Magazine Perfect!

I am absolutely obsessed with magazines.  I can't wait to devour each and every one that comes to my home or that I search out.  I read food, home decor, floral design, fashion, and antiques magazines.   Reading magazines is one of my favorite things to do.

I read many blogs and am addicted to Pinterest, but there is something magical about holding a magazine in your hand and being able to turn the pages.  I find a great deal of inspiration from magazines.  There are so many ideas and I keep thirsting for more!

While this is such a fun thing to me, it does have a downside.  In reference to home decor or food found in magazines, I am ruined.  I want to achieve that magazine perfect look in the rooms in my house and on the recipes I make.  This is hard to do.  So much time and effort goes into a magazine shoot.  Designers of all types are involved.  Each and every detail is planned with precision. In my past life, I was involved in food photography.  This was so intriguing and I loved every minute of it.  I was able to shop for all of the props and watch the magic of a food stylist.  I know why my recipe does not look like the recipes in magazines.  There are lots of tricks of the trade.  All of this is done to inspire the reader.  And I am inspired!  Let's just take a look at one of my rooms that I have finished.  While it is very pretty, it does not have that "magazine" "designer" look.  For good reason.  I designed it and I took the photos.

This is my dining room and the view you see when you walk in my front door.  The walls are gray but look like a soft, light blue.  The sconces are new and I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have them.  For years I wanted more light and prettier light in my dining room.  While I like the hutch, I kept thinking I needed a buffet with beautiful lamps.  One day a friend suggested sconces and four years later here they are!  All of my lights are on dimmer switches which I highly recommend.  If you need full on scary light you can have it.  If you want a prettier light you can have that too!! 

I wanted something for my dining room table for years but just could not seem to find the right thing.  Recently I was in an one of my favorite antique stores and found this beautiful cast iron planter.  I think I am going to enjoy this for a very long time.

 

This is the view of the dining room from the entry way.  We added the wallpaper in the entry and it gives it a little interest with the large gold leaves on a creamy background.

 When we moved into our house we had a bright brass and crystal chandelier in our dining room.  You could tell that it was nice for its day but looked very dated.  We replaced it with this one.  I like the little bit of crystal it contains.  

This small buffet holds napkins and tablecloths.  I love the porcelain lamp that sits on top.  It was an antique that a former neighbor found in her attic and decided it would look great in my home.  Nothing brings more life to a room than a beautiful lamp.  Recently I updated the shade with this nice burlap one.  I do love contrasts!

These are my linen curtains and I have loved them everyday since they went up.  They frame the French doors in both our dining and what used to be our living room.  They are heavy and puddle the floor.  If I ever move I think they will have to go with me! 

One last look.  This is the view of my dining room from the kitchen.  I hope these non magazine photos inspire you to create something that makes you happy each time you look at it.