Young House Love

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Missoni At Target – What We Got

We get asked pretty frequently about where we find inspiration. The short answer: everywhere. Other blogs, design mags, real life, family and friends, clothing, nature, even reality TV. Yup, I’ll admit it. Who takes pictures of the TV for inspiration slash fun? This girl (points to self with thumbs). And then they get uploaded with all of our other photos and John dumps them into an iPhoto folder that’s aptly named “TV pics.” And every once in a while I come across them and click through and say “oh yeah that was Law & Order, I loved that ceiling” or “that headboard makes me all clammy, in a good way” or “poor actors slash reality stars – I wonder if they hate the fact that they can be paused in such unfortunate and unflattering ways?” (Oprah used to give me the most hilarious faces when I paused her – miss you O!). So here are a few photos of the tube that were sitting in my folder (you know I’m an over-sharer).

The Modern Family house (someday we’d love to use their landscaping as inspiration for our own home):

Here’s another Modern Family shot from the Clive Bixby episode (where they meet at a hotel lobby – best ever). I snapped a photo because I thought the shape of the headboard could be fun for one of those DIYed from plywood and foam ones. Maybe for a kids room someday (in brighter colors/fabric).

This shot from Law & Order LA was taken back when we were still house hunting. And I snapped it (get ready to snort-laugh) because I was hoping to find a house with arches and tall ceilings like this. Yeah, that didn’t happen, but I still love our house (and this photo too, just for the how-deluded-was-I memories). And heck, we did end up with exposed beams (white in the kitchen, and darker in the living room). They even run in the same directions as this photo. So maybe we did buy this house… kind of.

Here we have a shot from America’s Next Top Model (and an example of unfortunate pause-faces). Guess what I was enamored with… yup it’s another headboard lust moment. Isn’t that brown and white fabric awesome?

Here’s a shot from a movie we Netflixed (The Kids Are All Right), which we watched right after moving. We loved the deep-ish blue on the walls and wondered if that was a good color for the guest room (and actually ended up going even deeper).

Here’s another shot from The Kids Are All Right. John and I both fell in love with the large stone paver walkway that sort of curved out from the house in a triangle-ish shape. Maybe someday when we transplant about five hundred bushes we can attempt this clean and open look…

Ah, here we have one of my favorite shows: Flipping Out. I really liked the dark wood doors with the giant pane of frosted glass. So many homes have those ornate oval-glassed double doors, and I loved the clean-lines and chunky frame of these – they just felt so different.

Here’s another Flipping Out picture, and I can’t remember if I loved the tangerine gourd lamps (which could be accomplished with a can o’ spray paint and a Goodwill score) or the cool wavy mirror in the back that looks kind of like faux oyster shells. Probably both.

Last Flipping Out shot. This time I loved the glass pendants and the dark cabinets with the white counters. Of course we don’t have white granite/marble/silestone in our kitchen so it’s nothing we’ll do (we want to work with the mid-toned granite that we have, and don’t want to create a sea of brown) but it was a nice look, so I worked my picture-taking finger to capture Jeff’s design. Who knows, maybe someday we’ll get to stain someone else’s cabinets to mimic the look.

Here we have a shot from The Celebrity Apprentice (did anyone else think that show got boring after crazy Nene left?). Can you tell what I was obsessed with? Yup, the floors. They actually inspired us when it came to building the console table. So yeah, we owe it all to the Celebrity Apprentice.

Here’s a shot from The Big C (does anyone else watch it- it’s so good, we got a free trial of Showtime and got hooked and watched the whole thing in record time). I really liked the board and batten on the wall behind her and still dream of DIYing something similar in our hallway (as recently mentioned here). So I thought you’d like a visual. Preferably with Laura Linney in it.

This shot is from Secrets From A Stylist, snapped because we still have plans to thrift or build a larger, chunkier media cabinet to balance out the giant wood console table that we built on the other side of the room. And we really liked the white frame with the wood fronted doors of this thing:

Oh and occasionally we just see something we don’t think we’re supposed to and it blows our mind. Like this rare angle that John noticed (he’s such a notice-er) on Bachelor Pad a few weeks back. Look how many lights are on the ceiling in that room behind Jake. Isn’t that crazy? The place looks so homey on TV but it must feel like such a set in real life (and probably gets pretty hot).

Who else takes TV pics? I can’t be the only person who does this, right? Or do you try to find screen grabs on the computer instead? Some of my shots are admittedly quite wonky due to TV glare. I know I could mess around with the camera a bit to cut down on that stuff, but I mainly just use them as memory joggers, so it’s ok if they have a weird blue tint or there’s a person or two oddly frozen in the room. Maybe you guys all just watch TV and relax like a normal person? Probably that, huh?

Oh and did anyone else go Missoni crazy at Target? Sorry we’re late to that bandwagon/update. We actually didn’t make it there until Wednesday evening (the collection dropped on Tuesday morning) and of course it was hugely picked over/sold out by then, but I did spot these sweet rain boots (in an extra small) for Clara and couldn’t resist. She already tries to wear them (they’re a bit too big). Very cute.

Missoni Boots

I also grabbed this pretty geometric vase for the back of the living room console:

Missoni Vase

It’ll probably migrate around the house over time, but for now I’m loving the bold pattern and the metallic finish that references the chunky silver lamps nearby. Bah-dah-bling.

I also made off with these headbands for myself. They seem like a nice compromise for a ponytail obsessed gal like me. Now I can wear my hair down but still keep it out of my face. Oh who am I kidding, I’ll probably wear them with a ponytail. Update: already did here.

Missoni Headbands

What did you guys buy? Was everything already gone? Was there someone in line buying 2K worth of Missoni stuff in front of you? Word on the street is that happened like crazy on Tuesday and Target’s website even crashed and folks are selling everything for $200 on ebay. Peeps be crazy for Missoni.

Comments

  1. Beth says

    Hey yall,

    Your mentioning of having an inspiration folder for tv pics got me thinking. How do you two stay digitally organized? I know you’re apple people – is the price hike worth it? What about backing up your photos, music, your blog? Any other tips on this type of thing? What other products do you love / make digital life more manageable?

    Our digital organization is horrible and it drives me crazy! Plus our computers are old as dirt, slow as molasses and we’ve got photos stored in various hard drives / websites, etc. I know it’s time to get our act together on the technology front and I’d love some YHL input! Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We love Macs. No going back. It’s totally one of those personal preference things, but over 10 years without getting a virus = priceless to me. As for photos, we back them up on an external hard drive and on Flickr so they’re online too (in case something happens to our house). For music it’s just on both of our computers and our ipods so it’s in a few places. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  2. Alanna says

    Love the arches as well and since you have those beamed ceilings in your living room, what about using an arch when you open up your kitchen space to the living room? That way you’ll finally have your arch!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Such a fun idea! Sadly there are two other doorways nearby that are rectangular so I think one arch might look weird on the same wall as one of them. But it was fun to picture for a second!

      xo,
      s

  3. Susan says

    I didn’t get to Target until 2 or 3 pm on Tuesday, and they had little to nothing left. I then went to the other Target in our city (I live in NC) and got the suede heels that I wanted (but boy, are they uncomfortable) and a blue media & sweater box, and a head scarf, but I might return that. And a composition book. I asked the sales people what it was like, and they said about 25 women were there when they opened, and ran in and took cart loads of Missoni…

    Reply

  4. Rachael says

    Bachelor Pad craziness, I had no idea those lights were up there. I have had a huge crush on some of the decorating updates they did for the show, I loved the bright curtains and was obsessed with the fun colored lanterns they used outdoors.

    Reply

  6. Jamie says

    I am obsessed with “taking pictures” of webpages with my iphone. LOVE that feature! My camera roll sadly has more pictures of internet “photos” than real photos! LOL. And I totally forgot about Missoni launch. I just happened to be in Tarjay Wed morn and there was pretty much empty shelves everywhere. Craziness. I DID try on some little girl galoshes (yes, I have freakishly small feet) like the ones you bought for Clara but that would be the 4th pair of galoshes I own so I passed. Am having regrets now that I see them again in this post…

    Reply

  7. Michelle says

    I’ve done the same thing…taking picture of the TV. How else are you supposed to remember a design element that catches your eye? Re-watch the show?! Glad to hear I’m not alone. ;-)

    Reply

  9. Jen says

    TV photos! Brilliant. So much better than my Google image method. I see little things in TV shows and movies all the time and they sometimes don’t exist in Google images. I was able to track down a photo of a headboard inspiraton from Sex and the City but it wasn’t easy!
    Also – those boots are the most adorable thing that I have ever seen. Too bad that I’m a Canadian and have to wait until they (finally) open a Target up here.
    Love the vase. I think that it’s a perfect compliment to the lamps!

    Reply

  10. Christine B says

    Tele-photos
    We were watching Chuck and saw one of our table lamps in Awesome’s house but it was painted white. Afterwards we broke out a can of spray paint and did the same. Our DVR is def. filled up with ideas and inspirations. Glad we aren’t the only ones.

    Reply

  11. Kristan says

    I’m forever watching a movie or show and in the middle of some intense scene, I comment on how much I love the lamp in the corner, landscaping, etc. My boyfriend seems genuinely confused every time!

    Reply

  12. Kelly says

    That first bedroom pic, from Modern Family? It’s at the Hyatt Regency in L.A. — the only reason I know this is ‘cuz I just booked a room there yesterday, and was looking at the pictures online!

    Also, how is the quality of your vase? I handled the exact one at my Target, but the silver paint/transfer was smudged or missing in a few places. Kind of disappointing.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Really??? Ours looks great! Did it smear or crack off the one you saw? I wonder if it was a defective one? Ours so far is looking good. We’ll keep you posted!

      xo,
      s

  13. Leigh Ann says

    Love this post!

    1) Thanks for sharing that you photograph the TV to remember design inspirations… literally AS I CLICKED ON YOUR BLOG, I was also watching a DVRed episode of “The Nate Show” and going, “I’ve got to remember that collage wall!” Never occurred to me to photograph the TV, but after I read your tip, I totally did!!!

    2) That frozen pic of Jake on “Bachelor Pad”, looks like John… too funny!

    Reply

  14. Anna, Sydney says

    Hey! What’s going on?! Posts I haven’t read in a different area?! I’m shattered. Have to catch up immediately. Any chance you can put a wee note at end of the normal area when there is a new post in the Life area? Just like you do for your Baby blogging. Or alternatively I suppose I could just from now on check it myself… that COULD work. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, we updat YHLife so randomly we don’t always remember to add notes (we actually hardly ever remember to, haha) so the best bet is just to cluck over to see what’s up over there. Haha. Sometimes John or I toss something up without even telling each other so it’s pretty spur of the moment.

      xo,
      s

  17. Kristen S in East Texas says

    I bought the little girls coat for my daughter just because I liked it. I thought it had a certain wow factor that I haven’t noticed in other jackets in a size 3T. I had no idea what it was or that there was a huge hoopla over the brand until I read this post this morning. Guess I’ve been living under a rock? That, or I stay busy with my kids and YHL is my source of news! ;)

    Reply

  18. Anna, Sydney says

    Hehehe, no worries.

    Btw, I also photograph the telly and save to my Inspiration folder. Good to hear I’m not the only one.

    Reply

  19. Kristen S in East Texas says

    I bought the little girls coat for my daughter just because I liked it. I thought it had a certain wow factor that I haven’t noticed in other jackets in a size 3T. I had no idea what it was or that there was a huge hupla over the brand until I read this post this morning. Guess I’ve been living under a rock? That, or I stay busy with my kids and YHL is my source of news! ;)

    Reply

  22. Nancy says

    I love this idea. I’m sitting here wondering why I didn’t think of that. It’s just brilliant. I usually just dvr something I like but then never go back and rewatch it. I’m going to try this from now on. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  23. ColleenwithMurals&More says

    Now that I know I can snap pix of the tv . . . well, we’re in trouble.

    Ok – storytime – Hubs is a huge “story” fan (read: soap operas). Every Christmas when I decorate (used to be a floral designer so everything is a big over-the-top) he wants lights EVERYWHERE. I keep telling him they do that on tv because a) they have a budget, hello? and b) it’s on tv and they need that many lights for the florals to show up.

    And Missoni-madness? I don’t get it. Blogland has had chevron, or zigzags as my mother calls them, for the past 2 years. Maybe I just need an italian name. Yeah. That’s it.

    Reply

  24. Tania says

    I was interested in some of the Missoni crib bedding but it’s all sold out. Not to fear, you guys have inspired me… maybe my mom and I can make our own custom nursery curtains, crib skirt, etc in fabric I like and that a million others won’t have. Clara’s nursery is so beautiful and made with so much heart!

    Reply

  25. Sara Smith says

    Have you ever seen the show Alphas on SyFy network? Awesome show, but I often miss parts of the dialoge because I am so enamored with the set design!! Actually rather similar to your shot of “the Kids are Alright.” Deep blue walls with wood accents….and some sweet wallpaper in one of the ladies’ offices. Comes on Monday nights at 10…check it out!!

    Reply

  26. rose marshall says

    I wanted to tell you that wavy mirror is by Made Goods. They have AWESOME mirrors and light fixtures and stuff. I think it’s available to the trade only…but if you have a designer friend…like me, you can get them! Pretty expensive, but cool ideas at least on their website. Definitely your style.

    Reply

  27. Rachel says

    I wanted you to know I tried the no VOC paint you recommend since I now have a little guy. I got the bright idea to paint our rental house with him with me and awake…

    I now know a few things–

    THe no VOC paint comes right off a baby.

    It eventually will (mostly) come out of carpet

    And never, ever attempt to paint again with a baby on the loose.

    Here are a few pics of the outcome if you are interested:

    http://running4two.blogspot.com/2011/09/forgotten-run.html

    Thanks for your cool blog and inspiration on many levels!!!

    Reply

  28. ashlee says

    is there a trick to the rustoleum ORB? i’m doing some frames and i’m getting a slight splatting of blobs here and there. tiny, and barely noticeable, but still. i’m shaking it for a long time prior, and spraying light layers..?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Might just be a bad can/nozzle. That has happened to me once or twice. I just bring it back for an exchange. I think it’s pretty common so they’re fine with a straight switch and then the next can is just fine. So weird!

      xo,
      s

    • ashlee says

      will i need to strip all that ORB off the frames (the splutters here and there) before i re-ORB it?

      god, that sounds like a made up new language, hahaha!

  29. Brandan WH says

    I just wanted to see what the clothes looked like and got nothing. Folks really were camping out! Heck, they even had to take down the Missoni poster as there was NOTHING to see. I thought about buying a sweater for my daughter (only items left in the store) but couldn’t do it. Let’s be real. I seriously doubt any of that stuff would’ve looked good on me, anyways. I have too much junk in the trunk for those zig zag lines. Oh, and love the TV screen shots. Holler!

    Reply

  30. Meg says

    I bought those same headbands, plus the thick black and white satin one. If I had a little girl she would have gotten some cute stuff but I don’t, and my boys probably wouldn’t have liked being dressed in pink stripes and botanicals. Fun buys though! Meg

    Reply

  31. Lyn says

    I happened to go to the Target website the other day and it was down, it didn’t dawn on me why until I saw the news on TV that night. People were in line since midnight the night before waiting for the store to open, open, open so they could get the butt ugly Missoni stuff. It was sold out within 2 hours. Way to busy patterns for me, although the bike was pretty awesome. And, yes, I take TV pictures all the time of things I like. I discovered a setting on my camera specifically for taking pics from the TV, who knew! I can’t tell any difference from the pics I took before discovering the setting though.

    Reply

  32. Late Night Coffee says

    LOVE the Modern Family house!!! I’d totally live there if I could have the cast members (in character form) visit every once in a while.

    Congrats on the Missoni finds…good stuff without the ER visit.

    Reply

  34. katy says

    i love your TV inspiration! i’ve never considered taking pictures of the TV, but always use trusty google to try to find pictures from TV sets (i love the houses in Parenthood)

    Reply

  35. alg says

    Setting: Our living room, watching Clive Bixby episode:

    “What’s wrong with your wife?”
    “Aw, she’s always complaining & making lists…”

    Dan falls out of chair & nearly wets himself laughing.

    Reply

  36. xhellsbellsx says

    I’m definately prepared to take pics right off my screen if I can’t find good web pics of the wallpaper from “The Kings Speech,” beautiful scenes!

    Reply

  39. Katie S. says

    I chose the fabric I used to make a window treatment for my kitchen based off of the fabric in Mitch and Cam’s kitchen linens on Modern Family! Also, I made a mirror mosaic because I was inspired by something I saw in an episode of Sex and the City (the one where Carrie dated the Jazz musician). Love TV for inspiration. :)

    Reply

  40. Amy in Canada says

    OMG ~ I totally take photos of my TV, all the time! I had snapshots of some of the nursery ideas that you had on baby center as they were on the “Steven & Chris” show a few weeks ago. I watch a lot of HGTV (I’m in Canada) so there are a ton of ‘flip’ shows, ‘Sarah Richardson’, ‘Lynda Reeves’, etc. I also have been taking pics of TLCs ‘What Not to Wear’ for hair and clothing ideas for a few years now too!

    Reply

  41. Sara says

    I went to Target yesterday searching for whatever Missoni that may be left, just to look at it, surprisingly there was a bunch of kids clothes left, but nothing else, I was bummed to not even score a pair of socks.

    Then while searching the clearance end caps, I came across the beautiful Missoni shower curtain, (the one with colors resembling Sue the napkin) I had seen online. I bought it up and cut it last night to create my own Missoni hack. It will be a flowy reversible cardigan when I am finished, hoping it turns out as great as I think it will, so excited!

    Reply

  42. laura says

    I am glad I am not the only one who takes pictures of my tv! I have 2 photos in my phone one of a deck I like and one of a fireplace/bookcase wall I would like in the living room! I have to snap them when I see them so I can show the hubby that THIS is what I want!

    Reply

  43. Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says

    So jealous of your Missoni grabs! I was there on Tuesday night and saw two pairs of shoes and one bra. Cue the wop-wop sound effect. A local news camera man was there filming the empty racks as a store employee described the hoards of people in line before the store opened and the craziness that ensued.

    Reply

  44. caroline craig says

    I totally paused “the kids are all right” to draw the pavers. not sure why i didnt just take a picture though. glad to know im not the only slightly unstable homeowner out there ;)

    Reply

  45. Christina says

    Never thought to take a picture of the tv! I’m always seeing rooms I like on shows. Have you checked out “Up all night” on NBC? I’ve only seen one episode but their house and the woman’s office are so so amazing. I was also obsessed with the office on Mr. Sunshine- I wish I had taken pictures of it, I can’t find any online and the show was cancelled.

    Reply

  46. Lyndsey Beecham says

    So you guys pretty much work 24/7! It’s very apparent that you love what you do and that is awesome. Do you ever get to the point where you wish you could turn your brain off and be “off the clock?”

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes! It’s so weird but sometimes I’m super jealous of people with 9-5s because many of them can come home and they’re off! Nothing to think about but family and dinner and what they’ll do on the weekend. Of course there’s cleaning and kid-wrangling, but not major job stuff going on in there too. But then I realize that I had that exact thing when I was in advertising (it wasn’t a 9-5, it was more like 9-9) and I like this waaay better because we get to do what we love from home together as a family. Haha. But it would be crazy to say that we never get tired or burned out or think the grass is greener somewhere else, but we keep coming back to this because it’s truly our passion and we can’t imagine doing anything else!

      xo,
      s

  48. Jasmine says

    Hahaha It’s good to know I’m not the only one who watches TV and pauses it to snap photos of stuff (Decor, outfits, etc) Guess I’m not so weird after all… ;0)

    Reply

  49. Mandi says

    I’ve never taken a TV shot (brilliant idea though) but I’ve been guilty of taking pictures of ideas or especially recipes in magazines while at doctor’s offices, getting an oil change, etc. I just can’t bring myself to rip it out of their magazines! And just a little while ago I took a picture of a cleaner I needed from the company’s website and sent it to my husband so he would NOT be confused as to what kind to buy when he was at the store. I love living in the age of cameras in phones… so handy!

    Reply

  50. Tara says

    I watched a movie last night called “Wild Target” with Emily Blunt and I couldn’t stop thinking of you guys and this post! There was a scene at a hotel and it had great furniture, bold colors, and a fantastic stripe painted on the wall. I kept thinking, “If John and Sherry were watching this, they would pause it and take photos!”

    Reply

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