Lessons from Pinterest – Master Bedroom

In reviewing my Pinterest bedroom board for inspiration for our new master bedroom, a clear design formula slapped me across the face emerged:

Cloud-like wall color +
Neutral window panels with woven shades +
White bed linens +
Gourd lamps +
Art or mirror above the bed +
Symmetry +
Mix of finishes and textures
 

Some of these images, I even pinned multiple times.  Wow, am I really that predictable?!  I obviously have my marching orders.  Stay tuned!

{All images from Pinterest}

{mini} Buy This, Not That!

Anyone remember these posts?  I have been coveting this duvet from Serena & Lily for some time and just saw a great knock-off for more than $120 less….

LOVE THIS?

{Catalina Duvet Cover, Serena & Lily, $230 for F/Q}

BUY THIS!

{Tangled Up in Blue Duvet Cover, Land of Nod, $109 for F/Q}

P.S. Have you seen all the awesomeness at Land of Nod lately?  I love that most of it is easily translatable to adult living but at kid prices….

{Eden Table Lamp}

{Wish My Lucky Four Leaf Mirror}

{Confetti Duvet Cover and Sheet Set}

{The Vines Have it Storage}

 

Flatscreen Fix

So, I admit it.  I have a television displayed prominently in my bedroom.  {collective GASP!}  I am not ashamed to say that I love retiring to the bedroom, getting under my fluffy duvet and watching some television before going to sleep.  Or having little girl come join us in bed for cartoons on the weekend.  For a while now, I have been admiring images of how to “style” a flatscreen television.

Many months ago, I fell in love with this image over at Sarah’s Fab Day (original source: Style at Home)….

And the oh-so-talented Emily A. Clark recently created a gallery wall behind her family room flatscreen….

So, since doing my “custom” DIY rollerblinds (and admiring their awesomeness!), I have been looking directly at this blank wall:

I wanted to create some visual interest on the cheap.  I didn’t really want to purchase any new frames or wall art.  So, I decided to go into the storage closet and pull out all of my old picture frames that I really didn’t love anymore (love the pictures, hate the frames!).

Because there was no uniformity among the frames, I thought to pull out the pictures and the backing and spray paint the frames black to create uniformity.

But, once I saw the frames laid out though, I liked the visual interest that the different colors and textures provided, so I decided not to spray paint the frames.  The uniformity would be created by the wall color behind each frame.  I centered the dresser on the wall, got some little nails and started hanging.  And voila!

I really like the way it turned out, and I love that it was FREE and ZERO COMMITMENT!  I can easily take down the frames and do something else if I get tired of it.

What do you think?  Do you have the same problem?  Any other creative fixes out there?

P.S. Thank you for being patient with my CRAPTASTIC camera and iPhone pictures.  Hopefully Santa will get the hint and bring me a real camera at the end of December!

A Cozy Cape

I am loving the new spreads in Veranda magazine since Dara Caponigro (of Domino fame) took the helm as the mag’s Editor-in-Chief.  Dara and her team hit it outta the park with this pictorial on an amazing cottage renovation on Cape Cod. 

{I love the double decker porches and the natural landscape.  I spy an outdoor shower too!}

{Ok, you all know me, I am a sucker for flags as art, and especially at the beach.}

{IMHO, this is a little too Pottery-Barn beachy-matchy, but I included the picture because I love the color of the walls and the contrast with the crisp white wainscoting below.}

{The owner/designer used local beach stones on the fireplace.  Loves!  Also, the use of driftwood as the mantel was brilliant.}

{Great casual eating area.  A great example of how wood finishes don’t have to match to look fab (e.g., white table with natural chairs).}

{I like the simplicity of this bedroom.  The built-ins are drool-worthy and I am coveting the Schoolhouse Electric pendant and Dash and Albert rug.}

{Doesn’t your laundry room look like this?  Matching monogrammed Bean totes and all?}

Images courtesy of Veranda, click here to see the whole story;
Designed by Meredith Hutchison; Photos by Tria Giovan.

Wish Me Luck

I am trying to cover and transform these black-out roller blinds in the two dormer windows of my master bedroom this morning.  I decided to go with the green fabric.  Stay tuned for after successful after shots — hopefully!

Are you there world? It’s me Spark!

Hi Y’all,

I have been unplugged for two weeks.  I took a week of vacation and then another week of blog-cation.  It felt really nice to rest and rejuvenate….

Cleanse my cluttered mind….

Reflect on where I am and where I want to be….

Gain some perspective and inspiration….

Indulge in some whimsy with the littles in my world….

And focus on what’s ahead of me and around my next corner.

And now I’m back and fully re-charged. 

I am ready to celebrate the end of summer, and welcome cooler temps, back to school, pumpkin picking, turtlenecks, hearty soups and my Frye boots. 

Oh, and I love and value my loyal readers more than ever!  Thanks for indulging my much-needed sojourn.

{All images designed by the fabulous Sarah Richardson, courtesy of Decor*Pad}

 

Project Big Girl Room: Update and Sneak Peeks

I have had my nose to the grindstone trying to finish Project Big Girl Room!  I have a few accessories to fill-in, and projects to complete, but here is a little peek at how my 3 year old’s nursery-turned-big-girl-room is shaping up:

{View of the new big girl bed!}

{Window Panels with a Glittery Butterfly Garland.}

{Top of Bookshelf with Print from The Love Shop.}

So, next I am going to work on the wall art — I am thinking about framing pages out of children’s books about Paris to match the “Paris toile” bedding.  Maybe Madeline or something along those lines.  I am also working on some fun throw pillows and monogrammed lamp shades.  Oh, and I am still hoping to complete a closet-turned-secret-room too.

What do you think??  Stay tuned for the big reveal!

Modern Richmond Penthouse

It’s not often in Richmond, Virginia, that I peruse the real estate offerings and see a truly modern aesthetic.  Usually the decor includes a combination of overblown bright blue toile, waaaay too many country accents and civil war muskets used by the resident’s great-grand-daddy.  Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Richmond, but the home decor in this city could use an update!

So, imagine my surprise when I came across this gorgeously modern penthouse at Rocketts Landing overlooking the James River and Richmond’s skyline:

{I love this clean, all-white Master Bedroom, especially the white floor-to-ceiling curtains and the all-lucite table lamps.}

{I like the simplicity of this dining room, especially the lines of the table and chairs}

{The perfect modern kitchen — fabulous Bertoia bar stools and Elsa Peretti-esque light fixtures!}

{Now THAT’S a man cave!!  I love the Greek Key rug and the mod light fixture.}

{Two story view of the gorgeous James River and the scenic Richmond skyline.}

{Rooftop Deck.  Yes please!}

And this can all be yours for a cool $1.5M!  For more pictures, click here.

{All pictures courtesy of Lynn Pritchard, Joyner Fine Properties}

Runway to Rooms

It’s been a long while since I have done a “Runway to Rooms” post.  I have been coveting these amazing Suzani-inspired Lilly Pulitzer sun dresses all summer, and a beautiful room to match would be the best accessory!

RUNWAY….

TO ROOM.

 

RUNWAY….

TO ROOM.

(Photo Information: 1 & 3) Lilly Pulitzer Bowen Dress, $268 in Island Coral and Bright Navy, 2) Southern Accents via Apartment Therapy, Photo by Pieter Estersohn, Design by Amelia Handegan, 4) House Beautiful, Photo by Reed Davis, Design by Moises Esquenazi.)

 

The One Room Challenge, Part II

Last week, I posted the one room that summed up my style in response to Ally’s “What’s Your Style in One Room?” challenge.

As I mentioned, it was SO HARD to choose one room and as promised, here are my many runner-ups:

{I love the white bedding, pops of orange and lots of natural light.}

{Again, more white, pops of color (this time turquoise) and lots of light!}

{Gorgeous white washed floors and lots of different textures.}

{Hmm, I am sensing a pattern, white bedding, pop of color and lots of light!}

{Am I that predictable?}

{Apparently so.}

{Oh jeez, this is getting embarrassing.}

{Like, really embarrassing.}

But seriously, these rooms are my drug of choice.  Perfection!

And here are a few of my faves from the other participants in the challenge:

{Ally’s fave from the challenge in summer 2009}

{Image chosen by  Decor Happy, credit: Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles}

{Image Chosen by Lillies of the Field, credit: Jon Jensen Photography via Black*Eiffel}

{Image Chosen by My Dream Canvas, credit: Traditional Home}

Wasn’t this fun?  Thanks again to Ally at From the Right Bank for this challenge!

Image credits: 1. House Beautiful, 2. My Home Ideas, 3. Ohdeedoh, 4. Live Like You, 5. With Two Cats via A Few of My Favorite Things, 6. Southern Living, 7. House Beautiful, 8. Southern Living, 9. Can’t find source!}