etsy gems - come on spring

Here in mid-Missouri, we've been slammed with blizzards for a week or so now. Jimmy and I couldn't get out of the house last week, and temperatures have been dipping into the negatives after dark. I love snow, but I've officially had enough of it this year, along with heavy winter food--I'm ready for light, summery fruits and vegetables, and I'm craving color the way I crave food. Since our landscape refuses to compromise on this all-white color scheme, I went hunting with the Pounce tool through Etsy's undiscovered treasures to satisfy my craving. Here goes!

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1. I'm thinking a table full of these sweet pinwheels might make even the awful winter winds seem like a spring breeze. Modern Love paper pinwheel, HurrahPinwheels, $6.

2. "Put a bird on it!" I'm already digging through my closet for that pale-turquoise sundress that serves as my go-to for spring weddings--think I could use a new accessory for it! Romantic flower and bird fascinator,  Ghost of a Gipsy, $27.80.

3. These crocheted bangles in juicy colors seem like the perfect transition accessory--they look like they'd keep your arms warm with sleeveless spring tops. Wild berry bangles, Dirty Lush, $22.

4. Simple, modern, classic, and colorful: I think that yellow bag might be coming home with me. Yellow vegan felt handbag, anonimaMente, $48.65.

5. I love a good salvaged piece, and this cheerful red dresser is just what the doctor ordered to brighten up my living room. George dresser, The Salvage Collection, $325.

6. Nothing says spring to me like old-school calico prints. Paired with creamy cotton, it's a rustic piece of heaven. Toadstool embroidered pincushion, evajeanie, $9.96.

7. Finish off your "wishful thinking" pre-spring ensemble with these dainty, pale-pink earrings. Pink quartz 14k gold wrapped flower earrings, zhuzhudesign, $52.

There you have it! Are you feeling the winter blues too? Show us your best Etsy picks for spring!

inspired decor: time travel

Hello readers! Today we'll be starting a segment called Inspired Decor. We'll choose one particularly beautiful and inspiring piece of artwork from Etsy's vast stores, and then build a room around it with a mixture of handmade, commercial and vintage items. Let's take a look!

Today's inspiration comes from a lovely 8x12" photograph by Etsy seller yvetteinufio entitled "With pleasure:"

The print is absolutely gorgeous, with a rainbow of muted colors and myriad textures. The playful colors and subject matter are a nice contrast to the general wistfulness of the photo. I'd love to have this on my wall, and it makes a great jumping-off point for designing the rest of a room! Here are our suggestions:

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1. The print provides a lot of fascinating colors and textures to choose from for the rest of our room. "With pleasure," 8x12" photo print, Yvette Inufio, $12.50.

2. I'm in love with Martha Stewart's excellent paint collection for Home Depot. The colors are varied and elegant, and I've heard the paint quality is great. "Tidewater" perfectly matches a shade pulled from one of the green-blue suitcases and contrasts nicely with the warm background of the piece. Martha Stewart Living for Home Depot Interior Eggshell Paint in "Tidewater," Home Depot, $23.95/gallon.

3. This sofa has been one of my favorites for ages--if I had $1,200 lying around, I'd bring it home in a heartbeat. The tailored shape and elegant tufting are reminiscent of decades gone by in a French parlor, while the deep charcoal color and slender steel legs give it a modern edge. Avec Sofa, CB2, $1,199.

4. A beautifully worn, real vintage suitcase provides an unexpected surface for a coffee table. We'd recommend putting a piece of glass over the top to retain its condition. Vintage suitcase trunk coffee table, krw062 on Etsy, $599.

5. Clocks are one of my favorite ways to add vintage flair to a room, and this fantastic old General Electric model is no exception. Its turquoise second hand pulls in one of the colors from the photo without being overwhelming. Round GE wall clock, hmmosko on Etsy, $24.

6. The mustard yellow suitcase in the second row is too perfect to ignore. Bring it out with a bold piece of furniture in the same color, like this vintage Herman Miller rocker from CoMod Classics. Herman Miller Eames fiberglass armchair rocker, CoMod on Etsy, $450.

7. A large, vibrant area rug with a modern geometric pattern is the perfect place to sample the pretty array of oranges in the photo. This lovely natural sisal rug from Overstock will take a lot of wear and tear, and cover just the right amount of floor space. Arts natural fiber sisal weave rug, Overstock.com, $141.99.

8. Small curiosities with a vintage feel can draw attention to otherwise neglected areas of your room; picture this pearl-colored English setter pointing from your mantel, side table or buffet. the strange planet English setter, thegoodmachinery on Etsy, $17.

9. It's all well and good to be ready for traveling, but what if you don't know where to go? Vintage hand-lettered maps make gorgeous wall decor, like this one from Etsy seller StoriesDivinations. The colors contrast beautifully with the photo, too. 1930s Maine map, StoriesDivinations on Etsy, $21.

So there you have it! A nice, warm, textured living room with a blend of new and vintage goodness. I hope you liked our picks--what would you add, if this was your house?