Destination Style

As a decorator and a Psychology major, I pride myself in figuring people out. The biggest compliment I get from a client is this is so me! I love for the rooms I design to reflect the people that actually live in them and not just create a pretty room. So how do I do it? Well it's simple. I ask the right questions! The one question I ask that really helps me determine a design direction is, "Where is your favorite vacation spot?". Believe it or not this one question tell me a lot! Does the person like beach or carribean vacations or hiking in the mountains or a trip to Italy. What ever it is, it tells me how you want your room to feel. But lets get one thing straight, don't get too literal! I am going to give you some fun style tips for whatever destination you choose.

Destination: Beach!

HGTV Home for Sherwin Williams Coastal Hues

Creating Home client's family room: Classic, with a hint of tropical.

Elements of beach style: Colors Inspiration: Sand and water hues like aquas, teals, blues and greens.  Use natural textures, like rattan, jute, and linen. Keep the feeling light, airy, and casual. A white slip covered sofa with a mix of watery blue and green pillows anchored with a sisal or jute rug, work great for this style. Soft breezy curtains in linen or just sheer would finish off the look! For this room I wanted a hint of a tropical feel, but kept it classic, so it doesn't scream tropics!


 

Destination: The Great Outdoors!

If this is your scene, then I have a style for you!

 

 

NATURE CHIC!

I love this style! It's warm and cozy and pulls colors directly from your backyard. Color Inspiration: leaves (especially in the fall), trees, branches, moss. My favorite color combo is browns and yellow/ greens and punch in a bit of orange to keep it fresh! The key elements of this style are natural textures, mixed with warm and cozy fabrics, and keep it clean and simple. A nature inspired rug would be a great place to start, then pull your palette right from there. Picture a leather chair with an ottoman by the fire draped with a cozy chenille blanket. I can feel the warmth already!

Destination: European Vacation

Deeply routed in tradition this style has staying power! BHG.com

This style is uber traditional and timeless! Think of the lines and details of the European architecture. Color Inspiration: European countryside: Soft olives and blues mixed with warm golds and browns. And what about red? That will keep it alive!. Add in some rustic touches like old shutters and mix in some antique nesting tables to keep the style from becoming too stuffy. I love the artistic treatment on the wall behind the sofa. It gives the room whimsy and interest. I like the way the pillows don't match and the trims are all kept simple. This way it feels more updated and not grandma - no offense Mimi!

So if you don't know your design style. Just close your eyes and picture yourself in your favorite vacation spot. Then pull those elements into your space to achieve destination happiness!

Stylish Storage!

Functionally Chic Storage Solutions

You know you have it! That's right clutter! Everyone has it and doesn't usually know what to do with it. I was focusing on kids spaces this week, so to me this was the perfect topic. Because if you have kids, you have clutter! As a decorator, I am always looking for that functionally chic solution to hide the everyday stuff we all have. So I am going to give you some of my tricks for hiding the stuff we don't want to see! In this family room pictured above from Betterhomesandgardens.com, I love the use of the entertainment center for additional storage. Here are 3 ways to sneak storage into your family room:

1. Pick the right furniture. A simple console table can act as additional storage, if you buy one with shelves or cabinets underneath. I even use a chest of drawers in my family room as a table and the drawers are used for games and movies!

2. Use baskets or decorative boxes under your coffee table to hold newspapers, magazines, and the remotes. They can also be used to hold a few toys for easy access and clean up.

3. Storage ottomans rock! They are the most versatile pieces in a room. Put the clutter inside, flip the top for an extra small table, extra seating in a pinch, and of course, put up your feet!

Dish buckets make great storage for boys!

For kids rooms I like to use baskets and bins, but I wanted to share another budget friendly option. In my 5 year old's room I had 8 cubbies to fill and wicker and a boy just wasn't a good combo, so baskets were out of the question.  The canvas boxes were $7 a piece and I needed 8, that's $56! On a tight budget that wasn't going to work. So, as I wondered down isle after isle of storage bins, I came across these. They are dish buckets! Best of all they are plastic and portable and $1.99 a piece. They are also indestructible and came in a variety of colors. Sold!

Let's visit the softer side for the girls in our lives. Aside from the obvious storage, I like using multifunctional pieces. For our little social butterflies, a storage ottoman (can you tell I love them) works double duty. It's extra sitting if when the friends come to hang and storage for the things she may not want them to see! Hello froggie!

One last little bit of advice. For an unconventional way to add storage use pegboard! I have fallen in love with all the cool gadgets you can get to use on it. Although, it's usually meant for the garage, with a little spray paint you can make a stylish and functional storage wall! Now that's functionally chic!

Updating Kid's Rooms

5 Rules For Creating Kid's Rooms

Pick a color that can grow with them!

Rule # 1 (Probably the most important!) - Let them be the designer! Go through the Internet, kids catalogs, and magazines and let them find rooms they love.  Then hit the paint store and have them pick 3 of their favorite colors! Then make a plan based on your inspiration. I like to use a folder and put my colors and ideas in it, use it to help you shop. (One tidbit of advice is don't let them get too "themey", they may be into princesses and Spiderman now, but they will soon change. Trust me!)

Rule # 2 - Of the three colors, pick the one that will be most likely to grow with them. For instance, pinks of any kind can tend to be short lived with girls and for boys the lighter blues are the same. That's why we picked this Tiffany box blue by Olympic paints called, Reflection Pool. This color is sophisticated enough to grow with her. I like the grayer blues, like slate blues for boys or browns and tans, they just have more longevity!

 

Rule # 3 - Use what you have! Be creative and think about what you have and update it with paint. I took this table that looked "fairy princess" and transformed it into "bohemian chic" with white glossy spray paint. Then I only had to update the accessories, this lamp was $12 and clock was $5 from Target! Total cost of the new look $22! Also, look at other things in the room and only replace things that are necessary. I kept all the furniture and the green sheers curtains, because they would still work in the room. That's why I always tell clients don't by "character" or baby-like pieces to begin with. Stick to buying classic pieces that will stand the test of time, or the test of kids!

Rule # 4 - Don't break the bank on the bedding! If there is anything that is most likely going to change in the coming years, it's the bedding. Also, it's an easy way to make a subtle change with out changing everything.  So I don't like using custom or high end bedding for my kids rooms. This whole bedding set was $56 from Walmart.com and it came with the comforter, sham and 2 super cute accent pillows! This way if she changes her mind in a year or two, or something spills (these are kids!) you won't have a heart attack!

Finally, Rule # 5 - Let the kids be the artist! I love letting my kids participate in the art for their rooms. Either frame their creations or let them help with the painting and color selection of the art project.  To recreate this art all you need is:

1. 3  11 x 14 frames you can paint
2. Acrylic glossy paint in your colors
3. 3 Sheets of scrapbook paper - let them pick it out to match
4. 3 wood letters
5. 3 white mats, if the frames don't have it already.

Just paint the frames  and letters, then once it's all dry frame the paper. Then hot glue the wood letters to the front center of the glass. It's that easy!

So, hopefully this helps to make tackling those kid's room a little easier on you and your wallet. 

One last thing, HAVE FUN!