SPECIAL GUEST: CHIC CHOCOLATE

Today's Fashion Friday post is brought to you by Sondra of Chic Chocolate. Creatively chic and soulfully styled, Chic Chocolate is a top fashion resource for fashionistas, stylistas, and urbanistas in Washington, DC and beyond. She graciously accepted my Room to Runway Challenge by presenting these amazing fashion and decor matchups using two of Fall 2010's hottest colors.

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photo credits:tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com, style.com, neiman marcus

One way to have fun this fall is to indulge in feathers. You will find soft, wispy ostrich feathers on everything from headboards, skirts, shoes, and even lingerie. Accessorize your home with feathers by adding accent pillows dyed in scrumptious colors of chartreuse and fuchsia. Find these and more at Horchow.com or Calypso St. Barth.

 

photo credits: furniturestoreblog.com, style.com

Black and gold is a classic color combination that signifies tremendous wealth and opulence. Making brazen appearances on the runway and in our rooms, get a wild hair and try a golden fixture or a molten 24K dress.

photo credits: ehomee.com, style.com

According to a recent Pantone report, some of the hottest colors for Fall 2010 will be "Lipstick Red" and "Orchid Purple." Both colors were dominate on the runway of designer Carlos Miele Fall 2010 RTW Collection. Reds and purples signify deep passion. Not just relegated to clothing, be daring enough to try these emotionally charged colors in your home decor as accents in a neutral room.

photo credits:  house and garden, style.com

Recording artist, Prince, was the inspiration for Balmain's Fall 2010 RTW Collection. A regal color, purple and its various hues, look fantastic on just about any complexion and shockingly beautiful in your home.  Add a spark of purple, ultraviolet, aubergine, or eggplant to your home as seen in this festive table setting.

How will you incorporate these hot Fall colors in your home and/or wardrobe?

FRESHMEN SEMINAR 101: GUIDE TO DORM DECOR

After posting Small Spaces and the Luxury of Less, I received an email from Pam (a loyal reader) requesting decorating ideas for her daughter's dorm room. Instantly, memories of living at Brumby Hall flooded my mind. I remember standing in my doom room with my Mother and Grandparents trying to figure out what to send back home with them! I clearly had way too much stuff. When my roommate arrived, a wave of claustrophobia hit.  Two of us would be living in this shoebox. I desperately tried to find photos of our room, but had to resort to this sketch:
We had loft beds built so we could make better use of the floor space. On this side of the room was my bed, desk, and a futon. On the opposite side was her bed, her desk, a makeshift pantry, mini refrigerator, and TV. After uploading my sketch I found this 3D rendering of our room on the UGA Housing website. I wish I had this prior to moving in!

 via UGA Housing

A Couple of Quick Tips...

• Get the feel of wall-to-wall carpeting using a carpet remnant or room size rug.
• Install loft beds. You will doubled the room square footage when you raised the beds off the floor. When guests visit they can sit on the floor or a small sofa instead of on your bed.
  
• Go bold with color. Most dorms don't allow you to paint the walls so seize the opportunity by using fabrics (bedding/furniture/pillows) to inject color.
• Organization is key. When the two of you are living in a mouse hole, neither of you can afford to be messy. EVERYTHING in your room needs to have an assigned place when not in use!!

 via NY Magazine

While there are restrictions on what you can do to your space, these guy proved that one doesn't have to be doomed to a semester of lackluster decor.


Other Advice:

Regarding Bedding...
You have no control over the quality of your mattress, but you do control what goes on top.

• Choose an egg crate mattress pad or a memory foam mattress topper for extra support and comfort. *Be sure to air them out for a couple of hours. They tend to smell like a Sharpie marker when fresh out the package*
• Buy high thread count sheets. Crawling into a soft linens after a long night of partying studying helps you to recover from a wild night rest well and feel refreshed the next day.
• Choose bold colors/and or pattern for your comforter especially if you are not allowed to paint. This may be one of the only opportunities to inject personality into your space.

Regarding Furniture...

• If  you don't have to share a room, consider bringing in a bedside table from home or pick one up from a local thrift. 
• Use slipcovers to hide an ugly desk chair or add a bright seat cushion for comfort as well as a pop of color.

Regarding Accessories/Wall Decor

• Add curtains. Be sure to use tension rods for inside mounting. You are not allowed to drill holes in the wall.
• Add a cute desk lamp.
• Use stylish desk accessories. Show that you have smarts and style to boot!
• Get creative with wall art. I got excited when I saw this post at Jenny's about making Big Art from Small Items. Read all about it here and be inspired!

 Blueprint Magazine via Little Green Notebook

Do you recall your college dorm room? What additional advice would you give to someone sharing a small space?

SMITTEN BY: WARM GRAY + BRASS

This room continues to haunt me.

via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine 

Every since that cold winter's day in Atlanta when I toured the AH&L Magazine's Christmas House this room designed by Amy D. Morris Interiors has haunted me. The gray walls, combined with warm woods, and brass accents had me wanting to slip under the covers and pull the curtains. I wanted so badly to paint my master bedroom this color, but my husband was turned off by the idea of painting our room any shade of gray. So I did the next best thing...I painted the guest room the exact same color (Sherwin Williams / Amazing Gray SW7044 ).  And of course he loves it.  Go figure.

Because I encourage my clients to take a closer look at what they have around the house before shopping for new items, I decided to practice what I preach. It surely worked for my sons' room as well as my daughter's room. I'm slowly pulling the room together with items I already own and can't wait to show you the final results!

Don't you just adore this space?

A GIRL'S BEDROOM IN THE GARDEN

Forever amazed by God's grace and perfect timing, Erika Ward created this enchanting room design in just two days. Inspiration came from her daughter's name, a bird, and God's unmerited favor. photography by Katlyne Hill

Ava Grace, my little princess, is the sweetest, most patient dream you'd ever meet. She spent several months in this room waiting for me to make up my mind on the design for her space. The last time I posted on Ava's room was back in January 2010 when it looked like this:

Then, a huge wave of inspiration hit after our beach vacation and I finished her room in two days! While headed home from Myrtle Beach, my husband and I discussed each child and the meaning of their name. Ava (meaning bird) and Grace (meaning unmerited favor) brought to mind a well-watered garden covered in God's protection. A secret garden where she could escape from her rambunctious brothers for a little tea party with her favorite feathered friends.

Love and Trumpet Flowers
The color palette was inspired by Amy Butler's Love/Trumpet Flowers/Pink as seen below. Hues of watermelon pink, ballet slipper pink, watery blue, and key lime appear throughout the room and create an atmosphere of calm and enchantment. Her room is painted with Watery SW6478 by Sherwin Williams.

Sweet Sentiments and a Labor of Love
What makes Ava's room so special is that she is surrounded by many items that hold sentimental value. The handmade light fixture and wood chest were presented as gifts when she was born. The pink teddy bear accented with silver threading was a loving gift presented to me by my own mother. The armoire was my first furniture refinishing project.

Frugal Finds
I had much success on my shopping trips for Ava's room. I purchased three adorable wall hangings (above) for $4 each. Her side table was purchased for $9 at a local thrift store. The watermelon pink coverlet, by Kenar Home, was a score for $29 at HomeGoods. The curtains are Ritva/Ikea priced at $20 per pair. I used Fabric-Tac glue to attach grosgrain ribbon to each panel and to the $3 lamp shade. The refinished armoire, my biggest deal, was $20 on Craigslist.

While visiting this blog, I came across the finishing touch for Ava's Enchanted Garden, this "I Am A Child of God" print by Persimmons and Pink. It's only sold in a 5x7 and 8x10, but I would love a poster size print.

image source

What has been your greatest inspiration when decorating a room? Have you ever been inspired by God's grace?

NAUTICAL INSPIRED BOYS ROOM

Two brothers take the plunge from "crib-dom" to unchartered waters in their new nautical inspired bedroom. room photography by Katlyne Hill


My recent projects are the most near and dear to my heart...my kids rooms. Today I share with you the room I designed for my two sons.

The Inspiration
From watching movies Finding Nemo, Shark Tales, and The Reef to chatting about sand and surf in the days leading up to their first beach vacation, the kids have been infatuated with all things ocean related. I stumbled upon these adorable Sea and Me sheet sets and pillow covers at Target, marked down to practically nothing, I knew they were the perfect starting point for this room design.

Seeing Stripes
When decorating on a tight budget, paint gives the most impact for your decorating dollar. Painting stripes is an added bonus because it eliminates the need for wall decor, but at the same time gives the space interest. Furthermore, horizontal stripes makes a space appear wider, more expansive. The three colors used were Ebbtide SW6493, Jetstream SW6492 , and Marquis Orange 6650 all by Sherwin Williams.

Treasure Hunt
I found a Ikea Malm twin bed frame on Craigslist for $80. When I mentioned to the seller that I was looking for two frames he then told me he had a set. I bought both bed frames for $130...such a deal! Other great deals included $1.99 picture frames (Michaels) and the lifesaver for $8.00 (Marshall's). The baskets for toy storage were $14.99 and $12.99 (HomeGoods).

About Face
With my limited sewing skills, I managed to create this book sling from a fitted sheet, wooden dowels, and double rod curtain brackets. Designed for little ones who are unable to read the titles from the book spines, they can now easily see the covers of their bedtime favorites.

Thanks for climbing aboard with me and the boys on our fantastic voyage. Be sure to meet me back next week for the reveal of my daughter's room!

SMALL SPACES AND THE LUXURY OF LESS

In the House Beautiful July/August 2010 issue, they pose the question, "Is Small the New Big?" Initially, I was irritated by the question simply because it sounded like yet another trend. In 7-10 years will we once again be in love with sprawling estates?

Naturally, small is the new big when so many are downsizing due to current economic conditions. While everyone is not in financial straits some have chosen to reduce their living space in order to be more ecologically responsible. The article examines three homes, the largest a mere 650 square feet, and concludes that living large is all about quality and not quantity.

When visiting potential clients, I find they have enough furniture and accessories to furnish two homes. In fact, most of us have more than we really need. My first inclination is to grab a box and begin removing excess from the walls and mantels, but I know better than that. We are sensitive about our stuff, aren't we? Instead I offer the following suggestions, applicable to both large and small homes, when practicing "The Luxury of Less" principle:

via oly studio

Edit Your Space
Perform a "healthy purge" and keep only what you love. If you can't bear to part with your knick-knacks, consider a wall display or arranging them together in a curio cabinet. This works best when you have a collection of one or two items.

via canadian house and home

Seek Help With Organization
Living with what you need requires you to know what you need. Perform an assessment of each space noting the function of each room. If an item in the room does not serve a relevant need, then remove it. Be sure that each remaining item "has a home" or an assigned place when not in use.

via Lee Industries

Choose Dual Purpose Furniture
Shop smarter. Choose furnishing that serve two purposes, i.e. a ottoman that serves as additional seating as well as a coffee table.

via canadian house and home

Seek Help With Space Planning
The wrong furniture arrangement can kill a space.  Employ designer tricks to find optimal seating arrangements and traffic flow in the room.  The House Beautiful article lends two pieces of advice:

1. Keep the seating arrangments pulled away from the walls. Creating spaces beyond the furniture adds volume to the room.
2. Use furniture with exposed legs. This creates air space and a feeling of openness you cannot achieve with upholstery that goes to the floor.

via Summer Thornton

Buy the Highest Quality You Can Afford, Fake the Rest
Your budget is small, but you splurge on your dream wallpaper. You don't have money left for a custom bed so make one. There are countless tutorials on the web that guide you through the steps of making an upholstered headboard. Give your headboard an expensive look with tufting and/or framing.

via BeeLine Home

Inject Interest with Color and Patterns
Using colors and patterns provides eye candy and really draws you into a space. Painted floors, playful wallpapers, artwork, and soft fabrics help to bring the room to life and establish the personality of its owner.


Do you find satisfaction in living with less? How have your made your life simpler this year?

USING PHOTOGRAPHERS TO TELL YOUR STORY

So, I'm in the process of redesigning my website and decided the first item on my agenda is to have my jobs shot/reshot by a professional photographer.  I know...having a professional to shoot your job can be pricey, but consider it an investment in your business.  I hired photographer and close friend, Katlyne Hill of Katlyne Hill Photography to capture two of my most recent spaces, my kids rooms.

I hired Kate, not just because she's my friend, but because she is also a storyteller.

Through her lens, she captures...

and...

These above photos were chosen purposefully and should give you more clues regarding one of the rooms I designed. If you are looking to hire a professional photographer and live in the Atlanta area, Kate is a great resource. Please email me for her information.

If you live elsewhere, I recommend reading these two articles for more insight and advice on photographing your space.

What Every Designer Should Know About Photography and Styling for Photo Shoots both written by Maria Killam.

Have you ever used a professional to photograph your interior spaces? Do you do your own photography? What advice do you have for photographing interiors?

JONATHAN ADLER AT PIECES ATLANTA

Last night, Pieces invited guests to meet Jonathan Adler, eat popsicles, and sip cocktails! Sounds like a hip, happy chic summer soiree right? It was!

Now this is taxidermy I can live with...and he wears the scarf so well. Gotta love a stylish moose!

It was a pleasure to meet Jonathan. So personable and quite the conversationalist, he explained to me how he hated to be in Atlanta for only one night. He agreed that Southerners know how to throw a party!

Meeting Lee Kleinhelter, owner of Pieces was also a highlight of the evening. She's a petite woman, but has tons of energy and a happy, infectious laugh! She's pictured above with her publicist, Kyle Tibbs Jones.

I also met blog friends Lauren Rauter, Jade Tinnerman, and Ally Kim for the first time and reconnected with others like Jenny, Niki, Claire, and Dayka.

Before I headed out, I enjoyed a King of Pops Pineapple Habanero popsicle with Brian Patrick Flynn.

If you missed the party, I hope these snaps made you feel like you were there! Well, I'm off in a dash. I have quite a bit going on today and throughout the weekend including making it over to the AmericasMart. Send me a tweet if you are in town!