Blog Page 306

Tips to get a “Modern Cottage” look

I love these tips from The Inglenook Decor on how to create a modern cottage.

1. Have a neutral back drop. Go for creams, white, beige, gray (like the one shown below), clay, sage & light browns.


2. Choose furniture pieces that are fuss-free. Go for clean lines & comfort. Make it livable & cozy like upholstered furniture whether it’s the sofa, dining chairs or a headboard.

3. Have white….lots of it! This picture says it all, white is not boring if you choose the right pieces.


4. Have at least one piece, a wall or a window with a bold pattern & color. Bright orange & greens seem to go real well with white.

5. Have a ledge display of your flea market finds.

6. Add ultra modern pieces in steel, aluminum, brushed nickel or chrome pieces. And last but not the least,keep it simple!

Pretty good tips huh?

The site also has lots of cute accessories to create looks such as “French Country,” “Modern Vintage,” “Rococo,” and “Shabby Chic.”



Love these tealights


These mercury bottles mix modern with rustic

If you want to see more visit The Inglenook Decor

Mini makeover for my home office

As some of you know I work from home – well, at my parent’s house – while I’m getting my web design business off the ground. Since I’m limited in how much I can alter the appearance of the room since the space and the furnishings belong to my parents, I focus on keeping it as organized and functional as possible. I was lucky enough to be contacted by the folks at Command products from 3M asking if I’d be willing to test out some of their adhesive hooks, picture hangers, and other goodies an organization junkie like me goes gaga for. Of course I agreed and below you can see how I completed two office projects.

On a side note, I was surprised when I found these chic metal hooks! White plastic doesn’t always fit into everyone’s decor, so they were smart to create these stylish options.


Okay. So the two projects I needed to do were to find some solution to the absolute mess of cords on my desk from my speakers, backup drive, and extra monitor, and to hang my inspiration board.

Below: My cords


The 3M Command problem solver, medium cord clips


First thing I did was bundle up any cord slack and secure them with white twisty ties. (Most of my cords are white so I chose white). Make sure you leave enough loose cord to reach the electronic or outlet it’s associated with.

Plan carefully and mark with a pencil if necessary where you’ll place the hook. Wipe down the surface of the wall or furniture with rubbing alcohol, and allow to dry, before applying the hook.
Another thing I never knew about the adhesives is that before hanging anything on them, let them set for an hour.

My results aren’t particularly pretty, but much more orderly. Now I need a table skirt to hide the cords!

The cord clips work great!

The next project was to hang my inspiration board. I decided to use these Damage Free Hanging Strips, which are similar to velcro – but much stronger. They have an adhesive side that go on the wall, and an adhesive side which stick to the frame.


I’ve wiped down the wall, marked where the board will go, and applied the hanging strips.


I then mounted and pressed the board to the wall. Unfortunately it fell about 30 mins later. In all fairness to the strips – I made a few mistakes that I’m sure affected the results. I didn’t really read the directions thoroughly, and didn’t press firmly for a full 30 seconds – completely forgot to wait an hour before hanging (I’m sure this was what did me in), and I didn’t apply the strips to the frame at all, but attached them to the strips on the wall. Also, this wall is actually has a plaster texture, so the surface wasn’t completely smooth.

Good news is, I used another hanging product –
I followed the directions to a T and it did the trick!

As a whole, I think these no-damage Command products are ideal for renters who don’t want to put holes in walls, or those who want the option to move things around without having to patch holes. Also – don’t make my mistake – read the directions! Also, save the packaging or go to the Command site for removal instructions.

See some pretty and practical inspiration at the Command site.

Disclosure: I received these Command 3M products as a sample

A Copenhagen factory turned into a work and live space

If I hear or see “Copenhagen,” I know I’ll probably like what I’m going to see. And that’s just the case with the studio of Jill and Caroline. They have created an industrial space balanced to be a bit feminine and whimsical by keeping walls white and furnishings sparse and small. What do you think?

A very utilitarian kitchen


workspace



the back of the building



A pretty spot.
via Indenfor & Udenfor

Stunning interior photography from Dan Duchars

I think these photos speak for themselves…

I love the color on the walls, but I don’t know if I’d ever have the guts to use it on a wall…maybe I’d test it out in a bathroom or hall…have you used a color this bold?

…soooo pretty




What do you think of these?

All photography property of Dan Duchars

Bedrooms that make you want to cozy down for autumn

I love autumn! The fresh smell of the air and chunky knit sweaters. It means airing out the quilts from storage and putting away the grill. The days are shorter and less daylight means more time indoors. So don’t neglect your home and start planning how you’ll transition your house this fall. One easy and relatively inexpensive way is to change out bedding and/or curtains. Hopefully these bedrooms will inspire you…



The autumn leaf red coverlet keeps the furniture from being absorbed in to the dark walls

images via “Domino: The Book of Decorating”

The dark wine walls and texture from the hopefully faux fur blanket say “warmth”
photo property of Dan Duchars

This mostly black bedroom is kept fresh with white linens and purple accent pillows
via Living Etc.

via Indenfor and Udenfor

unknown

Which one is your favorite?

Book Review: “Classic Swedish Interiors”

As my regular readers probably know, I’m a big fan of Swedish interiors. That’s why I was super excited by the opportunity to review the new book, “Classic Swedish Interiors,” by Lars Sjoberg. The poetic photos are by Ingalill Snitt.

I’m going to quote Amazon as they describe the book better than me –

“Lars Sjöberg has made it his life’s work to understand and preserve the Swedish manor houses of the 17th and 18th centuries. Here, exquisitely photographed by Ingalill Snitt, are the eight houses (and one church) that he has acquired over more than 40 years. The book focuses on Sjöberg’s first, most complex project: the manor of Regnaholm. Unoccupied for about 40 years when Sjöberg arrived in 1966, it allowed him to experiment with interior decoration and refurnishing, copying old furniture, reweaving, and reprinting old fabric patterns.

His other projects include Ekensberg, a three-story Italianate villa near Lake Mälaren, built in 1788-90, and Salaholm in Västergötland with a garden laid out in the first half of the 17th century. Odenslunda, a small manor from the 1770s with a panelled exterior and a säteritak or manor-house roof, is his family home, while Sörby, a scaled-down early 17th-century manor house, was reproduced in its entirety for an exhibition in Stockholm. Full of insight and inspiration, this is a deeply personal summary of everything Lars Sjöberg has learned in his years of working and living with classic Swedish interiors.” – via Amazon.com

Here are some of my favorite photos from the book –


One day I will have an antique Swedish grandfather clock!






Homeowner Basics

Hi guys. So I thought we might do a little Homeowners 101 post and get back to basics. So the great folks that are sponsoring this post have put together an article on the proper way to install a towel bar. Also find some yummy bathroom eye candy below.

Before installing a towel bar you should do a little pre-planning. Here
are some of the important points that you need to keep in mind-

• the towel bar should be placed in such a way, that all the family
members including the children could readily access it.

• make sure the towel bar is placed somewhere the towels won’t get wet

• keep in mind that if you install it behind the bathroom door, the bar might become damaged or, damage the door and the adjoining walls since repetitive opening and closing

The standard height at which the bar should be places is 48 inches or about 4 feet off the ground. This height is recommended especially when you have smaller children. Any higher and they won’t be able to reach the towel bar on their own. Any lower and the towel bar can get in the way
of mobility.

Read the instructions for the installation of the towel bar to install. Use a measuring tape and mark with a pencil the four points or the two points where the fasteners or the screws for the towel bar will be.

After that, hold the hand drill straight and make small holes for the screws. Now install the screws and the fasteners, securing them well.

Terrys Fabrics is online store where you will get range of quality products of ready made curtains and curtain fabrics to compliment with curtain poles and window blinds available at the best value for money.

I really like “regular” furniture in the bathroom – like the sideboard you see on the left.
via BHG

via Elle Decor

via Kitchen Details and Design




Above 4 via House Beautiful

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post

TIps for creating a superbly glamorous dressing room

Jane, a Decorology reader, wrote me asking for inspiration for a 9×9 room she wants to turn into a “fit for a star dressing room.” So I’ve done my best to compile some super glamorous dressing rooms. I’ve also found a few “glam dressing room” essentials and where to find them. Even if you don’t have a dressing room, I hope you enjoy this eye candy!

One of my favorite dressing rooms – the dressing room of JCrew Jenna Lyons as seen in Domino.
via Abigail Ahern

Another one I like -I guess I really like the windows with natural light, which is good for makeup.
via La Dolce Vita

I think the mornings would be easier to face with a beautiful wall of beautiful shoes.
via Qwikstep

via NestEgg

A dressing room is a great place to try out that bold wallpaper or paint color you’ve been eyeing as it’s a more private, smaller space.
via La Dolce Vita

A super eclectic dressing room.
via La Dolce Vita

I adore this shot – a perfect vision of glamour.
via Country Living

Another one of my faves.
via Architect Design

via Apartment Therapy


Here are some items I would use to create a starlet dressing room.

Top left: A staple of any glam interior – a chaise or settee. This one is from Montauk sofa.
Top right: Chandelier, like this one from Graham and Greene
Center: A tufted ottoman, this one is from Serena and Lily
Bottom left: A mirrored vanity is quintessential glam. This one is from Graham and Greene
Bottom right: A pretty little table like this one from Oomph Online

And the winner of the “Big-Ass Book of Home Decor” is…

Cathie! Congrats Cathie – who’s favorite place she’s been to is Hawaii. Check out Cathie’s blog full of great design, illustration, and food finds; as well as NYC lifestyle inspiration –Cathie U. Always Fresh

And the winner of the “Big-Ass Book of Home Decor” is…

Cathie! Congrats Cathie – who’s favorite place she’s been to is Hawaii. Check out Cathie’s blog full of great design, illustration, and food finds; as well as NYC lifestyle inspiration –Cathie U. Always Fresh