Simple Pleasures

For the last month my MacBook has been giving me the dreaded spinning color wheel which meant the simple task of opening an email could take 30 minutes. Long story short I had to get a new hard drive and my computer is back to normal.  There were two things I realized while my computer was out of commission, one doing emails on my phone is beyond annoying, and two, I didn't realize how much I missed thumbing through print magazines. Pinterest may be the most addicting thing ever, but nothing beats seeing House Beautiful, Coastal Living or Traditional Home in your mail box after a long day of work. I'll never give up my subscriptions! 

House Beautiful Social Scavenger Hunt

Yesterday here in Washington, House Beautiful kicked off their latest Social Scavenger Hunt, giving away 11 gorgeous green chairs to lucky area residents. Each day they select multiple winners who follow clues via the HB facebook and twitter pages. For all you locals who want to get in on the action you can enter here. For everyone else, here is a glimpse of what House Beautiful will be giving away this week! 

I didn't post pictures of all of the chairs (one of them was a lazy boy, sorry not a fan) but all in all I think the green chair in the 5th picture might be my favorite. It's just so retro and funky ;-)

The New Traditional

If the latest issue of House Beautiful doesn't make you drool, than I don't know what will. The spread featuring Mark D. Sikes, an LA based visual merchandiser, home is stunning! Sikes and his partner Michael Griffin collect blue and white porcelain, coral, ikats and vintage accessories. Every detail in the house is unique, from the Dorothy Draper inspired high gloss black front door and blue hand painted portuguese powder room tiles, to the random Paris Flea Market treasures layered with books, baskets, artwork and accessories. 

I think I'm in love with the New Traditional. 

and here I thought my Mom had too many old magazines!  

pretty much my new favorite bathroom

Images via House Beautiful 

The Jersey Shore

I love houses with that endless summer feel. Obviously I love the ultra chic Architectural Digest type digs, but sometimes nothing feels cozier than a house designed for real families. Comfortable, functional, practical, and cheerful, this adorable Jersey Shore home featured in House Beautiful is the ultimate beach retreat. For more info on the inspiration for the space, check out the interview with designer Mona Ross Berman.

House Beautiful

Sometimes even the best of the best feel like a little change. House Beautiful has decided to switch up their logo with a "rounder, softer" new look. The new look appears in the September issue which hits stands August 9th. From the Hearst release: "This September, House Beautiful reveals an updated logo featuring rounder, softer letters that reflect a slightly more feminine, youthful spirit that is easier to read." In addition to the new logo change they will feature new columns "Master Class," in which industry honchos offer pointers, and "The Next Wave," highlighting one emergent designer. 

Old Look 

 Logo schmogo, the House Beautiful text could be invisible on the September issue, the real eye candy is Barry Dixon's (the most fabulous designer of all time) room.  

New Look 

Happy Monday