Chic Chartreuse

/whitehaveninteriors.blogspot.com

I got the memo that marsala is the new Pantone color of the year but I was really hoping for a color like chartreuse.  While I don't tend to like walls painted in dominating hues like this, I do love it as an accent.  Nothing could be happier or chicer as we head into spring and summer no matter what your design style may be. 

traditionalhome.com

huntedinterior.com

caitlinwilsondesign.blogspot.com

leo-decora.blogspot.com

burkedecor.com

en.paperblog.com

elementsofstyleblog.com

decorpad.com

As you can see, you don't need to overdose on a color as strong as this one to get major impact.  I want to add a few shots of chartreuse to my bedroom to freshen it up and I'm loving the bath towels as well.  

It's Thursday and I am in my first week back in my teaching credential program and my kids have both started basketball practice.  It seems we don't have a minute to call our own for the moment but who has?  A pretty home is always welcoming when life is hectic, so keep it pretty everyone!

Frostbeard Studio Candles

I received one of the best gifts this Christmas from my cousin Lisa and husband Luis who are in the process of opening their own store in Memphis.  By the gifts she sent I'm thinking this coffee shop and specialty store, City & State, (City & State Facebook page) is going to be my go-to for gift inspiration and resources.  I really wish I lived closer but I'm hoping a little on-line shopping will also be possible.  

These candles by Frostbeard Studio are cleverly cheeky and geeky and they smell amazing!  Check them out:

I'm sure you will all want one of these candles now--and there are many more options available-- so head over to etsy.com and later over at City & State if you're local, to snap one up and make your home even cooler than, I'm sure, it already is.

A Tommy Smythe Christmas

Tommy Smythe sarahrichardsondesign.com

Designers Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig designed this gorgeous condo.  There are a few things we can all learn from the good taste displayed in the Christmas decor of these images: simple is best; fresh greenery is all you need.  I am in love with the grey and gold scheme of the above room!  

mynottinghill.blogspot.com

www.cbc.ca

www.cbc.ca

Which do you prefer? The upscale grey and gold scheme or the black, white and red?  

Thanksgiving Through Christmas Decorating

thisisglamorous.com
(Start with the mantle decor and add the pretty basket with gifts later)

While life is pretty busy for all of us this time of year and we all want shortcuts, we don't want it to look as though we have taken shortcuts.  Since Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close, why not start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving?  Now, I think there are a few tricks to this so that it looks appropriate:  Lot's of greens and candles to begin with (perhaps with a few pumpkins) and after Thanksgiving you can add all the tree decorations and pretty sparkly elements or just keep it simple and natural.  Also, pine cones are the perfect accent for fall to winter decorating.  Here are a few images that inspire me to get started but help my efforts last long after the turkey and stuffing are devoured.  

triciafoleyinthecountry.blogspot.com
I love this image and it is appropriate for Thanksgiving all the way through the New Year.  Maybe accent with sparkly lights in the garland or leave it simple.

yourcozyhome.blogspot.com

petit-jardin-secret.tumblr.com
Candles are always festive.  Just add mini white pumpkins for Thanksgiving.

cat-arzyna.tumblr.com
These moss stars are lovely and could work for Thanksgiving through the New Year as well.

ideasdecor.net
This table is just perfect for any winter celebration.

bespokeonly.tumblr.com
Again, beautiful greens and candles.

familyholiday.net
Start with pumpkins and then add the trees after Thanksgiving.  It just doesn't get any easier or more beautiful.

sagolikasinnen.blogspot.no
For me, this is the perfect, everyday dining environment during the holidays.  It could easily be dressed up for a special gathering.

traditionalhome.com
Here is the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas hostess gift.  Why didn't I think of this?

Fresh greens or really good imitation garlands are the key to pulling off these looks.  They are inviting and simple and beautiful.  

Happy Decorating!

House Tour: Mill Valley

I came across this home because of an image on Pinterest--the bathroom with the stunning tile.  I found the great blog houseofearnest.com and it seems Erin also fell in love with the same bathroom and did a post on this house by hsh-interiors.com.  This "house" is a converted 1930's church...how cool is that!  Every room flows and the style is perfection.  I love this house.  Take a little tour and see if you don't.

I could just move right in!  I think my favorite parts are the living room ceiling and the butlers pantry.  What do you like best?

Friday is here and I'm so excited for the 4 day weekend ahead!  Tomorrow my family is taking photos for Christmas cards.  I hope they turn out as great as I imagine.

Happy Friday,

Inspired by Art: Sophisticated Rural

The massive online auction site invaluable.com is a great source for design inspiration.  A room inspired by a piece of their artwork is an excited idea.  I love to design but I especially love a creative challenge: I chose a piece I loved from their site and created a space around it.  Oh happy day!  

Sophisticated Rural by rebecca-iverson 

I chose a beautiful oil painting entitled Karouev/Dan Farm (auctioned October 21st here).  I had a difficult time choosing a favorite work of art because, let me tell you, there are so many.  I didn't choose this particular piece because it was expensive.  The starting bid is only $70 but what do I care, it's gorgeous and makes me happy to look at it.  Also, I knew it would be the starting point for one gorgeous room.  

The first element I chose to go along with my painting is the rug.  I love that the geometric design mimics the roof-lines in the painting.  I also like the high contrast and almost quilt-like design.  The painting pre-determined that the space would involve contemporary country design elements and this rug looks a bit like a quilt.  I believe a simple blue sofa is perfect on this rug and in this space.

I next envisioned grass-cloth wallpaper that would cover the bottom portion of the wall divided by a chair rail.  Above the chair rail would be painted a soft gray-blue that would be a continuation of sky from the painting.  I love the combination of the earthy and warm grass-cloth and the soft airy blue above.  Just like the painting.  

The curtain fabric is a soft tonal silk check.  I like the traditional country pattern for this space but the silk fabric is a sophisticated juxtaposition to the textural grass cloth.  Also, the soft colors help the pattern keep out of competition with the rug.  

I brought in a touch of green with the beautiful lamps.  I wanted a hit of green but not too much.  

The Chippendale chairs would face the couch and they reinforce the natural and casual theme but keep it up to date with their strong line.  Because the grass-cloth has multiple shades of brown I was able to use a few different wood tones:  The chairs and the side tables are different wood tones but they are both in the grass-cloth and the painting.  

To finish off the space, a white branchy chandelier would hang over an ottoman or coffee table.  I like that it is light in effect and wouldn't compete with the other elements, but it is still a strong statement.

I hope you love this painting and the room it inspired as much as I do! There are so many paintings over on Invaluable.com's site available here. There are literally hundreds of fantastic pieces ranging greatly in price. Let me know what you think and be sure to go bid on this painting if you are interested.

Favorite Thing: White Pumpkins

mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com

One thing about being a mom is that kids have definite ideas about how to decorate for it.  They like slightly scary things like spiders and fake blood.  I, on the other hand, prefer elegant or warm fall decorating.  Just an abundance of light colored pumpkins and beautiful greenery- thank you very much.  Luckily, I only have to do the cheesy Halloween thing for a few weeks to make the little ones happy and then it's all mine, baby!

mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com

yummymummykitchen.com

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piecefulwedding.com

So pretty, right!

I am thrilled today because my husband and I are playing hooky and leaving town to go shopping and visit the Getty museum.  I have needed a day like this for a long time!