WEEKEND DECORATING: GET COZY WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS

Ideas for accessorizing your home with gifts courtesy of Mother Nature.

You have to give her credit. Mother Nature is a powerful decorator. The best decorators in the business seek her for inspiration. Her ability to coordinate color, pattern, and texture each and every season is nothing short of awe-inspiring. In a recent article for houzz.com I proposed seven ideas for Decorating with Autumn's Best.

Here are a few examples:

Driftwood is a popular material for furniture, sculptures, and home accessories. It brings warmth to any space and fits appropriately into any decor style. The mirror below is from West Elm, but similar designs can be found almost anywhere.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Replace expensive floral centerpieces with wheat sheaves. They won't compete with the aroma of your food nor will they be bothersome to those with floral allergies.

Covers made from natural fibers like this wool blanket makes it hard to get out of bed doesn't it? Furthermore, not many of us live in the privacy or climate to indulge in a nap on the porch (sigh). Save a few dollars and purchase cozy blankets like these at the army/navy surplus store instead of your local Pottery Barn.

Michelle Fries, BeDe Design, LLC

 Like these suggestions? Click here to read the rest of my ideas for bringing the harvest home.

 

Happy Decorating!

TODAY ON HOUZZ: GEORGETOWN HOUSE TOUR

My latest ideabook on houzz.com provides you with a peek inside this newly renovated rowhouse designed by Zoe Feldman of Zoe Feldman Design. Nestled in Washington, DC's exclusive Georgetown neighborhood, this home is infused with a mix of traditional, modern, and contemporary design also referred to as neo-traditional.

Houzz Tour: Neo-Traditional Style in Georgetown

Browse Bath Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bath And Spa Accessories · Bathroom Countertops · Bathroom Faucets · Bathroom Mirrors · Bathroom Vanities And Sink Consoles · Shower Caddies · Shower Curtains · Towel Bars And Hooks ·

Neo-traditional: reviving traditional methods; combining tradition with newer elements

The slide show shows the project at a glance. Observe use of textures, patterns, and clean-lined furnishings. It's what gives this home an urban update.

For more information including sources for fabrics and furniture, click here to read the entire article. Enjoy!

WEEKEND DECORATING: OPEN STORAGE

This weekend I plan to tackle a few organization projects around the house. I've completed the process of sorting, donating and tossing, yet I still find the number of items in my "keep" pile quite intimidating.

Where am I going to put all of this stuff??

The goal this weekend is to give each item a designated spot and make every family member responsible for putting items away. Pretty ambitious, huh? This process may be easier if some things, like the children's antique car collection, remain in plain sight.

via Susanna Salk, Room for Children

In my latest ideabook for houzz.com I feature other rooms that also benefit from open storage and provide smart ideas to maintain order and arrangement.

How to Store Your Stuff in Plain Sight  

Please share in the comment section tips on how you maintain open storage in your home. Have a great weekend!

TODAY ON HOUZZ: PEACOCK IN HOME DECOR

With peacock hues (turquoise and green), feather motifs, and statuettes showing up in numerous showrooms at Fall 2011 High Point Market, I think it's safe to say that the peacock is the It Bird of the Season.

The rug shown in the above image is from one of my favorite vendors, Global Views. They also offer the Peacock Feather Pillow if you prefer a more subtle accent.

In today's ideabook for houzz.com, I spotlighted rooms and products that give our pleasant pheasant the admiration he deserves.

Read here to see the many reasons why you should consider dressing your nest with the peacock's style and grandeur.

WEEKEND DECORATING: VINTAGE LAMPS

Looking for new ways to add unique items to your home's decor? Peek into your local thrift or antique malls in search of vintage lamps. There's a certain charm that comes with an old piece, isn't it? You're really lucky if you find a pair!

Domicile Interior Design

Keep in mind that vintage lamps should be rewired by a professional or if you prefer to DIY-it, stop into your home improvement store for a lamp kit and replace the wiring yourself.

RETAIL OPTION:
I stumbled upon these lamps from a swell little boutique in New Orleans, Lum Vintage Lighting + Accessories.

These pieces are on the high-end side of the cost spectrum and are great for inspiration. I've marked my favorites with hearts. I know, it's so "8th grade," but I couldn't help myself.

And since I've got you hopping around the web, stop over to read my latest ideabook at houzz.com entitled Vintage Lighting Shines for more ways to express your personal style using vintage lighting.

Which of these beauties is your favorite? Have you used vintage lighting in your home?

TODAY ON HOUZZ: INTERVIEW WITH PHOEBE HOWARD

Designer Phoebe Howard takes us on a tour of an exclusive beach front home she created for a family of busy professionals. This home located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is not what you expect in terms of coastal decor.  The client requested that the home be decorated in a palette of earth-toned hues in lieu of the greens and watery blue we generally see in a seaside getaway.

This relaxing guest bedroom is just one of the many rooms graced by Howard's impeccable taste. Tour the rest of the home here and fall in love with Howard's neutral-palette by the sea.

THE SOFTER SIDE OF MODERN DESIGN

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Boston-based interior designer Rachel Reider for houzz.com. The interview's focus is on a contemporary home in which Rachel incorporated diverse materials and textures to create what she calls "soft modern." Click here to read the article and indulge in these gorgeous spaces.



What I love most about Rachel's designs is her use of color and sculptural accent furniture. For example, take notice of her choice of accent tables when you browse her portfolio. Simply marvelous!

Which ideas would you borrow from Rachel's designs?

HEAVY METAL IN HOME DECOR

This article about heavy metal will not require you to listen to amplified guitar or wear a ripped tank top. It simply exposes the beauty of metal in interior design, outside of hardware and stainless steel appliances. I've encountered a number of really beautiful images of with innovative uses of corrugated metal and it reminded me of a previous article about achieving this look in your home.

This modern aesthetic may appear extreme to some but refreshing to others. Depending on the context, metal can make a space feel industrial, commercialized, cutting edge, or just simply add interest to a room. When paired with natural wood, metal takes on warmer qualities and becomes more livable. What's even more convincing is that using metal in your interior finishes can even prove to be a cost saver. I challenge you to uncover your inner rock star and take a look at how this raw material is changing the face of design.

 Danenberg Design

Interior designer Dan Danenberg gained inspiration from bamboo Asian shade shelters and created this remarkable stainless steel ceiling canopy. Other displays of metal craftsmanship can be found in the stainless-steel Japanese Furo soaking tub, metal framed mirrors, and hammered nickel sinks.

 Frederick + Frederick Architects

Want to achieve an industrial look in your kitchen? Try refacing your cabinet doors with economical and hardworking corrugated steel. Combine this look with shiny black countertops for a style that teeters on the border of rugged and refined.  

eclectic bedroom design

DIY: For around $30 you can craft a nifty headboard out of corrugated tin metal roofing. Your creative headboard problem is solved!

london interior designer Celia James

For those afraid to fully commit to the heavy metal look, start small with accessories. The steel Gothic carver chair and metallic wall panel makes a cultural statement in this simple vignette.

For more examples of this look in home decor, design inspiration, and advice click here to visit my ideabook for houzz.com

8 REASONS TO DECORATE WITH FAMILY PHOTOS

my grandfather

When I think of family treasure, I rarely think of items of monetary worth. Material things fluctuate in value, but nothing is more priceless than old family photos. I recently wrote an article for houzz on the 8 Therapeutic Benefits of a Family Photo Gallery.

source

Here are 8 compelling reasons to decorate with family photos:

Family Photos—

1. Tell the story of a place and time
2. Boost your antique collection
3. Provide a source of inexpensive art
4. Provide a sense of representation
5. Comfort you
6. Help your children remember their ancestors
7. Make a statement about what's important to you
8. Remind you of a proud heritage

It wasn't until my grandparents passed away that I inherited a few of these family jewels. A few months ago my uncle sent me these photos via email. I don't think he really knew how much these meant to me. To receive them was like Christmas in July.

Below is my maternal grandmother pictured with her in-laws, my great-grandparents. I don't remember my great-grandfather at all. He passed away when I was still a toddler but for years I enjoyed a rocking chair he made for me.

Here's my maternal grandfather, a handsome gentleman. If I had to guess, this photo is of his high school graduating class. I used Photoshop to create the corner photo inset to distinguish him from the rest of the group. In the actual photo, he's the man in the middle on the top row.

Again, you will see my grandfather in the inset. The only information missing from the photo below is the year it was taken. I posted this one on Facebook and another cousin noted that his father [my grandmother's brother] is in the photo, too.

I've yet to decide how I want to decorate using these photos. There are many more creative ways to display them outside of conventional framing.

For example, Brian Patrick Flynn made a larger-than-life statement using a family photo in his former loft.

via Brian Patrick Flynn for Decor Demon , See a tour of his former home here.

In his current home, Brian continues the tradition of honoring his family with this vinyl photo backsplash.

via Brian Patrick Flynn for HGTV

He also provides step-by-step instructions on how create your own photo backsplash here in this video for HGTV.

How will you display your family's photos? A photo collage? A kitchen backsplash? Please share your ideas below

DESIGN IDEAS FOR FOOTBALL WIVES

Tonight marks the first football game of the season for Georgia State University. My husband, the defensive line coach, guarantees a game opener of the season. I, of course, will be there to witness the gridiron action with the rest of the rowdy bunch.

Here's my winning coach with a winning smile at last season's opener. Isn't he handsome? I love my coach...

ok, back to design...

With a new season comes new sports paraphernalia. As a coach's wife, I'm convinced that I receive more than my fair share. From jerseys to trophies and plaques there is hardly any room to display it all without someone mistaking our home for a sports hall of fame.

Resisting the temptation to store everything in a cardboard box, I've had to find creative ways to show my support. I wrote an article for houzz featuring solutions to this decorating dilemma and provided some great ways to support the home team.

Here are a few examples:

source

Tiny tokens of appreciation are the easiest to blend into your decor. This silver helmet is a lovely accent among a pair of floating shelves. Need a change? Use this statuette as a paperweight or a bookend.

source

No matter the sport, little helmets add big style. Integrate your child's sporting equipment into his room's decor and maybe less of it will end up on the floor. You know the saying, "If you can't beat them, join them."

Like these tips? There's more! Head over to houzz to read my article "Design Ideas for Football Season."

How do you display your sports memorabilia?

8 WAYS TO CALM AN IMPATIENT DECORATOR

If my husband read this headline, an image of me hauling a chaise lounge upstairs or using my legs to push a heavy bookcase across the room would immediately pop into his head. In my redesigning frenzy he asks, "Why didn't you wait for me to help you with that? You are so impatient." I'm not that impatient really. It's just that I don't want to explain why I'm editing the room again. He just doesn't understand.

Does anyone else out there suffer from "The Designer's Curse?" We nip, tuck, pin, and pull until it is almost perfect, because it never really is...Because I'm in good company, I feel I can be transparent with you and the millions of houzz.com readers about the impatient decorator in me. I've pulled together 8 ideas that could help people like us in satisfying our desire for change. Here are a couple:

image courtesy of Pulp Design Studios

Change the knobs on any furniture item for a fun, fresh update. Semi-custom furniture has never been so affordable.

image courtesy of Niki Papadopoulos/Mark Williams Design Associates

Add a rustic element to your modern decor. This stump made of petrified wood adds personality to the space and combats the "fresh off the showroom floor" look. For more smart decorating solution, click here to check out my latest article for houzz.

What is your favorite quick fix?

ADD OLIVE TO YOUR COLOR COCKTAIL

Olive. Sure the thought makes you crave a r-rated beverage, but I'm talking about fabrics, furniture, and fascinating color combinations. Olive alone may sound like a drab hue, but within the right context it can quickly become one of your favorite colors. Why not give it a try...

For the best in olive decor inspiration, click here to check out my lastest article for houzz!

WHAT TO DO WHEN PAINTING IS NOT AN OPTION

Apartment Dwellers: Your white walls are a blank canvas! Create something beautiful. Here's a great idea for adding color to your walls: Paint picture frames to coordinate with your home's decor! Would you try this at home?

via Marcelo Brito

Looking for more bright ideas like these? Be sure to check out my latest ideabook for houzz.com!

SHOWSTOPPING CARPETS

Most rooms can stand alone without an area rug, but with the right rug a space can go from so-so to sensational in an instant. This concept immediately brings to mind the power of a magic carpet. Its mysterious powers transports you to an enchanting place, much like the perfect rug captivates a well designed space.

Here's a design by my friend Debbie Basnett where the all popular chevron rug is a game-changer in this otherwise traditional living room. Pinch-pleated drapery panels, an aged leather club chair and tailored sectional lean toward traditional until the chevron patterned rug shakes thing up. The rug's zigzag shape relaxes the prim atmosphere and makes way for other playful accents like the fuzzy ottoman and glossy arc floor lamp.

David Scott

Susan Harris

My latest article for houzz takes a more in depth look at the mystery behind a fabulous area rug and encourages you to examine your own home to see where you can make the magic happen. No genie required!

REGIONAL STYLE: LOWCOUNTRY LUXE

Along the coastline of South Carolina and Georgia is a formidable region brimming with homes rich in history and culture. Affectionately known as the Lowcountry, residents live below sea level, but their homes rest on a reputation of splendor and style.

When I wrote this article for houzz I learned from readers' comments that this term was unfamiliar to many of them, mostly those who live outside of the South. Lowcountry interiors draw inspiration from nature and often incorporate antiques passed down over generations. Furniture and accessories crafted by local artists find a prominent spot in Lowcountry decor and makes for a home that is filled with appreciation of the Southern coast.

One of my favorite designers who does it so well is Charleston-based Interior Designer Angie Hranowsky:

Read more about Southern spaces like these in my latest article for houzz.com. Have a wonderful weekend!

TRY THIS AT HOME: DECORATING WITH RIBBON

This weekend I pulled some of my favorite images for my Weekend Decorating feature on Houzz. The topic...decorating with grosgrain ribbon. Adding ribbon trim can be one of the easiest ways to update existing accessories in your home. You can take a piece from drab to dramatic in 30 minutes or less!Want to see other ideas for taking ribbon to the next level in design? Here are a few more images to whet your whistle.

Betsy Burnham

Cristi Holcombe


Isabella and Max Rooms

Join me over at houzz.com for more on "Adding an Accent of Ribbon" and tips on completing your project this afternoon!
Happy Decorating!

LIVING WITH LEOPARD PRINT

Here kitty-kitty...
Vivacious and primitive, leopard print is nothing new, but it continues to defy traditional patterns found in home furnishings and accessories. The animal itself symbolizes bravery, courage, stealth and strength, and I believe a decorator who uses this pattern also possesses those same qualities. Its connotations range from playful to luxurious, and its attention-grabbing pattern enhances any decor style.

Mark English Architects, AIA

An neo-traditional conversation area with layers of sophistication receives an instant update from a bergere chair bedecked in leopard.

Elizabeth Dinkel

A soothing overall palette of cream and brown provides a relaxing backdrop and allows for a little spontaneity from the printed ottoman.

Ashley Goforth

Because of its bold print, just a touch of leopard goes a long way. Accent pillows and side chair finish the room and also makes it easier for the homeowner to transition to another style when ready.

Honestly, it's only been within the past year that I've grown to like leopard prints. And later writing this ideabook for houzz.com piqued my interested even more. What I love most about leopard is its feisty appeal and unexpected presence. How about you?

LIVING WITH WARM COLORS IN SPRING

A design dilemma of my own prompted my latest article [Rust for All Seasons] for Houzz. I'm looking for accent pillows to transition my titanic rust-hued sofa into spring. Clearly replacing the sofa is not an option, but finding colors that cool the room's atmosphere sounds like a more realistic plan. I'm looking forward to getting rid of the pillows with the fringe on them. The kids pull at it constantly and our new pup likes to get in on the fun, too. *sigh*

As you can see the room hasn't changed much since I posted about it last year. This room for me is like a leaky faucet in a plumber's home. You get around to it when you can.

Here are a few examples from my article on how to decorate using rust in the spring.

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

Rust colored bedding in combination with a geometric patterned comforter and crisp white sheets makes for a modern aesthetic that lasts for al seasons.

Niche Interiors

Darker hues paired with bright white yield a look that is clean and unabashedly modern. Dining chairs and the neighboring room, complement the rust wall color and freshen the color scheme.

Erdreich Architecture, P.C.

Rust built-ins provide a warm welcome to visitors in this entryway and library. Surrounded by pristine white walls, the color combination leans more toward eclectic than modern with the introduction of rich antique furniture.

Houzz readers recommended adding turquoise and cream to the mix. I'm definitely interested in hearing your thoughts, too!