Fabulous and cheap lighting...

After sharing with you my latest splurge (which in a huge plot twist I actually cancelled, in an attempt to DIY my own...more to come on that later) I decided to keep a tight string on my lighting budget. Since we decided to go with the freebee lighting package from our builder (more on that here), I have taken it upon myself to pick out new lights for every room in our house to replace those ugly freebees. I'm realizing how quickly lighting adds up, so I put together a little roundup for you guys. Here's a few options all under $100.

How about you? Do you have a favorite lighting source, with great prices? Do tell..

A media room for dad...

As I collect the data from the poll ya'll took for me a couple days ago (thanks to everyone that took it by the way), I thought I'd kick out a quick mood board post for you guys. I'll be back in a few days with the results.....hopefully.
One of my favorite families ever wanted to turn their basement family room into a media room for Dad. The hubby and I are beyond movie lovers, and plan on adding a media room to our next homes list, so this is something I had put a lot of thought into for myself. When they contacted me, I was excited to get a few ideas down on paper...so to say. They didn't want to change the main floor plan of the basement (it wasn't in our budget to add platforms or stadium seating) so we went with more of a family hangout/media room feel. Rereading the e-mail they sent me, I realized one word kept popping up... "cozy"...There's a lot of things I can't do, but cozy is one I can. They already owned a chocolate brown sectional (very similar to this one). I went from there:

A media room for dad... by ashliherself featuring Bodum

Black lamp- We didn't end up using these exact ones (at over $800 a pop, they were way out of our budget), but we found some simliar on Ebay, and ordered those for $200 for the pair. 
arhaus.com

Chocolate brown rug- No surprise here.
zgallerie.com

Fur throw- Nothing says cozy like a faux fur throw draped across the sectional.
wayfair.com

Wooden serving cart- I am so obsessed with this serving bar, and I can't wait to get my own. For the Filips though, it will serve as a tea and coffee bar (Dad is a big coffee drinker).
target.com

Contemporary curtain- The color of these curtains is one of Dad's favorites (mine too, not that it matters). These curtains are fantastic (I have them in my living room) and a great price for a tight budget.
target.com

Pier 1 Imports red accent pillow
pier1.com

World Market green accent pillow
worldmarket.com

Brass coffee table- I wanted a coffee table that could withstand a lot. While this room's main purpose is a media room, it will also serve as a hang out spot for the family. The tables needed to be big enough to sprawl out a board game, hold snacks, and most importantly wipe clean when all is said and done. Metal is great because theirs less dusting, and they take pretty much any stain you throw                      at them.
         

                   They already owned this rustic style sideboard, and I thought it would be great as a candy/popcorn bar. A few pretty containers full of their favorite candy, and a cute retro popcorn machine, and they're all set for their favorite movie. And the movie posters aren't these exact ones (we went with a few of Dad's favorites), they were all bought from allposters.com and they framed them themselves with Target frames.

So what do you think? "Cozy" enough? Let me know what you think!

I'm Lovin' It...November...

Hi Friends! It's been awhile. After a quick trip to Dallas to check in on you know, our future, and pure chaos with the upcoming holidays, there's just no time to sit back and blog. I can't wait to share with you everything we have going on with the new home front, but am choosing to hold back until things are more concrete. 

In the meantime, here's what I'm loving in November...and yes I did take this opportunity to make a Christmas list for anyone that needs ideas...ahem, Race...

Fake fur blanket
target.com


I've been eyeing this throw every time I stop in Target, it just looks so cozy...and you can't beat the $25 price tag.

World Market bamboo bath accessory
worldmarket.com


I've wanted one of these bath tub trays forever...I love baths...I love a cup of tea or glass of wine and a book in the bathtub, and this shelf would make this much easier.

Mr Coffee burr mill
casa.com


This is as much a need as a want....Yes I know, first world problems. For my birthday, the hubby bought me a really fantastic Espresso maker, but I've always been told Espresso is no good without fresh beans...because i'm not Frasier, I don't have time to stop in a local shop and have them grind up my beans every day, so this is kind of a must. 

Bodum coffee maker
wayfair.com


I love french press coffee, and need a way to make more than one cup of coffee at a time (for guests), so this seems like my best bet.

Primula tea pot
casa.com


I've always wanted a pretty teapot, and the clear ones are fantastic for watching the tea flower...plus it looks pretty on an open shelf in a kitchen.

Stoneware cookie jar
target.com


I've been searching for a cookie jar for awhile, and call me crazy but the new gray squirrel cookie jar by Threshold is pretty dang cute.

Contemporary window treatment
target.com


I would love new curtains in our living room, and I think green would be perfect. These are great and a fantastic price.

I am dying for a new tablet. I like the one I have, but it's super slow, so I would love to get the new Nook HD 32gb (it has great reviews).

Dooney Bourke tech accessory
dooney.com


I also would love a cute case for it ;)

I love, love, love this bar cart. It reminds me of a more stylish/classy time. It might be better to wait on this one until we're in our new home (less to move), but I love it nonetheless. 

Now it's your turn...what are you hoping Santa drops down your chimney?

Working with what ya got...

A reader shot me an e-mail awhile back regarding their living room. She has a problem, I think a lot of people do. She had the boring beige couch we all buy for our first home (much like the one that still adorns my living room) matching side tables, and the two fun green chairs, but didn't know where to go from there. She wanted something to bring the pieces together, a place to sit a drink when watching television, more lighting, and basically some cohesion in the space. 

The gold garden stools are a perfect place to kick up your feet or sit your popcorn and wine while watching watching a movie with the family, and are more interesting then a plain coffee table. The green zebra rug is again my go to from Zgallerie, but after seeing it all together, we both agreed it was too much, so we later decided to go with the brown version of the same rug...although I'm now dying to use this green one in another space. Any takers? .... These brass pendants are to die for and are way more of a conversation starter than boring table lamps. The sofa sits against a wall, so the lights can easily hang from the ceiling on either side. The art and throw pillows add cohesion, bringing the green chairs and beige sofa together, and add in a much needed third color, teal in this case.

Trend Lighting ceiling light
insideavenue.com

Zebra rug
zgallerie.com

Gold coffee table
kathykuohome.com

Wall art
kohls.com

World Market throw pillow
worldmarket.com

So what do you think? How many of you have a few basic pieces, but no cohesion in your space? Talk to me.

I'm Lovin' It...September and October...

So a friend brought it to my attention that I not only missed September's I'm Lovin' It post, but also October's....I was actually aware of this. The I'm Lovin' It posts, at first were my highest viewed posts, but in the last few months they were my least. So I took a couple months off, but since you guys DID notice, I decided to make it up to you with a I'm lovin' It post for both September and October.

World Market island lighting

worldmarket.com

I'm in love with this light fixture. It would be phenomenol in a little girl's nursery, and at only $80, it's a steal.

DeLonghi cappuccino maker

casa.com

This espresso/cappuccino maker was a b-day present from the hubby....and I love it. He actually bought me a different one originally, and it quit working a week later, so we exchanged it for this model...so far so good.

CB2 kitchenware dining

cb2.com

I'm obsessed with this clear teapot...what a fun gift!

CB2 home decor

cb2.com

This acrylic trunk has been on my wishlist for awhile, and I can't wait to bring it into our new home!

West Elm clock

westelm.com

This fun West Elm clock, just adds that bit of unexpected quirkyness that every room needs.

West Elm home decor

westelm.com

Another fun piece, and the gold adds a hint of sophistication to any space.

Book stand

urbanoutfitters.com

I'm obsessed with these elephant bookends from Urban Outfitters.

Home decor

ikea.com

These new baskets from Ikea, are fantastic, and only $5!

White wall art

etsy.com

The new arrow trend is one of my favorites. I love this piece, but there are seriously thousands on Etsy.

ASOS legging

asos.com

I'm loving the new tribal leggings that are everywhere!

World market furniture

worldmarket.com

After A LOT of searching, I think I've finally found my new dining table. The Bishop table from World market, sits 4-10 people (which is great), and has an amazing wood texture, that could probably take a beating. 

Cube footstool

lampsplus.com

I've seen these new tufted ottomans everywhere, and actually used them in a space here. I love the bright colors they come in, and they are a great price. 

Cost Plus World Market The Republic of Tea Natural Hibiscus Tea,...

worldmarket.com

My favorite tea ever...

CB2 Casa Noir Tissue House

cb2.com

How cute are these Tissue House boxes..So fun and whimsical...

Now what about you guys? What are you diggin' this month....and last month?

A Functional Guest Room for Leesa...

Happy Monday all! First of all thanks for all your kind words about my last E-design. I'm always a little nervous sharing my work with the world. I'm not a big fan of being judged, and I think one of the reasons it's taken me so long to start this little business, is because of fear...Fear of other's not liking my work, so I appreciate your kindness.....Now onto today's business:
When my good friend, Leesa decided to turn her mostly-used-as-storage spare room into a functioning guest room, she asked for my help to make the best use of the small space. All she had was a gorgeous vintage oak dresser. This is what we came up with:

The gorgeous upholstered gray bed was the splurge for this room, and adds so much sophistication to the space. I chose white bedding. I love white bedding, but in a space that is used daily, it's just not practical, because you'd probably have to wash it daily. In a space that is only used occasionally, however, it's a nice luxury. She wanted a spot for her guests to sit (just enough room to sit comfortably while putting on their shoes) but there is no room in this small space for a large chair, so we added the two tufted, green ottomans at the end of the bed. She also wanted a place for a small desk, but this 12 x 12 room wasn't really having it.  Instead of two nightstands, I added a small white writing desk with brass hardware on one side of the bed (it can be used both as a nightstand and a writing space...holla) and a gorgeous gold side table to the other. The rest was just making the space comfortable, with a lot of gorgeous $10 pillows from World Market, and a cozy teal throw, along with my favorite Z Gallerie rug to soften the hard wooden floors. The desk chair reflects her gorgeous oak dresser perfectly, adding the weight and cohesion the room desperately needed.

Teal table lamp
lampsplus.com

Chocolate brown rug
zgallerie.com

Teal throw

Wall art
zgallerie.com

West Elm gold throw pillow
westelm.com

World Market throw pillow
worldmarket.com

World Market teal home decor
worldmarket.com

Bought at Nebraska Furniture Mart for about a third of this price, but if you aren't local and like it you can also find it here:
Upholstered bed frame
roomandboard.com

Redford House midcentury furniture
mytwodesigners.com

OKA wooden kitchen chair
okadirect.com

Ottoman
lampsplus.com

So what do you think? Are you over my green and teal obsession? Do tell...