Monthly Archives: March 2015

Mar 31

Two-Toned Stair Railing

Although most people enjoy a mixed-metal look, very few would consider it for their staircase. Well, someone did, and it looks great! As with most design elements, it’s all in the execution. Shown below, the main railing is a dark color, topped with a brass-colored handrail.

Library staircase_1

The design of the staircase is kept simple, which allows the contrast of colors to meld seamlessly.

Library staircase_2

It pairs perfectly with the library books, and adds to, rather than distract from, the surroundings. Remember, mixing metals is a great way to add an elegant pop to any space. The key is keeping it simple so it blends into a seamless, elegant space.

Mar 20

The Creamy Cherry Blossoms

White cherry blossomsWhen most people, including myself, think of cherry blossoms, they likely imagine the pink ones in my previous post. However, cherry blossoms come in a multitude of shades, including white. The blossoms pictured on the right is a picture of cherry blossoms from trees that grow outside my office building. It’s great to be able to see these beautiful blossoms and watch their petals fall like snow in the wind. As the photo demonstrates, these flowers even have a pop of pink inside some of them! Remember, pops of color work great with neutrals. If it works for nature, it’ll look great in your own space!

Mar 18

The Sunny Daffodil

Sunny daffodilWhen you think of flowers, one often thinks of daffodils. They’re a bright, sunny color and add a cheerful disposition to any space. While it’s great to have fresh flowers, sometimes it’s not an option. The solution? Use a picture! Taking photos of flowers you receive is a great way to be able to use them long beyond their expiration date. Putting a similar photo on your desk or in your space not only creates a golden pop of color, but also creates a sunny mood even in the heart of winter.

Mar 16

Cherry Blossoms and Blue Sky

Cherry blossoms_blue skyAround the same time I took the picture my previous post, I decided to take a photo of the upper portion of the Cherry tree with the sky in the background. I love the pop of the pink blossoms against the blue sky! A similar photo would be great to add a pop of color to any space. You could use it as a focal point on a wall, or put the picture on a shelf or table. It would go with rooms that featured hues in pink or blue, and would be the perfect addition to welcome spring into your space. Sometimes the simplest photos can be the best addition to your space!

Mar 11

Blooms in Winter

Bloom in winter_pink and whiteEvery year there is a group of large bushes that tend to bloom in winter, even when it’s snowing. They have a variety of colors, but this time I decided to snap a photo of a bush that features pink and white flowers. I love flowers that are made up of more than one color! This gives me the perfect inspiration for a decorating theme. Using pops of pink and white against a neutral base is the perfect addition to your space. You could use accessories such as throw pillows, vases, a similar picture framed on a table, or a rug. Additionally, you could accent the pops of white and pink with other pastel colors that are perfect for welcoming spring. Even in winter, nature can provide pops of color and the perfect inspiration to brighten up your space!

Mar 9

The Setting Sun Beyond the Trees

Sunset beyond the treesAs I went for an evening walk, I noticed the sun shining through some nearby trees. As I got closer, I realized it was actually the setting sun. I love how the color of the sky changes as the sun sets! It has elements of gold, white, and blue, and the shades of each color vary depending on where you look. A similar photo would go well in so many spaces! It would look great in a den, living room, dining room, or bedroom. And with the myriad of different colors, it goes with any decorating scheme. So what are you waiting for? Grab a camera, go for an evening walk, and get the perfect sunset picture for your space!

Mar 7

Cheerful Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms_close upOne day, I woke up and realized the cherry tree was about to bloom. It’s been a mild winter here, so the flowers are blooming early. As seen on the right, we have some gorgeous pink blossoms this year. I love getting close up shots of flowers! It’s so interesting to see the variations in color and shape from flower to flower. Displaying pictures of flowers is a great way to add a pop of color to any space. Nature provides an abundance of inspiration, all you need to do is keep an eye open for the beauty around you!

Mar 4

Dressing Up a Chest of Drawers: Part 3

In part 3 of my Chest of Drawers posts, I’ll be using a more whimsical take on decorating. Whether you’re a kid or kid at heart, there’s nothing wrong with adding some cute stuffed animals to your bedroom furniture! You could add a variety of different stuffed animals, or have a specific theme. The two themes I used below are Hello Kitty and teddy bears. I have an abundance of both, so they were the perfect muses for my third post.

Chest of drawers 3_Hello Kitty

Chest of drawers 3_teddy bears

There’s nothing wrong with displaying a collection of stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, or figurines on your chest of drawers. Remember, a bit of whimsy is a great way to not only create pops of color, but also add a bit of fun to any space!

Mar 2

Dressing Up a Chest of Drawers: Part 2

Chest of drawers 2_creamFor my second post I’ll be going for a muted, elegant look. Today’s theme will revolved around a cream color scheme. As seen on the right, I used a lamp with a clear base and cream-colored shade, along with cream-colored boxes and one floral print box for a pop of color. As with my previous post, all of the items displayed are ones I already owned. The clear base of the lamp blends in with any decor, and allows the elegant, cream-colored theme to shine. In order to give the space a bit of color, I added a floral patterned box to the pile to create some visual interest. Once again, you can create amazing things when you use what you already own. No matter what type of boxes you use, you can create a chic, elegant look that will dress up any space!