Today I am thankful for the wonderful people in my life, husband, kids, immediate and extended family and friends near and far. Here's to the grace and good fortune of the year past and that of the year to come. Cheers to all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful
Today I am thankful for the wonderful people in my life, husband, kids, immediate and extended family and friends near and far. Here's to the grace and good fortune of the year past and that of the year to come. Cheers to all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
This is for me!
Much as I love all of the new online magazines like Lonny, Rue, Sweet Paul and the rest, I must admit, I am a bit of a glossy, hard copy magazine lover/hoarder. Piles and piles of them around my house kind of lovin'. When I saw this yesterday in a Design Sponge Sneak Peak, I had an "ah ha" moment.... soo, because company is coming tomorrow, I am off to consolidate those "piles around my house" into one eye catching stack! I'll share photos later, provided it looks this cool.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Mood Board Monday
Pewter + Sage is a blog I discovered some time ago after exploring a link for a "Mood Board Monday." Sarah's concept is so fun, she challenges her readers to create a room around an item or choice of items and link their creation to her blog on the given Monday. Following that link, I looked at every entry and have been watching Pewter + Sage ever since, waiting for a chance to participate. Today is my opportunity! The challenge? Create a room based on inspiration from one of the images below:
{Photographer Helen Norman}
{Photographer Burcu Avsar}
{Photographer Patric Johansson}
My inspiration photo was the second one because it is fun, bright and reminded me of a very girly, cottage styled room with a bit of zing. I pictured my inspiration room as a Dining Room in a tiny, light filled Cape Cod style home that a young, single, professional woman has just purchased. The mix of floral patterns is not overly sweet because of layering in a few very graphic patterns in the pillows and patterned bench seat as well as some bright pops of color and dark wood tones. Only one wall is covered in the floral wallpaper and the others are painted in a very pale taupe color. The rug is a bold, large scale floral, the windows are treated with simple white panels trimmed with a fun fabric and the modern Saarinen style table adds the unexpected to the mix. Since every room benefits from a little bit of black, I've added that here with the framed butterfly prints and the zebra bench. All of the pieces in this room can be re-used as the owner's tastes and living arrangements change over the years. Enjoy!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Natural Elements
The touch of nature in the pictured Living Room really strikes a chord with me, probably the outdoor lover in me. I love the easy, neutral colors and textures of the flooring, walls and furniture, but it is the pops of color in the accessories and the art that really speak to me. This would be a wonderful way to begin decorating a room where all new pieces must be purchased. This is a flexible room that could easily handle a "decorista's" whims and desires to have the most current look, or more seasonal decorating, just change out the accessories and artwork, layer a rug over the sisal carpet and voila, a new room!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Mad for Plaid
Usually when I think of plaids used in decorating I have a vision of an outdated piece of upholstery like this....
How about plaid rugs like these at Company C
This chair with an edgy, up to date look from Anthropologie
Lately, in my "design wanderings" on the web I have been noticing lots of up to date plaids... as well as a few magazine articles featuring plaid. Intrigued, I thought I would round up a few plaid pieces I would consider using for a project as well as some spaces that use plaid in the decor.
How about plaid rugs like these at Company C
This chair with an edgy, up to date look from Anthropologie
These great spaces with a touch of plaid.
How about this over the top plaid accent wall combined with the plaid chair and pillows?
With these images in mind, I thought I would play around with the plaid idea a bit. I envisioned a light filled loft, complete with brick walls and timber ceilings. This design would be for one corner of the open, airy space. Used as a library/workspace, a mish-mash of book cases filled to the brim with books would run along one wall and the focal point would be the graphic, plaid rug. The seating and occasional pieces have a very Mid-Century feel, but the overall look is very "collected." The other side of the room would be the living area and would repeat the eclectic scheme in terms of color and style, but with a textural floor covering and only hints of the "plaid" to tie it all together (maybe the Anthro chair?)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"Fontastic"
Yesterday on Design Sponge they devoted much of the day's posting to "fonts." The graphic design major in my past makes me giddy over such things so I decided to create a living room using a piece that was included in one of their posts. I chose this chest:
As with anything that makes a big statement, less is more, so my other additions of accessories with lettering or words were meant to be a bit more subtle. What do you think? Would you use a piece like this in your home?
As with anything that makes a big statement, less is more, so my other additions of accessories with lettering or words were meant to be a bit more subtle. What do you think? Would you use a piece like this in your home?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Old Irving Park House Walk
A client and dear friend of mine recently had her home featured in a neighborhood house walk. They have lovingly restored this old farmhouse through two separate additions. The transformation has created a wonderful, comfortable home to their family of three boys, two dogs and other assorted pets. I have helped along the way with everything from colors and materials selections, to designing the cabinetry in the office as well as several window treatments. Susan is a dream client with a great eye and readiness to act on the ideas we come up with.
A rug found at a 2nd hand store provides the finishing touch to the Living Room decor. Many of the pieces in this room were hand-me-downs updated with new upholstery and fabrics.
The large square dining table works perfectly in this Dining Room which has an entrance on 3 of the 4 walls. The gorgeous eggplant strie paint finish carries the color from the adjacent Living Room.
Charming kitchen and eating nook.
Built in cabinets, warm colors and a mix of materials in the Family Room.
Custom cabinetry and off the shelf blinds tweaked with fabric borders add warmth to the office.
A light filled Master Bedroom retreat.
PB Teen lockers make the Boy's Bath not only fun but functional.
Great "below the window" storage in a Boy's Bedroom.
Old Irving Park is a wonderful Chicago neighborhood graced with lovely homes in many architectural styles. The annual house walk showcases several of these each September. Many of the houses have been renovated, restored and decorated and it is always enjoyable to see how homeowners have put their individual signature the home.
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