OUTSIDE INSPIRATION FOR INTERIOR DESIGN

Have you ever thought about how much the outside world influences designers to create looks for us to use when designing/decorating our homes?  There is so much to see, from architectural designs to the natural elements, inspiration is all around us.

 

Here are a few looks I put together, gathering looks from the outside to bring inside your home.

1//Image  2//Z Gallerie

Trellis planters via Inner Gardens  Trellis buffet cabinet via 1st Dibs

Left: floral image via DK Designs Hawaii / Right: French Laundry table linens via Horchow

Left: Hydrangea image  Right:  Hydrangea melamine dinnerware Sur la Table

Sunshine image / Sunburst mirror via Shades of Light

Take a look around, I'm sure you'll gather your own inspirational photos.

xo,

DECORATING YOUR FRONT DOOR WITH PLANTERS

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.  It was mostly cloudy with patches of sun here and there; still chilly for me.  The hubs and I went to the landscape nursery to see what new plantings were available because we wanted to add some flowers to our empty planters on the porch.

Playing around with arrangements and different flowers each year, I am sticking with geraniums, grasses and ivy.  The geraniums hold up pretty well and fill the planter nicely.  Now, regarding our planters . . .

We purchased our planters a few years ago (I think three) from Crate and Barrel.  I love, love, love them but they are showing some wear and tear (rust and paint chipping).  I was debating whether or not to try and fix them or toss them.  I said I would start looking after the summer.

So, Mr. D was lifting those heavy planters (filled with dirt and rocks), clearing out the old potting soil, replacing it with new soil.  He was almost done and about to put the planter back on the stand when the inevitable happened . . . the bottom piece dropped out and the rocks came tumbling down, dirt and all.  We both looked at each other in total surprise and disgust.  I did NOT want to replace them NOW.  Ugh!

To make a long story short, he managed to salvage it temporarily.  Now I'm on the hunt for new planters.  In my search, I'm deciding if I should stick with the bronze color (to match the light fixtures) or pick another color . . . white perhaps?

Here are the tapered planters that will be replaced as soon as I find a replacement

 

Front of our home

 While my search continues, I wanted to share some stunning inspiration photos I found.

(image unknown). 
The door and square planter boxes are uniform and blend nicely with the light fixtures.

image via Tone on Tone. 

I am obsessed with the front of this home!! Love the color of the door and the gray stone planters go perfectly with the stoned pavers.

image credit
This home looks large and the square box planters make a statement along with the bold color choice for the front door.

image unknown
Planters blend nicely with the home's stone color.

image via Thorton Designs blog

Beautiful look and love the wooden planters.  Not sure what's inside holding those boxwoods

image credit

While these planters seem a bit low for my taste, I still think they work for this homeowner.  With the fullness of the fern plants, it makes up in width.  The gray, white and green with gold accents are beautifully done.  Only thing I would swap out is their door mat (seems small). 

 

Here are some planters I'm eyeing:

From WindowBox.

This is a nice alternative to the bronze ones we have.  This might be an option but in a different pattern/design.  The height is perfect (at 18 inches)

Restoration Hardware zinc planters.  Love the look but not sure the color would work

Restoration Hardware Sheet Metal Planters but in a bronze color.  Similar to what we have now but would have to find alternative planting methods to avoid too much water rusting the bottom

Smith & Hawken planter from Target.
This is one of my top choices but hate that it's two inches shorter than what we have now.

Still looking for more options and suggestions are welcomed!

xo,

AS SIMPLE AS BLACK AND WHITE

Nothing is more classic and simple than black and white.  I think everyone has an article of clothing in these two colors.  I know I do! You can wear these colors year round and never tire.  Here are a few looks I created.

1// 2

 

 For a casual look, pick a feminine top and pair with white jeans

 

1// 2

For a dressier look, a simple pair of black slacks and an embroidered top

 

1// 2

For a sexy, summer look, a silk white cami, paired with a flared knit skirt

 

 

xo,

LOVING LUXURY BODY AND BATH PRODUCTS FROM SABON

Sabon store

A co-worker recently introduced me to Sabon products.  This company started in Tel Aviv with two individuals making soap.  It expanded internationally, with 130 stores around the world.  I checked out the boutique store in NYC.  I'm so glad I did . . . what a pleasant experience. 

Upon entering the store, you are invited to experience their products by taking a walk to their stone sink.  Using your foot, step on the metal pedal to release water from the faucet.  You are asked what kind of scent you favor . . . floral, fruity, musk, etc.  I tried their signature scent, patchouli, lavender and vanilla.  Your hands get washed with their soap, then exfoliated with their Dead Sea salt scrub and finished with hand lotion.  I can't begin to tell you how soft and clean my hands felt after that experience.  And, their signature scent is wonderful; calm and relaxing. 

They carry an array of luxury body and bath products:  from soaps and gels to lotions and body butters, body oils, bath salts, scrubs and balls.  Products also include candles, air fresheners, room sprays, hair products, and more.  They also carry a men's line and a mother and baby line.  Some of their products are paraben and mineral oil free. 

I have purchased a few products for my friends and family.  Besides their amazing products, the packaging and gift wrapping is pure luxury.

Of course, I had to pick up a few goodies for myself:  body scrub, body oil and hand cream in their signature scent (see below). 

If you live or work close to a Sabon store, I encourage you to visit and experience your own personal luxury.  Or, check out their website here.  Another scent I enjoyed was Lavender Apple.  I plan on visiting their store more often to try more of their products. 

xo,

OUR EASTER TABLESCAPE

My color theme this Easter was inspired by the love of all the pastel colors out this season; in particular, the color blush.  Call it my secret garden theme (unfortunately, indoors).  I wanted to bring a garden theme indoors and make it inviting and serene.  If you're sitting at my table, you'll be captured by the pink blushes, creams, crisp whites and gold accents.  Let's discuss the details:

Let's start with the pink, polka dot napkins (found at HomeGoods).  It's the perfect soft blush color!  I decorated the napkin with pom poms, pink ribbon, and white and gold cross ribbon (all found at Jo Ann's Fabric).  The garden themed fabric was also purchased from Jo Ann's.  I searched and searched for a tablecloth or runner and couldn't find the right pink.  After searching through Jo Ann's, I found this beautiful fabric with soft colored, flowered petals and light blue dots.  I added this as a layer to my white tablecloth.  The gold flatware was purchased from One Kings Lane.

  

The small salad plates were found at Marshalls and the Hue Blush dinner plates were purchased at Crate and Barrel (on sale!)

   

Ceramic bunny (Crate and Barrel); Egg dish (Pottery Barn)

Ceramic Bunnies purchased at Williams Sonoma last year (after Easter sale). Ribbons added myself

 

Flower arrangement made by yours truly . . . flowers from Trader Joe. 
They have the best flower selections and reasonably priced.

    

My DIY egg cup project (inspired by a design from Martha Stewart). 
 "Hi Martha, do you like my look?"

I really enjoyed putting this look together.  Hope you enjoyed the tour and I've inspired you to create a look of your own.

I'll end by wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!

xo, 

GETTING CRAFTY FOR EASTER

Easter is four days away.  Here's a simple . . . and I mean simple idea for your Easter table.

I was inspired by an Easter picture (see below) I saw on Martha Stewart's website.

Image via Martha Stewart

While the picture described the egg decoration, I was drawn to the what was holding the egg.  Since I don't own any egg cup holders and wasn't going to buy any; I knew immediately I wanted to create a similar look to hold my decorative eggs.

I found gold colored, mini cupcake holders and used them to create my look.  You basically glue either ends of the cupcake holder in place (back to back).  Let it dry for a couple of minutes and voila . . . you have an egg cup holder!

 

decorative egg purchased at Pier 1 Imports

Gold foiled cupcake holders purchased at Michael's craft store

 

Stay tuned tomorrow to see my Easter tablescape reveal!

xo,

BE OUR GUEST . . . EASTER INVITATIONS

Hosting an Easter brunch or dinner?  What better and nicer way to invite your guests, than with a personalized invitation that can be emailed (and/or mailed).

Online company, Celebrations offers an array of invitations from premium to free invites.  You can check out their full line here.

I decided to go with a free invitation.  The process is pretty simple and such a sweet gesture to send to your guests.

This is the design I chose:

Template via Celebrations.com

No fuss, no worry.  Invitations get sent immediately and you can track responses received from your guests.

xo,

HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL

Images at left (top to bottom): (my image: Bunny w/basket Williams Sonoma); Ceramic Lace Standing Bunny - Jo Ann's Fabric; Bunny Ears Down and Bunny Ears Up - Crate and Barrel.  Images at right (top to bottom):  Terrarium Bunny - Etsy; White Cottontail bunny - Etsy; White Sleepy Bunny - Etsy; Vintage White Ceramic Bunny - Etsy

One of my favorite holidays is Easter.  I respect the symbolism from a religious standpoint.  From a decorating standpoint, I adore all the pastel colors, together with the crisp look of white.   It's been a while since I decorated; the last holiday being Christmas.  So, I'm super excited to create a tablescape for Easter!

Last Easter I went with a nature inspired theme with realistic bunnies and animals with soft greens and blues.   Here's the look from last year:

I was able to purchase some white ceramic bunnies from Williams Sonoma, during their after Easter sale, last year.  I knew what look I wanted to create, going into 2014.  The look would be classic white, soft pastels and beautiful blooms.  Stay tuned to see how I put this whole look together.

xo,

TABLE LINENS INSPIRED FOR YOUR EASTER TABLE

One of the focal points in creating a look for my tablescape starts with the tablecloth or runner.  I love how a simple fabric, whether a solid color or pattern, can help create the look of any table. Nine times out of ten, that's my jumping off point. 

Let's talk table linens for Easter.  There are many types of patterns and colors you can create for your Easter table.  And, it doesn't have to scream bunnies. 

Take a look at some table linens that caught my eye. . .

I adore this tablecloth. It's such a soft color palette.  Williams Sonoma Easter Bunny Jacquard Tablecloth

Blue Seersucker tablecloth is a classic look for Easter. (Crate and Barrel)

Pottery Barn Hilltop Garden Table Runner

Love this yellow table runner with ivory lace trim; perfect for an Easter look (Etsy)

This would make a lovely tablecloth for an Easter theme table  (Zara Home)

Polka dots is another creative look for your Easter table (Etsy)

Lilac Cotton Table Cloth (Zara Home)

What look are you creating for your Easter table this year?

xo,