interior design

simple stripes

I love stripes.  But mainly when it’s just white and one other alternating color.  These are what I warmly refer to as “simple stripes”.  🙂

Stripes are timeless. 

(Photo via Pinterest)

They can be vintage.

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(Photo via Tumblr)

…or modern.

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They have that feeling that puts you right at home.

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They can be casual.

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Or sophisticated too.

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(Photo via Pinterest)

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From Dwell Studio’s bedding line.

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I love these cork wedges by Tom’s.  I picture them with a cute little white summer dress.

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Neutral cardigan from Anthropologie…

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Rug with a nautical feel.

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Striped Placemats from Horchow.

 

Chambray Striped Pillow Covers from West Elm.

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And just to think, this satchel from Aldo is what inspired this post.  When I went shopping last week and saw this, I died and went to handbag heaven! Isn’t it adorable?? 

 

color story: turquoise + lime

Turquoise and lime.  2 of my favorite colors of all time.  But how do they look together…? Obviously stunning.  Too much of a good thing is…well… fabulous!

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I LOVE this bedroom. The wallpaper and chair fabric are wonderful.

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These two colors are best accented against a white backdrop.

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 Green walls blue door!

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Look at those eyes!

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Spend the first few months of your life here and your destined to grow up with good taste.

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This tile makes my life complete. Seriously.

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My picks for turquoise + lime?  You got it.

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A) Audrey Brooke Betty Slingback Pump, DSW……    B) Madeline Chair, Urban Outfitters….  C)  Vent Pillow, Cococozy……  D) Quatrefoil Pillow, Cococozy……  E) Eilleen Kathryn Boyd  Fabrics by Duralee, (top to bottom:  15387-579 ,15377-246 , 15370-554) …… F) Kamal Vase, Z Gallerie…..   G) Pendant Necklace by Kate & Co. Jewelry, Etsy.com….  H)  Mexicali Smocked Maxi Dress, Old Navy

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?

if I could sum up this week in one picture….

Scary isn’t it?

Before you contact Hoarders casting call, let me enlighten you on my not so casual week.  (Okay that’s an understatement – it pretty much was a clusterf*** .)  This week’s highlights:  a client that wanted their drapery like yesterday, when it won’t even be done with production for the next couple weeks….a rug that is backordered until July that a client fell head over heels for…and a proposal that took 6 nonstop, caffeine induced hours to prepare and price.

Despite what a lot of people may think of the career field of interior design, it’s not always so glamorous.  There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that never makes it to your favorite HGTV show.   Dealing with backorders, items that come in damaged, and hours spent researching and preparing are everyday realities.  Breaking the news to your client that their chair came in with the legs busted off and will not be ready for their party in 2 weeks is, well, not so fun.

My favorite is the stereotype that design is all about picking paint colors and fabric.  It is the designer’s ultimate responsibility that the space functions well and holds up over time.  It has to be up to code for safety reasons.  Each detail (like the faucets in the bath or the outlet covers) has to be thought of and selected.  It’s all the hard work that gives way to the beautiful end result.  So next time you are flipping through a design mag and see an amazing photo, remember all the countless hours, stress, and tears that went into it! 🙂

PS> Please excuse my extreme sarcasm and lack of posts.  I’m off today, and am going to unwind, recharge, and get inspired! xoxo