design tips

spring in bloom

One of my favorite things about Spring is when the flowers begin to bloom.  Fresh flowers can make a whole room just GLOW.  That’s why it’s no secret that flowers are used for big events like weddings and parties, home staging to entice potential home buyers, and for photo shoots for your favorite magazine.  They make us feel happy inside and loved.

(Photo Credit: Design Sponge)

One of my favorite are big garden roses, like pictured above.

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And peonies.  Oh I’m a fool for peonies!

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FLOWERS IN LIVING SPACES

White or cream flowers can have a sophisticated effect.

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(Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens)

Brightly colored flowers add excitement.

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(Photo found on Pinterest)

Using flowers that color coordinate in the room reinforces the scheme, helping the space feel more uniform and orderly.

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FLOWERS IN DINING SPACES

(Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy)

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(Photo Credit: Emersonmade.com)

Gorgeous table setting. (Also a huge fan of the EAT napkins!)

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(Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings)

A few large blooms in bud vases can be more powerful than a huge bouquet.

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FLOWERS IN SLEEP SPACES

(Photo found on Pinterest)

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(Photo Credit: decor8)

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(Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens)

These flowers pull out the pink in the bedding and make it pop!

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(Photo Credit: Tumblr)

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Happy Friday! 🙂

bringing the outdoors inside

One of the best ways to breathe life into a room is to bring what’s outdoors, in.  Earthy inspired spaces are all the buzz right now.  More than just a trend, embracing the beauty of nature creates a timeless feel.  Freshening up your space has never been so easy.

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Tip #1:  Use natural materials as architectural elements.

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Wood beams or floors. Stone fireplaces. River Rock surfaces.  All so beautiful.  And they create such a focal point.

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Tip #2: Accessorize with plants, rocks, and trees.

(Source: Apartment Therapy)

Items like potted plants, fresh flowers, tree stumps or branches, and stones add a little something to a space.

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Indoor plants done tastefully can bring a great pop of color to your space, and also promote healthy, breathable environments by improving indoor air quality.

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Tip #3:  Incorporate furniture and fabrics made from natural materials

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  Furniture made from rustic wood or woven grass is eye-catching.  Using fabrics like linen or cotton have a more refreshing effect then those like nylon or polyester.

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Tip #4:  Implementing green products and sustainable practices into the design

The above picture shows a piece of wall art made from live succulents.

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Close up

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A canopy made from renewable willow.  Other popular rapidly renewable materials include bamboo, cork, and wool.

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Tip #5:  Use a crisp, neutral earthy color palette

Using whites and earth tones can make a space feel light and airy.  This can open up an entire room, making it seem larger.

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How have you brought the outdoors into your home?