How Cool Are These?

Who doesn't love etsy?  The discoveries are endless!  I came across these totally fun custom made cutting boards from AHeirloom and wanted to share them with you.  They are beautifully made and would make an awesome gift.  

Here are a couple of examples that are meaningful to me.  You can specify where you want the heart to be - to identify a special location. I love that idea! And, they are made from rapidly renewable bamboo - very nice.  I ordered a few for my husband and family members for this past Christmas and they were a big hit!

Oregon, where I grew up, just a bit south of the heart!

Germany - I requested that the heart be on Munich, of course.  :)

They have one for every state (obviously, some work better than others) and a few key countries so far.  These would make a great gift for someone who loves a certain place in the world, or misses their home state, or as a housewarming gift...just a fun idea all the way around!

This And That

First of all I wanted to say thanks for all of the great feedback I got on the kick off of my new series, Design in Five from yesterday.  I'm glad you all liked it and I look forward to the guests posts!  Now moving on to today...

It seems more and more often I have a random collection of beautiful images to share with all of you, rather than a set "theme".  I hope you don't mind, but I think I'll be doing quite a few "This and That" posts in the future!  Here's what I have for you today.  Enjoy!

How gorgeous is that sink?  I might even get into gardening if I had one like that.  :)

A Dutch Door on a nursery - what a clever idea!

There is such a pretty, happy mix of patterns and color in this space...

And last but not least, most of you know I am from Oregon...this saying is definitely popular in Portland on bumper stickers and the like, but I have never seen this sign and I'm wondering where it is...

I warned you this was going to be a random post.  :)  I hope you found it refreshing!

Thoughts?

Sources

My Dream Beach House

I absolutely love the ruggedness of the Pacific Ocean along the coast of Oregon.  There are beautiful sand dunes, wild grasses, rocky cliffs and - often - magnificent storms.  Many people think rain at the beach is a bad thing, but I think it provides the perfect opportunity to cozy up next to a big picture window overlooking the waves and get lost in a great book. 

I have collected a few dream house pictures from what would be my ideal house on the coast (if I ever win the lottery). 

On the beach I prefer a shingled facade with white trim - very New England but also very typical in Oregon.  The Barefoot Contessa, perhaps my all time favorite chef, has a house like this surrounded by hydrangeas and I love it!

A gentle walk to the beach from the back porch would be my idea of heaven...



{Kelley Motschenbacher}

 This kitchen is more casual than I would normally choose but I love the open shelving, vintage finds, etc.  Can't you just picture kids running in and out in sandy bare feet?

More open shelving but also an eat-in kitchen which I think would be a

great casual hang out.  I love the linen covered benches as seating too!



{Pottery Barn}

Wrinkly sea blue linens, all white candelight, a crisp chardonnay and
some irresistable fresh pasta.  Dinner is served!

 

I think this open plan layout and the beamed ceilings set the perfect tone. 

I would only add an ongoing game of Scrabble to the coffee table.

I like a range of blues and greens and a LOT of natural elements
in a sea-inspired room much like this one.

Margarita Anyone?

What's your favorite beach house design?  I'd love to hear your ideas.