Kitchen Love!

In the last few days I have been looking at design ideas of kitchens... You would think that after having completed two in the past six months, that I have had enough for a while, right? (If you would like to see a detail from one of my just finished kitchens, check here) 

Kitchens are not really my specialty, but it just so happens that two lovely clients were looking to completely gut and redo, now a third client is looking to give her large kitchen an overhaul... and you know what? Secretly I LOVE looking through all the options out there! Taking a little from this one, a little from that one, a dash of want, a pinch of need and a large portion of WOW, mixing it all up and creating something functional and beautiful at the same time. 

Drawn to the soft cream color of this monochromatic kitchen, the warm wood floor mixed with the coolness of the waterfall island clad in marble, LOVE!

Oh, and cooking in there, wouldn't be too bad either!! ... the natural light, can we talk about the natural light in this space?

Natasha

Image via 

(Tuesday) Morning Java

Today I started super early, well, early for me at least :) and there is nothing better than a great cup of coffee to kick start your day, agree? 

Busy, busy, busy!

Natasha

Image via 

Oscar Party!

Any Oscar Parties going on out there?? LOVE watching the Red Carpet, don't you?

Party Time :)

Natasha

Image via

It's Island Time...

... well, that little title got me exploring! You see, I have covered the home of India Hicks here on the blog, I have even done a little write-up on her property King's Treat , so when an email landed in my inbox today with the above title, well, I just had to take a tour of the website! Here are a few of my picks, clearly you'll spy a theme... LOL!

I am a sucker for well constructed mood boards! 

 

... and while I am not particularly a Skull & Cross Bone kinda girl, I do know of Pirates looming those Bahamian waters a long time ago, so this tee has made the cut for that reason :)

Oui, Oui, Oui!! Would LOVE to get my hands on this Cashmere Hoodie. Spending the day at the beach, the sun can get to you and you actually can get quite cold in the evening, so I say Oui to snuggling up in this one.

I thought the write up for this new Bondi Beach Bag was hysterical, I am sure lot's of you moms out there would agree!?

Full well knowing how HOT it gets in the tropics, this Cotton and Silk Cyprian Dress would be a summer stable... Wear as a bikini cover up, as a dress or even with white jeans. 

Going out on the town?  This is my pick for a chic summer clutch!

Can you imagine... waking up to this every day??? I can't remember seeing a more beautiful Sunrise! Can't get enough Island Time? Lean back and take a moment, this little spot will transport you away... for just a few minutes, where ever you are :)

Orange-you glad it's the weekend? Enjoy!!

Natasha

All images via India Hicks... Pinterest, Website, Blog & FB

(Friday) Morning Java

This morning I am starting the day sharing a cup of coffee with a dear friend, these days are to far and few in between!!

In actuality, today is a super busy day... house cleaning and all the errands that go with that, finishing up emails for the week, and preparing for two exciting already-in-the-works projects for next week. Hopefully I can fit it all in :)

TGIF!

Natasha

Image via

Loving Orchids!

I am more than a little obsessed with Orchids! I don't think I have ever met one I didn't like... It all started when I moved to Florida.

I am in the very lucky position to have several, ok... A LOT, in and around my house right now, and while I get to live with them, I thought I would share with all of you :) I have photographed all of the flowers and just posted a mini album on the Northern Light FB page, so check them out, you will be happy you did, I promise :) While you are there... LIKE the page, and share with your friends!!

The above lime colored Orchid, was a Birthday present from Mr. Wonderful last week, and I just love how bright it is!! Are you an orchid grower / fan / lover ??

Natasha

Image by NHH for Northern Light Blog

Not your typical Garden Variety!

Looking for something textural, moody and interesting today? Come with me, I have a wonderful home to share with you, designed by Garden Variety Design. 
I stumbled upon them via the Scout Guide...

While so much of the home is light filled, the dark wood floors set the natural tone, right as you walk in... 

Many of my favorite pieces collected here in this nook in the foyer : Those old, silver leafed, rounded-corner-mirrors propped against the wall, the Swiss basket and the beautiful patinad set of drawers along with a beautiful rug (seen above).

The large tufted sofa is covered in natural Belgian linen, and if you look around the room, you will find that there are tons of natural elements here, lot's and lot's of texture!

 

Those timeworn tables are super cool, and work SO well here! I would probably have been a little hesitant to ad more dark wood, as the floor is so dark to begin with, but I think the finished product is wonderful. Notice that the only "real" color in the room is the Teal Scandinavian grandfather clock, a cool touch!

Mixing shells with the rustic look has been done in this home to perfection, emphasizing natural textures and colors... I see reclaimed wood, natural linen, glass, shells, coral, painted wood, wicker, iron, paper (shades on lamps), petrified wood (stool by the sofa), mohair (throw) and wool (rugs).

Love the moody mix!!

Natasha

Images via GVD

Dive in...

Lately I have been looking at bathrooms, trying to get inspiration for tile work... but after a while you can't really "see" the tile and that's when I came across this cheerful vintage poster, just love the freshness of the green with the white! 

I remembered pinning this poster a few days ago to my LOVING GREEN board on Pinterest, so I went looking, and guess what? Do you see it?? The same poster, but not really exactly the same... I still like it :) 

Have a fun Diving into Paradise :)

Natasha

Image #1 via BHG, Image #2 via

One for You, One for Me...

How cheerful are these sprinkled cupcakes, makes you HAPPY, right??

While the florists are super busy today, I was lucky that Mr. Wonderful came home with TWO beautiful orchids yesterday; Hot Pink for Valentines Day and White for My Birthday (both today), so I couldn't be happier!!!!

Happy Valentines Day y'all, may you celebrate in style :)

Natasha

Image via

Scout's honor.

Don't you just love when you stumble across a "something" that will make your life easier and more enjoyable?? For those of us in the the creative field it can be anything from an interesting color combo, to a new magazine or a new kitchen gadget (this happened to me this holiday season, but that's for another post entirely!) that opens up a whole new world of possibilities... Well, I just came to know The Scout Guide.

If you are traveling in the near future, you should grab on of these City Guides... or all of them for that matter! So far twenty City Guides are available for you to dive into, and they feature everything from Restaurants to Galleries to Clothing and Interior shops, the best of the best. 

When traveling - or even exploring your own city - it's always exciting to "do what the locals do", explore where they shop & know what is good, don't you agree? I am forever asking local shop owners what else to see, where to eat & shop... These guides are written by the very people who would answer those questions!!

You want to go horse back riding in Birmingham? They got you covered...

Need somewhere chic to stay in Charleston? Check out Zero George Street...


I suggest you check them out here before your next flight is booked! If you want a little preview, check out their blogs (one for each destination!), plenty of information!! 

So much to see, so little time... only now, you know where to go and what to see :)

Tell them the Northern Light Blog sent you!

Natasha

All images via The Scout Guide

Baby Pink, Blush, Softest-of-them-all...

... call it what you want, but how pretty are these images? Isn't funny how you come across colors from time to time that just "stay with you", make an impression?? That's the way I feel about this soft, pretty shade of baby pink. I do not have it in my own home, but I am still drawn to it... Someday maybe :) 

Factor in the elegant India Hicks, in her beautiful Bahamian home, and the color instantly becomes chic and beachy at the same time.

Taking a somewhat retro tile job, to Super Chic Bathroom, with the softest of pink on the walls.

... and haven't we all drooled over this image, originally featured in a Martha Stewart magazine a few years back??

I had the pleasure of visiting the over-the-top cool Soho Beach House in Miami, and instantly fell in love with the wall color in the woman's bathroom (I know, a little odd, considering the rest of the hotel is AMAZING!!), so I snapped this image with my phone :) I remember thinking it was a strange choice of bench, and I kinda still do... What do you think?

What is your favorite pale pink color?? Your go-to shade? How do you use it? 

Natasha

Image #1 - #3, Image #4 NHH for Northern Light Blog 

(Sunday) Morning Java

What a great start to the day this would be!!

Happy Sunday,
Natasha

Image from here

Remembering...

Today we are remembering Snow, our Main Coon cat, he passed away one year ago...

He was a rescue cat, lovable from the first meeting, playful and sweet. 

I miss him terribly, every day!!

Natasha

Image by NHH

One for the boys...

I admit it, what first got my attention was the bedside lamps... It is the first time I have seen them "in print", I was beginning to think I was the only one who loved them, actually, I am totally smitten by them!! So much so, that they have been on my nightstands for the past half year or so :) Just love their chunky-ness, the design of the base, the matte ceramic and the oversize shade. Loved them when I saw them, love them in my own house and really like how they brighten up this masculine bedroom!!

For those of you who are "in the know", you have most likely seen Hannah Maple's newly published design work, over on the rue daily pages, but here they are again... 

I think she has done a wonderful job, love her choices of colors and materials.

The home was designed for a newly single business man. The space is masculine in my eyes, and - thank God - not a frat-house nor man-cave reference in sight :)

I have for the longest time wanted to design a space for a bachelor, even offering my two cents up to friends of my husband, but have yet to do a complete pad... 

Any takers out there?

Natasha

All images via rue daily

Image of the Day

Drawn to this slightly rustic interior today...

The colors, the different kinds of wood, the iron and the mercury glass, the leather upholstered bench. Love it all!!

Natasha

Image via Pinterest

New on the Virtual Newsstand... Vol. I & II

SO chic! This new Rue Issue is super cool, I am sure you will enjoy... I was immediately drawn to page 22. Great interview with my favorite design guy, Nathan Turner, he can do NO WRONG in my book, and just studying the images of his shop makes me want to hop on a plane!! OK, but let's be honest, we can't all like the same things, so let me be the first to tell you there is LOTS to dive into in this "Small Space Issue", it's big on style that's for sure :)

Another newly minted virtual issue is that of Matchbook. 

With Nate Berkus on the cover, they had my attention right away :) 

Happy Reading!!

Natasha

Image #1 via Rue, Image #2 via Matchbook

White Out...

Could look at this beautiful image for a long time... What an enviable collection of Ironstone!
So pretty!!

Natasha

Image source unknown

(Monday) Morning Java!

Rise and Shine!

It's a super beautiful day here in South Florida! Sunny, cool (for us), no wind (not even a breeze at this point), no clouds, no dreaded humidity, just PERFECT! 

I feel so fortunate that I can enjoy this weather, really enjoy it :) For as long as I have lived here, I have been working in a job, where this time of year is "crunch time", being that South Florida is a seasonal place for so many northerners, which translates into "busy time" for everyone else, which again means that one is stuck working many extra hours and therefor is unable to truly appreciate why we choose to live in Florida in the first place... hmmmm... Clearly I have been longing for the freedom to truly enjoy what so many come so far to have, and all along I have "it" right here!!

So today, I will be HAPPY and APPRECIATIVE ! 

Natasha

Image by Hannah Lemholt Photography

Sneak Peek...

A quick peek from yesterdays photo shoot.

I have just finished a Charming Cottage in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I completely renovated the kitchen, optimizing every inch of space, redesigned the dining room and updated the living room. Yesterday I worked with the super talented Candace of CHB Photography to photograph the finished result. I have not seen all the images we took, and the suspense is actually killing me!!! I received a few teaser images, so I can share just this one with you... YEAH!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Natasha

Design by Northern Light Design, Image by CHB Photography