Gray Walls Singing the Winter Blues?

I've had gray walls for the last 4-5 years now and thought that I would love them forever. Why not? They are neutral, but still provide some depth. Not to mention, I get tons of comments on the particular shade of gray that I carried over from my last apartment to our current place. However, lately I'm not too keen on my walls. It could be that I'm getting swept away by Chicago's new found winter and that the gray walls put me in a constant state of dreary. Or, maybe it's that I see a bunch of amazing rooms pulled together by color and not neutrals.

Thoughts on gray walls:

I personally like gray when rooms are full of light and contrast - large windows, big chandeliers, crisp white moldings. And this, might be contributing to why I'm no longer digging them in my apartment. For one, we have very few windows for the size of our living space. Those windows also look into a terrible brick wall 10 feet away. Additionally, our place was built circa 2006 and lacks character {including modeling} and good lighting {the track lighting makes me want to vomit}.

Enough complaining, now onto some colors I'd love to play with ...

I have a major love affair with blush. It's screams subtle femininity, takes color well and warms up a space. Hello, and don't you just love it paired with turquoise {I die}? 

At first I thought of it for our bedroom but this color can transform just about any space. Love, love the living room with blush walls directly above.  The walls feel so neutral you can't tell if the space belongs to a male, female or just super cool couple.

Must. have. blush. walls.

Oh, and where to begin with mint. It feels fresh, clean, retro and fun. It has the ability to add major drama when paired with black or hot pink or appear calm and collected when mixed with grassy greens and white. The kitchen above it just genius. I bet lots of tasty treats are made in that kitchen.

What flavor are your walls? Anything new colors you'd love to get your hands on? 

*All images are from Pinterest

Today, I wish my living room looked like this ...

Inspired by the Kilim rugs and pillows I was drooling over on Saturday night {yes, I was that lame this weekend} and my new favorite West Elm rug.

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His & Her Office Space Inspiration

The inspiration for this space came from my sister and her boyfriend of 6 years. As the two of them plan to move in with each other this Summer, their future apartment frequents many conversations. She has lived in a studio for the past year and a half and has yet to make her space the bachelorette pad she envisioned. Her future cohabitance with her boyfriend lingers in the back of her mind ... knowing that anything too girly will not make the cut this Summer. His taste is a combination of both manly and preppy.

So, enter the thoughts of one big sister. I've seen with friends that as soon as they move-in they tend to try to compromise on every piece. The result ... there are many pieces that make it into their place that neither of them love. My advice to Regan and her beau is to bring in items that represent each of them individually to create a room that speaks to both of them.

Here is a take on a his/her office that starts with the same oak veneered West Elm Mini Parson's Desk and classic bertoia chair. Each desk is styled to evoke the personality of the person who is sitting at it. While the two different spaces are still able exist cohesively.

His space is filled with a masculine print, Berkshire horn cups for pens and other odds and ends, a classic tartan plaid throw and a vintage desktop map. Hers decorated with a fashion print, a pretty floral arrangement in a vintage mint julep cup, a white faux fur throw and a polka dot tray.

The Perfect Pad

You may remember her as Billy Joel's most recent ex-wife or the host of Top Chef Season 1. But to me, Katie Lee is known for her fabulous New York apartment featured in an old issue of Domino. Recently her New York home has been put up for sale. If I could afford it, all of the pieces inside of it and transport it to Chicago, I'd buy it in a flash. It is beyond glamorous and would force me to live up to my New Year's Resolution. How could you be anything less than fabulous living in this place?!

 Luxurious textures, brass and a rich color scheme

Airy walls and a warm fireplace

Unique accessorizing adds character

A dressing room for a princess ... she looks like she has a killer shoe collection

An amazing tub, carrara marble sink, chandelier dripping in crystal and vintage tiles make me want to run a bubble bath and read a book

This space was designed by Nate Berkus, Chicago's interior design golden boy. How could you not like it?!?!

{Source: This is Glamorous}

Some Living Room Inspiration

Recently I ran across this living room on Things That Sparkle and the color scheme reminded me of my WIP living room. I love the look and am excited to continue to furnish our apartment. While this room is much more put together than our place, I like the direction I'm headed and hope it has the same wow factor as this place eventually!

I picked up this Jill Rosenwald rug on CSN this summer; it is also a gray and white geometric pattern

My sofa and pitcher reflect the punches of blue seen in the chairs. Both rooms also have a glass coffee table.

Our new West Elm's Parsons Desk in polished tumeric is very simliar in color to the curtains and fabulous wallpaper {I wish I wasn't in a rental so that I could have some great wallpaper as well}.

And the fur pillows remind me of the Faux Fur Throws from Pottery Barn that I've been lusting over

These colors are cheerful without being over-the-top. Looking forward to layering on some more details and filling up the walls. So happy I have this picture as inspiration moving forward.

Eclectic at its best.

Not too long ago Crystal of Plush Palate posted pics of a fabulously understated dining room. I knew I had to share it. In my mind, it is perfection. As someone with eclectic taste, I absolutely love when people can marry different styles and this dining room does just that.

Vintage nods with the Eames style Eiffel Chairs and wallpaper

Rustic meets glamour with the contrast of the the table and the chandelier.

When breaking it down this room is relatively simple re-create.

This rustic table from Crate and Barrel fits the bill.

I was able to find great Eames inspired Eiffel Chairs posted on Craigslist for $99 a piece. The retailer, Advanced Interior Designs, has other great options as well.

Balance the table with a fabulous chandelier like this one

Graham and Brown has tons of great wallpaper options. Hard decision...

Set the mood with the Duncan Bar Cart from Restoration Hardware {currently sold out}

Voila! One understated but totally glamorous dining room that screams I'm ready for a dinner party. Cheers to a great room!

Office Inspiration: West Elm Parsons Desk

Normally I try to stay away from things that are overdone. But, I have to make an exception for the West Elm Parsons Desk. It has been around for a while and my craving for the desk has not faded. Why? I'm not sure as it is relatively simple and you think something else would have caught by eye by now. Here it is featured in both Metropolitan Home and Elle Decor.

Metropolitan Home

Elle Decor

While I would normally lean towards the shiny white desk, the one that is most often pictured, I may stray from the pack and opt for it in Polished Turmeric as it is sure to add some punch to our apartment.

This desk is asking for a great chair and I'm thinking a Louis Ghost Chair might be my best bet. The pair is pictured together all the time. Cliche, I know. That seems to be the theme of this post.

Cupcakes and Cashmere

The Love List

Or, possibly the Snille Chair from Ikea. I'm really trying to embrace this Scandinavian retailer for their great lines and price. It has, however, been a struggle. Could be kind of cute, right? For $22, it may end up being mine.

 And finally, a fun pillow -- like these from Esty's Milk and Cookies shop! Which one do you like the best? So many great choices.

Our "office", also known as the dead space between our living and dining room, is lower down on our priority list right now. I'm not sure if this will be happening for a while, but I'll be ready when time comes!