I Instagrammed my studio this week and got some inquiries about my desk. I’ve had this desk for a few years now and I’m just not getting tired of it. My father in law built the sawhorse legs and my husband built the top. We used Surface Skin from Blik to cover the desk top. Though it doesn’t offer storage. it offers all of the tabletop space that I need! Go here for a somewhat easy sawhorse desk DIY. If you’re not in the place to build one, Ikea has these leg options and tabletop options. Below are more sawhorse desks to feast your eyes on.

Images: 1,2,3

Lighting is one of my favorite details in a room. It changes the mood immediately and can make or break a room. Currently my favorite lamp in my home is the Lovell Porcelain Task Lamp from Barn Light Electric. It marries mid-century style with American made, quality craftsmanship. You can choose 20 custom options including shade finishes, stem finishes and cord styles. I have this lamp in my living space. I’m sure it will be moved around the house these upcoming months, because that’s what happens to my stuff…

Shop this lamp and more here.

This Toronto house tour, seen on Style Me Pretty Living, was actually posted last year but I’ve come to appreciate the pops of color and soothing bedroom. I’m also loving the nursery. It’s calm and cool. The home itself is 107 years old. Amazing! See more here.

You are probably noticing right now that Simply Grove has received a brand new look. I am thrilled with this makeover! Thanks to the talented Cori Magee, Simply Grove has received a fresh take on life. She really understood my needs and what I wanted visually. I would recommend her all day long. Also, a huge thanks to Kristin B. for developing the blog! I’m SUPER excited to have a home page, kirstengrove.com. There you will find my portfolio, a future shop (more on that later) and other features. We are still working out a few details and adding some more features but in the meantime, I hope that you enjoy the new look!

Hi friends! Head over to Pottery Barns Blog to view more of my living space refresh. It was fun taking over their Instagram this past weekend! If you came to visit me from PB, thank you and it’s nice to meet you!

I recently collaborated with Pottery Barn for a living space refresher. I used some of their products to get my living room ready for spring. I love how the neutral tones of this space create a simplistic look. It’s amazing what some plants, rich textures and art can do to a space!

ALSO, I’m taking over Pottery Barns Instagram today and tomorrow to talk more about this collaboration so go and follow their Instagram as well as mine to see the happenings!

Items used in this space- Cable Knit Pillow, Knit Throw, Mirrored Taper Box, Jute Rug, Wire Baskets, The Best Is Yet To Come Print.

Image: Sfgirlbybay

Daily my email is full of amazing items from all over the world. I don’t have enough time in my week to promote everything, but once in awhile I need to give some very notable shout outs. Here are some of my favorite new products for 2015.

Throws and Pillows from DittoHouse:

This bold collection is perfect for both adult and child spaces. I’m loving the polar bear throw. Add the colorful pillows to your space for a fun pop of personality! This collection offers a selection of cozy, machine-washable pillows and blankets in playful patterns and bold color stories. The yarns in the products are made from recycled cotton; cotton that would’ve ended up in a landfill that has been expertly re-fiberized and spun into new yarns.

Rugs from Oliver Yaphe:

I will take all of these, please! This handmade modern rug collection is seriously my new favorite source for rugs! I’m smitten over the color palettes and patterns. You will find recycled kilims, hand-woven rugs from Turkey and India, hand-knotted rugs in silk with wool, hand-knotted rug in engraved wool and much much more.

Furniture and accessories for babies and children from Dodo Les Bobos.

Dodo Les Bobos, a charming store in NYC, specializes in contemporary design furniture and accessories for babies and children, has a new Winter look book and will be launching an e-commerce site next month. The owner of Dodo Les Bobos, Sasso Sidi Said, is also an interior decorator who provides consultation services.

Hand-painted Moroccan tiles from Fireclay Tile.

New for 2015, Fireclay has simplified tile shopping by offering free design assistance to their customers (online) with the ability to contact in-house consultants by chat or phone. The perks include a free google sketch-up rendering and up to 5 free samplings. Amazing!

Hand picked vintage items from Frankie + Albert.

This six month subscription service gets you hand picked vintage items that are delivered directly to your door! The Frankie + Albert team curated thousands of objects from flea markets and antique shops across the US choosing the best of the best. The site is now open for a six-month pop-up shop that allows people to fill out a short questionnaire about their design preferences and then have hand-picked vintage items arrive at their doorstep monthly. If you receive something you don’t like, you can log on and join the online swap meet to trade with other subscribers.

Imaginative Wallpaper from Sian Zeng.

This new wallpaper collection captures the ethereal beauty of the changing seasons in bold, dramatic designs that will immerse your home with the wonder of each season. Beautifully detailed, wide width wallpapers bring the seasons to life with an artistic mural like feel. I dig it!

Hi friends! Hope your Wednesday is going great. I’m a bit late posting today. It’s been one of those weeks. You know those weeks that leave you a little discontent and a little sad? But not enough to slap you off your feet? Just attempting to get you down? Yeah…these weeks are for the birds. But I’ve learned in my 33 years (almost 34, YIKES) to always trust and walk with my head up high. Things get better over time when we find the courage to soar….right??? Ok, just preaching to myself.

This house tour is NOT for the birds. In fact, it’s a beauty with simple yet elegant details. Susanna Vento is a brilliant stylist. Her work is beautiful and charming.

Images and Styling: Susanna Vento

How many times have you wanted to frame an Instagram that you posted? I have snapped many pictures of my kids for Instagram that I wanted to frame right then and there. Well, now we all can! Instantly Framed is a new app that physically frames your photos from Instagram, Facebook, and your iPhone/iPad in three easy steps: Print. Frame. Ship. They make it easy for you to preserve your treasured photographs right from your phone, ready to display straight from the box. You will receive an archival print on photo luster paper placed behind an acid-free mat in our 12×12” American-made, sustainably farmed walnut wood frame, and includes free 3-day shipping anywhere in the continental US. And it really does come in 3 DAYS!

Use code CISIMPLYGROVE10 to receive $10 off each order. Offer expires April 5th. That’s awesome!

See more here.

If you have some down time today, HÄUSER, the premium lifestyle magazine for exclusive modern architecture and contemporary design, is now be available in the United States for iPad. Published bi-monthly, Issue 2/2015 is FREE for a very limited time, so you should go ahead and get it! It’s packed full of modern trends such as personal robots/smart houses, eco friendly and functional simplistic living. You’ll find amazing living spaces, kitchens, bathrooms and much much more. Download it here.

There’s so much greatness that goes in to modern spaces. One trend that I have noticed over and over again in modern homes is glass countertops. Glass is easy to maintain, it is not porous, hygienic, and stain resistant material which makes using it as your countertop a perfect decision.

Image: Old Brand New

If you are needing some color in your life, these images should inspire you for just that. I for one love a good dose of pastels. You may prefer a bolder color. Whatever you love, always make sure to mix it with neutral, calm elements. Here are some tips on how to add color in your own home.

1. Add a bright colored rug in your living space.

2. Display a colorful art collage. No need to match the frames or sizes. Have fun with it.

3. Colorful pillows can bring a pop on a neutral piece of furniture.

4. Invest in a color infused piece of furniture. Only one will do the trick.

5. Paint a colorful accent wall.

Image: The Design Files

Image: Fancy

Image: vtwonen

This apartment shows how just a few simple touches can make a pretty big impact. Instead of displaying 8 pieces of art, display one beautiful, sentimental piece that can shine on it’s own. Or instead of placing all of your books on one bookshelf, display only a handful of books, mixed with a select few accessories. More doesn’t always make something better. Most of the time less is more.

Images: Blackbird

Images: Emmas Designblogg

I have pinned a lot of kitchens over the course of time. Kitchens are the heart of the home so naturally we want them to reflect us in true fashion. The last kitchen that I designed for myself was over 7 years ago. It wouldn’t be want I want today but back then, it reflected me…..though I don’t cook much…hehehe. When I design my next personal kitchen, I already have details in my mind that I don’t want left out. The kitchen above has two toned cabinets, which creates such a fun space. That is most definitely on my list….well, as of right now. A few other elements that I love- patterned tile, marble, sconce lighting ect ect.

What are some of your favorite kitchen details? Does your kitchen reflect you?

This apartment, seen on Fantastic Frank, had me at the living room. Then it had me at the bedroom. And then the kitchen sealed the deal. The simple details mixed with the rich textures and fun art is spot on. Also, anything with brass accents is pretty legit! See the rest of the tour here.

Image: Lobster and Swan

There are a lot of bad bad colors out there. But there are also a lot of inspiring colors that can create a beautiful, modern home. Below are a few of my favorite.

Image: Dezeen

If you are looking for a fresh spin on green, Card Room Green from Farrow & Ball is everything that we love.

Image: Sfgirlbybay

It’s all about pink this season. Pink Flamingo from Sherwin Williams is bohemian perfect.

Image: Skona Hem

This vibrant Slate Teal from Benjamin Moore is a great accent color for those who love color.

Image: Design Sponge

Another green that’s making headlines.  Use Hunt Club to create a striking space.

Image: Milk Magazine

If you love black but want something more unique, try Railings. It would be an insanely awesome accent wall.