As the day progresses, the night falls and Christmas morning arrives, let us all reflect on those who have been a blessing to us and of course the true reason for the season.
Love to All,
Erika
WISHING YOU PEACE, LOVE, AND JOY!
As the day progresses, the night falls and Christmas morning arrives, let us all reflect on those who have been a blessing to us and of course the true reason for the season.
Love to All,
Erika
HUES YOU CAN USE: OFF-BLACK
From clothing to interiors, dark hues continue to move me this season. What else can I say except for...Bring on the drama. A high contrast array of dark walls, honey colored floors, and white cabinetry [featured in 25 Beautiful Homes, August 2006] seem to have come full circle to next year's list of hottest decor trends.
Black makes the greatest impact when paired with white. Think a black tuxedo worn with a crisp white shirt. There's nothing sexier, don't you agree? Go a step further and add a pop of color, like chartreuse, and go from traditional to trendsetting.
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| [via Living, Etc. February 2009] |
PHOTOSTYLING TIPS FROM ANNETTE JOSEPH
My Lavish experience started on Friday when I attended Behind The Scenes With Lifestyle Photo Stylist/Producer, Annette Joseph sponsored by Room and Board. The session started with a guided tour of the Room and Board showroom with Annette and Julie Dewald (Store Manager), followed by a mock photo shoot, and a casual chat with Annette and other guests.
Here are a few snaps from the session and valuable styling tips for your next shoot. Starting with the scene before the styling process began...
...and here is the after photo. I was too busy sending this photo update via twitter that I forgot to take a photo with my real camera. I think you get the idea.
What are your favorite styling tips? Please share in the comments below.
Here are a few snaps from the session and valuable styling tips for your next shoot. Starting with the scene before the styling process began...
...and here is the after photo. I was too busy sending this photo update via twitter that I forgot to take a photo with my real camera. I think you get the idea.
DECORATING FROM A CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE
If you want to know the truth, just ask a child. Children are very telling, even at the expense of embarrassing their parents. When you listen to their stories, it's easy to decipher fact from fiction, though the latter tends to be the most amusing. I'm intrigued by the wonderment in their eyes when they tell the tale of how their cardboard-box-turned-high-performance race car helped them win the Piston Cup.
If we listen intently, their vivid imaginations can provide a valuable source of inspiration when creating kid-approved spaces. Just think of how much more effective we parents and designers would be if we followed their lead.
My current ideabook for Houzz features children's rooms that successfully incorporate the fantasies of childhood into real-world designs. Stop by and take a look...I'd love to know what you think!
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| via |
My current ideabook for Houzz features children's rooms that successfully incorporate the fantasies of childhood into real-world designs. Stop by and take a look...I'd love to know what you think!
UNLOCKING THE KEYS TO SUCCESS IN YOUR BLOGGING AND SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORTS
This past weekend is one I will never forget. I attended the Lavish! unconference as a guest and SPEAKER! On Saturday, I spoke on a panel with Cristi Holcombe and Capella Kincheloe. Our topic: Interiors and the Internet: Unlocking the Secrets to Success in Your Blogging and Social Media Efforts. Below is a two page handout we distributed to everyone in our session. Please feel free to download it for your personal use!
I am truly grateful to Shameeka Ayers for taking a chance on me and inviting me to participate along side wildly popular keynote speakers as well as other lifestyle networkers and talent. I will return this week to write a proper post. In the meantime, take a gander at these well-written recaps from other Lavish speakers and attendees. I will update this post as new links become available.
Lavish! Links
Design Blahg: Best Blogging Tricks
Sketch42 Blog: Some More Blogging Tips
Fifth Joy: Design*Sponge’s 22 Tips For Tasteful Blog & Biz Promotion
Alesya Bags: Insider Tips from Lavish
I am truly grateful to Shameeka Ayers for taking a chance on me and inviting me to participate along side wildly popular keynote speakers as well as other lifestyle networkers and talent. I will return this week to write a proper post. In the meantime, take a gander at these well-written recaps from other Lavish speakers and attendees. I will update this post as new links become available.
Lavish! Links
Design Blahg: Best Blogging Tricks
Sketch42 Blog: Some More Blogging Tips
Fifth Joy: Design*Sponge’s 22 Tips For Tasteful Blog & Biz Promotion
Alesya Bags: Insider Tips from Lavish
PREPARING FOR A LAVISH EXPERIENCE!
Today is the kickoff to the much anticipated Lavish experience! Dubbed as "an unconference for the lifestyle social networker," Lavish has a phenomenal itinerary planned for networkers in Fashion and Beauty, Food and Wine, Shelters and Interiors, Travel and Leisure, Creative Arts, and General Lifestyle. Click here to read more about all that lies ahead for me and many others from across the country converging on Atlanta for this amazing weekend.
This morning, I'm headed to the first pre-conference event, Behind The Scenes With Lifestyle Photo Stylist/Producer, Annette Joseph sponsored by Room and Board.
I've been wanting to meet Annette for sometime now so I'm definitely excited. For real time updates on the session, follow me on twitter at >> www.twitter.com/erikaatblulabel
Have a wonderful Friday!
This morning, I'm headed to the first pre-conference event, Behind The Scenes With Lifestyle Photo Stylist/Producer, Annette Joseph sponsored by Room and Board.
I've been wanting to meet Annette for sometime now so I'm definitely excited. For real time updates on the session, follow me on twitter at >> www.twitter.com/erikaatblulabel
Have a wonderful Friday!
4 DESIGN TRICKS FOR CREATING ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST
"Architecture is a continuing dialogue between generations which creates an environment across time." - Vincent Scully
Have you ever fell in love with a model home's decor and visited time and time again trying to discover how to recreate the look? You practically stalked the place by taking pictures, inquiring about paint colors used, furniture dealers, rug selections, etc.? C'mon, I know I'm not the only one! You may not realize that even if you have the exact same furnishings and paint colors, your home will not have the same feeling of grandeur without a few architectural details. Sounds expensive right? Wrong. In this post, I will discuss four design tricks for creating architectural interests that prove to be easy on the wallet, but big on style.
Design Trick #1 - Create a Focal Point with Ceiling Medallions
Ceiling medallions are a quick and inexpensive way to create instant drama. A few quick points:
As an alternative, diyideas.com suggests painting the medallions and using them as wall art as shown above. What a great idea!
So, on the ceiling or on the wall? What is your preference?
Design Trick #2 - Decorative Wall Panels
This second trick leaves me a bit nostalgic. Back in the 60's, my oh, so stylish Grandmother installed wall panels with black velvet flocked wallpaper (very similar to this) in the foyer. Fast forward 30 years later, she still received many compliments on its stately and elegant appearance. Framing wallpaper in decorative moldings as seen in the image below is a great design trick that instantly adds panache to a hallway or large wall. Inviting Home gives a wonderful tutorial on completing this look on your own. Click here for project details.
In lieu of wallpaper, leave as is, hang artwork, a medallion, or install a wall sconce within the wall panel for even more chic design options.
Looking for something more contemporary? Visit B & N Industries and have a look at their sleek, modern Iconic Panels Collection. Helinski (shown below) "...is a clean interpretation of the natural bends and patterns of bare birch branches."
These durable panels are formed laminate over a carved wood core can be sawn, nailed, glued, or screwed into the wall.
Looking for a place in your home to try out the DIY wall panel project? Yes, so am I!
Design Trick #3 Crown Molding
Design Trick #4 Wainscot Paneling
The last two design tricks featured in this series are conveniently illustrated in this one photo. I had to look no further than my personal design inspiration file. This dining room is one of my favorites (right now) because of its sophisticated and elegant, yet kid-friendly and unpretentious design. I believe a dining room should reflect how you live and not be treated like a one-room museum...I digress.
Back to today's subject, the two design tricks for creating architectural interest in this room I have to say are the use of crown molding and wainscot paneling (sometimes referred to as judges panels). Craftsman-pioneer Gustav Stickley wrote that molding should
Final thoughts using moldings to create architectural interest:
Resources:
Have you ever fell in love with a model home's decor and visited time and time again trying to discover how to recreate the look? You practically stalked the place by taking pictures, inquiring about paint colors used, furniture dealers, rug selections, etc.? C'mon, I know I'm not the only one! You may not realize that even if you have the exact same furnishings and paint colors, your home will not have the same feeling of grandeur without a few architectural details. Sounds expensive right? Wrong. In this post, I will discuss four design tricks for creating architectural interests that prove to be easy on the wallet, but big on style.
Design Trick #1 - Create a Focal Point with Ceiling Medallions
- They are available in plaster (which are heavier, pricier, and more fragile) and urethane-based (which are lightweight, pre-primed, and easy to install). Purchase them from your local home improvement store in the lighting section or from online retailers.
- They can be painted, glazed, or faux finished. Not feeling crafty? A wide selection of pre-finished medallions are available for purchase here.
- The general rule suggests you divide the ceiling's square footage by seven to determine the medallion diameter for your space.
As an alternative, diyideas.com suggests painting the medallions and using them as wall art as shown above. What a great idea!
So, on the ceiling or on the wall? What is your preference?
Design Trick #2 - Decorative Wall Panels
This second trick leaves me a bit nostalgic. Back in the 60's, my oh, so stylish Grandmother installed wall panels with black velvet flocked wallpaper (very similar to this) in the foyer. Fast forward 30 years later, she still received many compliments on its stately and elegant appearance. Framing wallpaper in decorative moldings as seen in the image below is a great design trick that instantly adds panache to a hallway or large wall. Inviting Home gives a wonderful tutorial on completing this look on your own. Click here for project details.
In lieu of wallpaper, leave as is, hang artwork, a medallion, or install a wall sconce within the wall panel for even more chic design options.
Looking for something more contemporary? Visit B & N Industries and have a look at their sleek, modern Iconic Panels Collection. Helinski (shown below) "...is a clean interpretation of the natural bends and patterns of bare birch branches."
These durable panels are formed laminate over a carved wood core can be sawn, nailed, glued, or screwed into the wall.{images courtesy of Inviting Home,
image commentary by Erika Ward for BluLabel Bungalow}
image commentary by Erika Ward for BluLabel Bungalow}
Looking for a place in your home to try out the DIY wall panel project? Yes, so am I!
Design Trick #3 Crown Molding
Design Trick #4 Wainscot Paneling
The last two design tricks featured in this series are conveniently illustrated in this one photo. I had to look no further than my personal design inspiration file. This dining room is one of my favorites (right now) because of its sophisticated and elegant, yet kid-friendly and unpretentious design. I believe a dining room should reflect how you live and not be treated like a one-room museum...I digress.
Back to today's subject, the two design tricks for creating architectural interest in this room I have to say are the use of crown molding and wainscot paneling (sometimes referred to as judges panels). Craftsman-pioneer Gustav Stickley wrote that molding should "have each room so interesting in itself that it seems complete before a single piece of furniture is put into it."After World War II, the American housing boom ushered in mid-century modern which eliminated molding in its minimalist design. Today, due to the popularity of renovating and neighborhood revitalization, moldings have made a comeback. Increasingly, we are seeing rooms that illustrate the perfect marriage of modern and traditional decor (more on this tomorrow). The above photo is the perfect model of this concept.
Final thoughts using moldings to create architectural interest:
- The use of moldings enhances a room's proportion and scale.
- It reflects the wealth and taste of its owner.
- It makes the most sparsely decorated room feel dressed.
- Molding options are much more affordable and user friendly for self-improvement projects.
- Timeless, it brings higher resale values to the homeowner.
Resources:
{image credit: If you happen to know the source of this image, please let me know so I can give proper credit. Commentary by Erika Ward for BluLabel Bungalow}
For more inspiring spaces, please visit my latest ideabook at Houzz!
For more inspiring spaces, please visit my latest ideabook at Houzz!
THIS ONE'S ON THE HOUZZ: A TOUR OF HOME BARS
The concept of a home bar never really occurred to me until my family moved into a larger house. With a new home, and more space, it didn't take long before I was bit by the entertaining bug. My husband and I are social drinkers, a cocktail here or there, but having a well stocked bar of fine liquors and G-rated beverages may not be such a bad idea.
I'm serving up more home bar inspiration at Houzz.com today. Click here to take look!>>
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After the hustle and bustle of a long day who wants to stand behind a velvet rope to spend money on overpriced, water-down beverages? Relax at home and invite a few friends over. With these amazing custom and semi-custom bars, your place is the hottest ticket in town. No reservations required.
I'm serving up more home bar inspiration at Houzz.com today. Click here to take look!>>
SEMI-SUITE DREAMS: CRAVING CHOCOLATE-HUED BEDROOMS
Are you a self-professed chocoholic? I am and will be the first to admit it! What makes chocolate feel so sinful? I do not have the answer, but I do have another confession. Instead of indulging my sweet tooth publicly, I've opted to do so in the privacy of my bedroom—by finding design inspiration in a box of chocolates.
via Nest Dallas Design
Find more decadent bedroom designs like these in my latest Houzz Ideabook, "Semi-Suite Dreams." This may be a little something that will keep us all satisfied until the next craving hits.
What color do you crave?
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