Forever Lovely Design

Real Nursery Tour- Contemporary Coral

2012-09-26T18:20:00.000-04:00

When it comes to designing a nursery that is not only stylish, but incredibly personal, my lovely friend Sonya Grossgold has it all figured out. Sonya is an interior designer and the little one who is going to fill this gorgeous space is her first baby, a sweet little girl, sure to have great style just like her mom.

"I knew that I wanted it to feel feminine and cozy but also tailored and contemporary with clean lines. I also wanted it to be somewhat playful and look like a nursery, but not too 'baby-ish'." -Sonya

She started by choosing gender neutral furniture to accommidate possible future children and combined that with little pops of color and texture to delight baby's senses. Early on, the inspiration for the room was found in the form of a sweet coral and gray elephant print fabric that Sonya found at Spoonflower.

"I had heard once that elephants are considered by many cultures around the world to be symbols of strength, wisdom, and good luck, and of course these are all things that I want for my baby girl, so I was inspired by this when I started thinking about my design for the room. Early on, I fell in love with this terrific print." -Sonya

What makes this nursery so special is the combination of Sonya's DIY touches and the many personal details around the room. That adorable elephant fabric became the crib skirt which she learned to make from a tutorial found on Young House Love. Her husband constructed the window cornice from plywood and L-brackets which Sonya then covered in batting and coordinating geometric fabric.

Having difficulty finding white black-out drapes, Sonya bought simple white cotton panels from West Elm and sewed in black-out lining that she purchased inexpensively from the fabric store. She finished off the look by trimming the drapes with coral grosgrain ribbon to add a little pop of color.

The sunburst mirror was found on clearance at Home Goods and Sonya painted it with acrylic coral paint to match the room. Inspired these tutorials here and here, she created a mobile to capture baby's interest and to ensure their Wheaton Terrier-Bischon, fur-baby Teddy was not left out!

Sonya framed the sweet little baby shoes that used to be hers in a shadowbox frame backed with seersucker fabric. The prints framed on the gallery wall were each chosen for a specific reason and include photos of her and her husband when they were children, a photo taken in the Turks and Caicos during their "babymoon" vacation, and specially chosen colorful prints found on Etsy.

If you look closely on the ladder bookcase, you will find a beautiful conch shell. This is one of the most special items in the room to this growing family because Sonya's husband dove for the shell while on their "babymoon" vacation in the caribbean. The shell serves as a reminder of the wonderful time they had together while expecting their first bundle of joy, and it just so happens that the coral colors of the shell fit perfectly with the theme of her lovely nursery.

Sources for Furniture and Decor

-Silver Gourd Lamp: Target Clearance $8

-Leaning bookcase: Crate and Barrel $129

-Gray knitted ottoman: Cb2 $89.95

-Gallery-Style picture frames: Ikea

-Closet Organizer: Ikea

-Drapes: West Elm

-Sunburst Mirror: Home Goods

-"Moon Gazer Dog" Print: Etsy

-Elephant Print: Etsy

-"Today You are You" Print: Etsy

-"I am a child of God" Print: Etsy

-Wall Color: Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter

Follow Sonya Grossgold on Pinterest for more wonderful design inspiration!

Color Inspiration- Kelly Green

2012-08-11T13:25:00.000-04:00

Right now I'm loving the look of kelly green combined with gold, black and white and a pop of leopard. It is such an unexpected combination, but it just works so well that it seems like this color mix was meant to be. What do you think? Would you use this color combination in your home?

Kelly Green and Leopard by foreverlovelydesign on Polyvore

Blissful Bedrooms- Creating Spaces for Relaxation

2012-07-14T13:30:00.002-04:00

We know that having a bedroom space to relax and rejuvenate after a long day at work is important, but the task of creating such a space might feel daunting to some. Never fear! All of the photos below are from real-life bedrooms created by real people just like you. Creating a space that is calming, comfortable and reflective of your personal style is much easier than it looks.

Better Homes & Gardens

This beautiful bedroom combines calming blues with warm yellows and neutrals to create a space that bright, comfortable and fresh. Traditional fabrics like this duvet can be mixed with more modern touches like the headboard and lamps to create a look that is comfortably contemporary.

Better Homes & Gardens

This lovely space mixes the natural, bohemian aspects of the beaded chandelier and window treatments pops of color and eclectic decor.

Better Homes & Gardens

I love the tropical feeling that this bedroom space evokes. This look was created by mixing bohemian fabrics, natural seagrass textures and dashes of ocean-hued color.

Better Homes & Gardens

Eclectic and simple, this sleep space brings in tons of texture and visual detail. By keeping the walls a neutral shade of gray, the gorgeous linens and pillows on the bed really get their chance to shine.

Better Homes & Gardens

Again we see the use of neutral gray contrasting with pops of vibrant color to create a look that is sophisticated, yet fun and modern.

Better Homes and Gardens

Ahh, there is something so calming about pure white on white. This bedroom looks like the perfect place for creating colorful dreams and catching some serious zzz's.

The trick to creating a gorgeous bedroom space is to let the bed shine. Choose fabrics and accessories that evoke your personal style and make you happy. Extra points for calming colors like soft shades of blue, purple and green. When you make the bed the focal point, your brain has no choice but to decide that this room is meant for sleeping and relaxing- no stress allowed! Pull in coordinating colors from your favorite fabrics and accessories and keep the wall color and furniture neutral to allow for future accessory and linen color changes. Most of all, have fun and make it your own!

Let's Get Real

2012-06-29T11:10:00.000-04:00

Pinterest Women

There is one thing that I know most of us love to dream about; The perfectly decorated home. There is one major problem with this aspiration and I feel like everyone is scared to talk about it, so let's get real. Aside from movie sets and magazines these homes simply don't exist. That is, if you are actually living in your home, perfection simply does not exist. Don't get me wrong, I still love trying to create perfectly beautiful, functional, magazine-worthy spaces in my home because I am passionate about design and am always inspired by the gorgeous interior design photos that I see in magazines or on Pinterest. But another thing I'm passionate about is family and I know one thing for sure, if you are trying to raise a family, or even if you are just trying to get through each day without the dishes piling up and mail stacking to the ceiling, I think that we can agree that our homes certainly do not look perfect all the time. There is something to be said for how much most of us, including myself, spend days scrubbing, vacuuming, decorating and perfecting our homes before company arrives. God forbid we let them see how we really live.

When I went on Pinterest to search for photos of what our real homes really look like, I was quickly defeated. I typed the words "real homes" into the search bar and after a couple seconds of searching an error message flashed on the screen. I'm not saying that we should start photographing and displaying our lived-in homes, but what I am trying to say is that we can't hold ourselves to such a high standard when it comes to the way our homes look. When I look around me I see a coffee table with five books on it, some finished, most half-way read. I glance into the kitchen and I see my breakfast dishes still in the sink and if you take a peek on the counter you will see mail beginning to stack up from the week. The photos that we see on Pinterest or in Magazines have been styled for days by people who do just that for their living. In other words, life is not happening in these spaces mid photo shoot. I have heard around the web that for some people looking at these perfectly styled homes actually makes them feel bad. This is something that I fully understand and from now on, this blog is going to GET REAL.

I'm not saying that I'm going to stop posting beautiful pictures of interior design, because truthfully I think it still can be inspiring and fun to admire them. We just have to remember to admire them with the understanding that most of these photos are not real. Yes, it might be slightly disappointing to some of you, but let it be a free pass for you to not have to worry about being perfect. The fact is, no one is perfect and I hope that we can all come together in that fact, admire beautiful interior design and talk about what it's like to live in our real homes.

Summertime Seafoam

2012-06-27T19:27:00.001-04:00

A little summertime seafoam color inspiration for you :)

Summertime Seafoam by foreverlovelydesign featuring costume jewelry

Get the Look

2012-06-21T17:04:00.001-04:00

I love how this simple and chic design really lets the beautiful architectural photograph shine. Simple furniture with hints of brass and a little pop of animal print bring the room together to create something elegant and unique.

Sweet Home Style

This look is a little on the pricey side, but by choosing to spend a little more on the larger pieces of furniture, you can consider these purchases investments. As long as you're choosing neutrals that are well made, they will last you a long time! Money can be saved on smaller items like lamps, rugs and decor.

New York Chic by foreverlovelydesign on polyvore.com

Utopia UTP08 CHAMP #4536
£65 - funkyrugs.co.uk

New York Photos - Beaux Arts Architecture, New York City --- 11 X 14...
$35 - etsy.com

Verano Sofa
$1,799 - crateandbarrel.com

1STDIBS.COM - Trouve - ARTURO PANI - Arturo Pani Coffee table bronze...
1stdibs.com

Leopard Print 2ft x 2ft Cowhide Footstool from London Cows
£999 - furnish.co.uk

Cream Spring Flowers in Burlap Vase
$75 - jaysonhome.com

Jeffrey Floor Lamp
$299 - ballarddesigns.com

Faux Fur Blanket/Throw, Khaki, 200 x 240 Cm
£20 - linenslimited.co.uk

Shades of Gray

2012-06-15T12:44:00.000-04:00

No, I'm not talking about the scandalous book that is taking up residence in what seems like every woman's beach bag at the moment, I'm talking about the COLOR that looks so amazing in almost every shade. Today I'm inspired by this beautiful interior that does such a great job of combining a deep charcoal wall color with a crisp white ceiling and trim as well as natural fabrics, textures and finishes. It creates such a nice balance that feels chic, but also warm and cozy. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Shades of Gray by foreverlovelydesign featuring a shell necklace

Andy Warhol Exhibit

2012-06-13T11:34:00.001-04:00

Yesterday my husband and I were lucky enough to catch the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Virginia MOCA and we had such a great time! My favorite part of the exhibit was a section of Warhol's very early sketches from the time he was a young boy up until he began doing advertising print work. It was so interesting to get a peek inside the thought process and growing technique of such an influential 20th century artist. If you live in the area be sure to check it out! Here's a little collage to help get you pop art inspired. :)

Andy Warhol by foreverlovelydesign featuring oliver peoples sunglasses

The New Chic

2012-06-12T12:54:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone, long time no talk! I have been super busy, but I'm back with an awesome website that I just learned about from my lovely Etsy team members. It's called Polyvore and it's a tool that allows you to create collages with images uploaded from around the web like the one I created below. The coolest thing about it is that if you see a collage you like, you can click on the individual items and see where to purchase them right then and there! Just saying, you will probably be seeing lots of these fun little collages from me in the very near future. :)

The New Chic by foreverlovelydesign on polyvore.com

Get the Look

2012-04-27T12:07:00.000-04:00

This week I have been crushing on this lovely little bedside vignette. The combination blues and lime green, crisp white, touches of gold and classic European details create a space that is not only glamorous, but fresh and modern. Here's how to get the look in your space:

Meredith Heron

Behr

1. Vintage Turquoise Table by Poppy Cottage on Etsy $190
2. Mara Bed with antique brass nail head trim by Ballard Designs $799- $1833
3. Ikat nesting bowls by C Wonder $58
4. Sketch by Holly Sharpe on Etsy $33
5. Vintage marble table lamp by Modish Vintage on Etsy $87
6. Pewter picture frame by Target $25
7. Vintage lime green vase by Triple 7 Recycled on Etsy $15
8. Photo of roses via Pinterest

For you crafty individuals who prefer a more DIY approach, find out how you can create the brass nail head trim headboard and gold leaf your lampshade yourself here and here!

Happy Birthday!

2012-04-25T11:45:00.000-04:00

Today is the 1st birthday of the Forever Lovely Design Esty shop! The past year has been filled with lots of excitement, hard work and the satisfaction of working with so many wonderful people so far!! As my gift to you please enjoy 10% off everything in the shop today only with the code LOVELY at checkout!! :)

Bloom

Delightfully Fresh

2012-04-23T19:44:00.000-04:00

I find that there are often days like today, where simply flipping through a home decor magazine while waiting in line at the grocery store, or moments when I'm chatting with my hair dresser about her apartment's collection of eclectic decor that makes her feel right at home, that I'm reminded of how much I truly love interior design. Sometimes while I am fully immersed in a project, I'm blinded by the extent of my to-do list, forgetting where my true passion lies. I have to remind myself to take a step back, a breath of fresh air, and remember that I am blessed with the opportunity to do what I love every day. Whether you love what you do everyday or not, that same act of appreciation for the things that are good in life is so incredibly important for us all to do. Let's be inspired by the freshness of spring and the beauty of new life and positivity. These delightfully fresh interiors are what is inspiring me today :)

Sweet Peach

Better Homes and Gardens

All Things Stylish

Houzz

The clean, modern lines, natural light, bright white paint and furniture all work together with the help of a little greenery to create a space that is fresh, relaxed and welcoming.

Weekend DIY- Reclaim Your Burned Out Candles

2012-03-23T18:28:00.001-04:00

Have you ever noticed that when a candle burns out there is still a good amount of wax left over in the bottom of the container? Well this happened to me the other day when my very favorite candle flickered its last flame. I decided to make a new one out of the left over wax and a left over mini jelly jar from our wedding favors. Here is how it turned out:

Directions:

1. If you are going to use the microwave to heat the wax (I did) make sure to take out the old burned out wick because it has a metal base. And don't forget to clean out your microwave after you are done!
2. Heat the wax in the microwave in 15 second intervals until it is melted. BE CAREFUL it will be very hot. You can also melt the wax by setting the base of the candle in very hot water until it melts.
3. Get your new container clean and ready and add the new wick. I bought mine from Michaels. You can stick the wick to the bottom of the container by dipping the base in a little melted wax and holding it to the glass until it sticks.
4. Pour your melted wax into your new container and make sure the wick stays upright.
5. Wait about an hour for your new candle to dry.
6. Then decorate! I used some cardstock, these adorable free printable apothecary labels, a stamp, silver ink, mod podge and a ribbon to decorate mine.
7. Enjoy! :)

Real Wedding- Lauren and Trevor

2012-03-12T20:23:00.000-04:00

How adorable is this sweet couple!? Lauren is an event designer at Shabby Little Duo and her design talent and adorable style shine through in every detail of her California beach wedding. From the wedding date sewn in the hem of her gown to the many beautifully handmade decorations throughout the event, each little detail shaped the distinctively stunning style of their special day perfectly...Not to mention the glowing happiness and love in each of their smiling faces. :)

* All photos by the talented Paige + Blake Green Photography

Real Wedding Preview- Lauren and Trevor

2012-03-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to share the wedding of my sweet friend Lauren of Shabby Little Duo and her hubby Trevor. Lauren is a talented designer and her wedding details reflect her adorable style perfectly. Here's a little preview of what's to come :)

Paige + Blake Green Photography

*All beautiful photos by Paige + Blake Green Photography

Ombre Obession

2012-03-08T14:14:00.002-05:00

What is ombre? You might be wondering...Well, it's the lovely look of color fading from light to dark, and I'm loving the dramatic colorful effect that it has on everything from event decor to layer cakes. Here's a little color inspiration and even some DIY tips to try the look on your own. Enjoy!

La Partie Events

Apartment Therapy

Call me Cupcake

Find the stunning photos and a tutorial on how to create this beautiful pink ombre layer cake at Here!

Jessica Sprinkel

Hey Gorgeous

Find out how to make this adorable lamp shade out of paint swatches Here!

Unknown Source

Spring is in the Air

2012-02-22T18:39:00.000-05:00

It happens every year towards the end of winter; The slightest warm breeze tousles our hair, colorful fashion catalogs crowd our mailboxes, trees begin to flower, and we all become eager for spring. Most of the time the beginning of spring is a little too chilly to break out the shorts and sandals, but this afternoon I was actually able to soak up some toasty rays on my balcony, and it was lovely. We're ready for you Spring! :)

J.Crew Tumblr | Anthropologie | My Lucky Lemon | Albin Holmqvist

Touches of Tangerine

2012-02-02T17:59:00.002-05:00

The other day I was cutting a grapefruit and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the fruit was. Have you ever noticed how simply beautiful citrus fruit are? You probably think I'm slightly off my rocker by the fact that I am inspired by a grapefruit, but if you truly look at one, you will see what I mean. The colors, texture, composition and translucency are just so lovely. Maybe that is why we see their colors and shapes so often in design. Not to mention that the color of the year is tangerine :). Since these examples of citrus colors in decor are so bright and bold, they are used sparingly to create a lovely cheerful feeling. Here are a few beautiful examples of touches of tangerine decor. Enjoy!

Vintage Air

Unkown Source

House Hunting in Paris

Houzz

House of Turquoise

Fresh Air

2012-01-23T12:34:00.001-05:00

To have a beautiful outdoor space AND an amazing view is something that dreams are made of. Imagine romantic candle-lit dinners during the summer and little bursts of happiness that a glance outside your window would constantly bring. Sips of iced tea between conversation with a friend, and relaxing moments spent soaking up sunlight's rays. These next few terraces are perfect examples of just that. :)

Be Present

2012-01-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

Today I'm loving these beautiful typographical prints by Matthew Kavan Brooks. The words are so positive and encouraging and the prints themselves are so lovely! Find them at Society6.

International Inspiration- Seville Spain

2012-01-18T13:16:00.002-05:00

During this time of year, unwelcoming weather is more prevalent than sunny skies and warm breezes, so to thaw the cold for a few moments, we are taking a visual trip to Seville Spain, where cloudless skies meet stunning architecture and an exceptionally captivating culture. "A place where flamenco dancers, gypsy street performers and Andalusian cowboys in wide-brimmed boleros still strut in 2,000-year-old plazas shaded by orange trees and palms." -New York Times

*All photos via Forever Lovely Foreign Correspondent Kerianne B. Please ask permission for use at foreverlovelydesign@gmail.com

A Valentine's Treat

2012-01-17T12:12:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day is upon us ladies and gents! So, as my gift to you I am offering 10% off specially marked super sweet Forever Lovely Design pillows! Buy one for your honey, or treat yourself to some handmade, vintage loveliness :)

Forever Lovely Design

Thank you for supporting an indie designer :)

Bathroom Organization

2012-01-07T17:16:00.002-05:00

Today we're wrapping up the organization series with bathrooms. All those little odds and ends can be a pain to keep organized, but once again, the trick is to use organizing tools like bins, hooks, shelves and bars. This helps utilize every inch of your space and what's even better is that you can even make it look pretty :) Have a wonderful weekend!

Bryn Alexandra

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Loft and Cottage

Kitchen Organization

2012-01-06T12:01:00.002-05:00

Kitchens are one of the hardest places to stay organized, mostly because if you don't have built in cabinets or pantry space, staying neat and tidy can be a real challenge. Kitchens are filled with such a variety of different shaped and sized gadgets and appliances that finding the space to hide them away sometimes feels like solving a 1000 piece puzzle. If you like your space to feel clean and uncluttered, (my personal preference) it's best to place everything behind closed doors. When you do want to display items in cabinets with glass doors or open shelving, keep the items in the same color family. Try to utilize the space of your cabinets in the best way possible. Invest in extra shelving, hooks and dividers and remember to have fun, the kitchen is the heart of the home!

The other day, a friend and I were talking about how fun it would be to have everything in your fridge displayed in pretty glass containers so that everything can be seen at a glance and look like a Food Network show fridge. (Actual practicality of doing this is debatable) We can dream can't we? :)

Closet Organization Tips

2012-01-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

I don't know everything about organizing, but I do know that I like to keep my home in order in the best way possible. If you're feeling like your space is a little chaotic at the moment, not to worry! Now is the perfect time to get organized. Today we're talking closets, and even though some organizing systems cost thousands, you can stay organized without breaking the bank.

Chaise and Crackers

Elle Decor

Where the Sidewalk Begins

This is Glamorous

Out with the Old in with the New

Go through your closet and pick out items that no longer fit, never fit well, out of style, and items that you haven't worn for a year. You can donate to Goodwill, or exchange your items for cash or store credit at stores like Buffalo Exchange.

We're all in this Together

Look through all of your clothes, accessories, shoes and jewelry. Decide how you want to organize each type of item and group them accordingly. Ex: jackets together, dressy tops together, jeans together, tennis shoes together, heels together, etc. If you're feeling adventurous you could even color coordinate.

It's all about the Investment

If you are able to, invest in organizing containers and dividers of your choice. You don't have to go crazy, you can do something as simple as ordering an inexpensive bookshelf from Ikea to store your shoe collection. Purchase hangers that are all the same so that your closet will look uniform. You can also use an inexpensive kitchen drawer utensil organizer to organize jewelry, belts and makeup. Tension rods are also great for hanging scarves. Get creative with utilizing your space!

Organize and Admire

Now that you have everything de-cluttered and sorted, and your organizing tools are purchased, its time to put everything back together and to admire your newly organized and beautiful closet! To add some personality, frame some shopping bags from your favorite stores, display your pretty perfume bottles, or hide everything behind closed doors for a a streamlined look.

Good luck!