Summer Bedroom Refresh–Chinoiserie Inspired

June 17, 2016

I’ve been thinking about giving our bedroom a refresh for a while now and I think I’m going to pull the trigger.

This is the current look of the bedroom–a mix of wood, black & white accents and pops of color.

My love affair with blue and white has me thinking of a look that incorporate navy, black, white and pops of color.

Here’s the Chinoiserie Inspired inspiration board I came up with…

Since the black armoire and chair will be staying, I need to find a duvet cover that can tie the navy and black together. About a month ago I spotted a Ralph Lauren set at HomeGoods but decided to pass on it. Now I can’t get it out of my mind. I’ve been searching for it again but so far I have only found it in a king size and we need a queen. The pattern is called Tamarind and I did find it on Amazon (more expensive) so if I don’t have any luck at HomeGoods I have another option.

When it comes the accessories, I’m planning to change the black drapes to a dark navy and I’m looking at this pink pillow…

and some chinoiserie inspired artwork from Etsy.

And of course I’ll incorporate some blue and white ceramic pieces into the mix.

As always things may change before it’s all said and down but I’m excited to create a fresh new look for our space.

Style Your Nightstand–Tips & Inspiration

June 15, 2016

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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When it comes to pulling your items together, keep these style tips in mind:

♦ 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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Nightstand Styling Inspiration

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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Shop the Black & Gold Nightstand Vignette:

Devon Table Lamp // Rey Mirror // Allium Sphere

Camille Tray // Acropolis Frame // Sawyer Nightstand // Emila Canisters // Chanel Book

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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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Shop the Blue & White Nightstand Vignette:

Let Me Go Artwork // Addison Table Lamp // York 3-Drawer Nightstand //Acropolis Bookends // Charles Table Clock

Gold Elephant Jewelry Dish //Glow Candle // Potted Phalaenopsis

Surround yourself with things you love!

Fashion Trend: Seed Bead Jewelry

June 13, 2016

I’ve been making jewelry ever since I was a kid. After I got the hang of it, I tried my hand at making a necklace using seed beads. #majorfail In fact if you were to look through my jewelry supply box today, you’d see an entire case of seed beads that I’ve collected over the years.

via anthropologie

If you’re not familiar with seed beads, they are the tiny beads you see on those popular tassel earrings everyone is wearing, those beads on decorative pillows and the ones on those trendy summer tunic tops that are in all the stores.

via boston proper

Even though they are tiny, seed beads are great because of the intricate designs and beautiful color combinations they create.

During Spring New York Fashion week, I noticed seed bead jewelry as part of several designer runway shows and I’m glad to know that this jewelry style has become a hot trend. One day I may pull out my stash of seed beads and try making a necklace again but until then I think I’ll shop for some seed bead jewelry.

SHOP MY FAVORITE SEED BEAD JEWELRY STYLES:

1) Piñata Tassel Drop Earrings–$36.00 2) Seedbead Necklace–$18.00

3) Seedbead Bracelet–$16.50 4) Majorca Lariat Seed Bead Necklace–$48.00

5) Kyla Earrings ––$25.00 6) Orange Beaded Earrings–$16.00

7) Danita Cuff–$49.00 8) Zoey Clip On Earrings–$35.00

Etsy is another great source for handmade seed bead jewelry and Biulu Artisan Boutique has one of the best selections of intricate designs I’ve ever seen. The shop sells necklaces, bracelets, earrings along with complete jewelry sets. Each piece is handmade in western Mexico and the designs are inspired by many Native American groups including Iroquois, Cherokee, Aztec, Maya and Inca.

I also loved reading the story of how this shop started, how the business has grown and now supports many of the people in their community. You can read the Biulu story here.

So who else out there loves the look of seed bead jewelry?

Budget Decorating: Basket Decor

June 9, 2016

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.

BASKET DECOR

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.

{it’s easy to paint baskets to create a colorful mix}

UpStyle plain storage baskets using paint and use them to hold item all around your house.

Let these beautiful painted pieces inspire you…

{painted basket DIY here}

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.

image source: 1) Lonny 2) unknown 3) hgtv 4) Natalie Fuglestveit Interior Designs 5) Completely Coastal 6) Tracery Interiors 7) Far & Wide 8) The Inspired Room 9) Completely Coastal 10) BHG 11) Top This Top That

DIY Toile Tablecloth (and a Giveaway)

June 7, 2016

I saw it…I admired it…and then I decided to make it!

One day when I was surfing through the Neiman Marcus website, I spotted a beautiful green and white toile tablecloth. It had everything going for it except the price ($$$). I continued to search for more budget friendly options but the only color I found at the price I wanted to pay was blue and white.

Well, the universe must have been hearing my cries because just about the time I was going to settle for a blue and white tablecloth, Cutting Edge Stencils contacted me and asked if I wanted to review one of their stencil designs. A quick review of their collection and I said YES. They had the perfect toile stencil so I could make my own toile tablecloth and save lots of money. Plus I always love a good craft challenge.

♦ DIY Toile Tablecloth ♦

white tablecloth with a vibrant green paint color

you know I love chinoiserie

of course I had to style the table using some of my blue and white pieces

a fun accent color makes it even merrier

lots of vintage, thrifted and budget friendly treasure to give the table even more personality

So what do you think? Pretty darn cute if I may say so myself.

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If you’ve never given stenciling a try, I urge you to do it. It’s easy and a great way to create custom decor for your home. Making my tablecloth took just a couple of hours and a few supplies. Here’s how…

Supply list:

White Tablecloth –It’s best to get a 100% cotton or cotton blend which will allow the paint to absorb better

Secret Garden Toile Stencil (if toile isn’t your look, there are tons of designs to choose from)

Foam paint roller

Acrylic Paint –I used Anita’s acrylic paint in Christmas Green and purchased 2 of the large size bottles

Textile Medium–creates a soft, flexible and washable paint surface

Painters Tape, Spray Adhesive, Plastic paint tray or disposable paper plate

Gather your supplies and lay the tablecloth out on a smooth, firm surface. I used my dining room table and placed a plastic drop cloth under the white tablecloth to protect the table surface.
To ensure a clean paint application, use spray adhesive on the back of your stencil to prevent any paint bleeding. Spray the back of the stencil, let it sit for a few minutes and then place the stencil onto the tablecloth, starting in the upper right corner.
Mix 2 parts paint with 1 part textile medium and pour paint onto the disposable plate.
Coat your roller with paint and then roll the roller on the paper towel to remove most of the paint. You want the roller to have very little paint on it when you begin to reduce paint bleed.
Paint over the stencil–you may need to go over the stencil 2 or 3 times to get the depth of color you want.
Let the stencil sit for just a minute and then remove it. Move your stencil and repeat the process until you’ve covered the entire tablecloth.

Once my tablecloth was painted, I decided to add a decorative trim along the edge and added a canary yellow woven gimp I purchased on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I love the pop of color!

I’m thrilled with how my Toile Tablecloth turned out and will definitely to enjoy using it year round.

Now it’s your turn to get in on the stencil fun. Cutting Edge Stencils is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one of my readers. Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer : This is a sponsored post but all ideas and opinions are 100% my own.

Design Guide: Curtains 101

June 3, 2016

Every designer knows that a good pair of curtains can transform the look and feel of a room. Like accessories, curtains add color, pattern, texture and personality. Curtains can also enhance a space, giving the illusion of height, visually expanding the size of a window and enhancing the way light flows into a room.

Selecting a curtain style and pattern is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to adding drapes to your decor. Measuring for the right size and hanging your drapes in the correct way will make all the difference in how the curtains look and function in your room. Here’s your design guide for curtain decor…

MEASURE

The appropriate placement for window treatments is for them to hang above and outside the window frame.

WIDTH: The best placement for a curtain rod is to have the brackets sit outside the window frame. Anywhere from 10 to 12 inches beyond the window frame will work in most homes however you can place the brackets wider is you have a small window and want to give the impression that it’s wider.

To create fullness with your drapes, double the width of the panels for custom drapes or hang two panels together for off-the-shelf drapes. Sheer curtains will require more fabric width to create a sense of fullness.

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LENGTH: To draw the eyes upward and to give visual height to a room, add 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. Or, you can measure halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling.

To determine what length panels you need, measure from the floor up to where you plan on hanging the rod, then round-up to the closest panel size. You can always hem curtains that are too long but you have not options is the curtain panels are too short.

The trend for drapery panels is for them to ‘kiss’ or skim the floor. This look is classic and will work in more decor settings. For a more casual feel, you can allow the drapes to pool slighting on the floor (2 to 3 inches). If you want real drama, you can allow the drapes to puddle 4 to 6 inches on the floor but this length is not recommended for drapes that will be opened and closed on a daily basis (or if you have cats) 🙂

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THE DETAILS

The curtain rod and finials you choose for your home will add to the overall decor of your room. Think of these pieces like you do jewelry to an outfit and select a style that works with the style of your room. No matter what your price-point or style you needs, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for at big box stores or through catalogs. Here are some of my go-to sources:

Wayfair–a wide range of items including double curtain rods and decorative finials.

Ikea–a great source for inexpensive, basic rod styles, clips and finials. Also a great source for budget-friendly curtain panels.

Home Depot–this super store has a great selection rods and finials including Traverse Rods which are built on a track system and allow you to easily open and close curtain panels.

Restoration Hardware–I love their selection of classic rod styles especially their brass collection.

Lux Hold Ups–this Etsy shop specializes in acrylic rods and has some really chic curtain rings.

Another thing to consider when look at drapes for your home is the style of top treatment. Here’s a visual guide from Live Journal…

image via

While not all rooms call for window treatments, most rooms will benefit from the style, texture and visual impact that drapes will add to a space.

Summer Must-Haves–My Shopping List

June 2, 2016

Summertime and the living is easy!

I loving this beautiful weather we’re having. I trying to soak up every minute of these low humidity days because I know that in no time flat it will be hot, humid and sticky outside. A couple of weeks ago I purged my closet and organized it for the warmer months. I’ve also been doing the same with my decor. After all the organizing was done I made a shopping list for a few new things I ~~needed~~ wanted to help me usher in summer.

If you know me, you know I love colorful earrings, especially during the summer. I’ve got my eyes on these Baha Drop Earrings which happen to have two of my favorite summer colors in them–turquoise and orange.

I’ve had this book, It’s Not How Good You Are on my reading list for a while now and just picked it up to take on the cruise we have planned later this summer. I always enjoy inspirational reads when we travel because my mind is more relaxed and I can really absorb the content.

My favorite candle scent of all times is gardenia and this Gardenia Scented Candle is what I’m burning right now in my office. I wish you could scratch your screen and enjoy this amazing scenes with me.

I’ve never met a handbag I didn’t like and this Boho Clutch is not only colorful and cute, it’s only $9.99! The perfect piece for a weekend or to throw in a larger summer tote like the one below.

Target has some really, really fabulous tote bags right now and this classic Straw Tote with Tassel is perfect of all my summer activities. Available in 4 colors.

I spotted this Acrylic Monogram Bracelet when I was shopping for earrings and think it’s perfect for my summer wardrobe.

I started wearing readers a few years ago and have been on the hunt for reader sunglasses. My favorite reading eyewear company, Peepers has a great selection of sunglasses and great prices and these tortoise Reader Sunglasses are my fave.

I already own 3 pair of Converse sneakers and just ordered these adorable Converse Crochet Sneakers. They’re also available in navy.

I think I found the perfect dessert spoons for summer, Floral Dessert Spoons from One Kings Lane.

I rarely shop at Old Navy but popped in over the Memorial Day weekend because they were having a great sale. I bought these Stripped Linen Pants ($20) which just scream summer to me. Also available in a cropped length which would be really cute with your crocheted sneakers.

The 60-30-10 Color Rule

May 27, 2016

How confident are you when it comes to decoration with color? Like many people, this might be one area of decorating that you find challenging but don’t worry because there’s a simple design formula that can decorating with color easier.

The 60-30-10 decorating rule is a tried and true method to help pull together the color theme for a room. The rule relates to how colors should be proportioned within room to achieve a balanced and harmonious feel within the space.

The 60-30-10 color rule is really simple for anyone to apply, even the novice decorator. Here’s how it works…

60%

The main color you selected for a space should represent 60% of the color within the room. In a family room the 60% would be represented by the wall color, large decorative pieces like a rug and in some cases the larger furniture pieces like a sofa. The 60% color should serve as the dominant impact in the room and anchor the space.

30%

The 30% should be represented by the secondary color within the room and have half the impact and presence as the main color. In a family room secondary color can come from the drapes, accent furniture or even artwork. In a bedroom, the secondary colors can represented through the bed linens or smaller accent rugs. The goal is to have the secondary color (30%) be an accent and enhance the main color (60%) within the room while adding to the overall personality of the space.

10%

10% of your color within a room should be represented by accent colors. In a family room setting your accessories will provide your accent–decorative pillows, tabletop decor and smaller pieces of artwork and lighting. In a bedroom the accent colors will come from the pillows, lamps and nightstand accessories. The accent colors that represent 10% of the overall color palette should be pulled from your drapes, area rug and larger upholstered pieces so that the overall color theme ties together.

Here are a couple of examples showing the 60-30-10 color rule in use…

Using the 60-30-10 color rule can make choosing color simple, and help you achieve balance in decorating.

Finding the right color balance within a room can be challenging but if you follow the general principles of the 60-30-10 color rule you’ll be able to create a color theme for any room in your home with confidence. And if an abundance of color is what you love, follow your gut and decorate fearlessly like actress Mindy Kaling did in her home office below.