A Little Rustic Sunday, Dec 23 2012

I love where some designers are going with the rustic look these days.  Sometimes I think rustic can be kitschy and dark.  While I don’t mind an animal head mount every now and then (I have a few in my own home, thanks to the hubby), this look can look very manly and rough. But I feel there is a new wave of rustic. Many of the designs have beautiful exposed beams and lighter walls.  The neutral grays and tans are really lovely.  Here are some pictures that I find soften the look.  It looks more livable and bright than ever before.

The cream walls make this space so much brighter.  The light floors help as well.

The light wood makes it so warm despite all of the rock.

Designed By: Linda McDougald Design/ Postcard From Paris

Photographer: Rachael Boling Photography

The grays in this mountain kitchen give it that modern feeling.

Wow!  So much to talk about here!  Color, texture, shine…  The white cabinetry and backsplash keep this room from looking heavy and dark.  Beautiful!

Same with this open kitchen and living area.  If these cabinets had been stained, it would be way to brown.

I love the color of these beams.  The creamy walls brighten up the space.  It feels light and airy despite the heavy beams.

Of course, I love this Mediterranean, rustic look.  The stucco walls make this room so soft.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

 

 

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Beautiful New Kitchen Wednesday, Jun 6 2012

I started this project last fall and had a great time with it.  Sorry I couldn’t get any before pics.  It had red wallpaper, tile on the countertops, a horrible range in an odd shaped island, and low cabinets that you couldn’t fit any appliances underneath.  We tore the entire kitchen out: floors, cabinets, lighting, and wallpaper.  We even closed up a sky light.  We replace brick floors with wood.  Notice there are only drawers below the counters.  This allows you to get to all items easily.  On the end of the island there are doors for a small spice cabinet.  Behind the doors above the ovens is a TV.  Enjoy!

The client loves green and red.  The cabinet color is Mourning Dove from the Martha Stewart line at Home Depot.  It’s really a greenish grey.  The backsplash is Sonoma Tile 2×8.  The pulls are Amerock in gilded bronze.  The countertops are granite. Pendant lights are the Barn Light from Restoration Hardware in antique brass.  Chandelier is the Vendome Large Chandelier from Circa Lighting.  Bar stools are Red Isabella Barstool from Pottery Barn.

 

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The Right Light Thursday, Jan 26 2012

Well I hope you all are feeling better the me right now.  I have been sicky for almost a week.  Pregnancy + upper respiratory infection = misery.

I’m working on a kitchen project, and I just want to share my thoughts on how important lighting can be for the overall design of a space.  Basically, you can spend thousands on decor or cabinets, but if you have cheap or dated lights, it will totally ruin the space.  Lights add character, personality, and shine.  Don’t skimp on lighting.  Look around and find the best deal, but save room in your budget for beautiful lighting.  Here are some examples of how lights add juxtaposition, character, richness, and shine in a kitchen.

These lanterns help draw your eye to the beautiful windows.  It brings it all together.

Again, these lights accent the dark metal in the room and bring a modern contrast to this Euro rustic dining room.

I love the contrast of this traditional kitchen with the modern pendant.

These mini chandeliers give this kitchen a feminine sparkle.

I like the industrial look of these dark pendants paired with the modern square chandelier shade.

I love the contrast of this dark chandelier with light cabinets and walls.  It’s also got a rustic look that really draws your eye up.

These pendants give great shine.

These pendants give this kitchen a chic glamorous look. Doesn’t it look expensive?

This lantern reiterates the traditional aspect of this kitchen.

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Plate Display Monday, Jan 9 2012

So I needed something on my big, white, blank wall in our breakfast area.  I didn’t want to spend a lot of money, but it needed color and character.

I found this picture on Pinterest that I loved.

house and home

I thought it might be difficult to find so many plates that fit together.  It really wan’t.  I shopped around and found plates for reasonable prices at TJ Maxx, Dillard’s, and Pier 1.

I laid out my pattern on the floor.  I had to take about 6 plates back.  I just had too many for the design and the wall.

Then traced and labeled all the plates so I would have a template for the wall.  Thank you to my sister for climbing the ladder, so this pregnant lady wouldn’t have to!  Then I put on the Dischangers.  I googled and searched Pinterest for ways to hang plates.  Everyone said these worked great!  They are very reasonable.  I hated those old wire plate hangers.  They are so difficult to attach.  These are permanent, but that’s okay with me.  They work wonderfully!

 

 

We measured how far down the hook would be and put our nail into the paper template.  Then hung the plates!

 

 

 

I’m really happy with this look.  I think it looks really cute with the new window seat pillows and the colors in the family room.

 

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Totally into Brass Tuesday, Dec 13 2011

No, I have not lost my mind (well maybe), but I’m totally into antique brass right now.  We’re seeing it in kitchens all over the web and in magazines.  It’s a wonderful solution for those homes built in the ’80′s and ’90′s that are totally loaded out with brass hardware.  It means that we don’t have to “de-brass” an entire house!  Yipeee!  That can be expensive!  Here are some of my favorite brass pics.

Farm Pendant from RH

lifeingraceblog.com

More pics of this fantastic kitchen HERE.  I am CRAZY over this kitchen.  I love love love the island and the hood and the range, oh and just about everything!

Pretty brass penant lights over island.

Again brass on the pendants over the island.

Again brass pendants.

Brass pendants and hardware.  From cococozy

So what do you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

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Island Tuesday, Dec 6 2011

I saw this picture on Pinterest while working on a project.  I’m obsessed with the island.  I love the color of the stain and how it looks like a piece of furniture without being over done with corbels and carvings.  What do you think?  Would you want something like this in your kitchen?

 

 

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Fall Luncheon Sunday, Oct 30 2011

Yesterday, I had some friends over for lunch.  It was a small, casual affair so we ate a yummy lunch of soup and salad at the kitchen table.  I decided not to go with your typical fall colors of orange, yellow and brown.  My new etsy pillows are grey and blue, and I already had a blue and brown table cloth from Anthropologie.  One of the reasons I do this blog is to give all of you out there new ideas or good resources.  So, today, I thought I would go through my table setting and share where I got everything.  I think it goes to show that you don’t have to spend a fortune to set a beautiful table.

 

 

Tablecloth on sale from Anthropologie about three years ago.  The pumpkin came from Whole Foods.  The candles and hurricanes are from Pier 1.  Always remember, never put scented candles on a table while your eating.

I love these bowls!  I got them for Christmas last year.  They are the perfect size for soups, chili, and pasta.  You have no idea how long I looked for bowls just this size.  They are from Anthropologie, and they had them yesterday!  Just checked the site, and they are gone  Here is another option for you.  My mom bought the Flame Leaf Bowls, and they are very cute too!

I have some beautiful crystal goblets that go with my Vera Wang china.  When I put everything together, they were just too fancy for this event.  My everyday glass were just not looking up to par, so I started to look for some new tea/water glasses.  I found several options on Anthropologie, but, alas, the Anthro of OKC is not quite finished.  And I didn’t really want to make the trek to the mall with the toddler.  So I did some brainstorming…

Here is what I wanted:

Here is what I found, at Dollar General!

Isn’t it cute!?  They are really nice, heavy glasses.

My everyday white plates from Crate and Barrel are very nice, but they didn’t really look great with the blue and white Anthro bowls.  Again Dollar General had just what I was looking for.

I think these are the perfect size for luncheons and showers.  I’m planning on going back to buy about 30 more.  I love using real plates at showers instead of paper.  I think it makes things so much elegant and special.  I had some cloth napkins from Ikea, but they were not looking so great.  These napkins came from Tuesday Morning.  The napkin rings are from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

I’m loving my new pillows.  I’ve been very happy with the quality.

The two turquoise and burlap flag pillows are from Wisteria a couple of years ago.  They grey and white stripe are from the etsy store Modern Marvelous Home.  The ikat pillow is from the etsy store Martha and Ash.

Every party should have fresh flowers.  I don’t like spending a lot of money on arrangements, so most of the time I do them myself.  One of my favorite places to get flowers is the Homeland by my house.

I hope you are having a wonderful fall season.  I would love to hear some of your favorite table or party decorating tips!

 

 

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Designers Guild Wednesday, Jul 27 2011

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never been a huge fan of wallpaper. Once you tried to peel wallpaper off of a wall, you say to yourself, “I will never put up wallpaper again!”  Well, I guess I’m far enough removed from my last horrible wallpaper experience because I ordered four rolls for my powder bathroom.  Even my husband (the wallpaper hater) loves what I’ve chosen!  I chose this wall covering from Designers Guild:

It is a light purpley-pink.  The marble on the floor is purple, grey and lilac.  I decided not to hide from the crazy marble.  I’m just going to play it up.  It’s going to look fun and elegant at the same time.  I’m excited to have some color in my home!

Designers Guild is a fabulous company out of London.  It is owned and run by Tricia Guild and her brother.  If you love color and pattern, you will love all Designers Guild products.  The patterns and colors speak for themselves, so I’m just going to post a lot of pictures for you!  They carry everything from linens and pillows to designer fabric and wall coverings.  AND they’re having a big SALE right now, so find something beautiful for yourself!

 

 

 

Are you in love yet?  I know I am!  I know that it’s kind of wild, but the colors and patterns are just exquisite.

 

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Blush & Gold Tuesday, Jul 12 2011

Pink and gold is one of my favorite combos.  I think I saw it first in a Martha Stewart wedding magazine.  Here are a few examples that I just love.

source

Citified

Casa Diseno

Bright Bold and Beautiful

Kelly Werstler

Daisy Pink Cupcake

Daisy Pink Cupcake

source
What’s your favorite color combination?

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Tile Project Sunday, Mar 27 2011

I’ve mentioned my love for tile many times in the past.  Last week, I was working on a kitchen backsplash.  Here are some of the options we looked at.  Anything you might like for your kitchen?

 

 

 

 

 

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