(photo via Pinterest)
Tags: ghandi, ghandi quote, happiness, happiness quote, how to be happy, inspiration, inspirational quotes, motivational, psychology, quotes, random thoughts, thursday thoughts
Archive | June, 2012
MOST COMFY SPACE
5 ways to make a room appear larger
27 JunHave an extremely small room that you wish would miraculously expand??? Or just one that seems smaller than what it really is, and can’t figure out why? Here’s some quick tips to give your room a little extra breathing space.
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1. PAINT THE ROOM A LIGHTER COLOR. - it’s a known fact that lighter colors give the room a more open, airy feeling.
The vast amount of white in this kitchen opens it right up. It’s easier on the eye and more light is reflected!
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2. ADD MIRRORS. - Mirrors reflect light and also give the feeling of depth.
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3. USE LESS OR SMALLER SCALE FURNITURE. – Using less furniture will create the illusion of having more space.
I can’t stress scale enough - muy importante! Throwing large chunky pieces in a small room will create instant claustrophobia. So go minimal with pieces that have clean, thin lines.
Also, lucite and glass trick the eye!
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4.ORGANIZE! – Utilize the space you have efficiently.
Built-ins are a great way to keep the clutter out of sight. This office in a closet is genius!
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Simple storage techniques can really make the difference.
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5. KEEP IT SIMPLE. – Don’t overdo the art and accessories.
Use only 1 -3 really striking pieces. Keep color and pattern to a minimum, creating a focal point.
(Click the photo to visit its source, if known)
eye candy: rediculously fun kitchen in South Austin
26 JunGood Afternoon!
I’m hoping this lively kitchen will brighten your day the way it did for me. Designed by Austin’s Loop Design, this South Austin residence was remodeled, bringing in a more open concept for owners who love to cook and entertain. The owners also must love color!
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(All kitchen pictures via Houzz)
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Don’t you just love those paint colors?? They’re from Sherwin Williams in case you wondered 
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And that awesome light fixture? Here’s a similar one for $199 from CB2!
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Lulu DK children’s fabrics
20 JunLulu deKwiatkowski, founder and designer of Lulu DK Fabrics, teamed up with Schumacher on a new line of kids’ fabrics that are happy, tasteful, and stylish. Thought I’d share! (Throwing it out there now: No, I am not pregnant, I just saw this and thought it was cool! )
Apparently big kids like me love this stuff too, because I’m crazy about this fabric.
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Pretty in pink.
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Inspired by her worldly travels and fine art background, Lulu’s fabrics are simple in design and bold in color. I love the functionality: the designs could work for young children all the way up to teens.
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Pink & Green. Nice combo for a girl’s room!
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Can’t forget about the boys!
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Fun star prints.
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And there are wallcoverings too! So precious.
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Check out Lulu DK Child to see the whole collection!
(All photos courtesy of Schumacher’s website)
high / low project
19 JunSince I’m obsessed with bargain hunting (what is the point in paying full price if you don’t have to???), I decided to do my own little high / low project experiment.
Check it out below: the items on the top are from high-end design sources, totaling over $8,900. The bottom is a collection of items I found online to create a similar look, but for a LOT less – like $5,700 less! Unbelievable – almost 65% off.
HOW CAN THIS BE??
I bet I know what you’re thinking right now: How can there be such a difference in price? There’s many different reasons and it can get pretty complex. First of all, contrary to common belief, it isn’t usually because of an exorbitant designer markup. (Most designers or stores price items at or around the suggested retail price.) There’s less overhead selling online than there is with a physical retail storefront. Most of the online discount retailers are dealing so much merchandise they can afford to cut the price margin way lower than the retail price you’d see in stores. Also, although stylistically they may look similar, the manufacturing process and materials may not be as high of quality.
For example, the sofa on the high-end project is a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sofa, and the one in the budget friendly side is from Pottery Barn. Pottery Barn’s upholstery line is made by Mitchell Gold, but since PB sofas are mass-produced, the detailing is less refined and fewer seat and fabric options are available………. so the price point is lower than a custom produced sofa from Mitchell Gold.
MY RULE OF THUMB
So which items are best to buy discounted, and what should you splurge on? For me it’s simple: Anything small like lamps, pillows, accessories, or end tables are a great idea to get for less. These are things you can swap in and out easily. It won’t break the bank AND it gives you the freedom to update your look more often. Upholstery that you spend most of your time in (such as a sofa or your favorite chair) should be something you splurge on, because you want it last a long time and be comfy! Bedroom furniture, cabinets, and other large casegoods are also important pieces – look for a sturdy material that is contructed well. You may pay extra, but remember the old saying: you get what you pay for!
color story: tangerine + teal
13 JunWhat says ”helllooo summer” more than sunny tangerine and refreshing teal?? Tangerine was named Pantone’s 2012 Color of the year, and teal is one of the hottest colors right now. Pair them together and you get a match made in hue heaven. Orange and Blue are actually opposites on the color wheel – meaning they naturally compliment each other. (Whoever said opposites attract was dead on!) What do you think??
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The 2 colors pop in this living room by Tobi Fairley
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Love this!
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(All photos link back to their source, if known)
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Great finds for one of this summer’s best color combos:
a) All Decked Out Dress, ModCloth
b) Burak Uyan Tangerine Sandals, Avenue 32
c) Penny Gibbous Moon Bracelet, Posh Locket
d) Tangerine & Teal Jeweled Bib, A Cut Above Boutique
e) Bright Side Clutch, Nine West
f) Moselle Sofa, Bentley Churchill, (available to the trade only – contact me to order)
g) Mrs Godfrey Chair in Tuileries Tangerine, Jonathan Adler
h) Lola Side Table, Urban Outfitters
i) Fabrics: (clockwise from top) - 36140-35 and 73023-19 , both by Duralee, Sun & Shade Sea Scallop Coral Reef (outdoor fabric) by Waverly
j) Capri Bottle Lamp, Jonathan Adler
k) Lattice Rug in Blue, PB Teen
style icon: Kate Middleton
7 JunThere’s something about Kate Middleton that just attracts people to her. Maybe it’s because she’s married to Prince William. Or maybe the fact that she’s drop dead gorgeous. Or maybe it’s her royally sophisticated sense of style.
(Photo Courtesy of Pinterest)
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For me, it’s the energy she gives off. I find it crazy that I know next to nothing about her, yet her presence reflects such grace, positivity, and class.
(Photo courtesy of People)
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One thing I (& the rest of the world) do know about her is her simple yet stunning fashion sense. It’s classic. Natural. And take-your-breath-away beautiful.
(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)
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(Kate’s two lovely dress choices, both by Alexander McQueen, this past weekend at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Photo courtesy of fabsugar.com)
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(Kate stuns again in another McQueen gown. Photo courtesy of People)
Best of San Antonio’s Parade of Homes
5 JunLast week, my coworkers & I went to go check out the Parade of Homes at the Dominion here in San Antonio. With 12 different homes to tour, there was a lot of ground to cover. Rather than boring you with every detail, I’ll get right to the good stuff. Here are my personal faves:
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BEST BACKSPLASH
This is one of the coolest backsplashes. Period.
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BEST FABRICS
Loving the Kravet fabrics in this room.
You may recognize this fabric pattern from a previous post. The chairs look absolutely fab in it!
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MOST COMFY SPACE
Slipcovered sectional. Neutral palette. Striped poufs. Perfect place to curl up and read a book.
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MOST INNOVATIVE MATERIAL
Maybe I’ve been living under a rock but I’ve never seen this type of wall covering before – recycled paper bound together like grasscloth! Really cool!
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BEST OUTDOOR SPACE
This pool is to die for. The steps across = pure genius.
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And the U-shaped built-in bench with the orange and sky blue pillows takes the cake.
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BEST CRAFT/ACTIVITY SPACE
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With so much storage and counter space, this room would be the perfect place to house all my little DIY projects.
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BEST LIVING SPACE
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This Adam Wilson home was my favorite overall. Love the use of materials and the open concept….Everything from the architecture to those Barcelona Chairs (*sigh*).
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MOST CREATIVE HOME
Awesome architectural elements of this urban ranch. Rustic meets modern, in a very interesting way!
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Also in the Urban Ranch were these big red doors in the Media Room that closed off for privacy, or opened up the living/dining area for entertaining. LOVE!!
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BEST GREEN FEATURE
Yes, that is a giant rainwater collector. My heart skipped a beat. Such a great concept - especially here in San Antonio with all the water restrictions we have in the Summer.
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BEST BATH
Ironically with all of the beautiful baths I saw, my favorite was the outdoor one. Lets face it - I’m a sucker for pebble mosaics, subway tile, and natural sunlight.
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BEST KITCHEN
I know this isn’t the best shot in the world, but I can promise you if you saw this Scavolini kitchen you would have fallen in love.
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BEST DINING
Simple, yet stunning.
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BEST LAUNDRY ROOM
Ah yes. I MIGHT actually fold my clothes if I had this type of set up! (Keyword is might, no promises there… )
