Zhooshing Goals...2012

New Year's Resolutions that are focused on zhooshing (fixing, tidying, adding finesse) around " ma maison" and "mon jardin" file in right after the obligatory resolutions to..... eliminate the white stuff (white flour, white sugar) again from the diet after a no-restrictions filled December, juice more (yes, I am one of those kale enthralled juiceanistas), investigate new forms of exercise, in the never-ending quest for "muscle confusion" (for those who don't know what I am talking about just ask any gym junkie), and add more date nights to the calendar with my husband in 2012,  as well as bone up on my Italian language skills ( or lack thereof since I haven't been to Italy in years after my stint living there in college and regular visits until I became a wife and mother).....etc. etc. you get the idea.

The Nesting Place is hosting a party for Home Goals 2012 and I decided to attend!

So here is what is marinating in my mind for 2012.....


My son is developing "pre-teen-itis" and wants his room to reflect his new found maturity. So we are looking at ways to subtly tweak his current abode (paint, accessories, etc) without changing major pieces of furniture.

I want to update the vibe in my family room to a little more downtown cool loft than beachy seaside cottage. I am going to switch out the current "butter-colored" sectional for a more streamlined crisp white one.

  Current Photos of the Family Room

My husband thinks I am crazy with kids and a dog underfoot to attempt white anything but I am fearless and sometimes reckless when it comes to design desires. After all, that is why God created slipcovers! I am going to infuse some strong bursts of teal with the pillows and accessories and probably some animal prints...I want the space to POP!

  I love the idea inspired by Megan Winters Designs to add a different fabric to the seat cushion of the  sectional I place in the room....( still tossing that idea around).... in the meantime here are a few "inspirational" elements in spaces....I like the eclectic feeling of this first picture...

This one reminds me how fresh white can be in a space...(and look there is a dog on the sofa)...

This one has infused the animal print element.... I have struggled with adding the "animal print" element to a room because it has been done so often in interiors...but sometimes things are popular for a reason! I think I am going to join the herd (pun intended)....

Any animal influences I put in the room will be soft in both color and feel....

I might have to use both of these rugs in the house...

Here is my inspiration color these days...rich teal!

Fabric swatches I have been collecting....

I like both the front and back of this fabric. I may make pillows out of both sides.

  
I also love Kelly Killoren Benisom's idea of Hermes Scarves made into large euro square pillows for added interest. Not these particular scarves but you get the idea...

I am also really interested in creating sari fabric pillows backed with coordinating velvets for a wonderful global feel to add into the mix. I think an eclectic mix of a bunch of colorful pillows in rich teals, blues, greens is my ultimate goal....what do you think?

                       (Merci':Imeiree)

I also want to replace my current ottoman in the family room with a tufted ottoman in a wonderful linen. I want to create different skirts for different seasons... a rich velvet teal skirt for Winter, a soft white linen skirt for Summer, maybe a cool graphic pattern (ala one of my pillow fabrics) for Spring. I will design the ottoman so that the different skirts can be attached with Velcro for easy switching.

For the past few years I have been on the hunt for a magnificent antique architectural "something" to hang above the doorway in my vaulted master bathroom. I am convinced this is the year I will find it on one of my treasure hunts. I have a very large expanse so I can have a lot of fun with the space!

 not exactly this but something old and interesting like this would be a fun find...

I am also pondering on my love of tone on tone wall texture and how to introduce it more into my spaces. I have a number of these paneled mouldings around my living room. I recently saw a fabulous Greek key wallpaper. If I could find an interestingly graphic and elegant wallpaper in the same color as my walls I might consider putting it in the inset of the mouldings around the room for subtle interest and a more contemporary vibe.

I also love adding as many natural elements into a space as I can. I just stopped by a neighbor's house as a huge old maple tree was being cut down for a new garage. I saw a bunch of stumps and politely asked if I

could have a few that I could manage to lift (thank goodness for TRX training)

 before the waste company took them away. I had visions of just what you see below...and I might even have them lacquered for a high style finish! They would be great individually as end tables if I didn't want to do a cluster....

I have an upstairs patio off our master bedroom that is one of my favorite spaces....I keep changing it up a bit year to year and I am determined this year to keep going on the quest for getting it just right. I am not there yet...I love the quote that a space " screams at you until it is finished and then it gets quiet." This one is still too noisy for me!

a year or two ago

this past Summer...


Finally, in the garden I am determined to do a few things....

Plant more peonies and even though they give you a minute of bloom time they are so magnificent it is worth it!

                          Images from my Garden...

and come up with an interesting twist in the "Towering Urn-fernos"  that every year  I try to change up a bit with different flower combinations...one of these years I want to do an all white garden on the patio!

So, now I have to take it one day and room at a time in 2012 and see where my inspirations and goals take me.....I will keep you abreast of my progress. Do you have any goals for your home this year? For more inspiration pop on over to Wow Us Wednesdays and Open House Party.