decor

How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

August 3, 2011 By Kristie Barnett 10 Comments

I took a day trip last week with the fam to Rock City atop Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s perched above a mile high mountain where you can literally view 7 states from one vantage point.

Waterfall in Rock City

It is one of the most beautiful places imaginable – Native Americans lived and Civil War soldiers hid amongst the majestic rock formations and caves all over the area.

Rock City Enchanted Gardens

Wowza.

Rock City

Everything there seems enchanted, like right out of a storybook.

I want this in my backyard

Rock City was developed in the 1940′s. Everything is made of stone or wood, since the site was rich with those natural materials.

Natural Stone Paths

When we rounded the corner here, I gasped. My daughter said, “This is Mommy-Heaven!” (meaning she knew this was my kind of place). All this beautiful nature plus a little vintage kitsch? Nothing better in my book.

The Decorologist in Fairyland Caverns!

So this gets me to thinking about interior decoration (big surprise). How do you incorporate this kind of natural enchantment into your decor?

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I’m a bit enamored with (ok, let’s be real, i’m totally enamored) with tree stump tables.

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West Elm has a side table that is too cute for words . . .

West Elm

Besides tree stump tables, what else can bring a touch of enchantment into your home?

Necklace Stand by Urban Outfitters

Do you think you can go too far? Can enchanted decor go too kitschy?

Can’t help myself!

Well, going whole-hog isn’t for everyone. But we can all make our homes more enchanted in a more subtle way. Maybe it’s a rough-hewn dining table paired with a glam light fixture.

I’m so in love with this room!

How do you add a little enchantment to your home?

Filed Under: Decor Addiction, My Decorology Tagged With: chattanooga, decor, decorating, enchanted, lookout mountain, rock city, the decorologist, tree stump table

Change Your Pillows, Change Your Life

April 1, 2011 By Kristie Barnett 10 Comments

Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a wee bit. But it can sure change your mood! If you have a fairly neutral or solid-colored sofa, the entire look can change with the purchase of a new grouping of pillows.

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You’ll need to start with a plan. Scan your room for an accent color you want to bring out, or decide on a new shade to bring in to your space. Search for a combo of pillows that each have that new color, while working with your existing sofa. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Decor Addiction Tagged With: decor, living rooms, new pillows, pillows, sofas, updated pillows

How Your Personal Wardrobe Can Inspire Your Home Decor

January 31, 2011 By Kristie Barnett 10 Comments

Happy Monday! Today the amazingly-talented Annette Tatum will be guest-blogging for me. Annette is a textile designer, author of The Well-Dressed Home, and mother of four. Her design philosophy stems from her belief that your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle, which includes how you dress. Her lovely blog features inspiring fashion and home decor ideas, as well as trends and fun decorating tips. Annette helps you explore your inner “fashionista,” bringing a piece of the catwalk into your home! Enjoy this wonderful post and check out her special offer at it’s conclusion:

“As outlined in my book, The Well-Dressed Home , my design philosophy is all about layering. I believe that your home should be a reflection of the styles you wear and the lifestyle you enjoy. So instead of choosing this season’s latest fashion craze when deciding on a design theme, why not allow your own personal wardrobe to inspire the décor?

For example, in my closet I have a lot of vintage and romantic pieces. I love vintage for its gently faded blues, floral-inspired periwinkles, and delicate silver accents. And then there’s romantic… a heartfelt Romeo and Juliet fairy tale of tea-party florals, Rodarte dresses, and pink pastels paired with their voluptuous color palette counterparts.

Fun Folding Chairs at Target

June 29, 2010 By Kristie Barnett Leave a Comment

On a Target run yesterday, I found these fun and fabulous folding chairs. Aren’t these so much more interesting than the standard black metal ones? These are so cute , I’d actually WANT to pull out the folding chairs, and not just because I had to! Anyway, they are under the ReStyle label and are only $9.99 a piece. You heard me right! Now that’s a bargain.

Filed Under: Retail Therapy Tagged With: bargain decorating, decor, folding chairs, restyle chairs, target

Winter Tablescapes

February 1, 2010 By Kristie Barnett 4 Comments

Is winter over yet? Unfortunately, I realize that the answer is no. So I might as well share some winter tablescapes with you today! This one incorporates lots of white. Even the nuts used in the topiaries are spray painted white for a snowy effect.

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Urban Outfitters

January 11, 2010 By Kristie Barnett 1 Comment

I recently spent some time in the Urban Outfitters in the Gulch here in Nashville. I did a lot of looking around and soaking in while my husband tried on two hundred pairs of jeans. It’s amazing the inspiration you can get from cutting edge merchandising.

I heart deers!! OK, I just love this little deer lamp. The unexpected color and sassy shape makes it such a conversation piece. My daughter would love this in her bedroom.

In the Pink

September 8, 2009 By Kristie Barnett 6 Comments

Pink isn’t just for little girls anymore. Really. It looks totally grown-up when combined with neutrals, modern designs, and clean lines.

Pair pink with brown, gray, or black to ground it. Pair it with white for a fresh, crisp look.

Keep foundation pieces neutral and use pink accessories that can be easily changed out.

Use simple patterns, especially geometric ones like checks and stripes.

Ottoman Bed

August 27, 2009 By Kristie Barnett Leave a Comment

This is so ingenious! At first glance, it’s a slipcovered ottoman. Which is a versatile piece to begin with. It can be used to rest your feet, topped with a tray to convert it into a makeshift coffee table, or put into use as extra seating. The slipcover comes in white and in hot pink.

But if you remove the slipcover, it folds out into an extra sleep space for friends. No more making pallets on the hard floor! It has a metal frame and velcro straps to keep the mattress in place. It takes twin-sized bedding and is strong enough for kids and non-huge adults. You can find this nifty convertible space-saver at Pottery Barn Teen.

There are so many cool things in the Teen catalog from Pottery Barn. And it’s not JUST for teenagers. It’s like a funkier, more creative version of the regular Pottery Barn catalog. It must be where all the edgier, hipper Pottery Barn designers go to work. Anyway, the Ottoman Bed is currently priced at 299.00. It could be used in front of any casual chair or sofa, or at the end of a twin bed. Park two in your den so the space can play double-duty as a guest room.

http://www.pbteen.com/products/girl-ottoman-bed/?pkey=cfurniture-sale

Filed Under: Retail Therapy Tagged With: children's bed, convertible ottoman, decor, multi-purpose furniture, ottoman, ottoman bed, pottery barn, pottery barn teen, sleepovers, small space ideas, space saving furniture, twin bed

Tack Boards

August 9, 2009 By Kristie Barnett 1 Comment

My latest bargain was found at my local Goodwill store. Just stopped in to find a gray belt, which I found. I always go through the leaning stack of framed art in the back. I found not one, but two bamboo tack boards with white frames. They looked so cool, I thought at first they were just framed bamboo. Then I realized someone had made them to be tack boards. They totally look like they are right out of a Ballard Designs catalog!