IKEA Has Gone Gray – And That’s a Good Thing

I’ve been ordering furniture for a client over the last week from IKEA, so I was really excited to see that they have added another option to their black, white, or birch furniture finishes.  IKEA’s finally gone gray!  Actually, gray-brown.   I hope this is the final evidence if you need confirmation that gray-brown is the new expresso brown.

 

 gray brown hemnes chest 149 ikea IKEA Has Gone Gray   And Thats a Good Thing

Hemnes Dresser from IKEA

 

The gray-brown finish is available only on selected IKEA furniture, and they can barely keep them in stock right now.  I found gray options in the Hemnes, Isala, and Lack series.  [Read more...]

Trading Spaces – The “New” Living Room

I’ve had several requests from you guys to see the “after” of the living room that now resides in my old dining room.  Here it is:

DSC 1286 Trading Spaces   The New Living Room

“New” Living Room

 

This was the room when it was set up as the dining room – as it had been for the last 10 years. [Read more...]

How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

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.

2011 07 26 13 15 15 459 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

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.

2011 07 26 11 19 41 57 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

Rock City Enchanted Gardens

 

Wowza. 

2011 07 26 11 56 06 132 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

Rock City

 

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

2011 07 26 12 37 20 927 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

 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.

2011 07 26 11 28 19 46 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

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.

2011 07 26 11 44 14 351 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

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?

stump table this old house via lostandfoundsf blogspot How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

source

 

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

tree stump table via kaboodle How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

source

 

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

natural tree stump side table west elm How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

West Elm

 

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

2009 12 29 16.24.41 764x1024 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

Necklace Stand by Urban Outfitters 

 

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

DSC 6261 How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

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.   

DDDpretty beautifulthingstoshare10 via discoverinteriordesign How to Add Enchantment to Your Home

I’m so in love with this room!

 

How do you add a little enchantment to your home?

 

Change Your Pillows, Change Your Life

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.

sofa pillows blue sofa via lonny 1024x662 Change Your Pillows, Change Your Life

source

 

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...]

How Your Personal Wardrobe Can Inspire Your Home Decor

BookWidget1 How Your Personal Wardrobe Can Inspire Your Home Decor 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.

ATInAnnettesCloset How Your Personal Wardrobe Can Inspire Your Home Decor

[Read more...]

How NOT to be a Slave to Decor Trends

Do you sometimes feel like you just can’t keep up with the trends?   I have a friend who says she tends to redecorate on the backend of trends so that in 2 years, her whole house looks dated! 

lonny blue sofa lviing room via creamy life How NOT to be a Slave to Decor Trends

source 

[Read more...]

Fun Folding Chairs at Target


2010 06 28 14.16.22 Fun Folding Chairs at Target 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.

Winter Tablescapes

white tablescape by centsationalgirl Winter Tablescapes

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.

centsationalgirl

 

[Read more...]

Urban Outfitters

 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.  2009 12 29 16.26.28 Urban Outfitters

[Read more...]

In the Pink

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


SwishandSwankyblogspot pic In the Pink

 


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.

Pink and Brown Living Room In the Pink


[Read more...]

pixel In the Pink