trending: pattern mix masters

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last day of school has finally arrived and I'm both thrilled and frightened at the thought of kicking off summer in a few short hours. I have a 3-year-old who is acting very...three lately. And the thought of a change to her schedule that might further muck her up almost makes me want to go hide in the closet until September. So let's ease into this week by talking about a trend I can't get enough of - pattern mixing.</div><br />In the right space, I love a collected look. A room that looks more curated over time and layered, very lived in. These spaces always feel comfortable and welcoming to me. Almost as though you are going into the 'real' room of someone's home, not the staged living room for guests. A backstage pass to someone's private space you could say.<br /><br />Now this style certainly isn't for everyone and when it's not done well it looks like a hot mess. But there are a number of people who do it well and do it often.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkO7UoMr3eRuPK3j61arZrZ6F7dWAdFmU2wU_yb7rotScIV3tHKLI2fXnqfwPiPInKiQ1B6bUDdS9qWx27Im44QYK-fF6TrNyFVpdZDnmiXp8yQSuXmfEcxwkljCt8Xaum_5bRnOy9gXP/s1600/e301255c9e48f4c1687d1adb7dd340b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkO7UoMr3eRuPK3j61arZrZ6F7dWAdFmU2wU_yb7rotScIV3tHKLI2fXnqfwPiPInKiQ1B6bUDdS9qWx27Im44QYK-fF6TrNyFVpdZDnmiXp8yQSuXmfEcxwkljCt8Xaum_5bRnOy9gXP/s1600/e301255c9e48f4c1687d1adb7dd340b8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.stagram.com/p/639507659997115702_21079412#fkLQPIDKG4xqM4MW.32" target="_blank">Anna Spiro</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIUjYrwWrcMCMaIVuEpt4d-1UCbf8r5bAs9TGg_UsrMKWM2F1A2KBBDcJwCsVpdi4fCcVBc0zBlbn2D4N-JJ2g5nyi382vs8z9ZpbMkMMoeZ6V10cklTIjRHTw0QKovt4-q7kNos5ET1M/s1600/c485e5e8d250d3ec3831e8b71c9c73c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIUjYrwWrcMCMaIVuEpt4d-1UCbf8r5bAs9TGg_UsrMKWM2F1A2KBBDcJwCsVpdi4fCcVBc0zBlbn2D4N-JJ2g5nyi382vs8z9ZpbMkMMoeZ6V10cklTIjRHTw0QKovt4-q7kNos5ET1M/s1600/c485e5e8d250d3ec3831e8b71c9c73c6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blackandspiro.com.au/auchenflower.html" target="_blank">Anna Spiro</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKLmyCG9F27m0US8eNRism_IZPvhQldUj_GhI0N15NBEOdGagvo7UXKU1LTHHwU4mF5Sjh_I5JX1iaEf9Z6XQWGpXUQz4y1_JjJ0GFS1ZGl9MzorkV8hZt40zi8f6NYk8z-lULp6U5a13/s1600/Furbish_September_457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKLmyCG9F27m0US8eNRism_IZPvhQldUj_GhI0N15NBEOdGagvo7UXKU1LTHHwU4mF5Sjh_I5JX1iaEf9Z6XQWGpXUQz4y1_JjJ0GFS1ZGl9MzorkV8hZt40zi8f6NYk8z-lULp6U5a13/s1600/Furbish_September_457.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.isuwannee.com/2013/12/a-raleigh-sunroom-before-and-after.html" target="_blank">Jamie Meares</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyF8xuna68cDwvvLNasG7X05C9er1Mqj-YO3l9l7zIzM5UejXLp8OReU2rF5kEBeE_IjDWolPZ-bHNLDIjgU3b852wcaJPAzo34jBqCE-JjmmOHXTYalqIw7t9RsMTWAXicTIQVW-T4B-/s1600/14074ae1a983364ce3255c95609af09b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyF8xuna68cDwvvLNasG7X05C9er1Mqj-YO3l9l7zIzM5UejXLp8OReU2rF5kEBeE_IjDWolPZ-bHNLDIjgU3b852wcaJPAzo34jBqCE-JjmmOHXTYalqIw7t9RsMTWAXicTIQVW-T4B-/s1600/14074ae1a983364ce3255c95609af09b.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tiltonfenwick.com/portfolio_residential.html" target="_blank">Tilton Fenwick</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_g76b-kF8XjyovitNv11gBZ3xbpIueET5KK11nXHc-W8A2QjTi2H4ZwmRplAMygh0ow5V32wL7RrdQHb_0gfCETmE3scGjRbDftz46mHJpFIANPXg5VCdoSNJy03QCyPxZylfSt0mq4K1/s1600/4e4189151ef7f670190c4edacafd9753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_g76b-kF8XjyovitNv11gBZ3xbpIueET5KK11nXHc-W8A2QjTi2H4ZwmRplAMygh0ow5V32wL7RrdQHb_0gfCETmE3scGjRbDftz46mHJpFIANPXg5VCdoSNJy03QCyPxZylfSt0mq4K1/s1600/4e4189151ef7f670190c4edacafd9753.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cottages-gardens.com/Connecticut-Cottages-Gardens/December-2012/Interior-designer-Jeffrey-Bilhuber-creates-the-perfect-family-home-Image-Gallery/index.php?cp=16&play=false&si=15&view=deluxeslideshow" target="_blank">Jeffrey Bilhuber</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS63KO7lsDLmquw79lL4PBPLaMB66kQDi7TXWt2xnw3-T6lgQhseoov5tkSmeTFs5gXU42ttvs3VmF6ABRRuaH0SWwJwfnx_K0BBtZZ8ts7EPYsP8vBoj7w64rBFEIF4YPFOgf7Im6iFwj/s1600/katierosenthal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS63KO7lsDLmquw79lL4PBPLaMB66kQDi7TXWt2xnw3-T6lgQhseoov5tkSmeTFs5gXU42ttvs3VmF6ABRRuaH0SWwJwfnx_K0BBtZZ8ts7EPYsP8vBoj7w64rBFEIF4YPFOgf7Im6iFwj/s1600/katierosenthal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/" target="_blank">Katie Rosenthal</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAaBIv-xmaNVQqwDuaAphiM3X6aZJ_WJX4-KqvkKLMUK57LIgla_t1w6sMTY3O6To5HsohZieBykcrrI-bGTTwBjyMtMFR2ZStCJTi8Maz9UJmf8Sdpk8m7PnBZt_59N3tlF9koeBEFuP/s1600/249bf9b1ea55bcbd88239a3e2b9b13c0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAaBIv-xmaNVQqwDuaAphiM3X6aZJ_WJX4-KqvkKLMUK57LIgla_t1w6sMTY3O6To5HsohZieBykcrrI-bGTTwBjyMtMFR2ZStCJTi8Maz9UJmf8Sdpk8m7PnBZt_59N3tlF9koeBEFuP/s1600/249bf9b1ea55bcbd88239a3e2b9b13c0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/foohqwah/10592476335/" target="_blank">John Robshaw</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div>What do you think? There are certainly levels of this trend, hardcore mixes for the bold and daring and more subtle mixes for those who just want to dip their toe into the mix.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you on board? Would you give it a try in your own home? Or will you leave the mixing to the cocktails?<br /><br /></div>

trending: pattern mix masters

The last day of school has finally arrived and I'm both thrilled and frightened at the thought of kicking off summer in a few short hour...

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the dog ate my homework and pop-up shopping

I've missed you!<br /><br />I'm not going to bore you with any excuses as to why I've been MIA just know that I miss y'all terribly when I'm not on my normal schedule. I feel like a big part of my day is missing. And now, I want to sing this song to tell you how sorry I am... just kidding. We would no longer be friends if I sung to you.<br /><br />Things will return to normal as quickly as possible, so just hang with me. And because I can't leave you empty handed (that would make this the most boring post on record) I want to make sure you know about this little treat Santa has dropped in our laps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB3L896xYI9PUulGf6z4mZvhHjOX4KmjnReth365U0FfH5pm6r0U410cNZMlTSStPu9QAoxMBaPMqG2yFDKMW7-ogkP1YrXfzAO4Epg-dTS9nJLeQBoxSyVMtATX-vfbIgnl9CdVRLZMa/s1600/shopblackandspiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB3L896xYI9PUulGf6z4mZvhHjOX4KmjnReth365U0FfH5pm6r0U410cNZMlTSStPu9QAoxMBaPMqG2yFDKMW7-ogkP1YrXfzAO4Epg-dTS9nJLeQBoxSyVMtATX-vfbIgnl9CdVRLZMa/s640/shopblackandspiro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My very favorite Australian, <a href="http://instagram.com/annaspiro" target="_blank">Anna Spiro</a>, opened up her <a href="http://shop.blackandspiro.com.au/" target="_blank">Christmas Pop-Up Shop</a> this morning and things are gong fast. Head over there if you are like me and would love nothing more than to spend an afternoon shopping at <a href="http://www.blackandspiro.com.au/" target="_blank">Black & Spiro</a> but you don't have the extra couple grand for a ticket down to the southern hemisphere.<br /><br />Have a great day and happy shopping!

the dog ate my homework and pop-up shopping

I've missed you! I'm not going to bore you with any excuses as to why I've been MIA just know that I miss y'all terribly whe...

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monday monday

I'm down with a bad cold today. I tried to call in sick, but the girls didn't give me the day off. However, I will be spending a lot of time looking over the new issue of <a href="http://www.adoremagazine.com/read/" target="_blank">Adore</a> which is always filled with amazing spaces and is featuring a new space by <a href="http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anna Spiro</a>. Sure to make me feel better.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJKT5HLo7qCS1dlaiQxI8CQ5-_EtWWxUPFNc2fpmog-DcCGOkruTbq2KL3Bt42mgzl0V8iHSbEVKBY8-Uaqz6lp5oNUad6vHUG109N8szaSlsmH4nnFG7OkEec27R2c8MboOhzQnvAXTi/s1600/adore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJKT5HLo7qCS1dlaiQxI8CQ5-_EtWWxUPFNc2fpmog-DcCGOkruTbq2KL3Bt42mgzl0V8iHSbEVKBY8-Uaqz6lp5oNUad6vHUG109N8szaSlsmH4nnFG7OkEec27R2c8MboOhzQnvAXTi/s400/adore.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And scouring the new <a href="http://www.luluandgeorgia.com/" target="_blank">Lulu & Georgia</a> site. I've already found about 4 things I want on there and I didn't even get past the first page.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWekmUzkaZmzetVNmJVUKfJadISuAWZq36JHeA12InZxkAUFLSnGrnhOCAP8hv4RBpmdYEbIIhsBDkGIgTHI6PhZg5XvCKFkrZ6yvVl_BEjrA9ZFEdtnZhjJBMRebN6ynJpl_gd4F4wAZ/s1600/+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWekmUzkaZmzetVNmJVUKfJadISuAWZq36JHeA12InZxkAUFLSnGrnhOCAP8hv4RBpmdYEbIIhsBDkGIgTHI6PhZg5XvCKFkrZ6yvVl_BEjrA9ZFEdtnZhjJBMRebN6ynJpl_gd4F4wAZ/s400/+logo.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSnnyRMKIT4Ff0SR65Epwj_bF_18QS63zsvou1iFi0nxEmd95yfvQYDUn4d44m5saIB8xttaiu08Z2g-ptrwQWKzZvlq3kJMEDTCETRRUoeAD6XQg8D8oKScPIqz19CKQVNrFzHX3Pqmg/s1600/inslee-illustration.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSnnyRMKIT4Ff0SR65Epwj_bF_18QS63zsvou1iFi0nxEmd95yfvQYDUn4d44m5saIB8xttaiu08Z2g-ptrwQWKzZvlq3kJMEDTCETRRUoeAD6XQg8D8oKScPIqz19CKQVNrFzHX3Pqmg/s400/inslee-illustration.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div><div>Be sure to check them both out!</div>

monday monday

I'm down with a bad cold today. I tried to call in sick, but the girls didn't give me the day off. However, I will be spending a lot...

Read more »