Baked in Birmingham

My great friend and partner in style, Kamin Williams, has the cutest clothes, accessories, blog, personality…and home! She’s one of the photogs here at work, and she does amazing freelance too, whether it’s weddings, engagements, children, interiors – you name it! So I would definitely recommend giving her a ring if you need some pretty pictures taken.

I thought you might be equally inspired as I was by her beautiful home in the ‘burbs of Birmingham. Her house is about 100 years old, and I love how she kept the vintage quality while still modernizing it to fit her own design aesthetic. Love ya, K!

Her adorable, bright sunny kitchen! I love that she flawlessly pulled off yellow and red without making it look like a certain fast food restaurant!

One of the 4 fireplaces in her cottage; this one is in the kitchen. Her new husband, Cory (who is my best friend, by the way, right Cory?) insisted that he have his DMB poster somewhere. Again, kudos to K for making it work!

It’s all in the details!

Love her living room! Isn’t that huge tree branch the coolest? I had one in my house, but my husband threw it away. Thanks.

Living room fireplace, bedecked in monograms and all sorts of lovelies!

Fireplace #3 in her guest room/work room. Vintage 1960s sewing machine. It’s so awesome it hurts.

Ok now that we’re all nice and inspired, let’s go home and decorate!

I have been seeing this vase everywhere. All the time. For about 3 years now. I think I first saw it in Domino (RIP). Today I found it here. I love it more and more every time I see it. It’s so tongue-&-cheek and I think it’d look simply smashing on my coffee table, minus the fake red roses.

Please forgive the shameless plug, but Zack and I are selling our sweet little townhome. Please buy it!! We created a blog to give you the whole scoop, which you can check out here, and we’re having an open house this Sunday from 2-4. Please stop by!!

This is from the February issue of Country Home magazine, which is ceasing production after their April issue (AAH!). This story is in one of my all-time favorites. Check out that desktop organizer-turned-tea caddy and the old school trash bins-turned-pet food containers! So clever. Hopefully I’ll be able to work something like this in our next home. You could also just take an old painted bookcase and hinge a simple homemade wood frame + chicken wire and you’d be in business. Don’t forget to check out the CH website before it shuts down later this spring!

I’ve noticed lately that shelter magazines everywhere are doing features of home offices and studies. Always one to be inspired, I recently put the finishing touches on my own little office that’s in my guest bedroom. 

Desk: parents’ basement. Lamp: thrift store. Lamp shade: given to me at work. Kitchen scale-turned-clutter coraller: found it in Italy. Mint julep cup pencil holder: Michael’s craft store. Bulletin boards: foam core with old patterns affixed with spray adhesive. Memo/Mouse pad: TJ Maxx. Computer: inherited from the husband. Chair: Cottage Living prop sale. Total cost of Malinda’s home office: about $30 (minus the plane ticket to Rome). 

I found these adorable dishes from Acero Studios while surfing etsy.com today.. Cheeky graphics meets househould function=Heaven. I will definitely have to get some pieces (soon)!! And yes, that’s a covered vegetable dish! AAAH!! 

Before I got married my sweet sister gave me her dining set, which is really cute. But last year, after I happened upon my Parsons-style dining table for $50 bucks at Southeastern Salvage, my chairs have been in need of a makeover. It only took me 2 cans of primer, 5 cans of white spray paint, and a couple yards of fabric from I.O. Metro (Thanks Bo Bow). I have to say they make my dining room look about 10x brighter! Yay for yet another piece in my house that is spray painted white!