Time for Seasonal Changes

Don't you just love these cool mornings!  I certainly do! I now can enjoy my early cup of morning coffee out on the front porch. Yippee! Seasons change...and when that happens it's also time to make some decor changes, wouldn't you agree?  And...the front porch is a great place to start.

I know this isn't a front door...but it's a wreath I found that I really like since it has some red tones in it and less orange.  For me, I tend to lean more towards the reds and golds for Fall, but I do like other colors too.  This wreath, or a similar one, would be a great way to welcome your guests at the front door...don't you think?

Then I have found these wonderful Fall colored outdoor pillows (here) for the front porch chairs.  Aren't they lovely with this wreath?

And here's a look at these Harvest Bouquet pillows on a deck...with a lovely gold throw.  I'd say these looks would definitely welcome in Fall...and your guests...how about you?

And it's always nice to add in a couple topiaries in decorative planters...if you have the space for them on the porch by the door.  

Do you have any Fall ideas for YOUR outdoor entrances?  Be sure to update these areas and incorporate your favorite Fall colors.  Oh, and keep in mind, it's also a great time to brighten up your doors with a fresh coat of paint if needed!  Fall is definitely "in the air"!

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits:  Country Home, Pottery Barn, Overstock.com

Who Does This Home Belong To?

Have you laid eyes on the June issue of Architectural Digest yet?  If not, you are in for a real treat....guess who's new home is featured?  I won't tell you yet, but their former design style was known as "Contemporary Goth" - if you can imagine - being described by the home owner as having too many possessions (much like a furniture shop).  Since their children are grown and gone from home the couple decided to make a move.  They found their dream home and with the help of interior designer, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, their new home was completely transformed in style.  You will not believe whose home this is AFTER you see the photos.  I am "drooling" over the style, colors, mood and views of this lovely home. Take a peak...

What lovely leather porter's chairs in this amazing foyer!

The living room is painted in Benjamin Moore's Antique White, which as you know has been around for years...but look at the soft colors that were added.

Check out these great sliding barn doors...and I love that they incorporated a beautiful crystal chandelier with it - ooh la la!

Love the "pop" of purple in this fabulous dining room and of course everything else! You KNOW I simply love custom draperies...so I am admiring this soft puddled look here.

A little "vintage Americana" in the kitchen...check out the cash register on the island. Things of this sort, along with the animal weathervane ornaments, certainly do add a flair of personality to this space.  What's not to love!

Ok...now for some "hints" of who this home may belong to...take a close look as we venture upstairs. I'm sure you can already tell it must be someone of "fame"...with these representing the husband.

And now to showcase a little of "her" fame in this office space inside the home....hum...Grammy Awards found here!  Oh, back to design....don't you just love this mirrored desk?

This is the other side of her office with a cozy little retreat designed just for her...well, maybe not, maybe just this little Pomeranian, which by the way is one of their TWELVE dogs!  Don't you love these little ""pops" of fun color too.

And take a look at this stunning master bedroom...oh my goodness!  A mirrored four-postered bed and "unmatched" tables for night stands (a great look, by the way). The wallpaper in here is so absolutely gorgeous that there is no need to hang artwork on the walls...they speak for themselves.

Master Bath...just as stunning!

Now...remember I said I was also drooling over the VIEW... here's why...

Can you see why now?  Amazing isn't it?

Well, I have indeed just about shared most of the photos here with you (not quite all), but if you'd like to see more and read more you can click here for the article in Architectural Digest. But now....I just don't think you will EVER guess "whose" home this is...can you?  It is....are you sitting down?...Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne!  Their once, "contemporary goth" style is no more....and WHAT a transformation.  I definitely think this home is "Simply Irresistible" in every way. Kudos to their interior designer!!!

Now, go make this a..."Simply Irresistible" Day for yourself and others!

Photo Credits: Architectural Digest

Designer Credits: Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

*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... with Outdoor Beauty!

 

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."  James M. Barrie

Hello again and Happy Monday! What a lovely quote to start our week off with...and so true too. May we all bring some sunshine into the lives of others each and every day!

Speaking of sunshine...of another kind, of course...because of the wonderful weather we seem to be having right now (in N.C. anyway!), I thought we'd look at some outdoor living inspirations.  It really is time to start thinking and planning for how you will be using your outdoor spaces this Spring and Summer. It is an extension of your indoor living space and should not be overlooked. It is possible to make these areas (around back and the front porch) look and feel like a "haven" surrounded by nature itself. 

No matter what your style, you can get a few ideas of inspiration from these pictures.  Don't be afraid to use a blend of different styles and types of furnishings outside.  You can mix iron, wood, wicker, etc....and keep those color themes flowing outside just like you would inside. If you prefer neutrals on your furniture...that's OK, just add some zing by adding some mood lifting color. You will be amazed  at the results you will have just by giving a little T.L.C. to these sometimes overlooked areas just outside your home.   

This just looks and feels like a "happy" place, doesn't it?

Letting nature take over is artwork and a backdrop on it's on here!

Notice the wicker used with metal here - great outdoor color scheme too! The blues even tie in the pool.

Ah...a tropical breeze! Take me here!

Oversized pillows do wonders for neutral furnishings.

Afternoon siesta?  I believe I will.

Who wouldn't enjoy a nice afternoon on this cheerful porch?  Talk about "mixing it up"...here's a variety of furniture pieces and even layered rugs... topped with lots of different pillows.  Love it!

Again, think how the space will be used....for dining too?  This outdoor space looks like it is really a "room".

If this were mine, I'd spend all my time here!

What a lovely and simple setting for an afternoon tea!

This design would be easy to duplicate, in any color.

A creative covering! This is work by Elsa Soyars, an interior designer born in Portugal. Most of her work is tranquil and calm, yet elegant and refined.

I am really lovin' this outdoor space!  Definitely feels like an extension of the inside.

OK, I must admit...we don't have a cooking area like this, but my husband really wants one! He loves to grill (or cook just about anything) and I do believe if we had this lovely addition I WOULD NEVER HAVE TO COOK AGAIN! (What am I waiting on, right?) 

I love this cottage style and the "mix" of wood and iron along with lots of flowers and...that chandelier!

Now this one, even I can't imagine, but it is lovely and serene!

Well, for those that know me...this just may be one of  my "faves"!  Do you know why? Yes, look at that VIEW...that's why! The owners of this eclectic Myrtle Beach home were featured in Grand Strand Magazine.  They live here year-round, but still wanted to have a vacation "vibe". The added touches of blue in this setting brings the ocean right up close and personal. Compliments of Roberts Erickson Design (and this is their personal home). 

Creative and fun!

So by all means...start thinking about how you would like to enjoy your outdoor areas.  What colors do you like? Make a plan and get started.  Start with the basic furniture (sofa, chairs, dining table) and then add in accent tables where you can. But don't stop there...you need some "layers" in the luxury...table linens, pillows, greenery, flowers, and even a few unusual accessories to throw in your personality. Be sure to mix it up a bit and "pop" some fun colors to enjoy while you are relaxing (or entertaining) in your new, cozy outside haven!!  It's just that...YOUR haven, so have fun and enjoy letting your personality unfold right before your very own eyes.  

Even though it's Monday....I hope you'll make it a "Simply Irresistible" one!  Ta-Ta, dear readers, and thank you for stopping by!

Photo credits: At Home in Arkansas, Roberts Erickson Designs, GCI Design, Traditional Home, Coastal Living, Better Homes and Garden, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Unknown Source.

*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...with STRIPES!

Have you ever thought how striping, I mean "striking", zebras are?  Don't you just love what stripes do for these animals? Well, with that said...they can do the same for just about any room in your home...in a variety of ways.  Take a look!

By the way, this is a lovely wall tapestry!

Stripes can really add dimension to a stairway area and make it appear larger.

A variety of stripes used together creates a more whimsical effect.

Another striped room with a "twist"! Stripes on walls broken up with horizontal painted stripes.

What's not to love with this great focal point in the room?

Maybe you don't want many stripes, so how about adding a few choice accessories.

I LOVE painted striped furniture in any area!  Makes a statement on it's own for sure.

Striped rugs and runners are a great easy way to "pop" some color.  Here it pulls the color scheme into kitchen from other area in the home (see back room shown partially)....and just as an added bonus, take a quick glance at the light pendants used in this kitchen too...I love this simple addition!

Great little office "niche"...with a striped rug of course!

How about trying a painted stripe on the floor - well, I don't believe the "kids" really did this!

Yes, a "fave" of mine (it's pink). This rug added a bit of whimsy to a very traditional room. I think it's gorgeous! Would you be daring enough to try this?

Yet another fun way to add stripes...how clever is this.  This can even be a DIY project if you'd like. I could see it in a kid's room, a game room for the kids...a bright colorful sunroom, or perhaps even a kitchen?  Where could YOU picture using one of these?

I simply love the classic elegance of this Louis XV Ribbon Chair

And you KNOW we find stripes in our fashion world! A great sweater by Lilly Pulitzer by the way!

Ah...and a door to match the sweater!

The stripes used on the sofa and on the floor show how different stripes can sometimes even be used together.  Here, it adds the personality to this room.  Imagine for a moment if this room were only done in solid colors...no way the overall "feeling" of this room would compare to this.

How about that....more similar stripes in our clothing again!

...and in our newest fashion accessories...LOVE the hat!

Is this WILD and WACKY enough for you?  It's really very striking...striping....whatever, but a bit much for ME!  Now, how about YOU?

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the excitement that a "bit of stripe" can bring into your world. I would love to hear of some other creative ways YOU may have used stripes...or plan to use them.  

I hope your Wednesday is not really "wild and wacky", but instead..."Simply Irresistible"! Till next time...Ta-Ta!

Photos courtesy of Dwellings and Decor, Mary McDonald, Domino, Pinkwallpaper, Midevilwallpaper, Google images, Unknown sources, Manolohome, House to Home, Karen Harris, Style Hive, Thedecoratinghotline, Direct Mall, Better Homes and Garden, Lily Pulitzer, Veranda, Country Living, Real Simple, Fashionising.

*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!