We can do it!

Came home exhausted last night after spending the bank holiday painting at my aunt's house. They moved in in late winter and have been wanting to change the salmon pink walls in the living room to something more neutral but figured they'd have to pay someone to do it. Until I got the itch ...

They wanted something neutral and although I'd love to have some before & after pics for you, we were time-crunched and what with covering sockets,floorboards and borders, we didnt take the time. Anyway, here is our inspiration-

we wanted a neutral color for the living room,to complement a newly installed sage green carpet

we also used it in the hallway to complete a new slate tile floor

we chose a warm terracotta for the open-plan kitchen which is adjacent to the living room

the bathroom had a mosaic of small,apple-green and creamy white tiles on the floor,so we picked 

a muted aquamarine blue to create a cool,crisp & calming effect

what do you think?

I'm so sore from squishing into tiny corners to paint behind heating radiators!

Bring Spring to Where You're Living in 5 Quick Ways

There are those who are fortunate enough to have the resources to completely redecorate their homes with the change of the season. For the rest of us mere earthlings, here are 5 quick ways to welcome spring into your home:

1

Swap out your accent pillow shams for bright ones

2

Roll up that ornate heirloom or oriental area rug and treat your feet to bright, patterned ,stain-resistant rugs which can withstand the clomping of wet rain boots and sopping umbrellas

3

Slide lightweight curtains into your curtain rods, going from heavy, wintry fabrics like velvet to light, homey ones like cotton or twill and swapping out traditional valances for simple tap-top curtains

4

Decorate with flowers

5

Add an umbrella stand to your foyer/entryway. You're going to need it whilst April showers bring May flowers!

O

The Ottoman Empire II

I can't get enough- can you?

I love the combination of golden brass with warm colors like orange

This ottoman would look great in a spacious apartment with Parisian decor

 ~HB

this piece is bold and would accent a room with bold colors nicely

 ~HB

traditional can still be interesting

 ~HB

minimal but not boring

 ~HB

the low height of this piece suits an overstuffed library/study which probably has little space to spare

 ~HB

 ~HB

such beautiful legs!

~HB

This is actually my favorite piece- its style is modern and the fabric is a simple graphic

the masculine square shape meets the feminine curved legs for a perfect balance

~HB

~HB

~HB

ottoman's almost always seem formal, but this wicker piece proves its all up to you

~HB

~HB

Find The Ottoman Empire I here

The Ottoman Empire I

I called it a 'poof' when I was younger, because that's what my mother called it most of the time. Some call it an 'ottoman', and most people know it as a 'footstool'.

Call it what you want, but it remains the most versatile piece of furniture to grace a home. You can use it as a footstool when you've had a long day at work...

place it in the family room for extra seating when you have friends over....

use it in the living  room with a serving tray to stow drinks and snacks nearby....

place it by the front door or the staircase landing and perch on it to quickly put on/take off your shoes on the way in/out....

you get the point-the possibilities are endless.

Ottomans come in many shapes and colors and are easily customized for extra flair and utility.

↑ how beautiful is this? So beautiful I'd be afraid to put my feet on it.maybe after a pedicure..

↑ these are unique in their shape and texture!

they would be right at home in a room with kitchy decor

~HB

~HB

~HB

~HB

Stay tuned for Ottoman Empire II

Le Salle de Sejour/ Living Room

I was reading one of Robert Kiyosaki's books when I started thinking about short-term future goals ..specifically fun goals. I realized that I have been so busy this fall that I havent spent any time getting lost in home decor magazines and websites and catalogs and such, and I miss it. So i ran to my bookshelf and grabbed an IKEA catalog, a Ballard Designs catalog, and a Better Homes & Gardens magazine- my favorite! Two hours later, I realized I had fallen into just what I had been missing out on-getting lost comparing those paint color samples in BHG and coveting Ballard Design's french-inspired home office pieces. sigh

Then I started down memory lane, recalling a "portfolio" for lack of better terms, of home magazine & catalog clippings that I had in high school, before my dreams of being an Interior Design major were so brusquely dashed. I believe that dream book is somewhere in my closet, stashed with other high school effects, and I am planning on bringing it out from under that rock next time I go home. But until then, there's nothing stopping me from collecting a few clippings on here, of decorating and designing ideas that I love, homes that inspire, and just bits and pieces I want to remember.

How did I segway from reading a financial education book to home decor? Well one of my goals after graduation and acquisition of a full-time job {cross my fingers!} is to do a bit of work our house. Our house is totally and completely lacking in decor, style and comfort,and I'd like to do what I can about it. I'd love to start with the family room, which is the most lacking in all 3 parts of the trio. I know it will take time, and money and dinner table compromises with the fam, but for now, I get what I want :)

I love the warmth of this pale yellow-its not a bright sunshine yellow, so it's perfectly inviting during any season

but you gotta love how energizing yet cool this room is..

yellow and grey make a creat contemporary couple, especially if you throw in some orange..

Now I retire to bed, dreaming of contemporary, energizing, yet cool and comfortable living spaces...