Summer Bedroom Refresh–Chinoiserie Inspired

June 17, 2016

I’ve been thinking about giving our bedroom a refresh for a while now and I think I’m going to pull the trigger.

This is the current look of the bedroom–a mix of wood, black & white accents and pops of color.

My love affair with blue and white has me thinking of a look that incorporate navy, black, white and pops of color.

Here’s the Chinoiserie Inspired inspiration board I came up with…

Since the black armoire and chair will be staying, I need to find a duvet cover that can tie the navy and black together. About a month ago I spotted a Ralph Lauren set at HomeGoods but decided to pass on it. Now I can’t get it out of my mind. I’ve been searching for it again but so far I have only found it in a king size and we need a queen. The pattern is called Tamarind and I did find it on Amazon (more expensive) so if I don’t have any luck at HomeGoods I have another option.

When it comes the accessories, I’m planning to change the black drapes to a dark navy and I’m looking at this pink pillow…

and some chinoiserie inspired artwork from Etsy.

And of course I’ll incorporate some blue and white ceramic pieces into the mix.

As always things may change before it’s all said and down but I’m excited to create a fresh new look for our space.

DIY Toile Tablecloth (and a Giveaway)

June 7, 2016

I saw it…I admired it…and then I decided to make it!

One day when I was surfing through the Neiman Marcus website, I spotted a beautiful green and white toile tablecloth. It had everything going for it except the price ($$$). I continued to search for more budget friendly options but the only color I found at the price I wanted to pay was blue and white.

Well, the universe must have been hearing my cries because just about the time I was going to settle for a blue and white tablecloth, Cutting Edge Stencils contacted me and asked if I wanted to review one of their stencil designs. A quick review of their collection and I said YES. They had the perfect toile stencil so I could make my own toile tablecloth and save lots of money. Plus I always love a good craft challenge.

♦ DIY Toile Tablecloth ♦

white tablecloth with a vibrant green paint color

you know I love chinoiserie

of course I had to style the table using some of my blue and white pieces

a fun accent color makes it even merrier

lots of vintage, thrifted and budget friendly treasure to give the table even more personality

So what do you think? Pretty darn cute if I may say so myself.

*****

If you’ve never given stenciling a try, I urge you to do it. It’s easy and a great way to create custom decor for your home. Making my tablecloth took just a couple of hours and a few supplies. Here’s how…

Supply list:

White Tablecloth –It’s best to get a 100% cotton or cotton blend which will allow the paint to absorb better

Secret Garden Toile Stencil (if toile isn’t your look, there are tons of designs to choose from)

Foam paint roller

Acrylic Paint –I used Anita’s acrylic paint in Christmas Green and purchased 2 of the large size bottles

Textile Medium–creates a soft, flexible and washable paint surface

Painters Tape, Spray Adhesive, Plastic paint tray or disposable paper plate

Gather your supplies and lay the tablecloth out on a smooth, firm surface. I used my dining room table and placed a plastic drop cloth under the white tablecloth to protect the table surface.
To ensure a clean paint application, use spray adhesive on the back of your stencil to prevent any paint bleeding. Spray the back of the stencil, let it sit for a few minutes and then place the stencil onto the tablecloth, starting in the upper right corner.
Mix 2 parts paint with 1 part textile medium and pour paint onto the disposable plate.
Coat your roller with paint and then roll the roller on the paper towel to remove most of the paint. You want the roller to have very little paint on it when you begin to reduce paint bleed.
Paint over the stencil–you may need to go over the stencil 2 or 3 times to get the depth of color you want.
Let the stencil sit for just a minute and then remove it. Move your stencil and repeat the process until you’ve covered the entire tablecloth.

Once my tablecloth was painted, I decided to add a decorative trim along the edge and added a canary yellow woven gimp I purchased on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I love the pop of color!

I’m thrilled with how my Toile Tablecloth turned out and will definitely to enjoy using it year round.

Now it’s your turn to get in on the stencil fun. Cutting Edge Stencils is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one of my readers. Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer : This is a sponsored post but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own.

Favorite Posts, Pins and Products of The Week

May 28, 2016

Anyone else excited about the long weekend ahead? We’ve got a jammed packed weekend with a road trip to Kentucky to see my nephew graduate from college and a party to celebrate this milestone. I can’t believe how fast time as flown, how grown up he is and how old I’m feeling. It seems like yesterday that he was in grade school looking forward to his high-school years. Now he’s heading out into the big world, starting his own business and making his mark in the world.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and this weeks favorite posts, pins and products.

FAVORITE POSTS

As a child I spent just about every summer on the road with my parents and my brother exploring the country. Traveling by car was the best and we got to see and experience so many amazing places. My love to car travel has continues as an adult and given the time, we’d pick a car over a plane any time. Late spring and summer is the best time for scenic car travel and it’s been fun following Emily and her family on their 3-month summer road trip and get a peek inside their Airstream camper.

FAVORITE PINS

I’m so glad that colorful rooms are making a comeback and love it when someone is fearless with color in their own home. Bold colors really do make a statement and you just can’t help but smile when you look at this kitchen.

Better Homes and Gardens

The start of summer is just around the corner and nothing says a leisurely summer afternoon like a porch swing. If this image doesn’t get you in the mood for summer, check out the full house tour which is guaranteed to have you craving sweet tea and sunshine.

My Domaine

FAVORITE PRODUCTS

Several times a week we’ll have cheese and crackers to snack on and I think I need this cheese board in my life. And since it’s wedding season, I think it would make a pretty fabulous gift too!

I just picked up the set of dishtowels and love them. Grab a set and take advantage of the add’l 30% off sale price.

The 60-30-10 Color Rule

May 27, 2016

How confident are you when it comes to decoration with color? Like many people, this might be one area of decorating that you find challenging but don’t worry because there’s a simple design formula that can decorating with color easier.

The 60-30-10 decorating rule is a tried and true method to help pull together the color theme for a room. The rule relates to how colors should be proportioned within room to achieve a balanced and harmonious feel within the space.

The 60-30-10 color rule is really simple for anyone to apply, even the novice decorator. Here’s how it works…

60%

The main color you selected for a space should represent 60% of the color within the room. In a family room the 60% would be represented by the wall color, large decorative pieces like a rug and in some cases the larger furniture pieces like a sofa. The 60% color should serve as the dominant impact in the room and anchor the space.

30%

The 30% should be represented by the secondary color within the room and have half the impact and presence as the main color. In a family room secondary color can come from the drapes, accent furniture or even artwork. In a bedroom, the secondary colors can represented through the bed linens or smaller accent rugs. The goal is to have the secondary color (30%) be an accent and enhance the main color (60%) within the room while adding to the overall personality of the space.

10%

10% of your color within a room should be represented by accent colors. In a family room setting your accessories will provide your accent–decorative pillows, tabletop decor and smaller pieces of artwork and lighting. In a bedroom the accent colors will come from the pillows, lamps and nightstand accessories. The accent colors that represent 10% of the overall color palette should be pulled from your drapes, area rug and larger upholstered pieces so that the overall color theme ties together.

Here are a couple of examples showing the 60-30-10 color rule in use…

Using the 60-30-10 color rule can make choosing color simple, and help you achieve balance in decorating.

Finding the right color balance within a room can be challenging but if you follow the general principles of the 60-30-10 color rule you’ll be able to create a color theme for any room in your home with confidence. And if an abundance of color is what you love, follow your gut and decorate fearlessly like actress Mindy Kaling did in her home office below.

design by Nathan Turner

image source: Country Living, DIY Network

Design Guide: The Best Black Paint Colors

May 24, 2016

Black has always been an essential decorating color and anyone that has worked with me knows that one of my design mottos is “every room needs a touch of black.” Over the years, black has gone from being used as just an accent color to being the dominant color for many rooms. I know that black walls or even black furniture aren’t for everyone but if you have a space that needs dramatic backdrop or a ceiling that you want to fade away, black just might be the color you need.

♦ THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS ♦

Black furniture has become a standard design statement and a coat or two of black paint is a great way to transform a vintage piece. In most cases, furniture painted black calls for a finish with a bit of shine so go with a gloss, semi-gloss or satin finish. {color: BM Black Satin}

Kiki’s List

Black stair banisters with white spindles is one of my favorite design details. If you’re looking for a quick and fairly easy update for your stairs, black paint is definitely something to consider and I recommend a semi-gloss or satin finish to make the details of the wood/design pop. One of my favorite black paint colors for banisters is Sherwin Williams Black Magic.

House Beautiful

Black require the right setting to be most effective including sufficient natural light. The black walls in this foyer space give the area a dramatic and elegant look without it feeling like a cave. {color: SW Tricon Black}

via Sherwin Williams

I think bathrooms are an ideal space for black paint. Surrounded by white surfaces and brass hardware, the black wall in this bathroom just fades away and allows the decorative elements to stand out. And since black and white tile is a hot trend these days, black walls are an easy compliment. {color: BM Soot}

Studio McGee

Black doors, both interior and exterior have almost become the norm for many homes. Black interior doors can make a hallway stand out and black exterior doors have a sophisticated feel and really pump up the curb appeal of a home. {color: BM Space Black}

Country Living

Favorite Paint Colors

Kristen from The Hunted Interior painted her living room ceiling black and boy is it stunning especially with all of the vibrant colors and metallic finishes that accessorize the room.

Hunted Interior

♦♦♦

Picking the right shade of black paint can be just as challenging as picking the right white paint color. Shades of black range from true, rich pigmented blacks to others that have a grey or even blue undertone. As I do with any color of paint, I recommend you buy a few sample jars and try the colors on your wall to find the one that works best with your room and decor. As a designer, I’ve tried my fair share of black paint colors and have narrowed down my top picks and my favorites to just a handful which might help you in your paint search.

If you have white trim in your home and are looking to paint your walls black, a crisp white will work best. You can read about my favorite white paint colors by clicking the image below.

Inspiration Notebook–May 2016

May 4, 2016

I’ve really enjoyed pulling together images and bits of inspiration for my Inspiration Notebook. I have to slow down a bit and take a little time to think about the month ahead…what I want to accomplish, what I want to do and what’s giving me inspiration.

I’ve got several things to celebrate this month including my brother’s birthday and my nephews graduation from college. He’s already got a jump on his career and recently started his own business. I’m so proud of him. On a personal note, I’m heading into the month creatively inspired, re-energized with new design projects and looking forward to enjoying the beauty of spring!

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air

and sunshine are hard to beat.”

– Laura Ingalls Wilder

Believe what your heart tells you when you ask, “does this spark joy?”

If you act on that intuition, you will be amazed at how things will begin to connect in your life and the dramatic changes that follow.

-Marie Kondo

If you’re looking for some inspiration this month or maybe a few fun things to do, here’s a Spring Bucket List to get you going.

via

Makeover Madness with Velvet Finishes

May 3, 2016

What do you get when you pair a group of creative bloggers with the Velvet Finishes Paint line?

a Makeover Madness Blog Hop of course!

If you’re coming over from Pursuing Vintage, welcome. Didn’t you just love Kristen’s #makeovermadnessbloghop transformation? I sure did.

If you’re a regular follower of the blog, let me tell you a little about the Makeover Madness Blog Hop. Over the next two days, myself along with 10 other bloggers will be sharing some fantastic furniture and accessory makeovers using paint. Fellow blogger, Kellie Smith of Design Asylum happens to also own a really amazing paint line called Velvet Finishes and she graciously partnered with us and supplied each blogger with paint and products to complete their makeover.

I discovered Velvet Finishes a couple of years ago and painted a small accent table with it. I loved the product and how easy it was to transform my table so for this blog hop, I decided to tackle a couple more small pieces. After looking through the Velvet Finishes colors, I decided on Baroque and Handsome, a beautiful emerald green and a rich cardinal blue.

The first piece I transformed was this pretty umbrella stand that I picked up at an antique store for under $20. I loved the classic lines, the carved spindles on each corner and the brass catch tray. The minute I saw it, I knew it needed a bold color to really make it special.

The first step in painting this piece was to use Velvet Finishes READY to clean and prep the surface. All you have to do is spray READY on, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away. Your surface will be clean and ready for paint. I love this stuff!

Next I applied the paint (no priming needed–a big bonus in my book) using a good quality paint brush. One of the things I like most about Velvet Finishes is how smooth the paint goes on and how the brush strokes just disappear as the paint dries. It really makes painting a breeze.

Here’s my umbrella stand after a couple of coats of paint and the addition of a little brass ring handle I added to one side.

♦♦♦

Next I painted a vintage metal cart that I found at a thrift store a couple of years ago for only $8.00. When I originally purchased the piece, it looked like this …

and then I painted it gold.

Since my current color crush is emerald green and blue, I decided to give the cart another makeover using Velvet Finishes Baroque. The cart turned out so great and I am head-over-heels with the piece now. FYI, it took 2 coats of paint to fully cover the gold.

What a transformation!

{wood casters are original to the cart}

{you can find the tutorial for my DIY ice bucket here}

{black glass handles from hobby lobby}

The last piece I painted was an accessory for the bar cart. I found a wine bottle holder at Goodwill for a couple of bucks and painted it in Handsome which matched my other blue accessories perfectly. You can see the bottle holder on the bottom shelf of the bar cart. It’s a simple piece but in a vibrant color, it has so much more style. I may add these brass corner guards later to UpStyle it even more.

I have one more piece I painted using Velvet Finishes but I’ll save that to share with you another day. Also, I wanted to tell you that as a finish coat on my pieces, I used Velvet Finish PROTECT product. PROTECT is a specially formulated, commercial grade, non-yellowing satin polyacrylic which further seals the paint and gives the finish a bit of a shine. It’s just as easy to apply as the paint and dries quickly.

If you’ve never tried Velvet Finishes before, I highly recommend you give it a try. Their claim to fame is… ‘The NO sand, NO prime, NO chalk, NO wax furniture paint formula that will rock your world’ and I have to tell you the paint lives up to those claims in every way. It’s super easy to use and you’ll end up with a really beautiful finish on any piece you paint. I’m thrilled with my transformations.

♦♦♦

Next up on the blog hop is Amy Howard Social. Head over to Amy’s blog and check out her paint project, you’re going to love it.

And don’t forget to stop by the other bloggers on the #makeovermadnessbloghop and follow the hashtag on Instagram:

Tuesday, 5/3

Love Your Abode

Pursuing Vintage

ConfettiStyle

Amy Howard Social

Wife In Progress

Canary Street Crafts

Wednesday, 5/4:

M.Jones Style

Positively Southern

Green With Decor

Chic On A Shoestring Decorating

Seeking Lavender Lane

Disclosure: I received paint and other products from Velvet Finishes for this project. All words and opinions are my own. I only partner with brands I respect and would purchase from myself.

Design Guide: 10 Ways To Add Color To Your Decor

April 12, 2016

As someone who loves color and loves to decorate with it, I sometimes find it hard to relate to someone who expresses a color phobia to me. I was recently working with a client where color in their book equated to having different shades of brown within a room. Yes, different shades of brown is a color combination and bright colors aren’t for everyone but I do believe that color can work magic within a room if approached correctly.

…

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