Thinking about re-upholstering your furniture?  Don’t know what fabric to use?  Well, why not just combine the ones you like and use ‘em all?

Notice the stripe back, the medallion print front and the furry cheetah pillows?

Here they have a blue-dyed croc print with a combination of bleu’s….

And, here they have a stripe, a cheetah, a print and a solid.

Look at this fun sofa with the brown tones and this punch of electric blue.  How fun is that?  And, it’s paired with another cool pattern in this great leather ottoman.

By the way take a look at this cool back on this sofa.  Don’t you love this?

This sofa isn’t necessarily mix and match fabrics, but look how it’s paired with this fun orange fabric.  Creative and fun.

Totally cool…..

So look at these pictures closely to understand how much fun you can have mixing and matching your fabrics on one piece of furniture.  Then you can carry one of two of those fabrics to other pieces in the room.

It takes a simple piece and makes it a little more savvy….gives it a little more style.

Happy Decorating!

Okay, so I know I haven’t posted in the last couple weeks……again…….and I have to apologize…..again!

With all the great things I found at the High Point Furniture Market I had every intention of posting new blog posts the second I returned, but after having been gone a week I came back to an over-packed work schedule and playing “catch up” with client needs. 

So I thought I’d do a blog post on some sexy, cool furniture I came across at one of the many showrooms I was fortunate enough to visit.

And, who doesn’t want sexy in the bedroom????

Love the lines on this chair, the lamp, the mirror….. and all the silver and black…..

And, what a cool headboard…..

Can’t you see the swank…..

And, the swagger?????

Great mirrors above and below….

And, how fun is this headboard?  Oh, so Hollywood…….

Love, love, love!

Happy Decorating!!!!

I’m in High Point, North Carolina this week at the spring furniture market perusing furniture showrooms and gathering lots of info and new sources to bring back to you and my clients.

Several of my designer friends are here with me and we are taking full advantage with meeting after meeting and evening events so we can learn as much as we can in the week that we’re here.

I’ll take lots of pictures……

And share all my great finds with you…

Just as soon as I get back home and hit the office.

Until then….

Happy Decorating!!

To continue with my color in the kitchen series I thought I’d be bold and introduce you to the color……orange.  I know, I know most of us wouldn’t dare….

But, for those of you who love color and want to have fun with it think about the color of orange for your kitchen.  Granted it’s a color more often used for a modern space….

But, it works in a traditional kitchen, too.

It’s kind of a crazy color to think of for the kitchen, but for the right person…in the right house…you never know….

It could totally work.  Here they combined it with red for an interesting, unusual color scheme.  And, check out the fun back splash.

It’s fresh, it’s fun….

So, who knows….maybe it’s the color for your kitchen….

“Orange” you willing to be open-minded?? 

Happy Decorating!!

I recently did a post, "…Beige: It Doesn’t Have To Be Boring and today I want to talk about another neutral……cream….and the fun and versatility you can have with it.

Yes, I admit if you have young children cream may not be the color choice for you unless it’s a washable slipcover.  Which, by the way, is great way to go.  But, if young kiddo’s aren’t an issue give this color some consideration.  It’s fresh, it’s clean and it goes with absolutely any color on earth.

You can keep the accent colors at a minimum like this and just bring in interest with greenery and dark accent pieces for a great look….

You can bring in some accent patterns like this zebra pattern….

Give it a little personality with a small, but bold punch of red…

Or you could bring in a lot of personality and have fun with a big, bold punch of red….

Notice the extreme personality change in the space depending upon what color it’s paired with?  You’ll notice here it creates a soft, soothing palette when paired with these soft blues and greens….

So whether it’s gray and yellow….

A Valentine pink….

Or a sunny, joyful yellow….

If you start with cream as your base seating the sky is the limit regarding the pattern and color you pair with it.  And, if you get board with the accent color some day….the beauty is you can change it without having to reupholster all of your furniture!  Just switch out the accent color and    re-paint.  Yep, it’s an economical, practical way to go as well. 

So if you’re redecorating your space right now and looking for a starting point….cream just may be the color for you.

Happy Decorating!

First of all – apologies for the lack of blog posts lately!!  I’ve been off the charts busy with various client projects and there’s barely been time left to breathe.  So unfortunately blogging has had to take a back seat.  So for those of you who subscribe to or frequent my blog I’m SO SORRY!!  But, I’m trying!  As they say, “I’m dancin’ as fast as I can.”

Okay…onto the business of design….

I’ve done several blog posts on having fun with tile, but after seeing some of these interesting displays I wanted to show you some great new looks and styles out there that might inspire you for your next tile project.

Take a look at this fun shower.  Notice all these interesting textures and the mix of size, shape and style.  Tumbled stone on the shower surround with a band of a rough hewn stacked stone.  Here they’ve placed a pencil rail mold  above and below the band for a finished look.  And, how cool is this look with the wood-look tiles at the bottom of the shower?

Here are long tiles in varying widths.  A great look for walls or floors.

This pebble look is a fun look for a shower bringing in a touch of the rustic outdoors.

And, look at this fun rustic, wood-look tile in this fun pattern.  See how versatile and fun you can get with tile these days.

A great contemporary display with this linear look tile mixed with the square tile placed at an angle.

With all the textures, colors and styles the patterns you can create are limitless…..

So as I’ve said many, many times before think outside the box and have some fun.  Don’t do “ordinary” do “extraordinary”….

And, get stylin’ with your tilin’!!!

Happy Decorating!

Did you know that purple is the color of good judgment?  Or that it’s the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment? And, what if I told you it is said that if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind?  (And, well, who wouldn’t that for heaven’s sake?!)

Not only is purple the color to symbolize royalty, it has also been used to symbolize magic and mystery!  Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color.

So if you are thinking of sprucing up a room in your home and want to infuse it with a pop of color why not consider purple?

Yes, it’s a bit bold…..but, why not?

There’s just something rich and regal about it…..

And, it looks great with so many other colors….like this gold…..

Or silver….

Or all sorts of color…

You can tone it down with cream…..

Or rev it up with orange!

So if you want to bring a little “magic and mystery” to your home or better yet, peace of mind…

Get hoppin’ and poppin’ with the color purple!

Happy Decorating!!!

It’s that time again……a gathering of family and friends for this momentous occasion called Easter.  For Christians this is the oldest and most important celebration and thanksgiving of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave.  And, this means “breaking bread” with our loved ones to share and honor the meaning of this glorious occasion.

Which brings us to the simpler matter of……the Easter tablescape.  For most of us who are entertaining others for dinner in our homes for Easter it’s important to have a table that reflects the celebration adequately.  One that’s pleasing to the eye, inviting and sets the stage for the Easter theme. 

And, what does eggs and bunnies have to do with Jesus and Easter you ask?  Nothing, actually.      
However, throughout history those things represent spring and new beginnings.  Since birds usually lay their eggs in the spring, eggs are a natural symbol for spring, rebirth, and new life.   And, since rabbits are very fertile animals whose babies scamper about in spring they also became symbols of spring.  And, of course they eat carrots….thus the entrance of carrots, too!

With that in mind and Jesus’ resurrection being celebrated in the spring – these are the things that we generally use for our Easter tablescapes.  Like this one shown above.  Look at how elegant and fun this simple tablescape is.  All white…..eggs and tulips. I love this!

And, this colorful one!  Love the bunnies on sheets of green moss with the infusion of the pink.  So sweet.

If you’re perplexed on what to do with your table just remember – the more flowers…..the better!  And, you can never go wrong with crystal and lace for an Easter table.

I’m a huge fan of blue and white.   Not your typical Easter colors, but what a great Easter table!

How about a cupcake centerpiece?! And, look at those individual birdhouses with treats in them at each place setting.  Fun, fun, fun for kids!

How’s this for a fabulous buffet display!

Pink and white….fail proof Easter colors.  Always “springy” and fun….

And, of course, don’t forget to have fun with the individual place settings, too!

Have a blessed and wonderful Easter celebration!

Happy Decorating!

My last blog post was on “fun and fabulous place settings” that create an “experience” rather than just a meal.  Well, that holds true with the dining room itself, too. When it comes to feasting there’s nothing more inviting than a cozy, charming ambiance in the dining area.  I think we all agree that dining is much more pleasant, much more enjoyable…..and becomes more of an experience in a “super cool” space!

A cool dining space creates the proper “mood” or vibe and sets the pace for the evening.  It should make our guests feel warm and welcome, ready for a nice, long evening of good food, good conversation and good fun. This casual space has a warm ambiance with its cobblestone floors, stone wall, chunky wood table, etc.  Doesn’t the thought of a nice dinner here seem appealing?

Or for the more formal – how about this?  Sort of a grandiose, opulent entrance and overall ambiance.  But, warm, intriguing and inviting just the same.  (I’d like a dining room like this and a kitchen like the one above!)

You can see this amazing space sets a different tone….

As does this…..

This….

Or even this.  Unusual, but fun!  Maybe not so comfy for us “older folks”!  I’m afraid my knees might get stuck permanently and I might never get back up!  But, it’s a cool look for the young and flexible just the same.

And, for another kitchen/dining space how fun is this?  What a happy place to sit with a glass of wine, friends, family and great food.

Now that’s an experience!

Happy Decorating!

It’s always fun to come up with a really creative table to help set the stage for a nice dinner party.  Ambiance is everything (well, and good food doesn’t hurt either!) – and aside from lighting and the overall look and feel of the space itself – the place setting is a huge factor in setting the tone for the evening.  Here are some fun ways to bring interest and personality to yours. 

  Notice the layering effect here on this place setting?  And, the fun silverware?  Creates interest right away and welcomes the guest to come, join, sit….Just a way of making them feel a little special……and a way to make dining more of an “experience” than just a meal.

This place setting combines color, pattern and texture.  I love this stripe with the pattern and again with the solid.  And, why not add a covered bowl to the top of the place setting for a bit of intrigue and surprise…..

It’s a little unexpected and fun.

Look closely here and you’ll see several elements that make this table fun.  The layering of colors and textures…..

The whimsical mixing of patterns.  Notice the stemmed water glass, the striped mug and the patterned bowls here.  Nothing boring and stuffy about this!  And, hang a gander at the incredible charger…..love it.  Talk about texture and interest!

Switching gears to the traditional – here you see they’ve also layered different plates and patterns, added a colorful placemat, a vibrant napkin with a fresh and festive napkin ring.   Simple, but refreshing and inviting.

The same holds true in the green….

And again in this yellow.  Great for an Easter spread..right?

You can see this tan and red look wonderful together on this tan cloth with this fun patterned napkin…..

And takes on a whole new personality when using a white placemat and napkin.  See all the different personalities with these three place settings sitting side by side?

Lots of fun!  Create your own unique personality for your table.  Just remember…..bring in layers of color, patterns and textures and you’ll have yourself a warm inviting display for your next dinner party.

Happy Decorating!