A few months ago, I mentioned in a Favorite Things feature about how I was loving the furniture and well thought out vignettes in the Flor catalogs. Well, I’m still loving them and frankly, I’m floored. Pun intended.

We’re big fans of Flor tiles, but aside from their endless carpet tile options, the furniture in the Flor catalogs is simply to die for. I wish like everything they would do just one special issue that included where the key furniture pieces were from. That would make my day. Getting a new Flor catalog in the mail is like getting a super stylish home magazine that’s full of inspiration that can easily be used in any home. Here are few Flor rooms that I’ve gathered for future inspiration for our humble abode…

I like the idea of sitting a collection of framed art on a table, rather than hanging it on the wall. It’s different, unexpected, and draws the eye down to what’s going on on the table. However, in my mind, it’s the nailhead trimmed chair on the far right of the photo that steals the show. Isn’t it lovely?

Even though it’s obviously staged, I like the addition of the red handbag and notebook. It packs a big punch of unexpected color!

This study carrel would be a great addition to a study or even a shared kid’s room for separate homework spaces. I wish I knew where they found it… not that we have room for it or even need it. It’s just one of those pieces where you’ve gotta know.

I’m a big fan of gallery walls – especially when the frames are hung in a grid pattern like this. The vintage art makes it that much sweeter. This idea can easily be done in any home with 8×10 frames, a vintage book (that has a lot of pretty pictures of course), and a level to make sure your gird pattern is straight. We can’t wait to do something like this in our house; I just need to pick a place!

I’m attracted to shiny things. However, I think I’m even more attracted to orange Hermès boxes. Though the Hermès boxes are lovely, everything about this entry table is perfect: the color combo, the chunky table, the bold pattern of the Flor tiles, the accessories chosen for the table… there’s a lot to pull inspiration from in this photo.

Yes, the chairs in this dining area are awesome. They are modern with a touch of “I Love Lucy”. However, it’s the giant framed wipe off board that’s making me “pin” this photo. What a great idea!

I’m not sure what kind of wood this desk is made from but I love it (Greg is geeking out over it too!). He also likes the grid gallery to the left, the sleek desk light, and of course the super bold carpet tile pattern. We’re actually thinking about using these carpet tiles for a “rug” in Greg’s office (though in a different color).

Doesn’t this look like the perfect place to curl up and read a book on a rainy day? This daybed (I think it would be considered a daybed…?) can serve mutli-purposes in what seems to be a home library. I also like the addition of the sconces attached to the flanking bookcases. Perfect reading light.

Three things I love about this room: the neutral color scheme against the colorful patterned throw pillows, the unique floor lamp, and the chunky coffee table. It looks as though the room has evolved over time which gives it a cozy, welcoming vibe – a vibe that we hope our house will have down the road.

Itching to find out where some of these pieces can be found?! Me too! So I called upon myself to do my own investigative research — which merely amounted to reading the FAQ on the Flor wesbsite. This is what I found:

The font is practically pt 2, so here’s what it says: “All imagery in the FLOR catalog was shot on location, often in private homes. Therefore, unfortunately, we do not have informaiton about all of the furniture or accessories seen in the catalog or in our photographs. Select locations courtesy of Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, Illinois. Select products courtesy of CB2, Dwell Studio, and The Verde Design Studio.”

Question answered! Even though it’s not an ideal answer to the million dollar question, it’s something to go on and a few websites to pawn over.

Do you find inspiration in catalogs? If so, which ones?

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Okay, so there isn’t a homecoming queen in this post, but I couldn’t help but to reference the Monkees at any given chance — even though I was born in the 80′s.

Before we even began our house hunting search, we (well, mostly me) started collecting photos, floor plans, and house related clippings of what we wanted in our future house. One thing that always caught my eye, and still does, is kitchen banquette seating. I had seen banquette seating in magazines and movies but a few years ago, I saw it in person in a Martha Stewart KB Home model in Cary, North Carolina (after graduating from college, Greg and I toyed with the idea of moving there). I immediately fell in love with the idea and simply “had to have it” in my future home. I still have the photo I took that day…

Banquette seating, large windows, open shelving, crisp white wainscoting… swoon! From that day on, I started a file called “Banquette Seating” on my computer and collected photos to use as inspiration when we purchased our first home. Sadly, we don’t have an area for this but it’s okay to daydream, right? Here are my top 6 favorite inspiration photos from the file…

This image found on Decor Pad is one of my very first banquette seating inspiration images. Can’t you imagine having your morning coffee here?! The semetrical art work, sconces and flanking cabinetry tie everything together so nicely. The chandelier makes a huge statement without being too overpowering. I also love the powder blue walls. Heavenly!

This picturesque setting is in the home of textile designer LuLu De Kwiatkowski (image via Lonny Mag). I love the pairing of the crisp white bead board and the rustic farm table as well as the addition of the graphic print pillows. I also covet all of the natural lighting!

In this room, Martensen Jones Interiors took what could have been an awkward flex space in this beautiful kitchen and turned it into a perfect, what I like to call, “coffee nook”. The carrara marble table top ties in with the countertop and backsplash. By using the same material, this really ties in the two “zones”.

Surrounded by white cabinetry, backsplash and countertops, the gray and white striped fabric on the banquette seating in this kitchen (Gast Architects) is the perfect touch of whimsy! I also love how the black table in front of the banquette seating adds some needed depth and helps ground the room. A perfect combination of light and dark!

Yes, another white kitchen! Ya’ll should know by now that I have an obsession with white kitchens. Moving on… This kitchen by Jennifer Dryer (image via Lonny Mag) is another great example of using a potentially awkward space and transforming it into a perfectly thought out nook. This would be a great little space for kids (or in our case, Bentley) to hang out while we cook. The extra storage under the seating is a plus too. Oh, I envy this kitchen!

If there were a photo with practically all of my current obsessions… this one would be it. Neutral gray fabric, tufted banquette seating, wing back chairs, a pop of color by way of a simple floral arrangement, typography artwork, gobs of coffee table books… what do I NOT love about this photo? Nothing! Simply put, Kishani Perera outdid herself.

So there you have it… my top 6 favorite inspiration photos for banquette seating. Even though we don’t have a place for it in our house, a little daydreaming eye candy never hurts.

Just because I can’t get the song out of my head now, I must close with a tribute to one of my favorite Monkees songs:

Are you daydreaming about a certain architectural feature you long to have in your home? We’d love to hear your daydreaming stories…

When it comes to customizing furniture, installing different hardware is the easiest and fastest way to make it unique. It’s kind of like jewelry for your furniture. In the same way that you can totally transform an outfit by just changing your jewelry, you can make a typical-looking piece of furniture unique and fun by changing the hardware.

We have a few furniture projects around the house (like the guest room dresser and the future kitchen cabinets) where we are thinking about replacing the stock hardware with something a little more custom. Since we have hardware on the brain, we’re rounding up some of our favorite decorative hardware pieces…

Left to Right: Toscana Knob / Maddox Knob / Mother-of-Pearl Knob / Sea Blossom Knob / Urchin Test Knob / Red Striped Ceramic Door Knobs

Left to Right: Ivory Ceramic Knob / Lace-Strewn Knob / Beaded Knob / Prismatic Spring Pull / Lucky Number Knob / Calico Owl Knob

Left to Right: Galaxy Knob / Ring Around the Knob / Rosette Knob / Traditional Amber Glass Knob / Cartographer’s Cultured Knob / Bubbled Glass Knob

So. many. to. choose. from! Keeping in mind that we will probably be using multiple knobs in a single area, I think my personal favorites are on the top row in the first set. They’re unique, but not too busy. Greg really likes the bottom-middle and top-right knobs in the third set. We really wish we could use all of these, but that would probably be overkill!

Do you have some favorites out of all these? Do you have a favorite store where you go to find unique hardware? We’d love to add to our list, so let us know in the comments section!