10 Ways to UpStyle Your Closet

I love a beautiful closet and think it’s one of the easiest ways to enhance your life.  A beautiful closet makes your clothes and accessories look better and I believe it can also make you feel your best each and every day.

Many of the design clients I work with struggle with making the most of their closet, from organizing it to making it a design statement like the rest of their bedroom.  No matter how big or small your closet is, there are some design tricks you can use to make it a beautiful, functional and inspiring space.

1.  CREATE A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION

If you don’t have a walk-in closet, don’t let that stop you from creating a dynamic first impression with your closet.  Painting your closet doors, adding trim work or using wall paper to add a graphic punch is a great way to up-style your closet.

2.  ADD PAINT OR PAPER

Adding a little pizazz to the inside of your closet will not only energize the space but your clothes will look more glamorous surrounded by pretty paper or paint.

 

I love the idea of wall-papering the inside of a closet door.  It creates such a pretty backdrop to display outfits against.

Paint your closet walls your favorite color which is sure to lift your spirits.

3.  ORGANIZE BY COLOR

 

Organizing your clothes by style first (shirts, pants, skirts etc.) and then by color will give your closet a stylized feel and make getting dressed easier.

And don’t forget that the hangers are part of your style statement so use all one style of hanger to give your closet a streamlined and  cohesive look.

4.  KEEP IT ORGANIZED

I can’t stress how important an organized closet is to starting your day on a good foot.  Keep like items together and use shelf dividers to keep things tidy.

 

5.  USE STORAGE BOXES AS A STYLE ELEMENT

Storage boxes are another great organizing tool.  Invest in study boxes with stylish details.  Storage boxes can become part of your closet style!  If you come across plain boxes at the thrift store, an inexpensive roll of wrapping paper and double-sided tape  can transform them into decorative boxes in a flash.

6.  PUT THINGS ON DISPLAY

I love to incorporate decorative accents into a closet space.  Hanging a piece of art or displaying accessories or personal care items on decorative risers can transform your closet into a special space.

7.  MAKE IT PERSONAL

If space allows, why not incorporate a small vanity desk or chaise into your closet space.  It my not seem like you’d hang out in your closet but I promise this will become a special retreat for you.

8.  ADD A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR

One of the easiest ways to up-style your closet is by hanging a chic chandelier or pendant light.  This change alone will make your closet feel special and personal.

9.  ADD SEATING

Ok, who wouldn’t want this gorgeous ottoman in their closet.  Seating, whether a chair, stool or ottoman will give you a place to put on your shoes and turn your closet into a salon.

10.  ADD A RUG

Adding a decorative rug as a style layer in your closest is a quick and easy up-style tip.  Go bold or stay classic but layer a rug to give your closet a sense of warmth and coziness.

If you’re looking for ways to make your closet a more inspiring space, try one or more of these Closet UpStyle Tips!

Happy Decorating!

If you’d like help creating a home your absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!

all images can be found on MY DREAM CLOSET pinterest board.

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Outdoor Living Inspired by a Pillow

Living in Atlanta allows for lots of outdoor living and entertaining and designing outdoor spaces is one of my favorite things to do because you can have a little fun with the color palette, the design theme and the accessorizing. I recently created a design plan for a couple whose goal was to extend their living space beyond the family room and take advantage of their beautiful tree-lined back yard.

The Goal:

*  A space for entertaining and lounging that would accommodate lots of people

*  A space with color and a modern Moroccan vibe

*  A space to be enjoyed during the day and into the evening

*  Plants and lush greens to add a cozy feel

*  Texture and color

 

The Plan:

 

 

 

The deck is fairly large so there will also be a dining table and chairs off to one side.

This design plan was executed in record time, the furniture has been ordered and now all that’s needed for my clients Cinco De Mayo party is the margaritas.

Cheers!

   

If you’d like help creating a home or outdoor space you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services.  Don’t live in Atlanta?  No worries because our Door-to-Door e-design service was developed just for you.

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Five Ways to UP-STYLE your Dining Room

Hello and Happy Monday!

I hope you weekend was great and that there was sun in your neck of the woods.  Here in Atlanta we had rain which made for a good weekend to stay indoors and “try” to catch up on work.  One of the projects I’m working on is a dining room revamp for a client and the entire project got me thinking about different ways to give a dining room added style. Furniture is always the first element that defines a dining room but beyond that, there are some other ways to enhance the style and make your dining space a bit more personal and unique.

 

1.  MIX and MATCH CHAIRS

Adopting this look can be done pretty easily just by painting different styles of chairs in the same color or color family so that they work with the textiles and color you have in your dining room.  I love this look for eclectic and vintage styled homes but it can also be done with more traditional styling as well.

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The neutral colors along with the grey tones are used in different applications giving each chair a unique look while keeping the entire statement coordinated.

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In a more traditional space, variations of the same color keep the color palette tight and classic.

2.  REPLACE CHAIRS WITH A BENCH

A bench is a fun way to break up a dining room set while still providing the same amount of seating that chairs would.  Using a bench also allows you to incorporate a strong pattern statement with the upholstered seat and helps to lighten the visual impact of a heavy wood dining set.

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With the bench finish the same as the chairs, it feels like it is part of the set.

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Fully skirted benches add softness and provide a contrast against the legs of the table and chairs.

3.  USE A NON-TRADITIONAL CHANDELIER OPTION

Switching out your traditional chandelier for something that is unique in style, material or shape is one of the easiest ways to up-style your dining room.  I also like the idea of hanging double chandeliers instead of one for a more personalized look.

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These uniquely shaped hanging glass pendants grab your attention and help define the style of this dining room.

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A popular trend of late is turning vintage wire and wicker baskets into chandeliers.  This look works great for more casual dining rooms.

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I love this cluster of round lights, shaped to form a unique chandelier.  Keeping the chandelier white allows the shape to command attention and not a color.

4.  BUILD YOUR DINING ROOM AROUND ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

I’ve always wanted a house where the rooms were such that the dining room and living room could switch places.  If your home gives your this option, move your dining room into the living space where there is built-in architectural features or a fireplace.  These elements will add instant character to your dining space.

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I’m seeing bookcase walls being used in dining spaces more and more.  This look adds a personal feel and in a pinch the lower shelves can be cleared and used as a serving station.

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Opt for open shelving in a dining room versus a china hutch or closed cabinets.

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Glass front cabinets will keep your dining space open and airy while still adding an elegant touch.

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With open shelving, your serving pieces become decorative objects that help style the room.

5. DO SOMETHING TO THE WALLS BESIDES PAINT

Yes paint is the easiest and cheapest way to dress up a space but in a dining room think about doing something different to your walls like adding a fun wallpaper, stencils or mirrors.

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A unique wallpaper will immediately define the style of your dining room.  Be bold and use it throughout instead of just on one wall.

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If you have lots of windows in your dining room, use your drapes as the decorative statement.  Double up the panels to make the curtains plush and full and drape them back to add visual movement and shape.

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A wall of antique mirrors is a great way to add style without your dining room looking like a dressing room.   And check out those unique light fixtures above the table.

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If your room doesn’t come with built-in architectural detailing, you can always add it.  Cut a niche into the wall and using a wide molding, create a dramatic frame.

Beyond these 5 Ways to Up-Style your Dining Room, make sure your centerpiece is also something that stands out and defines your space.

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Happy Decorating!

Do you have a design challenge you’d like help tackling?  Contact me about my design services!

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A Few Things I’m Really Excited About

I can’t resist books so when I heard that Country Living has a new book coming out I immediately pre-ordered it.   The Little Book of Big Decorating Ideas is a compilation of over 205 of the magazines best design, decor, DIY and crafting ideas & projects. The book will be out in June.

These cute Chevron journals from C. Wonder.

I finished creating a design plan for an outdoor deck and presented it to the client. One of the elements that inspired the design was this pillow.  I love this pillow so much I had stop by the store and buy one for myself last night.

 

I was invited by the ladies that own Antique Traditions in Norcross, GA to be the guest of honor at their upcoming Ladies Night Out Event on May 1st.  I am so excited to meet Hazel, Lorraine, Taylor, Mary and Carolee and share a little of my design knowledge with their customers.  Stay tuned for more details about the event.

I was inspired by this image and am working on a fun DIY project to show you in a couple of days.

What’s exciting you these days?

 

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Four Chairs and a Table

I recently finished a design plan for a client and suggested an alternative use for their “keeping room”. For those of you that are not from the south, you may not have heard the term keeping room before. A keeping room is an area just off the kitchen of a home. Keeping rooms date back to Colonial times when families would sleep in that area when the rest of the house was cold. Since the area could be heated by the kitchen stove, it often provided the only heated place in the house. Today, a keeping room is called by many different names, depending on one’s geographical location, such as a family room, a great room and a hearth room.

Because my client has a formal dining room and a large living room that they use on a daily basis just off the keeping room,  it didn’t make sense to turn the space into another family room type set-up. I suggested that the space become a lounge and reading area, a place for them to relax or read and a space for people to gather when they entertain. The plan for this space includes four upholstered chairs flanking a coffee table. I love this type of set-up because it is creates an area in their home that is both functional and comfortable.

If you’re looking to use your “keeping room” in a new way or have an empty room that you want to use in a new way, consider the option of Four Chairs and a Table.

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Here’s a look at one of the room designs I created for my client.

While we decided to use some of the couples existing furniture the flavor of the space is going to be totally warm and inviting.  I can’t wait for all the pieces to come together.

If you’d like help creating the home of your dreams, contact me about my design services!

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Decorating Inside and Out

 I’ve been busy working on a design project that involves several rooms of a home.  The homeowners want a front porch space that is welcoming, cozy and filled with personality.  Here’s a peek at some of the design elements for the space.

The client already has white rockers which work beautifully with their craftsman style home.  We are looking to keep the space fairly neutral and bring in depth through strong patterns, warm colors and lots of natural finishes. 

As you move into the living room of the home, the colors will become richer and more saturated, again using textures and patterns for visual warmth and interest.  I’m loving the mix of rich red and grey paired with antique gold and warm wood tones.   

It’s always fun to create a design plan that will truly transform a house into a home.

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services.

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5 Decorating Rules I (almost) Never Break

I bet every morning when you get up you brush your teeth, get dressed and eat something for breakfast.  These things are rituals in your life not only because they are necessary but because they make you feel better and set the stage for a productive day.  Just like your daily rituals, there are design rules or rituals that I think are necessary to get the most from your home and your décor.  These are the little things that bring out the best in the features of your home, the flow of your home, the function of your home and the style of your décor.  Whenever I am designing or decorating for clients, I try to always follow these rules, because they work and because the end results are always good!

NEVER GO NAKED! 

With your windows that is!  I am a firm believer that most, if not all windows and the rooms they are in are enhanced by some type of window treatment.  Curtain panels add softness and can enhance the size of a room while valances, blinds or shades can add pattern, color and texture and that finishing touch that a room needs.  Straight curtain panels are my window treatment of choice and hanging them as high as possible is always the way!

for more window treatment ideas, check out my Curtain Call board on Pinterest

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT

And adding mirrors into your design mix is they way to do it.  I’ve said it time and again here on the blog that mirrors are a wonder drug when it comes to decorating.  Mirrors add light, they make small spaces look bigger, they enhance the good things in your décor and take the attention off the bad.  Adding a mirror opposite a window, above a mantle or on the wall across from artwork is a great way to reflect the beauty inside and out.

For these and other decorating ideas using mirrors, take a look at my Mirror, Mirror on the Wall board

ALWAYS PUT YOUR FEET UP

Yes I want you to create a comfortable home where you can put your feet up and relax but I also want you to make sure that the feet (front legs) or your furniture sits on the area rug that you have down.  This simple design principle will make your furniture arrangement feel more unified and connected and the will feel warmer and cozier too!

The Wrong Way…the sofa feels disconnected from the coffee table and the open space creates a visual barrier

The Right Way…

 COLOR INSIDE THE LINES

Just about every bookcase I work with, whether free-standing or built-in gets paint or a decorative treatment on the back wall.  Painting the backs of bookcases is an easy way to add color and drama to a room.  And it’s an inexpensive design treatment that packs a punch.  The rule of thumb I follow when painting bookcases it to paint the back wall only, not the side or the shelf.  The color on the back will draw the eye in and help the decorative elements stand out.

There are so many ways to decorate a bookcase and I’ve got all the inspiration captured on my Bookcase Beauties board on Pinterest!

ENCOURAGE A BREAK-UP

Some things like furniture sets are better alone than part of a group, so when you have the chance break-up the set.  While furniture stores create sets to make it easy for people to envision how the furniture will look in a room, their “set formula” doesn’t allow much room to create a unique personality for a space.  Often times a room decorated with a set of furniture comes off contrived and over powering. When I’m working with a client that is drawn to a set of furniture I focus on the piece (or two) that they like best within the set. Then I pull pieces from other sources and stores to work with those pieces, creating a more personalize look.  For a dining room, the table or the sideboard is usually the key piece to work around.  For a living room or family room, the sofa or coffee table can set the tone for the décor. For the most personality filled space it is also a good idea to break up the finishes that are used within a room.  A room with nothing but dark stained wood pieces will always look dark and heavy.  Try incorporating metal, fabric and painted finishes to change the vibe and lighten things up.

The Wrong Way…not only does the lack of color variation feel stale, but the design detail in the set is over-powering the other elements in the room.

The Right Way…

This bedroom still maintains its traditional style even with the addition of a more contemporary mirrored nightstand and metallic pouf!  These non-traditional elements add interest without disturbing the tone of the room.

Texture, Variety, Interest

Breaking these rules in not harmful to your health but it can cause a mild case of design style deterioration!

Other Post you might like:

My Ten Commandments of Interior Design

Design Tips to Live By

Space Planning

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!

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Christmas Decor 2012

 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my parts!  

I’m loving  my colorful Christmas Tree.  All of the ornaments are handmade (swirled paint inside clear glass ornaments)!

 I decided to use solid color wrapping paper for my gifts and use contrasting colored ribbons and a cluster of small ornaments and jingle bells as embellishments.  Each family member has their own color of wrapping paper so no gift tags are needed.

I created a framed chalkboard to hang on one wall near the tree.

I couldn’t resist these faux fur wine bags from Restoration Hardware and decided to use them as stockings for the hubby and I.

My sheet music wreath hangs on a mirror in the dining room.

A festive bow and greenery hangs on a half wall.

I add a little cheer to a brass birdcage that sits on top of an armoire.

I decided to keep a colorful theme with my dining table decor.  The striped velvet runner I purchased from Crate and Barrel several years ago.  The silver chargers are from Target.

I painted small metal trays I found at a flea market in chalkboard paint and added a festive message at place setting.

I placed a handmade ornament at in a glass and added a gift tag that I made using Scotch Expressions Tape.  Love this stuff!

My metal cones a filled with ornaments and hang from near the stair rail.

I decided to add a little Christmas  decor to the bedroom as well by hanging a wreath on the headboard.  I also changed out my yellow and grey pillows for red and hunter green one for Christmas.

A mini tree sits in a mercury glass bowl on the nightstand.

And, my dress form even got in on the Christmas mix!

To see my Christmas decor from 2011 head here!

 

 

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