Indoor Windows

5/1/13 It's time to break the rules a little bit. Windows have always been panes of glass between the indoors and the outdoors, but what about having windows between two indoor rooms? If you're still unsure, take a peek at some of these snazzy examples.

 This window makes it easy for parents to check in on what looks like a kid's room.

 For apartments that the kitchen sink doesn't face an outside wall, having the window look out at another room is a creative substitute.

 This glass wall between the kitchen and dining room is more appealing than a giant, open space.

 Here is a window between an entry room and a living room.

I love the atmosphere in this room.

 Instead of building the windows into the wall, you can hang them and still have the same effect.

A classy and upscale spin on the idea.

Link to Another Post

5/1/13 A blog that you must, must, must check out is Elena's blog, randomlydaydreaming.blogspot.com. My Random Dream Blog is absolutely hilarious, not to mention that Elena posts with proper grammar, spelling, and a wonderful eloquence that isn't hard to follow.

 One of my favorites is Bread Man, where she -yes, you guessed it- has to give bread to a man who collects it, but then finds barrels of hummus in her fridge (she makes it a lot funnier than I can describe it). I strongly encourage you to take a look at it-- it's my favorite! http://randomlydaydreaming.blogspot.com/2013/04/bread-man.html

Chalkboards

4/29/13 Another big trend lately is chalkboards. They are popping up in DIY projects all over the world, whether it's from tabletops to full walls. Here is some chalkboard inspiration:

 Here is a great way to keep organized.

 This calendar is easy to erase-- no money wasted on the paper kinds!

 A much more creative version of name-cards.

 The most popular use of chalkboards that I've noticed is in kitchens.

Finally, here is a great way to keep any small child occupied!

Stained Glass

4/25/13 Stained glass windows aren't only for churches-- adding a touch of the colored glass to your home makes for a beautiful atmosphere, and the photos below only support that. Take a look yourself!

 This addition above the doorway is a great, subtle, yet unsubtle detail.

There are tons of ways to use the stained glass--take this shower, for instance! (Sorry about the watermark.)

The windows are attention-grabbing, yet keep with the simplicity of the room. 

 As a cheaper alternative to having stained glass built into your house, you can also buy little panes of it and hang them in your windows for the same effect.

 The beauty of the glass will always make the scenery seem bright and cheerful.

 Having the reflections of the glass is a cool idea, not to mention beautiful.

Here's something that I had never thought of before until this- stained glass window skylights!

Rugs

4/23/13 Rugs have been around for centuries-- they can be as ornate as a flying carpet, or as small as a doormat. From a quick hunt on the internet, here are some of my favorites:

 The crochet shows that not all rugs are rectangular.

 I like the cutouts.

 Here is a classic Persian rug.

 The bright colors on this rug tie the room together.

 This tribal print is so pretty.

 Who wouldn't want a food-themed rug?

This calm blue rug relaxes this bathroom.

Cure any Disease

4/23/13 If I could cure any disease in the world, I would cure cancer. I have known a lot of people who were diagnosed with cancer, but, thankfully, they are still alive. Here are five facts about the disease:

1. One in three people will contract cancer, and one in four will die from the disease.
2. Within five years, cancer will surpass heart disease as the leading cause of death, according to the American Hospital Association.
3. An estimated 80 million people have health insurance insufficient to cover the costs of a catastrophic illness such as cancer.
4. The estimated annual cost of cancer to the United States, excluding incalculable psychosocial costs, is $110 billion, approximately 2 percent of the GNP.
5. Over the course of a lifetime, one in three women and one in two men will develop cancer.

To help researchers find a cure, go to https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/index to donate to the American Cancer Society. 

Lanterns

4/22/13 Lanterns are a fun and decorative way to add some lighting to any location. Here are some photos showing all the different settings, colors, and patterns that lanterns take place in. 

 Obviously, these lanterns are used for lighting, but also make an interesting centerpiece.

 The soft lighting coming from the lanterns alone gives this room a cozy and cool feel.

 Like I've posted about before, I really like white rooms with splashes of color, especially with this soft palette.

 Lanterns at weddings are very classy and pretty at the moment.

 The detail on the lanterns still is attention-drawing, even without color.

 Lanterns don't even have to give off light, as these sunny yellow ones show.

Just like in the movie Tangled, people really do set off lanterns into the sky. This in itself is so breathtaking that I think it's impossible not to love lanterns anymore.