We are getting close on our renovation and I am scrambling to make final decisions on furniture and furniture layouts (and a million other little details). I find design boards are really helpful to me for choosing furniture. Seeing everything together in front of me (instead of just in my head) really helps me to see what works together and what doesn't.

My biggest struggle in this project has been this kitchen/den space. If you've been following along, there was previously a wall dividing these 2 spaces making them both dark and small and I was dead set on removing that wall to open them both up. I was so glad to see it gone, but I didn't anticipate the design challenge in making sure that all the furniture and finishes in this big open space worked together and the space still functioned well.

Just to recap: here's the space before we did any work.

Here's the space right after they removed that lovely paneled wall.

And then the space once they removed all the old cabinets & flooring

Here's a view from the other direction right after they started installing my cabinets. {side note: I am so so happy with my black cabinets!}

My goal is to have this new open space function as three things: kitchen, eat in kitchen area and den/sitting area. Below is the design board I've been working on for this space.

Design board sources: Bar Stools // Sofa // Rug // Woven Chair // Leather Poufs // Coffee table // Light fixture // Tulip table: vintage // black Eames style chairs // Artwork

I am so excited to finish our renovation and share the before and after pics! So far I'm really happy with how everything is coming together! Stay tuned.....

Lighting is so much fun! It's like the jewelry of a room - you can add drama, a little sophistication or even a hint of glam with the perfect light fixture. I've spent hours lately sourcing lighting for my own home trying to find the perfect lights to add a little modern touch, while not blowing my budget. And since finding great lights at an affordable price can be difficult I thought I'd share some of my favorites!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

I wish I had a place for all of them in my home! So far, I plan to use [1] in my kitchen above the open shelving. [5] In my powder bath. [10] I've already ordered and it's currently sitting in the garage. The picture doesn't do it justice - it's so much larger in person - almost 5 feet across! It's really pretty and I can't wait to see it hanging from my vaulted ceilings in the living room.

For our den, I'm still trying to choose between the other chandeliers above. I recently stumbled across Billy Cotton's Pick Up Stick collection and fell in love hard, but they are so out of my budget it's not even funny. I'm really drawn to [11] and [12] above because they remind me the most of the Billy Cotton. [9] has a totally different vibe going on but I love it so much also and [13] really makes a statement with the large glass globes and its slightly asymmetrical shape. Just give me ALL THE LIGHTS!

Which one is your favorite?