Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I know what you're thinking... "You're so vain. You probably think this song is about you!" I can't help it, I love mirrors. Not that I like standing around checking myself out, but I love what they can do for a room. Mirrors bounce light, open spaces, and give interest to everyday objects. Look what I found...

On The Wall
The obvious option is a mirror on the wall. However, find one that is interesting. Treat it like a piece of art, not just an accessory. 

Seguro Mirror from Crate & Barrel

I love the texture of this wood frame and the scale!

Rhona Round Gilt Mirrors from Pottery Barn

Love, LOVE these mirrors over a bed! Unexpected and a lovely touch. 

Sacha Mirror from Ballard Designs

This is shown with 4 individual pieces grouped to make one fabulous statement. This is sure to bounce light around your room without being an overly obvious use of mirrors.

Still on the Wall, but as a Window

In small or darker spaces, sometimes you wish you could just add a window. By adding a mirror that LOOKS like a window, you can give the illusion of space, light, and interest. 

Eagan Multipanel Large Mirror from Pottery Barn

I love the scale and paneled look to this grand mirror. Great for any space, but I love how they show it in a dining room!

Grand Chateau Window Mirror from Ballard Designs

This mirror gives a beautiful look to any space. The arched top creates interest in this simple and classic style. 

Parsons Floor Mirror - Bone Inlay from West Elm

Not only is the frame wonderfully interesting, but leaning a large mirror like this on the floor can create the illusion of a large window or doorway. 

The Accessories 

Mirrors aren't just for the walls. Using mirror on accessories, lamps, and furniture can create visual interest and give you a wonderful conversation piece. 

 Faceted Mirror Side Table from West Elm

LOVE this piece! Classic to contemporary, this piece can be used anywhere!

Mitzie Mirrored Jewelry Box from Crate & Barrel

Boxes are a great accessory in any room. Pair this mirrored box with a larger wood or painted box. 

Mirrored Candle Sconce from Pottery Barn

This small accessory will have a big impact. The sections of mirror will play with candle light for a constantly changing piece of art. 

Abeille Side Table from Ballard Designs

This table uses the classic and timeless antiqued mirror to jazz up any seating area. LOVE!

See, being a little vain can make your home a little fun! :) Find yourself a spectacular mirror and get inspired!

Rewind!

Wow! To say that life gets away from you is an understatement! I have many excuses for not updating, none of them good, but for now we'll blame my two year old son since he can't read. ;) 

In case some of you haven't noticed, trends tend to recycle themselves. As younger generations come of age, furniture styles, fabric and paint colors can rewind and try round two with none the wiser. While our mothers say "I can't believe you like that! That reminds me of my mother/grandmothers house" some of us just can't help the "vintage chic" magnet drawing us in. 

I'm inspired this week by all the old made new. 
Revisited, renewed and redesigned!

Classic Rewind:
Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Dresser, c. 1950s (Furnish Me Vintage)

Revisited:

West Elm Mid Century Nightstand (West Elm)

Classic Rewind:

Louis XV Arm Chair, c. 18th century (Antique Royale)

Revisited: 

Stick Around Arm Chair (CB2)

Classic Rewind:

Gothic Quatrfoil Pattern, c. 19th century (Dallas Design District)

Revisited:

Gorthic Quatrefoil Mirror (Restoration Hardware) 

Classic Rewind:

Chesterfield Sofa, c. 1890 (Antique Swan)

Revisited:

Chesterfield Leather Sofa (Pottery Barn)

Everyone has their own ideas of what looks good, what should come back and what should stay gone (PLEASE don't bring back pink appliances!) :) it's fun to see what furniture designers decide what to reinvent. I love the idea of someone's original idea inspiring an entirely new generation all over again!

Until next week, go get inspired! 

Design Faux Pas?

We recently worked with a client helping her place her belongings in a new home. While hanging pictures, she stopped to ask if it was ok to have family pictures out. We stated, "Of course, it's your home, as long as they are placed well." She asked because several people had told her that this was a big no-no in NICE homes. 


This conversation took me a little by surprise. In the opinion of this blogger, the business of interior design is very subjective. There is no clear right or wrong, good or bad. There are times where even in our office we disagree about what we like. Even more often, we will flip through well known magazines and say "if we did that in a client's home we would be asked to leave!" All that to say, just because one person doesn't agree, does NOT mean that it is wrong or bad. It is YOUR home! YOU are the one who has to look at it everyday, not me! We can give suggestions of what we like and what we believe looks good, but in the end, it is up to you. I love the work that I do because it is always different, always changing, and there is always more than one way to do it! 


If you work with a designer, or have an opinionated friend, please don't forget that it's still your home. Suggestions are welcome, and sometimes taken, but there is no opinion more important than yours. Your home should be a reflection of you and your vision. Whether that is comfortable and family friendly or picture perfect and magazine quality. If someone is telling you otherwise, kindly remind them that you appreciate the advice, but you are happy with your home just the way it is.


I appreciate each one of my clients for who they are, their personalities, design-opinions, and their families. We try to have their homes reflect them, not us. While we may try to sway them away from an idea, we try very hard not to intimidate or imply that any idea is wrong. 


Flip through some magazines, surf the internet, walk through a store or tour some homes... there are lots of different ideas out there, and any one of them could inspire you! 


Until next week... Get inspired!! 

Play on Patterns

There will always be a wide selection of patterns to choose from. So, when selecting everything from bedding and pillows to shower curtains and artwork, these playful patterns are what's trending. Remember though: everything in moderation! No need to overdo it... ESPECIALLY with bold patterns!


Chevron
This classic pattern is updated with a larger scale and bold colors. 

West Elm, Organic Chevron Duvet Cover & Shams

West Elm, Zig Zag Floor Poof

West Elm, Zig Zag Rug

Botanics
Botanical patterns are classic and never go out of style! Love, love these uses!

Crate & Barrel, Fiona Outdoor Pillow

Lamps Plus, Uttermost Set of 9 Botanical Study Framed Wall Art

Crate & Barrel, Josie Pillow

Pottery Barn, Woodland Organic Duvet Cover and Shams

Ikat
I am loving this pattern! You can find it in almost any color combination right now. 

Pottery Barn, Ikat Outdoor Pillow

Lamps Plus, Ikat Print Linen Pillow

Crate & Barrel, Taza Pillow

West Elm, Ikat Links Rug

Stripes
ALWAYS one of my favorites! Stripes can make a bold statement or a subtle change.

Pottery Barn, Plaza Shower Curtain

West Elm, Stripe Favorite Throw 

West Elm, Seaside Vases Stripe 

West Elm, Stripe Shower Curtain - Citron

Trellis / Ironwork
This pattern works well with any design scheme and can give interest to any space. 

Crate & Barrel, Chloe Chair 

West Elm, Hand-Blocked Nile Quilt 

West Elm, Organic Ironwork Duvet Cover & Shams

So, get brave and have fun playing with patterns!
See you next week!

Clutter, Clutter EVERYWHERE

"Less is more."

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (architect)

I have been confronted lately with an incredible amount of clutter! It's everywhere! Everyone has it! However, I've learned that it's what you do with it that matters most. 

My in-laws have been motivated to clear out their clutter. It's amazing what you can find when someone has been in the same house for 30+ years! As we went through things, we selected the usual: keep, trash and donate. It is a wonderful feeling to give away things you don't need to someone else who might. And many of the "keeps" were passed on to very appreciative children. :)

On that note, it's amazing what you can do to "vintage" pieces to make them like new. I recently inherited an antique 3 drawer chest from my sister. Here is a "before" picture of the chest. 

After a little inspiration, elbow grease and some paint, here is my finished product! 

When it came to my own house, I had one particular black hole where junk went to get comfortable! I don't have a "before" picture, but I'll paint you a literary picture. It was a closet under our stairs, no light and piled with luggage, "important" mementos, and other necessary items. There was a tornado warning and so my son, Luke and I went to wait for a bit in our safe zone: the closet under the stairs. I realized very quickly that it can't be safe if you can't get in there! And there is nothing fun about keeping your adventurous son from climbing Mount Clutter! Motivated and inspired to clean out the closet and make something useful, I revisited my other mess...TOYS! My son has been given and inherited enough toys for 3 children! And it was all in my living room! THAT WAS IT! So, with a little help from family, we turned this space into a wonderful playroom for my son! It's just his size and he LOVES it!

And, of course, some photos of Luke and his friend enjoying the playroom! :)

Need a little help getting going? Here are some great resources on getting organized:

Real Simple

The Container Store

Get Organized! Blog (To be honest, I just picked this one because of the reference to Downton Abbey!) 

Now it's your turn! Get rid of the clutter! Reinvent a space that isn't working for you! Make that guest room an actual guest room again! :) Cleaning up and getting even a little more organized and clutter free can make you feel better about your space, and you home.

Inspiration

This week as I pondered what to write, I realized quickly that I had a bit of writer's block... uh oh! Then it hit me... I just needed a little inspiration. 

 Like everyone else, inspiration plays a large role in what we do. We pour over magazines when they come into the office, soaking in every image, every new light fixture and room arrangement. While we like to think that most of our ideas are original, we cannot deny that inspiration is very important to us. I love to find something new and try to incorporate it in someones' home. The feeling of showing a client a brand new way of doing something is exhilarating! "Check this out! It's the latest trend! Here's how we can make it work for you..." I love to see what other designers are doing and how they are taking old ideas, changing them and making them new! Even an old way of doing things , when represented in a pleasing way, can seem new! 

 Enough chit chat! Here are some photos that inspired me this week!

Elle Decor, filmmaker Michael Bay's bathroom

I love the shower and tub enclosed together!

House Beautiful, Family Room

I love the striking blue!

Pottery Barn, American Classic Bedroom

This one inspired me to do round mirrors over my bed instead of art! What a fun idea!

Hooker Furniture, Six Drawer Mirrored Front Chest

This is just a fun piece! I even like the rug and the chaise... I'd take the dog, too! :)

House Beautiful, Family Room

The neutral tones and the calm blues make a peaceful room. And look, there's my 3 mirrors again!

Hooker Furniture, L'Inspiration Script Chest

Well, it's right there in the name! Inspiration!

House Beautiful, Designer Bedroom

What's not to love?! Settee in the window, mirrored cabinets, clean and fresh colors... looks like a dream!

House Beautiful, Classic Library Design

Let's face it, if you're going to have a library THIS is THE library to have!! LOADS of books, tufted sofa and good lighting! I'm ready to curl up with a good book just looking at it!

Pottery Barn, Farmhouse Outdoor Space

Last, but not least, something that reminds me of home. Family gathered together around a big table with God as the decorator...perfection! 

 Be inspired this week!