My Dream Home: Living Room

It's been a while since I've created a mood board for the fun of it so when I started to find a ton of items on my favorite sites I figured I had to pull some of these items together. I've been in love with the Hamilton Sofa from west elm since they came out with it last summer -- the tan, aniline leather is gorgeous and soooo soft -- you really have to go check it out if there's a west elm store by you. I've been dying to get my hands on some pillows from Lulu & Georgia -- if you haven't seen their selection of textiles you need to do that. right. now. Okay, maybe after reading this post. I'm also a sucker for navy, turquoise and anything black and white so that led me to create the color scheme you're about to see. My heart also aches for items made of natural materials such as marble, reclaimed wood, jute, rattan...as you can see. So I decided to create a living space that just screams me. Antique brass accents make me pretty darn happy, too. Here's a mood board that displays this look with the links to the items below. You're welcome :) 

rug // caterina rug // anthropologie

side table // two tone side table // west elm 

coffee table // boxed frame narrow coffee table, marble top // west elm

sofa // hamilton leather sofa in tan //  west elm

left pillow // crewel lattice pillow cover - blue lagoon // west elm 

lumbar pillow // nate berkus woven cotton printed pillow // target

right pillow // one of a kind pillow, sophia // lulu & georgia

sconce // reed sconce in old brass // rejuvenation 

art // framed print abstract script // west elm

floor lamp // magical thinking geo floor lamp // urban outfitters

console // emmerson reclaimed wood console // west elm

mirrors // hinged hanging mirrors // anthropologie

stools // elsa stool - black // serena & lily

There it is. Did you fall in love with any of these items like I did? There were too many online to choose from so next up I'll be putting together my dream dining room. I didn't follow a budget when picking these items -- I normally wouldn't spend $400 on a wall sconce but it's all about the look. Depending on what else is going on in your space I really do believe it's worth splurging on an item or two that you love and then be frugal with the rest in order to stay on budget. Like the wall art in this space -- you can definitely DIY and get the same look. You really should love everything you have in your home so to me it's totally worth it to mix the high and the DIY (that's a pretty clever saying, actually). Stay tuned for more dream spaces of mine! 

Xo,

Color of the Week: Dazzling Blue

This week I chose Dazzling Blue as color of the week because of how bold and stylish this color can be. As you can see in the mood board I created, not only does this color look fabulous in fashion but also in home decor as well. This color looks amazing on its own, paired with black or white, and in patterns. You can also make your space feel as masculine and feminine as you like using a splash (or two) of dazzling blue. Enjoy!

1 / I Know What the Boys Like by Deborah Lippmann

2 / Abacus Wool Dhurrie / WestElm.com

3 / Christian Louboutin Blue Suede Platform Sandals

4 / Carnaby Bluescale Set / JonathanAdler.com

5 / Mosaic Applique Pillow with Royal Blue and Oyster Linen / LacefieldDesigns.com

6 / Michael Kors Jet Set Crossbody

7 / Friendship Bracelet by FeltLikePaper / Etsy.com

Xo, 

Abstract Art in Interior Design

I am such a fan of abstract art and I think it can look fabulous in interior design as well. I am a painter myself and tend to paint more abstract art than anything else. Abstract art can look amazing in all different types of design styles such as contemporary, transitional, eclectic, industrial and even traditional. Here I wanted to share some paintings that I personally am a fan of that I've found online. What type of art are you a fan of? I'd love to know your thoughts!

Deep Water Current

ZGallerie.com

White Wash by Rachel Reinert 

RachelReinert.com

Original Abstract Art

by NatureandArt found on Etsy.com

Original Artwork by David Bromstad

Bromstad.com

Abstract City Skyline

Anonymous

Abstract Painting

found on TheRawCanvas on Etsy.com

Philosophy of Fashion

ZGallerie.com

This is one of my own original paintings that is now hanging in a buyers entryway! 

Here are some inspiring interiors that feature some beautiful abstract art:

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

David Bromstad

Xo,

Color of the Week: Cayenne

This week I chose cayenne as color of the week which is also in Pantones color forecast for this spring. So this gives you some time to start looking for items in this vibrant, bold color to complete your spring look. Here are some items I've found that own this hot color (pun intended). Enjoy!!

COLORofTHEWEEK: Cayenne

1 /  Cayenne Grasscloth wallpaper

2 / Crafted Dinnerware / WestElm.com

3 /  Knit Infinity Scarf / Etsy.com

4 / Prada Tote Bag

5 / Organic Ikat Links Duvet Cover / WestElm.com

Xo,

Color of the Week: Celosia Orange

Since Pantone's color forecast for this springs collection is quite fantastic, I decided to start doing a Color of the Week, each week a different color from this fabulous forecast. Obviously, radiant orchid (Pantone color of the year) is included which I have done previous posts on. The great thing for me is that I LOVE color but love accessorizing with bold colors and prints. This gives all of us an opportunity to chose a bold color to accessorize with and know that you are being stylish and trendy at the same time. And if you choose pieces that are interchangeable - you can change the mood of your room just by switching up accent pieces. These colors that are chosen will be the "it" colors in fashion, textiles and interior design this spring. Enjoy!!

COLORofTHEWEEK: Celosia Orange

 1 / DL Rhein Loop De Lopp Orange Embroidered Pillow / LaylaGrace.com

2 / Diamond Earrings

3 / Celosia Orange Apothecary Table Lamp / LampsPlus.com

4 / Square Lacquer Tray / WestElm.com

5 / Hourglass Stool Side Table / Bungalow5.com

6 / Essie "Fear or Desire" Nailpolish

7 / Worlds Away Oval Wastebasket Zebra Orange / LaylaGrace.com

Xo,

Pantone Color of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid

Looking back on 2013, one color that truly stood out to me was Emerald Green which is why that was selected as Pantone color of the year 2013. As for 2014, Radiant Orchid is the newly selected color of the year and after looking at a few of the pictures in this post you will know exactly why. It's a color that is fun, chic and sophisticated all in one. I find that gold, red and turquoise go really well with this color which you will see in some of these photos. Used the right way either as the dominant color in a space or as an accent color - Radiant Orchid looks beautiful as the color of the year for 2014.

This space has a lot going on - grasscloth wallpaper, ikat, greek key, stripes and quatrefoil - yet seems to all come together very simply and cohesively. I love the mix of trendy patterns and adding the red sofa is a great way to switch up the colors.

A great way to make a bookshelf feel custom is to paint it with a splash of color - this shade of radiant orchid is painted in what looks like a high gloss paint which makes it stand out that much more (in a good way of course).

I love the way gold and radiant orchid look paired together - and specifically in this space I am loving the gold and white chevron pillows against that headboard.

Here the quiet patterns of radiant orchid and white look great paired with metallic features as well. With the sophisticated patterns, tufted headboard, metallic accents and transparent nightstands, this bedroom looks nothing short of elegant.

This space uses radiant orchid as the dominant color with accents of both red and gold to create a fun and inviting bedroom perfect for teens or guests.

In this neutral space, radiant orchid is used as a soft accent color by adding a throw blanket to the space. A plus in this living area is that it looks just as good with or without the throw and the homeowners can change the accent color simply by changing the color of the throw and/or accent pillows.

I love this foyer space - it looks amazing just the way it is but yet again you can change the accent color in this space simply by interchanging those items with another color (such as the Pantone color of the year 2015 when the time comes!)

Last but not least, you can't go wrong with ikat print and this deeper hue of radiant orchid looks amazing against the black chair frame, black and white rug and black border mirror.

Those were just a few of my favorite spaces with the color of the year 2014. I never was into much purple in a space but the different hues of this color paired with gold, red, turquoise or black and white looks too good to pass up. If you didn't know about this years color of the year - now you know! & I hope that this inspires you to add a little radiant orchid into your life.

Xo,