A Spring-y Bedroom

So it's beauuuuuutiful out there right now! 

Last weekend being our anniversary, my husband and I ventured out to Rocky Point (it's south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, as you're going down Hwy 1)  and I have to say it was spectacular.  I highly recommend it as a day trip or even a weekend getaway (there's a few hotels within 10-15 mins). The coast, the ocean breeze and the sun = us in our natural habitat!! Who else is with us? :)  The views were phenomenal - here's a shot of the ocean that took my breath away,

It being beautiful outside, I was inspired to create a simple and cheerful spring-y bedroom. One that's fresh & colorful & textured! A little traditional, a hint of gold to reflect the light, and a happy feel to it. The kind of room that lifts your mood by just being in it!

I decided to take somebody's actual guest bedroom as an example for this one, and share how to bring it to life. You can give even a small room like this A LOT of personality by bringing the right elements into it!  

So here goes...  

1.  a vintage four-poster bed  like this oak wood one on Chairish

2.  dusty pink bordered pillows & sheets  (also a great bedding find!)

3. a  muslin quilt from Good Earth India at the base of the bed. And there's plenty of great sources for vintage quilts & block print quilts on Etsy as well - in fact, I found a great source that I've shared at the very end!

4. a small pedestal end table topped with  5 - an orchid  and  6 - a spring green table lamp ( I LOVE this lamp on Chairish - it's a splurge at $200, but the payoff would be terrific!  At half the price, and equally vivacious,  the louvre lamp by Safavieh)

7. a bedside read for your guests to enjoy  -  "I Married Adventure" by Osa Johnson  

9. ....and a comfortable chair to read that book in!  Natural elements like this wicker chair from Pier1, brings a relaxing, indoor/outdoor sense to the space

8. How adorable are these elephant tea light holders ! They fit so perfectly in a room that's inviting people to relax and dream of lands near & far.

10. Antique brass curtain rods with pom pom trim curtains.  I debated on this for moment wondering if the pom poms would be a little kiddy, but I think here, they bring a playfulness to the room that could work.  You can always do some simple off-white curtains for a cleaner look.

11. and the STARS of the room -  these antique botanical fruit prints found on Etsy!  I'd frame them in gold frames like these very inexpensive and clean looking ones from IKEA

12. a lightweight Bunny Williams diamond pattern rug to round it all off & ground the room.

A simple & inviting room for your guests to enjoy.

When searching for block print quilts, I came across this ah-mazing source on Etsy  - Shop Rajasthan. How pretty are these! The colors especially. Very spring. And the colors you get from natural dyes, like the green, are unmatched, truly.

Whaddya think? Wouldn't you like to just lounge around in a room like this?  I for sure would!

And what is everyone up to for spring? Any changes around the house, small or big? 

I took a small blogging break these past couple weeks because I've been getting organized with a few things, working on a project AND working on a personal project too - more on that in a future post!  Back to our weekly schedule starting this week.

A Fresh & Modern Office

I thought it'd be fun to take a break from home decor for a day and talk office decor instead. I've seen some suuuuuper pretty  & inviting lobby / office spaces in the design world recently, and it got me thinking about how some of these ideas could be translated into creating a beautiful, inviting space for a small biz in any field, creative or otherwise.  A place to both welcome your clients &  function in!

With a business comes lots and lots of paperwork, not to mention everyday tools and supplies.  Things that can take over your work area pretty quickly!  At the same time, you want the front of your business, at least, to be presentable for clients & reflect your brand and style.  Especially if you're in a service industry with client and partner meetings on a regular basis.

So here's a scheme I dreamed up for a fresh & modern office lobby. One that's inviting and cozy, and has a creative spirit to it. But does not break the bank!  And I've shared some ideas & sources below for furniture, lighting, storage & more.

paint -  a cool white like Bejamin Moore's gray cloud or paper white / reception desk / art / pendants / sofa / pillows - blue , sea urchin / rug / real or faux fig leaf plant /  window treatments - bamboo shades for a warm touch / floor lamp / lobby chairs /  end table / lucite coffee table / fresh hydrangeas!

Rugs. There's lotsa great options out there. Natural fiber & flat weaves are GREAT for the office - durable for all that foot traffic, they ground the space & they're not too expensive. You won't be crying even if you get a mark or two on them!

striped / herringbone jute / ikea flatweave

One of my favorite designer offices is this picture of Tory Burch's Manhattan office from when she first launched her brand. It's over a decade old but still relevant!  I love the mirror wall, chinoiserie table lamps & fretwork chairs... all grounded by a simple jute rug.

Storage baskets - Natural rattan and seagrass baskets are great for storing tools of the trade + keeping things organized. And they bring a certain warmth into the space.

a chic office in Domino  /  rattan baskets here & here / chevron  / woven seagrass

Desks -  I like the ikea malm for it's clean lines and easy-access drawer space, and this rolling desk from cb2 for an industrial look. Both at great price points.

Chairs. Looking for alternatives to the big, bulky office chair ?  Try one of these with a sleeker profile.  From personal experience,  I've gotta say, an office chair is a definite (with a capital D!)  try-before-you-buy purchase. You're going to be in one all day - gotta make sure it's comfortable for YOU.

I love a good lucite chair, especially here where it's paired with a more traditional desk and assortment of picture frames. A lovely home office.

Lighting. These West Elm globe pendants are a very popular choice for kitchen and dining areas. But how great does it look here in a vet's office!

Swing arm task lamps seen at the offices of Goop.

More modern desk lamps I'm loving...

brass / white / black

And some  très chic accessories! Just because it's a work space, it does not have to be all black, white & boring. Bring in some color!

Trays  - to corral everyday supplies...from thumbtacks to tape

fabric   /   high gloss  /  lucite (you could personalize it  if you want to get a lil fancy)

Storage boxes recently spotted at Target

"Write Your Own Path"  pencils by The Wing - love these!

Slick business card holders by kate spade (for $30! ) 

Brass frames with thick white mats, for a gallery wall.

Chic planners, journals & notebooks at zazzle.

Just a few ideas for your Wednesday!  Here's to a productive week ahead everyone!

Design Crush Tuesday: Paloma Contreras

I came across this beautiful, happy bedroom on Pinterest the other day and instantly wanted to find out who it was designed by.  It's the work of Paloma Contreras,  an award-winning designer based out of Houston and the founder/curator/writer of her wonderful blog, La Dolce Vita. Her work seemed familiar but I couldn't  quite place where I'd seen it before... and then I remembered - it was on postcard I'd picked up at deGournay a few months ago.  It turns out, I've loved her style for a while now! :)

Looking at room after room of her work, I found myself saying, "Holy smokes, this is gorgeous!" at least 20 times!   They're tasteful and textured.  Sometimes formal but never fussy. A play on patterns. Comfy but not homely. Gorgeous vignettes!  And a BOLD use of color. And they seem to have a quality to them that says "these are real, livable homes for real people" , and not just clicked for a magazine spread (although she's been featured in quite a few of them! )

A happy, cheery bedroom. Every time I see this Katie Ridder wallpaper I'm more in love with it - it serves as a beautiful backdrop to this bedroom! The suzani pillows are a winner too.

Want to liven up a basic white pinboard? Add a nailhead trim to it. Love it!

Normally, I wouldn't be a fan of matching shades and throw pillows, but here, somehow, it just works! I think all that natural light, the large window and the surrounding white, balances of the pattern and colors and makes it all come together really well.

Love the arched entrances to the rooms, the columns and the mounding. Don't miss the fantastic antique side/end tables!

A lovely vignette. 

A small but grand bathroom.  It's moody, it's luxurious. Paris flea market chandelier, anyone?! :) And that console sink is va-va-voom gorgeous.

If one is ever to pick a taupe-ish brown wall color for a room - let this be it!! 

The striped curtains, the headboard and the pillow choices (a Schumacher fabric on the square pillows) are all fabulous. 

Current Favorite Dining Table & Chair Combos

Selecting a dining table for the home can be tricky business! It's a pretty important purchase and one that's going to serve for years to come. In our family home, it was the place we kids did everything - meals, school work, craft projects  & general faffing around!   Whether for family dinners or friendly gatherings, a dining table that's functional and sturdy and has a certain timeless quality to it, is a wonderful thing. 

So I thought I'd share a few dining table and chair combos with you this week!   Ranging from a rustic modern farmhouse table to one of my favorites, the classic tulip table. For families of 4 to a party of 12.   A roundup of dining table and chair pairings that complement each other, without being too match-y. Across a range of budgets and styles.

1. table, chair  - the classic tulip table

2. table, end chair, side chair  (a similar look for less at Target and IKEA here, here & here)

3. table, chair - a sculptural table like this is interesting and keeps it light and airy

4 table (love, love, love this pedestal table at ZGallerie - it's on the pricier side of the scale, but how beautiful is this base!), chairs with a nail head trim

5 table, chair - a fretwork table with pretty peach chairs - feminine chic! 

6  This gorgeous cherry wood Ethan Allen table (a steal for $250 on Chairish) with buffalo check chairs

7 A vintage mahogany table with these chairs. Painting them white and reupholstering with a zebra print fabric would look pretty fabulous.

8 Some outdoor inspiration!  A white trestle table and all-weather wicker chairs. Inspired by this dreeeaaamy outdoor dining loggia designed by Bunny Williams.

9 table, chair - for a more contemporary feel. A great table at an excellent price.

10 table, chair - simple & stylish

Once you have your table & chairs picked out, there's lotsa ways to accessorize & make the space come alive. A statement chandelier, an interesting rug, some art to set the mood...

For instance, a fun, contemporary dining space like this might be perfect for a city condo.  Starting with a tulip table and acrylic chairs. Adding on some soft sheepskin (love it's pairing with the acrylic, like here). This mismatched striped rug is very chic and the starburst chandelier brings in the oomph. I found this "cheers" neon light on Zulily - how cool would it look mounted on a wall in the dining/entertaining area.

A Blue & White Kitchen

A friend recently shared pictures of her kitchen renovation with me, and we got talking about her selections from cabinets to counter tops. It got me excited to pull together a kitchen that I'd personally love being in!  Right now, I'm really drawn to kitchens that invite the light IN. And the Great Blue & White Kitchen is a classic when it comes to this.  Light, airy, natural, a place for people to gather around, casual and comfortable, with a modern take to it. Some things I'm currently loving - natural fiber accents  (bamboo, rattan, basket weave), a farmhouse sink (suuuuper beautiful and BIG!) & antique brass hardware.  

So here are my selections, from cabinetry to counter tops to the finishing touches -  pretty hardware and statement lighting.

But first, some inspiring blue & white kitchens!  Feast your eyes :)

Gallerie B Interiors

Coastal Living Idea House 2017

Photo via Sincerely Sara

Mark D Sikes

And here's how to get this look!   A relaxed blue & white kitchen, mixing textures - natural fiber, brass, natural stone -  and adding a dash of bright color with the art.  A mix of high-low finds from Serena & Lily, Waterworks, IKEA, Home Depot, Etsy & more!

Cabinets, glass front - semi-custom from Cabinets.com or  these ready-to-assemble ones from Home Depot or these from IKEA  
IKEA Bamboo Pendant  (great style for a very good price, hang one above the counter!)
Relaxed roman shades in a beautiful fabric like this one from Quadrille's China Seas  
Countertops - Imperial Danby  or Carera Marble ( from doing a little research it seems that Imperial Danby is a good choice for the kitchen because it's less likely to stain). Quartz is also a great option - especially one that looks like natural stone!
Kitchen Faucet - I like matte or antique brass or a  champagne bronze like this one
Farmhouse Sink ( too gorgeous! My #1 choice for a sink, a single over a double for all that roominess! )
Backsplash - glossy, white subway tile (clean & classic!)
Counter stools - Serena & Lily
Cobalt blue kitchen island - paint - Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue
Runner - Striped runner
Art - "Bowl of Oranges" a bright find at Kohl's!

While browsing for pendants, I came across this ah-mazing lighting source - Tudo & Co. Where have I been & how have I not heard of them before!!  They have some fantastic lighting at reasonable prices.

Love these cutglass bottle pendants, the ceramic ones and the mason jars too!

If you're looking to revamp your kitchen or any other rooms in your home and are looking for design & decorating suggestions, let me know!  I'm offering "Step Into Style" a decorating package to help make your living space beautiful for ya & simplify the process. 

Whether it's choosing wall colors (a post on that coming soon!),  cabinetry and counter tops, lighting, window treatments, dining table and chairs, counter stools or any other furnishings -  we will make your space come alive! There is good design available at every price point and a beautiful space within your budget is achievable.

 I'd love to talk to you if you're looking to refresh an area of your home or if you're looking for decorating suggestions and guidance for specific rooms. I'm offering 3 free consult calls this Thursday, Jan 18th.  If you're some who wants to talk to me about your situation,  shoot me an email (or hit reply to this one) and I'll schedule you in!  Don't live in the area? No problem, I offer e-deign services as well &  can give you all the dirty details on our call! Shoot me an email and we'll talk.

I can't wait to hear from ya!