Category Archives: interior design

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!

Feb 28

Dressing Up a Chest of Drawers: Part 1

Chest of drawers 1_silverOften times we use the top of our bedroom furniture as a catch-all for various items. Instead of the usual look, I decided to dress it up a bit! In my first of several posts on the topic, I’ll show you multiple ways to accentuate the top of your chest of drawers. Today, I’m showcasing a silver theme. I have my frog prince statue, a lamp with a silver base, and two silver canisters topped with faux flowers for a pop of color. This simple theme gives a touch of shine to an otherwise plain space. Although I used silver, you could use any color or combination of metals. Additionally, the pops of gold and turquoise give some much needed color to what could be a cold look. All the items used were things I already owned, making this look both gorgeous and free. If you have objects in similar tones, group them together to create a cohesive look. Not only will you add a touch of interest to your bedroom furniture, but you’ll also get the chance to display great pieces you already own.

Feb 25

Adding Accessories to Your Living Room

While our living room was pretty much put together, it felt like something was missing. Our coffee table seemed a little too bare. The solution? Add an accessory! My Mom came up with the perfect idea: a bowl filled with various objects. She found the items (a bowl, objects of various sizes and textures, and a place mat) on sale and brought them to me to put together. As seen below, it looks absolutely gorgeous on the coffee table! The second picture shows a close up shot of what the bowl holds.

Living room_1

Living room_2

The colors and textures in the bowl complement the rest of the decor throughout the space. In addition, the carved eggs are something we picked up years ago while on vacation. Overall, this addition costs less than $20! If you want to give your space a new look, all you need is a little imagination and some old treasures to transform your space into something chic and glamorous!

Feb 7

Twin Barns

Twin BarnsI was checking out my local wildlife refuge when I noticed a structure off in the distance. As I got closer I realized it was a pair of historic, old barns. So cool! I love old buildings, and these had been lovingly preserved (looking through the windows it was obvious they were now used for storage). The distressed white paint on the building creates a shabby chic look. Does your space have a shabby chic or county look? Photos of old barns are the perfect accessory! They add interest to any space and are a great conversation piece. Not only will your guests marvel at your ability to tie a look together, but you’ll also have an awesome memory from a day spent finding old buildings!

Feb 2

The Tree’s Hand

Tree with a handIt’s amazing all the different ways that a tree can grow! An example is the tree pictured to the right. The way the large branch towards the back splits off looks like a hand reaching out towards the sky. It’s a very quirky image, and is a great inspiration for a decorating theme! Aside from the colors (blue, green, white, and various shades of brown), a similar photo could be used as a base for a quirky decorating scheme. Like the tree, you can use accessories that blend in, more than stand out, within your space. Try a textured vase, throw pillows in various shapes, or an oddly shaped picture frame. Adding quirky elements will give your space a cohesive-look that’s not only colorful, but is also fun.

Jan 28

Where Grasslands Meet Wetlands

Grasslands meet wetlandsAs I meandered from one trail to another I was amazed to see how the grasslands and wetlands became intertwined. Where one ended, the other began. There’s usually such a distinction between the two that when I saw the area pictured to the right, I just had to snap a photo! I love the golden hues of the grass in the foreground that’s sparsely populated by a few trees, followed by the reflective blue of the water. Further beyond that you can glimpse a neighboring island and clear, blue sky. A soothing, serene image like this would be great hung in a bedroom! The earth tones would go with any décor, and the beautiful imagery would send you off to sleep to a gorgeous, nature dreamland.

Jan 19

The Grand Pendant Light

Grand pendant lightNear the skylight in my previous post, there were also several pendant lights. As seen on the right, these grand lights feature ornate metal work and etched glass. The light and it’s multitude of motifs complement the ceiling medallions and pops perfectly against the grayish-black marble walls. Pendant lights are a great way to add interest to any space! They come in a large variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that will add sophistication and elegance to your room. While traditionally used in kitchens, these can also be used in dining rooms, bedrooms, or an entryway. By thinking outside the box, you’ll create a beautiful and unique space that provides interest and additional light. No matter where you decide to hang your pendant lights, you’ll end up with a bright and colorful space that’s all you!

Jan 13

Red and Gold Ceiling Medallions

Ceiling Medallions_Red and GoldAs tends to happen in life, I was walking through a building I had visited many times before when I decided to look up at the ceiling. What did I see? A large arch featuring red and gold ceiling medallions. The colors are very regal and medallions themselves are a classic piece of architecture, so I thought they’d be the perfect addition to my blog. Not only do the colors pop, but it would be a great addition to any space. There are two types of ways you can get this look. One, you can buy a few ceiling medallions from your local home improvement store, paint them using the desired colors, and affix them to your wall, ceiling, or archway. The second, more practical and economic way, is to use a similar photo. You can take a similar picture at most historic or old government buildings. Once you have the picture, print off several copies, frame them, and hang on your chosen wall in whatever pattern you desire. This will create a great focal point that will draw people into the room. No matter what choice you decide on, you’ll be able to add a touch of classic elegance to any space!

Jan 3

New Year, New Chair

For my first post in 2015 I’m going to show you how to transform your accent chairs! I found this fuchsia chair at my local big box store and thought it would go perfectly with the style in my bedroom. While it’s a great chair on its own, I wanted to think of a way to give it some extra flair. The solution? Fabric! In this instance I decided to use an extra pillowcase that had a tropical pattern, One of the flowers in the pattern was the same color as the chair’s fabric. I centered it on the chair’s back and viola-instant update! Before and after pictures are shown below.

Fuschia chair_bedroom

Fuschia chair_bedroom updated

This is a great and simple way to update your furniture! In addition to chairs, you could also use the same technique on larger items such as a sofa or loveseat. Whether you save money by using fabrics you already own or choose to buy fabric at a craft store, you can easily start off 2015 with a brand new look!