House of Turquoise

Annie Laurie Cottage + Vacation Pics!

2013-05-17T08:20:00.000-05:00

Anyone ever been to St. Simons Island, Georgia?! I've just added it to my must-visit list! And I know right where I'd stay...the Annie Laurie Cottage! The whimsical beach house has so much charm, so much turquoise, I can't handle it! The talented homeowners recently spent a year restoring and redecorating the home from top to bottom. Speaking of top, how about that fab master bedroom that takes up the whole 3rd floor?! Love the cozy sitting area with the built-in seating! The delightful home is available for rent–imagine the fun, there's even a piano!! Read all about the home and see more photos here!

As promised, below you'll find some of our vacation pics from Mexico's Riviera Maya! We spent all our time relaxing, staring at the water, playing in the waves, napping, eating, and more relaxing...you get the picture! Not only were we taking a 'babymoon', but we were also celebrating our 2nd anniversary. We stayed at the same resort we stayed at for our honeymoon, El Dorado Casitas Royale, as it was just so amazing the first time around we had to experience the paradise again!

I'm getting pretty big, as you can see from the pic of me up there! Just hit 25 weeks, and am still feeling good, and absolutely loving feeling the little guy kick! Can't believe how fast this time is going...August will be here before we know it!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!! :)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Design Studio by Raymond

2013-05-16T08:20:00.000-05:00

I feel like I'm back on vacation! Located on Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs, Florida, this home from Design Studio by Raymond is awash in beautiful beachy hues! The fabulous backsplash took my breath away...the color couldn't be any more perfect! I'm loving the turquoise grasscloth in the office, cute dining banquettes and awesome BBQ area too! Not to mention the killer view! Read about the home and see more pics right over here!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Jennifer Reynolds Interiors

2013-05-15T08:20:00.000-05:00

Fit for royalty...or some very lucky house guests! Designed by Jennifer Reynolds, an interior designer out of Atlanta, Georgia, this elegant guest bedroom photographed by Christina Wedge is actually a great example of mixing high and low! Jennifer splurged on gorgeous wallpaper, custom drapery and luxe bedding while mixing in more affordable pieces from Home Goods, Z Gallerie and Land of Nod to balance the budget out. I'm gaga over that chandelier...bet it's just stunning all lit up! To see more great designs from Jennifer, head on over here or check out her blog!

Sources

Wallpaper: "Dazzled" from Candice Olson for York
Bed: Custom through Arhaus
Mirrored Furniture: Z Gallerie
Hot Pink Rug: Land of Nod
Large Chandelier: Robert Abbey
Small Cocktail Table: Lillian August
Custom Artwork
The Small Entry Chest: HomeGoods (Customized- faux painter painted the legs)
Desk and Chair: Client's existing, faux painter refinished them, and new hardware

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Tracey Rapisardi

2013-05-14T08:20:00.000-05:00

I'm finally back from our babymoon!! We had an amazing, relaxing time and I can't wait to share a few photos with you guys! In the meantime, I thought I'd share this BHG feature of a New England coastal cottage-style home designed by Tracey Rapisardi. It's one of my all-time favorite homes! (Wonder why?!) I blogged about it 4 years ago with teeny photos, so I am all over it now that they're sharing larger ones! More to love, more to drool over! And drooling I am...the beautiful layers of turquoise and crisp white leaves me at a loss for words! You can read all about the home and see more photos at BHG!

Time to unpack and get the laundry started! :)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guest Blogger: Audrey of Oh So Lovely

2013-05-13T08:20:00.000-05:00

I (like all of you House of Turquoise followers) am obsessed with all things turquoise....and have been for as long as I can remember, so you can probably imagine how excited I am to be guest blogging here today.

I have used many shades of turquoise in the paint and decor of our home, but today I want to share with you the baby nursery that I recently DIY'd (on a major budget) for our daughter Vivienne (Vivi), who is set to arrive this June.

Once we found out we were having a girl, I immediately started thinking about the nursery and all of the possibility that this room had. I knew that turquoise would be the main color (duh), and while I am not a huge pink person, I wanted to add pops of hot pink/coral to girly it up just a bit (but not too much).

I also knew that I wanted a retro post modern style and to do the entire room from scratch for less than $500. Most people would think this is an impossible task, but I am the self proclaimed queen of DIY on a budget, so I was determined to make it happen.

Here is where I started:

And after 3 weeks of some solid DIY work (and many cans of spray paint...and a protective mask of course), I am pleased to introduce our $425 nursery!

(After you check out the photos, feel free to head over to my blog to read -in detail - how I pulled off the entire room on such a small budget. I also share project tutorials and links to some adorable free printable nursery art).

To take a home tour of the rooms that we have updated in our house (on a budget, of course) feel free to check out my blog.

Thanks for reading!

xo,

Audrey

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guest Blogger: Cathy of Adore Your Place

2013-05-10T08:20:00.000-05:00

Hello House of Turquoise readers, I'm Cathy from Adore Your Place and so thrilled to be invited to guest blog today for Erin. I have been designing interiors for over twenty years and my blog is all about giving you the tools and advice to design whatever project you are working on, from choosing the perfect paint color to designing your dream kitchen. Today we are talking about ways to add our beloved turquoise into your kitchen design whether you are starting from scratch or just looking to add a pop of color.

Hood Accent- Designing dozens of kitchens a year I have recently found that the kitchen hood and cabinets below have become the popular place to change up the finish (even just the hood). The cabinet colors I have used with turquoise were white and a natural pine. Mahogany and black would also work well.

Furniture- For my clients that like to change their pop of color more frequently furniture is a great option. Tables, chairs and stools all work and some of the best pieces are re-furbished flea-market finds.

Island Accent- One of my favorite places to add a pop of color to an existing or new kitchen is the island. The perfect focal point for the room and a touch of whimsy, love it.

Wall Color- In this vintage inspired kitchen turquoise bead board is the perfect back-drop for the fabulous glass cabinets, crisp white finish and butcher block counter tops.

Cabinet Color- Each year I have a client or two that just goes for it, selecting a bold "color" for their cabinets and it is so much fun. Here, turquoise is paired with black accents on the counter tops and island. A bold floor pattern complements the design choices.

Tile Backsplash- Above the cook-top or throughout the entire backsplash this is an effective place to add a pop of color. The glass subway tiles here are just divine adding a touch of shimmer to a subtle hue of color.

Lighting- Last but never least, lighting can greatly impact any room aesthetically as well as functionally. Here glass fixtures add just the right amount of color to complement the many design details in this chic cottage style kitchen.

I hope these ideas inspire you to think outside the box and add your favorite pop of color to your kitchen. You can always send your design dilemmas and questions to me here, helping my readers and clients design their interiors is truly my passion.

Image via {1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guest Blogger: Helen of Seaside Interiors

2013-05-09T08:20:00.000-05:00

Hello House of Turquoise Readers, I'm Helen.

I am the lucky lady who gets to do a guest post today!

I am also the lady who has been bugging her husband and friends about how excited I am to have the chance to do this again, so thanks Erin for having me back!

What are my guest blogger qualifications you might ask?

Well first, I ~~stalk~~ visit House of Turquoise on a daily basis for my inspiration kick!

And Second, I love the color turquoise and use it a lot when decorating.

Those are the two most important qualifications, right? ;-)

Umm, let's see, I created my blog A Brit of Happiness over a year ago and I took the plunge this past year and started up my interior decorating business Seaside Interiors. Since I started, I have had a blast creating Online Design Boards and decorating homes for my clients.

Today I want to share with you one of the room installations that I recently created for a client. I think my favorite type of install is the ones where I go in and complete an entire room start to finish in one go. There is something about that type of process that I really enjoy.

My clients wanted a slightly formal living room with a contemporary vibe. Some touches of green and shades of blue and turquoise. They wanted something that was Relaxing and playful! Which pretty much describes their family.

We will start backwards and work our way to the beginning, which pretty much describes me ;-)

Here is the formal/contemporary/casual living room I created...

I brought the room together using a design board that I created for the clients.

These are the design boards that I create for my online and local clients. Creating a design board for a room always helps to see how everything comes together.

P.S. Don't be scared of the green on the Design Board, it sorta showed up just a SMIDGEN brighter online than I was expecting.

WANNA SEE MORE? Oh K!!!

Yummy gorgeous curtains!! I went with a really pretty steal blue top and a caramel colored bottom. I made sure to measure exactly from floor to sill for where I wanted the caramel color to reach. Notice how the rod extends further past the window so the curtains don't cover the window and it actually makes the window feel much larger.

A perfect spot to just curl up on the couch!

Working with the client's budget, I knew we would be able to splurge on a few key pieces and then have to find deals on the rest. I say splurge where it counts. Accent pieces are easy to pick up here and there for a bargain. Put the bulk of your money on bigger items such as furniture. Since the clients already had the brown couch, I was able to spend a bit more on other items such as the creamy linen club chairs and the fabric.

Even though the coffee table and side table are different, they still have enough of the same elements to bring them together without having them match exactly. Kind of like a couple on a first date. Both are two toned and both are metal and wood. The tables, not the couple, lol. So they go together well.

This is one of the two linen club chairs I brought into the room. It is a great spot to sit and relax and it gives more seating options for having family and friends over for a visit.

When I am working with a darker piece of furniture such as the deep brown couch, I try to work in a lot of lighter touches like the pillows and artwork.

Bringing in the shiny hammered based lamps adds another layer to the room. Without them, the room would feel very flat. I also add in at least one other shiny element so that the lamps don't stand on their own. They need a little company. For the other shimmery piece, I added the really pretty mirror above the unit to connect both pieces.

Here is the glass bowl I found to go on the coffee table. This is my artsy fartsy way of taking a picture. I figured all of the amazing photographers take cool close ups, so I better take one too. One day I will hire a professional photographer to come in and take some real artsy fartsy shots. For now, I will keep dreamin.

To go underneath the mirror, I chose this blue gray glass front cabinet. It fits the space really well by filling up this smaller angled wall.

Just a few goodies to go in the cabinet to bring more texture to the room.

I fell in love with this fabric! I used it as my base to pick other items in the room such as the wall color. A little touch of turquoise in the pillows finishes it off.

Now you know what the end result looks like, let's take a look at how we got started yesterday.

When we arrived, all we had to do was remove the existing brown couch while we painted. So we were left with a complete blank slate.

Let's take a quick pause. This is my hubby Dustin a.k.a. The Very Meticulous Wall Sander. He has his own paint business and he is just as much of a perfectionist as I am when it comes to a job. We also work really well together on projects so I love having him around.

Ok, we can unpause now ;-)

Once the couch was out of the room, we got to work on painting.

One of the first steps was to sand the walls down just to smooth your surface out before you begin painting.

While Dustin sanded, I got the frog tape and taped off all of the trim work.

After he was done sanding, he got the paint ready. The color I chose for the walls is Requisite Gray by Sherwin Williams.

Here is a closer shot of Requisite Gray, which doesn't really look like that once it is dry on the walls. I'll show you shortly.

While Dustin was painting the ceiling a flat white, I utilized the client's dining room to bring in all of my décor for the living room.

Getting everything together in one room allows me to pick and choose how I want it to go into the room and if I need to add anything or take anything away. I also do this same add and take away deal when I complete the room.

Once all the accessories where gathered, I headed back in to assist with the first coat of paint.

Dustin worked on the top while I took care of the bottom trim.

Extreme close up of Dustin's expert lines ;-) That's why I stay to the bottom where the frog tape is!

In comes the rolling of the first coat.

Once you are done with the first coat, let it dry for a bit. Go grab some lunch and come back and then comes the fun part. Do the SAME EXACT THING all over again. Yay!

After the second coat of paint is dry, we started putting the room together...

Time for some furniture.

I love the detail work on the end tables! It has a pretty quatrefoil pattern with a sort of green patina finish.

Here I am having a special moment with the lamp! You don't talk to your furniture and accessories? No me either ;-)

Here is the end result one more time...

I hope you liked the start to finish or finish to start of the room transformation!

I love getting comments and feedback, so if you get a chance, I'd love to hear what you think of the makeover.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and thanks again Erin for allowing me to be a guest blogger!!

(P.S. Visit Helen over at her blog here!)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guest Blogger: Kim of Kim Hoegger Home

2013-05-08T08:20:00.001-05:00

Hello friends,

Hope this blog post finds you all doing well and taking a few minutes to relax and spend some quality "me" time with House of Turquoise. I know for me, House of Turquoise always does the trick when I need a little R&R and inspiration.

I am Kim Hoegger of Kim Hoegger Home, a wife to a wonderful man, a mother of four young adults, a designer, blogger and antique collector. I am crazy busy keeping up with my hubby and my kids most of the time but when I find some down time I love designing gorgeous, family centered homes for my clients, teaching DIY workshops at my studio, blogging about design, glorious food and all things vintage.(I know...I am crazy busy and I love it!)

As you can imagine, when Erin asked if I would be a guest blogger on House of Turquoise, I was thrilled and could hardly wait to get started on a post for all of you! A BIG HUG and thank you to Erin for this wonderful opportunity to share with all of you a little piece of my world at Kim Hoegger Home.

Erin and I met a year ago at Blogfest NYC in the cafe at the Flatiron Hotel. We were both ordering bagels and awaiting our exciting day to begin with Blogfest. We had a great visit and so much fun talking about blogging and the world of interior design and the bagels were amazing! Thanks to that chance meeting, we have been great friends ever since and I always look forward to the beautiful images she shares everyday on House of Turquoise.

Today, I hope to inspire you and take you away for a few minutes to my lake house which has recently been completed. My hubby and I had so much fun working on it (still working on it, lol) and are loving the way the rooms are coming together. Hope you enjoy the images!

Custom made driftwood sculpture(love it!) and a Ralph Lauren Home settee...LOVE!

The Sunroom...a perfect view, serenity at it's best. Prior to drapery :) always a work in progress!

Custom twin loveseats, Pottery Barn pillows.

My amazing kitchen! Built for many cooks, the kitchen houses two farmhouse sinks and a separate beverage station. Very large family :)

As you can imagine...this is the favorite gathering place in the house! And these barstools make it the most comfortable place in the house.

Dining room seats fourteen and most of the time we need more seating; thank goodness for outdoor dining! Custom dining chairs available through Kim Hoegger Home.

Sunrise to Sunset views from every seat in the house!

A sunny loft area at the top of the stairs...perfect for reading or a nap. I was all over the place with the linens...Restoration Hardware & Pottery Barn pillows, quilt from HomeGoods, Pottery Barn day bed also. Beauty doesn't have to be expensive.

The Master Bedroom...not quite finished but getting there. Pottery Barn linens for extra easy care and French Side chests. So far, so good!

My daughter's favorite guest room probably because her favorite color is apple green.

Don't you just LOVE the shabby French shutters? An absolutely amazing color of blue!

Hope you have enjoyed the tour of my lake house, it's really a special place that we share with family and friends throughout the year. The house will be featured this month Lakeside Living Magazine, in the Fall in Kansas City House & Garden and then next Spring/Summer in a national shelter magazine which shall remain nameless for now. Looking forward to coming back again to share the new images with you.

Have a wonderful day!

Kim

(P.S. Visit Kim over at her blog here!)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guest Blogger: Jana of Jana Hunter Interiors

2013-05-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like sitting outside on a cool, crisp spring morning, sipping a cup of coffee, listening to the birds singing while the fountain is dripping! I used to only dream of this until two years ago when we added our screened-in porch...best decision ever! As many cities are enduring the pollen season, Little Rock is no different, but with a little elbow grease the porch is ready, so come on in...

Our family uses this porch throughout the day...coffee in the mornings, lunch, after school snacks, dinner, and an after dinner drink!

This lovely porch swing, found at an antique mall, was the inspiration piece for the porch! The size, character (nicks and all), and most of all color, were perfect! I wanted the porch to reflect the outdoors using calm, comfortable hues to create a tranquil place for relaxation with just a hint of color!

I admired old farm tables from afar having no room inside our home, so the screened-in porch was the perfect opportunity to seize the moment! (She desperately needs a lemon oil bath once the pollen completely subsides!) The terracotta planter is used as a "trivet" during dinner time!

The chairs, seat cushions, and rug are all for outdoor use!

Originally, a black wrought iron chandelier was purchased for the porch; however, when I saw this French metal basket chandelier, it was a no brainer...filling the basket throughout the seasons is a definite joy!

This hutch houses a collection of turquoise!

Jana Hunter Interiors believes a home should tell a story! Every piece on this hutch does just that...my favorites would have to be the turquoise tole tray and the bunny statue! Both were found in Connecticut during a three generation trip to visit the incredible interior designer, Bunny Williams! Read about our trip HERE!

The bonsai dish from the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis (a true treat if you haven't been!) holds a bird's nest filled with stone hearts from a friend!

More turquoise treasures!

And speaking of treasures, a collection of "odds and ends" adds texture!

The porch is divided into two "rooms," one for dining and the other for sitting! This wicker chair was literally waiting to sit on a porch one day as she sat in the attic! My husband, a.k.a "Handyman Husband," enjoys this chair immensely! And of course, I love my "Arkansas" pillow!

The black, bamboo chairs were also in the attic!

This striped fabric was just added to these chairs providing a layer of softness to the porch!

The outdoor bar is fun for dirty martinis or any signature drink that may be concocted! The "ice bucket" is an old copper coal bucket sitting inside a bird bath (which is great for collecting excess ice)!

Natural elements tickle my fancy! I adore the light blue lichen on the branch along with the honeycomb, crystal, and moss!

This metal table serves as a buffet during dinner or for parties! The two "X back" wooden blue chairs provide extra seating. And this vignette of bird prints dates to the early 1900's!

It was a true joy sharing our screened-in porch with you! Thank you to my dear friend, Erin, for asking me to guest blog for her while she and Chris enjoy a well-deserved "babymoon!" Check back soon as Jana Hunter Interiors will be featuring Erin during my "Please Meet" series!!!

Enjoy the day!

Jana

(P.S. You can visit Jana over at her blog here!)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guest Blogger: Kathleen of Kathleen DiPaolo Designs

2013-05-06T08:20:00.000-05:00

First of all, shout out to ERIN!!! I am so excited she asked me to share!! I love Erin's blog. In fact, it is the first blog that I subscribed to- and I have never stopped it coming into my email:-) I am a little jealous that she is going on a baby moon. I never did that, and 16 years later, I wish I had. Haha!

Below, I will share some photos of a room I recently installed for a 10- year-old girl. She is one of four (2 girls and 2 boys) and her older sister already had a gorgeous headboard, so we couldn't compete. The great thing is that her sister chose lavender and lime green so my client had TURQUOISE and fuchsia all to herself. We did bring in the lime green so that the rooms can relate to each other- Hi sister's room!

I don't have many clients who choose such a fun palette. The mixture of such strong and vibrant colors was a wonderful balancing act. It could have been a cacophony, but I think grounding the room with gobs of white helped. The room is such a happy room, I can't stand it! Just like the reveals on HGTV, I was there when she saw the room. Her smile lit up her entire face and I was so happy and relieved:-) Even with a 10-year-old client, I manage to worry about the reaction!

Enough chatting, here are some project pictures. I adore the new fuchsia bed that I had made. Finding the turquoise tape in the correct width was a project, but worth the toil. The turquoise pillow is made from a new Jonathan Adler fabric.

The sofa is a sleeper and was re-incarnated as a modern sofa with square arms. You should have seen it before!! It had a heart shaped back and rolled arms. Nothing a little elbow grease couldn't change:) I say elbow grease and I don't mean my greasy elbow! My upholsterer is a magician and he can do whatever crazy thing I come up with.

Don't you love the art? My client already had it and I used it as my inspiration for colors. I figured, if the painter can balance all of those colors, I can too:-)

I had 3 little tables sprayed white and they became fresh again. The white looks so great against the wing back chairs that are covered in this stunning Quadrille fabric. The scale is large and perfect for the wings. I also (OK, had my magician) cover the chairs with a potion that repels spills. "Ahh." That is a quote from her mom.

I also had an ottoman re-upholstered (OK, taken apart, gutted and re-made) in white patent leather. It is bullet proof. Can someone gut me and re-make me?!? I digress.

West Elm has some cute turquoise glass pieces and I put set them on a white lacquer tray next to the lime green lamby bank. Is that the word for a piggy bank that looks like a lamb??

I put lamby on this table to take a picture so you could see it better.

As many of you know, I am obsessed with Oomph. Every room needs a little Oomph and this room got the darling pillow with the pom-poms. Their fabric is such great quality! (To see another room in this home that has some more Oomph click here.)

Did you see the Quadrille Zig Zag patent leather wallpaper behind the bulletin board? This was left over from my master bathroom. It brings the turquoise to the other side of the room. And, yes, I said patent leather. It is shiny and bounces light all over- just like the white patent leather ottoman. The little acrylic wheelie desk chair is fun too. I went up and down on it. Yes, I am the same height as a 10-year-old so I just had to adjust everything to my size!

Anyhow, I hope Erin has fun on her trip. I am excited to see her guest blogger's photos! Thanks for letting me share this room, Erin!!

xoxo,

(P.S. You can visit Kathleen over at her blog here!)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

My Mother-in-Law's Visit to Tybee Island!

2013-05-03T08:20:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago my mother-in-law Denise and two of her sisters escaped snowy Minnesota to spend a week together on Tybee Island, in a cute little Mermaid Cottage right on the beach!! I was super excited for them, having fulfilled my dream of visiting the quirky little island last fall, I knew they would have a blast! You guys know I'm such a fan of designer Jane Coslick, and the hard work she does preserving the little cottages on the island and turning them into fun getaways. Well she's also one of the nicest people ever! She was kind enough to give my family a tour of the island, including the inside of these fab cottages above that she's worked on. Denise couldn't help but appreciate all of the turquoise and took a ton of really great photos...and I just happen to have her camera and couldn't help but share them with you! So thank you Denise, and thank you Jane...wish I could have been there with you!!

For more Tybee fun, tour the Jane Coslick cottage Chris and I stayed in last fall, and also revisit my Turquoise Tour of Tybee!

Speaking of vacations, we are going to be taking off on one next week! We are headed on a "babymoon" and I couldn't be more excited! To get away from our yucky not-quite-spring weather will be great, but spending a week on the beach next to some turquoise water with the handsome daddy-to-be is going to be amazing! I'll report back with some pretty pics when I'm home! Until then, I have some guest bloggers ready to go with some inspiring, beautiful spaces to share with you all!

Finally (this is getting long I know!) I need to announce the winner of the custom pet portrait by Lesli DeVito! Your comments made me laugh, they made me cry...I loved reading about all of your pets and wish each one could have a portrait done! Animals–they make us so happy, don't they??

The lucky winner is:

harlows4

Can't wait to see what Lesli creates for you! :)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Coastal Living Idea Cottage

2013-05-02T08:20:00.005-05:00

My seaside-loving self can't get enough of this one!! An oldie but goodie, the Coastal Living Idea Cottage of 2008 located in picturesque Scarborough, Maine was designed by Tracey Rapisardi, one of my favorite beach-chic designers. I'm sure you've seen some of these photos taken by Jean Allsopp, but I was excited to find some new ones on Tracey's site. The playful elements (love all the stripes!), vintage touches, beachy hues and weathered coastal accents give the new home the character of a long-standing beach cottage. Then there's the door painted Valspar's "Shaded Cove"! Read all about the home at Coastal Living and check out their list of sources for more info on this gem!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Design Transformations

2013-05-01T08:20:00.000-05:00

"If you love it you should use it!" is the philosophy of Denver, Colorado interior designer Cheryl Scarlet of Design Transformations. (A philosophy I have to remind myself of, as we've barely used our wedding china!) I can't tell you how much I'm loving this home she designed, photographed by Kimberly Gavin. Every room is inviting, comfortable and accented with the perfect amount of fresh color and fun pattern! And that just may be the cutest laundry room ever...Schumacher's Birds and Butterflies always makes me so happy! Check out Design Transformations for even more equally as lovely spaces!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

JAC Interiors

2013-04-30T08:20:00.001-05:00

Although this fabulous room was designed for a 12-year-old girl, I would be so happy calling it my own! Jane Cowen Hamilton, Andrea Putman and Christine Thompson of JAC Interiors out of Los Angeles, California created the space photographed by Alexandra DeFurio with the perfect combination of style and sweetness. I wish I knew the exact color on the walls, but it was a custom mix. I can tell you the gorgeous paisley wallpaper is Nizam by Osborne and Little though...I LOVE it! Oh pink and turquoise, you never fail to make my heart sing! Lots more design inspiration awaits, just head on over here for plenty more where this came from!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Custom Pet Portait GIVEAWAY!

2013-04-29T08:20:00.001-05:00

We're starting off the week right with a kitchen reno that is bright, cheerful and budget-friendly like no other! Lesli DeVito of the inspiring blog My Old Country House recently finished up a two-year facelift on her beautiful kitchen. (Remember her living room?? Equally as delightful!) We're talking new countertops, appliances, hardware, tile, cabinet doors and drawer fronts...and a lot of hard work on Lesli's part! I am loving all the pretty color here, especially Benjamin Moore's "Gossamer Blue" on the island and in the cabinets! And how about those those yummy marble countertops?! They actually aren't even marble...they are Formica! You can read all about that and lots more (like how she saved a ton of money!) over at her blog!

Not only is Lesli one hard-working and creative DIYer, she is also one heck of an artist! I've shared with you guys some of her adorable animal portraits before, but did you know she also does custom pet portraits too?? Well I do, because she actually created one for me a couple years ago and oh how I treasure it! (My little Kismet has grown some, but she's just as cute!)

Which brings me to the giveaway!! Lesli DeVito has generously offered to paint a custom pet portrait for one of my lucky pet-loving readers! The winner will receive a 16"x16" custom painting (worth $390) of their own special furry one. And if you need another reason to smile, here are more examples of Lesli's work:

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me about the pet you would love to have painted and what your favorite background color is! (Email subscribers just hit Reply!) Please be sure to leave your email address if you are commenting anonymously so I can contact you if you're the winner!
For an additional entry, "Like" My Old Country House on Facebook, then leave a separate comment saying that you did!
Pin Lesli's work on Pinterest for one more entry, then leave one more comment! (Should totally follow Lesli while you're at it, I love her boards!)
Winner will be randomly selected and announced this Friday, May 3rd. Turnaround time for portrait is 3-4 weeks.

This giveaway is now closed!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Birds of a Feather Design

2013-04-26T08:20:00.001-05:00

I can always count on Hooper Patterson and Ann White Schutte of Birds of a Feather Design for a breathtaking transformation! The designing duo out of Wilmington, North Carolina took a drab, awkward kitchen and turned it into a coastal oasis of serene color and smart functionality! The new space was inspired by the fabulous modern sea glass backsplash tile. I love how they pulled the blue out and painted the island Benjamin Moore's Wythe Blue! Trust me, you do not want to miss the 'before' photos of this space, so head on over to Birds of a Feather for lots more on this dream kitchen!

Before you go though, better check to see if you're the winner of the $100 gift certificate to Layla Grayce!!

The lucky winner is...

Kristi

Have a great weekend everyone!! The temps are finally starting to warm up here in Minnesota and I couldn't be happier! :)

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Tiffany McWhorter

2013-04-25T08:20:00.000-05:00

Coastal Living served up major eye candy in their latest issue with this darling Bald Head Island, North Carolina beach cottage belonging to Fred and Tiffany McWhorter, photographed here by Tria Giovan! Buying the home was a dream come true for the couple, who had to renovate (and use a lot of white paint!) to get things looking this dreamy! Fred is a home remodeler, and Tiffany a home decor shop owner, so you know they put a lot of love in this project! I love all of the blue/green accents and beachy touches throughout! The style was actually all inspired by the stunning glass-and-seashell chandelier custom made by North Carolina artist Louise Gaskill. Just beautiful! Read more about the home over here, watch a neat video tour with dramatic before and after photos here, and visit Tiffany's coastal decor store Room Service!

Sources
Chandelier and Kitchen Pendants: Louise Gaskill
Rugs: Dash and Albert
Driftwood Seahorse: Outer Banks Trading Group
Aqua Glass Table Lamps: Lamp Works
Dining chairs and barstools: Dovetail Furniture
Sofas: BSC
Wicker Coffee Table: Outer Banks Trading Group
Blue Coral Pillow on sofa: Design Legacy
Aqua Jute Fringe Pillows on bed: Lacefield Designs
Oyster Jute Fringe Pillows on bed: Lacefield Designs
Seahorse Pillow on bed: Lacefield Designs
Lemongrass Pillows w/Twill Tape on bed: Lacefield Designs

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Lisa Barnes + Heidi Smith

2013-04-24T08:20:00.000-05:00

You what I love?? COLOR! So you know I'm really loving this home belonging to Lisa Barnes, who along with her interior designer sister Heidi Smith out of Saratoga Springs, Utah, transformed her new, ho-hum abode into a cheerful space with tons of personality! Not only is it stylish, it's also totally budget-friendly! Lisa scored a ton of great furniture from thrift stores, classifieds and Craigslist, and revamped them with paint or new fabric. Trips to Ikea, Pier 1 and Target filled in the rest. My favorite thing in the entire home is the fabulous yellow chair reupholstered in the sunny suzani print...love the turquoise button tufting and trim! The mason jar chandelier from Etsy is brilliant too! For more photos by Michelle Wellington and source info, visit Heidi's blog Budget Wise Home!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Caitlin Creer Interiors

2013-04-23T08:20:00.002-05:00

Beautiful blues and greens and greys – oh my! Caitlin Creer Interiors out of Salt Lake City, Utah is responsible for today's giant dose of pretty! Totally my style in every way, this light-filled family room from Tiek Built Homes is comfortable and cozy, but what I love most is the fresh mix of color and pattern...and all the gorgeous fabrics! Benjamin Moore Healing Aloe on the walls is the perfect shade of soothing, pale blue/green too! See more photos by Meikel Reece, and get all the sources for the space right on over here! Also see my post on the equally as beautiful living room in the home here!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Jennifer Huett + Layla Grayce Giveaway!

2013-04-22T08:20:00.000-05:00

The perfect pick-me-up for a Monday morning! Interior designer Jennifer Huett, owner of House to Home Interiors in Hot Springs, Arkansas, created this vibrant bedroom for a 15 year-old girl who wanted color, and more color! The showstopper is definitely that amazing turquoise glass chandelier...what a lucky girl! The upholstered bed is absolutely fabulous too. I love the pattern on it skillfully mixed with the bedding! You definitely don't want to miss out on the rest of the home (hint: gorgeous turquoise kitchen island!!) so for more photos by Nancy Nolan, head to At Home Arkansas!

I'm super excited for this week's giveaway courtesy of Layla Grayce, of one of my favorite stores! Not only do I stalk their site every day to see what's new, I've ordered from them many times...I'm pretty obsessed! They have a droolworthy selection of furniture, decor and gifts...including many things you'd recognize from magazines and blogs! (The chandelier and nightstand above, for example!) The lucky winner of the giveaway will receive a $100 gift certificate! Here are some of my favorite things right now...

To Enter:

Visit Layla Grayce, find your favorite thing, then leave a comment back here telling us about it. (Email subscribers just hit Reply!) Be sure to leave your email address if you comment anonymously so I can contact you if you're the winner!

For an extra entry, "Like" Layla Grayce on Facebook, then come back here and leave a separate comment saying that you did.
For one more entry, pin the above collage on Pinterest, then leave a separate comment saying that you did.

Winner will be randomly selected and announced this Friday, April 26, 2013.

This giveaway is now closed!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Mykonos Panormos Villas + Fun News!

2013-04-19T08:20:00.000-05:00

Minnesota is getting slammed with yet another winter storm (so much for my melting snow!) so I'm really needing this virtual escape today! Overlooking beautiful Panormos Bay on the Greek island of Mykonos is a private community of 11 luxurious homes called the Mykonos Panormos Villas. Shown above is the main residence, Anassa, and it's absolutely stunning...downright heaven! I love the traditional whitewashed style, the breezy blue accents hinting at the spectacular water views, and all the fabulous outdoor areas! Everything is just picture perfect! Learn all about the villas and see more photos right here!

I wanted to leave you guys with some exciting news! Chris and I are thrilled to learn that at the end of August, we're going to have a baby BOY!!! Let the planning begin!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

12 Oaks Bathroom

2013-04-18T08:20:00.000-05:00

Ben and Amanda of the inspiring blog 12 Oaks recently finished remodeling their guest bath and what a transformation it saw! (Bye bye pink tiles and vanity!) Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue is the perfect color for the tongue and groove walls! I love that they chose a classic white subway tile for the shower and beautiful marble for the floor, looks amazing! The vanity is awesome too and I love all the accessories–especially the shower curtain! Seriously such a cute bathroom, I love every inch! View more pics, learn all the sources, and see the renovation step-by-step over at 12 Oaks!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

K Mathiesen Brown Design

2013-04-17T08:20:00.000-05:00

We're spicing things up today! Creating a beautiful and fun place to live is the design philosophy of K Mathiesen Brown Design–an Orange County, California interior design and home styling team made up of two sisters, Kristina and Karen. This family-friendly home photographed by Lancaster Photographics is full of energy, great color and pattern, and unique spaces I want in own home! I especially love that breakfast nook with the bench covered in Trina Turk indoor/outdoor fabric and the fun loft in the kids' room! The stone from Walker Zanger throughout the home is incredible too...love those kitchen counters! You can tour the rest of this home and see even more colorful projects right on over here!

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

Guehne-Made

2013-04-16T08:20:00.000-05:00

It takes something beyond creativity and talent to make a pre-1900s farmhouse look like this! Since buying their Kansas City home in 2004, Nick and Wendy Guehne of Guehne-Made have renovated every single inch of their beautiful home, photographed here by Bright Umbrella Photography. Of course I'm loving the feminine colors and loads of white, but I adore all of the unique details too! Take the ceiling for example: Nick salvaged the original 100 year-old wood floors, sanded and stained each piece, then added them as an inset in the coffered ceiling! Love all the artwork too (Wendy painted all the abstracts!), glam light fixtures, treasures from Wendy's grandmother, and spa-like bathroom! You can learn more about the home in KCH&G magazine, but definitely head to Guehne-Made to finish the tour and read all about it!

Paint Colors
Bedroom: Benjamin Moore "Forget-Me-Not"
Bathroom Walls: Benjamin Moore "Icing on the Cake"
Bathroom Ceiling: Benjamin Moore "Peacock Blue"
Living Room: Benjamin Moore "Robin's Nest"

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!

HGTV Smart Home 2013

2013-04-15T08:20:00.001-05:00

I feel like HGTV could of had me on speed dial when designing their 2013 Smart Home! I caught the tour on TV over the weekend and was super-impressed with all high-tech components of the Jacksonville Beach, Florida home. But I'm not going to get into any of that, I'm here to talk turquoise–this home was overflowing with it! Interior designer Linda Woodrum went all out with the sea-inspired color palette, going for a relaxing but fun look...perfect for a vacation home by the beach. I don't know what I love more, the inside or out, it's all straight out of my dreams! Head on over to HGTV to see lots more pics (believe it or not!), including the master bedroom suite, guest bedroom and loft, all the source info and much more. And of course, enter to win the home too. (BIG party at my house if I'm the lucky one!!)

Paint Colors
Exterior Door and Trim: Sherwin-Williams "Raindrop"
Foyer: Sherwin-Williams "Drizzle"
Kitchen Walls: Sherwin-Williams "Watery"
Kitchen Island: Sherwin-Williams "Drizzle"
Dining Room: Sherwin-Williams "Drizzle"
Kids' Bedroom: Sherwin-Williams "Hazel"

Sources
All framed sea fans and shells framed are from the Karen Robertson Collection
Buffet Lamp
Titan Glass Lamp
Turquoise Cane Stool
White Round Garden Stool w/ Raised Studs

Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise...updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!