Moving on..

48 hours....

before we return HOME to Portland...

These are the most difficult hours, saying our goodbye's and reminiscing about

the good times our family has had during our three years in Minnesota.

Every thing we do these last two days is a "one last time" experience....

I am doing my best to comfort my girls but of course I feel nothing but

GUILT, GUILT and more GUILT.....

I have coped with the help of my good friend Cabernet Sauvignon but have

also been doing lots of fun planning for our new home.

In an effort to switch up the mood around here......

I thought I might share some of the design elements I am considering for our new home...

The lantern above is from Ballard Designs.  I think this will hang over my dining table. 

I am famous for changing lighting when we move into a new home.  My otherwise not-so-handy husband

is a wiz at changing out light fixtures!  I really believe it is an easy and relatively inexpensive way

to change the tone of a house and make a so-so room feel "designed".

On that note, more lighting.....

I love these pendants from Pottery Barn!  I think they will find a home above

our kitchen island.

Another Pottery Barn fixture - a sconce, meant for a bathroom but I think will look fabulous 

on the wall going up the stairs! 



I have always love a classic blue and white room.  Ikat fabrics give an updated

feel to a classic design color combination!

And finally......and call me kooky and crazy......I am considering antique brass

knobs for the kitchen cabinets!  I know, I know, BRASS.....but I think

we are going to start seeing it alot more....

 I was inspired by this kitchen.....{which I think was featured in Southern Living}

Do you see a theme in my choices? 

I really am going to add more contemporary elements into our new home....

but don't worry, I am not going to abandon my vintage decor.....

Just think more chic, less shabby....