Your Guide For Stylish Living
Have you noticed that surfing Pinterest is kinda like shopping at Costco. You go in for one thing and come up with a cart full of items that weren’t on your list. In the case of Pinterest, one beautiful image leads to another and the next thing you know you’ve been sitting in your chair for hours and your ‘pin it’ finger hurts.
My latest foray into the Pinterest black hole uncovered some really stunning spaces–space that took my breath away.
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One of the things I am always look for on Pinterest are beautiful nightstand images. I love getting a glimpse at a person’s lifestyle and seeing how they style and decorate different areas of their home.
As a designer, I recognize that accessorizing a small, compact area like a nightstand can be more challenging than a larger living area for some people. So today I’m sharing the ingredients for styling your bedside table like pro.
Your bedroom is the most private space in your home and the items you put on your nightstand should be a mix of personal and decorative decor.
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♦ Layers! Unless you take a minimalist approach to decorating, you want to position items to create a layered look. Layers will add the visual interest and help create a dynamic statement with you collection of items. Vary the placement of items on the table surface, front to back and side to side and keep the scale of your lamp in mind when positioning items.
♦ The Mix! This is where style and function meet. Accessorize with items you use on a daily basis (alarm clock, journal/book) along with items that are decorative. Decorative items like small trinket trays, lidded boxes and containers can work as storage AND as a design statement. And personal items like books and picture frames will add a personal feel to the decor on your nightstand.
♦ The Background! Even if you have a wall decor piece hanging over your bed, don’t forget about the wall space directly behind the nightstand. Hanging a mirror or piece of artwork over your bedside table is a great to build up the impact for the overall vignette. You can even lean pieces of art or other flat decor against the wall like I did at Christmas one year to enhance the layered look of your decor.
♦ Softness! A soft element like flowers or greenery can add an air of energy and life to the vignette.
♦ Keep it Fun! And finally, as you go about decorating your nightstand, throw in an unexpected object to add personality and flair.
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In addition to the tips above, I also wanted to serve up some visual inspiration for you. I went virtual shopping at Z Gallerie and put together two inspiration boards that pull all the elements together.
It’s no secret that I one of my favorite color combinations is black, white and gold and Z Gallerie as some beautiful decorative pieces that will work great in a bedroom. This look is bold, dramatic and super chic!
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My current bedroom decor is a black and white theme and I’m working on a summer refresh to incorporate more blue and white. This look is classic, elegant and has a calming feel.
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If there’s one thing you are guaranteed to find in any thrift store you shop at, it’s baskets. There is always a wide array of shapes, sizes and designs to choose from and for just a few dollars you can buy a great decorative accessory for your home. When it comes to decorating with baskets, they are one of the more budget friendly design elements you can incorporate into your home.
Large baskets can be customized with a light kit and turned into stylish lighting. African baskets are ideal for this project because of the beautiful colors and designs they boost. Here’s a great DIY basket light tutorial.
With a collection of flat baskets you can create a really stunning and impactful wall statement. Combine different textures and weave designs to create lots of visual impact.
UpStyle plain storage baskets using paint and use them to hold item all around your house.
Let these beautiful painted pieces inspire you…
During spring and summer, baskets can be used to hold floral stems or branches to add an organic touch to your decor.
Lidded baskets can be stacked to create a unique side table and give your added storage.
Place houseplants in baskets so they blend effortlessly into your decor.
I use baskets all over my house for both storage and as a design statement and consider them one of my essential decorative accessories.
The next time you go thrifting you might want to take another spin down the basket aisle.
The littlest design detail can make or break the overall look of a space, even something as simple and unassuming as switch plate covers.
The perfect solution for walls where you want the gorgeous wallpaper or beautiful paint color to be the star, is to replace those plastic plates with something stylish and chic like acrylic or brass.
I rounded up a few visuals for you and have pulled together a resource list to make shopping easy. When it comes to decorating, this is definitely a project anyone can pull off.
Forbes & Lomax is a London-based business that has been in operation for over 25 years. They recently expanded their business and are now selling their Invisible Lightswitch brand in the US and Canada. Their plate covers are super chic and I love the unique toggle and push button designs they have. You can order a free catalog on their website.
Reprotique is a wonderful online shop I recently came across with the most beautiful Asian and Pagoda styled acrylic and brass switch plate covers. Their covers are not inexpensive but boy are they a statement piece. While you’re on their site, be sure to check out their acrylic light sconces…to die for.
Other resources for acrylic, glass or decorative switch plate covers:
SwitchHits–a full range of glass plate styles to fit all light options along with themes and decorative plate covers including leather.
WallPlateWarehouse–This resource not only carries a full range of acrylic switch plate covers but they also have covers in black, brass, bronze, chrome, copper, stone and wood.
House of Antique Hardware–-This online store sells switch plate covers in different antique design styles like mid-century, industrial, art deco and victorian.
HomeDepot is always a great source when you want to get the look for less.
Shopping for lamps has become a whole lot easier since stores like HomeGoods now sell affordable and stylish table and floor lamps. While most of the lamps they sell are reasonably priced, I recently spotted a collection of Ralph Lauren table lamps at my local HomeGoods store selling for $499. They were gorgeous but definitely not something I expected to see in their store.
If you’re shopping for a single accent lamp versus a pair, you’ll have better luck at the big box stores since many times their assortments are picked over. When I need quality table lamps and want to ensure I’ll find what I’m looking for, I have several sources I turn to.
One of my go-to sources is Lamps Plus. Not only do they have a great selection of styles but they have free shipping and returns on most of their table lamps. When shopping Lamps Plus, you’ll find a wide range of price points, styles and colors to choose from which makes finding your style pretty easy. One thing to note is that many of their basic lamp styles are only sold in pairs which can be good or bad but usually their ‘pairs’ offer a great value.
Another source I shop is Home Decorators. I loved it when they had a store here in Atlanta but shopping from their website is the next best thing. They carry a variety of styles and their prices are good too.
Here’s a round-up of my favorite ceramic table lamps…
♦ I recently used this lamp in a design plan for a master bedroom and the clients loved the look, scale and detail. It’s a great lamp for a dresser and would also work great on a desk. Barbara Cosgrove Mid-Century Ceramic Lamp $129.99
♦ The Adrian Fluted Gourd Lamp {$79.95} is a great style for master bedroom night stands, a foyer table or side tables in a living/family room. The lines are a bit more feminine and the acrylic base gives it a slightly more modern edge.
♦ When it comes to classic gourd lamps, the Robert Abbey Emerald Triple Gourd Lamp is one of the best. It’s a bit more expensive at $299.00 but the design and style make is a classic piece that will last for years. And it’s available in multiple colors.
♦ You all know I love a blue and white lamp and the Amber Table Lamp is a favorite because of the blue and white design but also because of the antique gold accents. This scale is smaller so this lamp is best suited for a desk, vanity top or bar area. $91.00 { Alert–I just spotted a similar lamp at SteinMart which after the additional sale discount was $34}
♦ This classic Set of 2 Lillian Table Lamps is a good value at $248.00 for the set and in addition to the blue and white, it comes in red, black, orange and grey. This table lamp is ideal for side tables, a console table or night stands.
♦ I’m all about a chunky ceramic table lamp and love the silhouette of the Paris Ceramic Lamp. This style is available in 5 softer colors which make it great for a nursery, home office or bedroom. $143.00
♦ Diamond shaped lamps are popular right now partly because of the mid-century and retro decor trend that you’re seeing everywhere. This is a great lamp style for a desk, console table or foyer table. Robert Abbey Delta Brown Tea Ceramic Lamp $211.60 {available in 15 colors}
♦ If you’re looking for a pretty silhouette, then you’ll like the Wells Table Lamp. This lamp is available in a pale blue and soft pink so you know it perfect for a nursery or even a guest bedroom if you want a spa like feel. $195.00
♦ Here’s another classic gourd lamp. Sold as a set of 2, the Pamela Triple Gourd Lamp comes in 5 deep, rich colors including marine blue, Chinese red and fern green. $239.00
If you’re looking for brass lamps, Lamps Plus does carry a selection but I’ve found my best source to be flea markets and antique stores. You can also find lots of vintage lamps on Etsy.
In a couple of weeks I’ll share my favorite floor lamps with you so stay tuned.
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Do you have a favorite lamp source I don’t know about? Leave me a comment and let me in on the secret.
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Have you ever heard the saying that bathrooms and kitchens sell a house? Well, its true and even small bathrooms count when it comes to design whether you’re selling your house now or will be sometime down the road.
Whenever I’m talking to design clients about re-designing a bathroom my focus is always to add as much style as possible into that space. With larger bathrooms that’s pretty easy to do but with a smaller bathroom space it can be more challenging.
Even with limited space, there are lots of things you can do with structurally and decoratively to add major impact to your bathroom.
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The other day I was flipping through some magazines and I started to notice a design trend that appears to be coming back in a strong way–patterned lampshades. While I don’t think patterned lampshades ever went completely out of style, the last few years it’s been all about neutral, white and black shades.
When you look back at the history of patterned lampshades, I think they have gotten a back rap and are associated with old-fashion, dated decor. Given the right setting and in the right pattern, lampshades with a pattern are be a fabulous design accent. If you’re not already, here’s a few inspirational photos to get your on board with this trend…
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If your crafty, you can make your own printed lampshades. Here’s a great tutorial that walks you through all the steps.
You can find patterned lampshades in most home decor stores, this is a great online source with a great selection of patterns. And I recently spotted several really great designs at HomeGoods. To make shopping easy, check out a few of my favorites in stores and online now…
On Monday I’ll be outlining my full list of blog goals for 2016 and one of them is to develop a series called Design Guide. I wrote the first Design Guide series last year, all about sectional sofas. I’ve been so surprised at the response this blog post and pin has gotten and just how many people are struggling with sectional sofa decorating. I receive emails weekly (4 this week alone) from people who’ve found the blog post and want additional decorating tips for their sectional.
The Design Guide series will fulfill my desire to share my design knowledge with you so that you can decorate your home with confidence. If there is a design topic you’d like me to write about just leave me a comment below.
Today’s post is the first installment of the Design Guide series for 2016 and it’s all about the key measurements you need to know when decorating. Before you jump into the guide, let me say that while these measurements are ideal in most situations, they won’t work in others. Every home is different and every design layout and plan requires some adjustments so keep that in mind as you read through the guide. Your home needs to work for you and your family so make adjustments where they are needed, so they will work for your decor.
♦ Allow 36″ – 48″ of space between the back of each dining chair and the wall or furniture behind it to so chairs can be pulled in and out with ease.
♦ The distance between the top of the table and the chair seat should be about 12″. To determine the best seat height for your table, take the height of your table and subtract 12 inches. Example: A 30″ high dining table (standard height) works best with chairs with a seat height of 18″ (30″-12=18″).
♦ For comfortable dining chairs, look for chairs with a seat depth of between 16″ and 18″.
♦ For rectangular dining tables, allow a minimum of 24″-28″ of table length per person and keep in mind the width of the chair seat may impact the space needed for each place setting at a table.
♦ 18″ is the ideal distance you want between the couch and the coffee table.
♦ Walkways between furniture and walls should be at minimum 36″ to allow for easy movement in all directions.
♦ The ideal amount of space you should allow between two chairs placed side by side in the living room is 42″. A standard size side table will easily fit between the two chair.
♦ The height difference between an end of table and the top of a sofa arm should be 1-2″.
♦ When hanging artwork over a sofa or another piece of furniture, leave 5″- 9″ of space between the top of the sofa/furniture and the bottom of the art. You want to have some separation between the two elements.
♦ When hanging an art grouping above a sofa or piece of furniture, the grouping should be approximately 2/3 the width of the furniture below it. Your goal is for the artwork to be balanced (not too large or too small) with the element below it.
♦ For a single piece of art, the center of the image should be at 56″ – 60″ from the floor, which places the middle of art at eye level. Naturally if the entire family is extra tall or short, you can and should adjust the art so it feels comfortable for viewing.
♦ When hanging multiple pieces of artwork in a stacked layout above a piece of furniture, handle the art as if it was a single, larger piece. The space between the top and bottom piece of artwork should fall at 56″ to 60″.
♦ For symmetrical gallery wall displays, hang wall decor pieces about 2-3″ apart. For asymmetrical and artistic layouts, arrange the wall decor so it’s pleasing to you. Keep in mind you want the overall arrangement to feel balanced top to bottom and left to right.
♦ It’s always a good idea to hang drapery rods as high as possible above window casing/trim which will make your room and windows feel taller and more expansive. A good rule of thumb for the average window is to mount the rods 5″ to 10″ above the trim.
♦ The trend today is for window treatments to skim the floor. Letting your drapes puddle on the floor is matter of preference and tends to look best in more formal environments.
♦ To give the impression of wider windows extend the drapery rod 6″ to 12″ beyond the window casing not counting the length of a finial is you are using one.
♦ Many people hang curtain panels for decorative purposes only. If you want your drapes to be functional, your panels should be 2 to 3 times the width of the window. You can have custom drapes made in the appropriate width or you can hang multiple off the shelf panels together to achieve your desired width.
♦ The bottom of the chandelier should hang between 30″ – 34″ above the surface of the table for ceilings that are between 8′ and 9′ high. Higher ceilings will require the light fixture to be hung higher, approximately 3″ for every additional foot of ceiling height.
♦ Height–the higher the ceiling, the taller the chandelier. The rule of thumb is 2.5-3 inches for each foot of ceiling height. A standard 8-foot ceiling will accommodate a chandelier that is 20-24 inches in height.
♦ Diameter–add the height and the width of the room space together. Treat that sum as inches, and you have the suggested diameter of the chandelier for that room. For example, if the room is 20-feet by 18-feet, the sum is 38 feet. The approximate diameter of the chandelier should be 38 inches.
♦A chandelier should be hung in the center of a foyer or entryway.
♦If your foyer has a window above the door, the chandelier should be centered in the window so that it can be seen from the outside of the home.
♦If an entryway is two stories tall, the chandelier shouldn’t hang below the second floor.
♦ A fixture hung in an open space like a foyer should hang approximately 7′ above the floor.
♦ The standard distance between a kitchen island and a pendant light (top of counter to bottom of light fixture) is 30 to 36 inches. Adjust the height to ensure the view across the island is not obstructed.
♦ To determine the fan size that’s most appropriate for your space (fans are sized by the number of inches that their blades span), first determine the square feet of your room by multiplying the room’s length by its width. Then use these suggested guidelines:
For rooms up to 75 sq ft, choose a 29″ – 36″ fan
For room 76 to 144 sq ft, choose a 36″ – 42″ fan
For rooms 145 to 225 sq ft, choose a 44″- 48″ fan
For rooms 225 to 400 sq ft, choose a 48″- 54″ fan
For rooms over 400 sq ft, choose a fan that is 54″ or larger
For large great rooms, a fan as large as 72″ may be appropriate
If the room is over 400 sq ft, consider using two fans
♦ Rugs under a dining room table should be at least 24-30″ wider and longer than the table, allowing the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug even when the chairs are pushed out.
Here’s an easy guide to follow:
♦ Area rugs under a bed should extend at least 18-24″ beyond each side of the bed. Also note you can place runners at each side of the bed as an alternative to a full area rug and runners can be placed along the side or at the foot of the bed.
♦ For standard size living, family there should be between 12″ – 24″ of bare floor between the edges of the area rug and the walls of the room. Smaller rooms should have between 6″-10″ of bare floor exposed.
♦ In living and family rooms, the rug should be larger enough so that the front legs of furniture sit on the rug.
♦ Allow 20″ to 28″ inches for leg clearance below a desk and the seat height of the chair should be 14″-18″ with your feet flat on the floor.
♦ Bookshelves that are used to hold books, including oversized art books should have depth of at least 15″.
♦ For optimal viewing, size your TV based on its distance from the sofa. To get the minimum screen size in inches, divide the viewing distance by 3; for the maximum, divide by 1.5. Already have a TV? Use these guidelines to position your couch. Aim for a 15- to 20-degree viewing angle to the center of the screen.
♦ Always measure your rooms, ceiling height and doorways before you go shopping for furniture to ensure pieces will fit through doors and in their planned space.
These measurements will get your started on a solid design plan for your home.
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