The entryway needs updating

This is what it looked like a couple of years ago.

The bench serves as the entryway table. It was a purchase from Target online many years ago. I loved the inset tiles and still do.

 and the spindles.

Every so often, items get changed - seasonally and otherwise.

A piece from my blue-and-white collection.

I bought this vintage brass repousse magazine rack from Phat Dog on Etsy and love that it is aged - some discoloration and a few dings lends it character. Now it serves as the catchall for the mail that comes through the door. 

I also purchased this adorable basket on Etsy from Simply Objekts - I love woven baskets of any size - and this is little and perfect for car keys and house keys mostly. Occasionally I will keep my smaller measuring tape in it for when I am running out the door and just to have it more accessible.

By now you would have noticed my vibrant American Cheese wall color by Benjamin Moore. It is a bright and a really sunny color and really helps brighten up a space which does not get the most sunlight.

This color needs changing.

So I have been looking at paint colors, trying to decide in which direction to go.

The items that will be staying should be considered. The mirror above is a "maybe". My dad kindly painted it for me one year when my parents were visiting. I picked it up at a local consignment store over ten years ago. The frame used to be a bright gold but I was not keen on the gold-on-golden-yellow effect. I might have other plans for it and have something to replace it with if it is moved. The bench stays.

A few weeks ago I replaced the worn out, outdated, traditional patterned runner with something more contemporary.

This runner..in the background...

.....with this.

More things to share next week. Some ideas for new paint colors and other items I want to incorporate in the space.

Thank you for all who visited and left kind comments on my last post which was part of the One Room Challenge hosted at Calling It Home. If you missed the reveal of my daughter, Emily's room, click here. 

I will share the resources of items in this room soon.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often. 

How do you style your throw?

It is that time of year when those of us living in cooler climates are feeling the chill in the air and look to grab a throw or even a blanket while in the house to keep us warm. This is the purely utilitarian characteristic of a throw or blanket.

 

Throws are increasingly being used to add a little more texture, or color and pattern to a space.

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Rustic Living Room by Seattle Architects & Designers Bosworth Hoedemaker

 

 

 Throws help create a warm and inviting ambience in a space while adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. 

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Sometimes it is just that one pop of color that is needed to tie a space together; a throw will do that very easily.

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In some instances, it helps add texture, too.

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Eclectic Bedroom by London Interior Designers & Decorators Design-OD

 

On occasion, a color-blocking effect is in order and I love the ease of doing this.

Simple yet so effective!

Eclectic Bedroom by Huntington Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Domicile Interior Design

 

Here, the color-blocking effect makes a dramatic statement with the color contrast and lightens up the space with the gold throw. The tassels add the only visible texture in this corner.

Note how the throw has been slipped under the seat cushion.

Contemporary Bedroom by Other Metro Media & Bloggers Michelle Hinckley

 

Contemporary Living Room by Venice Interior Designers & Decorators Katerina Tana Design

 

Modern Living Room by Philadelphia Interior Designers & Decorators Caitlin Wilson

 

Modern Bedroom

 

The words creative and resourceful come to mind in the use of this plaid throw as a table cloth.

Traditional Hall by Other Metro Media & Bloggers Designs by Gollum

 

How about adding further warmth and comfort, a throw for each guest while they watch a movie. Who would want to leave!

Traditional Media Room by Atlanta Interior Designers & Decorators AjWDC, Aj Williams Design Company

 

 Bold pattern adds much interest to more neutral spaces. Here, the eye is immediately drawn to the throw on the couch.

Contemporary Living Room by Mill Valley Interior Designers & Decorators Jute Interior Design

 

Contemporary Living Room by Toronto Architects & Designers Jennifer Worts Design

 

Eclectic Living Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Soledad Alzaga

 

We love mixing patterns. This creates a layered look while adding an element of luxury. 

Traditional Bedroom by Sacramento Interior Designers & Decorators Kerrie L. Kelly

Instead of reupholstering furniture, one can creatively use a throw or two, neatly folded over and tucked under the seat cushion of an armchair. This could be done seasonally. It would certainly be more cost-effective.

Contemporary Living Room by Other Metro Architects & Designers Marcelo Brito & Pedro Potaris

 

This styling of chairs would no doubt make interesting conversation around any dining table.

Eclectic Living Room by Toronto Media & Bloggers The Marion House Book

 

 And wrapped neatly and tightly around a mattress.

 

  

So many ways to decorate with and style a throw while enjoying their inherent warmth. It is time to start using them all year through. Be creative!

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

 

One Room Challenge: Week 4 - Having fun with accessories

 It is already week 4 of the One Room Challenge linking party hosted by Linda at Calling It Home.

 

Today I am sharing with you some of the fun, quirky accessories for Emily's room which will be on her dresser or on or by her desk. Some will make organizing more fun. Accessorizing is an easy way to add pops of color, texture and whimsy to any space.

 

 

 

1. Dress form jewelry holder was a gift. For the dresser.

2. A recycled glass gold-colored container from the Salvation Army thrift store. For the desk.

3. Wall Pops Zinnia monthly calendar from Wall Sticker Outlet which I bought after the room was painted so the colors would coordinate. (Picture taken before school began. Now, the calendar has stuff written all over it).

4. Pretty decorative plate from Salvation Army thrift store. I liked the design and thought it could be used to hold little items. For the dresser.

5. Purple jewelry container from Urban Outfitters. For the dresser.

6. Fabric bird from Vintage Green Limited on Etsy purchased a few years ago. For the dresser.

7. Popcorn bowl (small, for single serving) from Salvation Army thrift store. For the desk.

8. Porcelain mask was a gift.

 

One more thing...

 

Remember this fine handcrafted paper-wrapped canvas from last week's post?

 

 

I want it to pop against the wall and was wondering what to add to it. Well, I am considering mounting the porcelain mask onto it. It might just work.

 



This will add further dimension to the wall, along with the floating shelves.

Let's see how it all turns out.

Go here to read up on last week's post.

And do go and check out the other participants in the challenge.

Two more weeks to go!

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

 

 

The Candelabra from west elm

One of my favorite pieces which I enjoyed very much this season is the Manzanita Candelabra from west elm. I had purchased it about a year ago; it's branches have been stunning on my dining table and subsequently on the coffee table. 

 

 

 

 

I had used it on its own without candles for the entire year. I had not purchased the mini taper candles at the time and later I could not find the right-sized candles anywhere. I displayed it as a sculptural centerpiece, adding a form of nature to my coffee table vignette. Clearly, this is a very organic piece.

 

 

(Picture from earlier this year).

 

This past December, west elm brought the mini tapers back in for the holidays and I was finally able to display the piece with all its nine candles. The candles take the candelabra to a different level altogether. They add further dimension and more height.

 

 

The Manzanita Candelabra continues to be a conversation starter and is something that can be used all year long. Perhaps some day I will consider lighting the candles but for now I am enjoying everything as is.

 

Happy New Year to All! I wish You and Yours a Happy, Healthy 2013 and I thank you for your continued support!

 

Linking up to

Wow Us Wednesdays on Savvy Southern Style

 

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

 

Please Note: I have not been compensated in any way by this company. The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely mine and are based on my experience with the company and on my purchase of products.

 

About My Coffee Table Books

While I work on styling the coffee table over the new rug in the living room, I thought I would share some of the books I am incorporating. Besides the various colors and titles and fonts that make such a vignette interesting, a collection of books says so much about the occupants of a home.

 

I love a collection of good books. I buy a book with the intent to read it. I also think about what my kids would be interested in and there are a couple that have been gifted to us.

 

Yes, my collection includes a few books relating to interior decorating and design (like below).

 

A History of Art was gifted to me by my Godmother when I was a teenager.

A favorite book to browse is always the Ethan Allen series.

 

 

And Susanna Salk's Be Your Own Decorator is a must for inspiration and in my opinion is for anybody who does not decorate by following "rules".

Another fascinating, inspirational and really spectacular book featuring global perspectives on design - I would love to share some of the pages with you in a different post - is The Way We Live by Stafford Cliff. It has been described as 'an ultimate treasury....' and that it truly is. My kind of book.

This next book was picked up by my husband on a business trip to China many years ago. It has stunning photographs of serene Guilin, one of the most picturesque regions in the area. I like to incorporate this book because of the turquoise and teal colors in it. The colors lend a tranquility to the coffee table vignette.

To mix up the subjects, I have incorporated a hardcover book on wine; Windows on The World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tend to play around with these books to see what works height-wise and also color-wise. I have removed the cover of A History of Art for now, as well as the one belonging to The Biblical World - An Illustrated Atlas. I love a good National Geographic book - it is always educational and has great pictures.

 

 

 

 

There are more books. I will probably switch them around every so often.

 

I have thought about covering them up in similar colored paper to achieve a more uniform look but perhaps another time.

 

Do you use a selection of books to decorate your rooms and enjoy them as much for their colors and titles?

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.