Renovating and Decorating Inspiration

Every once in a while I search for and rewatch this video. It might be my favorite renovation of all time. The owner transformed an abandoned inner-city midcentury gas station into a vintage/modern home and private garden. In addition, he built a two-story live/work gallery space. I would feel simultaneously guilty and lucky to own such a unique place.

Want more renovation and decorating inspiration? Let’s play favorites:
My favorite decorating books: Remodelista, Brooklyn Interiors, + Home: The Best of The New York Times Home Section: The Way We Live Now
My favorite places to shop for furniture: Portland Flea-for-all in Portland, Maine, Just L in Littleton, NH, and Craigslist (search midcentury).
My favorite Design Instagram accounts: mortilmernee,  Mason St. Peter, and Vogue Living out of Australia.

What are your favorite sources for decoration or renovation inspiration?

To follow my Decorate Pinterest board click here.

Have a great holiday weekend.
xo jam

Holiday Inspiration

Here is some inspiration for a simple and creative holiday. For more inspiration, and links to image sources, click over to my Holidays Pinterest board.

And ICYMI, my Recovergirl Holiday Gift Guide is over on PortsmouthNH.com.

Recovergirl Holiday Gift Guide 2017

 

Sofa Dining

I’m daydreaming about redecorating my dining room. It is so much less expensive than actually decorating.

I’ve long been a fan of built-in banquettes. They look inviting and allow for an extra guest to squeeze in.

Apartment Therapy

Petra Gustafsson

This one below is probably my favorite of the bunch. Perfection.

S & Company

The problem is tho that banquettes are such a commitment. You can’t just move the furniture around if you change your mind. That and the cost of hiring a builder have always kept me from actually ever implementing this decorating concept in my own living space.

Which is why I’m delighted to stumble upon the trend called sofa dining. Why have I only just heard of this? This one below is nice. Maybe just a little too austere.

This one looks comfier. Maybe a little too “country” looking for me.

My Notting Hill

If you Google “sofa dining” or search on Pinterest you’ll see examples like the ones above. Much of what I found was too fancy and overstuffed for me. Perhaps the solution is a DIY dining sofa. This Maple Sofa by Farrah Sit & Rebecca Atwood is great inspiration. You’d just need to raise the seat to be table height.

But now I need to hire a builder again. 🙂