Flower Home–Drew Barrymore’s Home Collection

April 2, 2019

In an effort to further capitalize on the growing home decor industry, Wal-Mart recently partnered actress Drew Barrymore to launch her 1st collection home products.

Flower Home is an eclectic mix of colorful, vibrant and personality packed home decor and furniture, all at affordable prices.

I spotted a few of the items on the internet last week and immediately headed to Walmart.com to check out the full line. Although not necessarily my style, I liked a lot of the items and want to share my favorites with you.

*****

Favorite Finds From Flower Home

No. 1–The silk flower art piece is definitely my favorite item in the collection. I love the colors, the chinoiserie feel and the $49 price.

No. 2–I love the clean lines and sun-kissed color of this mid-century velvet accent chair ($399). A pair of these would look great in a home office or flanking a fireplace. If this golden color isn’t your thing, this chair silhouette is also available in three other fabric options.

No. 3–Pretty in pink is how I’d describe this ceramic table lamp ($75). The embossed geometric design and velvet lampshade are my favorite details. A pair of these would look great in a little girls bedroom.

No. 4–It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for pretty dinnerware. The floral and stripe pieces in this vintage floral dinnerware set makes it easy to mix and match for both formal and casual entertaining. ($60 for 16 pieces–also available in a peach color)

No. 5–Antique brass and rattan are two of my favorite design elements together they give this floor lamp and chic and bohemian vibe. Place it next to a cozy lounge chair and you’ve got the perfect reading nook. $120

No.6–I think it’s the combination of bright yellow and turquoise that drew me to this bird artwork ($124). I wish there was a coordinating piece to go along with this but alone, this piece would look great as in a sunroom or kids play area.

No. 7–Even though I don’t see people decorating with globes as much as they once did, I still think they are a thing. This flower globe ($76) is one of the prettiest I’ve seen and would be a fun accent in a home office or kids study area.

No. 8–One of the reasons I love ceramic garden stools so much is because they are so functional. They can be used indoors and out, make a nice side table and provide additional seating in a pinch. This ombre ceramic side table is a pretty piece and only $76.

The Flower Home collection has gotten rave reviews so don’t be surprised to see items flying off the shelf. If you can’t find your favorite pieces on Wal-Mart.com, check their companies sister brands, Hayneedle and Jet.com which are also selling the decor and furniture collection.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Inspiring Style-Vol. 28

February 17, 2019

Happy Sunday friends! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I spent yesterday in my office working on a variety of projects and didn’t get out to enjoy the sunshine. And unfortunately there’s no sun in the forecast today–only rain. I picked the wrong day to spend behind my computer. Anyway, before the rain starts, the hubs and I are headed out to run a few errands and take a quick walk. Then I’m planning on spending the rest of the day working on some new projects for The Ribbon Roll blog. When you get a little down time this weekend, sit back and enjoy my weekend links.

*****

Design Inspiration

Looking through Maine House Interiors design portfolio was pure joy. So much blue & white goodness!

I’m really loving this floor to ceiling photo wall. This is an easy and budget-friendly way to fill a wall and create a focal point in a room. (image source unknown)

p.s. These and these are my favorite frames for this type of wallscape.

My friend Erika shared some great advice for Decorating With Your Spouse.

*****

Home Decor Finds

Have you seen the new MoDRN collection from Wal-Mart? It’s pretty amazing. The collection is a mix of modern and retro designs that are classic enough to work with any style of decor. This white end table is one of my favorite pieces in the collection.

I’ve been sourcing mirrors for a client and came across this brass notched mirror. This is perfect to hang over a powder room vanity or smaller accent table. The the price is great too–on sale for just $128.

Solid pillows with lots of texture are one of the easiest ways to add dimension to your decor. I love the criss-cross weave on this velvet pillow. It’s under $80 and available in navy, ivory and grey.

I love the soft colors and bold design of this floral artwork (it also has a coordinating mate). Just imagine how great this would look in bedroom decorated in neutral colors.

This velvet quilt and sham collection from Grandin Road is just gorgeous and it comes in so many beautiful colors.

p.s. Grandin Road has a 20% off site-wide sale going on right now.

*****

Fashion Finds

I love the shape and texture of these drop earrings. They are only $2.00 and are available in red, black, yellow and gold.

Loft has become one of my favorite stores to shop for fashionable and budget-friendly clothing. I just purchased this mixed media sweater–it’s a great piece to transition between winter and spring.

p.s. Loft is having a great sale–40% off sale full-price styles and an extra 50% off sale styles.

I just read about this coat called the Amazon Coat, and apparently it’s getting rave reviews. Under $140 and comes in 5 colors.

Interesting Reads

Do you know the meaning behind different flower varieties?

I’ve been reading lots of blog post lately on the state of blogging and how it has changed over the years. If you’re a blogger or thinking about starting a blog, here are some interesting facts on blogging today.

Six Ways To Find Your Passion

Decor Trends for 2019–my recap from the Atlanta Market

What your favorite color says about your personality.

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.

*****

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!

The Christmas Tree Shops–Store Review and What I Bought

March 12, 2018

Hi friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

On Saturday the hubs and I had some errands to run including a stop at The Christmas Tree Shops and That. I’ve heard lots of talk about this store and have seen some amazing finds pop up on Instagram. Just the other day one of my instagram friends posted this image showing the chic pieces she scored at her local store. Aren’t that planter and lattice rug just gorgeous! (sadly these items were not at my store).

After seeing Cathy’s post, I immediately jumped on the computer to see where the closet Christmas Tree Shops was located. I was surprised to find that there was one about 25 minutes from me.

When we drove into the parking lot and I saw andThat! on the building I was a little confused but once I did a little reading about the company it all made sense.

The Christmas Tree Shops andThat!

If you’re not familiar with The Christmas Tree Shops and That!, let me give you little background.

Christmas Tree Shops started as a holiday gift shop on Cape Cod selling holiday and seasonal decor. As the success of the company grew, they started to expand their offering selling gifts, home decor and big name closeout items. In 2012, the company began expanding beyond the New England area and added the name And That! so consumers would know the store sells more than just seasonal products.

I’d describe the store as a mix of World Market, Hobby Lobby and At Home all under one roof. You’ll find craft items, seasonal decor, decorative accessories, housewares and even wine. I was pleasantly surprised to see such a wide variety of products and was even more amazed at some of the prices.

One of the main product statements they have on the floor right now is melamine dinnerware and serving piece. The prices ranged from $1.50 to $5.00 with lots of colors and patterns to choose from.

In addition to melamine dinnerware, I spotted these wine glasses. At first I thought they were glass but they were actually made of clear plastic. They looked like the real thing and were only $1.50 per glass. This is definitely something to buy if you do a lot of entertaining or host big family gatherings around the holidays.

These summer motif melamine trays also caught my attention because they were only $1.29! These would be great as a summer hostess gift or to use for outdoor entertaining. (note to self: go back and get some of these)!

p.s. if you’d like something with more of a designer look, check out these marble swirl melamine trays I spotted online.

Another product that stopped me in my track were these monogrammed tea towels. Like the trays, there were lots of different patterns available. I actually thought about getting some of these to use as dinner napkins but wasn’t in the mood to dig thru the bin to find multiple M’s. I think the price on these was under $3.

The store carries a great selection of placemats including these 4 styles which I loved. I also saw the navy and natural jute mats below and had to snap them up because I love all things blue and white and because they were only $1.00 each!

There was a small selection of accent furniture and while I liked the look of some of the pieces, the quality was not there for me. I do think there were some good options for a beach house or guest room that doesn’t get used a lot.

I’m always on the hunt for pillows and saw several styles that I liked including this one with a beautiful crewel work design on the front. The only downside is that most of their pillows have polyfil inserts but you could have those replaced with down it you found a design you really liked.

This collection of blue and white Shibori pillows were nice. The blue lattice design on the bottom shelf was oversized and would look great in triplicate on a bed.

There was a nice selection of bedding and curtains including Waverly designs. This blue and white damask design was really pretty with the ticking stripe pattern on the back. You could easily pair this with navy or off-white bedding to build a really stunning look.

After pursuing the textiles area, I headed over to the decor department. There was a little of everything.

These round wood monogram board were cute. They are not cutting boards but are meant to be used as decor. I could see one hanging as part of a gallery wall or in the middle of a wreath. I think they were around $5.99.

Lots of pineapple decor. #arepineapplesstillathing?

One thing I did notice about The Christmas Tree Shops is that they are on top of the trends. They had copper and brass well represented throughout the store. Here’s a look at some of the candle hurricanes they had.

If you’re looking for inexpensive decor to style bookshelves, tabletops and such then I would say this is a good store to check out. This marble-look jar was really nice and less than $10.

There was a big housewares department with kitchen accessories, paper products and gift items. If I didn’t already own about 20 water bottles I would have picked up one of the insulated floral bottles below.

Pretty blue and white paper napkins.

And of course I had to check out the giftwrap. Most rolls were $2.99 or less and there was a nice selection of stylish designs including a few I’ve spotted at HomeGoods.

This is just a snippet of what the store had to offer so If you go, plan on spending some time looking around. According the website, the assortment changes all they time and new products are introduced weekly.

If you live in the Atlanta area, you can visitThe Christmas Tree Shops in Kennesaw at 845 Ernest W. Barrett Pwky NW. And if you don’t have a store near you, you can shop online here.

Happy shopping!

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.

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!

4TH OF JULY HOME DECOR SALES

**********************************************************************

Save 20% off site wide at Serena & Lily including sale items.

Take an additional 30% off sales items at Anthropologie.

Up to 70% off at H and M Home. This cute bird candleholder is on sale for $7.99.

Save up to 30% off on home, patio and furniture at Target. Plus clothing and accessories are on sale too!

Mega End-Of-Season Sale Up to 70% off at Pottery Barn.

Extra 30% off Summer Clearance at Williams Sonoma Home.

20% off furniture and an additional 20% off sale items at West Elm.

15% off at World Market and an extra 10% off already reduced sale items at Z Gallerie.

Up to 60% off Outdoor Furniture at World Market.

Save 20% off at Joss and Main.

The already great prices at RugsUSA are reduced even further with an additional 20% off sale + free shipping.

And while you’re shopping, you might want to check out Dillard’s for their annual 4th of July sale– additional 30% off sale prices!

Favorites Of The Week {a random mix of great stuff}

February 25, 2017

Whew! What a week it has been. I’ve been running in 50 different directions sourcing products, working on projects and trying to wrangle the paperwork on my desk.

I wish I could say this was going to be a low-key weekend but it’s not. I’m spending all day tomorrow in meeting with the non-profit agency I work with then I’m doing some major house cleaning. We do have a fun outing planned for Sunday morning but the rest of the day will be spent working and preparing for the busy week ahead. Oh, I am planning to shut things down so I can watch the Oscars!

I hope you can find some downtime to enjoy a few of my favorites from the week.

♦♦♦

FAVORITE POSTS:

This interior designers home is beautiful and the property is breathtaking.

I loved this interview with interior designer Danielle Colding and her answer to the question ‘what does success mean?’.

♦♦♦

FAVORITE PINS:

The image below is from one of my new, favorite Instagram feeds–@erinkestenbaum.

This is a gorgeous living room designed by one of my favorite designers.

I can tell this bedroom is really beautiful just from this photo.

♦♦♦

FAVORITE PRODUCTS:

These pastel teaspoons are perfect for spring.

Loving this market tote! It’s on sale and I also spotted a similar design in stores on clearance for $17.99.

If you’re looking for a stylish rug in a neutral color, check out the Farrah rug.

Loving this emerald green soap dispenser from H and M Home. This glass cup and this glass jar are also part of the collection.

For all you fashionistas out there, there’s a postage stamp made just for you!

Speaking of fashion, I’m totally in smitten with the pom pom sneaker trim. These are the cheapest I’ve seen so far but this brand does not fit my foot. I’m thinking a DIY might be in order. You can buy shoe clips here and a pom pom making tool here. {affiliate links}

Enjoy your weekend!

Behind The Blog: Erika Ward Interiors

July 8, 2016

Today I’ve got another edition of my Behind The Blog series. This time around I talking with my friend and fellow-designer, Erika Ward of Erika Ward Interiors and BluLabelBungalow blog.

I’ve been a big fan of Erika and her design work for years and have been honored to contribute articles to her successful blog, on several occasions.

Erika’s career as a designer started after years of working for a design-build firm and she eventually made the leap and started building her independent design business, Erika Ward Interiors.

In addition to her blossoming design career which includes features in national publications and brand partnerships, Erika is a wife and mother to 5 adorable kids. I’m continually in awe of how she does it all.

I posed few questions to Erika to learn more about her design philosophy, where here inspiration comes from and how she does it all.

♦♦♦

How did you get into the interior design profession and when did you start Erika Ward Interiors?

I began my career as an accountant managing multi-million dollar construction budgets for an internationally known design-build firm. In 2006, while still working in a corporate setting, I bravely started Erika Ward Interiors to satisfy my creative side and brought my business acumen and professionalism to the residential market. After three years of performing this balancing act I decided to fully commit to building Erika Ward Interiors and never looked back.

What do you love most about being an interior designer?

I love the newness of each project and working closely with individuals. Getting to know them and their family intimately helps me feel like we have a more authentic relationship.

We’d love to learn more about your design philosophy so tell us what design elements you think every home needs?

Every home needs a combination of something old and something new otherwise each room feels like a furniture showroom. That’s not exactly the look I want to bring. While I certainly want the room to feel polished, it also has to feel livable and approachable.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find inspiration in client’s stories (career, travel, family history etc) and how they live in their home. I’m also fascinated with learning about different cultures. It’s important to me that we open our minds and even “try on” a few of their customs. I bring more depth and richness into our own lives.

How would you describe your personal design style?

The foundation of my personal style is very traditional. I love classic silhouettes paired with bright color or pattern on upholstery. Mix this with clean lines and a few organic elements like teak, woven textures, or weathered wood and I’m sold.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

My late grandparents were incredibly business savvy. I admire them both for establishing themselves during a time where it was much more difficult for African-Americans. They always stressed the economic importance of time and money, I’ve written about this on my own blog, and they always encouraged me to work as I’m working for Christ himself and not men.

In addition to Erika Ward Interiors, you also have a popular design blog, BluLabelBungalow. Tell us how you came up with that name and what readers can expect from your blog post.

I came up with the name after purchasing our first house, a Cape Cod style bungalow in 2005. In the beginning I wrote about the intersection of fashion and interior design and was obsessed with Ralph Lauren’s Blue Label collection. I pretty much dropped the e, combined the two words and added bungalow.

The blog has evolved since then to show before and after makeovers from my client projects, trend reports, decorating advice, travel features, and most recently started a series called “Devotions for the Decorator.”

You’re a mom of 5, a wife and a business owner—can you share 3 pieces of advice for other working moms out there?

Yes!!

Create a village of people who love your family and support your journey. We have caregivers who love our children so much which gives my husband and I a piece of mind. We can work without the worry.

Make time for self-care. I’ve recently lost 55lbs in an effort to preserve my health and no longer take it for granted. The physical transformation also came with great, unexpected mental and emotional benefits too. I’m not only healthier but I’m certain it has made me an even better wife and mother.

Pray everyday, several times a day. This helps you stay connected to your purpose, stay grateful, remain humble, and provides you with the strength you need to handle life’s toughest issues.

If you could lunch with any famous woman, who would it be and what burning question would you want to ask them?

I’d love to have lunch with Ivanka Trump. I admire the balance she strikes between career and motherhood as well as her presence as a wife. On a superficial level, she’s always very poised, polished, and modestly dressed.