Falling for Throws

If you're anything like me, you love when the leaves start changing color, PSL's (pumpkin spiced lattes) come back at Starbucks, and it gets a bit cooler so you snuggle up on the sofa with your favorite throw. The first day of fall is just a few days away so I came up with a list of my top 5 favorite throws perfect for fall -- different styles and textures. I'm in search of a new one, too, so I may be seeing one of these in my home soon!

1 // 404 locust slidell throw // $69 // urban outfitters

2 // zuri throw - teal // $51.60 // lulu & georgia

3 // horizontal double ribbed throw // $79 // west elm

4 // 5-lb chenille solid throw // $79 // restoration hardware

5 // faux sheepskin throw // $99 // pottery barn

My sofa is a gray, area rug is a neutral pattern with a navy/teal color, and the pillows on the sofa are cream with a brass/gold print on two, so I'm thinking the teal one from Lulu and Georgia will be a nice way to tie in the blue. However, I'm torn because the faux sheepskin one from Pottery Barn screams "snuggle and watch movies with me". There's no harm in getting more than one, right? Options are good :)

Xo,

Design Styles / Industrial

Have you ever seen an item and thought that it is exactly the type of design style you're into? There are so many different types of design styles - industrial, modern, mid-century, contemporary, traditional, rustic, glamorous, coastal, vintage, eclectic - and that's just to name some. Personally, I like mixing and matching different looks so I would say I have more of an eclectic-chic design style. I love pairing the new with the old and making it look chic and put together. For my next few posts I want to explore these different styles and if you're not sure what you like this may help you find out :) 

Industrial design is very trendy right now. When you hear the word industrial you may think metal, piping, salvaged decor, wire, exposed brick and you're pretty much right. I chose some pieces that have an overall industrial look & if you like any of these items you just may be into industrial design. 

1. Arteriors

 Stanley Costello Cocktail Table / Layla Grace

 2. Cafe String Lights / Pottery Barn

3. IndLights Industrial Ceiling Light / Etsy

4. Dutch Industrial Bed with Footboard / Restoration Hardware

5. Industrial Iron and Mirror Cart / Rejuvenation 

6. Lecture Desk / CB2 

7. Pipe Adjustable Rods / West Elm 

 8. Sterling Stool Side Table / CB2

9. Wire Mesh Storage - Rectangular / West Elm

10. Industrial Adjustable Stool with Back / West Elm

Xo,

Color of the Week: Sand

One of Pantones Spring 2014 colors, Sand, is my color of the week this week. Why? Well, what other neutral can you think of that can go with pretty much anything or look amazing on its own? I say why not keep this as color of the week...every week? It is the perfect color to create a serene, classy look but can also look just as fierce and chic. Here is a mood board I created with some items that I think are worth checking out for this coming spring...and for the rest of the year ;) 

1 / Mykonos Throw Pillow / ZGallerie

2 / Diamond Jute Rug / Serena and Lily 

3 / Soho Tufted Corner Sectional in Sand Belgian Linen  / Restoration Hardware

4 / Sand Tropez / Essie

5 / Madison Christie Carryall in Saffiano Leather / Coach

6 / Franco Sarto

Xo,

In Love with Lacquer

It's easy to fall in love with the look of lacquer (try saying that ten times fast). This high gloss finish can be put on a wide array of home items - cabinets, dressers, tables, trays, jewelry boxes, lamps, etc. Lacquer originates from East Asia where tinted resin was used by artisans to decorate different objects.

It is a tough, durable and water-resistant finish. The best part is that it crosses between traditional and modern so lacquer usually looks great no matter what style you're looking for and can make an otherwise boring item look fierce and chic. It also looks amazing paired with textural items - For example, a lacquered coffee table next to a tufted sofa. Here are some of my favorite lacquer pieces - Enjoy!!

White lacquer parsons desk - A classic, chic piece from West Elm. I can picture this desk paired with a tufted linen or leather chair in a bold color.

One of my favorite pieces from Bunalow5 - the Jacqui Coffee Table. They have quite a collection of lacquer items from coffee tables to dressers to accent tables - if you want it lacquered, Bungalow5 will have it.

Like I mentioned, lacquer can cross between different design styles like with the Mid-Century 3-Drawer Dresser from West Elm.

This traditional dresser from Chelsea Textiles has an antiqued lacquer finish but still has a high gloss look.

This stylish drum shade chandelier comes in a funky design and black lacquer finish. Found at ShopCandelabra.com.

Lacquer can look fabulous paired with wood, texture and in these particular nesting tables from Jonathan Adler, with brass. 

This geometric mirror from the Redford Collection has a distressed, multi-layered lacquer finish and a hand finished look. I absolutely love the color as well. Found at LaylaGrace.com.

Also part of the Redford House Collection on LaylaGrace.com, this cottage chic chair also has a hand finished look created from a unique multi-layered, high-quality lacquer process. A bunch of these chairs would look amazing paired with a white lacquer parsons dining table - don't you think? Love it!

There you have it - some of my favorite lacquered pieces from traditional to modern to mid-century. I hope you love them as much as I do. Do you have any lacquer in your home or an item that you would like to have lacquered?

(Sources: ElleDecor.com, About.com, DIYNetwork.com)

Xo,

Greek Key: Trendy Yet Timeless

Greek key has been around but it has never looked so chic. Technically it has two meanings - A decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif and the symbol of eternal love, life and friendship. The traditional greek key motif may vary from item to item but once you see it, it will stand out to you. Greek key looks fabulous on pretty much anything you can think of when it comes to your home - bedding, curtains, accent pillows, furniture, shower curtains and even wastebaskets...yes, really! Here are some of my favorite greek key items that you can currently find online. Even though this is a trendy pattern, when done the right way in your home you can create a chic yet timeless look. Enjoy!!

I'm loving this light blue throw blanket & it's super soft, too.

(JonathanAdler.com)

A little eye candy on a rather simple looking night stand.

(Houzz.com)

Gold legs with a navy laquer tray top PLUS greek key - score!

(WorldsAway.com)

These used to be the two colors in my teen bedroom growing up - still loving this color duo! 

(LaylaGrace.com)

A luxurious silk and wool area rug - would look beautiful in any room in your home.

(LaylaGrace.com)

I can picture this mirror as a beautiful center piece above a console in an entry way but is a quite versatile piece.

(Wayfair.com)

And of course a beautiful greek key waste basket..told ya so ;) 

(LaylaGrace.com)

Xo,

Homegoods Happy Finds

Homegoods seriously has everything you could need in your home when it comes to home decor. I took a trip to Homegoods yesterday to hopefully find some goodies for a DIY project for my valentine (I'll post more on that soon so I won't spoil the surprise!). While browsing the store I came across some items that stood out to me because, well, they were just so me. Some were this gorgeous hemlock color (which is one of the colors in Pantones Spring 2014 color forecast) so I thought I would share my happy finds with you. Do you have any Homegoods items in your home that make you happy??

This lamp has a gloss finish. The color and shape looks like a lamp you could find from Bungalow 5. 

I love, love, LOVE this knit pouf. It's white and gray so will match about any color scheme and look perfect in your living space. I picture one or two under a glass coffee table so they can be stored and then pulled out for seating when needed.

I always see mirror trays like this online especially on LaylaGrace.com which are a pretty penny but this one is only $24.99!

These hemlock and white patterned pillows are only $24.99 for the two! Great for indoor or outdoor use.

I love the look of natural materials and this hand carved basket is perfect. There were also stools and trays. 

What girl doesn't like a pretty jewelry box?? This one is a pretty cream/gold pattern covered in acrylic glass.

I'm such a fan of quatrefoil and have seen lamps just like this in Arteriors for a good chunk of money. This one is only $49.99!

For $12.99 this coral decor is perfect for a coastal look! The base is a beautiful hemlock acrylic glass. This would look great displayed on your coffee table or bookshelf.

I wish I got the price on this piece but if I can recall it was no more than $100! Such a cute little garden stool you can use outside or as an accent table/nightstand in your home.

I could spend hours in Homegoods and come out with a bunch of things I probably didn't even need but it would all be worth it! Don't ya think? :) 

Xo,

Crazy for Countertops

There should be at least one piece that acts as a point of interest in a space and then everything else should fall into place (cute rhyme, right?). When it comes to kitchens, I think those point of interest pieces should be your countertops. There are many different types for different uses and different people. So how do you find out which one is best for you? Countertops are just one of many finishes in a kitchen, but it takes up a lot of surface area and gets a lot of use which is why it is important to pick the right one. The ones I will mention are only just a few of the more popular choices - there are tons more! 

Granite 

- Comes in variety of colors & natural designs

- No two pieces are the same

- Comes in two finishes: Polished (shiny) and honing (soft & matte)

- Cost varied depending on the type of granite but can become very costly

- The lighter it is, the more likely you will need a sealer 

- Granite treated with resin may change color and usually darken and may react to sealer, for example making the granite darker

- The less calcite there is, the higher the grade and more expensive because of calcite being vulnerable to acids although this could be fixed with proper sealing

Marble

- Another natural stone like granite except a much softer stone along with limestone and soapstone

- Each piece of marble is unqiue, no two pieces are the same

- Require greater care and delicate use 

- Stains and scratches easily

- Need to be sealed periodically to prevent absorption from liquids 

Engineered Stone

- Comes in a wider variety of colors than natural stones

- Great for higher use, resists heat well, easy to maintain

- Usually are acid-resistant and nonabsorbent 

- Resists stains and liquids unlike natural stones

- Depending on what materials are made to create the engineered stone, the performance of the stone may vary (Example: The performance of engineered stone that is made with chunks of marble will be limited depending on the amount and size of marble in the stone)

- Despite being engineered and not natural, the cost  and look between the two is about the same

Recycled Glass

- Eco-friendly option

- Highly durable

- Glass pieces embedded in cement

- Needs to be sealed periodically

- Offers a unique look

- Resist cuts, heat and abrasion but may crack when a hot pan is placed on top

Concrete

- Can be completely customized

- Available in several finishes; Trowel (smooth), Ground (Sanded) and Pressed (Revealing of a marble-like look)

- Drastic temperature changes may cause concrete to warp

- Recommended to seal four times per year and waxed periodically to avoid stains from spills due to the porous nature of concrete

Butcher Block

- Perfect for warming up the feel of a kitchen

- Three types: Edge Grain (most common for counters, strong, stable and less expensive), Flat Grain (Less suitable for counters with greater use), and End Grain (Strongest and most expensive butcher block, great for surfaces with frequent use and cutting because of its camouflaging ability)

- Very easy to clean and can sand down scratches

- Ages well with proper keep up but may dull and crack without

- Must be oiled frequently to protect from water damage/stains

Laminate

- Most affordable countertop on the market

- Comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns

- Can scratch easily and scorch when a hot pan is placed down directly on the laminate

(Sources: Consumerreports.org, HGTV.com, Ask.com, Bobvila.com, Homesessive.com, Remodelista.com)

Xo,