I need a garden. Even if it’s just one potted plant. I’m graving some natural greenery around these parts. Maybe it’s all this talk about how I wish I love the outdoors. Maybe it’s the landscaping happening outside my apartment window. Or maybe it’s lack of oxygen? In any case… I’ve been dying for some nice houseplants ever since I killed our house plants about a year ago.

My grandmother was quite a houseplant keeper extraordinaire. When she passed away, I took all of her houseplants and loyally tended to them in some kind of misguided effort to keep something of Gramma’s alive. Silly me, so much of her was alive through photos, memories, and the legacy she left behind. But that didn’t make me feel any better when I saw the shriveled up plants after the first frost of 2009. Bum-mer!

I suppose I’m just terribly romantic. Although, my romantic status is somewhat of a closet case. But I long to someday live in a home with a swoon-worthy garden space. I think it would be amazingly inspiring, yeah? Just as long as I have a gardener on staff. I would hate to get my hands dirty. ;) (Oh my. I’m not getting very far with my goal to be more outdoorsy, am I?! Help!!)

Images via: Design Sponge, So Much to Tell You, Poppytalk, Automatism

I had a revelation recently while browsing through my home inspiration folder on my desktop. The power of a perfect rug cannot be underestimated when decorating an interior space. And while standing in our new echoey living room (at the new apartment!), it occurred to me that a statement rug was just what the room needed.

The picture above is of a house I had been admiring on flickr before it was featured on sfgirlbybay. I absolutely adore the mixes of antique, mod, and unexpected elements. And the rugs! Totally traditional, yet a very bold choice when compared to a more modern solid or graphic patterned rug. I think it fits in perfectly with the eclectic space. Total inspiration!

The little bit of rug I saw in this last picture totally slayed me as well. Ahhh! Which type of rug did I want? Modern, or traditional? Oh my. Decisions decisions. But, after long debates (with myself) and lots of internet browsing, I decided that a Turkish kilim rug with a big of a geometric flavor would be the perfect compromise for our new home. (This house tour had a lot to do with that!) And so, without further ado, I found one on ebay that quickly stole my heart. Oh, and did I mention that I clicked the buy-it-now button? Oh yes. I did.

images from: bloesem, sfgirlbybay, and design sponge

Next week we move into our new apartment. Painting is happening this weekend! (Our landlord gave us white paint when I said I would like to paint the dark taupe trim. Also we are refinishing the kitchen cabinets. Before & after of that project to come!) I can’t stop thinking about changes I want to make in our home’s style, since we will no longer be living with my brother in his wonderful home. So no more compromises on my style! The only compromises I will be making involve negotiations with my paypal account. Ya feel?

P.S. I am so blessed to have a husband who gives me complete creative reign in our home. Within reason (and budget, of course! But that’s my specialty!).

(The cart is from Urban Outfitters, the framed prints are from my shop, and the other print is saved in my Etsy faves. I’m scared to share the link, because I haven’t purchased it yet! The chair was an ebay miss this week, and sofa is a craigslist wish which I am pursuing this weekend.)