SPRUCING UP FOR SPRING: Landscape and Home Decor

Bijou candle - Bois de Vanille

Vases (vintage shop finds)

Tray purchased at Bloomingdales

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Happy May!  Sounds so much better than "Monday".   On the east coast, we are starting the month off with rain and cooler temperatures.  Saturday was a pleasant day and we decided to visit a landscaping nursery that we've never visited before.  

We picked up some plantings for three of our planters in the backyard.  While two of our planters are not fully complete, I'm sharing what we've planted (ahem . . . what my hubby planted). 

I just love adding to our landscaping using planters. They create another layer of interest and perfect for incorporating more flowers in the back or front of your home.  For example, one of the planters we planted yellow begonias. Can I just tell you, I love the yellow begonias!  This is the first year I planted begonias or incorporated yellow flowers in our planters. 

When decorating for Spring inside the home, I opted for bright white accents, a lighter colored tray; completing the look with a soft floral arrangement.  This arrangement is something I will be creating more for spring. The mini green hydrangeas are a favorite of mine.  I love how these small changes, instantly brighten the room; making it fresh and alive. 

What changes have your made for Spring?

xo,

SPRUCING UP FOR SPRING: Foyer Gets an Updated Look

Before. . .

After . . .

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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,

MASTER BEDROOM CLOSETS: Inspirational Favorites

I've been on a Spring cleaning kick and an organizational movement has begun at our house!   I previously mentioned, our master bedroom closet was getting tweaked on my side of the space.  I'm happy to say, phase one is now complete.  With that part out of the way, I've been organizing all the clothes, shoes and handbags on the shelves.  It amazes me how much I've collected over the years and how many clothes I don't wear anymore.  It's time to purge.  I'm still in the midst of organizing my side and dedicating some hours during the weekend to complete it.  I hope to share with you the subtle but impactful changes soon.


Today, I'm sharing some inspirational closet designs, big and small.

Okay, this closet/dressing room looks like something out of a designer store.
Love the rich wood tones and vintage suitcases to accent the space.
Image via Room Decor Ideas

Love the color cabinetry and glass doors.  Oh, what I could fill in this closet (sigh).
Image via HomeBunch

Jennifer of JWS Interiors recently completed her master bedroom closet and what a transformation.  You have to checkout the before pics!  I love the white shelving and the overall softness of the space.  Looking at the picture above, makes me realize how packed my side of the closet is.   This is about the same amount of space I have on my side of the closet.

A beautifully designed closet with clothes, shoes, handbags and light fixture to die for!
Image via Pink Peonies

Beautiful wallpaper design and large floor mirror.  Simple and elegant

Nate Berkus really knows how live!  Loving this dressing room closet.
Image via Architectural Digest

This closet design is crisp and bright with elegant touches.  The mirrors on the doors are a nice touch and a great idea for those who don't have wall space for a mirror.

Image via YouTube

This small closet space is super stylish
Image via BHG

OMG! This design is nothing I've seen before.  Love the feminine lines of the desk and chair.  The dark cabinetry and rug give the space interest. Like entering the VIP room, made especially for you. 

Imagine getting ready in the mornings . . . choosing a pair of shoes and sitting down to put them on.  One quick look at my makeup in the mirror, before gathering my handbag.  Or, come sit down and admire my shoe collection.

Image via Room Decor Ideas

HOME DESIGN: Master Bedroom Makeover: Before and After

So excited to share with you, our master bedroom makeover reveal.  While the bedroom is missing one last item . . . window treatments, I wanted to show you the rest of the room!

Here are some "before" shots of our master bedroom, from seven years ago.  The room looks dark and drab (what the heck was I thinking??).  Now, that I look back at pictures . . . the room seems a bit boring.  Why is it that every other room gets the most attention and the bedroom is low priority? When we moved into our home, I was too anxious to get all the major rooms furnished and did take the time and attention when it came to the bedroom.  I guess it's a good thing because now I could give it the attention it needs.  The room was originally painted “Indian River” by Benjamin Moore (the "before").  While still a very pretty color, this time around, I wanted to create a softer and lighter design. 

Since moving into the new home, my taste has changed throughout the years (my husband has to put up with me and my decorating ideas).  Just knowing you can transform a space with a little paint and different accessories is major.  And, you don't have to break the bank doing so!

Going to try my hand at converting these rod pocket panels into French pleated ones and purchasing acrylic and chrome rods.  If I can't pull it off, I have to think of Plan B.  I also need to hang them higher (lesson learned).

And, now . . . the "After" photos!!

The prettiest and largest, soft white ranunculus with bright pink roses.

I'm loving my monogrammed duvet cover.  Add such a nice, personal touch.

Our television looks so tiny (lol).  Good thing we don't watch much television in this room.  Eventually it will need to be replaced.  It came with me when I lived at my parent's apartment.

A simple tray to display or place your day to day items (CB2).  I am also loving this high gloss, round tray here.

Adding a floor length mirror was a necessity and creates functionality when getting ready.

I fell in love with this fashion illustration of the model in a feathered gown.  It compliments the wallpaper nicely, wouldn't you agree? 

Fashion illustrations by Jessica Illustration (Etsy shop).  Accessories for my side of the bed.

For this makeover, I chose a color palette of ivory, gray and white and incorporated different metals of gold and silver. The inspiration came from bedroom designs that reflected a calm and serene look.  I wanted the room to feel light and to tone down the heaviness of all the dark wood furniture.  I wanted to bring different textures and layers to the room.

Let's talk paint.  I wanted to go in the direction of gray tones, to bring out the unusual gray color tone of our upholstered headboard.  Depending on the lighting, the headboard appears gray with a lavendar undertone or taupe.  I wanted to find a paint color in a light gray to compliment the headboard.  I chose “Barren Plains” by Benjamin Moore.  It’s a soft, light gray.  Immediately, the room lightened up!  And, that speaks volumes, especially since our bedroom furniture is a dark walnut. 

Inspiration also came from this beautiful, feathered, wallpaper design by Carl Robinson, Monte Carlo edition.  You can read my blog post here for all the details.  This was a definite splurge out of the whole makeover, but so well worth it!  Once the wallpaper was installed, it created an extra layer of calmness. The texture and print of the wallpaper really grounded the room.  I immediately wanted to grab my feathered pillow and jump into bed.



I'm truly happy with the way the room turned out with these changes.  And, even though I did not buy new furniture or change the placement of the furniture, the room feels and looks SO different!


I'll keep you posted about the window treatments.   Originally, there was an accent chair in the corner of my husband's side of the room.  I took it out because the fabric design is the wrong color (stick with neutral colors).  Still thinking of other options if I don't decide to reupholster it.

Master Bedroom Details:

Bedroom furniture: Lumine Collection (no longer available) (Thomasville)
Duvet cover:  Italian Hotel Satin Stitch Ivory with Ash (Restoration Hardware (on sale)) with custom monogramming
Sunburst Mirror:  Purchased from an interior designer years ago
Pillows:  Grey Mongolian Faux Fur Pillow Cover - 18"x18" (Best Home Fashion)
Alphabet Throw (Pottery Barn); gray no longer available but available in navy
Wall mirror, bust, crystal lamps, acrylic and tufted bench and area rug (HomeGoods)
Picture frames (IKEA)
Home accessories: H and M Home store, West Elm, CB2, Williams Sonoma Home, One Kings Lane, vintage shops

Thank you all for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed our bedroom makeover, as I enjoy sharing my designs with you.



xo,