I Know Where I’ll Be On April 8th–Shopping the OPALHOUSE collection at Target.

April 2, 2018

Hi friends. I hope everyone had a great Easter and a relaxing weekend. We spent most of the weekend at home installing wallpaper on the ceiling of my office. Boy was that a job! It’s going to take me shoulders a couple of days recuperate but the pain is was worth it because I am absolutely in love with the ceiling. You can catch a sneak peek over on Instagram.

Besides the wallpaper, I’m also excited that April is here and that April 8th is fast approaching. Why you ask? Because my birthday is just a week away and there’s a really exciting product launch is happening at Target this Sunday.

Target’s newest home collection, Opalhouse launches in stores and online on April 8th and man are there some gorgeous pieces.

The new collection is right up my alley with bold colors, lush textures and handcrafted details. According to Target, there are more than 1,300 pieces in the collection spanning bedding, bath, décor, tabletop and furniture. Target’s design team traveled far and wide to cities like Aix-en-Provence, Lisbon, Paris and Mallorca to gather inspiration to create a collection of authentically inspired, eclectic pieces. And along with all of the amazing items, one of the best thing about the collection is that most items are under $30!!

As soon as the email announcing the launch landed in my inbox, I did some virtual shopping and created my shopping list. Want to see which OPALHOUSE items I’m going to be stalking?

This Green Striped Tasseled Rug would be a fun accent in a bathroom or doorway. It’s available in 3 sizes starting at just $19.99.

I can’t believe the price ($79.99) of this gorgeous Tole Chandelier. It’s the prefect size to hang over a bathtub or in a closet.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the glass candle holders in the collection. The green glass candleholder is also available in orange and is only $14.99. The pink glass taper holder is $12.99 and a shorter teal taper holder, also $12.99.

How cute is this rattan elephant basket. It could be used to hold magazines, remotes or as a plant basket. $24.99

I definitely don’t need another tray in my life but I just might have to pull the trigger on this handcrafted rattan tray. It’s just $24.99 and would make an ideal coffee table accent or desk tray.

The Opalhouse pillow collection is going to create some major havoc to my already out of control pillow collection.There are so many great styles and the colors are so vibrant and pretty. And there are some really great black and white and natural designs for those of you that aren’t into bold and bright.

Round Pleated Velvet Pillow–$26.99–6 colors // Tufted Diamond Skinny Lumbar Pillow–$19.99 // Pleated Yellow Velvet Lumbar Pillow–$12.99 // Velvet Fringe Pillow–$24.99–3 colors // Green Velvet Medallion Pillow–$24.99

I could go on and on about the chairs in the Opalhouse collection. If you’re in the market for accent chairs you’ll definitely want to check them all out. This rattan arm-chair caught my eye and I just love the silhouette and lines on it. It would also be easy to have a cushion made for it to add even more style. $149.99

I’m always on the hunt for small side table and love the look of this hexagon wood table. It’s hard to believe that its only $79.99 especially with the white marble top.

Round coffee tables are getting lots of love right now in the design world. This round coffee table is actually part of a set–it comes with a matching side table and the set is only $199.99. Don’t love the black–it’s also available in natural.

I really can’t believe that this caned double-door chest is only $159.99. I’ve seen similar styles for double and triple the price. This piece would be ideal for a small entryway, hallway landing or to hold linens in a bedroom.

You all know I love pretty tableware. There’s lots in the Opalhouse collection so if you’re like me, hold on to your wallet.

First up on my shopping list are these green canary melamine plates. The individual plates are just $1.99 each but this design is also available as part of an assorted set of salad plates ($7.96) and dinner plates ($11.96). Perfect of outdoor entertaining.

Aren’t these wood planters cool? I love the rustic yet refined they are. There are three sizes with prices from $19.99 to $59.99. The planters can be used indoors and outdoors. And I think they would make great serving vessels for chips and snacks or wine in the larger size.

I can never pass up a pretty dinner napkin. These navy blue cloth napkins have a mini pom pom trim around edge making them great for dressy or causal entertaining. $2.50 each and also available in orange.

I’m thinking of using this mango wood carved tray as a platform to hold items on my kitchen counter. It would also be a great riser for a plant. $19.99

My two favorite colors in a dinner plate–its doesn’t get much better than that. This scalloped edge melamine plate is just $2.99 and is designed to mix and match with other designs in the line.

I adore the color combination of this linen table runner. The teal and Chartreuse color combo is so refreshing and just $17.99.

I love adding a fun summer weight throw blanket over my chairs during the warm months and this woven stripe throw is perfect for that. There’s a teal and green color combo too that is just beautiful. $29.99.

It’s hard to resist a kitchen towel with pom poms. I’m loving the sunny yellow color of this one and wouldn’t hesitate to also use it as a dinner napkin. $3.00–also available in pink with navy pom poms.

It’s hard to find embellished sheets with a little pizzazz. This set features a bohemian inspired black print along the top edge. Sets start at $26.99.

And finally, this velvet tufted stitch quilt just might be my favorite piece in the entire collection. The color and stitching detail are just so yummy. The full/queen $79.99 and there are 6 amazing colors to pick from including the beautiful emerald green.

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Have I got you intrigued and ready to spend a wad on new decor?

You can preview the entire Opalhouse collection here and start your very own shopping list before the April 8th launch date. I’d love to know what items you can’t live without so leave me a comment and let me know.

And if you have an idea of how I can get this all in the house without my husband noticing, share that with me too!

Happy shopping!

Tassel Obsessed–One of my favorite details

March 22, 2018

Is there a certain design detail that you’re kind of obsessed with? It might be floral patterns or maybe it’s mercury glass finishes. For me that one design detail that I just can’t seem to get enough of is Tassels. I’ve been crazy about tassels for years and when I opened my home decor store back in 2003, I even named it to reflect my love for tassel–The Scarlet Tassel. I closed my store in 2011 but tassels continue to be one of may favorite decor and fashion accessories.

A recent round of online shopping turned up lots of great tassel adorned decor and fashion. I knew you would never forgive me if I didn’t share it all with you so here, my friends are a load of tassel goodies.

TASSEL MUST-HAVES:

I’m actively starting to shop for spring and summer shoes and these suede tassel loafers are on the list. I love the bold color and stylish black tassel charms. You’ll want to grab a pair of the fast because I know they will sell out. p.s they are currently on sale for $79.88 and also come in a brown toffee color.

Pillows are one of the easiest and budget friendly ways to update your decor from one season to the next. This Kate Spade Tassel Pillow would look great on a sofa or as an accent on a bed. There are 2 yummy solid colors to choose from as well as a boho inspired black and cream stripe. $129

If you look around your house I’m sure you’ll spot multiple places where this cute white stool with tassels could go. It’s the perfect footstool next to a chair or as an accent next to the bed. $139.99

I’m a bit of a throw collector because I’m always cold. This chic marled grey knit throw will work with any decor style and is perfect for spring and summer nights watching movies on the sofa. And I’m pretty smitten with the $69 price tag too!

Is there such things as having too many tassel earrings. The fashion trend is still going strong so I say why not add these tassel drop earrings to your fashion lineup. They are also available in a blue colorway and will only set you back $38.

Several years ago I wrote a post about shopping at Pottery Barn Kids for fun decor pieces. This adorable Boho Tassel Storage Tote is just one example of an item that bridges the gap between kids and adults. It screams magazine basket or blankets storage to me. There are two sizes available–Small: $39 and Large: $59.

I love dressing up a simple summer dress or t-shirt with bold jewelry like this Cardo Tassel Necklace ($52). The combination of tassels, pom poms and black and white is definitely a winning combo.

Have you noticed that patterned bath rugs have been trending up for the last few years? Rugs with an all-over pattern are a great way to add visual interest to a utilitarian space like a bath or laundry room. This striped bath rug with tassels would be a fun option to give your decor a pop of color. And it’s under $40…$39.99 to be exact.

This amazing Justina Blakeney Fela Tassel Chandelier takes tassel decor to a whole new level. What a statement piece for a living space, bedroom or office. I love the natural color ($193.50) but also found it in navy here and in pink here.

And finally friends…what do you get when you pair a classic decor piece like a decorative box with a tassel, this set of 3 decorative boxes with tassels. You could use these boxes stacked as shown or break them apart to decorate a coffee table, bookshelf or night stand. The set is only $73.99 and is available in 8 gorgeous colors.

Anyone else have a tassel obsession?

Happy shopping.

top image–wood bead garland necklace

How To Incorporate Black Into Your Decor

March 6, 2018

I’ve shared on the blog before that I’m pretty flexible when it comes to design. For the most part I believe that if you love something and it feels right then it’s right for your decor. On the flip side, there are some tried-and-true design rules that whole-heartedly believe in and feel should be a part of every good room design.

One of those design rules is Every Room Needs A Touch Of Black. In 2016 I created a Design Guide all about this rule and even shared my favorite black paint colors. As a follow-up to that design guide, today I want to share a few tips on the best ways to incorporate this color into your decor.

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♦ Black is a classic color that will never go out of style. And because black is made up of all colors, it’s a universal color that pairs beautifully with any color hue. There is simply not a color scheme that doesn’t benefit from the presence of black.♦

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How To Incorporate Black Into Your Decor

♦ Accessorize With Black–Even though the color has a lot of depth, it is considered a ‘neutral’ so don’t be afraid to use it as an accent in a room that has little color.

A black decorative accessory or one with a black detail is the easiest way to subtly infuse the color into your decor. Think bookends, pillows, a chandelier or a sculptural object.
Dark picture frames against a light-colored wall will draw the eye in while allowing the artwork within the frame to stand out.
A black lampshade instantly upgrades the elegance of a table or floor lamp.
For a dramatic statement in your living room or foyer, consider a black rug which will visually anchor the space.

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Elle Decor

♦ Decorate Around Black–Incorporating a black furniture piece into a living space adds substance, depth and helps to ground the entire furniture grouping.

An armoire, side table or an accent chair are three great black furniture options to consider.
Painting your interior doors black is a quick and inexpensive way to add a bold statement of black within your decor. Go with a semi-gloss finish so the doors with have a reflective nature and any details will stand out.

tip: if the contrast of deep, rich black Is too much, look for a piece of furniture with an ebony stain (darkest brown with a hint of black undertones)–the impact will be the same.

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♦ Accent With Black-A black accent wall or painted ceiling is not only dramatic but one of the best ways to make a small space appear larger. Forget what you might have heard about painting a small room in a light shade. In actuality, dark rooms feel larger because the room lines disappear. Black also makes details come to life, colors more vibrant and patterns pop.

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Now that you know how to add black within your decor its time to go shopping. Here are a few budget-friendly accessories that I’m currently loving.

SHOP MY FAVORITE BLACK DECOR PIECES

Garden stools are a good accent piece next to a chair or sofa and look great tucked under a console table. I love this style and glossy finish on this shaped ceramic garden stool. {affiliate link}

This black and cream rug would look great in a bedroom, foyer or as a runner down a hallway.

I can just envision a lush green plant or beautiful orchid in this gold banded leather vase.

I love the lines and classic shape of this white lamp from Target. A pair of these would look great in a bedroom or on a buffet in a dining room.

Isn’t this botanical art from Minted just beautiful? The bold color against the dark background give it a little bit of an edgy feel.

Buffalo checks seem to be a big trend in home decor right now. This plaid armchair would be a fun accent in a living space or bedroom.

You can never go wrong adding a decorative box to your decor. I love this decorative box with agate stone as part of a coffee table arrangement.

I hope the tips and inspiration I shared today gives you some ideas on how to use black to enhance your decor.

New House Diary: Master Bedroom Design Plan

October 20, 2017

Hi friends. I’ve decided to start a new series here on the blog called New House Diary. The new series document the decorating journey of our new home. I’ll be sharing the design plans as well as before and after photos so you can see the spaces come to life. I’ve already shared the design plans for the office and the living room and today I’m sharing the plans for our master bedroom.

We’ve been in the house for two months and are moving at a snail’s pace when it comes to decorating. We have yet to hang artwork or curtains and we’re still waiting for our new sofa to arrive. Fingers crossed it will be here next week!

When we moved, I made the decision to take my time decorating. That decision has been both good and bad. The downside is that we’re still unloading boxes and trying to get closets, cabinets and drawers organized. The positive thing is that taking my time is helping me make the right design decisions.

Here’s a look at our master bedroom the day we closed on the house. The carpet was in desperate need of replacing and the paint colors were not at all appealing to me.

The bedroom is a good size but there aren’t many options when it comes to arranging the furniture.

Here’s the space plan for the room…

I want for the room to have a calm, sophisticated and warm look and feel so that’s what inspired the colors and design plan.

The walls are painted a soft grey, Whisper by Benjamin Moore and I absolutely love the color. All of the trim is BM Simply White (semi-gloss) and the doors are BM Black Satin also in semi-gloss. I’ll be introducing darker grey through some of the accent fabrics the fabrics which will give the space more depth.

We already own most of the furniture for the room but are purchasing a couple of new pieces to complete the space. And I’ve got new linens and decor on my shopping list too.

Master Bedroom Design Plan…

To add dimension and visual interest to the neutral color palette, I’ll use patterned pillows and textured linens. The neutral foundation will also make it easy to change the look seasonally, adding more color during the warmer months.

The plan is for velvet curtains and to use velvet on a bench that I’m having recovered. Brass lighting will add a touch of shine and glam within the room. I have one vintage brass lamp that I want to use on the nightstand and I’m hoping to luck upon a matching one at an antique or thrift store.

The pillows patterns I’m showing are the general direction that I want to go, using a plaid, floral and animal print together.

I’m planning to have our bedroom complete before Thanksgiving so stay tuned for the reveal.

Black Nightstand

Black Undredal Dresser (I’m planning to change our the drawer hardware)

Washed Percale Waffle Duvet Cover (also available in grey)

Charcoal Grey Plaid Pillow

Schumacher Linen Leopard Animal Print Pillow

Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock Pillow

Brass Chandelier

Charcoal Curtain Panels

Decorative Trim (similar here)

Upholstered Bench (I’ll be recovering one I already own)

Vintage Brass Lamp (similar here)

Medallion Rug

My Home Office Design Plan | The Vision

September 7, 2017

One of the rooms I need to get pulled together as soon as we return from our vacation is my office. I am going to be turning the bedroom on the lower level or our townhouse in my office and creative space. The room is fairly large and has a wall of windows that I love. When we bought the house, the room was painted an admiral blue and had carpeting that was in desperate need of changing. Here’s a before photo I snapped with my iPhone.

Before we began moving in, I had the entire house painted and choose a soft color palette for this room. I haven’t been able to take any after photos yet because the room is filled with boxes but I’ll share those when I start decorating this space.

The walls were painted Benjamin Moore Whisper and I freshened up the trim with BM Simply White and I used Black Satin for the doors. The biggest change came when we removed the carpet and had hardwood floors put in.

When I started thinking about how I wanted to decorate my office, I had several things to consider. In addition to providing ample space to work on design projects, I also need storage for my Etsy shop inventory. And I wanted the space to feel more like a living space and less like a traditional office.

I started looking around for inspiration and came upon several office space images that spoke to me.

Ballard designs

decor pad

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HOME OFFICE DESIGN PLAN

After finding my inspiration I’ve come with a design plan that I’m excited about. The general feel for the space will be sophisticated and elegant with lots of black and brass. I’m also planning to infuse pink and blue & white into the space to add pops of color.

A lot of the furniture I’m looking at is from Ikea and most of the accent pieces are items I already own. Here are some of the pieces I’m considering…

Ikea Ingatorp Table

Billy Bookcase with Glass Doors–Ikea

Brass Desk Lamp from Target (also available in black)

Black and White Herringbone Rug–Rugs USA

I’m looking forward to getting started decorating this space. Because I’ll be spending lots of time in my office, I’m making sure it is the perfect blend of style and function.

Favorites Of The Week {a little of this & a little of that}

August 19, 2017

This is going to be an exciting (and stressful) weekend. My brother is going to be setting up all of our electronic and computer stuff today (which always results in a few new gadgets) and we’ve got a little more packing to do. And tomorrow the movers come to move all our furniture. As of Monday we’ll officially be in our new house and the unpacking will begin.

Even though I didn’t manage to do a lot of blogging this week, I did find some down time to round-up my favorites of the week.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Liz Strong Style

Enjoy a few of my favorite links from the week…

Maybe the most gorgeous laundry room I’ve ever seen.

A great tutorial on How to Style Flat Lay Photographs. And don’t forget to pre-order KariAnn’s new book, So Close To Amazing. It’s fabulous!

Here’s a great design portfolio that will have you swooning. So many ideas!

It’s never to early to start Christmas shopping so check out all the goodies in this sale. I just ordered these and this.

A gorgeous dutch door.

Great tips for hanging wallpaper in a bathroom.

Are you ready for fall? This beautiful fall tablescape and fall decor might get you in the mood.

I just discovered this new online store which has everything from home decor to fashion.

Life Lately In 5 Photos {designing, shopping & reading}

July 24, 2017

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and were able to stay cool with the summer heat that’s plaguing the country. It was hot as blazes here in Atlanta and I feel like I drank about 10 gallons of water every day just to stay cool and hydrated.

My life has been a fast-moving train the last few weeks and I feel like a juggler with lots of balls in the air. But it’s all good stuff including a little secret I’ll be sharing on Thursday. For now, let me get you up to speed on some of the things that have been going on in my world and keeping me so busy.

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Life lately…

No. 1–This is the beginnings of a design plan that I’ve been working on and one that is very personal to me. The main floor of this home is an open concept with hardwood floors, white walls and a soft grey ceilings. The goal is to create a space that is sophisticated with traditional undertones and pops of color. I’m love where the design plan is going with grey and black as the foundation and a little animal print and brass to jazz things up.

No. 2–This fabric is for furniture for client who wants to spruce up her living room. The client found a sofa she loved at Haverty’s so we went shopping there the other night to pull together the fabric plan. The natural fabric will be used on the sofa and the navy will go on two accent chairs. And the abstract fabric is for pillows for the sofa. The iron side table with black granite top below will sit between the chairs.

p.s. Haverty’s has some nice accent furniture pieces at good prices if you’re doing some decorating.

No. 3–In route to an appointment the other day, I popped into one of my favorite consignment stores. It’s been a while since I’ve been thrifting and the thrill of the hunt hit me the minute I walked in the door. Right off the bat I found these two beautiful urns which were only $7.50 each. This was a major score because the urns are about 14″ tall and are in great condition. I also picked up this pretty brass bowl for $5.00.

No. 4–I’m sure you all have been seeing this bamboo purse on every fashion bloggers blog. I’ve wanted one ever since I first saw it but didn’t want to pay the over $100 price that most people were paying. After a little research, I found a great source on Ebay that sells both the small and the large size. And you won’t believe the price…the small is $32.99 and the medium is $34.99.

I have to tell you that I had never ordered from Ebay before so I was a little nervous about ordering this bag. And because the purse was shipping from China, I was nervous about the quality. The shop and the product had good reviews so I went ahead and placed the order and when it arrived, I jumped for joy. The quality is great and the purse is exactly as described. I love it so much that I just ordered the larger size in black.

p.s. I place my order on July 8th and my package arrived on Saturday, 7/21. Pretty fast coming from China and getting through customs.

No. 5–After an exhausting weekend, I took some time last night to flip through the July issue of BH&G. So many inspiring ideas starting with the cover image. I want those chairs, that coffee table and that ottoman. #ilovebamboo

Those are just a few highlights of my life lately. I’m off to shop for carpeting and then I’ll be back at my desk tackling my mile long to-do list.

I’m wishing you all a fantastic week. I’ll be back here tomorrow with my take on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale since it’s the talk of the town.

Shopping For Your Home: 4th of July Sales

June 30, 2017

Is there anything better than a long weekend? I’m looking forward to getting caught up on my magazine stack, celebrating the 4th and watching the fireworks. I’m also looking forward to doing some shopping and taking advantage of some of the great sales that are going on this weekend. If you’re in the market for new decor for your home, here’s a roundup of my top 4th of July sale events. Happy shopping and cheers to the weekend!