INSPIRE CREATE INNOVATE
Happy Spring! It’s my favorite time of the year as flowers bloom & color abounds after months of cold & snow! Who’s ready for a color infusion with a pop of pattern? Love these fun new things on the market! Bronze, Pink & Blue – any DG’s inspired?
Happy Spring & Happy Decorating!
Welcome to 2011 – the land of over-scheduled, underpaid, technology-addicted persons racing through life whilst forgetting what it is we are moving towards. To quote Ferris Bueller “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
It’s no wonder then that the British goverment’s posters, produced in 1939 to alleviate stress from the impending war, have been reinvented as the latest decorating craze. With it’s simple yet effective motto and signature crown, the posters have been popping up everywhere in dozens of bright colors and unexpected creations.
For me, the poster’s bold color balances it’s somber message and reading the phrase instantly provides a reassuring hand as I push through my never ending to do list. Feel free to share your own personal motto or mantra for perseverance!
A key part of making your house a home is developing your signature style. This is similar to developing a fashion style. We all see trends come and go but over time we learn which styles flatter our figures and mirror our personalities.
Creating an inspiration collage is something I encourage people to do, even when not working with a designer. It is important to gather images of rooms, furniture, colors, accessories that you love and edit to help shape your vision. As you move forward in purchases for your home, this collage will serve as a blueprint for your style.
I have a framed corkboard that I change out periodically to reflect my focus at any given time. I’m starting fresh in several aspects of my life and this is my inspiration at the moment.
I rearranged some accessories in my apartment as well as pulled new concept photos for my board. This is always an easy trick to reinvent bookshelves, coffee tables, etc. Moving things into different rooms gives your accessories and photos new perspective and saves money!
Here are my inspirations at the moment…
I love flowers: real, fake or in photos. It is too expensive to get fresh flowers, so I settle for realistic-looking fake versions. Love these from Pottery Barn!
I love looking at photos of my close friends & family, especially my sister Tabs. I have lots of framed pictures of the two of us all over my apt. She’s my best friend; can’t imagine my life without her!
I also adore my Patch NYC butterfly plate from West Elm. It is such a cute shaped platter and the free-hand feel of the butterfly sketch is simply beautiful.
Inspiring poems and quotes are included in my collage along with photos of places I would like to live someday. Outdoor spaces are especially inspirational to me; I love watching nature. The photo of the crystal chandeliers over the simple vases of tulips shows creative balance. The Prada sunglasses ad in the center represents how I would like to be perceived: a juxtaposition of an intense & playful spirit.
As I pass by this space, I feel uplifted and hopeful. I hope you enjoy making your own inspiration collage!
So, you want to lounge a little, put your feet up, relax after a hard day at work. Who better to greet you than your favorite lounge chair? Just because it’s a workaholic doesn’t mean it sacrifices looks and personality.
Check out these great options that deserve a corner in you living room (and your heart).
First we have a classic French Bergere chair with an upbeat paisley fabric and it is instantly reborn!
Who says “caning” spells traditional? The sleek black lacquer and modern leg profile make this chair unstoppable.
Barbara Barry’s designs are graceful and effortless. She works to make furnishings the appropriately muted backdrop to our lives.
This one never gets old for me. They introduce new colors every year and the fact that it can be a recliner and still look like a Parisian club chair, I absolutely love!
Houndstooth. Clean lines. How can you go wrong with that?
Even if this chair wasn’t upholstered in a beautiful velvet, it would still make a great statement.
The perfect little mod slipper chair, can be redefined with a multitude of fabrics. Fresh & sleek at the same time.
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