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On the Bookshelf: Design Books for 2015

January 15, 2015

Hi there! I hope you enjoyed the post on the trends I spotted at the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishing show last weekend. Today I’m back to share something else from the show–books!

Checking out all of the soon-to-be published interior design books at market is one of my favorite things to do. And this market did not disappoint.

Here’s a round-up of my favorite design books that will be released in the first quarter of 2015!

{click on the image to read more about each book & pre-order}

No design library is complete without Barclay Butera!

If you read the blog Subtle Revelry (and you should) you’ll definitely want to get Materially Crafted written by Victoria, the creator of that blog.

India Hicks is a design icon and creates some of the most beautiful tropical inspired space. This book is filled with lots of design ideas you can use in the city too.

Another design icon, Barbara Westbrook is coming out with a book entitled Gracious Rooms. And every page is just that, photos of beautifully designed and gracious rooms.

Since I love shopping at flea markets, I’m excited about this book, Flea Market Secrets! It’s filled with shopping sources and shopping tips to turn you into a thrift market pro!

Bohemian style is really popular right now and this book provides lots of design inspiration if this is your design style. I love it for the creative and unique accessorizing ideas.

And the book that I am most EXCITED about is Modern Mix by Eddie Ross. I’m sure all of your know Eddie and love his style as much and I do. I’d give anything just to spend a day with him but until that happens I’ll be spending lots of time pouring over is his.

Great inspiration is at your fingertips!

top image source

Tips for Styling a Coffee Table

January 23, 2014

Styling bookcases and table surfaces are two of my favorite things to do and that often results in constant changes with my personal décor. My coffee table décor is a great example. I change the look on a frequent basis, switching out decorative elements, moving books around, adding flowers and re-working the arrangement. While there are no set rules for decorating a coffee table, there are certain types of items and a few design tips I use that have proven themselves time and time again.

1) LAYERING is one of the most important elements in achieving a great layout for your coffee table décor. Stacking books and using decorative elements that are different heights and widths are ways you can create layers. In my current coffee table arrangement I’ve layered the gold spike sphere, decorative jar and small silver urn on a tray which gives the smaller items more impact.

2) TRAYS are one of my go to coffee table décor items. I am constantly collecting them and changing them out from season to season. The animal print tray above is one of my all-time favorites and was an awesome find at a thrift store for only $7.00! Using a tray in a contrasting shape from your table shape is another tip I like to use. A round tray on a square table provides visual contrast.

3) BOOKS are always a good thing! I always have books on my coffee table, sometime several stacks at one time. Use books that reflect your personal interest and stack graduating sizes together to create layers and to use as risers for other objects.

4) When it comes to the DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES you use on your coffee table the only criteria I have is to use things I love or things that I use. Candles are a must and I often place them in decorative jars which still allows me to use the candle but adds a decorative look to the table. I almost always have a decorative box on my coffee table too. It’s a great place to store the remotes, matches and coasters. A few other things to keep in mind with your coffee table accessories…use a variety of items, incorporate different finishes and texture and add something unique and interesting. Your coffee table décor should be a reflection of you.

5) FLOWERS are one of my other go-to coffee table accents. They add volume, color, texture and visual movement while softening the entire table arrangement.

Like I said, there is not right or wrong way to decorate your coffee table. Spend a little time pulling together the items you want to decorate with and have fun creating an arrangement that speaks to you!

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BOOKS: Soiree, Vogue Living, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Inspired You, Decorate, Vintage Remix, The Perfectly Imperfect Home

Wood Slice–HomeGoods (similar HERE) // Tray–thrifted (similar HERE) // Magnifying Glass–HomeGoods (similar HERE) // Z Gallerie Gold Sphere // Silver Urn–thrifted (similar HERE) // Ceramic Jar–HobbyLobby (similar HERE) // Cloche and Base–Smiths Home // Vintage Spool–(similar HERE) , Sheet Music–my vintage collection

Favorite Candles:

Nouvelle Crepe Myrtle

Archipelago Eucalyptus

Votivo Red Currant

Stylish Bookcases in a Flash

September 24, 2013

Whew!!!! That’s all I can say at this moment! You might have noticed that I’ve been absent here on the blog for the last few days and you might have wondered what I’ve been up to. I wish I could say I was off enjoying the beach or taking a fun trip but that’s not the case. The fact is that I’ve got a lot of projects on my to-do list and they have kept me so busy that I haven’t found the time, energy or creative mindset to blog.

One of the projects I’ve been working on is a big event for a non-profit agency I work with. I am on the board of directors for the Community Assistance Center and I’m chair for their big fund-raising gala which is next weekend. All the planning and making the centerpieces for the table décor have me knee-deep in auction items, paperwork and paper crafting.

I’ve also been super busy working on the finishing touches of a e-design project which I’ll share with you soon, trying to add a little fall flavor to my home and finishing up a piece for my desk (I know I promised to show it to you last week). All in all, things are a tad busy in my life at the moment.

So now that you know I’m still alive and kicking, I did want to drop in today and share one of my favorite product lines with you.

We’ve all seen them…

those images of bookcases where all the books have been meticulously covered in beautiful paper or fabric.

And if you are anything like me, you’ve thought to yourself, I’ll do that with my own books and then my bookcases will look like all those other beautifully styled bookcases on Pinterest.

source

But one day you take a hard look at your bookcases and the hundreds of books that are staring at you just waiting to be covered and you think to yourself, there has to be an easier way to make my bookcases look pretty.

We’ll folks I’m here to share a great source for INSTANT BOOKCASE STYLE with you, E. Lawrence Books!

Several years ago, when my store was open, I sold E. Lawrence books but I had forgotten just how amazing they are until a trip to the mart last week. E. Lawrence has always had a great selection of leather-bound, classic covered books perfect for a library or more formal setting, but over the years they’ve added lots of stylish covered books to the mix. Their book collections are really dynamic and are a great way to add a strong design statement to your bookcases in a flash.

The Eifel Tower set is one of my favorites. Because the books stack vertically, they are great on shelves with large openings or on the tops of bookcases or armoires.

The paper zebra covers are just amazing and so chic!

They have lots of different floral covers which can add a bohemian feel to your shelves.

The ikat and flame stitch patterns are also some of my faves. Reminds me of something you’d see in Anthropologie.

The lighthouse covers would be great in a men’s study or young boys room.

Another fun floral inspired collection.

If you like a little color pop on your bookshelves, these covers with script labels would do the trick.

Abstract prints.

I adore this purse stack.

Classic with a modern edge.

And the looks go on and on!

While I’m always up for a DIY book cover project, but with so many beautiful books from E. Lawrence I’ll be saving my crafting skills for something else.

To see more of the book collections from E. Lawrence head here.

For those of you in Atlanta, the full E. Lawrence collection can be seen in the J. Douglas showroom at the mart, Blog. 1, 13-a-1 and E. Lawrence has a booth at the Scott Antique Market each month in the North Bldg.

This is not a sponsored post, just sharing a product line I really love!

Inspiration + Weekend Reads

June 15, 2013

I’m constantly looking at images on Pinterest but now and then I come across an image that just mesmerizes me. Even though purple is not my color and I don’t like the idea of decorating with taxidermy, I love the impact the color coordinated books give to this space. It might take a lifetime to get this look with books you’ve collected but a few rolls of wrapping paper and an afternoon of DIY could get you the same results. Design is not always something you want to copy but rather something you want to be inspired by!

Have a great weekend and enjoy these links…

One incredibly beautiful website!

I stumbled upon this Christmas décor and it already has me thinking and planning for Christmas 2013!

Who wouldn’t want to go camping with one of these?

Do you have a Bliss Trigger?

You’ll be inspired by the UK magazine

I’m working on Living with Intention and this post inspired me to do more.

Accessories–The Key Ingredient

February 11, 2011

In the process of setting up my home design office, I came across the handouts I created for the design workshops I conducted in my store.

As I looked through the files, I found a handout for a workshop entitled The Ten Decorative Accessories Every Home Needs. This was one of my most popular workshops, and reading through the material reminded me just how important accessories are to the overall feel of a room.

via My Home Ideas

With the re-decorating of my master bedroom in full swing, I know I need to accessorize the right way, in order to achieve the look and feel I want. So, as a friendly reminder to myself, and a bit of inspiration for you, here is a condensed version of my workshop….

THE TEN DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES EVERY HOME NEEDS!

Just like a recipe, every design plan has key ingredients that are needed to make a complete design statement. Without these key ingredients, the recipe or design of your room will not hold together. While not every room in your home will incorporate the essential accessory items, most should!

1. Picture Frames–Whether you hang them on the wall or use them on tabletop surfaces, frames are a great way to personalize a space. As a general rule of thumb, I always like to use frames of the same color, but vary the shapes and sizes for visual interest. Uniformity of color will give your photo arrangements more impact.

via Easy Peasy Chic

2. Baskets–Nothing breaks up the flow of a well designed space more than clutter. And, baskets are a great way to contain clutter. Use baskets to hold the things you use on a daily basis, while providing a decorative statement and a touch of texture to your space.

via My Home Ideas

I must admit, I am the basket queen. I use them in every room, and especially like lidded styles so my “stuff” is hidden.

via Inspiring Interiors

3. Greenery–It doesn’t matter whether you are a “faux” or “real” greenery person as long as you use greenery as a decorative element when you decorate. Not only does greenery provide an element of nature, but it also provides visual softness to a space. And remember, if you’re not a plant persons, flowers can substitute for greenery any day.

Cottage Living via Cozy Cottage Cute

4. Books–The wonder accessory! Books are such an easy, practical and stylish way to accessorize your home. I love the personality that books add to a room and the subtle structure they can give to a bookshelf or tabletop. Stack ’em high or stack ’em love, leave them raw or cover them in a beautiful paper!

Books also serve as the perfect riser upon which to display a decorative object.

via Tobi Fariley

via All Things Home

5. Pillows–One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to add style to your bed or furnishings is via pillows. When decorating with pillows, grouping different shapes, patterns and/or textures will provide the most visual impact.

Coastal Living via My Home Ideas

via Trendszine

Elle Decor via Decor Pad

Quick tip: If you sew and want to make pillows quick, try using decorative dinner napkins as your shell. They are already square and many measure 12″ x 12″ , the perfect size for a small accent pillow.

6. Blankets & Throws–The perfect layering element. To really make a room come to life, you need to incorporate layers throughout the space. A throw draped over a sofa back or chair arm is a great way to add layers within your decor. Use a bold accent color or one that has a wonderful texture to bring your space to life.

Check out the pattern mixing going on in this room…Lovely!

7. Artwork–Every home needs wall decor/artwork to give a sense of personalization and visual interest for the eye. To achieve a stylish and eclectic look, mix traditional framed art with 3-dimensional wall decor or mirrors.

via Decor Pad

8. A Unique Furniture Piece—While most rooms have a defined style, every room needs an unexpected element to make it stand out. A unique piece of furniture (the shape, the color, the material) will give your space character and sass!

I love the use of oversized accent tables as night stands in a bedroom.

via House Beautiful

9. Candles–Candles are luxurious, provide ambience, add light, infuse scent and are mood enhancing. Using scented candles in your home will engage all your senses and create a feeling of relaxation.

via Coastal Living

10. Great Lighting–Nothing makes a room feel sad more than a lack of lighting or the wrong lighting. When it comes to decorating, position lights in three corners of the room, so that the space can function well and provides a warm wash of light over the entire space. And, don’t think your light fixtures all have to match–mixing styles will make your room feel more vibrant and stylized.

via Decor Pad

Remember, when it comes to decorating your home, the big picture definitely counts, but it’s the details that really matter!

Do you have a favorite accessory item?