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For those of you that read E.A., you know I’m mad for Etsy!  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t scour its pages, hunting for unique items to feature in our home, my closet, or a gift bag for a friend.  There are so many incredibly talented people out there, and I love knowing that I’m purchasing something made by hand on a small, personal scale.  I like to think of it as shopping “global-locally!”

Anyhoo, in honor of my new favorite online pastime, I thought I’d do an EAD Living series featuring my favorite Etsy sellers in different categories, starting with my latest fixation: pottery and ceramics!

PrinceDesign UK

I just recently discovered PriceDesign UK when searching far and wide for a little bowl to sit sit on our kitchen window ledge to hold my engagement and wedding rings whilst cooking.

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I realize my last two posts on EADL have been food related so to honor our other interests … I figured we’d go dream decorating this week! You may recall that I posted a few of these furniture pieces on ABCD Design before, but what I will say to defend the re-post is that “dream” interior designing is an evolutionary process. New pieces make it on my list, and on occasion, a few will disappear. If items consistently make the cut on my list - they will become a runner in contention for my new space. Recently, I have mixed in a few new finds I am completely loving … and if I were decorating my own place right now I would consider snapping them up!

One company’s style that I completely adore is Wisteria. They have some amazing home decor items that will add a lot of bang to your decor for relatively little buck. $159.00 seems quite reasonable for this industrial style Cooper’s Draftsman Stool, doesn’t it? It has such a great turn-of-the century look.

I could think of several uses for this Scandinavian Spindle Leg Table. It works as a side table, a console table, flower-cutting table or maybe in a quick fix it could be a desk to work on your laptop or to write thank-you notes at! I love that it is rustic and could easily make a new room feel lived in, warm and well loved.

Uh, how amazing is this rustic zinc topped table? $199 bucks. It would be lovely in your entrance foyer. Add a basket or two -OR- a collection of ceramic vases and urns on the bottom shelf. Complete perfection, right?

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I’m in an enviable position because I get to collect all the ideas I have for our new home in Nicaragua and our studio we’ll build next year. It’s like planning not one, but two weddings!

If I had to define my style, it would be ultra casual. As in, let the dogs sleep on the bed and sofa, soft comfy couches covered in couches, hammocks tied to trees, walk around barefoot, live at the beach kind of casual.

The best part? Both houses will have a focus on living space that seamlessly integrates with the outdoors.  The living, dining and kitchen spaces in Nicaragua traditionally open up to big courtyards, some with wading pools and fountains, and our studio will have one side made up completely of glass and doors that open up to a big porch and courtyard.

This week’s newsletter from Better Homes and Garden was definitely what I needed right now. It was full of casual living inspiration, including a slideshow on outdoor dining spaces. Score!

Here are some of my favorites…

Suggestion: Add natural rugs to enhance the casual feel.

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A couple of months ago I stumbled across a new design blog that totally rocked, Kelly+Olive.  With great tips and ideas to “steal”, and a design manifesto that really hit home with me, I was an instant fan.  Their blog is so inspiring, I instantly wanted to run out to buy some spray paint to transform some of the ugly things that have been hiding in the  garage!

I also wanted to know more about Lauren and Courtney from Kelly+Olive, so what better way than a little interview?

1. How would you describe your style?
C: you’d think i’d have an answer for this by now!  i love white, and bright color, i love graphic pattern, i love modern clean lines, i love vintage, especially mid-century.  what style is that?  you tell me.
L: for me, i think the best description would be something like…flea market modern? i love the old and handmade and wacky, anything with an interesting history. but i also bold graphic lines and strong modern furniture…i walk a line between living in a cluttered thrift store and a sleeker mod pad.

2. Who or what are some of your biggest influences?
C:definitely really influenced by scandinavian design, and not just ikea!  i read over a hundred blogs, so it’s pretty hard to pinpoint who exactly.  i’m definitely influenced by lauren too…she helps me put some humor in my decorating!
L: that’s so funny because I was going to say the exact same thing about courtney … we really have a symbiotic relationship here!  and how did we live before design blogs!?!?! we’re no longer subject to the tastes of the big shelter magazine editors. I love looking into the homes of ‘real’ people with style and creativity and seeing how they solve their design dilemmas and make their homes their own.
C:  oh, real homes definitely.  apartment therapy house tours changed my world.

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Hello.  My name is Kate and I’m addicted to Etsy.

And really, is that so bad?  I mean, does it get any better than a virtual marketplace, accessible with the click of a button, filled with wares created by amateur and professional artists alike from around the globe?

Nope.  Didn’t think so.

My latest decorating obsession is pillows.  Funky throw-pillows seem to me to be one of the most economical ways to liven up a dull space… like cushy fluffs of art!   Revamp your old, worn out pillows with vibrant pillow-covers that you can interchange with the season (or your mood!).   Or, purchase a “statement pillow” (totally just made that up) to spruce up an entire room.

Considering my Etsy Infatuation, it shouldn’t come as much surprise that I’m scratching this pillow itch quite nicely with homemade finds…

Check out seller Alexandra Ferguson - how ridiculously fabulous are these felt pillows?

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With the weather warming up, thoughts of sandy beaches and blue oceans come to mind.   Since we don’t all live by the beach, using seashells as accents inside your home can bring thoughts of blue skies and warmer weather.  I love decorating with shells because they’re easy, inexpensive, and you can use a lot for a totally coastal look, or just a couple for a more subtle look.

Another way you can use and incorporate shells is to attach them to an object or piece of furniture, a practice called “Coquillage”.

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Now that we’ve picked a bed, I need two side tables for the bed, and a bookshelf or bench for the foot of the bed.  I’m not a huge fan of matching bedroom sets, so I’m comfortable mixing and matching different furniture to acheive a look I like.

First up, the side tables. I found a few favorites at Ikea.  I also looked at Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel (over budget) and West Elm and CB2 (didn’t find anything I truly loved).

Engan Side Table by Ikea, $49.99. The clean cube is very appealing.  However, I’m not sure the drawers would be durable enough.  I do want these to last for a while

Trondheim Side Table by Ikea, $79.99. I love the simple style, but wishing it came in other colors.  White painted wood just won’t work in this bedroom.

Mandal Side Table by Ikea, $69.99. It looks very modern vintage to me, and I know Frank would love this one as well.

The Ikea tables just weren’t enough for me, so I widened my search to Google Images.  You would be surprised what that turns up. I found the perfect side tables via an Apartment Therapy image.

Gladsax Nightstand at Scandavian Design Center, $381 for set of two. They’re within budget and hang from the wall (fulfills my obsession with empty floors). My only fear is that they are too modern and not warm enough.  I’ll have to see what they look like in my final inspiration board.

Moving on to benches and bookcases…

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The major reason we aren’t happy with our bedroom is because we have been unable to choose a bed we both love.  I finally sat down and scoured the internet (am not an furniture store lover) for beds that we like.

Here are three that I really like…

Matera Bed from Design Within Reach

Madura Bed from Crate and Barrel

Montego Platform Bed from Pottery Barn

I was surprised to find this over at Pottery Barn. It doesn’t seem to be the typical PB style, which I stay away from because it’s so “done” here in the South,.  While I do really like it, the bed is still too colonial for me.

And here is the bed that we both really love…

Wood Bed Frame from West Elm

This is as simple as it gets!  I love the raised platform, which is easier to clean under, but it is still low enough for our puppies to wake us up in the morning.  It looks clean, simple and modern and is perfect for setting up a bookcase at the foot.  At a mere $250 for a full and $280 for a queen, this is a true bargain.  The only thing I’m not sure of is the quality, as I’ve never orderded furniture from West Elm before.  For now, this bed is a winner!

I have a confession to make.

While it may appear as if I have everything pulled together, I do not.  Our bedroom is the very definition of not having everything pulled together.  We sleep on a platform bed that was built by my roommate five years ago.  Most of it is plywood.  Yes, I said plywood.  I HAVE PLYWOOD FURNITURE.  Granted, it is trimmed in “real” wood, but I still know it’s dirty cheating plywood heart.

We’ve been married two years.  There is NO excuse for this!  It is time for a complete bedroom vamp, Bekah style.

Here are my must haves for the bedroom:

1. Two nightstands
2. Two lamps
3. A mirror
4. A comfortable bed, preferably framed in wood and platform.
5. Bright colors
6. Easy washable linens.
7. A small bookcase of some sort

First up, a few bedrooms to narrow my style…

Point Click Home Via Desire to Inspire

I love the simple girly feel.  It’s a little TOO girly for my husband.  Love the mirror/frame combo, old shutters and simple flowers.  Don’t love the monochromatic feel.  Perhaps this would be better suited for a single gal?

Amy Shutt’s Bedroom (owner of Day Lab) via Design Sponge

Love the vintage modern feel with bright colors, but not the metal bed frame, rug, or delicate side table. I like sturdy furniture.

Real Living Magazine via Decor8

I love the ladder and the blue walls, but not the “woodsy” feel of the rest.  I do love that it looks lived in and comfortable, but put together at the same time.  Absolutely LOVE the birdcage.  Come to mama!

Coastal Living via My Home Ideas

Ok, probably not what I would typically love, but I just went to a party where the sofa was hanging from the ceiling like this and I fell in love.  How awesome would it be to have a hanging bed?  Maybe without the little nasty ropes at the bottom.  For some reason this bedroom reminds me of Rachel.  Maybe the liberal use of oranges and palm leaves in a vase?

Sunset via My Home Ideas

Can I get a “what what”?  This is perfection!!  I love love love everything about it.  I love the seamless integration with the outdoors, the natural light, the proper mix of natural materials.  The simple potted palm tree.  The books. I seriously adore this look!  I think I’ve found a winner.  The only change I would make is using more brights, less muted orange.

Come back on Monday for more….

I might as well just repost everything from CraftyNest.  Her projects are THAT COOL.

Go check out the before on her blog!