Turquoise and Black Inspiration

Remember the hand-made card from last week's post that I said 'inspired' me to take a look at turquoise and black in design...well, here is what I found to share! I just love this color combo. It is both relaxing and stunning! Take a look...

What fabulous colors even for entertaining!

Simply Irresistible!

Now who wouldn't love a soak in this tub? Don't miss the 'fab' color on the ceiling!

How about this 'yummy' fabric...could you add a dash of this somewhere for a touch of these colors? Pillows, recover a chair, an ottoman or bench...or perhaps a new headboard? Scrumptious - no matter how you use it!

This color combo is simply a match made in heaven!  Nothing accents black quite like turquoise does. Have some fun...and if you can only go so far as the 'black and white'...then just add in a heavenly splash with some throw pillows...for a "Simply Irresistible" look!

Now, with all of this lovely turquoise and black...be sure to make it a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Ta-Ta!

Photo Credits: Jonathon Adler, Tobi Fairley, Houzz, Decor Pad, House and Home, House Beautiful, Margaret Donaldson, Candace Rose Dolcechi (Etsy.com).

 *I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

"Wild and Wacky" Wednesday...Multi-Colors!

For those of you that aren't color shy...enjoy the creative use of color today!

No doubt, these rooms sizzle with color!  If you like color then these are sure to fill any room in your home with joy and surprise. Color...just feels good sometimes! Do you have a favorite?  

Have a colorful and "Simply Irresistible" Day, friends!

Photo Credits:  Drake Design, House Beautiful, High Gloss, Anna Spiro, Country Living, Houzz, Lindsey Harper, inehome.com, unknown.

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Tuesday Tablescapes

A tablescape can be best described as an arrangement of several items together to create a vignette on the top of a table. This can be done atop a dining room table, buffet, accent tables, mantels, etc. I always say, accessories are to design what jewelry is to fashion...the "finishing touch"!  This is an essential element in creating the room's overall look...

Quite an elegant "flavor" for this table, don't you think?

Another elegant makeover for the table top (love those white roses too!) It's the "details" that help create this look and feel (like these great placemats and napkin rings).

Oh-la-la!  More fun, yet exquisite details here!

How about this delightful tablescape using "crates" with fruit and flowers...what a great idea!

Look what just using a little bit of nature can do!

When selecting items to decorate the surface, keep in mind basic principles of design including scale, balance, rhythm and harmony.  I'll share more on these later!

Symmetry used in table top decorating is one of the easiest to do-like here with the use of two matching lamps and then placing a lower (not as tall) accessory in between them. It doesn't have to be lamps as it could be greenery or even statues of art of some sort.

Here we have an example of one that is not symmetrical in design...however, it is balanced on both ends which is an important element with this type of table.

Hum...another use of 'flowers and fruit' (as in the dining room we looked at).  See, this idea is even great for a coffee table.  Books are ALWAYS really great to decorate with and common to find a unique accessory of some sort perched on top of them. This is a great tip when that one accessory you have is just not tall enough for balance...stack a few books under it and....Vwa-la!

Books, books, and more...BOOKS! (Notice the symmetry used on the other table too!)

Now let's take a look at decorating mantels...these are almost always the focal point of the room so you don't want to ignore this important space...it can set the tone when you walk in so be creative.  You can adopt a simple style...or "snazz" it up even more to your likes.  

Simplicity in style using symmetry again!

and again...along with being 'easy on the eye' with this design by Dana Lyon

...another one by Texas designer-Shannon Bowers

Now, how about a completely different look at rock artist, Sheryl Crow's, FAB mantel decor and focal point...an antique bicycle!  How's THAT for creativity and bringing in a little of your own personality....love it!  It just 'fits' her decor, doesn't it?  And...she even has BOOKS on her coffee table...see! 

Not to mention her writing desk 'table top decor'....which is "Simply Irresistible"!

Things to keep in mind for great tablescape decorating:

SCALE-is all about the right sizes for your space-be sure not to skimp...or to overload with items to large for the area

BALANCE-refers to the way in which the elements (lines, shapes, colors and textures) of a piece are arranged

RYTHYM-is repetition in your room with color, texture, etc...this brings a sense of order to your design

HARMONY-a sense of restfulness with a pleasing combination of elements blended together 

I hope I have inspired you today to take a look around your home and check out the "tablescapes".  Do they need some fluffing, rearranging, or maybe just some new items all together? Be sure to follow your color scheme (or just add in another "pop" of color) and create visual balance that is pleasant to the eye. Many times it is best to decorate using groups of things....in odd numbers (say 3 or 5 accessories grouped together-or more, depending on your space.  Remember to have fun and experiment - move things around - then step back and take a look to determine if it is indeed 'eye pleasing' with the surroundings!

As always...we wish you a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits: Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Veranda, Country Living, Amanda Nisbet, Kristen Hutchins, House Decors, Dana Lyon, Architectural Digest, Shannon Bowers, Sheryl Crow, Southern Accents, and an unknown.

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Happy Monday!..."Lookin' for Something Fun"

Where do our week-ends go?  It's Monday again already.  I hope you had a fun-filled week-end and hopefully nice weather to go with it. Our's was cold and rainy (today too), so I thought we'd get some inspiration to start our week off with..."Lookin' for Something Fun". I think we can all use a bit of that on Monday, right?

Back to work today...so, why not a new "fun" office chair!  These bright and cheerful chairs would help anyone to get back in the swing of things at their desk. It may be work, but you can be creative there too and let your personality shine (assuming your boss approves, right?).

If not the chair, then what about this stylish mini desk lamp?  It's small enough not to distract your co-workers (or boss) but still gives you a little fun at your desk. I just love them!

Wow...here we have a "fave" of mine...the Wanderlust Chandelier by one of the lighting vendors we use - Currey and Company.  This is just one of their many fabulous lighting creations....this to me..."Simply Irresistible" AND fun!

How about a "pop of fun" with some of these dazzling pillows from Pier 1. I fell in love with this butterfly pillow and all of the fun colors it displays...easy to use in a room with any of these colors!  And then there are the round ones...! They look like ruffled beach balls, don't ya think?  I thought these would "fun up" any room!

                  

  

Let's keep in mind the little personal touches we can add anywhere (home or office) to add a little colorful pleasure to our days. These can be picked up, for little of nothing, at most any of our stores these days...like these fun colorfuls from TJMaxx.

Now we'll throw in a couple of FUN and easy entertaining ideas that are sure to brighten your Monday!  Here is a great little idea I ran across that you can use any time, for any occasion (maybe even for your family at dinner on "Monday" nights!) with fun, colorful paper napkins and plasticware...check this out...

For details on how to do this, visit thesevenyearcottage.com. She has many other simple ideas as well.

And then there is some fun "mashmallow delight"...again from same sight mentioned above.  I'd love to make some of these right now (visit sight for recipe and how-to)!  They look fun and...how "fun" would these treats be to EAT on this... Monday?  Umm, we may just need to try these for FUN!

I sure do hope our "Lookin' for Something Fun" on Monday put a little more prep in your step today.  Let us know if any of these "funs" inspired you to take a step and do something FUN...today or any day of the week! I thought we'd just keep it a little light-hearted to start off our week.

Maybe one of these ideas will help make it a "Simply Irresistible" Mon-Day!

Photo Credits:  Pottery Barn, Pier 1, The Seven Year Cottage, A Design Story and TJ Maxx, Curry and Company

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

"Irresistible" Friday Finds

 

Accordian Calendars

Write-on Wall Calendars

These calendars by 'Snow and Graham' display their signature designs for each month of the year, which makes it both practical and inspirational. The accordion one expands to over 30 inches long so you can see all of 2011 in one view with 12 unique designs. Then there is the write-on wall calendar, where beauty meets function with this grid style monthly calendar. Snow and Graham's calendars are printed in saturated colors on luxuriously thick stock in the USA.  Be sure to check them out as they also have boxed cards, gift sets, wrapping paper, etc. (Available at www.snowandgraham.com)

Let's see...now take a look at our next find of the day...

Are you into social media? Want to stay connected?  Then check out the newest edition of this app for the ipad...the Flipboard. It was named Apple's ipad app of the year for 2010 and one of Time's top 50 innovations of 2010. This great app is a fast, easy way to flip through the news, photos and updates your friends have posted on Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, Flickr, and Instagram.  You can see your social media in a digital magazine layout that is easy to scan and lots of fun to read. It's customized and tailored to you with all your interests in one place. You are the "editor" of your own magazine...how irresistible is that?  I must admit...I just may have to check this out for myself (being that I'm a bit 'behind' in all these hi-tech gadgets...but I'm getting there!).


Next, I found this to share...

This is a hand-made card that I also find "Simply Irresistible"!  It was made by my dear friend of mine (and neighbor) who is now a PRO at scrap-booking (and once even said she knew she couldn't do this!).  All of her work is truly amazing! Her card making is a ministry in itself as she is always thinking of others (no matter what the occasion, or just to encourage someone) and wanting to bless them with her cards that are truly made with "love".  Believe me, I know personally the HOURS she puts into each one to make it extra special. I love the colors she has chosen for this one and it inspires ME to take a look at some rooms done in turquoise and black...I'll do that and share with all of you later! I'll also share this with you...guess what got me started with scrap-booking years ago?  It was my passion for interior design!  When I was introduced to it, I absolutely fell in love with 'mixing and matching' colors, patterns, and the coordinating of embellishments to go with them...sounds just like interior design, doesn't it?  Not to mention that I had lots of pictures that I needed (and wanted) to do something with.  Even today, I love creating (or seeing what Tammy creates!) amazing designs in many colors, textures, and styles. It's really like creating our design inspiration boards...and that much fun too! Be sure to visit her blog to see more of her work (scrapbook pages too, not just cards) at www.ncscrapaddict.blogspot.com.  Thanks, Tammy, for giving me permission to post some of your work on our "Irresistible" Friday Finds!

Wishing each of you a "Happy Week-end"!

Photo Credits: Snow and Graham, sexysocialmedia, Bright Bold and Beautiful, ncscrapaddict.blogspot.com.

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!