The Design Jumped off the Page

If you follow me on twitter, Tuesday night I mentioned that I started a new book that evening and I couldn’t put it down {which happens to be what occurs anytime I pick up a book}.

My grandmother gets new books in the mail on a weekly basis, which both my mom and I love because we reap the benefits too. I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks {as is my grandmother & mom}, we love The Notebook, Dear John and other classics. I actually read Dear John in only a few hours on evening… I love a good book and Nicholas usually has me by the third page. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good design book too, it is just fun to read other books too.

I have heard people say that women who read “lovey-dovey” books lack something in life and try to live in the fantasy world. Although some women might, I find it just the opposite. I live in an incredibly happy home, full of love, honesty and compassion. My husband is the kind of man women dream of marrying and I feel blessed everyday to have him. Reading books, for me, is enjoyable and actually helps inspire me to dream big and, above all, allows me to take the time to take pleasure in small things & relax {even with our hectic schedule sometimes}…

My grandmother brought over the newest book she received called Safe Haven this past weekend for me to read. My mom and her had already read it and it was now my turn. I didn’t pick it up right away because I am the kind of gal who finishes a book in one sitting, usually. I felt a little under the weather last night, so I grabbed a blanket, hot tea, my book and my dog and we snuggled while I opened it up. Usually, a Nicholas Sparks book will grab my attention by the 3^rd page.

If you are like me, while you read, you envision the town, homes and surroundings described in the book. I make a mental picture of everything… I just do.

I am not going to spoil the book, for those of you who like to read, but I thought I might show you how I gathered a fun inspiration design board from the my visions of the surrounds the book described. First, I jotted down a few words that describe the vivid imagery I pictured throughout the book… some was detailed right from the story, while others I imagined…

– Southport

– Teapot

– Bicycle with wire basket

– Colorful

– Tea Towels

– Laced Curtains

– 2 Coffee Mugs

– Small Town

– Coastal

– Mismatched

– Layered

– Cottage

For this mood board, I went for a small kitchen design. I did grab a few inspiration pics first…

Basically I envisioned a small, coastal town with historic homes, navy blue and chippy paints, cottages, baskets, fruit stands & old wooden planked floors… I took all of that & created a fun design board for those who like that “cottage feel”… which by the way I am growing to ADORE by every waking moment. {P.S. I dream of the cutest cottage-y nursery for a little girl}.

I used my inspiration from the pages I read and created a fun kitchen design… let me show ya!

Here are a few fun paint colors…

Paint Color Breakdown:

1 Benjamin Moore Aura Paint: Hawthorne Yellow

2 Benjamin Moore Aura Paint: Azores

3 Benjamin Moore Aura Paint: Buxton Blue

4 Benjamin Moore Aura Paint: Blue Haze

{You can find these colors through Pottery Barn}

Here’s the Breakdown:

1 Tea Towel w/ Cups by Anthropologie

2 Tea Towel w/ Flowers by Anthropologie

3 Teapot by Maine Cottage

4 Lighting by Barn Light Electric

5 Dining Set by Maine Cottage

6 Cow Creamer by Pier 1

7 Herb Crates by Farmhousewares

8 Navy Wicker Chair by Maine Cottage

9 Cobalt Blue Glasses by Pier 1

10 Table by Cottage & Bungalow

11Storage Basket by Maine Cottage

12 Rug by Dash & Albert

13 Yellow Chair by Maine Cottage

{Design Board by Me, Credits: Orchard Hill, My Home Ideas, Elle Decor, The Lennox, Hooked on Houses, Coastal Living, The Kitchn, Decorology, Fine Art America, Kitchen Clarity & Active Rain.}

Ta- Dah… a cottage kitchen! What do you think? Do you like to read? How does it inspire you and your style & designs? DO TELL.