Home Styling Tips Archives

Design Details: FIVE Rooms I Love and the reasons why

October 23, 2015

It’s my job to dissect the details of a room to evaluate why the design, layout, furnishing or even the details work. To give you a little insight into my design thought process, today I’m sharing 5 rooms that caught my attention and the reasons why I love each space.

♥♥♥

Creating a comfortable and stylish living space directly off the kitchen can pose some challenges. You want the two spaces to feel connected yet have their own identity. And you also want there to be some common threads with the color palettes between the two spaces.

I love this living space below because it shares the same wall color as the kitchen which creates that sense of unity. And I also love how the wall facing into the living space was painted a soft accent color which helps define where one room starts and the other ends.

Design details to love: layered rugs, potted plants on the mantle, a mix of pillows and that wood covered oven hook!

LilyPadCottage

Even though you can’t see this entire room in this photo, you definitely know that it’s a fantastic space. What gives most rooms its personality is the mix of decor, textiles and finishes used to decorate it. This living space feels right, warm, personal, collected and inviting because of the design details used throughout.

Design details to love: Animal prints (every room needs one), collected grouping of objects on the table, neutral background with pops of color and a gallery wall that’s interesting!

Driven By Decor

Even the smallest spaces in your home can have a powerful design statement. Foyer spaces should draw guests into the home while setting the tone for the homes design style. This foyer space feels so personal because of the collection of framed photos and treasures on the table. Don’t be afraid to use lots of items to make an impact–repeating shapes and materials will tie it all together.

Design details to love: Glass cloches (a great way to display collectibles), wood on wood (different wood tones make it work), gallery wall frames in the same color story but in different shapes and sizes (harmonious but interesting)

CasaSugar

Colorful rooms have been trending for a few years now and they are most successful when the room has a neutral or white base like this one. The room also works because colors are repeated which creates the common thread within the decor.

Design details to love: Two coffee tables (glass keeps the space visually uncluttered), books arranged by color and touches of black (another thing every room needs)! Oh, that sofa color is pretty amazing too.

DecorPad

Bedrooms don’t have to be bland or even cost a fortune to decorate. I love this room because of the soft color palette which in my opinion doesn’t feel too masculine or feminine. I also love the layers that have been created with the furniture, textiles, rug and accessories.

Design details to love: Desk lamps on the nightstand (use what works), a cowhide rug layered over an area rug (cowhides feel elegant), console tables instead of traditional night stands (use baskets underneath if you need storage), a dynamic accent wall (this one was created with tape) and pop of pink.

The Nester

When it comes to dissecting the design details in your home, look for the elements that bring you joy and that make your home feel good.

Happy Friday!

Photographer Portfolio–Alyssa Rosenheck {+ a few photography tips}

September 29, 2015

One of the best ways to learn about photography styling is to study the portfolio of professional photographers. Recently I came across the photography work of Alyssa Rosenheck and it stopped me in the tracks. Alyssa is a Nashville based Interior & Lifestyle Photographer that captures the beauty and intimate details of interiors, lifestyle and brands. Her work has been featured in Rue Magazine, Elle Decor and Better Home and Garden amongst other well-known publications.

Check out some of my favorite images from here portfolio and view her full portfolio here.

After spending a good amount of time looking through her work and studying every detail of the photos, I came away with a few things that I know will help me become a better photographer. I wanted to share them with you in case you want to up your photography game too!

♦ Perspective is everything. Not all shots need to be or should be shot straight on. Slight angles and downward shots can give furniture and accessories a grand feel.

♦ Lighting is everything. Lighting is one of the things I am challenged with most and I’ve learned (and am still learning) just how critical natural lighting is. If you have lots of shots you want to take, it might be best to save them all up for a sunny day when you can get the most out for the light streaming into your home. (note to self–after spending endless hours shooting products on a rainy/cloudy day)

♦ Blurry is beautiful. Sometimes I find myself fighting with trying to get a super crisp exposure for the entire frame of my photo. While that might be necessary for some photos, detail shots with blurry backgrounds are just so beautiful and captivating.

♦ Filling the frame. I struggle a lot with this when I’m shopping small accessory items and find that I have a lot of white/open space at the top of my frame. The angle in which you shoot a photo and the props you use can help you fill the frame and get that lifestyle impact your want.

If you have any photography tips, I’d love to hear them so leave me a comment.

all image via Alyssa Rosenheck, all photography tips are mine

Inspiring Work Spaces {and the ingredients to create your own}

April 23, 2014

One of the best ways to stay motivated while working is to have an office space that gives you everything you need–inspiration, comfort, visual interest, organization and storage. Combine these ingredients with your personal style and you can create a work space that allows you to maximize your work efforts while at the same time fueling your passions.

INSPIRATION

Inspiration for your work space can come in the form of artwork hung on the wall or by creating an inspirational vision board. Hang things on the board that relate to your goals, the dreams you have for your life and your business and be sure to include inspirational quotes to keep you motivated and moving forward.

via

LIGHTING

Ample lighting is a key to an effective work space. I love using decorative tabletop lamps instead of traditional office lamps when the decor allows. Pretty lamps, with pretty lampshades will make your office feel more intimate and relaxing.

via

ORGANIZATION AND STORAGE

It’s hard to be productive or creative in a work space that is messy and cluttered. Take advantage for the vertical space in your office for storage and use space under tables to store office equipment or supplies you don’t use often.

source unknown

PERSONAL ACCESSORIES

Surround yourself with things you love. Tea cups, pretty pencil cups and stylish desk accessories will help personalize your work space and make working more enjoyable.

via

INSPIRING COLOR

In my world, every office space needs a punch of color. Vibrant colors stimulate the mind and will keep you energized when working. Simple touches like colorful storage boxes, a framed bulletin board or even flowers on your desk can add the pop of color you need. Tip: your desk chair is a great way to introduce color into your work space.

via

CREATIVE WORK AREA

If space allows, create a separate meeting or work area in your office. Just getting from behind you desk and creating a different view to look at will make working more enjoyable. I love the corner work area below–big enough to spread out and get creative, but compact enough not to crowd the room. And check out all the personal touches that give this area style.

via

COMFORTABLE AND PRETTY SEATING

And of course a pretty chair is a must for an inspiring work space. Check thrift store for a chair that you can easily re-upholster, paint and make your own.

via

If you thought these design tips were just for home office spaces, check out how these cubical work spaces were given a dose of style by their owners.

via

Why the Decor of Your Home Matters

April 15, 2014

I was reading an interesting article the other day that was filled with statistics. The numbers were staggering but what really was on my mind was how those numbers related we decorate our homes. It all comes back to time, the time we spend under our own roof. With some much time spent in our homes, the saying that your home should rise up to meet you and that it should fuel your soul is so true.

DID YOU KNOW..

The average person will sleep for 229,961 hours sleeping (1/3 of your life)?

That’s why having a bedroom that comforts you at the end of the day is important. Invest in good quality sheets and pillows, make your bedroom is cozy and surround yourself with photos and things you love so you go to sleep and wake up feeling joyful.

via

The average person spends a staggering 32,098 hours eating and drinking beverages in their lifetime.

Create a dining space that is comfortable and allows you to gather with friends and family is one of the best ways to make your home a sanctuary. Mealtimes should be a time to reconnect with the ones you love and having a space you love makes the gatherings even more meaningful.

via

The average American spends 32 hours per month online. That totals 28,300 hours in a lifetime, and this number may increase in the future with smart devices becoming more commonly used and allowing easier access to the Internet.

As someone who works from home I fully understand the concept of creating a working space that is both functional and pretty. This also applies to those of you that work outside the home. Keep your home office organized and surround yourself with inspiration that will enhance your work and keep you energized.

via

The average person will watch over 9 years’ worth of TV, or around 80,486 hours.

I am always getting on my husband about watching too much TV. Since TV’s are apart of our lives, focus on making your TV viewing area as beautiful as possible. Invest in comfortable seating and make the TV part of the décor. And while you’re at it, create a beautiful outdoor living space that just might entice the family away from the TV.

via

Women will spend 12,896 hours in their lifetime cleaning the home, which is almost one-and-a-half year of their lives.

I’m not your typical person because I actually like to clean. There is some therapeutic about it. But I know that in order for me to enjoy it I must have my supplies organized and easily accessible. Take the time to organize and make the area where you keep your cleaning supplies pretty. Seeing a beautiful space will make you want to create a beautiful space.

via