PAINT & PEACOCK

My home design office has been a bit of a nightmare since moving. I'm now working on organizing the interior of the office, and figuring out what color I want to "work with" on the walls. Picking a color for a design office, is a huge task.

Out of all the colors I research each week, what color do I really want to stare at each day, from my desk? I prefer a stark white design office , but it just doesn't work in this house for many reasons. So, instead of disliking my creamy white trim (came with the house), I decided to embrace it.

I had to have some color in my office though.
My inspiration for the wall color came from different areas: my favorite colors, the main fabric going into the room & a wild peacock
I hear just outside the office window each day.

Now, when I was thinking of a stark white trim, I had envisioned a rich deep blue wall with one of these fabrics as an accent:IMAN'S IKAT

TRINA TURKS' PEACOCK

But both of those options look great with a stark white trim, not a cream trim. So, I had to find something that works with a cream trim and coordinates with the rest of the decor going on elsewhere in my house. I had to tone it down a bit.



Kravet's Ikat linen fabric is a rich blend of mochas, teals, kelly green and cream. (Actually looks better in person, than this image.)

I decided to upholster some chairs with this fabric and bring them into the office.
I had two sweet old French chairs, once loved in leopard , and decided to give them an extreme makeover with the Kravet fabric.
I ordered 2 antique French burlap sacks. I wanted these on the backs of the chairs since it's not comfy fabric. But the texture would be a great accent.
Before heading to the upholsterer, the chairs were painted Navajo White and aged with a tea stain glaze.


They came home one day with their new reveal:



I decided to try a bunch of coordinating colors for my design office because I have a beveled ceiling and might add a contrasting color there, or on the door trim.


Up with the samples:

On the dark colored wall I'll add curtains with a pop of a light fabric , such as one of these:

I'll add more texture to the room with grass woven shades, behind the curtains:
So, which colors did I choose? I'll give you a hint. One of them is inspired by my neighbor's wild peacock. Stay tuned and I'll let you know soon.



Oh, and did you notice my personal fan deck? This is a great way to store colors for future reference. Drill a hole at the end of paint stir sticks, then attach with either a zip tie or a burlap string. Paint each sample color on the end, write the paint name and or paint number, for ez reference later.

Do you have a home office? What color did you choose for your office, and what was your inspiration?

Let me know, would love to know how you color your world.



All the best,

A Taste of Something New

It's surprising to see how my decor taste have changed over the years. Unfortunately I don't have a magic wand to replace everything when that happens, so I have to work on one room at a time.
My family room is definitely on my list to revamp, it currently looks like this:

The sofa was a custom piece and I learned a hard lesson on that purchase, do not buy an investment piece of furniture that's not a neutral.  Since, the sofa is an eight way hand tied piece, I want to keep the sofa but I'm going to have to slipcover it so that it can work with my new decor.  (Full disclosure, I can't claim the swag nor the blinds, those were hand me downs from the last owners.)

 I think a paint job, removing the armoire, drapes, vertical blinds and adding some new accent furniture will give me the look I want.  After all the changes I hope to have a family room that feels as airy as the one below.

photo credit: Lonny

Do you have a piece of furniture that you purchased a while back, that you wouldn't buy today?

Loving this Light

I was browsing the aisles of Lowes (actually I was looking for water heaters) when I saw this fabulous light and of course I gasped (yup I'm a nerd like that).

 Gosh isn't it fantastic?.  It would perfect hanging over an island and since I'm always looking for a bargain, the price is spot on.  You can own this light for only $119, isn't that a great deal.  Loving Lowes! 

Bathroom Mood Board I

I'm knee deep in bathroom research and loving it. The choices available are so varied and plentiful and I know it's going to take a while for me to make a final decision however I created a mood board as a jumping off point.  I'm going for a timeless design since I'm never doing this again. :-)

 

1. The Santiago Glass and Stone Mix Mosaic ($15 sq. ft) & Calacata Gold Porcelain Tile ($4 sq ft) from Floor and Depot Outlets is a great combo.  The porcelain tile looks so much like marble and it's a really good buy.
2. This fabric from Tonic Living is great for shower curtain or a custom roman blinds and at $10 a yd it's a steal.
3. I love lighting and this crystal pendant delivers from Overstock with a price of only $163.
4. Who does love a great looking mirror?  This pearl beaded mirror priced at $135 will bring a sophiscated feeling to the bathroom.
5. This bathroom vanity light has a Restoration hardware vibe to it but it cost only $84.
6. Charcoal paint from Restoration Hardware is a nice neutral color.
7. Last but definitely not least this Double-basin Marble Vanity  is a traditional classic vanity that will outlast all the trends and comes from my favorite site O.co  for $1009 and the shipping cost is peanuts.

Luxe For Less - Saddle Seat Bar Stool

I love a good bargain and I have a great one for you.  If you looking for a tried and true barstool, a saddle seat barstool, can be used in many different styles of decorating.  Pottery Barn has one for $99 - $119 but for an even better deal, Target delivers with a price of $45.  That's a savings of over 55%.  Happy Shopping!

Pottery Barn Tibetan Barstool - $99 - $119

 

Target Saddle Seat Stool - $44.99

Bathroom Inspiration - The Tile Shop

*** Notice - Picture heavy post ***

I have a bathroom remodel in my future, due to the icky carpet installed in the kids bathroom by the previous owners. 
Imagine carpet in a bathroom used by teenagers, ewwww.  
The other day I wandered into The Tile Shop looking for inspiration and I found plenty so I thought I would share.

Here's some of the bathrooms in the showroom that spoke to me.

  Classic, traditional and beautiful, my kind of bathroom

Four different sizes of marble tiles were used to made this bathroom classically fabulous with a little edge!

 

Simple subway tiles along with a marble herringbone floor is a great combination of high and low materials.

Close up of the herringbone pattern, isn't it to die for?

A mixture of travertine tiles gives this bathroom an earthy natural look.

No words needed!

Even though this bathroom uses a lot of natural stone, it stills looks airy and ultra sophisticated.

Different slate tiles used  to make amazing patterns, I'm sure this pattern would also great using inexpensive ceramic tiles 

Classic and luxurious, can you spot which tile isn't natural stone?

Hint, it's the floor, the floor is a ceramic tile called "Carrara Gris', paired with natural stone, is another winner of mixing high and low.

Another classic bathroom

A great mix of glass and ceramic subway tiles

The mixture of natural tiles and ultra modern fixtures are a great combination.

Subway tiles look really expensive when paired with glass tiles and aren't those pendants chic?

Carrara marble makes this bathroom timeless.

 Isn't that mosaic tile on the floor fantastic?

Old world classic elegance

They also had amazing tiles for counter tops,  Look at the counter top above, doesn't it look great for tiles?  It's also very cost effective way of getting granite in your house, especially if you can install it yourself.

Are you inspired?

Happy Labor Day - Paint Sales

Labor Day is a great time to shop, most stores are having sales this weekend including the major hardware stores.  If you're looking for paint, it's a great time to buy, check out some the paint deals available this weekend.

Have a great weekend, Happy Shopping!