Category Archives: Design

Metallic Gold Framed Art

February 19, 2016

It might be a small addiction, but I just can’t get enough of gold accents in my home. I love the vintage feel it adds to a room. If you asked me what I thought of gold frames a couple years ago, I’d probably think of the family photos that hung in my mom and grandma’s house in the 70’s and 80’s. Metal frames do feel a little like a throw back, but done in clean modern lines, they are current and even a little trendy. Now I don’t think you should fill your home entirely with trends, but it is fun to have a few here and there.

I’ve long been a fan of Minted art prints, and now they offer metal frames in matte brass, brushed silver, champaign silver, matte copper and matte black. I teamed up the Minted to change up my entryway up a bit and add some fun matte brass framed pieces. The largest piece, called Green Forest, added a huge dose of my favorite color to the room. I tend to stick with greys, blacks and whites, and it can feel a little too neutral. This giant punch of bright green adds some energy to my living room. I paired it with black and white mountain climbing print, called Summit, for my husband and one of Emily Jeffords gorgeous sky paintings called, Mornings Away.

I decided to hang these prints in a nice neat, evenly spaced square grid. Hung over my credenza like this, they act as one large scaled piece together. When picking art to go together, I suggest 3 tips to make the process a little easier. Really anything goes if you love the art and it speaks to you. But, if you are a rule follower, these tips might be helpful.

Pick one or two colors that will repeat in the art. For mine, I picked the color green.
At least one of the pieces should be black and white. This graphic element adds interest and always feels sophisticated.
Consider variety in the detail or pattern of the images. I made sure to chose three pieces that all had a different pattern. For example, the black and white mountain image is very tightly patterned. The large green forest painting is made up of bigger, almost chunky brush strokes, so it’s pattern is a little loser. And finally the sky image is very smooth and fluid.

I’m really glad I went with these gorgeous matte brass frames. I found myself always picking between black and white frames, because I wanted to stay neutral and timeless. But, adding a little metallic element is a fun, way less boring neutral to decorate with.

This post is sponsored by Minted. All my opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible.

Design

Camel Colored Leather Sofas

February 16, 2016

Ok, I’m definitely not in the market for a new sofa. I still REALLY love mine, but maybe one of you are considering and new sofa and would like some help. If I was to buy I sofa right now, it would be a gorgeous camel colored leather sofa with clean, mid century lines. I don’t think you would get tired of this color quickly and I believe it gets better with age.

This light tan, camel color is a great neutral color option. It can be accessorized with just about any color. If feel a little retro, but very sophisticated. Say no to chocolate brown leather, this camel color feels a lot more modern and current. Check out the great examples I found of a light tan colored leather sofa used in some gorgeous living rooms.

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So, what do you think? It’s a pretty great look, don’t you think? Do you have a favorite from this selection. Mine is probably the West Elm Hamilton sofa seen in the 4th and 7th images. I love the piping and the clean, narrow arm on that sofa.

Design

Rose Quartz Paint for the Home

February 2, 2016

I love strong blacks + white’s and I’m still a fan of a good neutral grey, so I wasn’t super excited about this year’s Pantone Color of the Year selections. Serenity and Rose Quartz felt washed out and pale. But, I have to say, I might be coming around with the rose quartz at least. I found some great examples of this pretty pale pink used beautifully.

This first image of just two shelves of a bookcase painted pink, is brilliant. It feels modern and fresh and not overly feminine at all. And if you pair pink with emerald green, I’m always happy. I’d also be very tempted to paint my front door pink, if my husband would like me. If I ever finish my laundry room, I think I may need to put in black cabinets and paint the walls pink like the adorable kitchen seen below.

Pink Shelves

Dusty Rose Door

Pale Pink Walls

Gallery on Pink Walls

Black Cabinets with Pink Walls

Pink Chairs

How do you feel about Pantone’s 2016 colors of the year? Could you see yourself add splashes of these colors to your home or wardrobe? I recently bought a blush sweater, and I’m in love with it. I wasn’t sure if a redhead could wear that color, but it’s my new favorite.

Design

Gorgeous Green Chairs

January 26, 2016

Do you ever find yourself looking at the same thing online and in stores? For me it’s green chairs. Do I need anymore chairs in my life, absolutely not. But, if by chance I find myself needing a new chair, it will definitely be a green one. Chairs and stools are a great place to play with color. Big furniture pieces like sofas and tables should be neutral and timeless. But, I think a playful chair or two is always a good idea.

Here’s a few of my current favorites. The gorgeous leather swivel chair from West Elm screams 1990’s to me. This forest green was my jam. I’m so glad this color is back. The clear green lucite is pretty fabulous. So sleek, this chair would make any space feel instantly modern. And can you really have too many stools? I’m a sucker for mixing wood and painted pieces, The Land of Nod geometric stool would look great in any room in my house.

1. Clear Green

2. Geometric Stool

3. Green Mesh

4. Green Rattan

5. Leather Swivel Chair

6. Chrome Legs Stool

So, what color are you drawn too when shopping for pieces for your home? Can you relate to my chair obsession, or is yours for pillows or bowls or something else?

Design

Black Entryways

January 19, 2016

Last week, Lonnie and I went to an open house and we kind of fell in love. It was a gorgeous 100 year old, 2 story craftsman with sooooo much potential. Sadly the house was already off the market, but I can’t get it out of my head. It’s one of those houses that you see and you immediately start packing up your current home and move in all in your head. I have wall colors and ideas picked out for almost every room in the house. It’s definitely my “dream” home. One of the best features of this house was a gorgeous entryway with beautiful wood work and leaded windows. Living in a small house that definitely doesn’t have an entryway, this felt like a very grand and luxurious feature to have in a home. So, while I’m moving into this fantasy home that has a real entryway, indulge me while a dream about being dramatic with paint and consider painting the entryway black.

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Black might seem dark and dingy, but I found some really great examples of black paint done well. I love how dark paint colors highlight white trim and moldings.

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So, what do you think? Too dark, too dramatic? Or does it feel sophisticated and modern? I won’t be painting a room black anytime soon, but it’s fun to dream.

Design

Design Sponge Home Tour

January 12, 2016

If you follow me on Instagram, I shared yesterday that our little home is on Design Sponge! I’m a sucker for a Home Tour, so it’s fun to have our home photographed and ready to share. It feels like a huge accomplishment for me, because I shot and edited all the images. I’m not a professional photographer, so this was a huge job for me. Shooting pics of my kids, a DIY, or a recipe are a totally different game, and I have a little confidence there. Playing with the uneven light and angles of rooms is not an easy task. But, I love a challenge and I feel like this particular challenge pushed me to learn and play with new skills.

Here’s a few of my favorite shots, but you can check out the full Home Tour HERE.

Is there a creative skill or technique you’d like to take on? Or is the task or job that seems bigger then you can handle?

Design

10 Stylish Items To Get Your Home Organized

January 11, 2016

I don’t know about you, but I’m in full force Spring cleaning mode. Once the Christmas decorations were down, I wanted to clear clutter and purge my closets. How is it that we collect so much “junk” over the years? I don’t want all the stuff that is in my house, but somehow is just ends up here. In the last 2 weeks, I’ve filled 6 large garbage bags with stuff I don’t need in my life. Most of it will be donated. But, some of it is going to my studio where I’m going to have a little prop sale. If you’re local, keep your eye out, I’ll be posting about the sale soon. You guys, I have some great stuff, I just don’t have space for it. And I’m definitely a believer in the theory that your home is a reflection of your life. It really applies to me folks. If my closets are messy and my counters are cluttered, it’s usually because I’m feeling tired, stressed, or just not taking care of myself. When my house is clean and organized, I feel more relaxed and ready to take on the world.

Now that I’ve purged quite a bit, I’m ready to bring order to the things I’m keeping. I did a little online window shopping and found 10 stylish items that will help you get more organized. These are all items I’d happily put to use in my home. Organizing doesn’t have to been yucky plastic bins, it can be done it a beautiful way.

So, happy organizing friends.

1. Jewelry Box

2. Mirror with Shelf

3. Large Basket

4. Stacking Jewelry Box

5. Filing Cabinet

6. Jewelry Tree

7. Brass Pencil Cup

8. Rose Gold Letter Organizer

9. Softie Grip Grass

10. Fabric Storage Cube

Design

Our Home, Christmas 2015

December 24, 2015

I thought before Christmas had come and gone, I’d share with you a few pictures of our little home decorated for the holidays. I usually keep it pretty low key, because we are never actually home for Christmas. It wouldn’t be right to have Christmas without Grandma and Grandpa.

I kept my mantle very simple with just a collection of candle sticks.

Since we have very little time at home this year, we opted for the fake tree, it’s not my favorite, but it will do. Sadly Bruce the Spruce didn’t survive the Summer while we were in Alaska, there was a little mess up with his watering.

After 17 years of marriage, I’ve collected a lot of Christmas ornaments and nicknacks. I’ll just let you scroll through and check out our holiday decor this year.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

Design

Gift Guide for the New Homeowner

December 15, 2015

Oh boy, there are fewer and fewer days left to get your Christmas shopping done. I know I’m very from being done shopping. To help you and myself out, I’ve picked out a few fun gift ideas for the new home owner or renter in your life. These are items that could work well in a lot of spaces and with a lot of different styles. I know I’d happily add and use any of these items to my home.

1. Emily Henderson’s Styled Book

2. Gumball Coat Rack

3. Method Cleaners – Wood, Granite, Stainless Steel

4. Picture Hangers

5. Brass Hammer

6. Custom House Portrait

7. Locked Medicine Cabinet

8. Rope Door Mat

9. Letter Hooks

10. Magazine Rack

Design / DIY

5 Flower-Less Arrangements for Fall

November 25, 2015

I love the look of real, fresh flowers in my home. Every couple of weeks I buy a inexpensive bunch of flowers at the grocery store. They immediately freshen a space and add life to my rooms. But, I’m always on the look out for arrangements that are no-fuss and can last for a long time. I teamed up with my favorite local florist, House of Flowers, in downtown Bakersfield to put together 5 very easy arrangements for Fall that actually aren’t flowers at all. (If you are local, be sure to follow them on Instagram, they host some really great workshops.) This fun mixture of berries and twiggy, leafy stems adds texture, life and color in a beautiful subtle way. And the best part is, you don’t really have to have any floral arranging skills at all.

All of these would look gorgeous paired with flowers or as fillers in an elaborate arrangement, but I love the simplicity of placing each item in it’s own container.

I started with a mixture of some old and new vases.

Copper Mugs // 3 Tall Vases (I’ve had for over 10 years) // White Pitcher // Short White Vase // Copper and Brass Vase (Thrifted)

Here’s my new favorites. Next time you are looking for some fun foliage for arrangements, be sure to ask your local florist for these inexpensive flower-less stems.

1. Moon Lagoon Eucalyptus

2. Cotton

3. Red Brunia

4. Silver Brunia

5. Privet Berries