twoinspiredesign

So, I’m writing this on Thursday night–Throwback Thursday as apparently it’s now called all over the Internet. Well, I’m not about to post my awkward 12 year old picture, so instead, I’m throwing back to a late 80s TV star LA Law’s Corbin Bernsen. His family’s Southern California home was featured in Country Living earlier this year and is a beautiful mix of vintage and kind of industrial pieces to create a really comfortable, eclectic feel .

Huge, fabulous table in the kitchen–the mix of metal and rustic wood reminds me of the live edge table and steel chairs we featured last year

Great Moroccan rug

This entry set up is AMAZING. In fact, it was this picture that actually drew me to the home and seeing more of it. How unexpected is that hanging pendant lantern in lieu of a traditional lamp?? Then there’s that steel/marble table–want it now. Even love how the painting is hung off center. It all just adds up to such a cool look. Throw the dog in and well, it can’t get much better.

Perfect mix of modern in the faucet and traditional in the tub–reminds us that you can really mix things up and have them look great.

And you know I’m a fan of all things Canadiana including the Hudson’s Bay Company blankets as seen in Bernsen’s sons’ room. Curtains are always an affordable and stylish solution to creating privacy.

Have a great weekend everyone! Happy Father’s Day to my own dad and my husband who are both the best dads around! And today is Amy’s birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!! I won’t be making you a princess cake, but hope you have a day fit for a princess…or at least one where you get a little respect from your kids and get to enjoy that Homer’s hot fudge sundae.

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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

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

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

Reader’s Kitchen

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

House Beautiful

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

Yahoo! Homes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ok, taking a little diversion from our regular decor posts today and getting a little Pinteresty on you! A few weeks ago, Tessa shared this photo and impressed us all with her Martha Stewart skills. Unfortunately for me, my daughter Maggie was so impressed with the cake that she asked for one for her birthday. I personally wanted to buy one at the local bakery, but Tessa assured me I could do it from scratch. Well, not really from scratch because let’s face it, I used a cake mix from a box!

I made it easy on myself and kept things streamlined–all I had to do was get three boxed cakes (I used yellow Betty Crocker), two containers of Duncan Hines whipped chocolate for the inside and two cans of vanilla (that you use red food coloring to dye pink) for the outside and anything you want to decorate it with!

The first step is to make two round cakes and bake one cake inside a pyrex glass bowl. I let my cakes cool down and then put them in the freezer for 45 minutes so that when I went to shape and frost, it wouldn’t crumble. After freezing, put the two round cakes on top of each other and frost between.

The next step is to add the “bowl cake” to the top and then using a knife, carve out a small hole for Barbie’s legs through all three pieces. Wrap her legs in saran wrap before sticking her in the cake. If you make your hole too big, don’t worry about it–just take icing, fill the hole half way and nestle Barbie in all that icing. Once she’s settled, frost a layer of frosting around the entire cake.

 Don’t worry about making this frosting layer perfect..coverage is more important. Put it in the fridge for about an hour to set that first layer of icing.

 Now for the final step-decorate! You can either do it smoothly or use a cake tip and give Barbs a beautiful dress worthy of her role as 4 year old Birthday cake girl!

I’m off to go celebrate with a very, happy four year old. Happy Birthday, Maggie Marie!

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