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Great Source for Mirrors: Wisteria

I love getting magazines and catalogs in the mail–I often feel guilty about the waste of paper, but it reminds me of stores that I sometimes forget about when I’m doing online searches for products. Wisteria is one such place. I got a catalog recently and was reminded of how great their mirror selection is and reasonably priced too!

Check out some of my favorites:

The shape of this mirror is my favorite shape to see in an entry way or powder room.

w8180-large

 

A venetian mirror is perfection in a powder room painted a dark color.

 

mirror 2

 

Some might think the chevron pattern is played out a bit too much these days but I disagree when it comes to seeing the pattern on a mirror.

chevron room

 It is so hard to find a round, simple mirror and this one is just that.  I would love to see this simple mirror on a fireplace mantel.  So simple and natural looking. round mirror

 

Or, I love how Wisteria has the above mirror hung off to the side of framed pieces of art.  Definitely something to think about when decorating your walls.

 

round room

 A bone mirror still makes me happy when I see one.  I could see this one in a hallway, office space, baby or girls room.

bone mirror

 Still love this traditional rectangular mirror.  I bought one at Pottery Barn a few years ago and still love it.  It looks great paired with distressed wood.  Perfect mirror for a bedroom with some glam!

mirror display

 

Don’t forget to look online for coupons before ordering.

Amy Signature

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Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

I mentioned in my new year’s to do list, that I’m going to change out my kitchen backsplash. This is one of the easiest ways you can make a big impact in your kitchen. Here’s a picture of my kitchen right now. We made a number of changes when we moved in–painted cabinets, switched out hardware and lighting. You can see before and afters and get all the sources here. The current backsplash is a glass tile that appears solid black, but has mauve and green undertones to it

Tessa's Kitchen

Tessa’s Kitchen

I’d like to brighten up the space by changing out the backsplash as I mentioned earlier this year. I’m pretty much settled on a herringbone carrera–pretty traditional, but with just enough interest.

But, then of course in typical fashion as I decided to take the plunge on the herringbone, I started second guessing my decision, went back to searching for ideas and came across all of these. Good news is, if you’re looking to make an easy(ish) change to your kitchen there are so many great options for backsplashes. The bad news is, there are so many great options and now I’m confused and may take weeks to make a decision and get this job done! Check out these ones I found in my searches…

Traditional white subway tile–always a safe classic. Amy has it in her kitchen and it’s a super affordable option–I could hit up home depot tomorrow and make my kitchen look fab.

via Desire to Inspire

via Desire to Inspire

Here’s a friend’s kitchen we featured last year–she chose a smaller subway tile in almost a sage green

Reader's Kitchen

Reader’s Kitchen

Here’s something similar in blue–you can never go wrong with a subway tile

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

ADORE this mixed honed/polished mosaic look–maybe in my next, more sophisticated (i.e. no little kids!) kitchen

Yahoo! Homes

Yahoo! Homes

By the same vendor is this gorgeous mosaic that was part of the Elle Decor 2010 Showhouse in San Francisco

Simplified Bee

Simplified Bee

I’m not really a fan of a mirrored backsplash, but if you have a small space it definitely opens things up and gives the illusion of a larger room (personally, I’d rather keep things bright and simple and bring in some reflective accessories like a kettle that would bounce the light around, but the idea did catch my eye enough to share the pic!)

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

I do, however, really like the mirrored effect of this white goldleaf tile by Ann Sachs

Ann Sacks

Ann Sacks

For a really clean modern look, I like the idea of tempered glass–you can paint any color behind it, but this white with white countertops, warmed up by the light wood is so nice and simple

Moroso Construction

Moroso Construction

How gorgeous is this single slab of marble being used as a backsplash–with so much color and detail going on with the range and hood,the lack of grout lines keeps things clean looking

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

This one is super clever–in a bar area in lieu of a traditional backsplash, the owner used chalkboard paint…perfect for someone who loves to entertain…or just doodle on the walls when they drink…  Oh, and I have to find those task lights! One side note on this–they should have  painted that ceiling plate to match the paint color!

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

This kitchen took chalkboard paint to a whole new level…and because you can actually get it in any paint color, you could really change your kitchen a lot

via Meghan Carter

via Meghan Carter

Ok,don’t get distracted by so many choices, don’t get distracted!!
Tessa Signature
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Kitchen Counter Seating

I was perusing Pinterest last night which doesn’t happen very often these days (I was suppose to be cleaning the kitchen while my husband was upstairs getting the kids ready for bed–shh, don’t tell!) and I came across a photo from House & Home that made me stop and think about counter seating.

House Beautiful

While I love this look, especially because the benches are upholstered, wouldn’t it be an inconvenience every time you wanted to get up or sit down to be moving the bench back and forth?  I don’t know if this particular look is for our family with three kids but maybe when my husband and I are in retirement I could see how sitting down on a nice, padded bench to read the paper and drink my coffee would make me a very happy woman!

 Because this bench is not the length of the counter, it must make it easier to get in and out.  Btw-I love the lamps on the island, library lights on the wall and that beautiful open shelving!  My three favorite things all in one place!

best photo

Atlanta Home Magazine

The striped bench adds a little flair to this otherwise all white kitchen.

striped bench

Pinterest

A backless bench would be much easier to share with another person.

bench

Traditional Home-March 2010

 

not a great kitchen

Pinterest

 Saving this photo for my open shelving inspiration file, too!

open shelving

Pinterest

Let’s not only talk about the bright punch of fabric in a gorgeous kitchen but also the beautiful countertop.  Does anyone know what it is called?

red benches

Pinterest

I would expect this kitchen to have some type of modern barstool but the softness of the bench works well in this space.

sleek kitchen

Kitchens.com

Okay, this photo might be a little cheesy but I couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful kitchen.  The three benches work well at this long kitchen island.  Once again, the lamp on the counter makes the room look so inviting.

cheesy

Home and Design

 It was relatively easy to find some great counter height bench options.

lane venture

Lane Venture

 

 Ballard Designs has a ton of different fabrics to choose from.

ballard bench

Ballard Designs

 Anything tufted makes me do a happy dance.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bench!

Neiman Marcus

Horchow

 

So, what do you think–would you use a bench instead of stools in your kitchen?

Amy Signature

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