Hi Friends! I’m Natalie Mason. I live in Charleston, SC and I am mom to Sterling 12 , Frances Moon 8 and our mini golden doodle Dolly.

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Home Updates and Home Obsessions

Jul 21, 2015

We have a few fun new projects going on at our house right now.  

First of all we had a pergola built.  One of Matt’s best friends just started his own business and we hired him to fence part of our yard and build us a pergola.  I could not be happier with the results.  We have to let the wood sit for a good month to dry out before we paint it.  I plan to grow some Confederate Jasmine over the top and hang some globe outdoor lights.

This was my inspiration picture.  What color should we paint or stain the wood?

I am thinking white or maybe dark gray.

Since Sterling is starting kindergarten this fall, he has requested a big boy room update. I have not really done anything to his room since he was 2.5 years old and we switched him to a big boy bed.  First up was I ditched the Gallery Wall above his bed for this large print.  

Next up a fresh new paint color on his walls. I am tired of the brown and want to brighten up his room.  I am either doing Decorators White or Aloof Gray.

Water Buffalo Print

Two big boy rooms I am using for inspiration.

I am so excited because I am going to be working with Alex Kaehler Designs to re-do our dining room.  I have been a huge fan of Alex’s since I started blogging.  I just adore her taste.  She recently started doing E-Design services.  Since we opened up the kitchen to the dining room I have been wanting to spruce things up and overhaul the room.

This bathroom and bedroom are some of my favorites she designed.

 A view of our kitchen into the dining room that will be re-done. I can’t wait to get started!  I have already filled out the questionnaire and done my measurements of the space and furniture, so we should be starting soon.   I will document and share what we do with the space along the way!

A few pretties for the Home, that I am loving.

Starburst Bookends

Impact Coffee Table Book

This is one of my favorite coffee table books.  I love the pop of pink.  I have ours in our den.  Currently on sale.

Glass Figurine

I have one of these on a stack of books in our den and love it.

Laurence Coffee Table

This coffee table is amazing.  

Copper Martini Glasses

Copper glasses are my new obsession because they keep your drinks super chilled.  These are perfect for entertaining and so cool.

Antelope Pillows

These are perfection.

Art Deco Pendant

Such a fresh and fun light fixture.

 Turkish Kilm Rug

This rug is so dreamy.  I wish I had a spot for it.


Seagrass Nesting Baskets

 I love the idea of these to store the kid’s toys in our den.

Currently on sale too!

Gray Malin Photograph

There are so many great new Gray Malin prints on One Kings Lane right now.  I love this one with all the blue and white.

Acrylic Nesting Tables

I am considering these for beside Sterling’s bed.

Gold Lamp

I love these gold lamps and they are such a great price!!


Giraffe at Home Throw

I had no idea that my favorite baby blankets were made in throw sizes for living spaces.  These are hands down the softest blankets and part of the Nordstrom sale right now too.  I so want one for our den.  Perfect to cuddle up on the couch with!

Champagne Flutes

How awesome are these flutes??  Also part of the Nordstrom sale.  I really like the gold designs and vintage feel.

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Home Updates and Home Obsessions

Feb 3, 2015

I am starting to feel like our house is slowly coming together.  My main focus lately has been our kitchen and remodeling it.  It is the room we spend the most time in and I figure wheter we eventually add on or sell this house kitchen updates are worth the expense.

So far we have had the built-ins done around the fridge, purchased a new fridge, knocked down the cabinet between the kitchen and dining room, had recess lights installed, and painted the cabinets Decorators White (they were a horrible brown).  This weekend we had our back splash tile laid.  They are actually coming back this morning to grout and finish painting a few cabinets.  I went with white subway tile (I know its what every one and their brother is doing too) but I decided to switch things up and have it laid in a herringbone pattern and do a dark gray grout.

This is a view right in the middle of all the work, after it is grouted I will show more photos.

Our next phase will involve putting in new floors, I am thinking hardwood just to flow with the rest of our house.   I hate the current tile we have and also knocking out a small wall between the kitchen and dining room, it will make the kitchen and dining room one big open room.

Here is a before shot where you can see the stainless back splash before.  The white subway tile really brightens things up. You can also see the ugly tile on the floor I can’t wait to replace.

I also worked on cleaning and organizing our porch.  This project got side tracked because of our kitchen work but it is coming along nicely.  I just need a cute light and glass door installed.

It is a great spot because it is right off the kitchen so I can open the door and let the kids play while I cook.

Rug (25% off)

I also tried (tried being the key word) to style under our newly mounted tv.  I have a hard time styling spaces and Matt won’t allow anything tall that blocks the tv at all.  

Any thoughts on what to put on there? 

 

Finally potted a new orchid for our den.  See my post here on how to pot and style an orchid like a pro.

 Mirrored Tray Here.

Since I am on a real home kick, I thought I would share some things I am loving for the home.

|| Japenese Florals

I love these Japenese Florals, if I had a spot I would so order them. They had been $900 down to $200.  There are three different prints, they would look great above a couch or in a bedroom.

|| Side Table

I just adore this side table.  It is simple but so sleek looking.

|| Ikat Pillows

I love these blue ikat pillows, they are such a steal for a set of two.

 

|| Callie Glass Desk Boxes

I love the idea of these for jewelry or sitting out on a coffee or console table filled with pretty objects.

|| Quartz Candle Holders

These are now on sale.  I have a similar one pictured below and just love it.  So cute on any table.

|| Felt Banner Bright Side | Keep it Real

I really want one of these cute Felt Banners to hang on our porch!

http://rstyle.me/n/wi9ingf5

 

|| Gold Foo Dogs

I want to find a place for this adorable pair.  I love foo dogs and especially love the gold!

|| Amelia Crystal Lamp

Do you guys ever browse the Pottery Barn Teen section?  I always do!  You can find great stuff for great prices.  I love this crystal lamp, thinking about it for my vanity or desk.

|| Black Swirls Triptych

I am always a fan of black and white art. So classic even when it is modern.  This would look great over a couch, buffet, or bar cart area.

 || Round Coffee Table

I love the idea of a round coffee table, especially with kids. This one is stunning!

this version is just as pretty and more budget friendly.

|| Moroccan Tea Glasses

I could not resist these pink glasses.  I love this smaller size for juice, wine, and cocktails.

They also come in a gorgeous turquoise color.

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Leave a Reply

  1. caycee says:

    Girl the kitchen is look so good!!!! Love the way you did the tile!!!

  2. Love the herringbone pattern and the grey grout will be stunning! I would put the VCR in the middle and the books on either side. You could swap out one of the books with a grouping of the glass boxes you posted about. It's all looking great!

  3. PAZ says:

    Hang a gallery wall behind the TV to help it blend in. I did this in my house and have gotten tons of compliments!

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/133067363961739632/

  4. Hi Natalie! Looks great…love subway tile. Have you considered taking the tile up to the ceiling on the right beside the French door? Just a thought…Read your blog everyday! Jackie

  5. Your kitchen is coming along great! I love love love the subway tile laid in the herringbone pattern! Fun twist on something standard.

  6. Christina says:

    On the porch, where did you get the thing with the basket drawers? Good lord, I don't even know what to call it.

  7. The kitchen looks so great! We just painted a ton of our oak trim to white and it is amazing what just a little paint does. I love the herringbone subway tile too! For the TV console, would you consider some sconces on either side and a gallery wall? I know it is not very minimalist. Here is a link to Emily A. Clark's, http://emilyaclark.com/2013/09/using-dresser-as-our-tv-console.html

    I think that Hunted Interior did a similar thing too with their TV.

    Here is a link to our house–you can see how much I love all of the brown trim gone!
    http://www.allthingsbigandsmallblog.com/2015/02/family-room-before-and-after.html

  8. Emily says:

    Kitchen backsplash looks great so far. Can't wait to see the final photo! I love that TV console in the natural wood, but I think it would look beautiful painted white, too. Especially next to those light chairs. I'd also put the tv box in the center and do something to the back wall.

  9. Sparkles says:

    I really enjoy your blog! I was shocked to see the foo dogs you like because I have those exact same foo dogs, in the large size but I bought them at Homegoods for $16.99 each,

  10. Your kitchen is going to look so FAB!

  11. Ok I have never thought to browse PB teen before but you are genius!!! LOVE the crystal lamps they have, now you are going to get me into trouble, lol.

    Your kitchen looks great, can't wait to see the rest of it!

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