Came across this fun inspiration/statement piece the other day and thought, what kind of hooks would I use if I had an entryway like this at home? Absolutely love how eclectic this wall looks – especially the brass duck – such personality! Even the house number is quite perfect. I'm visualizing another wall, perhaps a colored one this time in another part of the home… How fun will it be to treat it as a three dimensional canvas? Using a variety of shapes and sizes to create a sculpture piece on the wall instead? Who says we actually need to use the hooks, right?! So I decided to do some virtual shopping myself and came up with my own "wall" selection. Perfect opportunity for mixing and matching. A little antique, a little woodsy… 

{ images: top / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 }

That is the message behind Triiit (pronounced "try-it"), a company that designs and produces jewelry and mementos to commemorate triathlons, marathons and other athletic accomplishments.

The company was started a few years ago by Cinda Carnevale, Pamela Lancaster and Lynn DiNanno.  The three women came together to create a line of stylish mementos for both men and women.  It turned out to be the perfect combination of design, merchandising, and the pride and inspiration that comes from athletic achievement.

People take on the challenge of an endurance event for a whole variety of reasons.  Maybe it is to prove to oneself that they can actually do it.  Maybe it is to raise money for a cause.  Maybe it’s the sheer enjoyment of the training and participation in one of these huge events.   A Triiit memento serves as a reminder of all that went into the accomplishment, and of the accomplishment itself.

Triiit’s most popular design is the charm bracelet.  As an athlete completes different events more charms can be added.  There is a similar key chain design. Ten percent of Triiit proceeds go to breast cancer research, giving even more significance to the design.

Visit the website to learn more.

Here is Nancy’s letter to FLOR:

Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much we loved installing our new FLOR! Here are a few pics of our dining room FLOR. We used Feelin' Groovy in Black, Glitzy Silver and Titanium to achieve this look. I had never seen FLOR installed in a diagonal pattern but I think the result is pretty great and it makes the room feel larger!

Isn’t her design fantastic? The diagonal cuts that Nancy made around the wall and corners look professionally done. This is a great reminder of how easy FLOR is to install. All it takes is a little turn of a tile to build out a diamond argyle pattern that creates a unique look and brings a ton of personality to someone’s room/home. Terrific job Nancy - thanks for sending in your photos!  Have you done anything unique with your FLOR?

*If you have a FLOR story that you would like to share with us, please send in  your before & after photos to florstories@flor.com.

Ever since I was a little girl, the epitome of success was whether or not your home had a hired housekeeper. I'm not sure where the conception began, as now, I can think of at least twenty better depictions of success that don't involve a dustpan and broom. And although one of my life rules is to "Never say never!", I have a feeling housekeeping is a service I'll forever forgo.

Here's why:
1. It may be the only exercise I get.
It's true; I'm the laziest gal you'll meet. Aside from my daily yoga, my idea of exercise is a trip to Target. In my car. But hey! I'm getting out! And walking aisles! That's got to burn calories, yes? No. But what does burn calories? Vacuuming. Dusting. Laundry, scrubbing floors and washing dishes.

2. The pre-cleaning phase amazes me.
I have many family members who employ regular housekeepers, and I find that the routine is always the same: they clean so their housekeeper can clean. Yes. It's true. They like to call it "pre-cleaning": the stage where you de-clutter, sort and fold so the housekeeper can get to the real work. To me, this seems insane. Why not take it one step further and throw a sponge on the counter since you're already focused on the task?

3. I love a challenge.
For me, life is about two things: doing what you love, and doing what you love to hate. Cleaning falls into the latter category for me, as there's nothing that I despise more than dusty, allergy-induced Saturday mornings when I'd rather be brunching. Yet I have to admit: I get the craziest rush from cleaning my home. Sure, I'm exhausted after a marathon cleaning session and never want to see a rubber glove again, but the feeling of accomplishment that follows is not unlike climbing Mount Everest for me. It's an adrenaline rush I'd miss if I simply handed over the mundane task to someone undoubtedly more capable.

So, what about you? Do you currently have a housekeeper? Would you ever hire one: why or why not?

Here's the door we installed into our son's nursery.  We were able to get a pretty close match to the existing wood trim: What are your tips for unexpected, practical nursery design? — {Photos: 1 Seattle Times; 2 Diy Mentor; 3-5 Miriam}

Making a wall of books look good is quite a task, but not impossible I suppose. But what I do love is "accessorizing" with books. A pile of them stacked up on a bench is a favorite of mine, what about yours? Whether it's displaying hundreds of books at one time or just a few favorites by your bedside, it tells a pretty great literary story of our everyday lives. And as I am writing this, an image came to my head: vintage library carts lined up against a long narrow hallway. Wouldn't that be a great alternative to decorating with bookshelves?

{ images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 }

[Image via Trendhunter]

I never quite thought of myself as a "polka dot" gal. I was never the most girly kid on the block, and I wouldn't dare sport a pink dress to the homecoming dress. But lately, in my [far wiser?] adult years, I've been thinking of little else than to slip on an old polka dot cami and bask in the beauty of being a lady.

Synonymous with childhood, playgrounds and parties, polka dots scream fun, laughter and play wherever they're used. Join me in spotlighting (ha! pun!) a few, won't you?

[Image via LIFE]

Sure, polka dots may seem girly, but when done right, they can be very, very modern. Try polka dots in monochromatic color schemes, such as black and white or charcoal and ivory, for a sophisticated look and a touch of grown-up pattern.

[Image via Geordie Wood]

Of course, hand-painted and scattered polka dots can be quirky and fun, creating a playful look that doesn't necessarily scream childhood.

[Image via Oh, Joy!]

And, of course, a few strategic dots never hurt a gal, either.

See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Start small in your own home with sweet, polka dotted trash bags, and eventually, you just might work your way up to Master Pattern Status!

Enjoy, and good luck!

Like Erin, I harbor a fondness for stripes, whether they're on floors, ceilings, furniture, or accessories. Lately I'm especially taken with FLOR's Shiny Happy Stripe tiles in Gold and Gold/Cream, which bring a touch of glamour to this classic pattern. In tribute to these golden lines, here are eight other dazzling decor items…

Sophisticated stripes: Dwell Studios Draper Stripe Ash Duvet Set + Romo Dufrene Wallpaper

Gleaming accents: Heal's Crinkle Ceramic Gold Vase + Jonathan Adler Versailles Crown Vase

For the table: Gracious Style J. L. Coquet Hemisphere Dinnerware + jenscloset Vintage Bar Glasses

Bursts of gold: Shades of Light Gold Cage Table Lamp + Jayson Home & Garden Wall Flower Art

After the 'sidling-up-to-the-bar in a clip-on high chair' comments, the most frequent thing we hear from friends and family is their concern for our dining room table.  At only 13 months old, our son isn't the cleanest eater nor is he unaware of how fun it is to take one's sippy cup and slam it into the table.

Fortunately for us, we have a reclaimed wood dining room table that came with its own nicks and bruises and we figure anything our little barbarian can do to the table will only add to the wonderful character of the piece.

Reclaimed wood tables come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to fit into every home and they are such a great way to repurpose wood that needs a good home.  Its a win/win for everyone.

Here are some that have caught my eye recently:

The table above (with detail shown below) has such classic appeal it can be dressed country chic or modern minimalist. 

This warm tones in this wood table (above) play well with the cool espresso color on the wall while this blonde beauty (below) contrasts goregously with those delicious leather chairs.

A reclaimed wood table can be leggy…just ask those faux deer heads:

The table below is about as rustic as it gets…but I can just as easily picture it in an urban loft as I can a farmhouse kitchen.

Do your kids sit at the dining room table?  If so, what kind is it?

–

(Photo credits: 1 & 2 – crate and barrel, 3 – pure contemporary, 4 – eat sleep live, 5 – velocity, 6 – timber creek collection)