So THIS is what Heaven Looks like...

You all know that we are living in a teeny tiny apartment in San Francisco, and while the list of things I'd like to change about our apartment is a mile long (small kitchen, no garbage disposal, dated tile, crumbly plaster, loud neighbors...) if I could ask the apartment gods for one thing, it would be...

MORE STORAGE!

Our Christmas ornaments are packed away in boxes, yet they are still stacked against a wall in the living room until we find a better solution.  My super duper vacuum that could pick up a small child is still at my old apartment with my best friend because we simply have no place to store it (lucky lady).  The broom has a home behind the door that leads into the hall.  Wrapping paper lives behind one of the curtains in the dining room (I've had to get a little more creative recently).

Let me just say that to have a closet just for clothes, much less a closet that you could host a party in, is the stuff dreams are made of.  Please enjoy the closet porn I've rounded up for you all!

Traditional Closet design by Houston Interior Designer Munger Interiors

Every purse has it's own cubby!  It's all white.  All the hangers match.  The shirts are color coded for god's sake - I am SOOOOO jealous!!

Modern Closet design by Los Angeles Closets And Organization Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

This is what heaven looks like... in case you were wondering.  Rows upon rows of shoes, organized by color, heel height and designer (ok maybe not by designer, but that would be FABULOUS).

Traditional Closet design by Other Metro Architect Institute of Classical Architecture & Art - Texas

A chandelier, and fresh cut flowers??  Seriously??  I have pillows, luggage, and boxes of college memorabilia shoved (yes SHOVED) in my closet.  This is how the other half lives!!  I wonder if they are looking for roommates........

Traditional Closet design by Cincinnati Design-build J.A. Smith Construction & Design Studio

A vanity in the closet??  Why would you ever leave!  I'd feel like such a diva putting on blush every morning in that fabulously upholstered chair!

Traditional Closet design by Tampa General Contractor Javic Homes

This closet was built for me.  Even in these vast closets, I'd still need a few doors to hide the secret mess when I shove my stuff in after a long week.  Doesn't everyone have that closet??

Contemporary Closet design by Orange County Interior Designer Michael Fullen Design Group

And a little tufted benching never hurt anyone!  The perfect spot to chat with girlfriends while trying to decide which Louboutins to wear out.  That's my kind of problem!!!

Heaven is... a Spacious Chef's Kitchen

I wish I had a picture of how teeny our SF kitchen is.  Let me paint the picture - its roughly 5'x5' and has two itty bitty countertops on either side of the farmhouse sink (can I just add, the sink is the one kind of awesome thing in the space!)  Naturally, we do not have a dishwasher (Kris calls me his dishwasher... sooo not funny), so one of the two small counter-tops is consumed by a dish drainer.  This leaves me about one square foot to prepare food - not exaggerating at all.  To say that cooking ANYTHING in this kitchen is difficult is an understatement.

To add to this tragedy, I happen to love to cook, so I find myself constantly day-dreaming of hosting fabulous dinner parties, and hanging out with friends and family in a beautiful, spacious kitchen.


Houzz
Can we talk about the tin ceiling tiles above the TWIN ISLANDS?!  This must be how starving children in Africa would feel if they saw a photo of a Las Vegas Buffet.  I don't even know what I'd do with all this counter-space!  You could teach cooking classes here!  You could start a bakery here!!  The tiles bring some old school glamour - it reminds me of some of the turn-of-the-century hotels in San Francisco - but the installation of modern glass lights makes it fresh and contemporary.  LOVE.


Your Total Renovation
Wow - between the panelled ceiling, the grand fireplace, and the contrast between detailed white cabinets and glossy black counter-tops, this kitchen is both dramatic and cozy.  The floor to ceiling windows don't hurt either :-)


confettiandcocktails
To me, this is farmhouse kitchen meets French Chateau.  The details on the cabinets keep it quaint while the huge arched window, intricate chandelier, and ginormous hood range create multiple focal points for the room.  I'm also loving the white marble backsplash - all the white coupled with the vaulted ceiling keeps it feeling airy even though this space isn't super expansive!


30.media.tumblr.com
More black and white - I'm sensing a theme here! In kitchens, and in all rooms, I'm a huge fan of keeping things simple and neutral.  This room doesn't look boring because of the small details - the hood on the range, the lantern, and the fresh flowers.  These are the things you can more easily change, but be sure you don't commit to a trend that will easily go out of style.  Kitchen appliances are pricey, so don't throw your money away on a quaint country fruit themed back-splash (a popular look in the '90's).  Go for a look that has been popular in the past and present - timeless wins every time.


Un-named Source
I hate not being able to track photo's back to their original sources, but this kitchen was too lovely to leave out!  I love the idea of a dine in kitchen - people congregate in here for parties and dinner anyways, so having the table in the kitchen is so functional - it provides seating, and allows people to linger, long after the meal is finished.  When Kris and I start a family (and buy a home) I absolutely want to be sure that we have a large dining area in the kitchen.  I picture our kids doing homework there while I cook dinner.  A girl can dream, right?


paloma81
Again, a smaller space in the scheme of my imaginary kitchen, but between the globe light fixtures, the nail-head trim on those chairs, and the gradated tile, I know this is a look that Kris would love as much as I do.  It's modern without being "modern".  It has just enough classic charm to keep it soft.

Heaven is... a serene poolside (with a margarita)

We got some serious rain today and last night, and I am in need of some warm weather!  Kris and I are throwing around the idea of a vacation this fall, but I don't know if I can wait that long!!  I need a stack of magazines, some hot sunny days, and a teeny bikini stat!

I've been looking on one of my newest obsessions, Houzz.com, (I call it dream home porn), and am so entranced by these lovely backyard pools.  Summer isn't too far off, and as SF isn't known for it's fabulous summer weather, I am getting rather jealous looking at these heavenly poolside escapes.

I'm beginning to think that these might really be what heaven looks like...

traditional pool design by los angeles architect Lewis / Schoeplein architects

traditional pool design by chicago landscape architect Milieu Design

mediterranean pool design by austin architect Cornerstone Architects

traditional pool design by new york architect Crisp Architects

mediterranean pool design by miami general contractor Torre Construction & Development

traditional pool design by portland landscape architect Samuel H. Williamson Associates

mediterranean pool design by atlanta architect Castro Design Studio

traditional pool design by boston design-build ARCHIA HOMES

Heaven is... An Oversized Soaking Tub

My home envy continues as I lust after these gorgeous bathrooms.  Our apartment is very "art deco", which means that it was built in the 1930's, and while I suppose it has it's own charm (pink and maroon tile anyone??), the bathtub leaves a little something to be desired.  Scroll down and swoon over these amazing tubs.  A huge soaking tub is going on the bucket list for home ownership.  I mean, imagine coming home after a long day to soak in one of these babies with a glass of wine... amazing...


House Beautiful

The Enchanted Home

DecorPad

Maggie Designs

traditional bathroom design by san francisco architect Arch Studio, Inc.

traditional bathroom design by cincinnati architect RWA Architects