Everything I have

"Everything I have" by Simon Evans. I will never be able to fit all my things into a sheet of paper like this. (via Debi Van Zyl via Black Eiffel)

Cardboard House - Villa Julia

I would so like to place my desk in this and work out of this at home if I could fit inside. Or perhaps erect one of these at the corner of a busy street to sell pretty cupcakes and lemonade.

Follow me on Twitter!

I finally got round to signing up on Twitter and oh it is soo much fun! Almost additive. If you would like to follow this Twitter newbie, click here! I will mostly be using this to post the latest on my baby online store and update more frequently on day-to-day (and sometimes banal) events that keep me busy and inspired.

Currently inspired by

Rose and Grey

I love this "Birds on a Wire" decal and graphic cushions from Rose and Grey. The round mirror next to the bed looks super lovely too. Wonder where you can find this...

(above) Birdcage Cushion

Eggshell Flowerpots

I love this idea by Martha Stewart Crafts that teaches you how to turn egg shells into flower pots. So simple and beautiful. This will make such a meaningful Easter gift that celebrates the hope of new life. If only I had the green fingers to make seeds sprout like this!

Cat Mansion

If you have a cat and feel like pampering him/her with what you may dream of living in, you may like this tutorial that teaches you how to turn cardboard boxes into a mansion. This makes me wish I were a cat!

My favourite quote from "Under the Tuscan Sun"

It has been a hectic week and my husband and I unwinded by watching "Under the Tuscan Sun" on DVD for the second time together after dinner. We really love this movie and it inspired us to take our honeymoon in Tuscany when we first saw it 5 years ago. Here is my favourite quote from the film:

"Signora, between Austria and Italy, there is a section of the Alps called the Semmering. It is an impossibly steep, very high part of the mountains. They built a train track over these Alps to connect Vienna and Venice. They built these tracks even before there was a train in existence that could make the trip. They built it because they knew some day, the train would come."

Martini from "Under the Tuscan Sun"

How I long to own a villa in Tuscany!

Decorating on a budget

Money is tight now-a-days for most of people, but that doesn’t mean that you should avoid home improvements. Modern furniture and decorations can be expensive. People tend to think that a modern looking decor is simply out of their price range. Luckily, there are several projects you can do yourself to help give your home a little more style on a budget.

Rather than buy new furniture, consider doing some renovations on your existing pieces. In the bedroom for example, you could spruce up the décor in your room by adding some style to your existing headboard. Find a fabric color or pattern that you like and use it to create a padded headboard. All you need is some fabric, some stuffing, and a staple gun. Attach the fabric to the headboard; add the stuffing material for some added padding, and then staple it closed. Creating your own padded headboard instead of buying one from a furniture store can save you hundreds of dollars.

Here is a neat tutorial from Charissa that will teach you how to make your own tufted headboard.

(above) Ultra modern look achieved by just attaching 2 large closet doors together with metal brackets. Feels kinda like a chic boutique hotel, doesn't it?(via)

What to do about those drabby walls at home? Adding wall art to the home is a good way to cover up those bland walls, but it can really drain your budget. Splurging on expensive modern pieces may not be the best way to decorate on a budget. Rather, wall flats are a great way to cover up those walls while simultaneously providing a modern, futuristic look. Wall flats produce deliberate,modern patterns to complete that simple, yet contemporary look to your room. Not only that, but it is an easy, fun project with very rewarding results. These modern wall flats I found at All Modern are a great way to add some texture and breathe life into an old wall.

(above) Inhabit - Braille Wall Flats available at All Modern. Designed to expand in any direction with an automatic pattern repeat, the Braille Wall Flats - Set of Ten can be used to cover an existing wall, help disguise a not-so-smooth wall or add a modern pattern to any room setting

(above) Inhabit - Seesaw Wall Flats available at All Modern

Unique center pieces and sculptures don’t need to be purchased at an art auction. You’d be surprised by the number of great looking pieces you can find and flea markets and garage sales, such as these cool looking orange reconditioned phones. What was one persons junk could easily become a decorative accent piece for your home. Do a little leg work and you can probably find some interesting pieces at a fraction of what it may be worth!