Monthly Archives: May 2012

Before & After: Living Room

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Before & After, Room Design

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This past weekend was quite productive, most notably I finished re-designing our living room which has been a work in progress.  We were having our first BBQ of the season, so it was good motivation to finish my first project.

BEFORE: Bland room with white walls and vertical blinds… yikes!

You may recall from my Modern Elegance post, I had a general style and color palette in mind (and I knew I wanted a sunburst mirror :)).  My goal was to transform the room playing off of the original charm but adding vibrance, elegance and a little rustic, ethnic charm…

AFTER:

So… how did I do? I’m sure I’ll keep making minor changes over time, but I’m pretty happy with the outcome.  Now… on to the next room!

Bedroom Design Gossip Girl Style… xoxo

22 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Decor, Room Design

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Last week I came down with a little bit of a bug and decided to stay home from work one day.  In addition to sparing my co-workers my germs, it was the perfect excuse to catch up on 14 (yes 14) episodes of Gossip Girl.

As I was watched, I fell more and more in love with Serena’s bedroom at Blair’s house (no worries if you have no idea who I’m talking about).  Here’s what I mean…

Love, right?!?

So how can you re-create this sophisticated yet whimsical space? So glad you asked 🙂

This bed from Serena & Lily has a similar shape and pattern.  I actually prefer the scalloped edges of this design since it adds a bit more interest.

I heart this bench.  It’s a bit different from the upholstered bench in our inspiration, but this is just so fabulous, and you can find it at Ballard Designs.

Nothing says elegance like grasscloth wall covering.  This particular one is a faux grasscloth, and a bargain from Lowes.  In our inspiration bedroom, grasscloth is only on the accent wall behind the headboard.  Personally, I’d love to see it on all the walls

 

The wow “piece” in our inspiration bedroom is definitely the abstract pattern created by the butterfly decor above the headboard.  Here are two options (white butterflies & black flowers) both available on Amazon.

      

This floor lamp and wall sconce are simple yet elegant and look very similar to those in our inspiration room. These can be found at Circa Lighting and Restoration Hardware, respectively.

Last but not least, we have the seating.  I’ve chosen a teal velvet fabric (shown in the swatch) that has a more modern appeal in comparison to the silk green in our inspiration. You can find this chair at Home Decorators Collection.

So, what do you think?  Is there an inspiration bedroom that you’re looking to recreate?  Until next time… xoxo

Let’s Get Organized

19 Saturday May 2012

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After working a short 11-hour day yesterday… I found myself organizing my office.  No, I’m not crazy, nor do I particularly enjoy organizing, but every once in a while, when I’m in the mood, organizing can be cathartic.

Another thing that helps organization motivation?  Cute accessories 🙂

Here are some organizing essentials to get you going.

1. Cork board | 2. File Folders | 3. Magazine File; all Container Store | 4. Binder Clips; Little Fixations, Etsy | 5. Folder Filer; Target | 6. Notepad; Snow & Graham | 7. Bookshelf; Container Store | 8. Letter Holder; Target | 9. Bicycle Paper Clips; Container Store

 

What gets you motivated to organize?

How to Accessorize Your Bedside Table

16 Wednesday May 2012

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So… you just bought a fabulous new night stand (or better yet, you performed a DIY update on one you already had). In any case, now it’s time to add the finishing touches. Like any other surface in your home, you want to make sure to add a few key pieces to infuse personality. When accessorizing a bedside table, the items should be not only functional, but also personal and interesting.  Here are 7 key items that work for any bedside table. Depending on the size of yours, feel free to edit to ensure things don’t look too cluttered.

1. Alarm Clock: Clearly in the functional category, but this one tres chic (RueDesLouves, Etsy)

2. Lamp: Another necessary yet beautiful addition (Arteriors Home, Zinc Door)

3. Small Flower Arrangement: One view of these in the morning, and your day is off to a great start (inspiration found at haute-hostess.com)

4. Picture Frame: To ensure that loved-one is close to you at all times (Michael Aram, Neiman Marcus)

5. Candle: In case you need to create a certain ambiance in the bedroom 🙂 (Sydney Hale Co. Candle, School House Electric)

6. Jewelry Holder: Fun and functional! (ModCloth)

7. Water Carafe: A thoughtful touch, especially in a guest bedroom (Design Within Reach)

 

Anything you have on your bedside table that’s not on this list?

5 Versatile Ways to Use Fabric

14 Monday May 2012

Posted by in Decor, Entertaining, Furniture

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Sometimes you see a fabric and it’s love at first sight.  Then you start to think, where/how can I use this?

Here are 5 ways to incorporate any fabric into your space.  In this case I’m using DwellStudio’s Vintage Blossom print as an example:

(1) Pillow cover – BertieWoodHouse, Etsy

(2) Serving Tray – Layla Grace

(3) Furniture Upholstery – custom (Modest Maven)

(4) Vase/Container Wrap – Layla Grace

(5) Curtain Panels – Nenavon, Etsy

Any other great ideas to incorporate a fab fabric into your space?

Series: Venice Garden & Home Tour – Art

13 Sunday May 2012

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It’s the last day in our 7-day series covering the Venice Garden & Home Tour. We close out the series exploring what makes Venice, Venice… its culture.

Despite the $1M+ entry price-point for a home, Venice Beach remains a hub of counter-culture in the middle of Los Angeles.  Art and sculpture are a key way its residents express their individuality and share their beliefs.  One of the most fun and interesting parts of the tour, here’s the highlight gallery:

  • Statement Art

  • Functional Art (it’s a chair made of driftwood)

  • His & Her Art

  • Political Art

  • Repurposed Art

  • Tranquil Art

  • Antler Art

  • Creepy-Crawly Art

This brings our series on the Venice Garden & Home Tour to a close.  Hope you’ve enjoyed the highlights.

Tomorrow, it’s back to great decor to help you add personality to your home.

Series: Venice Garden & Home Tour – Picture Walls

12 Saturday May 2012

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A must-have design element in any home is a ‘picture wall’, and that’s what we explore in part 6 of our 7-day series for the Venice Garden & Home Tour. Whether it’s family photos, abstract art, or even a skate board…, picture walls add interest to a room and create a focal point.  Here are 5 examples that each tell their own story.

  • By painting the wall a flat charcoal color, the artwork on this picture wall really pops.  The addition of a skateboard takes this picture wall to the next level turning it into a true art installation… how fabulous!

  • This picture wall has a casual feel.  The homeowner installed 3 narrow shelves allowing her to display a ton of photos overlapping on one another

  • A mid-century modern vignette, this picture wall is simple and succinct.  It has a clear point of view transporting the viewer back to the 1960’s.

  • This picture wall is both organic and eclectic.  By concentrating the photos in the center of the wall and expanding horizontally, it creates a timeline feel with no one picture dominating the space.

  • To really make an impact in a room and add interest to a blank white wall, this homeowner installed 3 large-scale vibrant prints.  In contrast to the more organic example above, this installation is structured but still has a ton of personality.

What’s Next: Tomorrow we wrap up our 7-day series and I’ve decided to save the best example’s of Venice’s eclectic style for last.  Stay Tuned!

Series: Venice Garden & Home Tour – Kitchens

11 Friday May 2012

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On day 5 of 7 in the Venice Garden & Home Tour Series, we’re braving the heat and heading into the kitchen. From cheery to serene, these kitchens would inspire even the least domestically inclined individual to get to cooking (at least that’s what I told my husband).

Here are the top 4:

Poppy mint-green makes cooking a dream

Who can complain about washing dishes with this view?

Sleek and shiny with a pop of color

If you have to stare at a wall while cooking, paint it orange with contrasting green bamboo planted in front 🙂

What’s Next? Tomorrow we’ll see how to bring the art world home.

Series: Venice Garden & Home Tour – Lighting

10 Thursday May 2012

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Part 4 of our Venice Garden & Home Tour focuses in on lighting.  Clearly a necessity from a functional standpoint, lighting also helps create a point of view in a room.  From traditional to modern, simple to over-the-top; the light fixtures we saw on the tour were varied and fabulous.  Here are the highlights:

Outdoor lighting gone chic

Industrial sconce – I love how you can see the filament

Mid-century modern masterpiece

The perfect mix of contemporary and modern – what a conversation piece!

Lighting with a personal touch – those are individual notes

Simple and colorful X 3

A work of art… literally!

Click here to see more lighting options.

What’s next? In part 5, we’ll focus on one of the most important rooms in the house… that is if you’re hungry 🙂

Series: Venice Garden & Home Tour – Interiors

09 Wednesday May 2012

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In part 3 of the series, we head inside to check out some interiors.  Here are my top 10 picks (in no particular order) with a little tidbit of what I loved most about each.

Love: Organic wood table & supple grey velvet upholstery

Love: Library focal wall that mixes books & art

Love: Mod vibe with fun pops of color

Love: 2 words – Hot Pink!

Love: Vibrant art that makes this fireplace a clear focal point

Love: Modern furniture with pops of color

Love: Open floorplan with 180 degree views

Love: Eclectic sensibility with black & white cow-hide rug

Love: Mid-century modern table and light fixture

Love: Mixing of colors and the fabulous hexagonal coffee table

What’s next: In part 4 of the series, we highlight a key decor element! Don’t worry, I won’t keep you in the dark too long, just stay tuned for tomorrow’s post.