Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Matt & Lazuli's Master Bedroom

Good friends of ours Matt & Lazuli from Wyoming wrote to me for some help with their master bedroom. So exciting!  The room below as you can see has some great features like the beautiful hardwood floors, super high built in bed and lots of natural light. The lovely wall color and bedding  give the room a cool and crisp feel but one of the challenges in the room is the small scale. She asked for some suggestions on the closet doors which don't have any and some advice for window treatments and wall decor. They are on a budget because they are planning on selling in the near future. Well, I have to tell how excited I was to receive this email and for the chance to help out! I came up with a couple of different options that I am going to share and readers I want your feedback too! Some selections lean more towards a natural and earthy feel and other pictures add a little glam to the room.  Below are a couple of shots of the bedroom........








First, I want to talk about the closet doors and window. The idea that came into my mind was to make the entire wall look uniform by hanging drapes across the entire wall and a separate matching rod could be used over the window. They should be hung higher that the trim, this will draw the eye up and make the ceiling feel much taller. This whole concept would form a L shaped drapery wall. I think that six to eight matching drapes that slightly fall on the floor would look fabulous. This idea allows easy access to the closets and the window. Here are a few rods and drapes at an amazing prices from Target.



This second drape is my favorite, it has a subtle weave to it which you can't see here and resembles burlap. All the reviews I read online were really good!

I also think a smaller scale area rug would just add so much to the room. I would lay it on the floor at the foot of the bed, maybe even at an angle.  These two rugs have great prices! 

This first one for a little modern touch from IKEA, a sheepskin ...


This natural jute rug above is 3 x 5 from Pottery Barn on sale!
Then I started thinking about the bed. Wow, interesting architecture framing that bed! One thing I can share is that simplistic bedding is coming back, so maybe removing the extra blanket at the foot of the bed would be a good choice. I also think that adding wallpaper to the wall directly behind the bed would  frame out a nice faux headboard! I prefer the first choice but here are two options of many......





The first one has more of a modern edge and the second one has a more cottage and casual feel.

Finally, let's talk about the walls! I see that M&L have a storage chest in their room which make me think they need storage, so how about these amazing options......



Then you would want to add a great large scale rectangle mirror like this one below. The room is smaller so adding a mirror will make the room feel much larger, just a little tip. Don't necessarily hang it on the wall, lean it on top of the chest against the wall and then add some decorative pieces on the chest. Suggestions.....


Pottery Barn


And here are a few last minute details that could be added depending on that natural or glam look you desire!

M&L have many personal photos which add so much to any home. A nice to way display them is collectively. The RIBBA frames from IKEA come in a variety of finishes and are really nice for the price!

Add in a couple of these adorable pieces with the photos and you have a glam Wyoming touch!



Great sconces from Ballard Design to hang on both sides of the mirror!


Beautiful earthy hurricane lanterns to add to that window sill from West Elm!


Well, those are just some suggestions for the cute, sweet room of Matt & Lazuli. Thank you for writing and sharing your design dilemma with me. I hope these tips help them and any of you readers! It has been a blast!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Accent with Wall Paper!

Wallpaper is a huge commitment and I have to be honest with you all and tell you that not one wall in my home has wall paper on it. I tend to be more conservative in my choices for my home but I do love the color and variety that is out there right now. Wallpaper is back and it is being used by many designers as an accent instead of doing every wall in the room. It is making me reconsider my fears of using it and just maybe I might become brave enough to do it. When I do, you can be sure that I will share with all of you! Do these images below inspire you like they do to me?










NYC Antique Flea Markets!

I have always enjoyed rummaging at flea markets. It is especially fun when you find that special something....You may not know what that is until you see it! Well, there are some great antique flea markets that are worth a visit in NYC! It has been a cold winter, what a fun way to spend a few hours on the weekend indoors and outdoors. I am going to feature two markets below in this post. Over the next few weeks, I will also share with you markets in Brooklyn and upstate NY. Please let me know if you make the trip and if you found something you loved. Email me a picture and I will post it for everyone to see! Thanks to all of you readers, the public ones as well as you private ones! I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to stop by. Please write me if you have any decorating questions or dilemmas lately and I will give some "Denise" advice! Thank you for all of your support! Okay now for the markets.....




THE ANTIQUES GARAGE

Located at 112 West 25th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)and open 9AM – 5PM, every Saturday & Sunday, the Antiques Garage has been attracting thousands of shoppers each weekend since 1994 with 100+ vendors on two floors selling eclectic antiques and decorative arts–paintings and prints, vintage items including jewelry, handbags, fabrics, rugs, and furniture, every type of fine silver item imaginable, and more.

HELL’S KITCHEN FLEA MARKET

Named one of the Top Ten Shopping Streets in the World by National Geographic, Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market sets the standard for distinctive vendors, where collectors and top-notch hagglers including the fashion éclat, artists, celebrities, tourists, and residents shop the market for antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, mid-century modern items–including home decorations and furniture–jewelry, and more.
Located on West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues and open 9 AM – 5 PM every Saturday and Sunday all year long (weather pending), Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market includes vendors from The Annex, formerly located in Chelsea.















Thursday, January 20, 2011

Art from Etsy!

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home" 

A famous quote that reminded me why every home needs some piece of artwork. Art does not have to cost us a fortune. It could be some personal pieces when you experimented with painting, a friends drawing or maybe a local aspiring artist. There are prints of famous paintings by Vermeer, Picasso and others that can be put on a canvas that are also attractive. Actually, any type of art can be an adornment to your home and make it unique.
These are just a few of thousands of pieces of artwork found on Etsy that I really like!




Great pop art painting for a south western style flare!


Painting on canvas by HamjArt

Loved these pieces for a nautical or coastal themed room!




Pressed seaweed on paper by Alga Net.

Landscapes for the traditional side in some of you!





Paintings on canvas by Doan Tina.

Beautiful prints of original pen, ink and marker drawings, great for a girl's room or craft room!





Prints by Yellena.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Isabella & Max Rooms Giveaway!

So I just have to share this giveaway with you readers because I love Anthropologie like everyone else. The giveaway is great but what is even better is the new magazine that will be coming out soon! Isabella & Max Rooms blog is one of my favorite blogs to follow. So enjoy!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Keswick & Country Giveaway!

A fellow blogger at Keswick & Country is hosting a great giveaway that I just entered. Let's hope I get chosen, I love the items she is giving away. You need to check out her blog and also Dreamy Whites, both are very creative and fun!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Reinventing A 1795 Clapboard Home!

My heartstrings are pulled when I look at these pictures because I love historic clapboard homes so much! Ours dates back to 1849, not as old as this one but the restoration gives me so many great ideas. The down side to these homes is dark wood and low ceilings. Take a look at how these issues were addressed, it is amazing! Please leave a comment on your favorite photo and why, I would love to hear your ideas!



 The owner ripped out the ceilings and plaster off the walls which allowed wider door openings and taller ceilings. Great ideas that make a huge difference!



A gray and white palette and the absence of upper cabinets makes the room feel airy and open.







Less is more. The amazing antique blue mantel becomes a focal point because everything else is a creamy white back drop. Beautiful!








A glass of wine and a hot soaking bath!


Lovely soapstone sink in the mud/laundry room!

(Photos courtesy of Country Living)

Monday, January 3, 2011

Amazing Giveaway to Share!

A Brooklyn Limestone in Progress is having a great giveaway to check out! She is an amazing photographer in addition to her creative design work. I have been following her blog and have been inspired by her work. I know you will be too!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Ohio Farmhouse Revival That I Love!

Country Living is one of my  favorite magazines of all time! We own, as you know by now, a historic colonial and live in such a fantastically quaint  historic area! I just fell in love with this farmhouse restoration below in Ohio featured in Country Living!  It reminds me of home. There is a simplistic, crisp and modern flare that works so well together, it is inspiring! I hope it does the same for you!



These great cabinets are painted a sober charcoal grey (Ralph Lauren's Surrey). Classic marble emphasizes the utility of the Viking range.





I love the french doors that make the outdoors seem like part of the inside. The sisal rug and upholstery keep the feel more casual.



This fabulous dark paint (Ralph Lauren's Grange Hall) really distinguishes this space. Like Kevin the owner, try not to use no less than three and no more than five paint colors in the similar tones to create a flow through out a smaller home.


Dark ebony stained floors are consistent throughout also to create flow.



Salvaged doors and the original claw foot tub add that historic charm but they don't all have to match in the home.


Classic white paint is the perfect choice for the outside!