A Patio Spruce Up

Remember when I told you about my favorite outdoor pillow from World Market? The beautiful paisley pillow that I used in an outdoor deck design for a client

Well it seems that more than one of my clients loved this pillow as much as I did.

A couple of weeks ago, LW asked me to help here spruce up here covered patio.  The goal was to use as much of the existing furniture as possible, update the look and infuse new styles and color into the space.

We started with one dark green chaise cushion that we wanted to keep and black iron furniture.

And these were a few of the accessories that we like, all from World Market.

Mercer Metal Lanterns

Chevron Pillow

Aegean Ceramic Hurricanes

In little over a week this is the space that we pulled together….

LW’s outdoor patio is covered so there is not a lot of direct sunlight that filters in.  The bright colors help to visually open up the space and keep it cheerful.

The red chair and loveseat cushions add a playful punch and look great against the black iron furniture.

The green chaise cushion that LW already had adds some depth and looks great with the paisley pillow.  A striped throw was added for a pattern contrast.

 We originally started with another coffee table option but this round iron table was a last-minute score at World Market.  The round table provides a break from all the square and rectangular furniture pieces.

Two pots sit on a side table, one is a water feature and the other holds a plant.  The basket under the table hides the cords to the water feature {and add some visual texture}.

We opted for a stripe pillow for the side chair.

The near wall had some open space so we move an already existing outdoor storage chest there and created a seating area.  The paisley cushion and chevron pillows work great together to brighten this corner.

The white garden seat (sold in stores only) adds a table surface to this corner.  And the bench, which was existing, got a new cushion and is perfect for propping your feet up or as additional seating.

To create somewhat of a visual window, hanging pieced glass lanterns were added above the railing and hold battery operated candles. The mosaic pattern is beautiful against the sunlight and at night with the candles glowing.

LW’s adorable chow, AVA is really enjoying the new outdoor carpet that was installed.  Because this space does get some water exposure the carpet had to be industrial grade.

  The subtle swirl pattern with green and red flecks works great with the color theme of the patio.

 

 In the far corner of the patio a few decorative accents were added to the top of an existing storage cabinet.

I’m so glad I was able to help LW create an outdoor living room that she and Ava will enjoy for years to come.

And thanks to World Market for creating a pillow that has inspired a nation!

For information about my affordable in-home or e-design services, please click here!

 

This is not a sponsored post, just sharing my love for World Market products!

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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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Getting Ready for Spring–Outdoor Cushion Update

Spring is right around the corner and it has made people start thinking about their outdoor living spaces. One of my readers recently asked me if I had any ideas on what to do with her outdoor patio furniture cushions which are worn, falling apart and faded.  She didn’t want to spend a lot of money and wasn’t keen on the idea of replacing all the cushions.  There are 10 pieces of furniture in her set and a total of 20 cushions which by any calculation = MONEY!

Naturally my first instinct was to suggest new upholstered or slip-covered cushions or to paint her current cushions but neither of those would work given the condition of her cushions and her desire to save money. So, I did a little research and found some really great options on Pinterest that might work for her.

First I came across the idea of creating new cushions using shower curtains as the fabric.  I thought this was a pretty brilliant idea and given the fact the most shower curtains are waterproof this would work great for her outdoor area.  Here’s a look at some pretty fabulous cushions created by MomsbyHeart!.

  

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Next I came across this idea of using standard bed pillows to create outdoor lounge cushions.  Way cool and super easy.

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And finally I came across this idea of using painter’s drop cloths and spray painting the fabric in whatever color you want.  Drop cloths are inexpensive compared to outdoor fabric and with a little sewing and a few cans of paint you can get a new look for not a lot of money.

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Since upholstering is always top of mind for me, this little research project shined a light on the fact that there is always more than one way to skin a cat or in this case get new outdoor cushions.

Spring is just around the corner…have you got your outdoor area together yet??

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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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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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