couldn't wait to decorate it. He actually just appreciates what's underneath - the fireplace. He cannot wait to burn some firewood when it gets colder. Us Louisianians might be on the verge of colder weather. Oh please, oh please!

Decorating and fires aside, my hope is that, even if we're in apartment 235 for short amount of time, that this beloved mantel and fireplace will offer friends and family a place to gather. We're learning how to nestle those times into D's ever-so-insane schedule. I'm beginning to think he's superman. Secret is out, mister.   

Our newlywed space is just about put together, but consider this a preview. Besides, everything else has been lived in and is not so photo-ready.

Here's the breakdown:

1. The height:  dried wheat. I'm into wheat these days.
2. The anchor:  a large empty frame with my book page wreath that I made my junior year of college while Dustin, Katelyn and I were watching a movie. It's that easy.
3. The balance:  one of my prized possessions. My sister gave me this piece by Montgomery artist Donnie Sasser.
4. The layer:  a reclaimed wood frame [which adds a little shab] that I got supa-cheap at T.J. Maxx. Similar one here.
5. Fillers:  Lots of mercury glass. Thanks to the wedding, its on every surface of our home. If you want some of your own, Ballard Designs has a great assortment. My favorites are silhouettes that D gave me for my birthday.
6. More layers and inspiring words:  a print I made of 2 Corinthians 12:9 with the ever-popular chevron print [see below]. It's an 8x10 and you can download it here. I printed it on a professional printer on cardstock and put it in a floater frame which I bought with my 40% Hobby Lobby coupon.

If I'm honest with myself, I'll get antsy and this mantel will be changing soon. And I'll probably decorate it for Christmas on November 28.

nesting

The future hubs and I checked out a potential first-home this morning. Exciting! It will certainly be quaint. And by quaint I mean small and a little crusty-old. But that just adds to the fun of making it feel like a home! As excited I've been for the wedding, I feel like I'm just as excited about the nesting that is to come. 

It got the brain ticking with decorating ideas, of course.

Here's a peek at my color/style inspiration. I'm hoping to find a happy medium (is it medium or median?) between the two. 

And this is what's on the wish list for our bedroom. 

Duvet (check!), shams, throw (check!), Mr. and Mrs. pillows (a coming DIY project), lamp (just inspiration), map

Don't worry...we'll get it all together so that you can come visit!

I'm not a big blog question ask-er. But, I do have one today. I'm just too curious - what makes you feel at home while you are away from home?