Desks as Nightstands

The best part about moving is getting a new space to decorate. If there was an even better part, it would be going out and buying a bunch of new stuff. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.  My brain is swirling with ideas of where I might put some of my existing furniture pieces. This is a little bit tricky since I haven't seen our new home in person. I am most likely way off on the spacing and size of every room, since I'm totally guessing. 

I have LOVED my Parson's Mini Desk. It fit perfectly in my little nook in our bedroom...in this house. Chances are, we're not going to have that same little nook in the new place. I definitely still love the piece, and I want to incorporate it, so I think I am going to put it next to our bed. I won't use it as a desk again, but rather as a nightstand. Hopefully, it will be perfect. My back up plan is to use it in Stella's room in between two twin beds, which would for sure be super cute. Of course I would have to buy another headboard, bed, and bedding, so let's hope that plan A works! Or, maybe I don't want it to work. Hmmm...and the swirling of the brain continues...

image from Melanie Turner Interiors via 2013 Atlanta Designer Showhouse

image from Lonny

image from Alice Lane Blog

My Top 3 Design Tips

You know how you sometimes hear that there are no rules in design--that you should just do what you like? Well, it's kind of not true. There are rules, it's just that you're not going to get in trouble if you break them (unless you are in my family, then you'll definitely get in trouble). If you follow these "rules", your house, your eyes, and myself will thank you. Most design "rules" are all about scale and space and have nothing to do with style or taste. It's all about taking your home to the next level, which we all want to do, right?  Here are my top three design tips:

1| Rethink Furniture Placement: Try floating your furniture instead of pushing it up against the walls. This creates a more intimate setting and puts you in control of your room layout. Even in a small room, where the size is conducive to  creating an appropriately sized conversation area, pull your furniture slightly away from the walls and/or (especially) windows. Remember, the whole purpose behind your furniture layout is to create a comfortable gathering area.

image from Caldwell Flake

2| Buy Long(er) Curtains: The length of your curtains is SO important! Unfortunately, most "off the rack" curtains are 84 inches. I hate to break it to you, but 84 inches is never long enough. How curtains hang on the floor depends on fabric, style, and preference. But, how HIGH the curtains hang should always be well above the window. Additionally, curtains should always flank the windows as much as possible. The illustration below does a perfect job of showing what a HUGE difference curtain placement makes. Let the light in and maximize the height of your rooms!

image from Me Oh My

image from Real Simple

3| Use the Right Size Rug: There's not just one rug size that works for every room, just make sure your rug is BIG enough. Using a rug that is too small can make the room look closed in and make the scale all wrong. Ideally, the rug is either big enough for all of your furniture to fit on (which can be super pricey), or the outside perimeter of the rug follows closely to the inside perimeter of your furniture. Remember, rugs should anchor the room. There you have it, my top three tips that will make a HUGE difference! Now, let's go buy new rugs, curtains, and, what the heck, new furniture!

image form Alice Lane

Linking up at 
The Dedicated House
Mom on Timeout
The Jenny Evolution

I'd Look Good in That

There is just something totally glamorous about a four poster bed. If I had to choose a new bed (I'm sure I'd really need some arm-twisting), I would definitely go with a four poster. In fact, I've wanted a four poster ever since I was little and fell in love with my neighbor Gayle's canopy bed. (Everything she had was THE coolest.)

I had a four poster bed when I was in high school. It's still at my mom's house. I talked my mom into letting me sell my entire bedroom set, and then I got a queen size four poster bed. I had no other furniture in the room. There wasn't enough space, but man, that bed was awesome! It was actually my third bed I had as a child--right after my daybed phase. Apparently I've always had this furniture buying, room changing sickness--unless it's normal for children ask for new furniture and wallpaper for Christmas. Every year. Starting at age six. 

image from Veranda Magazine

image from canopybed.com

image from Alice Lane

[kreyv of the day]

image from Alice Lane

Sticks & Stones AND a Winner!

One time I went into my mom's backyard and pulled some reddish sticks off of a bush and put them in a glass vase. I also took enough for myself, and let me tell you, I moved those babies with me across the country (at least to Wisconsin). That's how much I loved those sticks! That is also the day that I started making my family refer to me as being resourceful. Sometimes they still call me that, when they're trying to get on my good side, and it works. Every time.

I just love the look of sticks. It's a great way to bring nature into your home (minus the dirt, ticks, and other nasties), and it's an affordable way to make a big statement. My statement is enjoy the nature inside of my house, because this is as close as you will ever get me to camping.

image from Eldrids

image from Elle Decor

image from Nesting Place

image from Alice Lane

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for (not really, but play along anyway): The winner of the West Elm gift card is...

Heather said...

I also recommended your blog on my facebook page

February 27, 2011 9:36 AM

Congratulations, Heather!! Please email me with your information jamiejojoyal@hotmail.com.

Like Two Peas in a Pod

Do you ever start to worry that you want too many things? That's normal, right? It's okay to wish and admire and drool over things--so many beautiful things. It's okay to drool over a pair of accent chairs, though. They pretty much make the room (along with every other piece of furniture, art, accessory, rug, curtain...). Have a great weekend! Don't drool too much!

image from Monique Lhuiller

image from Alice Lane

image from Sarah Richardson

image from Base House

To. Die. For.

I recently stumbled upon this beauty on 6th Street Design School. I love it! Granted, we will never need a house this large (as if there are people who NEED houses this big), but it's so fun to look at and get ideas from. This house is actually for sale in Provo, Utah. If we only lived there...

The exterior: look at that wonderful symmetry, the tall entry, not overdone on the landscaping (I'm guessing). I'm also guessing there are mountains close. I think I may have seen this place.

Ahh, the entry. Where to start? The staircases, the ceiling, the doors, lights? You get it. I love everything. I love all of the visual interest without being overdone. And, who doesn't love that fabulous clock? I told you: TO. DIE. FOR.

Aerial views of the living room. Amazing. Notice that none of the walls are painted anything but hues of white. The entire pallet is very neutral (floors, rugs, furniture, walls, etc.), yet it is far from boring. In fact, you hardly notice.

Pictures of the family room. Still, a very neutral palate, very calming. I love all of the random but not random pieces in the room! It really makes me want to stay a while just to take it all in! Love it all! This room was done by Alice Lane. I always love their work. If we ever move to Utah, I am definitely stopping by their store--most likely more than once!

Tufted Headboards

I've been seeing a lot of tufted headboards lately, and I absolutely love them! They just say luxury, don't they? The headboards are just the right combination of traditional meets contemporary. IF I had a guest room, and IF I needed a bed for my guest room, I would choose one with a tufted headboard! Although, maybe that would make people stay too long. Perhaps I should rethink this! Here are some of my favorites:

image from My Home Ideas

image from The White Company

image from Vi.sualize.us

image from Alice Lane

image from Material Girls

What's My Style?

I guess if I had to choose a word to describe my design style, I would say it is transitional. Transitional style is somewhere between contemporary and traditional. I would say I lean more toward contemporary, but I like to add traditional pieces here and there. I enjoy mixing the two styles.

I love the contemporary elements in the above pictures--the clean lines of the Elle Decor sofa, the vases, and coral; the zebra rug, lamps, and coffee table from Alice Lane. I equally love the traditional elements like the accent chair and coffee table legs from Elle Decor. I absolutely love the sofa from Alice Lane with the nail-head edging and tufts.

I don't like matchy-matchy, and I like to mix textures and prints that are unexpected. I like a little personality in a room! My goal is to make my rooms look effortless, even though they're not! And lastly, I like my rooms to be unlike any other, to constantly evolve, and to make you say, I'd like to spend some time here!"

image from Elle Decor

image from Alice Lane Blog