Room(s) of The Week

March 23, 2012

Since most of the country is having unseasonably warm weather now, I know that many of you have your outdoor living spaces on your mind. During the warmer months, I love nothing more than to spend time outside with a glass of tea and a stack of magazines. And, I especially love it when the outdoor space I’m in has as much style and flair as an interior room. Check out these fabulous outdoor spaces and a few tips I have on making the most of yours!

I love the idea of using outdoor furniture styles that look as though they are meant for the inside. No longer do you just have to settle for wicker or wicker-like furniture for your outdoor space. This space is stylish, elegant and oozes of comfort.

Look for weather resistant metal tables or how about outfitting a round fire pit with a wood or metal top to create a table. When the fire pit is needed just remove the top and you have instant ambience.
Check on-line specialty stores like Bellacor.com which offers a great selection of outdoor table and floor lamps which have all the style and quality of indoor lighting.
Go bold and bright with your pillows. There’s not better way to energize an outdoor space than with fun and vibrant pillows. I love the selection of indoor/outdoor fabrics from Calico Corners (just a sampling in the photo below).

via Calico Corners

I love the cheery feel that this small but impactful outdoor space has. Bright colors, lots of flowers and a mix of textures add to the personality of this space.

When it comes to flower pots and containers, mix and match. Use a variety of colors, mix metal with ceramic and add pieces with detail.
Garden Stools are one of my favorite outdoor pieces. Not only are they practical but there are so many styles and colors to choose from. Two of my favorite sources for stools are Wisteria and Home Decor Direct. And here are a few of my favorite styles…

Turquoise Cane Pattern Garden Stool–Home Decor Direct

Carved Stool–Wisteria

And finally, every outdoor space needs a beautiful serving tray. I’m loving the large acrylic tray (monogram available) from The Zhush!

Monogrammed Acrylic Trays - Large

And while you’re at it, add in a set of these “oh so cute” acrylic gingham plaid Salad Servers to serve up your spring salad. Also available from The Zhush.

Country Gingham Salad Servers

Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of the warm weather and get your outdoor space together, just in time for the weekend!

Anatomy of a Gallery Wall

March 19, 2012

One of the hottest trends in wall decor of late is the Gallery Wall. Gallery Wall Displays, “a collection of wall decor elements grouped together to create a visual impact” (my definition), are a great for many reasons.

♦ They create a statement that a single piece of artwork sometimes cannot.

♦ Gallery Wall Displays (GWD as we’ll call them from here on out) can cost less than an oversized piece of wall art. When it comes to inexpensive frames think Ikea, Goodwill and flea markets.

♦ GWD can be created to work with any design style based on the frames you use, the elements you frame and how the pieces are hung.

♦ GWD are great for personalizing a home and showcasing images and things you love.

♦ You can “create” a theme with GWD where one may not have existed before.

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Here are a few of my favorite GWD , why they work and what I like about them…

This GWD is the perfect filler for this corner space, creating an intimate vignette on the stair landing. Using narrow frame widths and just two colors of frames, the frames relate to each other. The arrangement plays up the angels created by the handrails and molding.

The theme: Black and white and hand-drawn images.

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To create a slightly more traditional feel with your GWD, frame all your art pieces with a similar size mat. The white mats tie the collection of images together and create visual symmetry. And don’t be afraid to hang art high and low which can make low ceilings feel expansive.

The theme: People and Faces

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For a more eclectic feel use a variety of frame styles and sized. Hanging the pieces in more of a random pattern adds interest and pesonality.

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Here’s another example of an eclectic GWD. A variety of art styles relate to each other in color and also to the decor within the space.

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The beauty of GWD is that just about anything can be used to create the statement. As long as there is a common element like the colors in the art, frame or style the grouping will have a point of view.

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One of my favorite GWD looks is one that combines decorative elements together with functional pieces. This type of gallery wall is great any room in the home.

tip: lay your arrangement out on the floor to determine the position of each piece before you begin hanging

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Gallery wall arrangements don’t have to be hung directly on the wall. You can achieve the same dynamic impact by leaning art on shelves.

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So there you have it, the anatomy of a Gallery Wall. In the end, creativity is all you need to create a GWD in your own home (well, creativity, lots of nails and patience!)

If you’re stressing about creating a gallery wall display, here’s a great tutorial from Brooklyn Limestone and another one from Young House Love!

all image via pinterest

Room of The Week + A Fashion Moment

March 9, 2012

via Decorpad– Room design by Courtney Giles * Photo by Emily Jenkins Followill

I just love that this classically inspired room with just the right amount of contrast and detail. The dark navy walls create a dramatic backdrop for the orange headboard and white bedding. The pattern mixing–buffalo check, chevron, greek key and striping create interest without being overwhelming. The white lamp against the dark wall and dark chest is such a powerful and dramatic statement. This bedroom is such a great example of simple and classic elements brought together to create a beautiful space.

via pinterest

Another great example of dark colors against a white background. So effortless and chic. I’m loving this look!

Have a terrific weekend!

Room Of The Week

March 2, 2012

A Kelly Wearstler design

Dark and sultry, exotic and classic, rich and dramatic….this kitchen is a great example of design pushed to the edge while still maintaining its purpose. While not for everyone, I love the black and charcoal and am visualizing how every color in the rainbow would accentuate this sleek space to perfection!

What to you think….love it or hate it?

The Reason I Do What I Do

February 20, 2012

One of my Door-to-Door e-design clients is in the middle of her room re-design and sent me the most wonderful comment. This is the reason I do what I do!

The starting point….

The inspiration…

The impact of it all…

Shelly,

I painted the back wall of the book cases and I cannot believe how good it looks.

You will never understand how you have changed my life and how you have made me feel about my home again. I love it and feel like it is finally me. Sincerely, I have cried over the changes so please know what this all means to me. You are so talented and I hope you realize the impact you make on people’s lives. Thank you so much!!!

Cindy

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about my design services!

Room Of The Week

February 10, 2012

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For a bedroom to be luxurious, it needs depth, layers, soothing colors, texture, a comforting environment and a touch of glam…everything this stunning bedroom has and more!

p.s. doesn’t that chandelier take your breath away?

The Anatomy of a Foyer

February 9, 2012

Good Design Takes The Most Mundane of Acts—Such As Entering A Room–And Turns It Into An Experience!

I’m working on a design project for a living room, but because of the layout of the room, I also have to give great consideration to the foyer. I’ve been pulling my ideas together and thought it was the perfect time to share a few design tips for decorating foyers.

Whether large or small, the design goals for any foyer should be to Define It, to Personalize It and to Enhance It!

Try Paint

Painting your foyer walls is a great way to define the space while at the same time setting the tone for the rest of your home. I love how the bold orange wall of this foyer plays off the furniture and art that sits within the home. The color captivates you upon entering and will continue to engage you as you move through the home. And, those glass doors, while not for everyone and not workable in every home, help to make the foyer space more intimate. ( I wonder how may times someone has run into that glass??)

Wow them with Wallpaper

If you’re looking to define your foyer in a more stylized way, wallpaper might be the right solution. Wallpaper works great in foyers with a single wall and can provide the visual backdrop that sets this space apart from the rest of the home.

I tend to love a larger, bolder print for a foyer but,

The mix of black and white patterns with a pop of red really give this foyer space a distinct personality.

a smaller scale pattern can be just as effective. When using a patterned wallpaper in your foyer, keep the other elements solid or more toned down and let their shape and design details stand out.

Add Fun Furniture

Walking into a foyer where a “fun” or “unique” piece of furniture has been placed really gives the vibe of that home an exciting feel.

A thrift store furniture piece painted a bold, vibrant color is a good option for a foyer, just as a piece of furniture with lots of architectural details is.

I see this style of table in Goodwill all the time, but imagining it is a bright color gives it a whole new appeal. Or, think about wallpapering the table for an even bolder statement.

I also love the idea of a beautiful chest to define a foyer space.

Designer Tobi Fairley had this piece painted for her foyer and set it against a dynamic black and white floral wallpaper pattern.

If space is at a premium in your home, try a skirted console table in your foyer that offers storage underneath while still keeping things stylish. This is a great option for an open foyer because the boxed in skirt helps to create a visual boundary within the space.

Artful Accessorizing

Just like every other area of your home, accessories can make or break the design impact in your foyer. Be a bit more adventurous and use an eclectic mix of accessories to make the space really personal.

Instead of table lamps, why not opt for floor lamps flanking a console table. I love the simple details of these lamps and the understated color palette for this foyer. Also notice the layering of accessories that make the tabletop visually interesting.

Foyers are a great space to create a gallery wall setup. A mirror combined with artwork or a collection of framed photos will have lots of impact. The stacked art and tall mirror play up the visual height of this foyer while still keeping the space interesting.

Framed family photos are a great way to make your foyer personal and warm. Keep the frames similar for a stronger impression.

I love how this round mirror serves as the focal point of this foyer arrangement and the layered photos and accessories on the tabletop combine to create a beautiful vignette.

Even in a narrow foyer, a small piece of furniture, a long rug and mirrors hung opposite each other help to make this space look larger and more dynamic.

Whether you define your foyer with paint, wallpaper, furniture or wall decor, the result is to create a welcoming environment that makes your guest feel right at home. Be bold, be adventurous and turn your foyer into an experience!

all images via Pinterest

Design Trend: Gold

February 2, 2012

It’s been sneaking up on us, but 2012 appears to be the year that GOLD and BRASS makes a major statement in the worlds of home decor and fashion.

It’s warm, rich, bold, dynamic and always elegant!

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On a personal front, I’ve always incorporated a bit of gold (or brass) into my decor but have shied away when it comes to personal accessories. But, I’m slowly getting on the gold bandwagon and finding that I really like it.