Beyond

Let There Be Light | Week 5: One Room Challenge

October 31, 2019

Whew! Week 5 of the One Room Challenge has been a doozy.

One thing I’ve learned during this One Room Challenge process is to expect the unexpected. As I’ve followed many of the designers and bloggers doing the ORC, I’ve noticed the majority have had issues crop up as they’ve decorated their space. Some issues have been small and other bigs but there have been issues none the less. Unfortunately I can count myself amongst those facing issues.

We had a few design hiccups leading up to Week 5 but nothing that’s impacted the design plan or risked completing the room. This week we hit our biggest snag of the challenge and I questioned whether we’d be able to get the room finished. One snag was so big that we had to call in the professionals.

Here’s are the issues we ran into...

1. Last Saturday, Mr. Confetti and I were kicking butt with the wallpaper installation until I realized we didn’t have enough paper (insert sad face). How could that be? I measured and re-measured and thought for sure I had ordered enough paper. Obviously not! I didn’t anticipate how much paper was going to be wasted matching the pattern around the windows.

Once I realized I needed to order more wallpaper, panic set in AGAIN. The wallpaper I’m installing is from Spoonflower and they custom print all of their orders which take 5 days. That 5-day processing time meant I wouldn’t receive the paper until sometime during Week 6…Reveal Week!

So what’s a designer to do? I reached out to the company and pleaded my case and asked if they could expedited production and shipping. I told them that I was participating in the ORC (name dropping) and how great the paper was looking in my space. Without hesitation, Spoonflower agreed to rush the order and the wallpaper shipped yesterday. I should receive it Thursday so Mr. Confetti and I can finish wallpapering on Saturday. Yay for great customer service!

As a reminder here are the two wallpaper patterns I was considering. You’ll get to see my pick next week.

2. The second issue we ran into had to do with the chandelier. Last week I shared this photo of the light and ceiling medallion Mr. Confetti installed. Everything was working fine until Monday when I flipped the wall switch and saw sparks flew form the electrical box in the ceiling. That’s not a good sign!

We immediately turned the power off to the room and tried to diagnose the problem with no luck. We couldn’t get the light to come back on and were pretty sure we have blown the wires in the ceiling.

So what’s a designer to do? I called the electrician and scheduled an appointment for the Tuesday morning. The electrician came out and was able to quickly diagnose and solve the problem so we have light again in the room. Since we had to take the chandelier down to get the wires repaired, I took the opportunity to change out the ceiling medallion to a larger one and I like it so much better.

Here’s a sneak peek for the new medallion and chandelier all lit up…

Design tip: A ceiling medallion should be smaller OR larger than the diameter of your light fixture. The difference in size will create a visual pyramid and provide a more balanced look.

So now that our wallpaper and light issues are resolved, I can now move on to some fun stuff like accessorizing.

I’ve picked up a few accessories while I’ve been out and about and have also shopped my vintage stash. My goal is to decorate the room with a mix of vintage, new and modern elements. Mixing design styles is such a great way to personalize your decor and make it unique and distinctive. Here’s an inspiration board I created to give you a general idea of some of the elements and styles I’ll be adding to our bedroom.

With just a few more days left in the challenge, I have lots of little things to check off the to-do list. I’m aiming to have the room finished and styled by Sunday so I can take photos and write the reveal post early next week. My final to-do list is short but intense…

It’s been so much fun participating in the ORC and I’ve already begun dreaming up plan for the April challenge. A big shoutout goes to Linda at Calling It Home, for creating this challenge where professional and novice can showcase their talent and ideas. And kudos to Better Homes & Gardens for being the media partner supporting this great event.

Be sure to stop by next week for the FINAL REVEAL of our master bedroom. It’s going to be gorgeous! Until then, follow me on Insta and Facebook for updates and progress photos.

To see more of the One Room Challenge renovations, follow these hashtags on Instagram…

#BHGORC

#OneRoomChallenge

Flower Home–Drew Barrymore’s Home Collection

April 2, 2019

In an effort to further capitalize on the growing home decor industry, Wal-Mart recently partnered actress Drew Barrymore to launch her 1st collection home products.

Flower Home is an eclectic mix of colorful, vibrant and personality packed home decor and furniture, all at affordable prices.

I spotted a few of the items on the internet last week and immediately headed to Walmart.com to check out the full line. Although not necessarily my style, I liked a lot of the items and want to share my favorites with you.

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Favorite Finds From Flower Home

No. 1–The silk flower art piece is definitely my favorite item in the collection. I love the colors, the chinoiserie feel and the $49 price.

No. 2–I love the clean lines and sun-kissed color of this mid-century velvet accent chair ($399). A pair of these would look great in a home office or flanking a fireplace. If this golden color isn’t your thing, this chair silhouette is also available in three other fabric options.

No. 3–Pretty in pink is how I’d describe this ceramic table lamp ($75). The embossed geometric design and velvet lampshade are my favorite details. A pair of these would look great in a little girls bedroom.

No. 4–It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for pretty dinnerware. The floral and stripe pieces in this vintage floral dinnerware set makes it easy to mix and match for both formal and casual entertaining. ($60 for 16 pieces–also available in a peach color)

No. 5–Antique brass and rattan are two of my favorite design elements together they give this floor lamp and chic and bohemian vibe. Place it next to a cozy lounge chair and you’ve got the perfect reading nook. $120

No.6–I think it’s the combination of bright yellow and turquoise that drew me to this bird artwork ($124). I wish there was a coordinating piece to go along with this but alone, this piece would look great as in a sunroom or kids play area.

No. 7–Even though I don’t see people decorating with globes as much as they once did, I still think they are a thing. This flower globe ($76) is one of the prettiest I’ve seen and would be a fun accent in a home office or kids study area.

No. 8–One of the reasons I love ceramic garden stools so much is because they are so functional. They can be used indoors and out, make a nice side table and provide additional seating in a pinch. This ombre ceramic side table is a pretty piece and only $76.

The Flower Home collection has gotten rave reviews so don’t be surprised to see items flying off the shelf. If you can’t find your favorite pieces on Wal-Mart.com, check their companies sister brands, Hayneedle and Jet.com which are also selling the decor and furniture collection.

Shopping CB2 | Budget-Friendly Modern Decor

March 7, 2019

I received the new CB2 catalog in the mail a few days ago and boy or boy are there some amazing new pieces in it.

CB2 is one of my favorite stores to shop for stylish and affordable home decor. Until a few years ago, we had a CB2 store here in Atlanta but sadly it closed. Now I have to do all my shopping via their catalog.

If you’re not familiar with CB2, it’s the sister brand to Crate and Barrel. The design aesthetic of the two brands is similar but CB2 has more of a modern edge and prices tend to be lower than Crate and Barrel.

Some of my favorite product categories at CB2 include lighting, pillows and their selection of knobs and drawer pulls. I used their brushed hexagon knobs in my kitchen and love them.

As I flipped through the newest catalog, there were so many pieces that caught my eye so I thought I’d share 10 of my favorites with you today.

♦ Tarte Tiered Chandelier–it’s hard to find oversizied, modern chandeliers that make a bold statement. The tiered shape and the brass finish make this a real standout. I can envision this hanging over a dining table or in an open foyer.

♦ Tatum Black and White Basket–Anything black and white is my favorite so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I love this basket. The size and shape make it perfect for holding blankets in a family room or guest bedroom.

♦ Grid Hand-loomed Rug–You really need to click the link and see this rug in person. The weave detail is really beautiful and makes this rug really unique. This would look so pretty as a foyer rug or in a living room with lots of neutral decor.

♦ Frond Jute and Velvet Pillow–I’ve been on the hunt for unique accent pillows and love this one. The design combines jute and velvet which gives this pillow so much texture. Two of these pillows on a grey or black sofa would look stunning. t also comes in a natural and navy combination.

♦ Artemis Frosted Chandelier-This chandelier took my breath away. It’s so unique and would really make a statement over a dining table.

♦ Halo Globe Table Lamp–If you’re looking for a unique accent lamp on a hall table or nightstand, this is it. Just image the beautiful light reflection that the diamond-cut glass will create.

♦ White Marble Handles–Just think how great these would look against white, grey or black kitchen cabinets. The handles come in four sizes and are also available in a black marble.

♦ Aluminum Barware–I am absolutely in love with these drinking glasses and am having a hard time picking my favorite color. Just think about how great these would be for outdoor entertaining this summer. Available in two shapes and 4 colors. I’m definitely ordering a set of these for myself.

♦ Brass and Acrylic Towel Bar–Acrylic and brass are always a winning combination. These towel bars would instantly update a bathroom or could be used in closet or bedroom hold jewelry and scarves.

♦ Glass Beverage Dispenser–I love the vintage feel of this gorgeous glass beverage dispenser. It feels like it was plucked right out of a European home. Another reason to love it–the removable top can be flipped over and used as a pedestal bowl. This piece is a steal at under $70.

There’s even more amazing pieces in their newest catalog. If you didn’t get a copy in the mail, you can flip through all the pages here.

Design Chat: Decorating Her First Home

September 26, 2018

I’m back with another installment of my Design Chat series. This time around I’m helping Krystian who recently purchased her first home and needs some help with space planning and decorating. Here’s the message I received…

Hello Shelly! Good morning! I found an article you’ve written online a couple of years ago. Although it’s older, it is still relevant to me. I recently bought a home, I’m younger and horrible at decorating. I have a brown sectional, yet I’m trying to lighten things up. What accent color can I use to lighten things up other than teal or coral? I feel these would darken things. I can’t afford to change the couch right now, so I have to work with what I have. I’m looking at a lighter colored area rug, but I’m not sure on how to position it. Would you be able to offer help? Would it go under the couch at all, or just in front? I’m really confused, all of the rule of thumbs seem a bit overwhelming! Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I asked Krystian to send me a few photos of her home so that I could see what she was working with.

THE LIVING ROOM NOW:

When you enter the house you walk directly into the living room. The space is open with no walls or architectural details to define it. In a space like this, the furniture and rug will that will do that.

There are three large walls within the room which make it possible for several different furniture arrangements.

With only two small windows to provide natural lighting, the colors used in the room need to brighten and enliven the space.

There is one small challenge when it comes to decorating this space. The location of the cable jack and the large wall vent that limits what you can put on that wall.

After looking over the photos and tossing around ideas, I outlined two design plans for Krystian.

This first plan uses the existing sectional and adds in new furniture pieces to finish off the space. To add more storage and display space to the room, I recommended a console table on the wall between the windows and another on the wall to the left inside the front door.

I’m also suggesting a set of bookcases, a new tv cabinet and table lamps to enhance the lighting throughout the room.

DESIGN PLAN #1

The second plan replaces the sectional with a sofa and a pair of accent chairs. It also orients the furniture so that the sofa is on the largest wall in the room. As with plan 1, this plan also includes a console table for storage, a new tv cabinet and side tables.

DESIGN PLAN #2

To address Krystian’s concern about the room being dark, I selected decor and accessories that will brighten the room. Here’s a look at the decor plan I created.

AREA RUG: I choose an area rug with a neutral background ad colorful pattern. Patternwork and color create visual movement and in turn give the impression that a room is larger than is actually is.

When it comes to selecting the right size rug, it’s always best to tape off the size on your floor to determine what will work best. Ideally you want the front legs of furniture pieces to sit on rug. In Krystian’s room, I recommend either a 6′ x 9′ or a 8′ x 10′. A large rug will help define the sitting area and anchor the living room.

PILLOWS: A good rule of thumb when buying accent pillows is to pull colors from the area rug or artwork. Krystian can remove some of the brown and tan pillows on the sofa and replace them with more colorful options.

COFFEE TABLE: A round coffee table is best for this room and will provide a contrast to the square and rectangular furniture pieces. A glass top will make the room feel more open.

CURTAINS: Ivory curtain panels will add soften and another light and bright element to the room. Framing the window with curtains will actually make the windows look larger.

CONSOLE TABLES: I’m recommending console tables in two different finishes and styles. The iron and wood table has an open base which will add to the openness of the room. The sectioned console will be great under the TV to hold electronics and decor. Adding a few baskets to the shelves will bring texture into the room.

ARTWORK: Colorful artwork is one the best ways to add interest and personality to a room. The colors in the floral artwork tie back to the colors in the rug and pillows. And the artwork will create a focal point within the room.

LIGHTING: Krystian’s living room can benefit from additional lighting so I’m recommending a couple of table lamps. Ivory ceramic lamps incorporate another material into the room and ties into the other ivory elements in the space.

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Krystian has a great living room space to work with. Using one of these space plans along with adding color and personality through decor will give Krystian the space she’s dreaming of.

FYI–Knowing that budget is important to Krystian as she decorates her first home, I shopped Wayfair for all of the decor. Wayfair is one of my favorite sources for stylish and budget-friendly furniture and accessories.

Hillsby Saffron Area Rug

Camber Round Coffee Table

Navy Knot Cotton Throw Pillow

Elliott Knit Throw Pillow

Edwards Velvet Lumbar Pillow

Miltiades Table Lamp

Rena Console Table (wood and iron)

Salinas TV Stand (multi-section)

Solid Room Darkening Curtain Panels

French Cottage Bouquet Floral Art

Round Minerva Accent Mirror

***this post is not sponsored by Wayfair. I’m just sharing one of my favorite resources and wanted to show you how you can create a beautiful space using their products.

Colorful Fall Touches Around The House | 2018

September 19, 2018

Hi friends. We moved into our new house just over a year ago and while I haven’t done an official house tour, I have shown you bits and pieces of our decor. To be real, I’m still decorating, searching for the perfect piece of art to go over the sofa, and adding finishing touches to our decor. I’m hoping to finish up a few things before I start decorating for Christmas and plan to create a video tour to share with you. Until then, let me show you my fall decor!

Even though I don’t traditionally do much decorating for fall, I did add little touches to our living and dining room. If you’re expecting traditional fall colors and lots of plaid and leaf decor, hold tight because my fall decor is a little untraditional. It’s all about color.

THE COLORS OF FALL

I LOVE COLOR and have lots of bright tones and patterns throughout my house. So as not to stray too far from my design aesthetic, I used bright elements to decorate for the season. I replaced the pink peonies that were on the coffee table during summer with these beautiful yellow sunflowers. Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers and I just love how bright and cheery they look.

I moved the decor around and switched up some of the books. And I filled a vintage brass pedestal bowl with handmade felt acorns. Even more color!

The acrylic tray got replaced with an animal print tray that I snagged for under $5 at a flea market. I always have a touch of animal print in my decor and fall is the perfect season to showcase it. You might have noticed that I didn’t change the pillows on the sofa (yet), but think I’ve found the perfect fall combination. Stay tuned.

There are no big changes to the fireplace hearth except the addition of white pumpkins nested amongst my blue and white jars.

We have a small console table that sits next to the door leading out to the deck. The pink and gold pumpkins along with the orange peonies give this little vignette a fall feel. In case you’re wondering, the beautiful peony stems cam from Hobby Lobby.

FALL FLOWERS

Over in the dining room, I dressed up the buffet with an eclectic mix of items. I grouped brown tortoise hurricanes with small blue and white ginger jars and a velvet pumpkin under a glass cloche. Then I added small green and white pumpkins to the mix. I love the reflection in the mirror at night when the candles are burning.

design tip: to prevent candle wax sticking to the bottom of a glass hurricane, place a few drops of water in the container. The water will prevent any candle wax that drips from hardening.

Have you noticed that I have pumpkins of all shades and sizes. I found some really cute ones this year and couldn’t resist. The green pumpkins are from Micheals and orange velvet pumpkin is from HomeGoods. The white ceramic pumpkins are from Hobby Lobby but I painted the stems gold…just because!

I sat a grouping of colorful pumpkins on the kitchen peninsula and love this little spot of happiness. Grouping pumpkins in different finishes and materials makes the grouping more interesting. The gold pumpkin is from HomeGoods, the small orange pumpkin from Target Dollar Spot and the pink pumpkin is from Michaels. I shared a picture of the pink and green pumpkins on Instagram and so many of you loved them.

I even got my cocktail bar in on the fall fun by adding small pumpkins to the monkey bowl. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the best decorating moments.

To finish off the dining area, I did decorate the table for fall. Here’s a sneak peek. I’ll be sharing the full tablescape tomorrow as part of a fall blog hop so make sure to check back. You can see my fall tablescape from last year here.

That wraps up my fall home tour! I hope you enjoyed looking around and seeing the just like my decor, fall comes in a variety of colors. If you’re new to my blog, I hope you’ll consider subscribing. You can do that by filling in the pink box in the sidebar.

5 Minute DIY FaceLift | UpStyling Plain Pillows

August 29, 2018

If you’re looking for an instant makeover for your decor, think about changing your pillows. Refreshing your pillow mix is an easy and affordable way to change the look of a room. Store like Ikea and HomeGoods are a great source for basic pillows but sometimes your room might call for pillows with a little more detail. That’s where the 5 minute facelift comes in.

Earlier this week I UpStyled the look of a pair of navy velvet pillows I have on my sofa. The pillow covers are from Ikea and at $9.99 the quality is pretty good. To give these plain covers a whole new look, I added some beautiful woven trim along each edge. In just 5 minutes I elevated the look of the pillows and the decor in my family room.

Here’s what you need to do to UpStyle your own pillows…

Measured the length of the pillow and added 1″ to each end.
Then using a Tailor’s Chalk Pencil, I draw hash marks 3 1/2″ in from each side.
Next I turned each end of the trim under 1″ and stitched it down using a needle and thread.
The final step was gluing the trim in place using Unique Stitch fabric glue. Once dry, the adhesive is water-soluble, non-toxic and creates a permanent bond.

While these aren’t designer pillows, they are a budget-friendly way dress up plain pillow covers and create a fresh new look for your decor.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. I hope you’re inspired to give your decor a facelift.

You can read all about one of my favorite trim resources here. And learn my tips for building a pillow assortment here.

End Of Summer Coffee Table Decor

August 28, 2018

Happy Tuesday friends. Is anyone else having a hard time wrapping their head around the fact that September is just a few days away? Where has this year gone? While I’m sad to see summer slip away, I must admit that I’m ready for fall.

Fall is one of my favorite decorating seasons and I’m already thinking about how I want to decorate for the season. I can’t wait to cozy up my home!

Today I want to give summer one last hoorah by sharing my end of summer coffee table decor. Just like summer, my table is bright, bold and filled with fun!

“A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy.” –Juan Montoya

I make seasonal changes to my decor and the coffee table is one that gets a new look often.

My coffee table is square and fairly large so there’s lots of area to display books and collectibles. The centerpiece of the table is an arrangement of silk pink peonies in a brass bowl. I love adding flowers to the mix because they add color and softness. Surrounding the flower arrangement are five groupings of coffee table books (one of my obsessions). I placed decorative accessory on top of each stack to create the eclectic look I like and to add dimension to the table.

I love using some of my vintage decor on the table. This ceramic monkey was a given to me by a client and the brass bowl was a flea market find.

Candles are an essential part of my decorating style so there is always a candle in my coffee table arrangement. If you’re shopping for fall candles, this autumn candle and this black ginger candles are two of my favorite fall scents.

It’s no surprise that there’s some blue and white pottery on my coffee table.

With fall approaching, I’m planning to refresh my coffee table decor in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to see how the look changes.

For more tips on styling a coffee table, check out my post– Anatomy Of Styling A Coffee Table Tray.

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Accessories: Monogram Coasters (similar) // Money Dish (vintage) // Silk Peonies // Vintage Blue and White Lidded Bowl (similar)

Accessories: Magnifying Glass // Wood Slice // Silver Matchstick Urn // Gold Wishbone

Coffee Table Books: Passion For Parties // Pizzazzerie // Veranda Entertaining // Designers At Home

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Art Of High Low Style Mixing {7 Tips}

August 27, 2018

Anytime someone new comes over to my house I get asked the question, “where did you get that?” I think the question comes up because when you look around my house you’ll notice that my decor has been curated over time and has a personalized look and feel. I’ve decorated our house to reflect the things we love and because of that, it’s has its own flair.

My decor is a mix of styles, a combination of vintage and new, plus a combo of high-end pieces and budget friendly finds.The art of mixing high & low furniture and decor is one of the keys to designing a beautiful room. Here are my tips on how to mix high and low like an Interior Design Pro!

THE FORMULA TO HIGH LOW STYLE MIXING

Tip # 1: Invest money in the furniture pieces that will get used the most.

Don’t skimp on statement furniture that you and your family will be using on a daily basis. Look for high-end furniture like a sofa or dining chairs that have solid construction and long wearing fabrics. Quality pieces will elevate the style of a room and make inexpensive accessories look glam.

Tip # 2: Be an equal opportunity shopper because finding the right item is more important than where you bought it.

An equal opportunity shopper simply means being open to shopping a variety of stores for the items you want. Shop your favorite high-end retailers as well as budget friendly big-box stores that might have identical or similar items for less. And don’t count out consignment or thrift stores which can be a great source for high-end looks at a fraction of the cost.

I originally purchased this large blue and white ginger jar from a high-end furniture store. When I decided a needed a second one to flank my fireplace, I went bargain hunting and found the almost identical jar online for $50 less.

Tip #3: Mix materials and finishes to make a room appear more luxurious than it really is.

Adding texture into your decor is an easy way to elevate the style of a room. Choose accessories that incorporate a variety of elements like wood, fabric and metal for a layered and custom look. When a room has visual interest, it automatically looks and feels more polished and sophisticated.

The pieces on my bookshelves include an antique brass bowl (high-end), blue and white pottery (mid to low-end) and a disco ball that I bought on clearance (cheap). The mix creates a curated look that feels like a grouping of treasures collected over the years.

Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to UpStyle a low-end piece with high-end details.

I’m sure you’ve all seen how an inexpensive pieces from Ikea can be UpStyled to look like a high-end piece with a few simple enhancements. A coat of paint, new hardware or the addition of trim work can give a simple piece high-end style. When you’re out shopping and see an inexpensive piece evaluate its potential and how a little refurbishing could give it a whole new look.

A new set of brass knobs elevated the look of this black Ikea cabinet. And $30 worth of fabric transformed a pair of $11 thrift store ottomans in to accent pieces that look like the cost a lot of money.

An empty room is a story waiting to happen, and you are the author!

Tip #5: Invest in a few original pieces like artwork or handmade ceramics.

An original piece of art or handmade craft can be a worthwhile investment and elevate the style of a room. Original pieces don’t have to cost a fortune these days. You can find original oil paintings at antique stores or have a new piece commissioned from sites like Minted for less than $500. Etsy is a great source for handcrafted pottery and wood decor for as little as $20.

TIP #6: Group high and low-priced decorative items by color.

Color is a unifying element and will create a sense of equality between items that are grouped together. Group pieces of similar color on a tabletop or pillows from the same color family on the sofa. To keep things visually interesting, look for items with different patterns or materials so things don’t look to matchy.

A place setting is a great place to experiment with pulling a color theme together. With this pacesetting, I used blue and white as the theme but combined different patterns to create the interest.