Creative Space Inspiration {plus a few creative links}

August 29, 2015

Cheers to the weekend!

When it comes to creative work spaces, the space below is one of my all time favorites. I love how open the room is and the sense of organization and order. And despite all the structure in the room, the space exudes warmth and creativity.

Even if you don’t have a creative space as big as this, you can be inspired by some of the details in this room:

♦ Use baskets to add texture, warmth and organization

♦ Use decorative tags to label baskets, bins and storage boxes

♦ Create a sense of order by using one style of storage box or binder

♦ Opt for nontraditional seating if it works for how you use the space

♦ Add a narrow counter height table to serve as your computer desk and then use a large table as a work surface

♦ Hang decorative lighting to add style and highlight the work area within the room

via Atlanta Homes Magazine

For even more inspiration, enjoy these weekend links:

Advice for creative entrepreneurs.

These tassels are yet another genius craft project from one of my favorite craft bloggers.

You can never have too many containers, especially when they can look like this and are easy to DIY.

I recently discovered this blog (where has it been all my life) and if you love blue and white pottery, you’ll definitely want to follow the Chinoiserie Chic blog.

Design Crush: Alessandra Branca

August 27, 2015

Hello friends. The last few days my life has been a little like this beautiful inspiration board above…a mass of stuff on the to-do list and lots of projects the works. In times of stress, I look to sources of inspiration to get me through. So I’m popping in today with a quick post to share one of my sources of inspiration and favorite designers, Alessandra Branca.

via Lonny, photo by Joshua-McHugh

If you’re note familiar with Alessandra Branca, she is a Rome-born designer known for her use of color and her skill of combining chic, old-world style into the spaces she designs.

Here are some of the reasons why I love her style:

Exquisite pattern mixing + that floor lamp

Sophisticated color combinations + those upholstered chairs

Decorative details + that coral dutch door

Dramatic design + that plaid daybed

Her fabric line for Schumacher + this chair

via branca

via Schumacher

Traditional Roots + those stools

Her passion for pink + that rug

Her whimsical side + that ceiling treatment

Her use of trims + that chair detail

When it comes to design with personality and polish, Alessandra Branca is definitely a designer that inspires me.

You can view more of her design work here or pick up a copy of her book…

all room images via Alessandra Branca unless noted

My Coffee Table Has The Blues (but it’s happy)!

August 26, 2015

I am constantly changing out the accessories on my coffee table but the one design element that remains a constant is a decorative tray. I use trays because they add visual layers to the arrangement and they’re great for holding small decorative items and books.

You might remember this brown wood tray that often makes an appearance on my coffee table. It’s sturdy, oversized and I like the texture and pattern of the woven liner but the tray was begging for a facelift. As as thing go, changing the look of the tray led to a mini makeover with the coffee table decor.

Books and flowers are usually the items that add color to the table arrangement but I wanted a bolder color statement so I gave the tray its new look with a coat of emerald green paint (Behr Crown Jewel #P420-7) and new gold handles.

Emerald green has always been a color I love and I plan to use more of it in my fall decor.

Once the tray got its facelift, I went about styling the table with some of my favorite pieces. I recently started collecting blue and white chinoiserie and love the combination of green, brass and blue & white. The combo is eclectic and happy but still has a traditional feel which is right up my alley.

Blue and white ceramics are such a hot design trend right now and I’ve been fortunate to score some great pieces at incredible prices from thrift stores, flea markets and a new shopping source I recently discovered (I’ll share more about it next week).

My coffee table is fairly large and the color pops create the perfect contrast against the darker wood table.

I love how the arrangement turned out and I think the colors are perfect for the last few weeks of summer.

When I’m ready to start decorating for fall, (I’m not there just yet) the DIY pumpkins I’m making will work great alongside the new tray and blue and white pottery.

Product sources:

Wood Tray–Tuesday Morning (purchased years ago)

Gold Handles (Ikea–spray painted gold)

Wood Box–Tuesday Morning (purchased years ago)

Wood Slice–Hobby Lobby

Gold Wishbone–Hobby Lobby

Small Blue & White Lidded Dish–Goodwill

Large Blue & White Vase–EBTH

Large Blue and White Lidded Bowl with Gold Trim–Local thrift store

Brass Turtle–Goodwill

Scalloped Brass Pedestal Dish-local thrift store

Style Ideas For Your Bar Cart

August 20, 2015

When it comes to bar carts, nobody does it better than Society Social. If you’re not familiar with Society Social, the company started in 2011 with a small collection of stylish bar carts and their products immediately grabbed the attention of magazines like House Beautiful, Southern Living, Lonny and HGTV, The business exploded after that and today, the Society Social online boutique sells a range of furniture and decor all with a chic, modern flair and style.

One of the really great things about Society Social is that all of their designs are created by their in-house design team so every piece is original to their business and you won’t find them anywhere else. And as a truly custom touch, every single piece is made or finished to order.

Not only are each and every one of the Society Social bar carts stunning, but I love the way they style their pieces for photo shoots and their blog, The Social Diary.

If you need ideas on how to style your bar cart, I’ve got Ten Bar Cart Styling Tips for you that were inspired by the folks at Society Social.

Tip#1: Add a lamp and accessories to give your cart the feel of a furniture piece.

Tip #2: Create a color story with the items you decorate your cart with.

Tip #3: Mix in a few unexpected and whimsical accessories to personalize the your cart.

Tip #4: Your bar cart can definitely be a mix of work and play in an office setting as long as the cart reads more play than work!

Tip #5: Add Flowers for color and softness.

Tip #6: Use quickly containers to hold bar tools, straws and swizzle sticks.

Tip #7: Create layers with the items on your bar cart to make it feel warm and inviting.

Tip #8: Change the look of your bar cart styling with the seasons, including barware, beverages and accessories.

Tip #9: Display entertaining and cocktail recipe books on your bar cart so they are close at hand when you’re planning your next party.

Tip #10: Select beverages in pretty bottles to add instant style to your cart.

The same techniques you use to style a side table in your home can be used to style your bar cart so have fun and create a space that ready to party in style!

**this is not a sponsored post, I’m just sharing a company and products that I love.

Color Crush: Orange and GRAY (or is it Grey)

August 17, 2015

Color Crush: ORANGE + GRAY

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I popped into a few home decor stores over the weekend and after about the third store a color trend started to reveal itself. It’s no surprise that with the coming of fall you’re beginning to see shades of orange in decorative accessories, linens and wall decor but what’s making orange feel fresh is a mix of gray. This quiet neutral has shaken off its bad rap. Gray has not only replaced beige as being the “It” neutral, but grays are now synonymous with style, sophistication and glamour.

Here are my three reasons for loving Orange + Gray…

1) the combination is sophisticated but has a relaxed feel

2) the color combo is gender neutral and can work in just about every room of a home

3) both orange and gray mix well with black, white and neutrals which makes these colors really versatile

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In the bedroom, orange and gray feels luxurious and rich. A charcoal gray with slightly blue undertones lends a feeling of masculinity and the orange keeps the overall feeling energized and modern.

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Don’t be afraid to mix shades of neutral and gray, Greige which can create a really dynamic colors palette for decorating. In this living room, a mix of grey, neutral and orange help to create depth and dimension.

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I think orange and gray is a great color combo for a piece of hand painted furniture–business on the outside and party on the inside

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Natural wood combined with orange and deep gray tones create a warm, rustic feel and the addition of black helps to ground the space and add a layer of dimension.

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I never would have imagined orange and gray in a floral arrangement but the colors are so beautiful together. I’ll definitely be using this color combination for fall decorating.

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Do you have a fall party of the calendar? If so, consider orange and gray as the color palette and if it’s a Halloween party, just add black for a sophisticated twist on spooky decorating.

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Accents of crisp white give orange and medium shades of gray a modern, urban feel

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and when lighter shades of gray are used as accents against a mostly white palette, the feeling is sophisticated and elegant.

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Like white, selecting a gray paint color can be challenging. Here are a few things to consider:

♥ Shades of light gray have become a really popular paint color and is the perfect solution when a bit of color is desired but you still want to maintain a light, airy feel. Many lighter shades of gray actually have a silver undertone which gives the color a bit of sheen under bright lights and adds a subtle glow to a room. Lighter shades of gray will work in every room of the home and are one of my favorite colors for a bedroom, bathroom, home office or ceiling color.

♥ Medium shades of gray will add warmth and richness to a space without making it appear dark and dreary. Medium tones mix well with neutrals, black and wood tones are great to use in larger rooms to crate a cozy feel.

♥ You’ve probably heard the term Greige before and may not have realized what it meant. Greige is a blend of gray and beige creating a warm neutral that is ideal to use in rooms with gold, bronze or brass accents. Greige walls are also a nice alternative to traditional neutrals are ideal for a living room, family room or kitchen.

♥ Deep charcoal grays have a luxurious and elegant feel to them and are stunning when paired with white trim, jewel tones or primary colors. Shades of charcoal are best in rooms that get lots of natural sunlight which will prevent the room from feeling like a cave.

There are lots of opinions on the best gray paint colors but this round-up highlights my favorites:

via

And, if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s GReY or GRaY here’s the scoop…

Gray (with an “A”) is the preferred choice in American English.

Grey (with an “E”) is the preferred choice in British English. If you find yourself writing to a British audience in an English newspaper or magazine, grey is the word choice you will want to use.

So when it comes the Orange and Gray, does this color combo get a thumbs up or thumbs down?

Fabric Trends

August 13, 2015

I’ve been on the hunt for a few fabrics and decided to take a spin through Forsyth Fabrics here in Atlanta. Forsyth is one of my go-to sources for moderate priced designer fabrics and you’ll always find the latest fabric trends in their aisles. Because the fabric industry is changing and manufacturers and retail stores are producing less fabric, more and more of the fabrics carried at Forsyth have to be special ordered. Even so, they still have a good selection of cut and take fabrics so this is where I shop for personal projects I’m working on.

Let’s take a look at see what’s trending in designer fabrics…

Malachite patterns have been around for decades but really resurfaced a few years ago in textiles and decor. This was the only malachite fabric I could find at Forstyle and even through it has to be special ordered, its definitely worth the wait.

I’ve been seeing military green showing up in fall fashion so it makes sense that it’s a big trend in upholstery fabric. I can’t jump on this color bandwagon just yet but it might grow on me.

The emerald green trend is also continuing with muted variations showing up in classic fabric patterns.

I don’t think teal will ever go out of style or paisley prints for that matter.

These bold colors can always be found in upholstery fabrics but they feel a bit ‘past their time’ to me.

One of my favorite color combinations lately is orange and grey. I would love to design a bedroom around these colors.

The with popularity of blue and white in decor, I totally expected to see lots of navy fabrics and I did. I really loved the middle batik inspired print which would make a beautiful pair of drapes or a chair fabric.

Classic black and white with a touch of neutral, always timeless. The zebra print is just begging to be on a pair of footstools or made into pillows.

Raised relief designs are popping up more and more and these embroidered looks felt really fresh.

I may be the only one but I’m kinda liking that this golden rod color is coming back into style. That top fabric had lots of texture and was really beautiful.

Forsyth Fabrics also has a clearance room where you can find short lengths of fabric and trim at great prices. I snagged remnants of these two fabrics to ~~hoard~~ use on a future project.

It’s good to have Forsyth just a short drive from my house so I can indulge my fabric habit whenever I want.

If you’re not in Atlanta, don’t worry. You can shop all of the fabrics available at Forsyth on their website and get delivery right to your door.

DIY Designer Notebooks {and getting a jump on handmade holiday gifts}

August 10, 2015

Hello there! I’m so giddy about my latest diy project and although it’s not revolutionary, it’s the kind of project that puts a big smile on my face.

After spending boat loads of money over the years buying fancy notebooks and journals, I finally decided to get crafty and make my own designer notebooks.

Since I have a deep love for beautiful paper, this project centered around some of my favorite patterns, colors and designs. I used geometric prints, damask patterns, leather and snakeskin designs and of course bright colors were part of the mix.

The snake skin and embossed croco embossed papers below are actually sheets of vinyl that I found on sale at Michaels for .75 cents.

These diy notebooks were super simple to make and required just a few supplies:

* Notebooks–most of the notebooks I covered I found at HomeGoods but I also covered Composition Notebooks which you can find at any office supply store, Wal-Mart or Target for around .50 cents. The mini notebooks came from Ikea (2/$1.00). This Etsy shop also has a great selection of plain kraft notebooks.

* Decorative paper–you can use scrapbook paper, thick wrapping paper, vinyl sheets and even pages from a book. Most of my decorative scrapbook paper came from Micheals.

* Permanent glue tape–I use my Glue Glider Pro which made applying the tape quick and easy–available from Amazon

* Exacto Knife and Scissors

* Blank Labels and Sticker Letters–available at Michaels

How to:

To cover each book, open the notebook, lay it flat and trace the outline of the notebook onto the backside of your paper. Cut the paper with your scissors.

Apply glue tape to the front of the notebook first and adhere your paper to the front cover. Next, apply glue tape to the spine of the notebook and wrap the paper around towards the back.

Apply glue tape to the back cover of the notebook and secure the paper in place. It’s that easy. You can also cover the inside of the front and back cover if you want.

Finally, apply a label to the front of each notebook and add a sticker monogram to personalize it.

As an added detail, I UpStyled the larger notebooks with metal corner protectors.

I’m on a notebook making marathon because halfway through making a few for myself I realized what great handmade Christmas gifts they’d make.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’re inspired to make your own designer notebooks.

Design Chat with ConfettiStyle–Vol. 2

August 4, 2015

Thanks to everyone who’s submitted a question of the Design Chat series. Keep them coming.

In today’s installment of Design Chat I’m addressing a question from Sheila related to her sectional sofa. Here’s what Sheila asked…

“We have a Large sectional sofa. It has been in the same position for 11 years. I like to rearrange things, this is the first time I have not rearranged!! So I divided it… Much to my husband disapproval . I have one complete couch four seats with arms, and the other part is three seats with a corner. I have them facing each other. I love how it looks! Makes our large living room look cozy, and don’t feel the need to shout to have a conversation. If I could I would attach a picture…. But not sure how on this new device!
What are your thoughts? Thank you in advance.”
Sheila

♦♦♦

Well, based on Sheila’s question and some of the other questions I’ve received, finding the right decorating solution involving a sofa is a big challenge. And when you have a sectional, the challenge can be even greater.

Before I answer Sheila’s question, let me address the pros and cons of a sectional sofa.

PRO: Sectional sofas can be really functional in large rooms when lots of seating is needed, especially for TV viewing. And you can find or order just about any configuration in a sectional that you need so creating a custom layout to fit your space is easy to do.

PRO: Becasue sectional sofas are made up of different sections, it’s easy to move the pieces apart to accommodate guest or a party set-up.

PRO: Sectional sofas are good for small rooms since they can be pushed up against a wall and into corners while keeping the center of the room open.

PRO: Sectional sofas can be less expensive than buying a sofa and multiple chairs to fill a room.

CON: Sectional sofas don’t give you a ton of re-arranging options. If you like to rearrange your furniture often, know that you probably won’t be able to do so with a sectional. It will probably only work ONE WAY due to TV viewing, door openings etc.

CON: If you ever want to re-upholster your sectional it will be considerably more expensive to re-cover vs a traditional sofa.

CON: Picking the right color of fabric for your sectional is key because there is so much fabric making an impact in your room so picking the wrong color could become a major eye-sore.

via Crate and Barrel

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So now to answer Sheila’s question…I think separating your sectional is a great idea! Not only does it create a more intimate seating and conversation area but splitting up the sectional will give your room a less boxy feel and make it feel larger like you noted. Also, splitting up your sectional could allow you to bring in additional side tables which would actually make the area more functional for guest. A few other things to keep in mind…

♦ To maintain the lounge feel that the sectional had when it was all one piece, consider adding an ottoman or footstool so your husband can prop his legs up.

♦ If you have the two sectional pieces flanking a TV or fireplace wall, it will actually create a much more dynamic focal point within the room.

♦ Make sure you have the right size rug under the furniture to anchor the seating area and the room.

♦ You can get creative with the pillows on the two sectional pieces as long as you have a few common pillows on each side.

So Sheila, separating your sectional sofa gets my vote.

Here are a few inspirational photos is case the hubby needs more convincing.

via CB2