The trendiest Christmas!

If you caught last week’s post on spicing up your Thanksgiving table, you know I like to steer clear of traditional holiday colors. Bringing in new, punchy colors will make your Christmas tree all the more lovely!

Along with fun colors this year, birds are all the rage. Whether you decorate your tree with owls, ostrich or peacock feathers or even bird ornaments, you can be sure to have an über trendy Christmas tree this year by accenting your tree with ornaments like these:

These owls are absolutely adorable and, even though they aren’t green and red, they really bring about the Christmas spirit!

diggardensnursery.com/shop/holiday/botanic-owl-ornaments/

I love the organic look of the birds in this tree. They are hand sewn with burlap (which makes it perfect for the natural elements trend), and its neutral color can blend with any other color combinations.

ballarddesigns.com/burlap-bird-ornaments

These beautiful peacock feathers add some pizzazz to the greenery and will make a wreath or tree look extra festive. 

thisnext.com/item/B5E8794E/Mixed-Regal-Peacock-Feather

Don’t be afraid to stray away from green and red! These winter whimsy ornaments look beautiful with the combination of blues and green. Make it a cool Christmas using all cool colors.

macys.com

I love the grays, golds and silvers combined in this ornament collection. The metallic colors make for an edgy modern Christmas theme!

cocokelley.com

And finally, this vintage pink and black ornament epitomizes holiday spirit without screaming traditional. Imagine what adding some feathers, birds or unconventional colors could do for your Christmas tree!

etsy.com/listing/84704153/pink-and-black-christmas-ornament-ball

Whatever you choose to decorate with this season, have fun and happy holidays!

Design the life you love.

Spice up your Thanksgiving table!

We’ve got just a couple of days until the table needs to be set and ready for Thanksgiving dinner. This year, I challenge you to try something new and modern. Something that says you are ready for 2013! Here are a couple simple ways to modernize your Thanksgiving table setting:

1. Utilize found items. Forget the leaves that all the other table settings have and try something from your backyard! Branches and sticks can be spray painted gold, red or white and will look glorious running down the table. Use berries for pops of color, and you can even spray paint gourds and pumpkins to give them a nontraditional color.

www.marthastewart.com

www.freshhomeideas.com

www.sjamerendejul.blogspot.com

 

2. Mix up the color scheme. Traditionally, Thanksgiving colors are reds, oranges and browns. Not this year! Bring in some pinks with your oranges and add pops of white, cream and charcoal to make the colors really stand out. Add turquoise with your brown. Place-mats, plates, candles … whatever you chose, dare to add some colors we rarely see this time of year.

www.ivillage.com

                                                                

www.little-inspirations.blogspot.com

                                                   

3. Combine patterns. Don’t be afraid to mix and match! Unconventional patterns make for an exciting dinner table, especially if you mix them up. From runners to napkins, tablecloths to ribbons, adding some funky patterns will make your Thanksgiving dinner setting unlike any other. Square or round white dishes pair nicely with any patterns you choose.

www.ivillage.com

                                                               

www.apartmenttherapy.com

                                                        

4. Layer place-mats. A multitude of place-mats can add depth without cluttering the already full table. Again, be fearless with your color and pattern choices, but make sure it’s cohesive and doesn’t take away from the food on the table.

www.quirkyspohisticate.blogspot.com/

                                            

www.houzz.com

                                                                

www.thesweetestoccasion.com

                                                      

 

Whatever you choose to set your table with this year, dare to modernize it a bit so it stands out from all the rest! Happy Thanksgiving!

Design the life you love.

5 tips to freshen up your Kitchen and Bath

The summer is in full swing and the weather is gorgeous, yet you feel like your kitchen and bathroom could use a little TLC. Here are some great tips to get your spaces show ready for any last minute soirees that may pop up!


1. Fresh coat of paint or new wallcovering

This is the easiest and most inexpensive way to change a space that is feeling drab or tiresome. Dare to be different and add a bit of drama! You will be surprised at how the right color in a space can brighten your everyday life. 

potterybarn.com

allthingsnice4life.blogspot.com

2. Change out existing hardware on kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanity.

The hardware is the jewelry of the space. Base your choice on the style you want the room to embrace. Have fun with your decision -- it's just hardware!

decorpad.com

nestegg.typepad.com

3. New lighting and faucet fixtures

With the ever-changing trends and invocations in lighting and fixtures it's hard to stay on top of it, yet great lighting and fixtures can bedazzle the best of us.

urrutiandesign.com

roomenvy.word

4. New Accessories

This can range from new towels and a mirror in the bathroom - to new rugs and a wine rack in your kitchen. Accessories are what make a space feel like a home, show off your style!

eclecticrevisited.files.wordpress.com

zillow.com

This kitchen above is Gwyneth Paltrow's and Chris Martin's in their new $10.5 million dollar home.


5.  A deep cleaning!

Whether you hire someone to take care of this or do it yourself, there is nothing better for a drab space than a deep cleaning of all surfaces, nooks, and crannies.

inch-worm.tumblr.com/

myfamilyinspires.net

I hope these tips turn your kitchen and bath into the most fabulous spaces in your home!

Design the life you love.

Great Solutions for Small Spaces

A small living space doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style. Many people become frustrated because they are overwhelmed by clutter and not enough functionality with their furniture. No matter the size, there are several options that allow you to create an inviting area.

Keep these tips in mind when decorating the space.

·     The best way to maximize the space is to choose pieces that are multi-functional. Try to utilize every square inch in your space and find pieces that serve more than one purpose. 

·     Use the space above or closest to the ceiling, which can be turned into storage spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and functional.

·      Placing furniture that is transparent in the room makes it appear larger and is not visually cluttering.

·     Lighting affects the visual appearance. Use all forms of lighting- think ambient,   task and functional.

·        Mirrors reflect light and make spaces appear larger.

·      Use the space underneath a bed for hidden storage. Clear bins and wooden shelves are easily found at stores like IKEA and even Target.

·     An untidy room will make a smaller space even more unattractive! Keep it free of clutter!

Draw from the following examples for inspiration.

                                                           “Floating” desk on wall

Courtesy of retailtherapy.com

                                                                          Sleeper Sofa

Courtesy of Sofabed.com



 

                                                              Ottoman/Dining space

Courtesy of amazon.com

                                                      High positioned shelves

Courtesy of treehugger.com

 

                                                Multi-functional table-storage

Courtesy.furniture.about.com

Don’t allow "size" to prevent you from designing a fabulous space!

Remember, “Design the life you love!”

Summer Style: How to Transform the Outdoor Space with Great Furniture

Summer is right around the corner! That means barbeques and lots of outdoor entertaining. A great outdoor space is another way to showcase your style and create a seamless living space to your home. Whether you desire an extravagant outdoor retreat or a budget-friendly update, we’ll show you how you can easily transform it from drab to fab. We offer great tips that complement any style.

 

Traditional

If you’re drawn to more of a classic and conservative look, the traditional 5-piece set made of aluminum is a great idea. The set is low maintenance and rust, weather and UV resistant. You can add a flower arrangement or other center piece when entertaining. The finish allows you to easily change the seat cushions when you want a new look.



Courtesy of castaluminumpatiofurniture.org

   

   

   

Urban dweller? Add an array of plants and branches to create your own serene getaway as shown in the picture below.

Courtesy of Lonny Magazine.com

    

  

Modern

Contemporary or modern outdoor furniture is very chic. You can use several accent pieces to transform your space into an oasis.  Lots of plants, bold, bright pillows and designer rugs are great ways to add a touch of elegance.  For shade, place a canopy over the furniture. They come in a variety of styles and price ranges.



Courtesy of purecontemporary.blogs.com

       

       

Small Spaces

If space is limited, there are several simple ways to create an appealing look. Maximize every inch for seating. By minimizing the amount of pieces, this creates the illusion of a larger area. A small table with three to four chairs or simple benches in any finish is a great way to dress up the space.  Decorating with plants, lanterns and rugs will add a chic look to the area.

http://sugarpluminvitations.blogspot.com/2008/03/outdoor-spaces.html

   



Courtesy of chairs and furniture.com

   

Courtesy of interiorfamilydecorating.com

    

 The ideas are endless.  Creating an inviting outdoor space is just another way to showcase your signature style.

Design the life you love! ™

Color Blocking: Spring and Summer Trends

We’ve seen it on the runaways, clothing racks and make-up counters. “Color blocking.”  It’s the hottest trend of the year that involves the mix of solid colors in daring ways. Similar to mixing prints, the method combines two or more colors that include bright, complimentary and contrasting shades.  Orange, green, yellow, and blue are some of the most popular combinations.  If you’re daring enough to wear the combos, then you may find that the same mix will provide an artistic twist in your home as well.

Before you get started, keep these tips in mind.

·         Remember the rules of color. The color wheel is a perfect guide if you’re confused on what works. The rules are: colors directly next to each other (i.e. yellow-green); those that create a ninety- degree angle (i.e. green and orange); colors that form a “T” (think blue, orange and violet-red) and so on.

·         Try to stick to a maximum of four colors. The idea is to add bold touches, but you don’t want it to come across as being too wild and psychedelic.

·         Minimize the number of pieces in each room that display the method. Keep it simple.

Here are a few examples that you can use as inspiration.

KITCHEN

    Courtesy of Designernotes.modwalls.com

The kitchen is a great place to spice it up if you desire a modern look. The combination of yellow and orange on the walls complement the dark finish of the cabinets. If you have lighter color finishes, you can use more cool tone pallets such as mint green and light blue.

LIVING ROOM

      Courtesy of cococozy.com                   

Simple splashes of color on the walls can be a great complement to accent pillows on the sofa and other décor such as chairs and tables. Try to keep the color choices to a minimum of two on the actual walls, and mix and match throughout the room with simple touches as displayed in the picture above.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

      Courtesy of cocoonhome.com

Bright window treatments are a great way to temporarily add the trend in a room if you don’t want to go bold and paint the walls. You can mix up to three to four colors, but ensure that the colors complement the main pieces in the room such as the sofa and chairs.

You can also try the trend by adding color to a small section of the wall as a backdrop to a picture frame and painting dining room chairs using two different colors.

Color blocking is a fabulous way to add a modern twist when the trend is kept simple and chic. Remember to have fun and don’t be afraid!

Design the life you love. ™

Do you have any old household items you are thinking of throwing out? Here are ideas for how to turn them into unconventional art!

Do you have any old household items sitting in the basement collecting dust, or maybe you have 100 keys but you only know what a handful of them are for? Here are some ideas to inspire you to turn these items into something new. This first idea comes from something we saw on Pinterest. Here are a few uses for old silverware.

http://kirstenerickson.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-uses-for-old-silverware.html

These rings make beautiful and often one of a kind rings with an antique flair.

http://kirstenerickson.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-uses-for-old-silverware.html

Not only can they make great rings for your fingers, but if made at a larger size they make great napkin rings that give them an elegant touch.

http://kirstenerickson.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-uses-for-old-silverware.html

The ends of forks were used to make these necklace pendants.

http://kirstenerickson.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-uses-for-old-silverware.html

This fork was bent into a unique and unconventional business card holder.

Wine boxes are another item that can be re-purposed. If you don’t already have one, often times you can ask wine retailers for extras or pay them for some.

http://withasoutherntwist.com/2011/05/wooden-wine-box-lids-warm-walls/

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/02/20/13-uses-for-wine-crates/

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-uses-for-wine-crates.html

http://sansanpups.com/wp/?p=6062

If you have ever canned anything before or received a canned good from a friend or family member, chances are likely you have some mason jars lying around your home. There are an endless number of possibilities for using these jars and they are pretty inexpensive.

http://twinklemaroon.blogspot.com/2010/10/mason-jars-as-lighting.html

http://occasionsbylisa.blogspot.com/2011/06/many-uses-of-mason-jars.html

 Lastly, if you have any old keys lying around, here is an idea for how to turn them into unconventional art like wind chimes.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82743122/vintage-skeleton-key-wind-chime

Before you think of shoving something in a closet for storage or throwing something out, get inspired to turn it into something new or maybe the latest piece of art in your home. Design the life you love!