My Interior Design Style...Exactly.

There was this blogger meme thingy that was going around a while back asking you to pick one picture that is 'your interior design style.' Actually, for anyone even the least bit interested in interior design it's a something you've definitely thought about "what is my style?"

Well these pictures of Peacock Pavilions are the perfect illustration of my style.

This is my dream home and exactly the type of direction I'm going to take my decor in when I have my next permanent home. It's comfortable but chic. Bright. Colourful. Patterns galore. Global. Basically every piece has a story...a history. It's interesting.

I love it.

To see much more pictures of Peacock Pavilions (boutique hotel/guesthouse built & decorated by blogger Maryam of My Marrakesh) head over to Decor8.

To see even more pictures, and to see how it all came to be, visit My Marrakesh.

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+ ALL Images are of Peacock Pavilions. Image 1 found on the blog My Marrakesh. Image 2 & 3 found on the site Decor8.

butterfly & the power of blogging

click to see larger

Remember this post - when I raved about how much I loved the butterfly painting (well, the part that was photographed) on the wall of Jayson Home & Garden....

And I asked that if any of you kind souls were in or would be in Chicago to feel free to go to the store and take a picture of the entire wall for me - so I could see the full effect?

Well somehow (I can only say it's thanks to the power of blogging) one of the execs over at Jayson Home & Garden saw that post. 

(I'm not sure if it's okay to post their name/title I imagine it is - but just to be on the safe side I wont...but if you read this post and it's okay please let me know and I'll update this!)

Somehow, they saw that post and sent me a nice little email with 2 photos attached!

Isn't it amazing? I'm in love with it.

Yes, I'm in love with a mural.

As I was told, the visual person actually painted it...by hand!

Incredible.

These images are definitely being added to my inspiration folder - I'd love to have a butterfly like that on a wall in my future home. Or, how awesome would it look in a nursery? So cool.

Jayson Home & Garden has been on my radar for a while now and now, more than ever, I can't wait to visit the shop in person - whenever I make my first visit to Chicago.

(don't even get me started with the actual pieces in the photograph...the side table, hanging Moroccan lanterns, and ottomans in the first image...the blue/gray wing chair in the second...swoon)

Thank you Jayson Home & Garden!

*images courtesy of Jason Home & Garden

Off-White or Light Grey?

Lately all I can think about is painting my apartment.

Sometimes I think the builders beige (or whatever colour they put in apartments) isn't so bad, 

but others times I look around and can't stand it.

I know it would look SO much better painted...

but it's an overwhelming thought...

to paint my entire apartment (even though it's small).

But literally, it's all I can think about lately.

"You should really just paint and get it over with," I say to myself.

"Your place would look so much better."

"The care you've taken to decorate and furnish deserves a nice background...not this builders beige shit."

Ugh. I can barely stand it.

And it would be so much easier a decision to make if I knew what colour I wanted to paint it.

That's a WHOLE OTHER ISSUE.

I'm torn between an off-white, like Moonlight White by BM:

As seen above in Anna's home on Door Sixteen

Or a nice soft grey. 

My latest obsession is Dolphin Fin by Behr:

(Yes, I have paint obsessions. I have a whole list of potential paint colours...)

As seen above in Alaina's apartment on Live Creating Yourself 
(a recent blog find of mine..and as such added to my 'On My Radar' section on the sidebar--->)

You simply must check out her blog (and her house tour!)

Can't believe she pulled it all together so quickly!

As seen above in Kristen's super cute home over on the blog KFF Designs

Personally, I think the grey would be more interesting and that's the direction I'm leaning in (and, as you can see, it still works well as a neutral) but off-white seems like the 'safe' choice. 

And because I'm already slightly overwhelmed by the thought of painting my apartment I don't want to do it twice. I'd prefer to get it right the first time.

Your thoughts?

Off-White or Light Grey?

Plan 'A' and A Tale of a Wedding Destination

Regular readers will know that I'm a bit of a planner. A few months ago, I came "out of the close" (not like that people), and admitted that yes, I am one of those girls who is already, mentally, planning for my wedding. Like, I have a folder on my laptop and everything. And it's not just a folder that I toss everything I like into. It has other folders in it. Like decor/cakes/stationery, to keep everything organized. Yes, despite not being engaged heck not even having a boyfriend - I've become on of those girls.

A few months ago I shared with you my dress and stationery of choice as well as the little church I have my eyes on IF I get married in my city. What I'd like to share with you today is my plan A location - because after the sneak peeks of seen of this place I've decided that, without a doubt, this is the place:

Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech, Morocco.

I'm certain many of you already follow Maryam's amazing blog My Marrakesh (it's on my blog list to the right) but if you don't I have one question - why?!?!?!?!

Maryam and her family are expats who have made Morocco their home and are in the final stages of building their boutique hotel. Reading Maryam's blog (which I've been doing for about 2 years) is like taking a little mini-vacation. She is an incredibly whimsical writer and her pictures are nothing short of breathtaking and honest. Maryam also works in, I believe, International Development and frequently goes on assignment to some countries that most would never dare but, like me, perhaps dream of. 

Like Mali...

and Afghanistan.....

She sees and finds the beauty in it all.

But back to Peacock Pavilions - my wedding destination to be.

It's totally a labour of love designed Maryam and her architect husband. With local workers it was built from the ground up and loving decorated by Maryam with treasures she's found all over the world. No detail has been overlooked and EVERY thing has a story and purpose...it really kind of blows my mind. If you know me, you know this is exactly my kind of place (heck this is exactly what I want to do in Egypt one day). Peacock Pavilions consists of two Pavilions (each with bedrooms, fireplaces, bathrooms, private rooftop terrace and so much more), it also has a pool, olive groves, a garden, and a bunch of things I'm forgetting and probably don't even know about. 

Basically, it sounds like my version of heaven on earth and so I plan on renting the entire property for my big day (yes that is an option).

Now some delicious pictures. Yes, delicious. Because they are literally a feast for the eyes.

A peek at one of the bathrooms...

(see more)

A tiny peek at the hand-stenciling done 

by Royal Design Studio on the party/dining tent...

(see more)

A hallway in one of the Pavilions...

(see details here)

More hand stenciling on a ceiling in one of the bedrooms...

(see more)

She's even had a chef come in to work on the menu....

rich with authentic Morrocan flavour of course!

(see more here)

I tell you NOTHING has been overlooked...there are even signature cocktails!

The Peacocktail...

(see more)

I don't want to post too many pictures because they really are better enjoyed with Maryam's words...so if you aren't clicking over to go through her archives right now...what the heck are you waiting for?

And if you're wondering - yes, there are even Peacocks on the grounds hence the name!

(at least there were Peacocks until an unfortunate accident some weeks ago).

Would this not make the most fantastic destination wedding spot?!? 

(Or just an amazing getaway for you, perhaps with some friends, or with a loved one?)

Ugh, I can hardly wait lololol. Oh gosh I'm so sad LMAO.

So that, my friends, is my plan A.
Please tell me I'm not the only one who already has a venue/destination picked out?

(And you must promise that if you decide to get married there too now, I get first dibs on the date!)

*All Images from the blog My Marrakesh

Pink Hearts

I am kinda in love with this photo:

It's just so deliciously girly. And while I wouldn't call myself a girly-girl, it certainly has me thinking of new bedding for my bedroom. The heart print, the scalloped edges....love it.

*Picture from here