Design Hunter | Jayson Home's Fall Flea Market

GO NOW! The annual Jayson Home Fall Flea Market started this morning and you can bet your bottom dollar I was the first one in the tent at 8AM!  My sister thinks I'm a lunatic but every year I make sure to get to the "Flea" bright and early because a) I want first dibs on the incredible selection of vintage and antique pieces from across the globe and b) I love seeing how buyers Caroline Scheeler and Devin Kirk style the tent.  Pictured above are just a few of the treasures you'll find if you visit this weekend.  And if you're not fortunate enough to live in Chicago, don't fret, the sale goes live on their website October 15th.  Happy shopping!

(photography by kristin kerr for simply smitten)

At Home with Devin Kirk

Is it just me or do any other Chicagoans feel like our stylish city does not receive it's fair share of press in national design publications?  I can only think of a handful of Chicago homes that have been published in the last few years so I literally jumped for joy when I saw apartment of Devin Kirk, vice president of merchandising at Jayson Home, in the March issue of Elle Decor.  What I love most about this feature is that it's not some stuffy penthouse on Lake Shore Drive -- it's a true example of the vintage buildings that many young professionals are accustomed to calling home.

His living room is filled with items he's picked while shopping for Jayson Home.  It's a collection of new and old, vintage and modern.

Finding a vintage apartment in Chicago with an open floor plan is a rarity.  Most apartments are set up like Devin's, long and narrow with the entry and living room in the front of the space and the kitchen in the back.  Having a choppy floor plan can be annoying when entertaining so I love how Devin created this cozy seating area along one wall of his large kitchen.

The controlled palette of neutrals seen throughout the rest of the house continues into the bedroom.  Instead of fighting the lack of natural light in the small space Devin worked with it.  The mirrored wall reflects light againt the dark gray walls and opens up the space.  The bedroom feels cozy and collected just like the rest of Devin's beautiful home!

(Images via Elle Decor, scanned and edited by me) 

My Home | Dining Room Update

Good things come to those who wait. This is often the case when you're in your twenties and have a tight budget. You may remember that I posted about purchasing a new Saarinen Tulip table for my dining room. That was back in June, it's now November. That means my table has been chairless for the past 5 months. God time really flies by. Anyway, I always tell myself that beautiful things take time to come to fruition, so instead of running out and buying cheap chairs that I didn't really want, I waited. And as luck would have it, I scored my dream chairs for a fraction of their original price!

This is the second year in a row that I've made a major purchase at the Jayson Home & Garden warehouse sale. Last year I purchased my dream sofa (here), this year, 4 Vintage Louis XVI Chairs.  I'm absolutely, head-over-heels in love with them.  The wonderful striped wood finish, linen upholstery and vintage suzani backs work perfectly with my current decor.  Now, all I need is some nice china!

Pineapple Express

Aren't these pineapple accessories positively delicious?  Though winter's far from over, this fanciful fruit is popping up all over the place.  I'm especially smitten with Wayland Gregory's Red Pineapple Oblong Box.  A longstanding sign of spring and hospitality, accessorizing with the exotic shape of a pineapple, whether on a fabric, purse or candleholder, will send you on the express train to warm weather.

1. Nate Berkus Chicago Apartment Elle Decor I 2. Pineapple Clutch by Kate Spade I 3. Red Pineapple Oblong Box by Waylande Gregory I 4. Pineapple Grove Locket by Kate Spade   I 5. Megan fabric by Rubie Green  I 6. Pineapple Gold Flat Note by Jack and Lulu  I 7. Gold Pineapple Bowl, Jayson Home & Garden  I 8. Pineapple Candleholders, The Met Museum

Design Hunter: Jayson Home & Garden Warehouse Sale

I've been busy at work on my new apartment all month and while it's hardly close to being finished I wanted to give you a little sneak peek of my new sofa!  Ahh, thank you Jayson Home & Garden for holding your much anticipated warehouse sale and for making this girls sofa dreams come true!  What do you think?!?