Turquoise and Green

Speaking of room personalities...what kind of personality would you say this room reflects? (Please excuse the over-taking of the picture, but I wanted you to be able to see it well...that's why it's off the page!) 

I would say it sports the personality of someone that is fun-loving, cheerful, energetic, organized....what else?  Can you see from this wonderful room that decorating with your personality doesn't have to be complicated or consist of "lots" of stuff. I just feel in love with the colors in this room and the simplicity of it all.  I, of course, would dress the windows...you know, to "soften"...but it still reflects a cozy space even without draperies or valances.


 I most certainly found this room to be "Simply Irresistible" and couldn't wait to share it with you today.  It reflects some great basic facts of design that you could learn from...using any color scheme you like! I love how the sofa is one shade of green and then the two chairs are done in a darker green (and looks like maybe even welted in the lighter shade of green). Added to this are a couple of green and white pillows (in chairs) and then pillows on the sofa with the greens, but also adding in the accent color....refreshing turquoise!  You know I LOVE the accents used in this room...more pops of the accent color all around and then those LAMPS....!!! Are they "eye candy" or what? 


Easy symmetry is used on the mantle with a landscape picture and two topiaries (love that "one" is placed up on a small stack of books - and one is even turquoise!) on each side.  Simple, right?


I hope this photo inspired you today as much as it did me.  Hopefully it showed you how easy it can be for your room to take on "your" very own personality.  You just have to first determine what your style is.  If you missed the "room personality test" you can always go back and try it here.


Enjoy your day and be sure to make it...
"Simply Irresistible"!

Photo Credits:  RLH Studio

Personality...Does your home reflect who you are?

OK...I've given you plenty of time to take your home's personality test. Have you completed it yet? Did it reveal to you...How well you know yourself?  Did you discover what the elements of your style are? Now for the question...How do you create your PERSONALITY and STYLE?

Your home should be a picture of who you are...a true reflection of your personality and tastes.  Have you decided, from the personality test, if  your home really does reflect you?  Many times when I go to a new client's home it is like experiencing a true "Blast from the Past" look of their life ... instead of their true lifestyle as it is now.  Sometimes it can be quite amusing to see how so many of us "hang on" to something from when we were young, in college, because a special friend gave it to us, or it was a wedding gift years ago. I believe to some degree we are ALL like this, right? When you are ready to pursue YOUR style and personality, then a question you must ask yourself is...Is this item really ME? Does it reflect my unique personality or not?  As hard as it may be, we can't keep everything and hope to come up with a different personalized room.  This is a major step to creating a room that you love because it represents YOU and not someone else.

Our homes are to be our havens...our refuge. It's a place to come home to after a long day of work, or for some, a place to work from.  It is also probably the largest investment that we will  make in our lifetime...so our homes should, therefore, bring us joy, peace, security, and comfort. They CAN, if they are designed and decorated to take on our very own personality and style. So,  why do we seem to not be able to make our very own homes...our haven?

Because so many times consumers are just out for a day of casual shopping and "things", shiny things, just sort of catch their attention.  They are already unhappy with their room (or rooms) at home so they end up impulse buying just to try and "fix" the entire room with new things...not even realizing this won't happen without a PLAN and will probably just clutter the room even more.  Give it a couple weeks, if that long, and they usually won't even like these new pieces any more either!  On the other hand, another reason is that sometimes consumers will rush out and buy as much as possible for a room - ALL AT ONE TIME! They desire to just "get it done".  They make a lot of unwise buying choices and later realize their choices were made in haste.  (Perhaps you've even done this!) They now even hate everything they bought and end up feeling that they just wasted all that money (and they DID!).  They find themselves still frustrated and unhappy with the room...and before you know it...they will start this "wrong" process all over again by running out and making more unwise purchases.  So, you can see, the process would be a whole lot EASIER and probably LESS COSTLY even if they started with ONE wise decision...to hire an Interior Designer!  THEN they could rest assured that they will have their home transformed into their very own, unique HAVEN...reflecting their personality and pulled together with such STYLE.

                

Defining your own PERSONALITY and STYLE is about having a plan and then making wise purchasing decisions.  This will insure that you are living surrounded by things that bring you joy. Each purchase must back-up YOUR style and personality and...bring you joy!  You will want your home to be a true reflection of who you are now...and not who you were years ago (meaning stuck in the past).  It should not be cluttered...our lives are complicated already...so don't just add more "stuff" to it.  Surround yourself with things you love and keep it simple. You will have created your haven then! 

Want a fun great tip on where to look for the COLORS of your personality?  It's quite simple...

                          

Go to your CLOSET...what colors are revealed?  You usually wear the colors that reflect YOU!  What did you discover?

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits:  House Beautiful,  Coastal Living,  Google image

Red, White and Blue...for the Inside

I hope you all had a nice weekend and are gearing up for the 4th.  Last week we talked about red, white and blue for the outdoor celebrations...however, this color scheme has also made it's way into many home's interior design as well.  Today we'll take a look at some of these inspiring patriotic-colors and how they can be used throughout the year...and for this post, I chose mostly coastal inspirations since many of us may be heading out to the beach to celebrate the upcoming holiday.

Of course I am going to start with a design that just "calls" ME...not because of the color or style...but because of WHERE it is and this incredible VIEW!  Yes, I definitely am a true "beach-girl".  Isn't this a fun design though...with the blues interjected in from nature with the ocean view?  I really do love it!

Here is a great mix of pattern using this same color scheme.  Can you see how the red always dominates the space?  That is why it's a good idea to just accent in red...unless of course, you want that dramatic punch of red to overtake the room.  Below is a good example of what I mean by this...

It is definitely bold...but I love it.  Pairing this color with all the white cabinetry does help to tone it down a bit. You can see that the blues were the accent in this one.

Speaking of vintage...don't you love how they re-purposed these pieces with differing shades of blue to be used in the same room.  The reds are accents, as well as being blended into the rug which grounds all the colors together. 

Another great use of these patriotic colors

How about popping the architectural elements in a room by painting them navy...do you like or dislike?  Then, the floor is also accented with painted stripes.  Adding to that a bit of accent in red makes this another great look...not just for the 4th but every day of the year.  The accent pieces can be pillows, furniture, candles, flowers...it doesn't have to be a lot of red to make it "work". 

And now we'll take the "look" back to the outside with this...

Incredible...red roof, white house and blue OCEAN...how's that for a display of our patriotic colors?  It sure got MY attention!

Have a blessed Monday!

Photo Credits: Coastal Living


*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!

Almost Time to Celebrate

I bet many of you are making plans for your Fourth of July celebration, right? Are any of you hosting a get-together?  If so, I bet I know the color scheme....that's a "no brainer"...red, white and blue! 

Take a look at a few great finds for this occasion...

Paper lanterns...what fun they can add to your outdoor space.

Maybe add in a couple of red wicker chairs - aren't they lovely?

And we always need a pop in color with the table runner or tablecloth...like this dot and star runner.

I was immediately drawn to these r/w/b striped candles which are sure to be a hit on any table.

And who doesn't want to add a beverage tub to the party...a fun and easy way to keep your drinks cold and accessible to your guests!

Don't forget, if you are entertaining, now is the time to get your ideas ready and also hit some great sales.  Check out more fun ideas and seasonal products like these at Pier 1 Imports...there is always something to be found in there!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ta-Ta!

Photo Credits:  Pier 1 Imports

Summer Fruits and Room Design...Huh?

I've been "missing in action" for a few days this week but glad to be back today!  I hope each of you are having a delightful week.  A few days ago, I was taking the time to wash and cut up different fruits that I bought for us to have as "healthy" snacks...and you will never guess where that led my mind! Could it be once again to interior design thoughts (you know, when you love what you do it never shuts off, right?). I was standing there cutting it and noticed the vibrant colors of the fruit. I was imagining rooms designed in those exact colors!  Am I crazy or what?  So, needless to say, today's topic was easy...let's look at a few rooms that are in the colors of these fruits!  Oh, and by the way...Happy Summer, now that it's official.

Watermelon (which is my very FAVE fruit...I could eat my weight in it...seriously!

Ooh...I love everything about this room! Check out that "sassy" little ottoman too!

This room is just accented in the watermelon colors...green is a little more lime, but still a shade of green.  The fabrics are what mostly caught my eye to represent watermelon colors.

The walls look like the outside of a watermelon with the tablecloth being the color of the inside...lovely! Hey, check out the "pops" of black on the frames, mirror, and chairs...don't forget that black is always a great idea with most any color way!

I was craving cantaloupe too...yummy!

The sofa here reminds me of the outside of the rind and then the colors of the inside on the pillows...how refreshing!

How do you like this door color and floor together?  I noticed that the artwork here really ties the two colors together nicely...can you tell?

The greens in the background, along with this luscious tablescape color also remind me of the cantaloupe.

What a bright and cheerful room this is.  These colors, used with all the white, bring such a light and airy feeling with it.

And of course...who wouldn't love strawberries?

I love this traditional room design in these colors of the strawberries.  Even the plant reminded me of the tops of the fruit...how 'bout that?

Here's another "fruity" room, ha...I mean strawberry colored room!

I hope you enjoyed a look at the colors of fruit in a whole new way today.  Have you ever thought about these colors when you were cutting up fruit?  Just wondered if I was the only "crazy" one out here that did this!! Perhaps not.  What's your fave fruit and have you used those colors in your home (or wardrobe maybe!)?

Hope your day is blessed, and of course, that it is...

"Simply Irresistible"!

Photo Credits:  Traditional Home, Elle Decor, Google image, Coastal Living, Food Network, Kelly Wearstler, Online Fabric Store, HGTV, Food Network, House Beautiful.

Refreshingly Delightful Rooms

Have you ever just looked at a room and knew there was something about it that absolutely intrigued you...even if you didn't really even know what it was exactly? 

Could it simply be the color with a "pop" of another delightful color?

Maybe it's just that one piece of furniture that draws you in with that wonderful refreshing fabric on it...

Perhaps it's just an accent or accessory that you love!

Could it be the right mix of fabric patterns together?

Or is it that the "fab" wallpaper just speaks to you...

The next time you look at room designs...try to decide exactly what features it is that draws you into it.  This could be a good "indicator" of your personality (are you still working on your design personality test...or did you forget?) and what elements you need to be sure and include in your room design.

Thanks for stopping by today...

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits:  Fresh Home

Bright, Bold and Beautiful

Have a bright, bold and beautiful weekend!

Ta-Ta!

Photo Credits:  Decor Pad, Google Image

Painting Antiques - Agree or Disagree?

I have a question to ask you...would you (or have you) painted antique furniture pieces?  Many say never and yet others would do it in a heartbeat.  What would you do?  Or, do you envision doing it and can see it in your mind's eye, but then waiver and cop out instead of going through with it?  I have two (of several) of my dad's antique pieces that I have been contemplating painting for over FOUR years now.  I seem to waiver on my decision...or make up my mind and then get so busy that it never seems to happen.  I am ready....to go through with it I do believe.

I believe that if the piece is in good condition and you can use it with your other furnishings, then it should be left "as is".  However, if the finish is not too good OR it doesn't work with who you are (remember, you're supposed to be doing the "home personality" test too!) but you wish to keep it, then by all means...add paint and make it work.  I have seen so many people doing this...happy with the end result... and it really makes sense to me. Here are a few examples (I'll share my furniture "redo" when I finish and will provide you with before and after photos!)

See what a couple coats of Farrow & Ball's Blue Gray paint can do (and of course, new hardware)

Both have vintage furniture sporting a fresh new paint job!

Color can make the elegance of a piece stand out...even using just black...See!

Before...

After...

A great transformation from Natty by Design.  She gives great "how to" tutorials by the way!

Before...

After...

Before...

After...

  

Another example of stepping out and painting those antique pieces. Now it "fits" in with the look.

Any of these vintage treasures would be great for a "re-do"...don't you agree?  Whether you find it at a local consignment shop, flea market, or yard sale, or even craigslist...don't ignore what could become YOUR next treasure piece...yes, even if it becomes a painted antique!  I hope this inspires you to paint something you have or maybe run out and find a piece that just needs some TLC to make it the perfect "fit" for your home!

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

(P.S. Is this size print that I used in today's post easy to read...or did you like the larger print better?  Please let me know 'cause I want to make reading "easy on the eyes"...in more ways than one. Thanks!)

Photo Credits: House and Home, Martha Stewart, Natty by Design, Tobi Fairley,  Little Green Notebook, Eddie Ross, Craigslist.