Old Man Weather... Go Away!

Uhhh.... hello Spring?  Are you there?  I have been eager to become one with the earth.  I know I  sound like a hippy, but that's what a concrete jungle will do to you after five years!  Here in Philly it's a bit too soon to start filling my window boxes with jubilant perennials, so I have been tending to my succulents and other indoor plants instead.

Photo: The Tiny Abode

These neat Chinoiserie teacups were left behind by one of my previous neighbors.  I'm worried that they may have been part of  his mother's collection.  Yikes!  I couldn't bare to see them get  chunked by the clean-out crew.  Therefore, they have found a happy place in my home as plant containers, and I am quite proud of how they turned out!  If anyone can tell me any information about them you will be my new BFF for the day!  I have searched the internet and have found nothing!

Photo: The Tiny Abode

Like any normal city-slicker in Philadelphia, I head outside the city to Terrain for some much needed inspiration.  I am loving the look of these anemones... so much that I have already purchase a bundle of bulbs from Lowe's.  I'm wondering if I should start them indoors, or wait until April to plant them like the instructions direct. Where do you go when you need inspiration? 

Photo: The Tiny Abode

I foresee a beautiful window box in my future. 

SPRING MEANS BIRTHDAYS!

Despite the frigid weather, spring is a reminder of new life and celebrations.  All of my sisters (I am one of three) have spring birthdays.  My younger sister just recently gave birth to yet another spring baby.  Well technically it's autumn in New Zealand.

Designed by: The Tiny Abode

 We are so excited to have a new baby in our family!  Thank you Brittany and Scott for  giving our parents a grandchild... we owe you big time!  Like any crazed aunt, I am pinning, tweeting, and yes blogging about any amazing deal or cute baby item that I lay eyes on.  One of my favorite places to shop online for great deals is Zulily.  These are all items that I have personally purchased for family and friends.  I am not getting paid to say this.  If you are interested in other online stores, check out the listings on the left of this page.

Designed by:  The Tiny Abode

If you are one of the lucky ones who received one of these gifts, you can vouch for me. Are there any online shops which you love to shop?  I'd love to hear your secrets too. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to birthday shop.  I have lots of nieces and a nephew too.  I'll leave you with this display from the Macy's Flower Show from a recent trip that the hubs and I took to NYC.

Photo: The Tiny Abode

West Philly Living Room Transformation

Happy Monday! Wait a second, isn't that an oxymoron? It's a rare thing for me to be blogging during the week, but I couldn't wait to share with you the results from this weekend's living room transformation!!

Photo: The Tiny Abode

Notice anything different?  Here's what the space looked like before.

 Photo: The Tiny Abode

Feeling inspired, I went to IKEA on Saturday and purchased 2 yards of Sofia fabric in black and white.  Stripes really can make a room feel more uniformed, tying the entire room together making for a more finished design (we still need a lamp shade!!). This was such an easy DIY!  Anyone can do it, and it only cost me pennies.  Here's how it's done: 

 Photo: The Tiny Abode

So what do you think?  Are you feeling the stripes??  Have you ever attempted a Roman Shade DIY?  Window treatments can really spruce a room up!  I'm very happy with the results.  Oh and one more side note!  We brought the faux bamboo tables out of the dungeon (aka, the basement).  I feel they look rather sculpture-like in the living room.  You can see more of our West Philly Home here. 

Oh Mighty Succulent...

 
January may seem like an odd time to consider gardening, but ever since the hubs and I cleared out a vacant lot beside our home, I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities!

 I am no expert, but I know that this is no time to consider planting outdoors in the dead of winter.  To satisfy my fixation, I have been focusing on the possibilities indoors!  I started with my potted succulents which were in dire need of being rescued.  These little creatures were once living in my office, but too many hands kept touching it.  I am not sure, but I have a theory that the oils on fingertips is not good for succulents.  Does anyone know for sure!?  Anyway, I brought them home about a month ago and started my own little growing / rescue project.  

I started by rounding up all the clear containers I could find.  Nothing is new here besides the potting soil (which it is actually cactus soil... you could make your own if you prefer).

Next, I gently pulled apart the plants until I had individual units.  I wanted to keep some of the original soil in effort to not shock the roots during the transfer.  I even saved some of the broken pieces, and let them sit on just on top of soil.  After a couple of weeks, roots began to form. 
 

I decided to separate my plants out into mostly individual containers.  I was to give each of them room to grow and to really establish their roots. At some point, I may combine several of them into one container to make an interesting collaboration. Here are the outcomes...

During the holidays, I decided to decorate my mantel with the terrariums in lieu of having a Christmas tree.  It was quite serene in my opinion.

Right now, I have placed mine in the window seal for extra sunlight.  There are so many ways to use succulents in your home!  Really the possibilities are endless.  Plus they are great conversation starters.  People love them!!

So far, I am pleased with my results (i.e. nothing is dead yet!).

West Philly Home... Living Room

Hello ladies and gents, here is a glimpse of what we've been up to at The Tiny Abode. Tiny spaces are tricky! Figuring out a layout does not only need to look good, but its got to work too.  We do not have a lot of Benjamins to be throwing around, so most of the furnishings are the same we had at our previous apartment in East Falls.  Now that a layout has been established, we're starting to consider accessorizing options.

I know its hard to tell with these dark pics!  It was broad daylight.  Maybe it has something to do with East facing windows, or it could be that I am relying on my iphone.  Regardless, this girl needs to add "awesome camera" to her Christmas wish list.  Sorry for the giant tangent!  

Anyway, I am not sure what color curtains (or patterned curtains) to use in this room.  As awesome as this Persian rug is, I think I may have made a boo boo purchasing it.  Who am I kidding?  It was an AMAZING deal, but I am not sure if it is the kind of vibe I want in this room.  I would love to bring in some graphic prints!  Vintage Modern, if you will.  I will also be adding some greenery and a gallery wall for those finishing touches. 

Okay, here is a look at the before. Gross, right!?!

Any ideas on paint colors?  Better yet, anyone want to come help me paint!?!  Painting to me is such a task and seems like such a big commitment.  In reality, its the simplest and one of the cheapest ways to spruce up a space.  I must just be lazy over worked. 

In West Philadelphia...House Tour

I may not have been "born and raised" here, but for now this is HOME.  The teacher inside of me wants to say, "We moved at the beginning of the year."  (School year that is).  It has been a hectic time at the ol' 9-5, so I'm just now getting around to posting a tour.

Here's the outside... and yes, that is a a google maps pic.  How'd you guess?  Our's is the one on the far right with the cute little window box.  Flowers come with the house, score!

Living Room

The house is on the small side with only 840 sqft of design space available (that's including the basement).  On the bright side, we have a basement!  No more shared washing and drying!!!  I was the worse!

I'm not digging the modern fan and some of the remodeling choices, but the wainscoting is a nice touch.  I'm not too sure about the Navajo-ish fire place either.  It's not my jam.  I'd prefer a white brick fire place like this one.    I toyed with the idea of fauxing something up, but I'm sure I'd just %@# it up.  

  Source: unknown

Kitchen

 Again with the modern lighting... why!?!  Not only that, but the cabinets practically match the hardwood, and white hardware reminds me of connect the dots worksheets from elementary school.  Boo!  On the up side, check out all that cabinet space!  Major step-up from our last place.

This is an odd space and really the only option I have to add a table.  So long farmhouse table.  You are just too big for this space. Here's a picture of it in our old apartment.

I'm thinking a banquette setting would be nice due to the limited space, but that's only if we plan on staying more than a year or so.

 Photo via Apartment Therapy

We are only renting, so heavy investing and hardcore construction are out of the question.  One of the best things about the house is the outdoor space (a treasure in the city).

Backyard

So there you have it.  This was only the first floor.  We have two bedrooms upstairs, but that will have to wait till another day.  All in all, I am so grateful to be living in an actual house rather than a tiny apartment!!  Four years and four places later, I finally feel settled.

Peace.