Happy St. Patrick's Day! Ah, the color green. . . Today you will see it on everything from clothing to cupcakes to beer! The psychology of color tells us that green symbolizes growth, nature and money. It is also the color most associated with envy, good luck, generosity and fertility. It is the traditional color of peace and harmony and is found to be a very calming hue. Whatever your favorite shade of green is (forest green, kelly green, lime green, etc.) here is some inspiration for you to feast your eyes;

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful

via unknown

via Domino

via House to Home

via House Beautiful

via Sunset

via Coastal Living

via Polyvore

via House Beautiful

via Martha Stewart

via Pinterest

via unknown

via Pinterest

via Apartment Therapy

via Tobi Fairley

via Design Sponge

What's your favorite shade of green? Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Turquoise & Gray

We all know that gray has become the new 'neutral' color in interior decorating over the last few years. If you're not on the gray bandwagon yet, I'm pretty sure you will be soon. I love seeing gray paired with fresh and bright colors. . . especially turquoise! This color combo can be applied to chic and sophisticated spaces, or fun and whimsical rooms. It's definitely very versatile and looks great in many different applications. I myself love to see gray and turquoise paired with a pop of pink or yellow - so fun!! Here's some fantastic examples of this cool color combo;

via Alisa Burke

via House of Turquoise

via Houzz

via unknown

via House of Turquoise

via 7th House on the Left

via Urban Outfitters

via Adore Home

via Decorpad

via House of Turquoise

Project Sneak Peak

Here's a glimpse at an e-design project I recently finished!

 (click to enlarge) 

The homeowners tastes are pretty traditional and somewhat rustic and country-inspired. They live in a home that was built to resemble a barn that is located on a ranch and is just yards away from a beautiful flowing creek. Their landscape in the Spring and Summer really is something else! Take a peak;

The only existing items that I wanted to incorporate into the design of the room where the light pine furniture pieces that were handmade by my client's husband which included a coffee table, side table and tv console as well as her collection of barn art. Everything else was fair game! I selected neutral furnishings to compliment the dark gray-green paint color I picked out. The 'wow-factor' in the room will be the rust colored drapery panels hung on the wall with three sliding glass doors that look out to the creek and farmland. I suggested covering up their existing dated brick fireplace wall with Eldorado stone and also designed some additional custom pieces (like the desk and closet doors) for the husband to fabricate. The homeowners are in the process of executing my design as we speak. Once the project has been completed I can't wait to show you the 'before & after's'!

Painted Fireplaces

To paint or not to paint, that is the question, right?! Many people are opposed "on principal" to the idea of painting a brick fireplace. While it is a very easy and cost effective solution to an ugly and unsightly fireplace, it's also very permanent. You have to weigh the pro's and con's before making this big decision. I am all for covering up a traditional brick fireplace if your design style and tastes are more modern. I inherited a white painted fireplace when we purchased our home and I immediately thought "SCORE! I don't have to do the work myself!" While a completely new and remodeled fireplace might be ideal, painting what you already have can also look fresh and modern. And don't think you have to stick with just white either. . .  Here's some examples of brick and wood mantel fireplaces that have been painted and look amazing!

via Elements of Style

via Bright Bazaar

via Decorpad

via Design Sponge

via The Marion House Book

via Young House Love

via Decorpad

via Decorpad

via Design Sponge

via Sunset

via Better Homes & Gardens

via Decorpad

via Decorpad

 Would you paint over a brick fireplace?

Cafe Curtains

I'm working on a bathroom remodel right now and we are discussing window treatment options. The bathroom is very large and has a huge window, approximately 6' wide. Privacy is an issue since the bathroom is adjacent to the back door entrance to the home and the toilet sits right next to the window. Instead of doing traditional blinds in the bathroom (which would probably stay closed 99% of the time) I came up with the idea to do a stationary cafe style curtain. This would allow privacy as well as enable a ton of natural light to stream in through the upper portion of the window. Cafe curtains are usually found in kitchens or dining nooks, but you really can use them in any room of the house. Here's a couple of examples of this window treatment done in stylish applications;

via Houzz

 

via Calico Curtains

via Little Green Notebook

via Ladies Home Journal

via unknown

via House to Home

via Apartment Therapy

via Houzz

I think this type of window treatment will be perfect in the bathroom that I am designing. Currently the space is a demolition zone. . . Here's an Instagram picture I took yesterday of the countertop that has been removed from the vanity;

As you can see we have a ways to go before it looks like a pretty, put together bathroom! I can't wait to get further along in the remodel process and share more with you!