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A Crazy Week Ahead + Timeless Design

July 8, 2013

Happy Monday! Did everyone have a fabulous 4th of July and a good weekend? I hope so. Our 4th was rained out and with all the rain we had over the last 4 days, the hubby and I felt like we were back in Seattle. I’m glad the sun in shining today and that I got a good nights sleep last night.

I’ve got a super busy week ahead working on pulling together the details for a non-profit fund-raiser I’m heading up, going to the Atlanta Gift and Furniture Market on Wednesday, attending an event with designer Bunny Williams on Thursday, making the trek to Scott’s Antique Market and the United Methodist Children’s Home Flea Market on Friday and celebrating my 22nd wedding anniversary and the hubs birthday on Saturday and Sunday! Oh, and there’s work to be done in between all of that. You can rest assured I’m going to be eating my Wheaties this week.

One of the design projects I’ve worked on recently had me going back to design basics. I found myself working with a client that likes traditional décor and wants a classic and timeless interior. With so many of the design trends today leaning toward creative paint treatments, bold colors, artistic elements and eclectic looks, it can be challenging to develop a look that is really timeless.

To give us all a little refresher in classic design, I’ve pulled together a little summary of 12 Timeless Design elements I always rely on!

#1 Curtains Hung High—Every room can benefit from hanging curtains as close to the molding/ceiling as possible. No only does this make a room feel taller but it also enhances the scale of the furniture in the room.

#2 Built-in Bookcases–Whether bookcase are used for books or decorative elements (a combination of both is my formula) , built-in bookcases add architectural detail, storage and visual impact in any room of the house. {to get the look on a dime, check out all the Ikea Billy Bookcase DIY projects on my Ikea Inspiration Pinterest Board}!

#3 Woven Shades–If anything can replace wood blinds in a home it’s the woven shade. This window treatment offers just the right amount of texture, color and privacy while adding to the style of a room. Alone or paired with curtain panels, woven shades are here to stay.

#4 Window Seats–Who doesn’t dream about having a window seat in their home? Window seats are the perfect design element for that often neglected space in front of a window, not taking away from the view but making a room feel cozier and more intimate.

#5 Seagrass, Sisal and Jute Rugs–I know there are those of you that don’t like these natural textured rugs because of the feel or a fear of keeping it clean but for me a sisal and seagrass rug is the best way to add visual texture under foot while keeping a room feeling open and airy. My go to source for seagrass rugs here in Atlanta is Myers Carpet.

Emily A. Clark

#6 Ceramic Lamps–Lamp styles evolve but a classic round ceramic lamp will never go out of style. Ceramic lamps provide a visual contrast in rooms with lots of wood furniture and are a great balance against metal and iron. And the color options are endless (especially with a can of spray paint)!

#7 Sofa Tables (or console tables in general) are one of my go to pieces of furniture. This is one piece of furniture that will work in just about every room of a home and a piece that is just as functional as it is stylish. I love placing a console table next to bed and using it as a unique nightstand/writing-table option.

#8 Baskets–Baskets can hide a multitude of design sins (paperback books on a bookshelf, DVD’s) and are a great way to fill the space under tables, in corners or above cabinets or armoires. One can never have too many baskets in my book. My go to source of chunky woven baskets is HomeGoods, World MarketandIkea!

#9 Medium Tone Wood Floors–While I personally like the trend of darker espresso wood floors, mid-tone wood flooring will never go out of style. The color is versatile and works with just about every color of textile or paint you surround it with.

#10 Oversized Mirrors–Just like a sofa table, an oversized mirror is one of your best design investments. Opt for a black, gold or silver frame to keep the look classic and be creative about where you place it in your home. Oversized mirrors work great in a dining room, foyer, over a sofa, above a fireplace, at the top of a stair landing and in a bedroom.

#11 A Neutral Sofa–A neutral sofa will not only stand the test of time but it gives you the perfect backdrop to make seasonal color and accessory changes. Timeless design gives you options and the look never goes out of style.

#12 An Upholstered Coffee Table–Since wood furniture is the foundation of so many rooms, an upholstered coffee table/ottoman is a great way to add softness without giving up a functional surface area in the room. Plus, additional seating is ready when you need it.

So there you have it, my take on Timeless Design! When you look around your home is your design style timeless or are you on the trendy side of design?

Inspiration + Weekend Reads

July 6, 2013

Happy Saturday!

It has rained in Atlanta for the last week or so and when that happens I get the urge to nest and create. I came across the image above and immediately feel in love with the black armoire, texture and warmth of the space. This image has inspired me to make a few changes in our bedroom so while the rain falls today the hubs and I will be doing a little painting and accessorizing. Enjoy your weekend and these links….

The cutest collection of paper goods ever!

These will make you want to have a party just so you can decorate.

You’ll love this house tour on page 52!

My new favorite blog is full of the most amazing inspiration!

A handbag + a good cause=a reason to shop!

The difference between living life and not!

I am so going to paint a chair gold. Wow!

One of these is on the menu this weekend.

DIY Polka Dot Cocktail Napkins

July 2, 2013

I’m back today with a fun DIY project!

Ever since seeing these cute cocktail napkins at Anthropologie I’ve wanted to buy a set or two or three.

Last week while looking around at Tuesday Morning, I came across a set 12 solid colored cocktail napkins and the DIY bell went off in my head.

To create your polka dot cocktail napkins simply dip the end of the eraser in your fabric paint and place random dots on your napkins. Easy peasy with fabulous results!

{fabric can be washed after 72 hours}

Bring on the summer cocktails!

Inspiration + Weekend Reading

June 22, 2013

Yesterday was the first official day of summer and what better image than this to inspire you to relax and enjoy the sun filled days ahead!

As a few blog friends and I prepare for a yard sale next weekend, I can’t help be inspired by this amazing tag sale!

Yet another great summer bag!

The art of being a Goal Getter!

Such a beautiful magazine!

Seven steps to achieving your dream!

How to Accessorize Your Front Porch

June 21, 2013

How much attention do you give to your front porch? During the summer months, the hubs and I often take evening drives to look at the flowers blooming and to enjoy the sunshine. As we tour through neighborhoods, it amazes me(well, not really) how many homes have lack luster front porches. I know that the front porch is often the last thing on the to-do list but it is the first impression that your home (and you) make to anyone that comes for a visit. Like many people, you probably have a flower pot or two out front and maybe even a door mat but that’s where the decorating of your porch stops.

Summer is the perfect time of year to give your front porch some attention and love and doing that is easier than you think.

ADD FLOWERS

Accessorizing your front porch really doesn’t get any easier than this. You can buy pre-assembled flower pots at the nursery or create your own. Mixed arrangements add a lot of charm while a single variety arrangement like these hydrangea are more classic. Go for something tall and wide to add drama to your porch.

Look for ways to up-style simple flower boxes like adding a decorative iron grill to the outside.

PAINT THE PORCH CEILING

I’m seeing more and more bloggers doing this with their front porch. A little paint on the ceiling can give your porch a cozy feeling and add visual softness.

PAINT THE FRONT DOOR

If you did nothing else to your porch, I’d suggest an accent color on your front door. A bold color won’t work for everyone but I know there’s a color in the paint deck that will work for you. A painted door adds so much impact and curb appeal to your home. It’s also a great way to visually frame your porch area.

ADD A DOORMAT

A decorative doormat is an easy and inexpensive way to add a little style to your front porch. You can buy one with a pattern already on it or DIY one for cheap. I’m hoping to finish up a doormat project over the weekend and will share it with you on Monday.

Here are a few of my favorite DIY doormat projects:

Colorful Doormat via Furnish Burnish

Diamond Doormat via All of the Fish In The Sea

Chevron Doormat via Moonpie Dreams

HANG A WELCOME WREATH (or a plaque)

A boxwood wreath is a simple sign of welcome and hospitality and an inexpensive chalkboard plaque will allow you to convey a welcome message in a fun way.

(if you are having a party for someone special use your plaque as a party element and write Happy Birthday, Cheers to the Graduate or Let the Party Begin)

UPDATE YOUR LIGHTING

I can’t even begin to tell you how many homes I’ve gone to where the lighting is old, dated and practically falling off its hinges. Lighting is a safety necessity on a front porch and stylish lighting should be a design necessity. Add lighting that mimics the style of your home or that fits with the design statement you are making on the porch.

Lighting doesn’t have to be expensive to look good and here are a few of my fave outdoor light fixtures to prove that point.

Carriage House Ceiling Light from LampsPlus–$95.91

Bellagio Outdoor Hanging Light from Lamps Plus–$89.95

Progress Lighting Resort Wall Lantern from Home Depot–$59.97

CREATE A LOUNGE SPACE

No matter the size of your porch, you can create an area that feels welcoming with the addition of seating. On a small porch consider a garden stool or small bench and if you have a larger porch space, a larger bench or chairs will do the trick. Come. Sit. Relax!

Remember that indoor/outdoor fabrics work best but on a covered porch you can get away with an everyday fabric as long as it’s not exposed to the elements.

ADD DESIGN STYLE WITH A RUG

Have you ever considered a rug on your front porch? A bold patterned rug will help contain a sitting area and add some real personality to your porch space. Also consider a runner that can run from the edge of the porch to the front door as another way to decorate with a rug.

This happens to be my favorite outdoor at the moment.

Simple touches go a long way when it comes to decorating a porch but the message it sends is worth the effort.

images via pinterest if not otherwise noted

Fashion Focus: Summer Tunics

June 19, 2013

Do you have a go-to summer outfit?

One of my favorite clothing pieces during the hot summer months is a Summer Tunic. Lightweight, cotton, comfortable and classic are just a few words that I’d used to describe this staple in my closet.

What I love most about summer tunics is how versatile they are. You can wear them with shorts, pants, a long skirt or alone as a beach cover-up or easy summer dress (just make sure the length is right for a dress).

Lilly Pulitzer, known for her bright colorful prints and patterns established the summer tunic as one of her trademark designs and as an icon of summer beach resorts. While I’d love to be wearing a tunic while sitting poolside with a cocktail in Palm Springs, tunics work just fine for my lifestyle here in Atlanta.

This hot pink style above is pretty classic but I love how the Chartreuse embroidery around the color gives it some added style. Most of the summer tunics you find in stores today have 3/4 length sleeves and an open collar. Just perfect for showing off some summer jewelry.

I also love the embellished neckline and cuffs of this solid black tunic. Great with white pants or shorts.

Sleeveless tunics are perfect for a day a summer shopping or strolling around town.

Here’s are few more looks to consider…

The white collar trim really makes this pattern pop.

C. Wonder (one of my favorite stores) has a few fun summer tunic styles this year, some knit and some woven cotton. You can check out their selection here!

So now that summer is here, what are you waiting for? Pick-up a summer tunic this weekend and head to the pool.

images via pinterest and C. Wonder

Inspiration + Weekend Reads

June 15, 2013

I’m constantly looking at images on Pinterest but now and then I come across an image that just mesmerizes me. Even though purple is not my color and I don’t like the idea of decorating with taxidermy, I love the impact the color coordinated books give to this space. It might take a lifetime to get this look with books you’ve collected but a few rolls of wrapping paper and an afternoon of DIY could get you the same results. Design is not always something you want to copy but rather something you want to be inspired by!

Have a great weekend and enjoy these links…

One incredibly beautiful website!

I stumbled upon this Christmas décor and it already has me thinking and planning for Christmas 2013!

Who wouldn’t want to go camping with one of these?

Do you have a Bliss Trigger?

You’ll be inspired by the UK magazine

I’m working on Living with Intention and this post inspired me to do more.

Decorating with Doors: 10 Inspirational Ideas

June 14, 2013

I just started working on a new project and I want to incorporate an old door into the design plan. The space I’m working on is a family room that will be decorated in a casual, vintage-inspired old-world style Before I get knee-deep in the design process I went looking for some design inspiration using old doors and came across some pretty great ideas. This is what has me inspired…

I love the idea of an old door styled with bookshelves flanking a seating area. I also think this idea would be great in a kitchen styled with cookbooks and cooking accessories.

Most of the doors I come across are solid wood, but I really like this look with glass pane doors as a wall décor alternative. Positioned behind a console table and against a painted or wallpapered wall, the doors add architectural details without being visually heavy.

An old door with hooks added would be great in a foyer or near a back door. This is also a really cute idea for a bathroom or bedroom wall to hold towels and robes.

A slim panel door can be positioned behind a side chair to fill a corner or create a vignette in the living room. I love the idea of hanging a basket or even a piece of framed art on the door to embellish it a bit more.

This is the look I’m loving most. I love the way the door helps to fill up the wall space next to the cabinet and adds a bold statement to the entire wall vignette.