Unifying a Room with an Area Rug

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Ma

An area rug can make or break a room. It ties the space together with size, shape and colors. If the rug is too small or the wrong colors or pattern, then it can break the room. There are many rules out there such as to have the furniture all on the rug or all off. There is also a rule of only having the front legs of a sofa and chairs on the rug. I want my new living room rug large but without the legs of the sofa and chairs sitting on it. I like to see the hardwood floors and I think the hardwood helps the room look more open and clean. I found the photos below to be very inspiring when designing, and unifying, my living room. Area rugs are also nice to separate functions of a room, as seen below. Do you find these photos inspirational when designing with an area rug? Which rule do you like to follow? My favorite room below is the last one. It is gorgeous!

Traditional Living Room traditional-living-room

See more traditional living room designs

Photo by Birdhouse Design Studio. See more traditional family room designs

Photo by Bruce Johnson & Associates Interior Design. See more transitional living room designs

Contemporary Living Room contemporary-living-room

See more contemporary living room designs

Photo by Christian Gladu Design. See more contemporary living room designs

Colorful Mondays {daisies}

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Ma

When I think of daisies, I first think of the common ones, Bellis perennis, with white petals and yellow centers. Second, I think of the Gerbera Daisies which are much larger and more colorful. They bloom in almost any color. I love them. Well, I found an abundance of plants that belong to the daisy family on the Daisy Paradise website that I had no idea ever existed! Daisies represent childhood innocence, honest love and simplicity. They are so beautiful; I thought I’d share some of them with you to make this Monday more colorful. Do these colorful daisies inspire you?

Friday Finds [personal touch]

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Ma

I found a couple of classics with a customization twist. Two weeks ago, I wrote about the beauty of vintage posters. I love striking, large prints. They really make a statement with the bold color and type. Well, this week, I found the coolest vintage poster because it’s not vintage at all and it’s completely a one-of-a-kind. At Uncommon Goods, I can order a print personalized with my wedding details. I would love to have this in my foyer. It has the look I want yet nobody will have the same one because it will have my and my husband’s names on it with our own details. The only reason why I haven’t been able to choose a large, vintage poster for my home yet is because I don’t want to choose one that has been mass-produced and very common. I like my home to be unique. This poster is the perfect answer for my vintage poster desire! There are a few styles to choose from.

Another personalized item that I found this week is this gorgeous pearl necklace. Every woman should have a pearl necklace in her jewelry case, right? Well, how about personalizing it so it’s not quite the same pearl necklace. It’s so unique! Kimberly Tidwell in Spartanburg, South Carolina, creates each necklace. She sells them at her online Etsy shop. I love that this is such a classic necklace yet I can put my “fingerprint” on it with the color of my choice and my initials. The pendant also adds a modern touch. Since I have three children, I could even choose to have each child’s first initial on the pendant. What a great Mother’s Day gift! Does it inspire you to have a classic item with your personal stamp on it?

Click on the appropriate photo for purchasing information.

Let’s Just Get Away

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Ma

Do you ever get the feeling that you want to get away? But also just stay home? I found some perfect retreats within the home. What do you think? I’d love to stop everything and take a break in one of these spots. Maybe I could close my eyes for a few minutes and be rejuvenated!

Photo by Susan Jay Design. See more traditional family room designs

Photo by Harrell Design + Build. See more traditional hall designs

Photo by JUDITH REPP ARCHITECTS. See more traditional hall designs

Photo by Michelle Fries. See more rustic hall designs

People Watch: Neum

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Ma

I spend a lot of time making my house a home. I took a snapshot of this couple and their home in Neum, Bosnia and my daydreaming begins. I can’t help but to wonder how long they have lived there or what they are doing. When traveling, even if it’s from your home to your grandmother’s, do you drive by a person’s home and wonder about what his life is like?

Looking at Window Treatments

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Ma

When I’m decorating my house, I really get stuck when it comes to the windows. They bring in all the light and are such a focal point. I’m afraid that if I use the wrong treatment, then I could block a ton of light or my eye will ignore the rest of the room and go straight to ugly, hanging fabric. I certainly want privacy but I also like as much light to flow in as possible. Below is a variety of treatments from curtains to blinds to shades. Is your home filled with the same window treatment or do you have a variety depending on the room?

I like the classic wood horizontal blinds. This is what I have in our cozy family room.

Roman shades are so pretty because you can personalize them with the pattern and fabric. I love how soft the one below looks and it gives total privacy for the bath.

This bedroom has a very classic look with curtains and valances. It must look very cozy when the curtains are closed at night.

I like the valence only approach here. The pattern is very pretty. I wonder if there are blinds hidden underneath.

I love the simplicity of these roman shades!

The shades below are so cool! I love that you can pull them down for privacy but still have natural sunlight shining into the room. I also like how the vertical ones match the horizontal ones.

Need I say more? I guess it’s obvious that I like pastel roman shades!

I think the below is a classic with the curtains for style but the horizontal blinds for function.

The duo below has a feminine touch with the thin curtain layer behind the thick layer. I love this look for a girl’s room!

Colorful Mondays {orange}

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Ma

Orange is red and yellow. It takes energy from the red and happiness from the yellow and creates an overall feeling of well-being with emotional energy of compassion and warmth. Studies show that the color orange creates increased oxygen supply to the brain and enhanced assurance. This vivid color also helps decision-making and enhances confidence and understanding. If this is the case, should office buildings’ interiors be bright orange? It seems that people would accomplish so much more and in turn be very successful at their endeavors! Perhaps cubicles should have orange walls rather than a plain beige and the boring carpets should be orange rugs instead. How about orange blinds on the windows? Does the color orange inspire you as studies have proved? Would you consider decorating your office with orange?

www.depositphotos.com/Alexandr Pakhnyushchy

www.depositphotos.com/Sergey Peterman

For photo sources, click on the photo.

Friday Finds [nautical]

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Ma

I’m excited to introduce a new weekly! It’s called Friday Finds where I will showcase stylish shopping discoveries. It’s a great way to begin the weekend. This week, I have been shopping for summer-themed accessories. I don’t have a boat, but it’s fun to dress as if I do during the summer months! The accessories below are great for the hot days and nights fast approaching.

The Red Anchor Change Purse is from a screenprint shop called the Hummingbird Factory in Nashville, Tennessee in the U.S. Everything in Ashley’s shop is unique and beautiful. This bag jumped out at me for the colors, size and the bold fisherman’s hook. Red, white and blue is such a classic color combination… and perfect for the Fourth of July. Who wouldn’t want to carry her phone and credit cards in this cute bag?!

Below is a bracelet from All Beta. The shop owner, Lucy Lu, works out of her studio apartment in San Francisco. She is a rock climber and uses rope for her designs. This bracelet is a fun, yet feminine, accessory for boating. The rope is such a cool touch. When you are busy tying up the boat, or getting splashed by waves, you don’t have to worry about getting your jewelry ruined! Then again, I’d just wear this to the grocery store and playground with my kids. Do you like wearing, or carrying, nautical themed accessories in the summer?

Click on the photos above to purchase. It’s easy at Etsy!

Parisian Dreams

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Ma

As I scrolled down my Facebook news feed, a post from the lovely blog, Decor 8, jumped out at me. The post mentioned a blog named The Socialite Family which is a French/English site devoted to creative families. C’est chouette! It includes interviews with various stylish families and photos of their homes. Now I’m sitting here daydreaming big time. Suddenly, I’m searching the Internet for an apartment in Paris… just for fun. It’s so interesting to see how other families live in other cities. I love the interior architecture of old Parisian apartments. The tall ceilings and moldings are gorgeous. The long, windows with the tiniest of balconies are so elegant. I’m also entertained by the cafe culture in Paris. I would very much enjoy spending time with my three young children and husband at a little bistro to people watch, chat and drink coffee or hot chocolates. I could ramble on and on about my Parisian dreams. Does the thought of living in Paris with your family inspire you?

Gazing at the Flowers

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Ma

This is such an exciting time of year. Colorful blooms emerge and I feel hope and happiness for the new season. I love being outdoors in the nice weather… not too hot and not too cold. Does springtime inspire you?