SPRUCING UP FOR SPRING: Foyer Gets an Updated Look

Before. . .

After . . .

***

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to pop in and share a quick post, revealing our recently updated foyer.  My back is still bothering me and work has been extremely busy.  So, by the time I get home, walk the dogs, cook and feed them, and clean-up, I'm exhausted.  Can't wait for the weekend.  

Moving on . . .

Lately, I find my design style shifting from Traditional to more Transitional.  With lighter wall colors and a fresher, brighter, cleaner look.  

Our foyer was painted a couple of months ago.  The original wall color, "Hush" (Benjamin Moore) was a darker shade than the newly painted, "Tapestry Beige" (Benjamin Moore).  

The artwork in the "before" picture was replaced with the leftover wallpaper from our master bedroom makeover (see post here).  I wanted to re-use this leftover wallpaper somewhere in our home and this frames were perfect.  We used spray adhesive to bind the wallpaper to the art board.

With these couple of updates, the space is brighter and softer.

xo,

RESTORATION HARDWARE'S NEWEST VENTURE: RH MODERN

Have you checked out the newest and latest design style from Restoration Hardware (entitled, "RH Modern")?  Their 540 page source book left me in silence, as I carefully turned from one page to the next - dreaming of rooms to fill with some of these amazing pieces (and a wad of extra money to play with).

Their expression of Modern, integrated items from the past but a reimagined look of items for the present.  Here are some of my favorite pieces from the vast Modern collection:

Lighting:

Emile Chandelier 32"

Bonnington Chandelier 24"

Caged Cubist Pendant

Luciano Pendant Antique Burnished Brass 24 in (14 in also available)

Beds:

Canopy beds is the style choice for bedroom designs right now.  I used to have a canopy bed as a child but this adult version is the "wow" factor for the bedroom.

Draper Brass 4-Poster Bed with Headboard

Machinto 4-Poster Bed

The Montrose High Panel 4-Poster Bed looks amazing in this indigo fabric.  There are many other fabric choices for you to choose from. 

Seating:

Milo Baughman Model #3426, 1968 Leather Chair

Wexler Barrelback Fabric Armchair

Wexler Square Stool (also available in a round back)

Home Accessories:

Venn Mirror - Brass

Shagreen Tray Collection - Dove

Shagreen Boxes Collection - Dove

Bedding (Pillows and Throws):

Metallic Cowhide Pillow Covers

Metallic Linen Pillow Covers

Luxe Metallic Ombre & Basket Weave Pillow Covers

Ribbed Cotton Oversized Bed Throw

Having only seen these items on line and in the source book, I could only imagine how beautiful they are in person!  To see the full collection, click here.

If any of you are shopping around for new home items (furniture, lighting, accessories) be sure to check out RH Modern.  And, if you purchase anything from their new collection, I'm SO JEALOUS!

Happy shopping!

xo,

HALLOWEEN: Ideas for Decorating Your Pumpkins

With October upon us, people are decorating their homes with cornstalks, fresh bales of hay, mums and pumpkins.  We stopped by our local farm over the weekend and did a little shopping of our own, to decorate our front porch.

Next weekend I'll start decorating.  I didn't have a chance to this weekend because the porch is in need of some cleaning.  But here's what we picked up:

I love unique pumpkins, with different color variations and natural designs.

I had to pick this pumpkin because of the stem

I love the subtle color combo I have going on

Speaking of pumpkins, I found some creative and amazing pumpkins design ideas.

How gorgeous is this scrolled pumpkin! (HGTV Gardens)

For those who don't have the option of decorating outside, displaying small pumpkins in glass jars adds a nice touch.

Decorate your table with this lovely pumpkin and nut display.

Getting creative with washi tape (via lil luna)

A little paint and some thumbtacks go a long way.  How cute is this?
(image via country living)

Purchase some burlap ribbon at your local craft store and you have a beautifully decorated pumpkin
(image via country living)

Have fun decorating!

xo,

CB2: The Kravitz Design Collaboration

Hello everyone!  Did you have a nice weekend?  The weather was cold and rainy for the first half.  After all of my running around and cleaning, I had some downtime, to go through the ever growing pile of magazines and catalogs I've been neglecting.

Have you seen the latest CB2 catalog?  I was surprised to see Lenny Kravitz on the front cover but intrigued to see this collaboration.

Inspired by Lenny Kravitz's travels, you will find pieces with a 70's vibe.  While this style is not something that would compliment our home, this rockin style might be something to add to your home.

Nova side table

ya ya coffee table

Rake Brass Chair (with cover below)

This chair also comes in a nickel finish

Mack bar and counter stools

Lola table lamp

Pillow cushions

You can see the complete collection here.

xo,

FOR THE HOME: Antelope Stair Runner

Happy Friday everyone!  So glad the weekend is hours away.  I'm soooo tired (did I stress I tired I was??).  Fur baby, Quincy is getting up in the wee bit hours (anywhere from 2-4 a.m.), throwing my sleep pattern off balance.  Getting through the days and nights have been a challenge.

Now with two doggies in our home, we made it a point to add a runner to our stairs.  I was looking for something stylish, something with a print, and something that would be durable for us and the pups to go up and down.  I was debating for months which direction to go.

After finding inspiration on Pinterest, I really wanted an animal print.  But, which one?  I love the leopard prints but was gravitating towards the antelope print.  I thought it suited our home a little more.  Plus, this was a big step for me - taking a walk on the wild side.  I usually play things safe and look for classic items.  But, this print is neutral in it's own respect and makes such a statement for the staircase.

While researching for antelope carpets I came across a couple of rug companies that carried them.  The first, Exotics Aberdale Antelope from Karastan, is the one we purchased.  The fabric is Karalon nylon with 3M scotchguard and stain release protection.

The second, a high end version is the Antelope Ax Animal by STARK (100% wool).  It comes in two colors - Chocolate (similar to the one we purchased) and Stock.  STARK also carries another antelope design, called Antilcarpa (100% Polyproylene) and comes in 10 different colors.  I really fell in love with the Mushroom color (seen below).

While I love the pattern above, it didn't have the design like the one we purchased; creating a waterfall affect.  Take a look at our new runner. . .

This particular pattern has variations of browns and creams; from light to dark.  After discussing options with the installer, I decided to go with the deeper brown in the center.

Here's the entire pattern, uncut.  This picture was taken outside (with my iPhone), where the carpet was laid on our driveway.  So, the color pattern is a little lighter.  But, you get a good idea of how pretty this design is as a whole.

 It creates such a beautiful, waterfall-like pattern, cascading down the stairs.  The other option would have been to have the lighter cream color pattern cut as the center piece.  I wish our stairs were wide enough to accommodate the full pattern but you work with what you have, right?

Now if I could convince my husband to paint the spindles white (sigh).

 A paint job is also on my list to revamp this space.  I would also love to add some stairway moldings.  I have a serious addiction to adding/changing our home.  Help!

I really love the way it turned out.  Even Mr. D is in agreement (say, whaaat?).

If you are considering a new carpet for your home and want to go wild, here are some inspirational pictures.

Love this pairs so nicely with the neutral colored wallpaper.  

This homeowner decided to fill the entire width of the steps

Such a gorgeous design and neutral friendly

This version has a thinner, deep brown stripe cascading down.  Still fab!

xo,