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

Foyer/Entryway/Hallway : A different Approach

I cant make up my mind about foyers. The most common approach to designing/decorating a foyer is to decorate it in the same style as the rest of a home, at least in the same style as adjacent rooms, so as to create a harmonious home. I have always slightly preferred a different approach... instead of using the foyer to introduce the style of the rest of the home, what if we had fun with it and surprised guests by using a totally different style from the rest of the home? Harmony get can boring, after all. Of course this idea is dependent on the layout of the home. A home with a widely open floor plan is more suited to harmonious decor, however otherwise secluded foyers could be used to set a tone as one either enters or leaves the home.

 

 -L.ETC

  

I love the pop art newspaper-like prints covering this modern bureau

the rest of the decor is quiet so as to let the bureau take center-stage

-L.ETC

 

I absolutely love  the idea of using murals to decorate a foyer

-CL 

 

this foyer is all about utility- a place for shoes,coats,umbrellas and even family pet protraits

- CL  

 

I like to think that walking out of a  pretty foyer can make up for a bad hair day

-H2H

 

eclectic ≠ crazy

H2H

minimalistic yet utilitarian

H2H

 

drama in a foyer is ..well..dramatic ...an this one simply so

-CL 

if one is fortunate enough to have a large foyer, a center-piece is almost mandatory

when the perfect circular table proves elusive, simply place two demilune tables back to back as above

HB

the first thing I notice about this foyer is that there seems to be no break 

between the ceiling and the floor

as the flowers in the vase reach upwardsand the chandelier cascades down

-HB

 

simple yet personal

-RS 

  

The pebble tray allows snow/water to melt,preserving your floor

-MS 

 

-MS

 use re-finished vintage shutters as organizers-how clever!

-MS

Baby its cold outside!

Its a ghastly 24F outside so I've been sipping on a hot toddy that my sister invented. Its simple and yummy- one part sweet vermouth to two or three parts apple juice; depending on how warm you want to be! 

This frightful weather forces us to stay indoors where we  can easily get bored of the same surroundings. Its also hard to get psyched up to do a room, redecorate since that requires going out to get a few things,  so what can we do with minimal shopping to spruce things up? Think of your hallway/entrance/foyer. During the winter we tend to store a lot of things in these areas- coats, shoes, scarves etc. but since it is still serves as a welcome area, we have to combine function with style. Here's how to use three pieces of furniture/decor or less to create a new look, according to the style of your existing decor!

 

Product Info for Fresh Cottage:

  

Product Info for Sleek Function;

  

Product info for Classic Look;

 

Spruce away!

 -BHG Nov 2009