Backyard Bash | Summer Soiree Blog Hop

July 19, 2018

Summer is here and that can only mean one thing…it’s time to do some outdoor entertaining! Today I’m joining 5 of my blogging buddies for a Summer Soiree Backyard Bask and you’re invited to the party. We had a blast with the Spring Soiree virtual progressive dinner, we decided a summer blog hop was in order.

Entertaining during the summer can be so much fun and a progressive dinner makes it even better because the meal prep is spread across all the party hosts. As you party hop, not only do you get to enjoy everyone’s decor but you also enjoy a different menu at each house. Nothing like delicious food + stylish decor to create the perfect party atmosphere.

The menu below shows the courses and the hosts for our Summer Soiree Backyard Bash so sit back as we get this party started.

Summer Soiree Virtual Progressive Dinner Party

The first stop for our progressive dinner kicks off with cocktails at my house. When it comes to summer cocktails, I enjoy a drink that is light, refreshing and a little fruity. Today I’m serving up a Strawberry Lemon Mojito which checks all the boxes.

So that everyone can mix and mingle in the comfort of air conditioning, I set up my cocktail bar indoors. I created a little “make and shake station” on my sideboard and used my tiered bar table to hold my blue & white ice bucket, other beverage options and glassware.

To play off the color and pattern used in the invitation, I dressed my sideboard with a blue plaid runner and yellow decor and flowers as an accent color. I used mostly white serving pieces for a crisp pop of color and a few wicker elements to create that summer vibe.

Learn how I made the ice bucket here.

Now that I have my bar set, I want to share a few tips to help you with your party next party…

Cocktail Party Tips:

Use the colors and theme of the party invitation as inspiration for your decor.
Break traditional cocktail rules and Mix and match your glassware to give your party an eclectic feel.
Include a few nibbles on the bar and around the room so guests have something to snack on and to ensure no one is drinking on an empty stomach.
Use decorative bowls to hold drink garnish and add style to your bar.
Frame the drink recipe so guests know what ingredients are in the signature cocktail.
Have non-alcoholic beverages available for those guests that don’t drink alcohol.

I’m sending you off to Tamrya’s house for appetizers but before you go, download the Strawberry Lemon Mojito Cocktail Recipe so you can enjoy it at your next summer bash.

And be sure to follow the party and stop by each participating blogger for more entertaining and menu ideas…

Cocktails with ConfettiStyle (that’s me)

Appetizers with Positively Southern

Tablescape Decor with Atta Girl Says

Main Course with M. Jones Style

Dessert with Viva La Vintage For Your Home

Hostess Gift & Party Favors with Home On Poplar Creek

Design Chat: Small Living Room Design Plan

July 18, 2018

Hi friends. You might have noticed that it’s been pretty quiet around the blog lately. I was at the Atlanta Gift and Furniture show all last week and the blog took a back seat to work.

I’m back and have a new Design Chat post for you today. If you’re not familiar with my Design Chat series, it’s where I help one of my readers with a design challenge they are facing. Today, I’m helping Ulochi with a decor plan for her living room.

Here’s the message that Ulochi sent me…

Hello, I bought a remodeled mid-century ranch and with these old homes, the layouts can be “interesting”. For instance, the living room is driving me nuts. Its rectangular and small, with a picture window. Even the TV placement is a hassle. I want to add plants or standing art but I have to fool-proof it from my 8 month old daughter. The home has an ‘urban farmhouse’ feel with elements like barn doors and shutters. I bought a tufted gray large sectional and it makes me want to do something romantic and cozy. I can’t seem to find a way to design this space and make it feel like home. Please help.

Here’s a photo of the living room, facing the front door…

and a couple of different angles looking into the room...

and a view of the wall space that anchors the sofa.

Decorating small rooms can definitely be challenging so before I share my design suggestions for Ulochi’s living room, here are a few tips for small space decorating.

SMALL SPACE DECORATING TIPS:

Don’t be afraid to use larger scale furniture in a small space. Larger furniture will actually make the room feel bigger than it is. With that said, do pay attention to how furniture would fit in a room and it might impact the traffic flow in and out of a space.
Small spaces often times lack much architectural or visual detail so create your own by painting one wall in an accent color. The furthest wall in the room is a good option because it will draw the eye into the space and actually make the visually recede, creating more depth.
Hang curtains on the wall with the rod as high as possible to make the ceiling appear taller.
Add decorating elements in the room that create visual height and width like bookcases and artwork. And when selecting artwork, don’t shy away for large pieces will can create a focal point within the room.
Create an interesting accessory mix so the eye has lots of pretty things to look at around the room, taking the focus off of the size of the room.
Make sure there is sufficient lighting in the room. Lighting enhances a space and there should be multiple lighting options within a room.

Ok, here’s one more look at Ulochi’s living room…

Design Plan:

The room really needs some finishing touches to create the romantic and cozy vibe the Ulochi wants. The first thing I could recommend is painting the back wall in a soft aqua color like Benjamin Moore Heavenly Blue. The color will work great with the grey sofa and keeps the room feeling light and airy.

Then I’d add a few accent furniture pieces and decor to bring the room to life. All of the pieces I’m recommending for this space are from Wayfair, Target and Pier One and this entire look is less than $900.

Design Plan Details:

Sawhorse Ladder Bookcase from Wayfair–leaning bookshelves are a good space-saving option that still provides for storage and display space. Ulochi can place plants on the higher shelves so they will be out of the reach of her daughter. The lower shelves can be use to decorative accessories and books. And a basket on the bottom shelf will provide concealed storage and add texture to the room.
A round coffee table like this Carolyn Coffee Table from Wayfair will help to visually break up all of the rectangular shapes in the room and anchor the sectional. A round coffee table also makes it easier to move around the seating area in a small room.
The Dmitry End Table, also from Wayfair will anchor one side of the sofa and provide an additional surface for someone to use. I recommend a light grey finish to provide visual contrast to the stained wood floors and furniture.
Right now the only light source in the room is the overhead ceiling light. The Adesso Hamilton Floor Lamp placed behind the end table will provide additional lighting and add an element of visual height.
The wall opposite the window is an ideal spot for a piece of artwork. The goal would be to create visual impact and that can be done with one larger piece of art or a grouping that reads as one statement. With the fabric and furniture colors, I think the Watercolor Poppy 1 art from Wayfair would be dynamic. This piece is available in several sizes and also had a coordinating mate if someone wanted two pieces of art.
The finishing touch beyond accessories would be pillows. Pier 1 has a great selection of pillows to fit the color story I’m building. I choose the Textured Striped Mineral Pillow along with the Luxe Velvet Mineral Blue pillow for the sofa. Pairing a solid and stripe are a great balance with the floral art.

When it comes to shopping for accessories, there are so many some great options for budget friendly decor. In addition to Pier 1, Wayfair and Target, here are a few of my favorite stores to shop for decor:

ACCESSORY RESOURCE LIST:

Kirkland’s has lots of options that will fit a farm-house decor theme and it’s also a great resource for artwork and bookcase accessories.
HomeGoods is a given when shopping for bookcase decor. I love their selection of trays, vases and decorative objects. And it always pays off to take a stroll through the pillow aisle.
I recently discovered that At Home has a great pillow department. Even though lots of their pillows don’t have down inserts, many of the cases have zip closures so it’s easy to change the insert out. I also like their selection of inexpensive accessories.

Ulochi has a great foundation started for her living room and with a few additional pieces and some accessorizing, she’ll have the home of her dreams.

Product + Inspiration: Layered Doormats For A Stylish Entrance

July 5, 2018

via Studio McGee

Hi friends. It’s been a while since I’ve done a Product + Inspiration post so I’m popping in today to talk about decorating your front door area.

Often times when we’re decorating our homes, we are so focused on the interior that we forget about the exterior. Flower pots and window boxes are a great way to add visual interest to the exterior of your home. And a wreath on the front door creates a welcoming feeling for guests. There’s also another decorative statement that I’m loving lately and it’s the idea of layered door mats! Layering a door mat over a decorative indoor/outdoor rug is an easy {and budget friendly} way to UpStyle your entrance.

A quick search around the web and I rounded up a handful of doormat and outdoor rug combos I think you’ll love.

via Wilshire Collections

Product + Inspiration: Layered Doormats

No. 1–Home Sweet Home + Interlocking Grid: The Home Sweet Home Doormat is a classic and pairs beautifully with an outdoor rug that has a more modern design like this grid pattern.

No. 2–Hello + Tropical Flower: This teal door mat and tropical floral rug is perfect for spring and summer. When fall rolls around you can easily switch out the floral rug for one with more fall colors.

No. 3–Welcome + Zebra: I’ve never met an animal print that I don’t love and this outdoor zebra rug is a winner. Paired with this classic ‘Welcome’ mat and you’ve got a chic look for your front door.

No. 4–Navy Floral + Yellow Stripe: This floral and stripe combo is fun while still be traditional. I love the punch of color this pairing would add at the door.

No. 5– Stripe+ Black & Ivory Lattice: If preppy is more your style, this striped doormat and quatrefoil rug combo is for you. tip: you can easily diy a striped doormat in about 5 minutes and for less than $8.00 like I did here.

No. 6– Petals + Tan Lattice: I love pairing floral patterns and graphic designs and this combo is my favorite.

Lantern Lane Designs

Tips For Layering Your Doormat

Most doormats are 18″ x 30″ so a 2′ x 3′ rug will work great as the under layer. If you have a larger entrance or french doors, buy a larger doormat and use a 3′ x 5′ rug under it. Whatever size doormat and rug you buy, make sure the rug frames the smaller doormat and leaves enough pattern exposed around the sides to give your entrance visual impact.
Look for outdoor rugs with a lower profile (flat cotton weaves work great) so that you don’t create a tripping hazard once the doormat and rug are layered.
When selecting your combo, pair a classic design with a more decorative pattern. Doing this will give you more versatility and make it easy to switch out just one of pieces to change the look seasonally.

So, do you like the look of layered doormats and which combo would you pick for your home?

Fun & Festive 4th Of July Tablescape

July 2, 2018

Don’t you just love the Fourth of July? I sure do. From burgers on the grill, time in the sun and the fireworks show, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. We’ve got a pretty laid back day planned and will be spending the day at my brother’s. Even though we won’t be home on the 4th, I decided some festive decor was in order at our house. I jazzed up our dining room with a fun & festive red, white, and blue tablescape and also decorated the sideboard.

Fun & Festive 4th Of July Tablescape

Pulling this tablesacpe together was pretty easy since I already owned everything I used to dress the table. Like most of my tablescape designs, this 4th of July table is a mix of traditional and chinoiserie elements with lots of pattern mixing going on. The focal point of the table is the centerpiece arrangement which is a grouping of blue and white ginger jars. Using jars with different patterns adds lots of visual interest and gives the table an eclectic feel. And for a little contrast, I flanked the jars with a pair of tortoise hurricanes. Chinoiserie and tortoise are a match made in heaven!

The tortoise hurricanes are from Pottery Barn but are no longer available. I did find a similar hurricane and listed the source at the bottom of the post.

The place setting I created is pretty classic. I started with a solid red placemat and then layered a red and white buffalo check charger on top. My vintage Blue Willow dinner plates are the finishing layer and area great pattern contrast against the plaid. I added the red salad plate and blue and white ceramic coasters to fill in around each pacesetting. Both of these items were flea market finds. To add more blue and white to the table, I placed a blue and white table runner down the center of the table and used blue and white striped paper napkins next to each place setting.

I hung a grouping of festive paper fans over the sideboard mirror and flanked my favorite monkey dish with milk glasses vases filled with red roses. If you ever come across these paper fans pick them up because they are an easy way to add a dramatic punch to party decor.

I hope you enjoyed my 4th of July tablescape. And I hope it inspired you in case you’re doing some last minute decorating.

*****

TABLETOP SOURCES

Cherry Blossom Ginger Jar || Hexagon Blue & White Ginger Jar (from HomeGoods) || Small White & Blue Ginger Jar || Tortoise Hurricanes || Blue and White Table Runner || Red Placemats || Red & White Plaid Charger (from At Home) || Blue Willow Plates (vintage)

SIDEBOARD SOURCES

Paper Fans || Blue & White Monkey Bowl (thrifted) || Milk Glass Vases

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Summer Vibe–Weekend Wrap Up–Vol. 7

June 23, 2018

source

Happy weekend friends. It’s going to be hot aS blazes this weekend so I’m planning to enjoy a summer sip or two while I’m in Oklahoma. If you need a little cooling off, here’s a great line-up of Fresca Cocktails that will keep your refreshed. Cheers!

*****

SUMMER VIBE

** I’m loving the new Draper James + Crate and Barrel collaboration. This sun hat and these napkins are two of my favorite items.

** I recently started shopping at The Loft and absolutely love this swimsuit coverup. FYI–Loft has a great sale going on right now with lots of items 50% off.

What Every Bedroom Needs!

** I still can’t believe the death of Kate Spade. I own all of her books and will forever be inspired by her style. Her books Style and Things We Love are treasures.

** I found a new Etsy shop for stylish pillows. I love this Antelope pillow in grey.

** Instagram has become a real driving force for bloggers and influencers. I’m still a novice at Instagram and am always looking for ways to grow my instagram following. I came across these tips on building and growing your Instagram feed. It’s a good read with lots of valuable information.

** Zara Home is having an amazing sale. If you’re in the market for new bedding check out the sale items here. This tablecloth would be amazing as part of a 4th of July tablescape. And this tablecloth has me swooning.

** In case you missed it, here’s a little summer entertaining inspiration for you.

Summer Tablescape: Bright & Bold

June 20, 2018

It’s hard to believe that the official first day of Summer is just a few days away. In honor of the new season, I pulled together a light-hearted and tropical themed tablescape. To be honest, this tablescape has been in the makings for weeks. I finally got around to photographing it and the timing couldn’t be any better because this table screams summer entertaining.

Like so many of the tablescapes I create, the theme for this table is based on a single item–the palm leaf plates.

I’ve been spying these plates at HomeGoods for a while and finally decided they needed to come home with me. I purchased the small plates first and then went back and got the salad plates because I love the pattern so much. #homegoodshappy

The purchase of the plates led me on a hunt for a table runner and I found the perfect one at Hobby Lobby. Actually, I bought this gorgeous green malachite fabric and made my own table runner for less than $12.00. Unfortunately this fabric is no longer available but I found two similar options here and here.

Along with using wrapping paper as a table runner, making a runner using inexpensive fabric is one of my favorite entertaining hacks.

To add depth and dimension to each place setting, I layered the dinnerware. I used square wood charger plates (thrifted) as the bottom layer and then placed round woven rattan chargers on top. I snagged the round chargers at a store here in Atlanta that was going out of business. The additional of the brass rim makes them really special.

I pulled out mat wedding china and placed the white dinner plates on the rattan charger. Then I layered the two sizes of palm leaf plates.

I love adding a pop of color to my table settings and decided there’s not better combo for summer than pink and green.

To create a layered look with the napkins, I used hot pink dinner napkins and place these cute green and white lattice design paper napkins on top. For casual events, it’s ok to use paper napkins along with cloth napkins. Or use paper napkins alone.

My bamboo flatware adds another nod to summer and I just love using it to dress a table. (p.s. The 20 pc. set of flatware is on $35 and it comes in a lighter color as well)

pink napkins from World Market (similar color here)

My centerpiece was really easy to pull together. I used three of my milk glass vases along with these green candle holders I bought several years ago. You can recreate the look with this budget friendly set of candleholders.

My glassware is another HomeGoods find. These bamboo glasses are melamine (acrylic) but look like the real thing. They are perfect for outdoor entertaining and come in a larger size too. (p.s. I just spotted the same glasses at Tuesday Morning the other day–in case your HomeGoods is sold out).

Instead of buying fresh flowers, I filled the milk glass vases with silk stems I had in my stash. The color is a dead on match to the napkins.

I love the away my table turned out. It has a preppy vibe but still feels classic and pulled together.

I’ll be in Oklahoma the next few days helping my mom with a garage sale and packing up her house. In just a few weeks she’ll be moving to Atlanta and will get to enjoy my tablescapes in person.

Thanks for stopping by today. I’ decided to do a little decorating for the 4th of July so I’ll be sharing that with you next week. Stay tuned.

Weekend Wrap Up: Vol. 4

May 26, 2018

Greetings friends!! I hope you enjoy the long weekend and dodge the rainy weather that’s plaguing most of the country this weekend.

As you read this, the hubs and I are in Florida getting ready to set sail on our cruise. I’m so excited for a little down time with friends. While I’m soaking up the sun, I hope you have an amazing weekend and find a little time to enjoy the roundup of links I have for you.

Bon Voyage!

*****

OMG! This Highlands, North Carolina home designed by Carole Weaks is breathtaking. As you scroll, pay attention to all the little details that make the rooms special.

I’ve been struggling with an over flowing to-do list so I’m going to give The Big Three a try.

Such a brilliant (and inexpensive) Ikea DIY hack.

This is the next book I’m going to purchase. If the cover is any indication, it’s going to be fun.

So many cute things in the new Hearth & Hand Collection at Target. This tumbler, this umbrella stand and these adorable serving trays are my top picks.

Have you ever thought about launching an online business? If so, you’ll want to read this. Great tips!

10 Things the French Always Do When Decorating

H anyone tried Amazon’s Prime Wardrobe? It allows you to get a selection of clothing and try it on at home before you buy it. Whatever you don’t like can be returned for free. Sounds pretty enticing, right?

I’m planning to take the week off from blogging but will be over on my Instagram feed sharing bits and pieces of our trip. I hope you’ll join me.

What I Bought–My Thrift With Tyler Purchases

May 25, 2018

Happy Friday friends. As you read this, I’m on the road head to Florida to set sail on your cruise. To say I’m excited is an understatement because I really, really, really need the vacation. I’ll be sharing my adventures over on Instagram and hope you’ll check in from time to time to see what I’m up to. There’s a chance that we might be dodging hurricane weather so things might be more adventurous than I planned.

Anyhow, I wanted to pop and share what I purchased during the Thrift With Tyler event that I attended last Saturday. In case you missed the highlights of the tour, you can read about it here.

In planning for the trip, I made a shopping list with the items I wanted to look for while we were shopping. I was shopping for a bench for our guest bedroom, vintage scarves (because I’m kinda obsessed with them right now) and blue and white pottery. I’m happy to say that I was able to check a couple of items off the list.

WHAT I BOUGHT–MY THRIFT WITH TYLER PURCHASES

This blue and white urn was one of my first purchases. This piece came from the Marietta Antique Mall and was under $10.00. The deep rich blue and flourish design are what caught my attention. II’m planning to use this in my office to hold a plant or orchid.

Another pottery piece that I bought was this octagon dish that also came from the Marietta Antique Mall. I’m slowly starting to add a few colorful pottery pieces to my collection so I’m glad I found this.

I’ve shared my love for milk glass on the blog before. I’m always on the hunt for new pieces to add to my Etsy shopand saw several pieces that were tempting. I bought this beautiful pitcher at Woodstock Antiques & Consignment for under $10.00. I’ve never seen this design before so that made for an easy buying decision.

Another top selling item in my Etsy shop are brass trays. This rectangular tray came from Woodstock Market. The pretty details and petite size make it the perfect size for a vanity tray or desk accessory.

This square brass tray also came from Woodstock Market. The etched pineapple design on the inside and pierced rim of the tray sold me. I’m planning to add this to my shop unless I find the perfect spot somewhere in my house.

One of the most unique stops on the tour was Nancy’s Vintage Shop in Marietta. This small shop had a lot of treasures and the minute I walked through the door I spotted this vintage handbag. I love shape and petite size and will definitely get lots of use from this bag.

The last two items I purchased came from Woodstock Market. As I was walking around the store, I spotted one of the other ladies on the tour sitting on the floor looking through a basket. Her excitement made me stroll over to see what was inside. The basket was filled with vintage scarves, most priced between $3.25 and $6.00. I dove right into the basket, right along side my new friend and came away with these two silk beauties.