Beyond

Spring Inspiration–Decorating Ideas and Tips

March 1, 2016

I can’t believe the weather we’ve had the last couple of days here in Atlanta. Spring is definitely in the air and I’m super excited for its arrival. The other day I was driving and noticed that a few cherry trees had started to bloom and that daffodils are popping up everywhere. All these signs of spring have me thinking about decorating for the season which is not typically something I do a lot of. This year though, I want to add a few more spring touches to my decor and rounded up a few ideas and inspiration that just might inspire you too.

When we lived in Seattle there were tulip fields about 60 miles outside the city. Every year we’d take a drive to look at the beautiful rows of tulips and buy bundles and bundles of tulips for $5.00 ea. The tulip festival took place around my birthday in April so tulips hold a special place in my heart.

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Design Chat: The Perfect Pillow Formula

February 29, 2016

image via BHG

Happy Monday friends. I’ve got another round of my Design Chat series for you today and I’m answering a question about selecting and styling pillows for your sofa.

Deziree is having trouble selecting pillows for her living room sofa and posed the following question to me…

” I have had the hardest time styling my living room. I have purchased probably 8 sets of curtains, multiple pillows, hand-made covers, and I still have not finished it. My walls are a grey taupe and my sectional is tan and I currently have natural ivory off white linen curtains. I would love help with picking pillow colors, patterns, shapes and amounts for my sectional. Any suggestion”?

I’ve gotten this question on more than one occasion from readers and I hope the tips I’m sharing will help you if you’re struggling with your pillow decor.

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Dream Home–My Favorite Rooms From The 2016 HGTV Dream Home

February 24, 2016

Have you had a chance to check out the 2016 HGTV Dream Home? Every year HGTV decorates a beautiful home and holds a contest to give the fully furnished home plus a car and cash prize away to one lucky person.

Every year I look forward to see the beautifully decorated home and every year I enter the contest and cross my fingers that I’ll win.

Every year my sweet husband who happens to be a tax man reminds me that if we did get lucky enough to win we couldn’t keep the house because of the enormous tax liability that comes with it!

And every year I continue to dream. This year was no exception.

p.s. it’s reported that only one winner in the history of the giveaway has kept the house. Most winners have sold the home or taken the cash option which allows them to pay the tax debt and still have some mad money left over.

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Let’s go on a mini tour of the home and check out my favorite spaces in the home…

For the first time ever, instead of building a brand new home, HGTV decided to remodel an existing one for the 2016 Dream Home. Located in Merritt Island, Florida, this years home has undergone a total transformation thanks to designer Brian Patrick Flynn and has a style and vibe perfect for its Florida setting.

OUTDOOR POOL & LANIA

I love a beautiful outdoor space and this outdoor patio and pool area of this home are gorgeous. The area was designed for entertaining and lounging, all centered around a gorgeous pool.

BACK LANIA

I love that multiple seating areas were created which make it ideal of large gatherings. The paint color on the windows and doors is a perfect match to the outdoor furniture creating a harmonious feel between the indoor and outdoor space.

LIVING ROOM

The living room has a causal vibe because of the soothing colors and abundant seating. I love the trio of light fixtures that serve as a focal point for the room and mirror the details or the coffee table.

KITCHEN

I’ve written about using furniture pieces in a kitchen before so you know I love the cream cabinets that were used in this space along the windows. What a unique was to incorporate storage and a serving area into a functional kitchen space.

MASTER BEDROOM

While the coastal colors used throughout the home are not my style, I love that Brian painted most of the ceilings in the home. The master bedroom was dressed in a bold aqua color and along with the white furniture the room really pops. You gotta love the beaded chandelier and the gallery wall which was designed to incorporate the TV.

GUEST BEDROOM

And the last area of the home that I love is the guest bedroom. Again, dressed in coastal colors the peach + neutrals is really pretty. I’ve always liked the idea of a desk as a night stand alternative and love the accessorizing that was done in the bedroom.

The entire Merritt Island home is stunning but these are the spaces that really stood out to me and where I’ll be spending all my time if I happen to win!

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You can hop over to HGTV to check out the entire home and see all of the before pictures. You won’t believe what the exterior of the home looked like before they started the transformation.

Other facts about the Dream Home:

The home is 3,100 sq. feet and has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
Ethan Allen is the primary source of furniture and décor
All of the paint used in the home is Glidden
The entire second level of the home is the dedicated to the master bedroom retreat
The prize package also includes a 2016 GMC Acadia Denali, $250,000 provided by national mortgage lender Quicken Loans, and a brand new boat
The winner of the giveaway will be chosen in March

Shopping Ikea–New decor and fabrics!

February 22, 2016

Hello friends. I hope you all had a great weekend.

Since I hadn’t been shopping at IKEA in a while, I decided to stop by the store on Saturday to see what was new. Whenever I plan a trip to Ikea, I try to go early in the morning or an hour or so before they close because the crowds are usually at a low point during those times. Well, I must have missed the email announcement that Saturday night was ‘kids night’ because the store was packed with families and there were kids running around everywhere. What usually takes me an hour to get through the store took me a lot longer because I was constantly dogging little ones.

Despite the crowd and super long check-out lines, we made it out in one piece but did have to stop and get ice-cream on the way home to calm our nerves:)

Anyway, back to my shopping trip. I spotted several new items I wanted to share with you including some of the new fabrics Ikea is selling.

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One of the first things I spotted were these glass jars. I love the cork tops and the simple shape. These would be great on a kitchen counter to hold snacks and staples and I can even see them being used as a terrarium or to hold seasonal decor like the photo below. If I remember correctly, the largest size was $24.00 and the medium was $14.99.

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When I spotted these wood boxes I immediately thought of a thousand different ways to use them. And they are the perfect piece for a DIY project. Unfortunately the store was out of this size but did have a larger/longer size available. It think the price was $5.99.

Another great piece I saw was this woven side table. The top is a metal tray and it comes off to reveal storage space inside. I didn’t much care of the white stripe around the center but that could be fixed in a flash with spray paint or stain. Just image this in a bold, bright color for summer. $79.99

I loved this black planter and will probably go back and get one. The textured pattern on the outside is really nice and the inside is painted gold which you can see in the website photo below.

I never pass up the pillow aisle at Ikea and it never fails that they have something I want. This blue and cream striped pillow cover was really nice and I loved the watercolor effect the stripes had. Like most of the pillow covers, this one was a great deal at just $8.00.

Next up was the fabric department at Ikea. If you’ve never looked at the fabrics that Ikea sells, I suggest you do. Their fabric department is set up with a cut-it-yourself station so you cut the yardage you need and take it to the register to be rung up. You won’t find designer patterns or designer quality but many of the fabrics are great for decor like pillows, table linens or even drapes. And you can’t beat the price with most of the fabrics under $10 a year.

Here are a few favorites…

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Berta Ruta–a classic red and white plaid $8.99/yd Also comes in other classic colors.
Emmie Ros–this is a vintage inspired floral design and would be great in with shabby chic decor–$6.99/yd.
Sofia–a classic black and white stripe for only $7.99/yd. I used this fabric to make a skirt for the file cabinet in my office and love the weight and quality of it. Also available in other colors.
Pilorf–I love, love, love the floral design on this fabric and think it would make a really pretty table runner because of the way the pattern runs. $5.99/yd.

Blue and white products are a big trend at Ikea and they have some great blue and white fabrics for sale. This Sommar pattern is modern and classic and is only $5.99/yd.
At first I didn’t know if I like this abstract foliage fabric and then I remembered that Sherry Hart used it to make pillows for one of her projects and I was sold. It’s a great design that in the right application can look high-end. $9.99/yd.
This Sommar blue and white grid pattern is another classic design they sell. I can envision this as drapes with a beautiful trim detail or made into a duvet cover. $5.99/yd
Classic black and white floral design with an antique washed look. $7.99/yd.

And another new item I spotted in the fabric department was a bundle of fabric swatches that were on sale for $4.99. Each swatch measures 8″ x 8″ and there are 50 pieces in the bundle, 10 each of 5 designs. I immediately thought of making dinner napkins from these or using them in craft projects. I might be going back to get these as well.

So there you have it…a few of my favorite things at Ikea.

Designer Closets–The Details You Can Use In Your Own Closet

February 19, 2016

DESIGN DETAILS FOR YOUR DREAM CLOSET

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One of my favorite things to do on Pinterest is look at designer closets. In fact, I have an entire Dream Closet board filled with images I love. Not only are designer closets pretty to look at but I love analyzing the storage and organizational details that make it stylish and functional.

During my latest round of pinning images, I took note of some of the style details that make a designer closet, a designer closet. I recognized that many of the elements are things that will work in any closet, regardless of its size. So while I continue to dream about my designer closet, here are 10 design details you can use in your own closet that will turn a humble closet into a hollywood dream.

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Creating storage behind closed doors is definitely and high-style trick that you can add to your own closet. Glass fronts will allow you to see the contents inside and preserve leather and hardware finishes on handbags and accessories.

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Even the smallest of vanity areas is a great design touch for a closet. Create your space above a set or drawers or add a small table or wall shelf between shelving or in a corner. And once you start decorating your vanity area, make sure to incorporate a few pretty but functional pieces.

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“To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.” – Giorgio Armani

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Even a small stool will add stylish seating to your designer closet. If you don’t have open wall space where a stool can sit, tuck it into the shelving under hanging garment.

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I have to admit I’m a little ‘mommy dearest’ when it comes to matching hangers in the closet. Regardless of the type of hangers you use, using one style throughout the closet will instantly UpStyle the look and feel of your closet space.

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And if new hangers are not in the budget right now, shop thrift stores and spray paint the hangers to create a uniform look.

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“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication. ” – Leonardo Da Vinci

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A little paint or wallpaper can go a long way in adding designer style to your closet. Even if you can’t paint or wallpaper the entire space, consider dressing up one accent wall or even the ceiling.

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One thing you’ll notice about most designer closets is that they use storage baskets and bins to keep things organized. Baskets can hold t-shirts sorted by color, accessories or even staples like jeans and sweaters. Use one or two basket styles to create a uniform look with your closet decor.

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Display hooks are definitely a designer touch but for just a few dollars and no physical labor you can add them to your closet. These shelf hooks from Container Store are great if you have a wire rack system in your closet and these hooks from Ikea work great on solid surface shelving.

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“Personal style is about taking classic pieces and reinterpreting them to make them your own.” – Frida Giannin

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It’s easy to add unique details to your closet space and give it a designer feel. I love the architectural look of these wood shelves for holding jewelry and other accessories. You can install your own with these wall cubes from Home Depot.

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Chic and efficienet lighting is a must for any closet space. A chandelier is always elegant and picture lights are ideal when you need direct lighting in specific areas. Ikea has a nice selection of unique wall mounted spotlights.

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I don’t know how many times I see someone that’s not dressed to impress and question whether or not they have a dressing mirror. Every designer closet needs them. You can hang an inexpensive full length mirror on a door or wall, or get creative and UpStyle the look with molding and trims.

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Every time I look at designer closets I’m inspired to make a few simple changes to give our petite space the designer touch. And I truly believe that a pretty closet space will put added pep in your step as you get ready in the morning.

So, which of these designer closet details do you love the most?

Thrifting Finds–All About The Brass

February 17, 2016

On Valentine’s Day the hubs took me out for a day of thrifting. Lately when we’ve gone thrifting we’ve shopped at my favorite antique stores and flea markets so this time around we decided to stop by several of our local Goodwill stores.

Shopping Goodwill is definitely hit or miss experience. Sometimes you can score some great pieces but more often than not, the shelves are filled with undesirable pieces. I’ve also noticed that over the last year or two, Goodwill seems to be increasing their prices so the deals you once could find are harder to come across now.

The stars and planets must have aligned for Valentine’s Day because I found several awesome brass pieces and a few blue and white gems.

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This tulip shaped brass planter was in perfect condition and I’m thinking I’ll put a maiden hair fern or orchid in it.

I also found these brass containers and will most likely sell these in my Etsy shop.

Here’s some vintage brass inspiration for you…

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These blue and white tea cups were too cute to pass up especially for less than $3.00.

I love this Chinoiserie blue and white flower frog/brick and can image it filled with tulips. After doing some research I discovered this piece was made in Portugal and was designed for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

And I scored these petite brass pots for .50 cents and think they’d be great for succulents.

a little something like this…

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While I was thrifting, I also picked up a few pieces that I’m sending off to a fellow blogger as part of the Ciburbanity #SwapItLikeItsHot blog swap. I super excited to be participating along with a slew of other bloggers and can’t wait to share it all with you in April.

If you haven’t honed your thrifting skills yet, you can read my thrifting tips here and my flea market shopping tips here.

Happy hunting!

How To Get A High-End Look On A Budget

February 16, 2016

Hello friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a great weekend. My Valentine’s Day was super casual and instead of taking me to Jared :), the hubs took me somewhere he knew I’d like even better…antique shopping. I found some great goodies which I’ll show you tomorrow, but today I wanted to address a question I get asked a lot–how to add high-end design style, on a budget?

When it comes to design, one thing I know for sure is that most people desire to have a high-end look for their home but want save money doing it. Of course to get a high-style look you can go out and buy expensive furniture, lighting and accessories but when that’s not an option, there are ways to get the look without breaking the bank.

If you’ve ever wondered what design tricks designers use to achieve high-style, today is your day because I’m sharing NINE Ways To Get A High-End Look On Budget!

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Design Crush: Anna Spiro

February 10, 2016

Do you ever have one of those fleeting moments when you see the decor in a home and it makes you think about redecorating your entire home. I have those moments a lot but recently I started delving in one of my design books and it really has me itching to change my look.

The book I’m talking about is Absolutely Beautiful Things by Anna Spiro. Anna is an interior designer and shop owner based in Brisbane, Australia. Her store, my Black & Spiro is filled with a unique collection of colorful, eclectic and interesting decor and accessories.

When it comes to designing rooms, you can tell that Anna’s approach is all about infusing color and vibrancy into the space. Let’s take a look at her style shall we…

The wallpaper above is just one of Anna’s designs available through Porters Paints.

You have to love this eclectic gallery wall arrangement.

Classic with a pop of color–yes please!

The white piping and monogram take these black end chairs to a whole new level.

Colorful pillows on a traditional settee is the perfect combination.

I’m crushing on bold sofas these days and love the decorative boxes on the coffee table.

A traditional chair with a twist–such a statement piece.

This entire banquette setting has me drooling. I just love the colorful mix. It’s such a happy place.

And if you ever questioned whether bright colors and traditional furniture could mix, here’s proof.

One thing I know about my personal design style is that I love classic styling, whimsical touches and pops of color so that’s why I’m so drawn to Anna Spiro’s style. A trip to Australia and a visit to Black and Spiro are on my bucket list but until that happens I’ll keep arming Anna from across the pond.

To learn more about Anna and Black and Spiro, you can visit her site here and follow her on Instagram here.