{welcome home}

One space that I've really been itching to redecorate is our entryway. When we moved in I did a quick arrangement of some of my cottage and shabby chic items and it turned out pretty cute...

But that just isn't our style anymore. In fact, that cute green table has gone on to a new owner.

I've never been fond of yellow as a wall color, and our entire downstairs is yellow. Thank goodness the entryway is at least a soft shade of the offending color.

The tiny half bath is another story... {you might want to put on your sunglasses for this one}

Yeah...now that is yellow. But that is another project, another blog post.

I've been pinning entryway photos for inspiration and have found that I love spaces with a bench instead of a table. The only thing we use our current table for {a hand-me-down/space-filler from my parents} is to put our mail, keys and a lamp, which we hardly ever turn on. So I'm thinking a great shelf and maybe a few hooks would solve the surface issue. Here are a few images that are really inspiring me...

Love this color combination...

Source: sfgirlbybay.com via Mandy on Pinterest

This light fixture is pretty awesome...

Source: None via Mandy on Pinterest

These shelves are great looking and very practical... {IKEA perhaps?}

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Drooling over this wall color, and the art...

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Love the fun statement this Etsy piece makes...

Source: etsy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Such a calming place to come home to...

Source: remodelista.com via Mandy on Pinterest

And I blogged about this before, but I think this coat/key rack is so genius and would maybe keep me from losing my keys...

Source: karapaslaydesigns.blogspot.com via Mandy on Pinterest

So my main idea is gray walls + bench + shelves of some sort + fun art = entryway perfection.

My parents even offered to help us paint...I think I might have to take them up on that soon. :)

{vacation spot}

For all of you moms out there (and dads too...I don't discriminate), you know that the bathroom can be your one chance for a little vacation from the madness that is the terrible (and terrific) 2's. I thought I would give you a peek into my view when I have a few spare minutes to myself...

We were lucky and the previous owners did almost all of the work for us in this, our only, full bath. The beadboard, paint, and cabinets/fixtures were all their doing. At first the wall color was a little too bold for my liking, but it has definitely grown on me and now I love it.

Finding these towels really sealed the deal for me on keeping the color...



They are pretty darn perfect. And we found them at TJ Maxx. Score!

We have made a few other simple and affordable changes to the space. First on the list was replacing the leopard-like light shades...

with simple white ones...

The cabinet didn't have any knobs or pulls so we replaced them with these lovely green ones from Target (these were probably the most expensive purchase we've made for this room)

I've also incorporated some of my milk glass collection into the room. We have one piece that holds our toothbrushes and right now there is a little vase holding fresh flowers from our yard. (that is, until the cats discover them and have a little snack...)

One of my favorite pieces in the room is this print from my friend Kelly...

And of course every vacation spot needs some good reading material...

We also added this simple shower curtain from Target... (I love the subtle ruffles)

And for now the wall opposite the vanity has these framed prints from our previous master bathroom...

My plan is to paint a floral design on this wall using chocolate brown paint...my version of a wall decal on a budget. These are a few designs I have in my inspiration file...





I'll be sure to post about the process once I find the time to get going on it.

Oh, and last but not least...remember the creepy vent cover?





I finally spray painted it, which helps to hide the freaky horse/dog heads quite nicely.



*patting myself on the back*

Oh, and you'll be seeing more of this wall color in our dining room...it is going to be making an appearance on the piano bench!