Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
HomeGoods Style Quiz
So I recently just took this HomeGoods style quiz. It was SO accurate! My color palette they recommended? You guessed it! A collection of pretty red hues. Similar to that used here on this blog actually! Here's what it said about me:
Laurel, You Are A BOHEMIAN CLASSIC
You have a refined sensibility and bring a sense of history and tradition into your decor. You appreciate how symmetrical arrangements and beautiful, well-crafted pieces create a solid foundation to a room. But you like to shake up this restraint with objects and accessories that express your personality and your love of other cultures. When traveling, you seek out unique objects that reflect what you love, and you use them in a sophisticated way. You want people to feel comfortable in your home, and cozy chairs, ethnic fabrics, unique pieces, and even a little touch of quirk or humor give your house a laid-back, Bohemian flair.
You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.
Putting Your Style to Work!
With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.
1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZEThe front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.
2. Your Happy PlaceMake this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.
3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!
Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.
Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.
Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!
Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.
Putting Color to Use!
Don't forget that color looks best when paired with some neutrals for a little visual relief. If you go wild on the walls or with your upholstery, pull back a little on the rugs or curtains or vice versa. Each room can definitely have its own color palette, but think of your home as a whole, with each room transitioning to the next. Some tricks: go for fairly neutral hues in hallways, or add some colors from one room into the neighboring room, even in the form of accessories or fabrics.
Chalkboard Rooms
Chalkboards have been all the rage lately. I've seen them in nearly every type of room on various blogs. I'm choosing to share a view I like with you. I find them particularly useful in kitchens. Chalkboard walls certainly bring a feeling of youth and fun into a room, no matter the rest of the decor.
I like this a lot. It's very simple, yet totally awesome. The colorful chalk and the child like table and chairs makes me what to color. Or cook. I can't decide. This is a great way to use an empty wall in a dining area of a kitchen. Writing up most-used recipes is a fabulous idea!
Now, I am pretty sure this is not actually a chalkboard, but I like the idea of a large canvas or piece of wood as a statement piece in a room. The fact that this one is black and graffitied made me think of chalkboards. Anyone could do this as a large, ever changing statement art piece, you just need to paint a large piece of wood and lean it against the wall [maybe fasten it to the wall if you live in California! ;)]
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I think chalkboard walls work fabulously in kids' rooms! This one is great, but clearly done by an adult. I like that it is a way to have an ever changing space. Something that is particularly useful in a kid's room. This is playful, colorful, fun.
Now this is a screenshot from the movie Because I Said So. I am in love with Mandy Moore's character's apartment. It is gorgeous industrial design. If you look carefully here though, you notice that she's painted an older fridge with chalkboard paint! What a fabulous idea! It looks amazing and is super super useful!!
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Here is another kitchen with a chalkboard wall. I like the way its broken almost into sections. The mother or another adult uses the right side for lists and such, and lets her kids draw all over the left. What a great way to use the space as a family!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Red, Of Course!
How could I not show some red rooms for this first post? These vary from a few red accents to a dominating red color scheme. I rather enjoy both. Don't worry though! I'll be mixing it up, this blog is not entirely about red rooms.
I love these red storage boxes and the chandelier. I think the room needs at least one other color though. I am afraid of all that white near pens, ink, newspapers, etc.
I love this room! So warm and inviting. It is very traditional.
Oh my goodness. Can you say heaven? I absolutely adore everything about this room. The red and turquoise work so well together. They truly are complementary. I love how each piece looks like an antique, and yet the overall look of this room is very modern. Mostly I adore those long, tall, red curtains and the bedspread.
This is such a happy, bright space. Invigorating. It would be great for a kids bathroom. I would love to bathe my kids in that tub! The red of the tub and the red of the wall paper work very well together. Even though the only dominant colors of this room are red and white, I don't feel like it is as stark as the office above. I'm not afraid to touch anything here. I do wish the clawfeet were painted white or gold, though.
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This is another bathroom I love. The clawfoot tub is gorgeous, especially raised up on this platform. I can't imagine trying to vacuum under that raised platform though. What a pain that would be. The accents of red are very subtle here, yet have a lasting affect. I believe that little red cart is about $5 million though. I adore that little black and gold stool, however and the curtain that so gently and elegantly filters the light and adds privacy. This room is both rustic and finished. Its amazing.
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