Best of Etsy: FOXY Gift Guide
Last year it was the Owl. This year the icon of the fall and holiday season is the FOX! Target made a big statement with fox merchandise for the holiday season and it seems to be selling quickly. Hum, wonder if it has anything to do what that song that is topping the music charts?
t-shirt available at Target (men’s dept)
I happen to love all the fox products the stores are selling but wondered what great hand-made or vintage fox items we available on Etsy. So, I do what I do best and went shopping for you. I rounded up my favorite fox themed items and are bringing them to you in the first of my Holiday Gift Guides!
Enjoy and stay foxy!
Fox Ring / Fox Bookends / Fox Journal
Fox Gift Tags / Fox T-shirt
Fox Pillow / Fox Gift Wrap / Fox Glasses
Design Trend: Malachite
Ever since Pantone named Emerald Green as the 2013 color of the year we’ve seen this gorgeous shade of green everywhere. One of the classic renditions of emerald that has gained popularity in the home décor market over the past couple of years is Malachite. With a base of emerald green, malachite is a swirly mix of emerald, dark blue and black creating a random pattern that has lots of movement and depth. A malachite finish to me is best when paired with white, gold and black, and when combined with bold and vibrant colors.
In looking for some design ideas using malachite, I came across some great images and a really awesome diy project creating this finish. If you’re not already in love with emerald green or malachite, these photos just might change your mind.
This malachite console table is a stunning piece and really adds drama to this all white space.
Love these drapes!!!
And love the pop of magenta with the green.
Even a little touch of malachite in the form of a tray can make a statement, especially when it’s an easy diy project.
Malachite is a fairly traditional look but it pairs really well with more modern elements.
How about malachite fabric shades? Pretty chic!
The green malachite lamp is pretty hot and would be an easy DIY project.
photo source
A malachite pillow…what a great way to add a little drama to a classic chair. Here’s a good source for malachite fabric at only $18 a yard!
There are so many ways you could add malachite to your décor but this Faux Malachite DIY Desk by Jenny from Little Green Notebook has to by my favorite.
Isn’t this just amazing! I can’t believe she achieved this finish with a little paint and paint brushes.
If you want to try your hand at DIYing here’s an easy how-to for a Malachite box.
I’m loving Malachite so much that I created an inspiration board using a Malachite pillow as the jumping off point.
Artwork / Pillow / Chaise / Rug / Tables / Vase / Lamp
While I don’t think malachite is for everyone, I do think that emerald green will be a color that has a lasting impact on fashion and décor.
Do you like malachite or is a simple pop of emerald more your style???
If you’d like help creating the home of your dreams, contact me about my design services.
Room Of The Week: Perfect Pops of Color
An all white room brought to life with the perfect pops of color!
When I look at this room, I see the different finishes used on the ceiling (high gloss) and walls (flat) and how that slight variation makes the architectural details stand out. I love the lighter finished floors and how that same wood tone is repeated as an accent in the area rug, tray and green pillow, giving it more impact. The mix of materials (tables, ottoman, lamp) fill this space with personality. And, there’s no better way to add interest to neutral furniture than to add colorful and artistic pillows.
I’d call this a refined space full of fun!
Best of Etsy: Fall Finds
Sorry I was MIA yesterday. Our little road trip and visit with family had me somewhat preoccupied. The trip was nice, despite the fact that I totally under-estimated the weather (62 degrees) and had to stop by the nearest mall to pick up a few cold weather items.
Since I’m officially in a Fall state of mind, I’ve pulled together some fabulous finds from Etsy for you to enjoy.
Faceted Glass Acorn with bead cap–WhysperFairy Fall Paper Wreath–SimpleJoysDecor Handpainted Fall Leaves Gourd Bowl–NatsKreations Knitted Fall Scarves–CraftsbyManuella Felt Handbag–SusanbFlanagan Fingerless Gloves–EweniqueEssentials Upholstered Fall Leaves Chair–RubbishRehab Autumn Accent Pillow Cover–Pillowville Cardinal Stationery Note Cards–FionaDesigns Fall Flower Necklace–WickedRubyAccessories–The Key Ingredient
In the process of setting up my home design office, I came across the handouts I created for the design workshops I conducted in my store.
As I looked through the files, I found a handout for a workshop entitled The Ten Decorative Accessories Every Home Needs. This was one of my most popular workshops, and reading through the material reminded me just how important accessories are to the overall feel of a room.
via My Home Ideas
With the re-decorating of my master bedroom in full swing, I know I need to accessorize the right way, in order to achieve the look and feel I want. So, as a friendly reminder to myself, and a bit of inspiration for you, here is a condensed version of my workshop….THE TEN DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES EVERY HOME NEEDS!
Just like a recipe, every design plan has key ingredients that are needed to make a complete design statement. Without these key ingredients, the recipe or design of your room will not hold together. While not every room in your home will incorporate the essential accessory items, most should!
1. Picture Frames–Whether you hang them on the wall or use them on tabletop surfaces, frames are a great way to personalize a space. As a general rule of thumb, I always like to use frames of the same color, but vary the shapes and sizes for visual interest. Uniformity of color will give your photo arrangements more impact.
via Easy Peasy Chic
2. Baskets–Nothing breaks up the flow of a well designed space more than clutter. And, baskets are a great way to contain clutter. Use baskets to hold the things you use on a daily basis, while providing a decorative statement and a touch of texture to your space.
via My Home Ideas
I must admit, I am the basket queen. I use them in every room, and especially like lidded styles so my “stuff” is hidden.
via Inspiring Interiors
3. Greenery–It doesn’t matter whether you are a “faux” or “real” greenery person as long as you use greenery as a decorative element when you decorate. Not only does greenery provide an element of nature, but it also provides visual softness to a space. And remember, if you’re not a plant persons, flowers can substitute for greenery any day.
Cottage Living via Cozy Cottage Cute
4. Books–The wonder accessory! Books are such an easy, practical and stylish way to accessorize your home. I love the personality that books add to a room and the subtle structure they can give to a bookshelf or tabletop. Stack ’em high or stack ’em love, leave them raw or cover them in a beautiful paper!
Books also serve as the perfect riser upon which to display a decorative object.
via Tobi Fariley
via All Things Home
5. Pillows–One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to add style to your bed or furnishings is via pillows. When decorating with pillows, grouping different shapes, patterns and/or textures will provide the most visual impact.
Coastal Living via My Home Ideas
via Trendszine
Elle Decor via Decor Pad
Quick tip: If you sew and want to make pillows quick, try using decorative dinner napkins as your shell. They are already square and many measure 12″ x 12″ , the perfect size for a small accent pillow.
6. Blankets & Throws–The perfect layering element. To really make a room come to life, you need to incorporate layers throughout the space. A throw draped over a sofa back or chair arm is a great way to add layers within your decor. Use a bold accent color or one that has a wonderful texture to bring your space to life.
Check out the pattern mixing going on in this room…Lovely!
7. Artwork–Every home needs wall decor/artwork to give a sense of personalization and visual interest for the eye. To achieve a stylish and eclectic look, mix traditional framed art with 3-dimensional wall decor or mirrors.
via Decor Pad
8. A Unique Furniture Piece—While most rooms have a defined style, every room needs an unexpected element to make it stand out. A unique piece of furniture (the shape, the color, the material) will give your space character and sass!
I love the use of oversized accent tables as night stands in a bedroom.
via House Beautiful
9. Candles–Candles are luxurious, provide ambience, add light, infuse scent and are mood enhancing. Using scented candles in your home will engage all your senses and create a feeling of relaxation.
via Coastal Living
10. Great Lighting–Nothing makes a room feel sad more than a lack of lighting or the wrong lighting. When it comes to decorating, position lights in three corners of the room, so that the space can function well and provides a warm wash of light over the entire space. And, don’t think your light fixtures all have to match–mixing styles will make your room feel more vibrant and stylized.
via Decor Pad
via Decor Pad
Remember, when it comes to decorating your home, the big picture definitely counts, but it’s the details that really matter!
Do you have a favorite accessory item?
LETTER PERFECT
Having worked in the fashion and home decor industry for over 25 years, I have seen both the best and worst of what the design industry has to offer. With so much product being mass-produced these days, it is hard to find an item that is truly unique and special, with a distinct style. While surfing on Etsy.com the other day, I came across some wonderful handmade pillows that made me stand up and take notice. While the concept of pillows themselves is not all that unique, it’s the button application that the designer Peggy creates on her pillows that makes them standout. After leaving a long career in television news production, Peggy started her hand-made pillow line, Letter Perfect Designs in 2007. Her love for fabrics and buttons comes through in her unique designs and application. Here are a few of my favorite designs from Peggy. You can check out more of Peggy’s work on Etsy.com , and contact her directly to have a custom pillow made just for you. How Splendid!