Tara Free Interior Design

MY {TYPICAL} FRIDAY

2015-01-23T21:08:00.001-08:00

Once again, it's finally Friday. Unlike most Fridays, I am actually home alone, and I figured I would share whats been going on in the design world for me!

This week at work I dove into a fresh new project, which I am really excited to start the design process for! This new project is in the San Francisco Bay Area (LOVE anything to do with the Bay Area!) It will be a 2-model project, featuring three floors each, both around 1,300 square feet. It's a small, very easy project. (Which is a relief for me, coming out of some big whooping 3,200 sqft Texas homes!) These models will be geared towards young professionals When I first got this project and saw the square footage and then a market of young professionals, I immediately became excited because this means I can really have fun with the styling! Typically, younger buyers want the coolest, trendiest thing the design world has to offer, and won't be too impressed with your typical transitional home. That's all code for: "have as much fun as you want designing this home!".

Several cups of coffee later, I came up with two unique styles I think will be most fitting for a professional / young family buyers in the Bay Area, and below I'll share my ideas for the first house with you!

The first model will be styled: "Mid-Century Urban Living".

I was inspired by urban lofts, which often feature brick walls, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, and a general rustic vibe. I also put a mid-century modern twist to this house to take the idea of your typical urban loft to the next level. I thought a few classic mid-century pieces, like tapered chair legs, and warm walnut wood finished gave it this house a fun, collected feel. I think any young, San Francisco
buyer will love this home.

I imagine mixing rustic pieces with a few modern accents, some leather accent chairs, and maybe iron? I can't wait to dive into this tomorrow morning in the office! Yes, sadly my schedule is calling for a bit of weekend work. But if you love what you do, it never really feels like work!

Hopefully you're feeling inspired by now, and perhaps a little curious as to how you can add a little mid-century, urban vibe to your home? Heres how you can "get the look":

FYI, West Elm is my number-one go to for midcentury. They have really fun and unique finds! :)

IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO BE OVER-THE-TOP!

2014-07-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

I reciently stumbled upon a few exciting images of interiors that I thought were crazy fun. And it gave me an idea to do a short and quick post on a few fun rooms! It's like the room itself is a work of art!

Last but not least, my favorite of all.... The mirrored paneling is SO elegant!

I'M FEELING THE BLUES...

2014-04-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been drawn to the color blue. Perhaps it's because I've seen it everywhere. From the Kravet showrooms, to Architectural Digest? It's growing on me! -And I'm not talking about the general color of blue. The kind of blue that's caught my eye is light, with a slight purple hue in it. It's airy, soft, and with that slight hint of purple it becomes very feminine... Maybe that's why I like it so much.

Aren't these rooms dreamy? This color is so calming and relaxing to me. I'm in love with it!

The problem now is, every time I get a new color obsession, I typically want to redecorate my house in order to incorporate this new color. And for most people, that's unrealistic. So you can't invest in buying all new upholstered furniture, and re-painintg may not be an option either. But another option, that is completely do-able, is changing out a few accents, a few pillows here and there, and you will generally get the same effect, as if you had totally re-decorated! I promise!

Here's a few tips to consider, that will help you change things up and incorporate this new fabulous color:

1) Pillows. Pillows make a huge impact. I know they are small, but throw pillows are where you can get away with using bold color. I wouldn't recommend a blue sofa for every home, but pillows in this color of blue? Absolutely.

2) A second option to consider is drapery. If you're willing to spend a few extra dollars, I would invest in new drapes.

3) Change out your area rug! If you happen to have hardwoods or stone, this is an excellent option to help you "get the look" with the blue colors. I personally always bring color to a room through rugs. I find it boring using a neutral colored rug on top of a neutral wood or stone! You only live once, go ahead and go for the bold color!

4) For the dining room; place mates and glasses make an easy, cost effective switch. Have you ever been to Cost Plus World Market? They have great deals for dining room decor!

I hope you're feeling inspired by my new favorite color! It's perfect and gets you in the mood for Spring!

LITTLE GEM I FOUND {ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST HOME TOUR!}

2014-04-10T19:31:00.001-07:00

Browsing through the Architectural Digest website, I found this little gem and I had to share it! This is one of the most exciting homes I've come across. I am very much in love with the over-all design. This Chicago penthouse, designed by Michael S. Smith, is both bold and sophisticated, with interesting accents.

I also love this quote from the A.D. article: "Some grand homes are designed to give their occupants the life they imagined they always wanted, while others, like this penthouse, help the residents be themselves, only better." -- If a designer can achieve that, then your job is done! Amazing! Im drooling...

Welcome to my dream home! (Just kidding. But really...)

Favorite room of all. Notice how this designer has integrated bright green neon accents into the space? I love that little surprise of color!

The one thing that makes me love this home so much is the way the designer has so seamlessly mixed traditional, ornate pieces with extremely modern pieces. (See above) This is completely my style. As I love to mix and match.

Absolutely love the fabric wallpaper, along with the antique mirror above the nightstand.

What a view! ....That's all for now!

FROM WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?

2014-04-08T11:51:00.002-07:00

Every creative mind has a source of inspiration that they constantly look back to. It's true. As an artist, don't be prideful and say that you "create your own" art. Everything that is in our world has already been created; we as artists only take and re-create. Right? So where do you go to as a creative source? As for me, it has always been nature. Obviously, nature comes from the greatest Designer of all, that is, God. More specifically, I draw my inspiration from flowers. Any and all types of flowers. I think it is the variety of colors flowers have, or maybe the geometry, or delicate appearance. Whatever it is, I always seem to find inspiration outside, in the garden.

Here's the latest color palette I've made from a collection of flowers:

Gorgeous for Spring, right? -And may I point out the last color, which is the Pantone color of the year: Radiant Orchid. See below how this color palette translates into the interior design world.

Now get out in to the world and find your inspirations!

JUST ANOTHER REASON TO TRAVEL {TO VIENNA!}

2014-04-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across one of Architectural Digest's "Daily AD" blog posts today, and it's title was:

"THE ARCHITECT’S EYE: ARCHITECT OTTO WAGNER’S MODERNIST MARVELS IN VIENNA". Just say "Vienna" and I'm immediately interested. After reading through the post and seeing the imagines, this adds yet another reason to my endless list of why I must to travel to France/Italy/Greece/Austria in the near future. This particular post celebrates the work of Otto Wagner, and his unique modernist style, which helped reinvent the city of Vienna at the turn of the 20th century.

Do you know who Otto Wagner is?

He is considered to be the father of modernist design. Born 1841, died 1918. An Austrian architect, urban planner, and highly creative individual.

One of the most transformative projects of Wagner’s era, the Austrian Postal Savings Bank (Österreichische Postsparkasse) took nearly a decade to plan, design, and build, beginning in 1904. Constructed of reinforced concrete, metal, stone, and glass, it celebrates light, air, and the honesty of functionalism with the new materials of the time.

More snap shots of the Austrian Postal Savings Bank:

Additional work by Wagner includes his two villas, which he built for is first and second marriage:

Hope you've found some inspiration though this post!

THE {SOCHI} OLYMPICS ARE FINALLY HERE!

2014-02-07T20:31:00.001-08:00

Each Olympic games I get excited to see the athletes compete, but part of my heart is also fascinated by the architecture that goes along with the games. I find it incredible that a hosting country can artfully design and build (hopefully in time) these incredible buildings, for thousands of people, in a short amount of time. It's is incredible.

I've also posted on the London games back in 2012 if you want to see here...

Here is a closer look at the architecture of the Sochi Winter Olympics! Enjoy...

"The Olympic Park is located in what was once a swamp. The chief architect of Sochi's 2014 Oleg Kharchenko, of construction company Olympstroy, sought inspiration from previous Olympic Games host cities to transform a "swamp" into an expanse of beauty."

Ice Cube Curling Center

"The "Ice Cube" Curling Center, located in the Coastal Cluster, is simplistic in its design, which symbolizes democracy, and accessibility alongside the festivity, which is characteristic of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Ice Cube Curling Centre is one of the key sports facilities within the Olympic park."

"Taking inspiration from the shape of a curling stone, the designers specified hi-tech materials in different tones varying from gray to silver to decorate the curving structure. The building has been clad with ‘sandwich’ panels applied as element-by-element assembly, the key elements of which include base structure, insulation, membrane and exterior cladding."

The ice rink hosted the Wheelchair Curling World Cup followed by the Junior Curling World Cup in March. Competitors, officials and spectators alike were full of praise for the quality of the rink and the arena as a whole. The "Ice Cube" Curling Center is a moveable venue, making it possible to be dismantled and transported for post-Games use as a curling center in another Russian city.

Ice Cube Curling Center
Project: Walter Pichler architect of Stahlbau Pichle

Capacity: 3,000

Construction cost: $14 million

Events: Curling

After the Games: Could be relocated to another Russian city

Adler Arena

"The Adler Arena is an oval-shaped facility with two competition tracks and one training track. The size of the Adler Arena meets the requirements of the International Skating Union (the track length is 400 m). In particular, the ice track is designed to provide the best chronometric performance. The roofed Adler Arena is located in the center of the Olympic Park."

"The stadium has been designed to look like an iceberg or an ice fault. It has a crystal-style facade supported by angular walls made up of triangular, stained glass window panes. The 8,000-seat facility has also been designed to make the most of local natural features, with spectators able to admire mountain views to the north and seascapes to the south."

"The Adler Arena has been designed as an oval-shaped stadium with two competition tracks and one training track. The dimensions of the Adler Arena meet the requirements of the International Skating Union (track length: 400 m). In particular, the ice track has been designed with optimal micro-climatic conditions to ensure ice suitable for world class speed skating events."

Adler Arena

Project: Bob Johnston of CannonDesign

Capacity: 8,000

Construction cost: $32.8 million

Events: Speed skating

After the Games: Exhibition center

Iceberg Skating Palace

"The Olympic Skating Center plays a crucial role in the Sochi 2014 concept. The Olympic Skating Center is a moveable venue. As such, it is located at the heart of the Coastal Cluster – Olympic Park. The Olympic Skating Center is a moveable venue, making it possible to be dismantled and transported for post-Games use as a skating center in another Russian city."

"The name evokes associations with the architectural shapes of the venue. It is an international word and sounds the same in a number of language including Russian, English and German. Audience seats are designed in two tiers. Placed between the tiers lie level VIR For the convenience of visitors and reduce the time of loading and unloading of the Ice Palace, the foyer of the first and second tiers of the stands, connected by galleries around the perimeter of the building and stairs."

"On the outside, these internal stairs rise to the construction of the facade and in their places of recovery emphasize inputs viewers. Figure interlocking waves formed on the facade of glass and sandwich panels, painted in several shades of blue , designed to combine the palace with the silhouettes of the surrounding mountains and the waves of the Black Sea."

Iceberg Skating Palace

Project: GUP MNIIP mosproject-4

Capacity: 12,000

Construction cost: $43.9 million

Events: Figure skating, short track speed skating

After the Games: Undecided. Options include skating rink, cycling velodrome

Sources: http://www.aasarchitecture.com/2014/02/Sochi-2014-Olympics-Architecture-02.html

MID-CENTURY MODERN {MAKING A COMEBACK}

2014-02-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

For the past few days I have been working on furnishing multiple model homes for the company I now work for, and the style that was agreed upon for one of the homes was mid-century modern. I was given the over-all concept they were looking for, and told to go with it and furnish the homes. I initially stayed true to the mid-century style, however after a few critiques, a mix of sleek contemporary was thrown in the mix too. I believe my work turned out great when I was submitting it this evening! I was happy!:)

As I researched and styled the home, I became quite inspired and thought I would introduce it on the blog, and show you how you can incorporate a mid-centurty flare in your home. (And as always, budget friendly!)

One site that I am quite fond of and visit often to see what new things they have is West Elm. Have you heard of it? It's pretty awesome, and priced well. I know it's not exactly a bargain, but if you want to splurge on a piece or two, this is probably the place. West Elm is known to have a trendy, and mid-century flare. See for yourself!

Still not sure what I'm talking about? I found this board on Pinterest by another "Pinner" (sadly not mine) that will give you a look into true mid-century style, and iconic pieces that were incredibly popular at the time. See for yourself here! This time period, as you may know was one of the world's most innovative periods in product design, architecture, interiors, and graphics!

Here are some more links if you love it so much and can't get enough:
http://www.pinterest.com/creativecoquett/mid-century-modern-style/
http://www.pinterest.com/lucky1715/mid-century-modern/

Hope you enjoyed those links! Here are some tips to help you incorporate mid-century flare in your home:

Here are some Mid-century inspired rooms that I enjoy:

Gotta love the SHAG CARPET!

And I love this living room... The eames chair in particular!

COTTAGE STYLE

2014-01-26T22:31:00.002-08:00

I recently took a trip to Texas and one of the things I did was a girls trip to the Texas hill country, to a very quaint and small town called Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg is a town that was founded in 1846 by German pioneers. (Click here to learn more) It was so interesting to see original buildings, explore boutique stores galore, as well as enjoy one of a kind restaurants. I had a blast with the ladies I went with! One of my favorite parts of our mini vacation was the bed and breakfast we stayed at, which was called the Carriage House. (Click here to see more of the Carriage House)

Morning coffee!

Are you loving it? It's a bummer you couldn't see it in person, the house literally takes you back in time with it's old world charm. The home had beautiful details of wood work, including floors that creaked, and doors with skeleton key-holes.

I hope you're feeling just inspired as I was, because I have some ideas for decorating! (I bet you didn't see that coming)

1) For bedrooms, toile pattern bedding is ideal! And any color is perfect! -You can even make this as cost effective as you want. I know stores like Target or even Khol's have bedding like this.

2) When selecting furniture, you don't necessarily need to have every piece vintage and distressed to achieve a cottage look. Pick the most dominant piece in the room and focus on that to be your old-world inspired piece. It's that piece people will notice more than the little side tables or chairs that may also be in the room.

3) This may be more on the pricey side, depending where you find these, but it will really make a huge difference. Swapping your silver or gold fixtures for more of an oil rubbed bronze finish will make a huge impact and give you the old-world look we're going for! PS. I love the green wall color! Would you be so bold to do that?

4) Table top decor can be as simple as flowers in an old water pitcher. It's easy, and it's so chic!

5) Why not buy a few fun pieces of china? You know you can find these at flea markets and second hand stores? I think they look even better mis-matched. Life is too short to use boring tea cups, won't you agree?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! {2014}

2013-12-31T10:03:00.001-08:00

New Year's Eve is such a great time to throw one last party for the year, and why not finish it with a bang? I've been searching for ideas for styling your home and below is my "New Years Eve Mood Board". Enjoy, and HAPPY NEW YEARS!

FOUR {PRETTY} IKEA HACKS

2013-12-28T15:21:00.001-08:00

CHRISTMAS INSPIRATIONS & DECORATING

2013-12-19T20:50:00.005-08:00

Hi friends!

I hope your holiday season has been filled with so many fun gatherings with friends and family already! Seems like Christmas is fast approaching, and I was just thinking today how fast the season comes and goes! Seems like one minute we are thinking about Thanksgiving, then instantly Christmas... I would like to just slow time down a little bit more and take in every inch of gingerbread late this, and christmas movie that, wouldn't you?

As with any holiday, I've gathered fun D.I.Y's, and beautiful inspirations to get the creative gears in your brain going! Enjoy:

As you can probably gather from the images I post, I lean towards more of a "vintage" look and use of antique items. -Especially at Christmas. I love the bright, vibrant colors mostly. And mixed with a little mercury glass? LOVE IT! Are you wondering how you can pull this look off too? Honestly, I use E-Bay for all vintage ornaments and knick-knacks, and anything mercury glass or for table-top, I have found at Home Goods. You would be surprised what you can find! But as I always try to stress: decorating is not worth it if you end up breaking the bank.

PANTONE COLOR OF 2014 {RADIANT ORCHID}

2013-12-12T12:38:00.001-08:00

Here's how the color was chosen!

(Unfamiliar with Pantone? Learn more from their site HERE!)

When I first learned that this next years color was radiant orchid, I immediately remembered a number of interiors done by widely-known interior designer, Jamie Drake. This designer knows exactly how to work with colors, and has been an inspiration to me since before attending design school. See below:

Jamie Drake is very bold with color as you can see from the above, and I believe that takes a real talent!

For even more inspiration, you can see here for Pantone's fashion forecast for Spring 2014. I am usually checking this site for what's trending, and what's on the forecast. This helps so much as an interior designer, when color is a huge factor in creating interior designs.

Lastly, here are the previous colors of the year:

As always,

DECORATE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE {ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE}

2013-11-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

For many, the month of November is a month to practice gratitude, as most prepare for Thanksgiving. As for me, gratitude is a lifestyle I am trying to make happen. What sparked the idea of this post is the latest book I am reading through; called "Choosing Gratitude", by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This book has completely changed my mindset and I would love to share this quote with you:

“I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship! And I can't worship without giving thanks. It just isn't possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.”
― Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Choosing Gratitude

I love this point that Nancy makes. You just read this book and your response is like "YES! Amen!" And we can be and SHOULD BE grateful and worshiping in all things! That's abounding in thanksgiving.

So many thankful thoughts kept flooding my mind this morning thinking about my new book and this post, and how I might tie this in to interior design too! And then, an idea ran across my mind: What if I tried this year to decorate with what I already have? It would be so much better to save money and it would save time for other things. Read below for what I came up with!

I usually begin with Pinterest. Click the link for my board for Fall: CLICK HERE!

So that's all for now! Come back soon for Christmas ideas!

INSPIRATIONS {FOR AUTUMN}

2013-10-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

Over the last few years, my appreciation for the season of Autumn has grown immensely. Before I use to dread the Fall / Winter seasons only because of the cooler weather they brought. Now however, I love the colors these seasons bring, along with the (pumpkin) food and holidays of course. And the holidays should be any interior designer's favorite time, as there are three holidays in a span of three months that give you the perfect excuse to decorate you home, THREE different times! I definitely plan to give you all my tips and inspirations this holiday season, starting with my overall inspirations for Autumn. Halloween is coming soon too, so come back to see what I've come up with for decorating tips!

Let's start with my inspiration board.... I usually start with what's called a "inspiration board" before decorating. It is a helpful tool to use when creating an over all "look" that makes sense. (Ladies, this is the real purpose for Pinterest... Besides recipes and work-out tips.)

How does Autumn inspire you? .... Hmmm?

Lets get on with the decorating! I'm sure that's the only reason you've come to this blog post anyway! First, I would love to point out one thing were I find most inspirational for home decor, and that is weddings. Have you ever browsed though some wedding photos and noticed how amazing the floral arrangements are, and the tables, chairs... it goes on and on, but this is a great place to start! Just thought I would mention that!

So, I will be starting with decorating a mantle, however these tips can be used throughout your home! This is one of my favorite spots in my home to decorate, as it has always been a great focal point. Since the mantel is usually a focal point, this is the place to "go all out". Really do something amazing here! I've found some beautiful ideas that I think are worthy to mention. See below:

I really love this mantle. I think it's a great example for all my tips. And everything can be changed out too; for example, you can add different flowers, change the color of the pumpkins, use a mirror instead of a wreath. It's all about mixing and matching... I do like the use of books, its a perfect way to add height.

Don't forget floral arrangements! Get creative with these. And pull some really bright flowers too. Why not mix in a little royal blue?

(Psst... Have you ever thought you use vintage trophies for vases for your mantel? These are so fun! I'm obsessed with how these look. )

Moving on the table decor...

I am in love with this rustic table setting. Absolutely beautiful. It's rustic, but look how they used the colored candles to bring in some pretty pops of color. Very pretty!

I liked this arrangement because again it is rustic, perfect for fall, but I like the idea of using dark vases, and more maroon colors in the florals. See how they've mixed the maroon colors with light minty leaves? So smart, I love it!

(Psst... Here's a cost effective tip. I am sure you might not have the vintage maroon vases/ cups in the above photograph, but however, this is something that can easily be found at your local antique market or try even Goodwill. I seriously have scored some great pieces there in the past!)

Last but not least, a pretty table setting using more whites and grey. I always love a light and airy look. And again I love the simple white roses with the soft grey leaves. (I should know what that plant is called, but I don't)

1) Flowers. I am all about beautiful florals in every room. So feminine and fresh, and colorful. I am in love!

2) Garland. Garland isn't only for Christmas! Why not use some bright leaves, fake or real, and drape them across the top of the mantle. This is probably the most cost effective way to add that instant update.

2) Change your artwork! Changing out artwork is a smart way to add Fall colors to your mantel. I think a rustic map or picture of leaves will be perfect. Also, I love the look of well worn and loved vintage frames empty, and layered on top of each other. I think it looks sweet. If you don't have vintage frames, may I suggest some sand paper? Instant vintage!

3) Use pumpkins! Gather a nice collection of pumpkins, in various colors and sizes for a natural looking mantle. I love the white pumpkins in particular...

4) Add books, candles, and maybe a large monogram that stands for your family's name. This is how you accessorize a mantel. These details is where the fun comes in. As you can see in the above pictures, it's all about mixing and matching. I love to mix glamorous, with rustic, with vintage, with feminine, and by the end, you have an amazing unique look!

5) Keep with a color theme. Use 3-5 colors that all go together and use that to tie in your overall look.

Hope you've been inspired! Email or comment if you have any questions!

HAPPY FALL-IDAYS!

2013-09-20T17:14:00.001-07:00

Hi friends!

I am so relieved that Fall starts this weekend. How about you? I have been anxiously waiting for cooler days, warm clothes, and especially all the baking that comes with the holidays. I also am a huge fan of anything pumpkin. (Put pumpkin in anything and I will probably love it!) And I couldn't possibly wait any longer, so Ive decided to bake something this weekend. I found a recipe for pumpkin bread, which looks amazing. I will see if I can make it in a vegan version, or I just may experiment a little and do something from scratch. I can't imagine using 2 whole cups of sugar in a loaf of pumpkin bread? I always try to substitute when I can to make a recipe more healthy. Also, I am hoping my boyfriend likes pumpkin bread too! I plan to drop some off at his place so he will have a little treat while he is studying this weekend. I hope you're inspired to bake too! --It will make your home smell amazing and be the perfect way to welcome the Fall season into your home!

Here's the recipe I am planning to use. Sounds so delicious!

Ingredients:

1.5 cups whole-wheat flour

3/4 cup ground flaxseed

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

8 ounces canned unsweetened pumpkin

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 egg

1 egg white

1/3 cup fat-free milk (I used almond milk)

Directions:

1). Preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

2). Mix the flour, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk the pumpkin, sugars, applesauce, eggs, and milk in a medium bowl. Pour over the dry ingredients and gently stir together. If you’re using cranberries, fold them in. Pour into the loaf pan.

3). Bake about 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10-15 minutes, then remove from the pan to let it cool completely.

Ta-da! Hopefully this is what it will look like!

With all of this fall baking, you know there is soon to be some fall decorating tips coming your way! Stay tuned!

Happy Fall, Friends!

xo, Tara

QUICK DESIGN TIP {LAYER YOUR ART}

2013-08-24T17:19:00.002-07:00

Here's a quick design tip, inspired from Pinterest of course! Have you ever thought to layer your art work? If you're like me, and like effortless style, this is just the thing for you. Layering art can also be a wonderful way to express who you are when you create such a grouping! I just love the way these rooms look! Take a look!

(Psst! Need more inspiration? You can check out the official FreeInteriors Pinterest, I've got just about the whole world of Pinterest covered.)

DIY INSPIRATION {SHOPPING BAG ART}

2013-08-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun and personal DIY I stumbled upon today:

Have you ever thought to take those pretty designer shopping bags and use them as decor? I can't get over how fun I think they look, especially in a closet. It's a great way to show off your fashion tastes too! ;)

STYLING AN ENTRY {IN FIVE STEPS}

2013-07-31T12:49:00.001-07:00

Just like the way you present yourself by way of clothing, your entryway is like the "first impression" for your home. A new visiter gets a little taste of who you are, and your family, by the way you've styled your entry -and hopefully it is a great impression! I often see entryways neglected, and usually used as an extra space for keys and shoes. While I am a big fan of function, I do believe form too. And I am here to help you if you're feeling a little lost on the whole idea of styling an entry. I've broken the process down in to a few steps to help get your creative mind going!

Step 1

Create a focal point. This usually can come in the form of a large decorative mirror, artwork, or a collection of wall decor. See how the mirrors in each picture create a focal point for the space below

Step 2

Ground the area with a rug!

Step 3

Add a table! An entry table can be used for storage or can be purely decorative. Entry tables are an ideal home for keys, shoes, etc... This is also where you can have a little fun with your furniture selection. You can use a stylish chest, a small desk, and don't be afraid to go bold with color. I like these options below:

Step 4

If your entry space allows for the room, add a furniture piece such as a chair, or small love seat.

Step 5

Accessorize! I recommend adding a lamp or two, and a few decorative pieces. A special box or tray to hold your keys, and a vase for some flowers is a great place to start!

{JUST A LITTLE} EYE-CANDY!

2013-04-23T20:39:00.003-07:00

So I came across this gorgeous home at work today, and I wanted to share it! It's beautifully done.

Enjoy!

I love neutral upholstery, with pops of color either in pillows, drapery, or accent pieces. This room is perfect!

A man's area.

I like how the wood paneling is carried through out the home, and how the wood is left unpainted here. Makes the space more masculine.

I am loving this lucite coffee table!

Looks a lot like my dream home! ;)

PS. Thank you friends for helping me reach over 12,000 page views!

LOVELY PASTELS

2013-03-24T14:17:00.001-07:00

It's finally Spring time again!

My favorite season, next to Summer! Here's some inspiration to get you in the mood for the beautiful, breezy, bright days of Spring! Enjoy:)

Love Lavender!

Oh so lovely! Pastels are the most feminine of colors, ever. And that's probably why I am drawn to them so much! Lace, flowers, tea, dresses, roses, YES PLEASE.

I love how all of these beautiful pastel tones can be inspired right from nature.

If I could, I would choose to be outdoors always. Wandering by a river, or maybe tinkering in a garden. Oh how beautiful the world becomes during Spring with everything in bloom!

Easy, breezy and calm. I love using soft shades of blue in master bedrooms. I believe that there is no color more relaxing!

These fun pastel colored pencils are a fun inspiration for a child's room. So playful and cheery. Usually you can get away with more colors in bigger amounts in a child's room! ;)

Such soft tones in a room will also make your space seem much more airy and open rather than darker tones.

Changing your throw pillows or comforter is a very simple way to brighten things up. And it can of course be done in a cost effective way!

Feeling inspired yet? :)

GORGEOUS OFFICE SPACES! {INCLUDING A GET THE LOOK}

2013-02-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

This is my personal favorite grouping of images.

-I love the pops of pink in both rooms. With accents of gold!

I love this use of green in this office space! It's a very bright, refreshing color!

I love looking at beautiful, well designed offices; however what I love more is creating the same or similar look, for much MUCH less! Who agrees? Even as a designer, I don't believe you need to spend thousands of dollars to achieve a room you absolutely love. You do, however need to shop smart, and be prepared for maybe a little D.Y.I.!

Here's what I've come up with. Everything you see here you can have for about $200.00! Not bad, right?

Ikea: Desk, Picture Frame, Rug, and Table Lamp
Anthropologie: Pillow
Target: Office Chair
Z Gallerie: Floral Tea Light Holders

As always,

LOVE OVERCAST MORNINGS!

2013-02-06T11:02:00.004-08:00

I love a beautiful overcast morning! Such lovely weather we have been having in Southern California lately... I love how the weather has given us little bits of each season in a week too! We've have rain, fog, heat and cooler temps! A little bit of everything. I find it very inspiring!

ORANGE YOU GLAD I'M POSTING AGAIN?

2013-01-24T19:36:00.002-08:00

Hey Followers!

I know it's been awhile since I have posted! Sometimes life gets so busy, you really have to look for those spare moments where you can truly let your mind escape to your "creative land" and time to allow yourself to become inspired. As a creative individual, I find it hard to be brilliantly creative, under stress and limited amounts of time. Tonight, I have found a spare hour after work to let my mind free, and along with a cup of tea, it feels great!

Today, I have started a new project, and the gears are turning in my head! To let you in on a little bit of this new project, I am thinking orange! Orange is not a color I gravitate naturally towards, or use often; however, it is the desired color of the client! Orange is a very interesting color to me. A combination of red and yellow, so vibrant. It denotes energy, warmth, and the sun. But orange seems less in intensity or aggression than red, calmed by the cheerfulness of yellow. To me, orange says a summer night with spicy chicken curry, and sunsets.

Here's what inspires me and images I'm thinking of using! Enjoy!

Using color in small amounts is a good way to introduce strong hues into your home.

Orange, the happy cheerful color. We often overlook using orange as we find it bright and bold and too brilliant to use in our homes.

But wait, where does peach and apricot come from? Yes, the color orange. They are a tint of orange. Now you can see that we do actually use orange a lot in our interiors!

Feeling inspired yet?

Throw around some bright orange cushions to brighten up a dull color scheme, add some orange flowers to a vase to enliven the room.

Orange is a popular color choice for teenager children’s bedrooms, as it is happy and active and has anti depressive properties!

Orange can also be quite classy, when used properly ;)

That's all for now!

MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2012-12-24T16:29:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends!

I just wanted to stop by and wish you all a very merry Christmas! I hope your Christmas eve and Christmas day are filled with family, laughs, gifts, and delicious food!