Furniture Archives | ConfettiStyle

Classic Color Combination: Black & White

October 1, 2018

When you think about classic colors to decorate with, black and white should be at the top of your list. Black as a stand alone color is dramatic and refined. When paired with white it can take on sleek, modern feel. The two colors together are sophisticated and timeless and the perfect foundation for any room. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bathroom, sunroom or this beautiful living room that I spotted in Real Simple, black and white never fails to disappoint.

For more tips on decorating with black, read my Design Guide: Every Room Needs A Touch Of Black. And shop my favorite black and white decor finds below.

Velvet Flock Pillow // Akiko Black Velvet Chair // Vintage Rose Black Floral Peel-n-Stick Wallpaper // Tatum Black and White Basket

Laicie Floral Token Rug // Black Ginger Jar // Black and White Checkered Pattern Accent Chair

Callaway Table Lamp // Black Chandelier // Lancaster Settee // Lana End Table

Do you love decorating with black and white?

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.

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.

TIP #7: Decorating your home is a marathon, not a sprint!

A room looks best when it is curated over time. Incorporating things that you love and that will make your home feel unique and special.

What tricks do you have for creating your personal decor style?

*****

For more decorating tips check out these posts…

10 Components To A Beautiful Home

Color Rules

10 Ways To Add Color To Your Decor

The New Ballard Designs Store | Atlanta

July 23, 2018

Last Friday I popped into the new Ballard Designs store here in Atlanta. The store recently moved to a new location and more than doubled their space.

For years, Ballard Designs has been a great design resource for accent furniture, decorative accessories, tabletop items and linens. Over the years I’d pop into their store to find accessories for a project or the perfect pillow to finish off a bedding assemble. The array of products makes it easy to find that perfect finishing touch.

Walking into their new store was absolutely breathtaking and was like seeing the page of the catalog come to life. The expanded store space has a bright and open feel that really shows off the products. There were beautiful at every turn and even the smallest design element like a coffee table book was styled as part of a beautiful lifestyle vignette. As I walked though the store I snapped lots of pictures of things that inspired me.

Ballard Designs | Atlanta

**Modern Mix is one of my all-time favorite design books. If you don’t have a Ballard Designs near you, you can pick up a copy here.

Twine in a bow!! Such a simple but chic decorative accent.

One of my favorite parts of the store was the outdoor living area which showcased Ballard’s outdoor furniture and decor. It’s so nice to be able to see these pieces in person and get a real feel for the scale, details and quality.

In addition to furniture and decor, the store also has wallpaper, fabric and drapery hardware for sale. And there is an on-site monogram station where you can have a Jute Tote bag personalized.

I know I’ll be making the trek to the Ballard Designs store more often and can’t wait to see the store all decked our during the holidays.

For those of you in the Atlanta area, here’s the new store location:

The Works at Chattahoochee
1235 Chattahoochee Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30318

Design Chat: Small Living Room Design Plan

July 18, 2018

Hi friends. You might have noticed that it’s been pretty quiet around the blog lately. I was at the Atlanta Gift and Furniture show all last week and the blog took a back seat to work.

I’m back and have a new Design Chat post for you today. If you’re not familiar with my Design Chat series, it’s where I help one of my readers with a design challenge they are facing. Today, I’m helping Ulochi with a decor plan for her living room.

Here’s the message that Ulochi sent me…

Hello, I bought a remodeled mid-century ranch and with these old homes, the layouts can be “interesting”. For instance, the living room is driving me nuts. Its rectangular and small, with a picture window. Even the TV placement is a hassle. I want to add plants or standing art but I have to fool-proof it from my 8 month old daughter. The home has an ‘urban farmhouse’ feel with elements like barn doors and shutters. I bought a tufted gray large sectional and it makes me want to do something romantic and cozy. I can’t seem to find a way to design this space and make it feel like home. Please help.

Here’s a photo of the living room, facing the front door…

and a couple of different angles looking into the room...

and a view of the wall space that anchors the sofa.

Decorating small rooms can definitely be challenging so before I share my design suggestions for Ulochi’s living room, here are a few tips for small space decorating.

SMALL SPACE DECORATING TIPS:

Don’t be afraid to use larger scale furniture in a small space. Larger furniture will actually make the room feel bigger than it is. With that said, do pay attention to how furniture would fit in a room and it might impact the traffic flow in and out of a space.
Small spaces often times lack much architectural or visual detail so create your own by painting one wall in an accent color. The furthest wall in the room is a good option because it will draw the eye into the space and actually make the visually recede, creating more depth.
Hang curtains on the wall with the rod as high as possible to make the ceiling appear taller.
Add decorating elements in the room that create visual height and width like bookcases and artwork. And when selecting artwork, don’t shy away for large pieces will can create a focal point within the room.
Create an interesting accessory mix so the eye has lots of pretty things to look at around the room, taking the focus off of the size of the room.
Make sure there is sufficient lighting in the room. Lighting enhances a space and there should be multiple lighting options within a room.

Ok, here’s one more look at Ulochi’s living room…

Design Plan:

The room really needs some finishing touches to create the romantic and cozy vibe the Ulochi wants. The first thing I could recommend is painting the back wall in a soft aqua color like Benjamin Moore Heavenly Blue. The color will work great with the grey sofa and keeps the room feeling light and airy.

Then I’d add a few accent furniture pieces and decor to bring the room to life. All of the pieces I’m recommending for this space are from Wayfair, Target and Pier One and this entire look is less than $900.

Design Plan Details:

Sawhorse Ladder Bookcase from Wayfair–leaning bookshelves are a good space-saving option that still provides for storage and display space. Ulochi can place plants on the higher shelves so they will be out of the reach of her daughter. The lower shelves can be use to decorative accessories and books. And a basket on the bottom shelf will provide concealed storage and add texture to the room.
A round coffee table like this Carolyn Coffee Table from Wayfair will help to visually break up all of the rectangular shapes in the room and anchor the sectional. A round coffee table also makes it easier to move around the seating area in a small room.
The Dmitry End Table, also from Wayfair will anchor one side of the sofa and provide an additional surface for someone to use. I recommend a light grey finish to provide visual contrast to the stained wood floors and furniture.
Right now the only light source in the room is the overhead ceiling light. The Adesso Hamilton Floor Lamp placed behind the end table will provide additional lighting and add an element of visual height.
The wall opposite the window is an ideal spot for a piece of artwork. The goal would be to create visual impact and that can be done with one larger piece of art or a grouping that reads as one statement. With the fabric and furniture colors, I think the Watercolor Poppy 1 art from Wayfair would be dynamic. This piece is available in several sizes and also had a coordinating mate if someone wanted two pieces of art.
The finishing touch beyond accessories would be pillows. Pier 1 has a great selection of pillows to fit the color story I’m building. I choose the Textured Striped Mineral Pillow along with the Luxe Velvet Mineral Blue pillow for the sofa. Pairing a solid and stripe are a great balance with the floral art.

When it comes to shopping for accessories, there are so many some great options for budget friendly decor. In addition to Pier 1, Wayfair and Target, here are a few of my favorite stores to shop for decor:

ACCESSORY RESOURCE LIST:

Kirkland’s has lots of options that will fit a farm-house decor theme and it’s also a great resource for artwork and bookcase accessories.
HomeGoods is a given when shopping for bookcase decor. I love their selection of trays, vases and decorative objects. And it always pays off to take a stroll through the pillow aisle.
I recently discovered that At Home has a great pillow department. Even though lots of their pillows don’t have down inserts, many of the cases have zip closures so it’s easy to change the insert out. I also like their selection of inexpensive accessories.

Ulochi has a great foundation started for her living room and with a few additional pieces and some accessorizing, she’ll have the home of her dreams.

Furniture Trends: Currently Loving Rattan

May 14, 2018

Hi friends. I hope Mother’s day was amazing for all you moms. I wasn’t able to spend the day with my mom but made sure she felt loved and pampered from afar.

I’m popping in today to share at little info and inspiration for one of my favorite furniture styles–rattan. And because I want to you have the 411 on rattan, here’s a little background info.

Rattan furniture has been around for thousands of years but gained its popularity during the Victorian era. While many people think of wicker furniture when they think of rattan, they are in fact two different things. Rattan is a material that comes from the rattan plant and wicker is the method of weaving woven materials together.

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One of the reasons I love this furniture style is because of the organic but refined vibe it has. Just like a little black dress, it can be dressed up or dressed down and works beautifully with every design style.

When mixed with traditional decor, rattan adds a sense of refined casualness. And in casual, informal room settings, it can add an eclectic, hand-crafted feel to the space.

Since rattan is a natural plant fiber that is very durable, it is also a great design option for covered outdoor spaces.

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Here’s a round up some of my favorite rattan pieces ranging in price from $69 up to $600.

SHOP THESE RATTAN LOOKS:

1// With or without a cushion, this chair is a great style for a sunroom or causal living space. And its affordable at just $98.

2// I love this more classic styling of this armchair and could envision a pair of these in a living room, library or den. The darker finish gives this chair a more formal fee. $299.99

3// The craftsmanship of this end table along with the leather top is what makes it so unique. It’s a bit pricing but would definitely makes a statement. $609.99

4// I’m on the hunt for a bench for our guest bedroom and I’m considering this beautiful garden bench. $386.65

5// I couldn’t believe the price of this bench from Grandin Road–on sale for just $229.97! A great accent piece at the foot of a bed.

SHOP THESE RATTAN LOOKS:

6// I shared some of my favorite pieces from the OpalHouse collection at Target and this rattan side table was one of the items. Such a great accent piece anywhere in the house and you have to love the $69.99 price. Also available in black.

7// If you’re looking for a casual coffee table for your family room, sunroom or covered porch, take at look at this coffee table. I love the classic style, dark finish and the price! $168.97

8// This rattan stool is a great by at just $129.00. Use it next to a garden tub to hold towels or in a living space with books on top. A pair would also look great at the foot of a bed.

9// Rattan bar carts top my list of favorite accent furniture pieces and I’m in love with this rolling bar cart. For those of you that don’t drink, a bar cart like this could also be used as accent furniture. Available in 4 colors–$246.99

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So what do you think of rattan furniture? Love it or leave it?

An Easy DIY Fix For An Ikea Eyesore

May 8, 2018

Have you ever bought a cabinet or bookcase from Ikea only to be disappointed by the gap between the cabinet doors? Me too! I hate that you can see bits and pieces of what’s inside the cabinet through the gap.

A couple of weeks ago I purchased the Brimnes cabinet to go in our basement landing area. I needed some storage in that area but didn’t want to spend a lot of money so Ikea was a great solution.

Ever since the hubby put the cabinet together I’ve been staring at that darn gap between the doors. I’ve been thinking about how I could make it disappear and finally figured out a super easy and inexpensive fix.

The FIX…

I dug through my craft supplies and found a piece of basswood that I purchased years ago from Hobby Lobby. If you’re not familiar with basswood, it’s a very thin piece of bendable hardwood that can be cut with scissors, painted or stained. Crafters use it to create arched or circular shapes for craft projects.

With my basswood in hand, I put my DIY skills to work. Here’s how I fixed the gap...

Step 1: I cut my basswood to the length of my door. (note: you’ll only be attaching wood to one door). If your door length is longer than 24″, you’ll need to use two pieces of wood and glue them together. The doors on my cabinet are 36″ so I glued two 24″ lengths together and then cut it down to size.

Step 2: Next I painted the wood black to match my cabinet. Because the wood is so thin, it doesn’t take long for the paint to dry.

Step 3: The final step was attaching the wood piece to the open edge of one cabinet door. I used glue dots to attach the wood to my door leaving about 1 1/2″ of wood extended beyond the door edge. The thin basswood sheet will sit between the doors and the interior shelves and fills the dreaded gap.

Gap be gone! Now you can’t see between the doors and the cabinet looks finished.

One other change I made to the cabinet was switching out the ugly wood handles for brass knobs that I bought at Scott Antique Market. Instead of a single pull, I decided on four knobs and just love the look.

Sometimes it the little things that make the biggest difference.

Happy decorating friends.

Treasure Hunting At Scott Antique Market

April 16, 2018

I did something last week that I haven’t done in a very long time. On Friday the hubs and I met up with my friend Montina and her husband JP at Scott Antique Market. Guys, I haven’t been to the market is over a year and was so happy to carve some time out of my schedule to finally make it back.

Shopping Scott Antique Market is one of my favorite things to do. The market is open in Atlanta the second weekend of every month and shopping it always leaves me inspired and lighter in the pocket book. I did buy a few small items and spotted a couple of furniture pieces that might work in our house.

Let me show you the goodies I saw…

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