How to Decorate the Foot of Your Bed

Have you ever walked into your bedroom and looked at the area at the foot of your bed and wondered, what do I put there?  If this question has crossed your mind, here are some stylish ways to decorate that often neglected space. 

Whatever you decide to put at the foot of your bed, make the space work for you!

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!  If you live outside the Atlanta, GA area my Door-to-Door e-design service was created just for you!

all of these images can be found on my Bedrooms Pinterest board!

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Furniture Feature: Nesting Tables

Ok, I must admit I have a thing for side tables.  They are the perfect piece that can turn a chair into a relaxing reading nook or a sofa into a cocktail lounge.  One of my favorite styles of side tables is the nesting table set.  What’s not to love about getting 2 or 3 tables in one!

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Nesting tables are a unique night stand option and are even more valuable when they come with drawers!

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The ombre color palette of these nesting tables is right on trend.

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In a living room, nesting tables can be split apart to give everyone a table surface.

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Mirrored table tops give nesting tables and modern feel.

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When space is at a premium, nesting tables are an ideal choice.

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Nesting tables from flea markets and thrift stores can easily be updated with a little paint.

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Love this idea for a family room that also serves as a game area.

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I don’t know where the tables are from but the details are simply amazing.

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Amazing DIY rebar and wood nesting tables

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One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

Happy Shopping!

 

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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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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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The Power of the X Bench

Happy Monday!  I hope your week is starting off great! 

I’ve got a pretty busy schedule this week and a fun announcement I’ll share later in the week.  In the meantime, I wanted to share my thoughts on the popularity and awesomeness of the X Bench. 

On Saturday I taught a design workshop to a group of women at a local home and gift store north of Atlanta.  While the topic was the Seven Deadly Sins of Decorating, I did mention that one of the saviors of  decorating  was the X Bench.  The versatility of this piece cannot be overlooked! 

 The X Bench can be found in a multitude of styles, can be easily upholstered and can work in a variety of decor settings.  Here are a few inspiration photos to prove my point…

 

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Loving the X Bench as an under the table filler.

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A pair of X Benches is an ideal option for the foot of your bed.

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As a solo statement, the X Bench is stunning! Especially when painted a fun color!

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From curved legs to straight legs, the X Bench is a style enhancer!

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What a stylish way to create a coffee table and add extra seating to your living room.

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Now that I’ve got you all excited about the X Bench, here are a few of my favorites if you’re in the market to buy one or two!

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And, if you’re the handy type and want to make an X Bench on your own, check out this great DIY tutorial by Jennifer over at The Chronicles of Home!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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Room of the Week–Closet Inspiration

I have an entire board on Pinterest dedicated to My Dream Closet.  Most of the images are over-the-top elaborate, extremely large and filled with elegant details.  While most of us dream of a closet space like that I’m also drawn to a small and intimate closet space like this one.

 via Better Homes and Gardens

I love that this armoire was given a new life and turned into a special space to showcase the finishing touches to a wardrobe.  The hooks to hold necklaces and bracelets are ideal to add function and the mirrored doors make this the perfect spot to primp. 

Every fashion treasure has its own space and is made to feel special.  That is the makings of a great closet!

And, this makes me think of armoires in a whole new way!

 Enjoy the first weekend of October!

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Split Personality

I’ve written about my love of chairs on many occasions and think every home needs a “happy” chair, one that if playful and distinct in its style, one with a bit of a split personality.  

One of my favorite ways to achieve a “happy chair” look is with pattern mixing.  I love the look for chairs that have one pattern on the front and a different pattern on the sides or back.  The more pattern mixing the better!

 Here are few inspiring looks…

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This classic Louis chair is the perfect silhouette for pattern mixing and an easy DIY project if you’re the handy type.

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I love these wingback chairs and the playful mix of fabrics used to give them their distinct style. 

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When pattern mixing don’t be afraid to mix leather with cotton fabrics….the contrast can be stunning.

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If you’ve got painting skills, try hand painting a design onto your chair.

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The fabrics used on this chair give it a vintage vibe!

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Hot pink beauties!

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This stunning end chair is the work of one of my design idols, Sarah Richardson!  Love the polka dot back.

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Fabulous!

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I love this classic bamboo chair which was given a facelift with paint and fabric.

And, even more looks to make you ooh and awe…

all images above via my Chair Love board over at Pinterest! 

One of my favorite sources for “‘ready to roll” fun fabric chairs is Happy Chair. I wrote about their distinct style and creativity here!

If you want to give pattern mixing a try in your own home, head here and read my tips on different ways, beyond chairs, to incorporate this look into your decor.

 

Raise your hand if you love the look of mixed patterned chairs!

 

See you back here tomorrow with a fun Room of the Week and an inspiring quote!

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Style and Function: Desk as Nightstand

As a designer, I love to design a space that is encompasses style and function, allowing a room to become multifunctional.  One of my favorite style meets function looks is utilizing a desk as a nightstand alternative. 

When a desk replaces a traditional nightstand, not only are you creating a unique design statement within the bedroom but the space takes on an even more personal and intimate feel.

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This old school desk becomes really stylish with a coat of white paint, updated pulls and a ceramic garden seat as a chair alternative.

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I love the look of a large secretary next to the bed.  The drop down shelf is the perfect spot for nightstand necessities and a spot for guest to write out postcards, read or journal.

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When using a desk as a nightstand, don’t try to match the look on both sides of the bed.  A chest of drawers opposite balances the weight of the desk.

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This small rattan bench gives this desk night stand a light and airy feel. When tucked under the desk it will just look like an accent to complete the look.

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A substantial and heavy desk like this is a great option when your headboard is heavy and oversized.  Plus, a desk with drawers turns a nightstand into the perfect vanity.

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A lucite desk is great when you want the space to visually feel open and airy.

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I love how this desk blends into the wall and how the bookcases were incorporated to create an intimate work  space within the bedroom.  The bookcase alcove looks  like a large piece of art!

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Another beautiful lucite desk option!

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A parsons desk next to the bed is simple and modern.

 

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A vintage desk is a great way to add architectural interest while still keeping the function.  I adore this old rustic desk.

I’ve never had the perfect bedroom setup to use a desk as a nightstand but I’m hoping one day I can make it happen. 

 

 

So, what do you think of the desk as a nightstand look?  Love it or leave it??

 

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