Decorating Crush {Blue & White}

Every once in a while I seem to be drawn to certain look, and lately it’s the combination of blue and white. Perhaps it’s because days at the lake are a stone’s throw away (let’s hope), and blue and white is a palette that always reminds me of summer. I’m so ready for the sun to wash down on my face (sunscreen smeared, of course) while I’m taking some time to hang out with friends and family. Are you with me?

Let’s take this blue and white bedroom that’s simplistic in design, but so refreshing. The best thing about this color palette is its purity and the need for only a tiny bit of texture to be mixed in for it to look finished.

Decorating Crush- Blue and White Bedroom

If I didn’t have a messy dog, busy teenager (with slough of friends), and a coffee-spilling husband in the house, this living room with white upholstered sofas and blue accents could be a contender in our new main floor decorating plans. Perhaps the next house…

 

Decorating Crush- Blue and White Living Room

 

Porcelain definitely comes to mind when I think about blue and white. I adore how this collection of plates adds a pop of color and creates interest in an otherwise neutral kitchen. So granny chic.

 

Decorating Crush- Blue and White Dish Collection

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10 Ways to Decorate With Glass Cylinders

Glass cylinder vases are one of the most versatile accessories in decorating. With their simple and classic shape, as well as accessibility at a variety of price points, it’s no wonder they’ve become a favorite amongst decorators and a staple in decor. If I think about how many glass cylinders I have in my own home, I’d have to say there are at least half a dozen. Some of these are always on display, and the others are pulled out from time to time for seasonal decorating or entertaining.

I thought I’d gather together some of my favorite ways to make good use of glass cylinder vases in almost every room in your house. Chances are you have at least one or two sitting around.

10 Ways to Decorate With Cylinder Vases {Satori Design for Living}

Use one small glass cylinder within a larger one to create interesting candle holders with items sandwiched between. This wine cork candle holder is perfect for a table centerpiece.
 

Ways to Decorate With Glass Cylinders- Wine Cork Candle Holder

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Freshen Your Space With Spring Decorating Trends {Guest Post}

Tiffany- Living Savvy Blog

Hey There!  My name is Tiffany and my blog is called Living Savvy.  I am an interior designer who loves to share DIY projects and client projects!

With spring right around the color I know we are all craving a little freshness in the air and in our homes.  Here are some tips on how to freshen your space just in time for spring!

Mixing Metals

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

 

For a while I would never be caught dead with anything gold in my house or my clients houses, but some how it has warmed on me.  I think that is exactly what it does for the space too… adds a little bit of warmth.  By mixing silvers and gold it creates an warm/cool combo that really pops in any space.

 
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Styling Your Home With Vacation Keepsakes

Last week I showed you some of my favorite projects for displaying vacation mementos and mentioned that I’d be sharing snapshots of some of the travel keepsakes we currently have throughout our home. I’m so glad the weather finally turned around as I was starting to worry whether I’d finally get enough light to take photos. Thankfully the sun came out yesterday!

When displaying vacation keepsakes, I always think about how they can become integrated within our everyday decor. I like it best when they don’t scream souvenir like “look at those sombreros and maracas!” Instead, I like a subtle mix.

 

Shells and Coral in Glass Cylinder

 

We’ve been on several beach vacations and have collected many shells and pieces of coral along the way. We have some of these in a glass cylinder in the family room. I also mixed in some faux shells from Pottery Barn to add a little color. Some of the larger pieces were placed on the bookshelf.
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Displaying Vacation Mementos

For every family vacation we have taken, we always try to have something tangible in our home that represents the experience. A photograph, shell, rock or other object may seem insignificant, but for us looking at these objects takes us back to the moment.

Having these mementos displayed throughout our home tells the story of our adventurous experiences together and the time we fully dedicated to celebrate being a family. Nothing is more important to me.

As mentioned earlier this week, this last family trip we took to Mexico was amazing, but came with a bit of devastation. When I went to load the hundreds of photos I took of everybody and everything, only three showed up. Thank goodness my son snapped a bunch on his iPhone or we’d have nothing. Even better news is that he captured a couple amazing shots that I plan on displaying somewhere very soon.

Next week I’ll be sharing some of the ways we have memories from our vacations on display throughout our home. I’ll also show you what I have in store for those recent iPhone photos from Mexico. Until then, I thought I’d show you some of my favorite ideas I’ve come across that I believe are both clever and stylish.

Ideas for Displaying Vacation Keepsakes

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Colorful and Fun Kitchen Decor

Happy February! I’ve been on a mission to get my kitchen organized and refreshed this week and thought it would be fun to add some color to help lift us out of this winter slump. Anyone else feeling blah? My friend Aimee posted this colorful kitchen photo from Target’s catalogue and I immediately knew it’s the vibe I’ve been craving. Perhaps a little daring for the neutral-lover in me, but accessories are always a safe bet because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy enough to change up.

 

Yellow and Coral Kitchen

 

If you’re daring and like to live with vibrant color year round then I won’t stop you from painting your kitchen a bright yellow. My client Fiona did and she loves the cheeriness it brings to her space even on the dreariest of days. If you’re like me and that kind of commitment scares you, then perhaps dots of color here are there are your best bet.

After searching for some colorful kitchen accessories earlier this week, I was excited to come across some fun storage canisters, ceramic baskets and tea towels I plan on purchasing. I also found a bunch of other ideas that may be a good way to liven up your kitchen.

Adding Colorful Accessories to Your Kitchen

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Source guide:  lemon tea towel, bicycle tea towel, farmers market baskets, dipped bamboo utensils, canisters, serving bowl, drapery finials, storage tin, area rug

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Nate Berkus for Target

Did you know Nate Berkus has a new line available at Target? Although Target isn’t coming to Calgary until 2013, I occasionally order items online and always try to stop in the store when we’re down South. It’s a fantastic source for inexpensive home decor and storage solutions.

 

 

Since Nate’s days on Oprah and the (too-short-lived in my opinion) Nate Berkus Show, I’ve been an admirer of his work. This week I was excited to finally be able to take a look at his new collection online, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.

I love these decorative boxes, perfect on a console by the front door to hold keys or on a bedroom dresser to contain everything from “his” pockets.

If you’re looking to update your bathroom decor, Nate’s collection of towels, rugs and accessories will definitely do the trick. That diamond bath rug may have to come home with me!

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Designer Challenge: Which Mirror? {Part Two}

Welcome to Part Two of the Designer Challenge- mirror edition! I’m thrilled to welcome Nyla of Nyla Free Designs. I first met Nyla at Kimberley Seldon’s Business of Design school and I was immediately impressed with her sense of style and friendly demeanor. I love reading her contributions to Dabble Magazine and always look forward to her design tips and adventures on her blog. They’re always top notch and on the pulse of what’s going on. I can’t wait for you to see what she did! (If you missed Part One, you can find out what Ashley did here.)

Nyla Free

 

Upon receiving the options from Shauna, I was immediately drawn to the rectangular, antiqued mirror and geometric shape of the StudioTen25 mirror.

 

 

 

Mirror Options

 

Designer Challenge Mirror Edition with Nyla FreeAntiqued Gold Leaf Mirror, Petal Stripe Wallpaper, Bolero Side TableFrench Deco Horn Double Sconce, Ingrid Settee, Fallon Runner, GT5 Pendant

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