Interior Design Archives | Page 22 of 56

Feeling Uneasy With My Artwork

October 7, 2015

The other night I was sitting on the couch and looked around at my walls. I have several gallery wall arrangments that are a mix of art and objects. As I looked at the walls, I began to feel unsettled with the eclectic mix and the random arrangement. A desire for a more calm, symmetrical and orderly look washed over me.

My design style is eclectic with classic undertones so I was surprised at the feelings I had when I looked at the walls. I think the need for order and calm is stemming from my life at the moment where I’m juggling lots of balls, can’t get it all done in a day and longing for a quiet weekend getaway.

What’s a girl to do with this artwork dilemma and feeling of uneasiness?

Block out a weekend to unwind (unfortunately it can’t happen for a few weeks) and turn to Pinterest for some wall decor inspiration.

As I was looking through Pinterest, I came across these images where artwork was hung in a grid fashion providing organized and calm feel. I like the look of art hung in a grid but am not 100% sure whether this is the look that I want. Regardless, these images are inspiring me to make some changes to my wall decor.

My thoughts….

I love the tight grouping and a single frame choice but don’t know if I can commit to one style of art.

via Tobi Fairley

The impact of a grid arrangement is great so that’s a plus in my book.

via Apartment Therapy

If the color of each artwork piece is similar that can be the thread that ties it all together.

via Emily A. Clark

I love the look of this eclectic mix of art but don’t think it’s exactly my style.

via Martha Stewart

This arrangement is nice because it is still symmetrical but has a bit more personality than artwork all in the same size.

via Houzz

Grid layouts definitely work with black and white art but not my style.

via Home Bunch

I love seeing non-traditional elements framed as a collection. Definitely something I’d do.

via BHG

Fall is a great time of year to hang framed botanical art and the look is fresh and modern. Gets my vote.

via BHG

This image might be the solution…symmetry but frames hung both horizontally and vertically which adds a bit of an eclectic feel.

via BHG

Decision, decisions!

So tell me, is the gallery wall look still appealing to you or do you love the symmetrical art arrangements? I’d love to know what you think.

Timeless Trends–Ten Looks That Won’t Go Out Of Style

October 6, 2015

Remember when this look was in style…..

via

As a designer, I’m often asked by clients and friends about whether a particular color, fabric or materials is in or out of style. On the surface that might be a hard question to answer because everything that’s in style will eventually go out of style and then most likely come back in style again. The image above is from the early 70’s and the fabric and styling of that sofa are in demand today. And the image below, also from the 70’s, is the tulip table and chairs are just as popular today as they were back then.

via

While styles and trends come and go, there are some design elements that I think fall into the timeless category and will always provide a classic look when decorating.

Want to know what those timeless trends are?

Well, here’s a look at Ten Trends That Won’t Go Out Of Style…

…

Read the Post

Design Chat: Foyers–Vol. 3

October 2, 2015

image source unknown

I’m back with another installment of Design Chat. This time I’m answering a question from Katie regarding her foyer.

“Shelly, I am struggling with how to decorate my foyer. The space is rather small and once inside the door, the dining room opens up on the right and there is a wall on the left which is about 8 feet long. I’ve tried different furniture pieces and nothing seems right or is balanced against the dining room opening and furniture. Can you give me some tips and ideas on how to decorate a foyer.” –Katie

I asked Katie a couple of questions to get a better understanding of her space and the image above represents the general layout of Katie’s foyer.

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The Design Tips:

Foyers come in all shapes and sizes and can be challenging find the right combination of furniture, wall decor, accessories and lighting to fit the space. Although challenging, there are a few design guidelines I can share to help Katie and anyone else decorating their foyer:

♦ Foyers often serve as a decorative spaces while at the same time needing to have some functional aspects (drop zone for keys, mail etc.) to the design so keep that in mind when selecting furniture, accessories and lighting.

♦ Select furniture that fits the scale of the space. Since there is a long wall that you want to place furniture on, select a piece that fills at least 50 to 75% of the wall space. Small scale furniture on a long wall will look wimpy.

♦ Lighting is always a great addition to any foyer space even if it will be used just for ambient light. Wall sconces are a nice alternative to tabletop lamps and don’t forget to put your lighting on a dimmer to control the light intensity within the space.

♦ Rugs will help ground your foyer and create a landing spot for guest as they enter and exit your home.

♦ Mirrors are a smart wall decor choice especially if your foyer doesn’t get a lot of natural light. Mirrors will magnify any light coming into the foyer giving it a brighter appearance.

♦ If the foyer is a main entrance and exit point for the home and there is room for seating, a chair or two flanking a console table or cabinet is a nice addition. Chairs ccreate an additional layer of design, color and pattern.

♦ If the overall foyer space lacks architectural details (chair rail, wainscoting) consider wallpaper, a paint treatment or decorative molding to add interest to the wall and serve as a backdrop to your furniture and decor.

The Inspiration:

Furniture with artistic details like this cabinet will add a lot of drama to a foyer. And notice the accessories–although they are not symmetrical, the groupings on each side of the cabinet balance each other.

via

Open console tables keep a small foyer from feeling over-crowded and the space under the table is ideal for a bench or ottomans which can also be used for additional seating in other parts of the home. The size of the artwork is proportionate to the size of the table and the lamps are in scale with the overall arrangement.

via

Baskets under a console table provide the perfect spot to drop gloves, shoes or even a handbag. And the texture it provides is an added bonus.

via

Another alternative to a table or cabinet in the foyer is a bench. A bench creates a cozy feel and can function as a spot to place bags upon entering the house.

via

The Solution:

So for Katie, here’s the recommendation for her foyer:

♦ fill the narrow wall space near the door with a grouping of three art pieces

♦ create a furniture and decor vignette on the long wall

♦ add an area rug for color, pattern and softness

image source unknown

If you are challenged with decorating your foyer, I hope these tips help.

If you have a design challenge, leave a question/comment and I’ll answer your challenge in a future edition of Design Chat.

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

Anatomy of a Vignette

September 10, 2015

A couple of years ago I started a blog series entitled ‘Anatomy Of’ but recently I fell of the wagon and have neglected the series. Today I’m jumping back on the wagon and sharing another installation in the series…The Anatomy Of a Vignette.

The premise behind these blog posts is to share design tips and decorating inspiration for specific parts of your home so you can tackle decorating with confidence.

If you’re not clear on what a vignette is, here’s the formal definition that explains it:

‘Vignette is a short impressionistic scene that focuses on one moment or gives a trenchant impression about a character, idea, setting, or object’

Or in general terms, a vignette is a capsule of items that tell a story, convey a feeling or create an impression.

min lilla veranda

I love creating vignettes when decorating homes because they are one of the best ways to add personality and create visual interest within your decor. Here are a few tips to help you build vignettes around your home and lots of beautiful images to inspire you.

TIP: Layers are key! Vignettes are not just about what the eye sees on the surface but what it sees front, middle and back. Layer and overlap items as you build vignettes to create visual dimension.

TIP: Variety is the spice of life! The items you include in a vignette don’t have to be a perfect match in finish, color or even style. As long as the combination of items feel cohesive the vignette is successful.

TIP: Texture sets the tone! Use items with different finishes to create visual energy within your vignettes. Baskets with metal, wood with ceramic and stone with glass are good combinations.

TIP: Style from top to bottom! When creating vignettes in your home, look at the entire area where the vignette sits and make sure the area above and below is part of the visual statement or is left free and clear.

TIP: Make it personal! One of the best tips I can give you for styling a vignette is to incorporate a few truly personal items into the mix. Photos, travel treasures or collected pieces will always give vignettes a personal feel and make them feel connected to your decor.

edith and evelyn

nell hill

target

pottery barn

a designer’s notebook

Domaine Home

domino

devonrachel

no29design

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Read more of the Anatomy Of series:

Anatomy of Accessorizing A Bathroom

Anatomy of A Linen Closet

Anatomy of Styling A Coffee Table Tray

Anatomy Of A Place Setting

Anatomy Of A Kitchen Island

Anatomy Of Bathroom Windows

FIVE place where round mirrors are ideal!

September 2, 2015

domaine home

When it comes to decorating, some spaces call for a rectangular mirror while others are ideal for round mirrors.

Mirrors as a whole are wonderful to decorate with because of the added dimension and light they add to a room. In addition to that, mirrors can create a sense of space and make a smaller room feel bigger.

I’ve used round and rectangular mirrors as part of my decor but if I had to make a choice, I think I’d choose a round mirror or a square or rectangular any time.

Here’s a look at five places where round mirror are ideal for decorating:

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No. 1 –Round Mirror In The Foyer

A round mirror in the foyer adds an unconventional touch to traditional decor. The curved lines of a round mirror provide a contrast to the straight lines of doorways and stairs and when placed opposite a glass inset door, the mirror enhances the natural light that flows into the space.

my domaine

No. 2 –Round Mirror Over A Nightstand Vanity

If you are using a desk or vanity table as a nightstand, consider a round mirror. Again the round shape provides a visual contrast to the square lines of the furniture and will create a vignette that feels softer and more feminine.

CB2

No. 3 –Round Mirror Over a Mantle

When placed over a mantle, a round mirror creates a open feeling and works when layered with other framed art pieces or decorative objects. Pay close attention to the size of the round mirror you use over the mantle to ensure it has a enough heft and weight to balance the overall scale of the fireplace.

Domanie Home

No. 4 –Round Mirror At The End of A Hallway

Decorating the wall at the end of hallway can be challenging. A mirror is a good option for this space especially if the area doesn’t get a lot of natural light and if the space is compact. The reflection in the mirror will create visual dimension and add visual interest.

Coastal Living Showhouse–Burnham Designs

No. 5 –Round Mirror In A Gallery Wall Display

Since gallery wall displays typically include an abundance of square and rectangular framed art pieces, a round mirror thrown into the mix will give the overall arrangement a more relaxed feel. When using a single mirror in the grouping the mirror can be the focal point and when if you’re using multiple mirrors, go with mirrors in a smaller size so the total wall grouping is the focal point.

the neotraditionalist

Domaine Home

When it comes to shopping for round mirrors, I’ve lucked out and found some great styles at HomeGoods but one of my go-to sources with guaranteed inventory is Wayfair. Here are some of my faves from their site:

Entwined Wall Mirror–$327.80

Devon Wall Mirror -$138.99

Kichler Scallop Wall Mirror–$250.00

Howard Elliot Rex Convex Mirror–$252.00

And for small mirrors, I always shop Target which has a great selection of mirror sets between $24.00 and $39.00.

So when it comes to mirrors, do you stick with traditional rectangular shapes or have you given round mirrors a try?

p.s. this is not a sponsored post, just sharing the sources I love to shop.

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: