Snippets of Inspiration

Amanda Nisbet Design

Coastal Living Photograph: Brie Williams

Erinn Valencich

Amanda Nisbet Design

Amanda Nisbet Design
Phoebe Howard

Have a great weekend!

Remix It for Girl's Bedroom

You may remember this post regarding a new remix it online project I received for a 9 year old girl's bedroom. Even though mom initially submitted this as a remix it online, it has turned out that I am doing some in-home consulting on this project. They live in the Minneapolis area and it has been a fun project to help them with so far. The project involves at least one DIY project for them, so it will be finished as they have the time to get it done, but hopefully I'll be able to post some photos of the completed room.

The partial design board above shows a mini-peek of some of the things we'll be using in the room.

1. The walls will be painted Sherwin Williams 6710 Melange Green. Sherwin Williams 6766 Mariner will be used as an accent.
2. Pendant light from IKEA.
3. Window treatments from Walmart.
4. Bedding from Bed Bath and Beyond.
5. Desk from IKEA.
   

Have a great day!

Adding Interest With Stripes

Source: Coastal Living

Photographer: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Whether your style is cottage, country, contemporary, modern, eclectic or traditional, stripes can be a fun way to add some interest to your space.

I have a good friend who absolutely can't stand stripes however, so I apologize to her in advance for having to endure this post!

Source: Calico Corners Designer: Anne Selke

Source: Calico Corners Designer: Anne Selke

Source: Canadian House and Home Photo: Andrew Grinton

Source: Canadian House and Home

Photographer: Donna Griffith

Canadian House and Home

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Amanda Nisbet Design

Adding Some Interest With Surface Graphics

As you probably know, vinyl graphics are big right now and there are a variety of sources. However, when I saw these on the Totally Tabletops blog I loved them and wanted to share them with you.

All of these images are from whatisblik.com and they have a lot more options, including some fun things for kids rooms. Check out their website and online catalog.

Have a great day!

Mixing It Up - 1

We transformed the family room shown below by using only what the homeowner already had, with the exception of an area rug (purchased at Kohls for 1/2 price) and two inexpensive throw pillows.

Family Room BEFORE

The key to this transformation was proper furniture placement. It's a little hard to see in the before photo, but the sofa blocks entry into the space and the two leather chairs are "lined up" to the left of the sofa further blocking entry.

The new arrangement feels cohesive and inviting, and allows for easy movement in and out of the space. We did not move the desk, but after arranging the rest of the furniture it becomes a functional secondary space rather than a focal point.

Family Room AFTER

Because I couldn't stand to end the makeover without art behind the sofa if there were any possibilities in the house, I asked the homeowner one more time if there was any art that she hadn't mentioned. She told me that the only other thing that she had were these black and white prints that were sitting on the floor in the husband's office, where they had been since they moved in several years before. She wished they WOULD work in the family room because they really liked them. :-) As you can see, they work perfectly in the space! Both husband and wife were happy that these prints, that were favorites of theirs, were finally going to be on display and enjoyed by everyone.

If you're wondering where the TV went, it is in the lower right hand corner of the after photo(angled in the corner of the room).

I'm happy to say that they love their "new" family room. We were able to reuse what they already had, stay within their budget and do it all in one day. Now they have what feels like a new space to them that they will be content with for a while, while they are saving to get the new furniture that they really want. A very gratifying makeover...

Edit: 8/9/09 - I'm linking this post to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Sunday Inspiration

Kimba at ASPTL hosts a DIY Thursday in the summer. There are a TON of DIYers over there with great makeovers, so if you want to check it out click HERE . I wasn't able to look at them all but of the ones that I did see, #48 (studio steps makeover) was my absolute favorite.

Bedroom Inspiration - 2

This sleeping porch by Phoebe Howard is amazing! Even though most of us will never have a sleeping porch, this is a great lesson in using a wide variety of textures, rather than color, to create an interesting space.
Have a great day!

Bedroom Inspiration - 1

Interior Designer Jennifer Flanders:

Interior Designer: Erinn Valencich
Have a great day!

Pillow Covers

Source: Pottery Barn

I'm loving the fact that they're selling so many pillow covers now. I makes so much more sense! I like being able to just cover pillows that I already have. It keeps the original pillows intact in case you ever want to reuse them and you don't have to store them somewhere. Also, if you really don't like them anymore you can just cover them up and won't have to try to find a way to get rid of them. Of course, if you sew, you can always make your own... BUT if you don't sew here are some options:

Source: Pottery Barn (more pillow covers at source)

Source: Target (more options at source):

Source: West Elm (more available on site):

Have a great weekend!

Folding Screen Remix (2)

EDITED 11/1/09 - I'm linking this post to the blog parties shown at the end of this post. Since this is an older post, I'm also posting about the links in my 11/1/09 post.

This was my first blog post, originally posted 5/21/09 and reposted 7/23/09.

This foyer wall needed some art, but it's a large wall (9'x9') and that usually means big $$$.

Thinking outside the box, we found this folding screen at Home Goods for $90. It's made to sit on the floor obviously, but it's the right size, has some character, and with a little paint could work in our space. Why not put it on the wall? (We had already taken it apart and sawn the legs off by the time we took this picture.)

We painted the 3 sections of the screen, put the wrought iron back in two of them, and purchased a painted iron piece for the middle for $30 at Kohls (we felt that putting the wrought iron in all 3 would be a little monotonous). Total cost of the project, including paint, was $130.
*Painting the screen black and using the accessory that we did worked for this house's color scheme at the time, but the beauty of this screen is that it will be able to be repainted and reaccessorized time and time again at a very minimal cost for a completely new look. A great one-time investment!*

So next time you're shopping, look at things with a creative eye. Is that REALLY all it can be used for, or can you make it work for something else?

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Delectable Design

Yes, I am still on blog break. I guess I really wouldn't even have had to mention it in the first place because when I had to be on yesterday for a few minutes, I decided to whip out a few quick posts and schedule them for everyone to enjoy for the next few days while I'm away from my computer. Not really like I'm gone then is it? :-)

Rooms designed by Jennifer Flanders

Isn't this room just delectable? So rich and warm...

and this one?

Have a great day!

Beautiful in Blue

Okay. I seriously am taking a blog break, but I just wanted to give you a little eye candy today with these two rooms designed by Phoebe Howard.

Enjoy... :-)

Have a great day!

Making an Entrance - Foyer/Entry Inspiration Part 1

1. Source: housebeautiful.com

Designer: Jonathan Adler Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo
2. Colorful foyer from Better Homes and Gardens

3. Sophisticated Burnt Orange foyer at marthastewart.com

4. Easy, breezy foyer Source: Coastal Living Photo: Deborah Whitlaw

Have a great day!

Inspiration Sunday

I'm starting a new series of posts on Sundays called Inspiration Sunday. Not sure I like the name because it's not very creative, so if you can think of a better one, let me know. It does pretty much sum it up though. Each Sunday, I'll post some things that I've been inspired by in the past week in a variety of categories (of course, decorating will always be included!).

Here are three things that inspired me this week...

1. Kimba at ASTPL posts a beautiful photo and scripture each Sunday. I was very moved by hers today. I'm so grateful for the grace that has been, and continues to be, offered to me!

2. Kimba (no, it's really not Kimba day! :-)) also shared a post this week by Rachel Ann from Home Sanctuary. Click through to read it and you'll be inspired - for sure.

3. Unbelievably inspiring and creative in the decorating category is Centsational Girl's staircase transformation on a budget. Check out the full details on her site!

Well, that's probably not ALL that has inspired me this week, but it's some of the things at least. How about you?

Restful Retreat

Elle Decor featured the home of Monelle Totah, vice president of design for Williams Sonoma Home.

To see the this beautiful home, visit here - PointClickHome.

Have a great weekend!

Hooked on Stenciled Window Treatments

So you're shopping for the perfect window treatment and just can't seem to find what you're looking for. Not the right color, not the right pattern and on and on. I've definitely been there!

I think I just stumbled on at least one solution to our problem. When I saw stenciled (yes, stenciled!!!) window treatments in Better Homes and Garden's Do It Yourself Magazine I could not believe my eyes. Aren't they awesome? I realize that they would be somewhat time consuming to do, but I would love to try it sometime. I'll let you know if I ever do. They recommended stencil-library.com and mbhistoricdecor.com as stencil sources.

For more information on stencil projects you can check out DIYideas.com/stencils.

Happy Friday! Have a great day...

Serene Corner

I came across this beautiful vignette at Traditional Home magazine (photo Bruce Buck).

Notice all of the textures in this small space.

Wherever this morning finds you, wishing you a peaceful start to a wonderful day!