Room of the day

Sometimes I see interiors in shelter magazines or on blogs and wonder "does any body really live there?!" You know what I mean, the furniture looks like it's never been sat in, the light colored rug looks like it's never seen shoes (or kids, or dogs, etc.) I feel like my person design aesthetic over the last several years has gravitated from "picture perfect" to a more lived-in style. Take for example this room below. It's oh-so-chic but it really does have that feeling like someone actually lives there, like you can imagine someone curled up on that sofa reading a book and wrapped up in a blanket. . .

via Lonny

Last summer an old friend came to our house for the first time. After walking around our small but cozy home, she said to me "your house is decorated so nicely but it's still so comfortable, I'm not afraid to kick my feet up." I felt like that was the greatest compliment I could ever receive!

What about you, do you lean towards "picture-perfect" or is your design style more comfortable and laid back?

Nov. 2

Wow, can you believe it's November already?! I sure can't. . . I've been a busy little bee lately (as you can probably tell by the lack of posts here on the 'ol blog) but I think it's great when life stays pretty fast paced. Much better than being stagnate, right?! As I mentioned before here, I'm working with an online client in Savannah, Georgia. I finished up a couple of designs for her and I thought I would share them with you here today. First up is the entry;

 

 

My client loves traditional pieces but wanted to mix things up and give it sort of a twist. As you can see I selected an Ikea wardrobe to provide extra storage in the space. I used her existing wood console table but spiced it up a bit with some fun yellow lamps and a modern sunburst mirror. The lattice wallpaper and hanging lantern are my favorite elements in the room and the small foyer table definitely gives the space a formal, traditional feel.

Next up is the living room design. I had a lot of fun pulling together my clients ideas (I kept telling her she really knows what she is doing when it comes to decorating!) and adding a few extra layers to help tie everything together. Here's the floor plan and design boards;

We had to work with her existing sofa and leather club chairs (which I actually didn't mind, both were nice, neutral pieces of furniture.) The artwork framed in gold above the fireplace was also existing, I just suggested adding a couple of other pieces of art to create some dimension. I selected this rich blue paint color (Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore) which will make all the white in the room pop (ie; desk, shelves, fireplace, drapery panels, etc.) My client found two cute bamboo side tables at a consignment shop and I suggested painting them a navy blue color (since they will be situated in front of the white drapery panels.) The fabrics I chose for pillows are all from Schumacher and the cozy rug, parsons desk and lamps are all things she selected herself. I really love the traditional-eclectic feel of all the rooms in this house and it was such a fun project to work on! I'm looking forward to receiving 'after' photos once the transformations have taken place.

If you are interested in my online-design services, you can find out more info here!

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back next week to share some more projects I'm working on :)

Quicky

I've been working with an online-design client for several months to help her transform several rooms in her home. We started off with the living room (you can see the design board here) and she has been pulling the room together ever since. I thought I  would share a quick 'before & after' with you, you know, just a teaser ;) Once the room s completed (the gallery wall is still a work n progress) then I will share more photos of the space. Until then, here's how the fireplace wall is shaping up;

Before

After

After

These photos were taken the day of her daughter's birthday party - isn't that photo garland adorable?! I really love the way the gold sunburst mirror looks above the freshly painted, white fireplace. Oh, and did you catch a glimpse of the turquoise ceiling?! YEP, I said turquoise! It turned out fabulously and I am so happy that my client went with my suggestion. . . More photos of the space to come later so stay tuned! :)

Room of the day

I absolutely adore this feminine inspired living room designed by Ana Antunes. The soft pastels make this space feel girly while the bold patterns add a sense of  whimsy. Lavender, gray, turquoise, yellow. . . all of my favorite colors are combined in this living room so effortlessly. This space feels sophisticated and fun and I could definitely move right in!

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?

Living Room Snippet

I've been hesitant for a long while to share any pictures of my living room as I feel like it's a constant work in progress. After Christmas I did a little rearranging and acquiring of a couple new pieces so I feel like I am slowly getting it to the point where it's worthy of photographing. Here's a quick little snippet I thought I would share with ya!

The oak end table is a hand-me-down from my mom and I'm still debating on what I should do with it. Refinish it? Paint it? Leave it? Hmmm. . . The lamp is from Target and the white drapes are my favorite Ikea White Merete Panels. I made the Suzani inspired pillow out of a napkin if you can believe it! (More on that here) The 'artwork' is something I put together as well. Here's a closeup;

I used a frame and mat I already had stored in a closet and a note card that I had in my stash of thank you notes. I loved the bold and funky pattern so much and thought it would be a fun addition to the living room. I just mounted it right on top of a piece of white cardstock and popped it in the frame for a layered-mat look. I adore the way it coordinates with my new turquoise glass lamp!

So there you have it, one of the first glimpses into my living room. Whata ya think?!

Room of the day

via BHG

I love all the details in this beautiful, light filled room. The high ceilings, the amazing light fixture and that abstract art are all GORGEOUS! I also adore the pops of pale turquoise and pink.  What do you think of this fresh and modern space?

Room of the day

Ooh la la, how I love this living space designed by Muse Interiors! The dark velvet sofa with nailhead trim, gray grasscloth wallpaper and quatrefoil floor lamp are all so gorgeous! I also dig the playful pillows that pop and the citrus green garden stool. The wainscotting in this space is also to die for! What do you think of this beautiful living room, love it as much as I do?!

Room of the day

via Coastal Living

Awww, don't you just love the color palette of this modern, Florida beach house?! I sure do. The abstract art, round upholstered ottoman and pillow fabrics are just my cup of tea! Not to mention the fabulous, white Christmas tree.I don't think I'd mind celebrating the holidays at the beach, especially with a view this stupendous! 

Room of the day

You know me. . . I'm a sucker for white walls and white furnishings combined with pops of color in the accessories, so there is no denying that I am obsessed with this space! The white beams on the ceiling and the dark wood floors combined with the large windows that let the light stream in is just about perfection in my book. What do you think? Love this living room as much as I do?!

Room of the day

This room is quintessential Mary McDonald. . . a classic and glamorous feel combined with a bold graphic floor pattern and pops of yummy color. It's so sophisticated yet fun, I love it!

To see more of this Million Dollar Decorators work, you can visit her site here or check out her book here.

Room of the day

I adore this Beverly Hills living room by Melissa Warner of Massucco Warner Miller that was featured in High Gloss Magazine! It's so sophisticated and feminine with it's soft gray walls, tailored furnishings and window treatments and brass accents. While the jolts of  magenta and canary yellow (two of my favorite colors!) make the space feel young and fun! When can I move in?!

I've blogged about Melissa Warner's West Hollywood apartment here and focused on her firm's work here if you would like to see more.

Room of the day

via Jarlath Mellett

Proportion, scale and balance are always important when designing a space. Typically there are 'rules' to follow, but there are always exceptions to every rule and of course sometimes rules are meant to be broken! Take for example this living room. At first glance I thought 'oh dear Lord, that floor lamp is too large to be placed next to that petite settee!'. But then when you step back for a moment and look at every thing else in the room, it all makes sense. I love when designers take risks and the outcomes turn out looking fresh and inspiring!

High Style, Low Cost Ideas with La Maison Boheme!

Whohoo, it's Friday! And I am sure you know what that means. . . Another fabulous design-enthusiast/blogger/friend of mine has stopped by to share some ideas with you! I'll let her take it from here. . .

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Hi, I'm Sarah from La Maison Boheme and I'm so excited to be here at JPM! Like many of you out there, I'm always looking for ways to feather my nest without spending a lot of money (or any money at all). I want to share a little corner of my living room with you today. Every thing in the photo below was either found on Craig's List, a re-purposed hand-me-down, purchased at a discount store or a thrift store find that needed a little DIY love.

When I want a new look, I go shopping in my own home. I look at existing pieces that are under-utilized, tucked away in a closet or out of date and try to renew them. For instance, I recently made two throw pillows for my sofa by using two cloth napkins backed with an old green curtain. I really liked the look of the Suzani prints I was seeing in all the magazines, but couldn't afford the hefty price. These napkins were purchased on sale at Cost Plus World Market. I ended up with two pillows for under 7 dollars.

The side table was purchased via Craig's List. All I used was a little wood glue to strengthen the table, a can of old red paint hiding in my shed and a spray can of polyurethane (Miniwax) to seal it all. My total cost was under 20 dollars for the whole she-bang. Now, it's one of my favorite things in the room!

The possibilities are endless. Next time you see a look you love, start at home and go shopping in your own cupboards and drawers. Taking your old belongings in their current incarnation and seeing their potential takes some practice, but can be very rewarding. And if your project turns out to be a big mess - the only thing you've lost is a little time and an old piece of something that you weren't using anyway.

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Thank you so much for stopping by, Sarah! If you aren't already farmiliar with her blog, it's quite spectacular. It's filled to the brim with bohemian eye candy, interiors and inspiration. In fact, I was so inspired by her suzani napkin pillows, I went out and made one for myself earlier this spring! 

Happy Friday, everyone!