Monday Morning Happy!

Morning! How was your weekend? Did you enjoy one of the last full weekends of summer?

We had the most fabulous few days and it was all spent at home exploring the city! Sometimes it is the best to just stay in your own neighborhood...than again my neighborhood consists of many city blocks!

An example of what the buildings around my neighborhood look like! The architecture is always so inspiring to me!

Last night I watched The Emmy's and enjoyed every single moment, I must admit it was the best awards show I have viewed in recent memory. In my opinion Jimmy Fallon and Neil Patrick Harris should be the only 2 people to ever host an awards show, they are just hilarious! OK now back to the important part....the dresses. I was extremely happy to see so much Navy on the red carpet. Lately it has been the one color that is prominently on my mind. The ladies over on twitter completely agree and we had a great chat about it. Some want to pair it with coral, gold or crisp whites. I still love it classically with a camel color or punch it up with a deep purple!
Below are 2 fantastic examples and 2 perfectly different shades.

Another reason I am ecstatic over Navy was the fact that I picked up this $20 table on Saturday and plan to paint it a high gloss navy. Vog thinks I am nuts but I already see it, with the sweet curved top and turned legs, it's literally going to pop! Plus it will be the perfect addition to my navy and aqua colored bedroom...which now I am contemplating fall and turning it into a navy and camel colored room with purple accents!

Oh $20 bedside table, I will love you even more when you are Navy!

So that was a little recap of my weekend! I hope you all had fun too!
Enjoy the new week,
jul

(images from photographer Frazer Harrison & People.com)

Color Time - Ben + West Elm

Welcome to this weeks "Color Time"! When I received the latest West Elm in the mail I knew something looked different. This season there is a stronger focus on "custom" and decorating the entire room from ceiling to floor. If you have not received your catalog yet pop over to their website you will see the difference with more fabric options and a broader selection of bedding. What I am truly EXCITED about is their partnership with Benjamin Moore and pairing paint colors that work seamlessly with their finishes! Many times when I select a paint color for a client it helps to show them that color in an actual room setting and well West Elm has just assisted me with this task! Below are a few fabulous and might I say even trendy examples!

Looking for the perfect green that has a tinge of blue to it? This could be your solution!

We all know black walls are all the rage right now but if you don't want it so dark? Try "Almost Black" it has enough gray to make it bright!

Do you like this idea of furniture companies pairing with paint companies? Is it helpful for you?


**Note: As you can see above the paint chip sample online looks different than what is in the actual room photo. When choosing paint for your own home never go by what you see online, the color will always be a tad different. I suggest picking up a small paint sample at the store and paint a color swatch in the actual room, than you will never be disappointed!

(images from West Elm)

A Cheery Color Palette Maximizes A Small Condo

Do you want to know what my weakness is at the grocery store? It's not the ice cream or sweet pastry treats its the stack of magazines at the check out line that lure me to indulge! They get me every time! So when I chose the longest line possible just to have more time to peruse I was reminded of Renovation Style and immediately threw it in my cart! As soon as I arrived home I jumped on their website and found this sweet albeit very small condo in MN! It was such a cheery space and a great example how to maximize a smaller floorplan I knew I had to share it with you all!

The bright patterned wallpaper adds such happiness to a narrow hallway. I like how they chose a black piece of furniture and wood finished mirror it's a great way to ground the space!

My favorite small space furniture is nesting tables and they are used perfectly here! Look at that ottoman, such sweet legs! Though I might be on the hunt to replicate the chair fabric, it's fantastic!

Check out the homeowners use of the window ledge. Every inch is maximized in this room. Instead of installing recessed lighting the owner gets creative with lighting above each built in bookcase!

The kitchen is perfectly chipper with it's white and blue scheme. Pop over to the website for before photos and how by just raising the cabinets a bit, created the feeling of a larger area!

This rug is FABULOUS!! I love how it works perfectly with the chair fabric in the living room. The bench is a wonderful addition to this nook as it creates more interest than just adding another 2 chairs! Did you spot the chandelier and how it is updated with a few round bulbs? I like that look!

So what do you say, could you live in this small space?

(images from Remodeling Center.com)

Monday Morning Happy!

Morning! How are you? I am back from a few days off and feel completely rejuvenated! As much as I am a city girl, I am also a beach girl so even a little time by the water can be so inspiring! It's a rainy Monday morning here in Boston which has added to my lazy start to the work week than I saw this room by Steven Gambrel and I slowed down even more!

I daydream of gathering my blogging & twitter friends to stop over for tea and brunch treats. We would sit in these gorgeous wide benches around the rustic table and have a good chat. All while admiring the fabulous BLACK subway tiles (hello lovely) with the garden breeze coming in from the opened patio doors! Care to join me?

Enjoy your new week!
jul

(image from Canadian House and Home)

Soaking Up the Summer Sun

Sun Kissed, Beach Kissed, Summer Kissed that is exactly what I am craving right now so I am going to take the rest of the week off and meet my guys down at the beach! They have been away all week and I am missing them to pieces! So I am leaving work behind for a few days and taking some summer time for myself! Hope a you have a little Summer Sun time for yourself this weekend!

I will see you back here on Monday!

(image from Coastal Living)

The Year Round Summer Bedroom

Every year in the middle of August I tend to get a little antsy wanting to spend every free second outdoors knowing summer is nearing its end. What if we brought all that summer goodness inside to enjoy year round? The soothing colors, the bright airy feeling, the uncluttered spaces it would be just wonderful to carry that feel through the year! Below are a few examples of bedrooms which would feel like summer even in the dead of winter!

(images from Coastal Living and House Beautiful)

Home Typography Tuesday Via Ballard Design

Oh my goodness, have you all seen the new Ballard Designs Catalog? It is rare I actually sit down the day I receive a catalog in the mail but when this pretty pink covered one arrived something told me to stop and take a look. As we know a big trend for this season is typography and Ballard Designs shows it in full force. I am in love with all the pieces but here are a few of my favorites!

This Document Brown Fabric created from vintage documents can be ordered by the yard and used on upholstery and lamp shades!

Paris Places Print - The oversized (72h x 36w) canvas print lists Paris train stations and could work in many room styles!

Le Poeme Rug has been a piece I have adored for a while now. Pop on over to the website to read the life meaning behind this gorgeous accent. It is also available with a soft denim blue font!

If you are looking to add just a small dose of typography take a peek at all the Ballard Design Pillows especially these fun Hollywood options!

As if you took it direct from the dictionary this giclee print will jazz up any laundry room. They also offer ART, COFFEE and my favorite SUGAR!

Could you see yourself using any of these pieces in your own home? Did you enjoy the new Ballard Designs Catalog as much as I did?

(images from Ballard Designs)

Color Time - Benjamin Moore Showtime

It's color time again and today we are exploring a gorgeous yellow in the foyer. I would say this "Showtime" by Benjamin Moore would be a truly welcoming color for any home! It is warm & rich but still sunny & bright! This yellow tone is what I would refer to as a "Tuscan" feeling yellow as it has a bit of an orange undertone.

**Note: As you can see above the paint chip sample online looks different than what is in the actual room photo. When choosing paint for your own home never go by what you see online, the color will always be a tad different. I suggest picking up a small paint sample at the store and paint a color swatch in the actual room, than you will never be disappointed!

(Image from House Beautiful)

Guest Blogging over at Imagine

OK so it might be a weee bit early to start drinking but Jami over at Imagine has asked me to bartend for her Wednesday Warm Up Series! How sweet, right? If you want to know what my cocktail of choice is once it hits 5:00 PM pop on over to her blog and see for yourself!
Hint: This drink has a very sentimental meaning to me...

Thanks Jami for asking me to participate! Cheers!

Thank You Kelley Moore!

Today is an fabulous day for this CreateGirl as I am so honored to be a guest over at Kelley Moore's blog.

Kelley is such an inspiration to me! Her generous way of designing and her overall enthusiasm (not to mention like me she talks with her hands!!) for each project she works on is just contagious. She IS the quintessential Lifestyle Expert. She has here hand in event planning, interior design and all projects that just make life more beautiful! Not only does Kelley pen a great blog but you can also find her over at Rachel Ray, MSN Lifestyle "Welcome Home" and if you are lucky enough to be in Seattle, you will see her on the local station there! Please pop on over to her blog, watch one of her fun videos and say hello!

Thanks again Kelley for asking me to be a part of the Ramblings series!

(images from Kelley Moore)

Home Typography Tuesday

This "Home Type Tuesday" is a calming space for all those summer guests you might be having. In Boston we have many homes with exposed brick or jarring concrete walls, it looks as though this designer took a few gallons of white and covered them all! I have to say I like the look and even love the white on white lettering, it makes a great impact without hitting you over the head with type! Invite me, I would be happy to be a guest in this room!

This photo is perfect for Ms. Amy as she is covering her cottage house floors in a glossy white! Check out her progress here!

(image from Desire to Inspire & photographer Jason Loucas)

Monday Morning Happy

Morning All!
How was your weekend? Hopefully you had time to relax and nurture your creativity.

My weekend was fantastic a nice mix of work and fun. If you follow me over on twitter you know I was just hired by a wonderful couple to work on their new beach cottage. I am so excited because my inspiration folder is overflowing with cottage ideas! The space is filled with lots of warm knotty pine wood which the homeowner loves and not one stick of furniture. We are working on a very tight deadline so most of the items I am scouting for are stocked items! As the days go by I will keep you all in the loop of what I find!

As if a new client is not enough to jump up and down about I won a blog contest! Yes me the girl who never has luck with even a Bingo game! The very sweet Lakeitha of the blog "Home to Three Duncan Boys" ran a contest to win a Canadian House and Home online magazine subscription. Anyone who really knows me can tell you my favorite gift in the world is a magazine subscription (it keeps giving for an entire year!!) so this was just perfect! Thanks Lakeitha, you made my Monday!

Another very special occasion was my Dad and Brothers Birthday on Saturday. Not only do they share the exact same name, they share the same birthday...just a few years apart! We all enjoyed a rip roaring dinner full of great stories, laughs and yummy food! What a weekend!

Enjoy the new week
Jul

(images from Jace Interiors and Home to Three Duncan Boys)

Home Typography Tuesday

This has been one of my favorite Domino photos for as long as I can remember our beloved Domino Magazine! Yes it might not be a typical Home Type Tuesday photo but I love my numbers just the same! Check out the details back at this post here!

(image from Domino Magazine)

Pale Rose the new interiors color trend for 2010?

As so many of us interior folks know, fashion trends tend to be a sneak peek into interior trends. So when I opened the pre fall J.Crew catalog and saw all the "Dusty Rose" filling the pages I knew we might be on to something! The color is a more modern take on the mauve we knew from the 80's and mixed with a deep olive, it leads to a color trend for the upcoming year! I have pulled just a few images from around the web to give you an idea of what's to come!

"Weathered Wood" colored silk blazer

A soft pale rose chaise lounge

"Rose Dust" Shoes and pink paisley top

A suede pink armoire and throw is the perfect way to add this new color

What do you think? Would you use this color in your home or just stick with a few pieces for your closet?

(images from J.Crew & House Beautiful)

Monday Morning Happy

Morning All! I am back after slow blogging last week! It was a week filled with client presentations and an awful sinus cold that made my eyes feel like they were rolling out of my head! What are you looking forward to this week? I am looking forward to a beach day with my boyfriends family! Here's hoping the weather stays perfect!

Enjoy the new week
jul

(image from Coastal Homes Magazine)