Welcome 2016!

Can not believe 2015 is coming to an end! Its such a bittersweet time, so much goes on in one year, sometimes we don't want the year to end and others we can't wait to bring on a new one. 2015 was  the year we found out we would be parents...and with a New Year for us comes a New BABY!!! I say this is going to be one adventurous 2016! That being said it made me think about the celebration and all the fun that should go into the night/day since we are celebrating the end of one year and we should start off the new one just right.  While doing some holiday shopping I found these great New Year goodies! Also I have my own New Years crafts I'm working on this weekend!

 New Years Goodies!  All from +Amazon.com  (Shop it section)

Sneak Peek!

(Craft involves this)

Stamping Around

 Every year I get hooked on a theme I use for the whole holiday season, last year glitter, this year stamps. I think stamps are such a fun way to add a little something to any craft, card or gift tag. I used my holiday stamps on just about anything, Christmas cards, gift tags cup sleeves, if its paper it gets a stamp.  Need a quick holiday craft and easy, look in the Shop it section on here, put up a quick way to get holiday stamps!

Happy Stamping!

Fit For a King!

Designing a room is fun but designing a nursery is a favorite of mine! We can get so creative and there is so much that can be done to make this room a place for them to learn and grow up in! Now that I doing a nursery of my own of course ......I was stumped!!!  I had ideas but it was the girl ones that came so easy I was prepared for that, a Boy not a clue! Once I sat down a lot of it just came to me of what I wanted the room to look like for him and where I can picture him playing and laughing. Since he is the first boy it was only necessary this room be fit for a King! Here's a sneak peek into what the nursery will be made up of!

The Best is Yet to Be!

It has been quite a down time for me from blogging. I have to start off with the whole reason why I  took a pause.

It's A BOY!

 We are so excited to begin this next chapter in our life! A boy will be such a change for our family since we have only nieces and I grew up with mainly girls!!! I will be welcoming lots of new mommy advice. Since things are changing in our life I thought my blog should change as well. I love design and everything that goes with it, but that being said I love anything that can make your home beautiful and welcoming.  I want to branch out and not only talk about design on here but, crafts, new gadgets, family etc. Hope I continue to have my followers and only gain more.


P.S- Tomorrows Post the NURSERY!!

Welcome Fall!

Happy Fall! 

  Warm colors make the home so cozy..( Orange, Brown, Red) for those "Sweater Weather" days. Even though Summer is my favorite season.. I do love this time of year when decorating your home    can be creative with all the fall decor and its a great time to enjoy being in your home before we have no choice to be snowed in :(


 If you missed the announcement yesterday.. I became an affiliate of The Painted Fox! This is an online retail store that offers amazing pieces! It has great "Farm House Style" Since we are putting our home together for Fall I figured I would show off some of their perfect pieces to get your home in the season without changing your decor or even moving a piece.

Its Not the End....Whats My Alternative?

Every room is different and some can handle lots of furniture and still have an open feel and some rooms need to multifunction. We had a dilemma with a client who could not fit end tables in her space and it is not a rule that you need them either but always nice to have place to put something down. So we gave an alternative to having a traditional end table. I prefer these over chunky end tables any day!

Nesting Tables 

Chalk it Up!

It was a hectic summer and definitely let my house to do list get away from me... so now as we start to migrate back inside and start our fall decorating I return to all the wants and little items that need to be done. I have been debating whether I wanted to have a chalkboard wall in my home for a while now and I kept thinking it just did not work in my kitchen area or any main rooms, but that is not where it should be anyway. I decided the laundry room was the best place to have a little fun.  Thanks to my husband who helped put it all together!

New Finds!

When working on a room I  always like to find unique pieces. I am such a hunter for that and usually never like to use the same place on these finds so when I come across a great shop that has so many fun items, I feel I must share. If you have a love for unique pieces for your home this shop is perfect! Also amazing for entertaining and gifts!!  Shop +Painted Fox .Below is some of my favorite things from +Painted Fox!  Happy Shopping!

All About that Bike!

 Theres something about a bike that everyone loves to add touches of the silhouette to their home. I know I am guilty of this lovely trend. Here is a glimpse as to whats out there! Enjoy the Ride!

   My Decor!

Whats Trending!

Just in Time

 We took  on a project this season.. redo yard! I put up before pictures a few weeks ago. We finished this past weekend just in time to kick off Memorial Day weekend and the start of Summer!!! I loved the inspiration I did for my porch area and I really wanted to keep to it. I still have a few more items to get but I am very HAPPY with how it looks.The table is actually my parents and it was just what I was looking for. I had to just look in their backyard  :) The railing needed a good coat of paint to update it from the red brown paint it was and flowers and area rug made it more of welcoming spot.

Before

Inspiration

After

Fire Pit

Happy Summer!

Area Rug- +Overstock.com 

Globe Lights- +Target 

Basket +HomeGoods 

Candle Holders +Crate and Barrel 

Its a Good Week!

Any time I get a new piece for our home its a good thing! This piece I was extra excited about since  I have been waiting some time for it to come.  My living room is an awkward set up, it is narrow and is the first space you step into from the front door. I struggled with this room from the beginning  and was not sure how I wanted to go about making it a certain space. I decided to make it a sitting area but when I did this I only had TWO chairs. I loved all the space we had and did not want to overwhelm the room with furniture. I hated though bringing out the folding chairs when we had company and always felt we needed just a few more seats.  I decided to search for a piece that would go perfectly in this room. and it had to be on a small budget.... oh and convince my husband we actually need this. (he loved the folding chairs).  I found the perfect settee from +Target . I  waited a quite a bit to purchase it. I measured a thousand times  just to be sure it would fit and we still had the room I wanted. I purchased this  piece and I am so happy I  did! it works perfectly in my room,  I had to rearrange my room but I actually am loving the new look of it.

Before

 Room Flip

What Do You Love?

 We always have a room or a piece of furniture that we love in our home. I have many which is my problem! But I love this one piece in my home and I never give it the credit that it was a steal from +Ballard Designs and one of my very first purchases for our home.  I needed a piece to put a few items that I wanted to display that meant something. I do not have a china hutch so it was difficult to put  pieces out and you do not want to display them on just anything. I felt like it I needed a good display piece and this was a perfect fit for our room.

What items do you love in your home? 

Pillow Talk

If you are bored with a room but don't want to change too much or budget is creeping up, there is one quick  fix that will definitely give a room a mini facelift. Change your pillows! If you have a sofa set you have the matching pillows and everything that goes with them.. put those away for a few months and get new pillows or pillow covers to put over them.  This will let you add colors you were thinking of and change the room, without spending tons.  If you have pillows that you love already  try adding a conversational pillow in a lumbar size or one with a saying. 

Weekend Work

What a weekend! We did a lot of work in the yard this weekend and its coming along very nicely. Before we did any purchasing of outdoor furniture I wanted to paint the deck to see what the new look would be. Just painting our deck updated our house tremendously. 

Floral Fun

If your home is not Spring ready.. +Joss & Main can help with their Artist in Residence sale going on NOW! Theses items are just a few of what they have.. but they are sure to make a room. Adding just one pop of color ottoman or chair can really help a drab room.  A colorful bench can go great in an entry way if you have the space for it.

It Starts at the Door!

Change those doormats! No more snow ruining my doormats. We can change out my Valentines day doormat now.. Yikes.... I am loving the doormats that the stores have out they are so welcoming and full of color! Great way to start the entrance of your home.

That Took Forever!

After two years of living in our house we finally decided to get our closet doors put in... this may not seem so exciting to some but I was ecstatic. When we first moved in we got all custom doors for the whole house and whoops just didn't think of closets. We custom ordered these doors so we didn't bother to order the closets just yet. We finally did it and only had to wait 4 months!! Now we just need to finish them off with some knobs. Thankfully +Anthropologie  can help us with that.   The picture below is dark of our wall color but the knobs go perfect with it.

Wall Color

This Can Help!

 When the weather starts getting nice we want to clean out all the winter blues. We prep our house for the winter with candles, heavier bedding, throws, even adding area rugs to certain spaces that may get colder. I was recently asked how someone can lighten up there home for the warmer seasons they said it felt very heavy and dark.  Its easy to change from season to season even on a small budget. Below is just a few small budget updates for a new season change.

Fresh Flowers

Switch Out Dishware

Change Linens

Refresh Your Room!

 Now that we finally are being able to get outside, its always that time where we do our spring cleaning. When we start our what we want to change list.  I always start with the bedroom. The best way to change up your bedroom is bedding, it completes the whole room.  When designing a bedroom it really all relies on fabric in that room, majority of the design comes from your main piece the bed. I love neutral bedding that way you are not stuck with colors that are all in the bedding, you can add a different variety and its not so match matchy. Here are some great neutral bedding assortments that would go great with an array of colors. Don't forget to change up the set add different throw pillows with the color you want to introduce. This is a great way to change up your room for a new season as well!

Bedding

Not as Pleasing!

Take it Outside

Since mother nature is confused about it being spring.. and we keep getting these cold rainy days, We will just have to start planning for when we can actually enjoy our time outside. Patio designing is getting a lot of talk in the designing world, we have clients now asking to design there outdoor spaces. This area lets us continue the design from inside the home to outside but adding just a little more fun to the design. With all the patio accessories and furniture they have in stores, I decided I wanted to take my ideas outside. We have a patio off our family room and its in need of some love. I decided to give it an uplift with a small budget. I am trying to make it a continuation  of my family room but with fun outdoor features.

Picture below is taken on a rainy depressing day.. 

(Railing will be painted white)

Inspiration

Take Your Time

 We all want our home done at once and not have to keep looking and buying all the time to finish a room. I have yet to finish any room in my house. Bad I know , but I want my rooms to be what  I pictured so it takes some time to get all the items I want.  One thing we always tell clients is furniture takes time to come in and don't buy sets! Many people say they can just go buy a living rooms set with sofa, love seat, end tables and cocktail table for one price and it all matches. (and probably way too big for your room) Do NOT do that! Sets never look good and it has no fun to it. If you like a sofa and love seat try to buy different tables that would maybe bring in another color or wood tone. Same goes for bedrooms as well. Buy the headboard but don't match the dresser and nightstands. If you want to get really crazy try different night stands one round and one rectangular maybe? Below are some great tables that can go together but are not so matchy matchy. Designing a home takes time and effort!

Area Rugs - Indoor/Outdoor

I am on the hunt for an area rug for my bedroom and its been such a bother. I for some reason like nothing or what I do like is way too expensive. I could just leave the room with no rug but that would kill me. I have been to many homes and when I walk in and see no area rug in the living room or family room I want to scream! Yes, are they a pain to clean and kids, pet etc ruin them, but they define your area and bring the space together. If you are nervous about cleaning your area rug, you should look into an indoor outdoor one. They are easy to clean and many places now carry them and they are so pretty! I have one in my family room and we love it! Below is just a size guide... some sizes don't always work in a space, that's okay as long as it goes up to the furniture or just a little past it.

My hunt continues for the perfect rug :(

Mint & Gray

A neutral room with just a pop of color. I came across these end tables and had to create something around them. Instead of using colors in the curtain rugs and furniture I used pattern and a more tone on tone look.  If you are ever unsure of the colors you want to bring into a room always have the main pieces neutral that way you can always change up the colors.

Guest Room Comfort

Inspiration Board for Client Project- Guest Room

Kitchen Loving!

This week I have been obsessing with kitchens.. not sure why. I love the colors of my kitchen because they work great off the rest of the rooms that lead off it. Lots of times we see people do these grand kitchen redos and they don't go with the rest of the house.. so now they have to work on additional rooms so it can all flow. We always make sure we are working with all the rooms in the house. My kitchen needs some updates.... but for now its doing the job ;)

Inspiration for Eat in Kitchen!

Simplicity

No frills bedroom. Designed this room around a new place with a small budget! This whole room is +IKEA USA  items only. 

A Little Bit of Everything

A room with a little bit of everything! When designing this room I had in mind a place to just relax and enjoy the company you share it with. It has all different furniture styles and it all comes together with the different wood tones.  I also kept in mind a budget for this room. I used two stores only for the design of this +Cost Plus World Market  and +Target.

Coffee Please!

Happy February!

This weekend I went shopping and kept stumbling upon coffee and tea accessories for the counter.  I am not big on cluttering the kitchen counters with decor if it is not functional, but many of these items are very pretty and definitely functional. I am a huge coffee drinker and a teacup/mug  collector some  are just too pretty not have out. Purchased my cup display rack already from +Cost Plus World Market !

Did You Make Your Bed?

 Every morning its that dreadful task we must do, to tidy up, oh but do we do it? I just always seem to run out without making my bed....but on the days I actually get to it sure feels good to come home to a made up bed. A lot of times people just throw the comforter/duvet on and toss some pillows on top, but i love how a bed looks when it has layers.

 Here is a sample of what is needed to make the perfect bed!( add 5 mins to morning routine)

Pillow 3 is not necessary!

Keep Busy!

We are snowed in! I don't mind too much, gives me a chance to decorate for Valentines Day! ( Yes, I decorate for all holidays!) If I can make my decorations that saves me some money and I enjoy it. So this year all I bought was the tiny heart garland from +Michaels Stores for $2.99! On small holidays like this you do not need to rearrange your house or everyday decor to display it just incorporate it to your home. Xo

 Valentines Day!

Fun Finds

+Target  +Pier 1 Imports

 +Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores 

Watercolor!

When I was looking for art to put above my buffet, I wanted it to be something different, one of a kind. I always shop +Etsy for those items. I came across a great shop Awake Your Soul  Its a great watercolor art shop. I found these prints to put in my living room over my buffet and I love all the art she has. I wish I had more wall space. They pick up all the colors through out my living room and may I add this wall is pretty big so it needed something amazing! Watercolor is subtle and brilliant. Don't mind my buffet this was right after Christmas and its very bare! Next is rearranging that!

Awake Your Soul

Love these! 

Next Project- Buffet Styling

Arrows and Feathers ..Oh My!

Lately I have been loving anything with arrows or feathers and I am wanting it all. I was looking for wall art for our guest bathroom and thats all I kept going to. The designs are so simple and delicate that they can be put anywhere your house calls for it. They go with any style (Traditional, Contemporary, Transitional).  Here a few good finds!

1. I.Candy for the Home

2. Joss & Main

3. UyenoMiyoshi

4. ZGallerie

Functional And Pretty!

I am always so into getting organized but it never happens. I am the type I go nuts the first week and then I am done after that. I have been really trying in the new year to keep up with it and I think maybe if my organizing decor is pretty it would help! (That's what I have to tell myself) I found these great items on +Target for functional wall decor. I would buy them all but I am not that organized yet.

Maybe a Project for this weekend?!

Interesting!

Whats Trending?

It's a new year and that means new trends for the home.  I am not a big trend follower when it comes to your home. I prefer what represents you and a classic look with conversational pieces. If you are looking to add some fun things to your home this artlce has all the latest. You can definitely use these items for statement pieces too...

2015 Trends

Does it All Have to Go?

When we clear out after the holidays we think we should pack up all the winter decorations, but why not decorate for the season? As I pack away all my holiday decor, I decided I was not ready to have it completely left with nothing so, the pines cones, candles and white lights (good for all year round) will remain out. It makes the home so cozy during these brutally cold days! If only I can find some snowmen and snowflakes for that extra touch!

Happy Winter!

Just a Detail

When it comes down to trying to finish a space it come to those little details. We have our guest bathroom  and I have been taking my time to finish this room. The last thing I have to do to finish it are the details of it all. Hang art, towel rack and my biggest bother to me is the one little knob on the vanity!! Out of all the things to do, every time I walk into to the room its all my eye goes to, silly I know.. but we can't help what bothers us right?! So I am making my decision on the KNOB!

The Space

The Choices