Prairie Home Companions

A big thanks to cousin and fellow blogger Britten Traughber (of Britten Traughber Photography) for sharing a great website with me: PrairieMod.

How did she know I'd love it? I must be pretty easy to read because she was, of course, right on the money.

The Teco Art Pottery Collection pictured above and below is super affordable and also has inspired a trip to see Frank Lloyd Wright's creations in person.

Oak Park, anyone?

All-star prep

Every few years, when fall rolls back around, preppy patterns return in a way that somehow feels fresh, yet familiar.

Hence the eternal life of Burberry, and I'll be damned if the flannel shirt isn't back again.

Pictured above are plaid linens from Brimfield, 5219 N. Clark St., Chicago. Here are some of my other favorites:

Adorable plaid ottoman found for $85 on Etsy.

Prep school-tie inspired pillows from Nate Berkus for HSN are just $29.95 each.

Gotta love Jonathan Adler's fearless Houndstooth rug at $720. Picture not to scale :o)

Stylish sleepers

We in our late 20's, who purchase property in the hopes of one day expanding our brood, tend to invest in a home that has an extra bedroom or two.

However, until said child is born, this extra space--often labeled "an office"--can become a purposeless dumping ground for unwanted furniture and a lonely desktop computer.

One way to give direction to such a room is to create different zones within it, so that it's more of a guest room with a small desk in it. That way, when company comes a knockin', you have a respectable place to put them!

Pictured above is the Pearce sleeper from Pottery Barn ($2,099). Here are some other great daybeds and fold-outs that can make your office more of a friendly guest space:

The brilliant Clark sofa from West Elm, believe it or not, folds out! ($999)

Crate & Barrel's Porto daybed is a super affordable option ($499)

The Louisa from Jayson Home & Garden will sleep even those over 6'5 ($1,695)
But nothing beats the price of the Softee sofa bed from Jennifer Convertibles ($299). The picture won't load, so check out this link to see it...

IKEA 2010 Catalog

Has yours come in the mail?

I love the IKEA mag's small, nearly square shape, and page-after-page of inexpensive solutions and show stoppers. Here are my favorites from the pages of next year's affordable decorating Bible:

Rattan armchair ($49.99)

Grapefrukt plant pot ($6.99)

Striped rug ($299.00)

Turquoise vase ($7.99)

Diner bev set ($9.99)