Thursday, January 31, 2013

House Guests: ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

I'm not a big fan of the word AMAZEBALLS, but that's what came to my mind when I saw 
this So Cal living Room Makeover. 
A-MAZE-ING. 
FAN-TAS-MA-GOR-I-CAL. 
STU-PEN-DOUS.

This is the Southern California home of a friend of a friend of mine.
It was designed by Alison Royer of BDG Style.
Here are the before shots and the after shots, I think you will be blown away by this transformation,just as I am!

BEFORE:










AFTER:











To see more of this makeover, including close up pics of the new mantle tiles, lighting fixtures, accessories and rug detail, head over to Alison's blog: BDG Style.

The look:
-Pale green paint color helps balance all of the white wood work and lighter furniture
-No window treatments keeps things light and bright
-All main upholstery pieces (soft pieces + rug) are light, tonally similar in value
-All woodwork, molding, mantle details are painted white and new mantle woodwork draws eye up, -creating the illusion of height (look at the difference between the befores and the afters on this point).
-Reflective accessories (mirrors and silver pieces) help add to the light and bright atmosphere.
-Not too many decorative objects cluttering things up- there is a clean asthetic happening here.
Simple + Elegant.
-Pops of color come in the green walls, pillows and decorative items on the mantle and table tops (books and flowers).
-And the arrangement of the room counts for big points here. Alison didn't shy away from putting the sofa in front of those awkward window cut outs that show through to the dining room. She created a cozy and close arrangement, making the room feel less narrow by having the furniture run vertically in the room rather than horizontally. This sets the mantle up for full view without anything really obstructing it, like a couch running horizontally would.
-SO, Pops of color here and there, crown molding and architectural detail, minimal window treatments, silver accents, books, and just enough black and dark wood to ground things and keep them from looking too frou- frou.

This look is so my style. Traditional, Elegant but light and airy with pops of bright colors and bold prints in the accessories. It says light and happy.  What an incredible transformation. {and is it me, or does one of those pillows look like the Greek Key one I made for the Dec 12 days of Christmas Give Away, I think so!}
And seeing this makeover helps me to realize what I gravitate to and why some of my darker rooms aren't necessarily me.

I just love popping in and visiting other people's homes...don't you?
Hope so!
XXXOOO.



Freebie Friday: How do I love thee: a fun Valentine DIY Printable from Jones Design Company

This is what I'm making this weekend!
lovebanner

Emily over at Jones Design Co. shared these with her readers and I in turn am sharing them with all of you.
She shares a printable and all of the instructions.
You just have to hop over to her blog to download!
Such a fun and pretty KID FRIENDLY DIY!!!

supplies

only-you

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
XXOOO.

Freebie Friday: Chalkboard Valentine Printables

Happy February! Valentines is 14 days (and counting) away...so here are a few Valentine's Day printables for you....
There is something nostalgic about chalkboards. That's why I like 'um.
So, in true Freebie Friday fashion, I've rounded up several for you to choose from...
I'm pretty sure you'll have a hard time choosing just one ;)

Chalkboard "touch of love" Printable  from Entirely Eventful

free chalkboard valentines printables!
Chalkboard Valentines from Sweet Designs
Valentine Chalkboard Printables - Nest of Posies
More Chalkboard Valentines Nest of Posies
Several cuties  from A Glimpse Inside
happy valentines day chalkboard thumb 5 Valentine Chalkboard Printables
from Alder Berry Hill
from Just Plane Cute
you have the key to my heart chalkboard thumb 5 Valentine Chalkboard Printables
from Alder Berry Hill
All you need is love chalkboard thumb 5 Valentine Chalkboard Printables
from Alder Berry Hill
from the diary of dave's wife

Blank oval chalkboard labels (3 sizes) ~ free printable
Blackboard Printable labels and tags from Lilac and Lavender Roundup


And this one below is my favorite. 

Audrey Hepburn Chalkboard Printable
Audrey Printable from Sweet Rose
Which one's yours?
XXXOOO.

Tiny Tempa, I mean Tiny Tables: The Tiny Table Trend


Shop by the room.
Ballard Designs 
I was helping a friend put together some ideas for her formal living room make over yesterday and all of the components were coming together. The only thing "missing" was a tiny table. Yes, sometimes, even a tiny table can be just the right thing to sort of round out a seating arrangement. And I LOVE tiny ROUND tables.
{Be sure to check out this week's SPLURGE or STEAL post on Arteriors Tiny Tables}

i heart tiny tables
Vintage iron coffee tables. Design: Kay Douglass. #iron #vintage
Pair of tiny tables instead of a traditional coffee table

Use them up close next to a sofa or chair. Tuck them in under a table. Put two of the same side by side instead of using a conventional coffee table. Tiny tables are everywhere this year, and no wonder. They  allow you the convenience and functionality of another hard surface, as well as give you a chance to infuse a bit of fun or whimsy into what could otherwise be a traditional squared off seating arrangement.
These are my favorite tiny tables out there to emulate.


Elise Living Room
Ballard Designs "Boranova Side Table" in gray
Shop by the room.
Ballard Designs "Alexander Side Table"

PORTWEN ROLLING TROLLEY
Sundance "Portwen Rolling Trolley"

Aidan Gray Percussion Side Table
Aidan Gray "Percussion Side Table"
W7486 British Colonial Side Table - Black
Wisteria "British Colonial Side Table"
Horchow "Lazear Side Table"
19" Watts Reclaimed Oak Round Side Table
Restoration Hardware "Reclaimed Oak Watts, Round Side Table"
Set of 2 Steel Fluted Round Barrels (India)
Overstock Set of 2 "Steel Fluted Round Barrels" from India
Room View
West Elm "Martini Side Table"
Woven Tuffet
Pottery Barn "Woven Tuffet"
Moroccan Stool - Blue - New
okay, so it's not exactly round, but a hex.
Still love and it still breaks up a squared off or rectangular seating arrangement.
I think this new tiny table trend will be here to stay.
XXOOO.

Splurge or Steal

When I was a kid and I'd help out at my father and grandmother's Auction Gallery, there were phrases that would continually float around in the air. One of my favorites was "Deary, you have Champagne taste on a beer pocketbook"...in other words, I had expensive taste and a small budget. I think no matter what your budget is, before you make purchases it is always important to know what else is out there of comparable design, so that you can gage whether a splurge is justified for quality or craftsmanship, for example, or whether the steal is just as good and a score!!!
So, keeping with today's other post Tiny Tempa, I mean Tiny Tables: the tiny table trend, here are a few examples of achieving the same look on vastly different budgets.

SPLURGE:



arteriors,

antique brass side table



STEAL:

Spanish Colonial Drum Table Antique Brass

SPANISH COLONIAL DRUM TABLE


Antique Brass



STEAL:


Splurge or Steal?
There are so many options on the market today that are similar in design. Some of the STEAL items may even work out better for your space depending on the finish, size, etc.
Gives you something to think about when you go to purchase things doesn't it?
And it makes the $49 Restoration Hardware table look pretty darn amazing, right? Just goes to show you that even high end retailers like Restoration have awesome discounts and deals from time to time.
XXXOOO.