Elegant Abode

hamptons style

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Starting a new weekly posting "Around the World Fridays". Lets kick it off with inspiration from the Hamptons. Even if you don't have a home out there, get inspired by Hampton unfussy sophisticated style. Love the color palette inspired by the beach with classic updated decor and natural materials and fabrics.

via pinterest

via marie christine design

xoxo

Ariana

1st birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:17:00 +0000

It's my daughter Ella's first birthday this week! Below are some fun playful decorations I'm inspired by for her party. I'm trying to stay away from the traditional cartoon-inspired decor and add a bit of class with some simple but festive decorations.

via pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

nail heads

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Loving nail heads on everything from headboards to dining chairs. Particularly loving it with contrast tape behind it.

via pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

under the stairs

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Have unused space hiding under your stairs? Here are some creative ideas to make the most of it, whether it you build out a storage area, naptime nook or a place to work. Have fun with it!

above 4 images via Pinterest

via This Old House

via Home-Designing

*Ali

a very etsy valentine's day

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Just a few romantic, Valentine's inspired items from Etsy to get you in the mood for love...

Clockwise: 1. Soap Hearts: Sakura Bath And Body 2. Music Hearts Garland: The Path Less Traveled

3. Paris Graffiti Photo: Little Brown Pen 4. Heart Headband: Vivienne Paris

5. German Love Heart Photograph: Ooh Pretty Shiny 6. Cup Coaster Set: Mintook 7. Pink Porcelain Lace Bowls: Hideminy

8. Mint Green Heart Post Earrings: Dariami's 9. Petite Heart Letterpress Mini Cards: Missive

*Ali

black and white art

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:48:00 +0000

Loving the effect of a good piece of black and white abstract in any space. Whether your style be eclectic, modern, romantic or rustic it always pumps it up a notch. Get inspired .... grab a brush and make one of your own!

via mimiandmeblog.com

via madebygirlblogspot

via marcusdesigninc.blogspot

via blogdwr.com

via sketch 42 blog

xoxo

Ariana

banquette snapshot

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:01:00 +0000

We're working on a banquette area for a client's new home right now and I have fallen in love with this image. The combination of the white tufting, rattan chair, gray farm table and punchy blue accents creates such a cozy little nook. Perfect inspiration!

via Design Chic

*Ali

color inspiration: navy and white

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:55:00 +0000

A couple of our recent clients have expressed a lot of interest in a chic preppy look and their love of navy... and we definitely share their admiration for the deep blue color. Navy has such a classic, sophisticated appeal and makes everything else around it pop. I came across some photos of navy done oh-so-right and just had to share...

via Brabourne Farm

via Decor Pad

via Phoebe Howard

via Rue Magazine

via Nantucket Youth

via Little Green Notebook

*Ali

style it up

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:53:00 +0000

So, after a space is relatively finished - furniture is in place, art, rugs and window treatments are selected - our job of styling begins. For some, this can be a daunting task. Here are a few tricks of the trade to help make polishing off a room a little easier.

Rule#1: Always have at least one living thing in each room (people and dogs don't count.) It's fun to put something branchy and natural in an entry. It brings the outside in and adds a little life to the room.

via Elle Decor

Rule #2: Layer objects on side tables to create a lived in look. One really graphic pattern mixed with whites and pastels creates interest.

via The Peak of Tres Chic

Rule #3: Be aware of scale in your space. Not every area needs something dramatic or large. Just a small touch of love does the job.

via A Lifes Design

Rule #4: Decorate using the functionality of your space as the inspiration. An office should have books and magazines, a kitchen can display canisters of food and a nursery looks great using toys as decor.

via Belle Maison 23

Rule #5: Bookshelves... ok, here we go. The challenge is to make them look interesting and collected rather than cluttered and messy. The best way we have found to do this is by grouping objects together and limiting your color palette. Below gold, white and blue is the color palette repeated on every shelf.

via Emily Henderson aka Best Sylist Ever

An example of a few "rules" together. Live objects, using a limited green/yellow color palette, taking direction from functionality, layering objects and being aware of scale.

via House Beautiful

xoxo

Ariana

how to make a good bed

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:43:00 +0000

So it might seem like a no-brainer, but making a nice bed is essential to having a good-looking bedroom. We often get stuck in the same routine with the way we make our bed. Here are some fun ways you can dress up your own space with simple changes.

Easy breezy white pin-tuck West Elm Duvet and Euro's with a patterned throw at the bottom.

White bedding and quilt with graphic shams.

Very understated light grey quilt and shams, throw near feet and 12 x 21 patterned accent pillow. Stacking standards behind Euro's creates a nice backdrop for accent pillows.

A million textures of white and tons of throw pillows. I just want to dive in.

My personal favorite these days.... knit throw and pillows. Very relaxed and understated.

For the rich and famous...luxe silk pillows and duvet. 3 Euro's, 2 standards and 2 accent... and let's not forget the mohair throw.

via pinterest.com

xoxo
Ariana

lazy sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:29:00 +0000

via Home & Interiors

*Ali

guest blogger: cara from lilac & grey

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000

When Ali and Ariana asked me if I wanted to do a guest post "swap" I was more then excited! I knew right away that I wanted to post something to tie together fashion and interiors. While searching the runway photos on style.com for a recent post I did, I noticed lots of mint greens, pinks, yellows, and tangerine. I also noticed that large floral prints are making a big splash. If I had to describe my personal style for fashion and interior design- I would say it would be a happy mix of modern and vintage.

To me, floral prints are very chic and lady-like; but in most cases, wearing floral prints could be very daring. I love how Ece Sukan, editor at large for Vogue Turkey mixed this flowy floral print dress {which looks like it could be vintage} with a very modern clutch.

When using floral prints in your home-especially if it is a chair or sofa- you need to be mindful to pair it with something modern like this bed above- otherwise you could risk it looking to "granny."

Mixing floral patterns could be extremely chic if done correctly. Be sure to keep the color scheme throughout, and keep the wall color neutral.

If you really want to be bold, opt for a floral wall-covering or mural. This works best in bathrooms or for one wall in a bedroom.

Thank you Ali and Ariana for giving me the opportunity to guest post here at The Elegant Abode!

{Cara Gardner is a New Jersey based Real Estate and Lifestyle Consultant. When she is not with clients she can be found on her blog Lilac and Grey sharing inspirational ideas about interior design, fashion and behind the scenes info about real estate.}

{photo 1 via Lee Oliveira | photo 2 and 3 via Elle Decor | photo 4 via Interiorly}

color splash

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:31:00 +0000

There's a lot of amazing colors in here that work well together because they're paired down with neutrals.

Stunning.

Side note: I love that console!

via 3rdAvenue

*Ali

etsy find: sarah & bendrix

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:47:00 +0000

While looking for artwork for our nursery, I came across Sarah & Bendrix on Etsy and had to share! Every piece is handmade with little cutouts of hearts or stars in various colors. You have the option to personalize them for your wedding, baby or other important dates/people in your life. Absolutely adorable!

This one is made with cutouts from the pages of an old book... I love it.

via Sarah & Bendrix

Ali

paris house tour

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:16:00 +0000

I've fallen madly in love with this home in Paris belonging to designer for Sia, Signe Nordli Becker. The neutral colors mixed with various wood tones is perfection. Each room is just layered with different materials and textures. She's also brought a little bit of life to each space with live plants. The end result is a subtle mix of rustic and glam that makes my heart swoon!

via Bolig Pluss

*Ali

happy weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:24:00 +0000

First weekend in a long time with no travel, house work or other major plans! Enjoying being a bit of a couch potato today (and it seems this adorable dog is, too). Hope you're all enjoying your weekend as well!

via Martha Stewart

*Ali

picture gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

We get so many requests from friends and clients for picture galleries. Picture walls are great because they work in different style homes and can be done in a relatively budget friendly way. People find them very daunting to start, but we have found some tricks of the trade to help make the process a bit more approachable.

Same frame size and shape with black and white photos. Very simple grid design. A good starter picture wall.

via coco pearl

Mixing art and photos helps give this picture wall visual interest, yet the simple rectangular shape keeps it from looking too fussy. Overhead lighting gives it a bit of elegance in this casual, almost rustic space.

via pottery barn

The soft palette and mixture of canvas and whimsical framed art dictate the playful shape of this picture wall.

via pinterest

So chic (and cheap)! Just pin up some black and white photos in the same size in a simple grid.

via from the right bank

All white frames and a fun colorway make this picture wall work.

via really quite lucky

A picture wall with just mirrors creates a scuptural appeal.

via my chic my way

Below they have mixed white, black and silver but kept the artwork and photos in black and white. So warm and welcoming in an entry.

via scissors and spatulas

The organic shape of this gallery leads me to believe that the homeowners add to it as their life unfolds. It feels so organized without being planned. My favorite are the maps with thumbtacks pinpointing their travels.

via young house of love

Click here for some additional gallery wall layouts.
Simcoestreet Blogspot

xoxo

Ariana

cozy rooms

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:43:00 +0000

For all those who rang in the New Year with a bit too much cheer and need a cozy space to retreat, here are some inspiring images of comfy spaces.

via pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

vintage new years

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +0000

Happy New Years! Loving the vintage New Years theme and are inspired by the pewter, sepia, gold and white color story. Cheers to 2012!!

via pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

good morning beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:11:00 +0000

I would love to open the doors to my bedroom and see this... stunning.

via Beauty and Grace

*Ali

nursery inspiration - pink & turquoise

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Okay, this little girl is going to arrive in about two months so it's go time on nursery decorating. I'm going for turquoise and pink and have found some fabulous inspiration images to get me inspired. They feel a little summery for this time of year but, just the thing to warm you up!

*Ali

above 2 images via eco boho

via Fryd

via bippity boppity boo

via Bash Please

via Cake

via To Be Charmed

via Sow Kindness. Gather Love.

sparkle for every room

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:51:00 +0000

In the spirit of New Years, here are some sparkly ideas for every room of the house.

via Nate Berkus

Metal finishes on elegant furniture and a sparkly chandelier.

via S R Gambrel

Lanterns and punchy carpet create a dazzling entry.

via New Ravenna

Hints of metallic in wallpaper and ornate mirrors.

via chic posh

Nailheads, mirrored nightstands and silky linens dazzle a bedroom.

via house and home

Traditional crystal chandelier, silver nailheads and table urns create drama.

via Alice Lane

xoxo

Ariana

sparkle for the new year

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:13:00 +0000

Some sparkily images for New Years table settings.

via zinc door

xoxo
Ariana

white, silver + emerald

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Loving the idea of simple almost underdone holiday decor in shades of whites, silver and emerald. The combo is so striking together it's even beautiful after the holidays are over.

xoxo

Ariana

subtle holiday decor

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:06:00 +0000

As the holiday party season approaches, finding inspiration to decorate your home in a chic and sophisticated way gets challenging. Below are some beautiful ideas that feel festive but not overdone.

xoxo

Ariana