Mood Board, that is. This is family blog.

But seriously, I am really getting stoked to move into our new place. Don't you love the clean slate a new place provides? Me too. And thanks to some pretty serious purging before our last major move, we can really start from new in a few key areas: new couch, new chair, new living room, really. Though I'm typically one to let things grow up more or less organically around something I found on sale somewhere, this time I thought I'd try my had at more intentional. direction. You know, just for kicks. When it comes to the family room, this is the vibe I'm going for.

So here's what we're working with. When I think of our next apartment, all I crave is light. And no clutter. And perfectly clean floors, all the time, with no help from me. I think I can at least strive for the first one. I have been crushing on mid-century modern design for ages, but when I was wedded to my old microfiber "contemporary" couch, and later when I was living in furnished spaces, the dream withered. Happily, now that we're in charge of our own furniture destiny, the dream lives again. These are the sort of Platonic ideal pieces I think would make for a grown up but casual, sleek but airy room.

1. Oh, Fiddle Leaf Figs. You are the chevron of plants, which is to say you are ubiquitous. But it's because you're awesome, have a ton of presence, and are reportedly difficult to kill. These $13 versions from Ikea are calling to us to try our hand at keeping them alive.

2. Another Ikea find, these airy Nordis curtains are just great. I know, because I have a set in our current living room. They offer a bit of privacy without sacrificing much light, and I've really grown to love the loopy, organic design. Though I tend to use big statement curtains, I'm excited to try sheer panels for a lighter feel. $20 per pair.

3. It's hard to overstate my obsession with this Urban Outfitters Reactive Glaze lamp. I love the sage-y color, the bamboo-inspired lines, the linen shade. I want it. On sale now for $99.

4. This Jonathan Adler pillow pulls in some of the limey-chartreuseness I want to mix in with turquoise and navy. I have a pillow I'd probably stand in for this, but at $34, this one's not too bad. Via Etsy.

5. I like this plain, linen-like turquoise pillow as well. I find this muted blue green to be very calming. It's a pretty good price, at $17 from the Online Fabric Store.

6. And now for the good stuff: a new couch! I want a long, sleek (but still a little comfy) couch in some sort of twill. I prefer gray, but any neutral or dark blue would work. (I have a weird thing for dark blue couches). This Main Street Revolution Nicollete Gray Quilted Sofa, via Overstock, is perfect in all respects. Except, perhaps, the price, which is a tad less than $1500. Not terrible for a couch, but not bargaintastic, either.

7. This Minted Stripe Throw from Anthropologie is the jam. I love the muted color palette. Again, so calming. I've never paid $128 for a blanket, and am unlikely to start now, but you can bet I've got my eye out for copycat versions.

8. Um, this table. I love it. I love the coppery bronze, and the shape, which the name informs me is Dovetail. It's from an outlet called Candelabra, and this small version rings in at $237.50.

9. Why, hello there, unbelievably sleek bench that also has storage! I cannot believe you are single! Oooh, that's why. CB2 Lift Storage Bench, about $500.

10. The one area where I'm willing to completely sacrifice form for function is a nice comfy chair. But it turns out I don't really need to. Look at this amazing Crate and Barrel Royce recliner. $1100.

11. This West Elm Hand-Blocked Stepped Diamond Pillow Cover is no longer available. But it sure is pretty, and is a key inspiration for me. It's got a nice graphic pattern but manages to be low-contrast and earthy enough to not feel like a slap in the face. You know what I'm saying?

12. We have two turquoise poufs, snagged from Target a while back, which we plan to incorporate. This similar version, from Amazon, runs about $80.

13. This campaign-style Archive Credenza, which looks like it's no longer available, was about $900 from CB2. Here's hoping I can make something similar - which is my plan. I love the campaign details, the sleek gray, and the storage. I'm actually thinking of lining the back wall with cabinets, both as media components and as much needed book storage.

So what do you guys think? My plan is to go for this, in feel and substance, while of course working with what we have and striving to do things as economically and ecologically consciously as possible. I'm excited to approach a room this way - it's all new for me. What about you? Have you ever worked toward a picture-perfect room? I want to know how it turned out!

And sorry this post is a bit late! We're juggling a lot of balls right now, so I'm switching up some posts and may be checking in a bit late, but I'm doing my best to post every day. Thanks for your patience and for sticking with it!