May I show you a collection of things that have inspired me today? I think you'll spot a theme here - Spring Pastels!

This new painting called Dahlias in a Row is by Marisa Haedike and it is lovely. I'm inspired that Marisa is showing us her talent with flowers, I had no idea since I've only seen her cute character paintings. It's exciting to see her range. The colors are splendid and give me a definite feeling of Spring here in rainy New Hampshire today.

Did you notice the new blog of the week in the left column today? That's another artist that I am inspired by who is also experimenting in uncharted waters, going outside of her comfort zone to show us other hidden gems.

I adore these lanterns from Orike Muth (this post is to blame), a girly sofa with a tight back from Lee Industries, slice of lemon heels from Anthropologie along with the Coqo floral rug a pretty photo album, and the weston trunk from Pottery Barn. And they all just happen to coordinate, I can see these sharing space in a home and because they're so versatile, you can move them around and experiment with them in different parts of your home.

I've always liked the idea of a wooden trunk used as a coffee table, in an entryway, or at the foot of the bed. I'd have a hard time keeping my hands off of it though, I'd love to do something creative to it. Maybe fit a piece of glass on the top and beneath it, display vintage photos. Or decoupage the top with huge flowers or some really loud wallpaper. It would be fun to use stencils and on each side of the trunk in the middle stencil in light gray a few letters that mean something to you. Married on June 19, 1998? Stencil 06 on the front, 19 on the side, 19 on the other side, and 98 on the 4th side. Another idea -- have a little fun by mixing half clear glaze with half pale pastel acrylic (light gray or green? pink?) and using a brush, lightly paint over the entire trunk to give it a wash of color. You can make a cushion to fit on the top and use it in the entry to store your boots and to sit on to lace them up, or you can take a trunk and line it with wallpaper so that when you open it - surprise - it's really pretty and girly inside.

(images shown are linked above)