Positively Perfect Progressive Meet & Greet

Hello, welcome to {me}longings. It's my first Monday "meet and greet!" So introduce yourself, and leave a link to your site so we can all see what inspires you.  If you're along for the progressive "meet and greet," you've probably just met Beth and love her sensational blog, Hello Splendor , as much as I do.

When you're ready to meet another fab blogger with an eye for the lovely, hop over Estelle's blog, Under a Pink Moon.

The progressive "meet and greet" idea is from Michelle, a designer, blogger at Surface Studio, and one of the sweetest, most welcoming people you'll meet. Thank you, Michelle! {join in next time by reaching out to Michelle}

I hope you had a productive, yet relaxing weekend.  I had a very crafty weekend and finally completed a project idea that's been brewing in my head for quite some time. Ever since I painted the living and dining rooms white, I've been trying to assemble a collection of photos, art and mirrors to hang on the living room entry wall.

I went around the house pulling pieces sitting alone in a corner, and dug through boxes of storage to find the best items for the entry wall collection. This was a very slow process (slow design at its best), using mostly what I had in the house, a key vintage find {the hanging mirror from Trampoline = must have!} and a little painting project to pull in a specific accent color.

Since the items were all so different, I knew I had to go for a more eclectic feel.  I had plenty of inspiration from room images I've been collecting over the past few months.

I wanted to pull in jewel tones of jade, teal and turquoise, while displaying the warmer colored art and objects from India and Indonesia, where my husband spent his childhood. I also needed to find a way to display two of our India wedding photos, which are full of warm tones.  To accomplish this, I painted an oval mirror from white to teal - it once hung {gold} in my parent's dining room during the 1970's.

I'm happy with the outcome, and plan to add a few more pieces as I find them.  I'd love to add some smaller round pieces, and more teal and turquoise pieces.

Before

During

After

Get inspiration to hang unlikely collections of what you already own and love from these eclectic spaces.

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

via Chanee Vijay on Pinterest

A few vintage and eco-friendly wall hangings I'd love to add to my entryway wall collection.

1. Antique Wall Mirror from Etsy seller Vintage Haven

2. Old Rustic Metal Industrial Pulley from Etsy seller The Vintage Cabin

3. Squirrel Art-Olive painted by Etsy artist Amber Alexander. {this piece is so lovely - a must have for me. Plus, the description of the piece is great} "When Olive picked out her new dress, she thought it was the bee's knees, but now that she's "out", it feels a little short. "

4. Decorative bowl wall art made from natural woven grass from West Elm

5. Vintage Gold Swan Shelf from Etsy seller Shaving Kit Supplies

6. Vintage Beautiful Royal Wooden Frame with Design for Mirror, Picture, Painting from Etsy seller Vintage Galaxy

Read Book Nook

read book nook
Originally uploaded by {me}longings

I like Canada, so today I'm dedicating this post to the high flying colors {colours} of our hip, smart and eco-friendly neighbors to the north.

Happy Canada Day!

Today's board pulls in the colors of the Canadian flag, and brings them to life in a cozy, vintage reading nook.

I've also found a few well-designed rooms that do a fine job of using red in subtle and natural ways.

To get a little more red and white color inspiration, check out Poppytalk's Summer Colours Week Flickr Group.

1. Gypsy Chandelier designed by Lisa Nardone and entirely handmade in USA from Sundance

2. Vintage Bookends No. 2 from Etsy seller elizabethwrenvintage

3. Rustic Garden Pot from Hindsvik

4. Gladiator Bird, Quail crafted from antique decoys and trimmed with one-of-a-kind ephemera from Anthropologie

5. Reclaimed Teak Lamp Table from Terrain

6. Hans Olsen Leather Lounge Chairs from Oliver

Sources: Remodelista, Houzz, Houzz, Canadian House and Home, Lonny, Lonny, Houzz

Nourished & Floored

nourished & floored
Originally uploaded by {me}longings

Slow down. Calm down. Get down on the floor for a quiet and cushy evening with your friends. Rather than using your dining table, use your coffee table for hours of tapas, wine and conversation.

Grab a few large pillows and take a seat on the floor around your coffee table. Fill your glasses with wine, and nibble from the collection of savory olives, nuts, cheeses and breads. Take it down a notch, get floored and nourish your mind and body with these calming, eco-friendly finds.

1. Vintage metal tray from Etsy seller Finding Fabulous

2. Pretty bird vintage linens from Etsy seller Harmonie Park

Also, the gorgeously rustic dough bowl is available here

3. Organic Cotton Meditation Floor Cushion available at e-Zoetic

4. Decanter (terracotta and white) handmade by Etsy seller Carnevale Clay

5. Small Dipping Bowl- Mossy Earth - handmade by Etsy seller Megan N. John, Ceramics & Otherwise

6. Beam Coffee Table made reclaimed from barns, benches, and fences that once stood in rural Brazilian villages available at Environment Furniture

A little inspiration...

via Sarah Kaye on Pinterest

Sparse & Simple

sparse & simple
Originally uploaded by {me}longings

Keeping primitive, vintage and antique accents from cluttering a room is really an art. The object always looks great online or in the store's display, but when you get it home, mixing it into your home decor can be a challenge. My approach is to keep it simple, and focus on a few key accents.

I’m inspired by the monthly goal of “lighten up” in the April issue of Body + Soul. This is such good advice on so many levels - for your mind, for your body, and for your home. I’m in the process of clearing out the closets and rooms of the items I don’t use or need any longer. Each day I’ll tackle a room, and by the end of April a trip to the Goodwill Donation center will be in order. Doesn’t it feel fantastic to be organized? Yes, indeed.

Today’s post features a mix of rustic, vintage and minimalist styling to create a tabletop perfect for an evening of casual dining. Throwing a dinner party doesn't have to be complicated or perfect - just pare it down {a lot} and keep it simple.

1. Recycled Glass Mardi Gras Tumbler from Green Glass Company at Rain
created from a recycled bottle and hand finished at the rim. {I love drinking wine out of small tumblers, like I’m in Provence or Tuscany - so simple and unpretentious.}

2. Rare Arabia of Finland Kaj Franck Casserole and Bamboo Carrier from Etsy seller Trampoline - ethanollie. {Keep it simple with the one-pot meal and set the tone for a fine minimalistic dinner party.}

3. Wheel Dining Table made from Reclaimed Brazilian Peroba Rosa at Environment Furniture {this table’s design reminds me of the 1950‘s garden carts.  Because of its wheels, you could roll it - and the gathering - outside and onto the patio or lawn for a change of scenery and some fresh air.}

4. Carafe - Mid Century Modern with Cork Stopper from Etsy seller Eddie Ross {a sleek, vintage decanter to keep the wine flowing}

5. Rustic Old Soldiered Metal Measure from Etsy seller Vintage Home Recycled {use as a centerpiece and fill with fresh cut rosemary and lavender- and touch often}

6. Slate & Teak Tray from Terrain {a perfect place to keep the bread and artisanal cheeses.}