color splash: purple

Purple's totally in this season. I love it, but I don't think I'd have the guts to have a purple room in our house :) And... pretty sure the hubs wouldn't allow it anyway!

like it or hate it?

I can't decide how I feel about the new (or new to me) trend of using plates as wall decor. What do y'all think?

stockings with no fireplace or mantle...

Does anyone else have this problem? We have an apartment with no mantle OR fireplace to display our stockings for our first Christmas together... how sad is that?!? I'm trying to think of alternative places to hang them this year, but my mind is going blank. Where do y'all hang your stockings??

As always, the Inspired Room did it's job and inspired me today... here are some pretty stocking & mantle pictures :)

Dangit Kristin! You've gotten me all holiday-spirited! :)

home-spun goodness

click for the full effect.

(from the Inspired Room)

precious cottage

(from the Inspired Room)

I bet Ryan hates this :)

fancy walls

from the nest

when we get a house...

... I want this dining room furniture from PB.

Ryan doesn't like the matching chairs with rattan seats, so we could compromise with these instead:

and this buffet... yes please.

... i'm really feeling the itch this week.

today's find on ebby.com

I'm obviously REALLY REALLY in the mood for house hunting right now... :) I like this house in general... The kitchen needs a lot of work, so it's surprising that this is even on the list because kitchens are usually my number 1 deal-breaker. But... I still like it.

It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage. It's 2004 square feet (good) and it was built in 1993 (a little old for our taste because houses start falling apart after 10 years!)

This is what the description says:
This house is a 10!! Updated thru-out! Both bathrooms renovated with beautiful travertine tile, tumbled stone, designer paint, custom vanities, & high-end fixtures and lighting. Huge family room, large island kitchen with big breakfast nook. Upgraded frieze carpet, 5in baseboards, & crown molding thru-out. Large sized bedrooms. Painted in & out in '07, professional landscaping. Oversized back patio with big backyard. New hot water heater '08. A++

And now for the pictures:

Curb Appeal likes:
nice big tree
nice landscaping
we like red brick

Dislikes:
tree might make house too dark
that's it!

Office likes:

everything!
chair rail & molding
paint color
size
windows

Dislikes:
would be perfect with wood floors

Living room likes:

fireplace with mantel
paint color
open to entry and office
ceiling fan
love the French doors to outside (below picture)

Dislikes:
seems dark
could be bigger

Kitchen likes:
windows
eat-in area
island
matching appliances
tile floor

Dislikes:
a lot...
paint color
countertops
cabinet color
not a lot of cabinets
flourescent lighting

Guest bathroom likes:
chair rail
double sinks
modern appliances
fun mirror
tile countertops
vanity cabinet color

Dislikes:
just a little small

Master bedroom likes:
window facing backyard
tall ceilings

Dislikes:
paint color
no ceiling fan?
a little small

Master bathroom likes:
EVERYTHING
travertine tile
tumbled marble
paint color
crown molding
new appliances
separate tub & shower
window

Dislikes:
nada

2nd bathroom picture Likes:
separate vanities
new appliances
crown molding and chair rail
nice mirrors

Dislikes:
not a lot of storage

Backyard likes:
deck for grilling
fence is in-tact

Dislikes:
yard is small
fence could be repaired
would love a covered porch

Thoughts? I would obviously have to gut the kitchen, so I know that :)