news...!!

Whoops!  Sorry for disappearing for so long unexpectedly!  

On Thursday morning, my boyfriend surprised me with a last minute trip to Mystic, Connecticut for the night (which I thought was a just a way to get my birthday weekend started early), turns out he had other plans in mind.  That night he proposed and I'm stuck on cloud 9!  We're ENGAGED! (still feels super weird saying it - even weirder? Fiancé - can't get used to that one just yet!).  

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After exploring Mystic (which I'm in love with), we headed down the shore to spend time with my family and celebrate the engagement and my birthday (which, at this point, I barely even realized it didn't pass yet).  Needless-to-say, things have been quite exciting and busy and I've take some time away from my blog to just enjoy (and jump head first into wedding planning).

P.S. feel free to let me know what your favorite wedding blogs are - i'm looking forward to inspiration overload! 

painted stairs

While in the midst of a decorating project, my client mentioned she wanted to do something a little unique with her stairs since they are the first thing you see when you enter the house.   My first thought was painting the stairs and my client loved the idea!  
While i know I want to paint, I  haven't decided on exactly what we are going to do yet.  
Now for the (narrowed down) inspiration!

I like the idea of a pattern in between. 

Maybe paint the entire staircase?

Painted runner - looks like wood.

Another painted runner. 

Multiple colors, maybe ombre? 

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daily interior inspiration

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I love how this room just pops.  While something like this is not for the super traditional, or color shy, the combination seems classic to me, but modern.  The white and indigo patterned pillows help to marry the whole room and make it cohesive.  

What do you think?

stone in the bathroom

Stone bathrooms.  I wasn't always a fan of what I would have traditionally thought of when thinking of using stone in the bathroom.  It seemed cold and even a little dark to me.  Lately when browsing some of my interior design magazines, I've been seeing a stone look that has been catching my eye - it's modern and chic.  It seems that when paired with dark wood tones, the stone is warmed up, instead of looking stark.

This image is different from the others, it is minimalist, but the dark (slate?) floor balances it out along with the shelf.

Modern Bathroom design by San Francisco Architect Mark Brand Architecture

Contemporary Bathroom design by Vancouver Kitchen And Bath Old World Kitchens & Custom Cabinets

Contemporary Bathroom design by Phoenix Kitchen And Bath Troyer Kitchen and Bath

Modern Bathroom design by San Francisco Architect Sutton Suzuki Architects

Traditional Bathroom design by Minneapolis General Contractor Stonewood, LLC

Is this a look you would use in your bathroom?  Do you already have stone in your house? 

sunday hike

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We are off on a hike today - the weather has "cooled" down a little bit in NY so we can actually go outside and not melt!  We haven't had the chance to go for a hike since the fall so I'm excited!  Enjoy your weekend!

E-decorating Board Giveaway

Don't forget Morgan, from xoxo, me is giving away one of my e-decorating boards!  You can enter to win here!

furniture friday - fashionable finds

Sofas, settees, armchairs, ottomans - seating - are the most important parts of a living room.  You always want the pieces to be comfortable, for both you and guests, but since they are sometimes the biggest pieces in a room, you always want them to be stylish!  
While I always love the classic look of your traditional furniture colors - beiges, black, gray, I'm so excited that more color is starting to be introduced, and that people are starting to gravitate towards it! 


I'm loving these pieces right now. 

Grand Sand 2 Seat Sofa - Fashion for Home 

Pamela Tufted Chair - Home Decorators Collection

Margot Loveseat - Crate and Barrel

Linen Studio Sofa - Nate Berkus

Buckingham Sand Armchair - Fashion for Home

Marrakesh Graphite Ottoman - Nate Berks

pretty dose

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Just a little dose of pretty for you to start your day today. 

I first saw this image about a month ago on C magazine and something about it struck me immediately - I'm pretty sure it's the huge windows - what a show stopper!

E-decorating Board Giveaway

The lovely Morgan fromxoxo, me is giving away one of my e-decorating boards!  You can enter to win here!

closet envy

I'm about to do a major overhaul on a closet! It's important that a closet is both functional and stylish and since I've nailed down most of the organizational aspects, it's time for the fun - the inspiration!  When it comes to closets, the images available online are endless! For this particular project, we are going for a clean and classic look - mostly neutral colors (lots of white).

While the space is no where near as large as some of these images, it's good to pull inspirational images that are not exactly like your space - this will keep the ideas flowing!  I'm hoping to pull in a few different aspects of all the below to create the perfect closet for my client!
The most important aspects we will use aesthetically - small seating area(bench), chandelier, mirrors, lots of light, and flowers!

Traditional Closet design by Architect Institute of Classical Architecture & Art - Texas

Eclectic Bedroom design by Other Metros Design-build Farinelli Construction Inc

Traditional Closet design by Houston Interior Designer Munger Interiors

Traditional Closet design by Seattle Architect knowles ps

Eclectic Closet design by Dallas Interior Designer Astleford Interiors, Inc.

Contemporary Closet design by Toronto Interior Designer Jennifer Brouwer (Jennifer Brouwer Design)

Contemporary Bedroom design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Martha O'Hara Interiors

DIY ideas

While I wouldn't exactly call myself an expert DIY-er, I do a good amount of projects for clients and myself.  When I used to have an idea of what I wanted to  create, I would search online for tips and tricks.  Now with Pinterest I always see ideas that I love, but don't yet have a use for so I pin them for later!  
I thought I would share a few of my favorite DIY and ideas I have found and want to try! 

wine bottle + tape + spray paint

cork art directions

votive candleholder directions

DIY mirror directions

mason jar chandelier directions

Have you tried any of these?  What are your favorite DIY projects?  I want to hear!

what i'm loving - under $100

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!  I was busy with friends all weekend, but had a great time! 


To kick off this week, I wanted to pull together my favorite decorating accents right now that are under $100.  Everyone loves affordable style - how could you not?
I find that a lot of my clients (myself and friends included!) love a chic look, but don't want to break the bank.  Even those that I work with that have a large budget love to mix the highs and lows.  A few new pieces can completely change the look of a room and with all of these under $100, you can pick up a few! 

Z Gallerie - Largo Tray in Champagne - $39.95

Home Decorators Collection - Diamond Mirror - $69.00

Bloomingdales - Kate Spade New York Woodland Park Fish Rose Bowl - $60.00

Z Gallerie - Geo Pillow 22" - $59.95

Pottery Barn - Oval Bread Paddle - $99.00

Ikea - Eivor black + white Throw - $19.99

Pottery Barn - Kellan Rectangular Tote - $99.00

Ikea - Fillsta Pendant Lamp - $39.99

pink + aqua

Happy Friday - we've made it!  
Maybe I'm having a pink moment, but pink + aqua is on the top of my color combo list right now. 
It is such a refreshing palette, perfect for the summer!  I've been pulling images together to add to my inspiration board because I have a feeling I'm going to be using it a lot!
When using these colors in home decor, I love to pull it in with pillows, rugs and artwork and work up to a bolder look. 

image via / interior design by Maria Barros

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client project - beach house

Today I wanted to share a sneak peek into my latest client project with you - a beach house.  This beach house also serves as the couples primary house.  The house was brand new and completely empty when we started - a perfect blank canvas! 

Guest bedroom

Small beach-y accents 

 Hallway chest

Master bedroom

Coffee table accent

More accents - starfish! 

I will be sure to share more pictures with you once everyone is completed!

crisp and chic inspiration

Happy Wednesday!  I can't believe I haven't blogged all week yet!  That's a first for me!  I was spending time with my family down our my parent's shore house and stayed for a few extra days.  I really was planning on doing some work and blogging, but the days just got away from me!  I was supposed to come home last night, but Eric got stuck and work and didn't get out until 5am so he drove my parent's house and I drove us home!  So here I am bright and early with my coffee and he's sound asleep with our pup.

So anyway, sorry for not being around, I've missed you!

Lately I've been drawn to crisp and chic rooms - mostly living rooms.  There's something so wonderful about a simple, but crisp room.  An easy, neutral palette and traditional elements can be so chic, not boring. 

Pillows add all the spice you need. 

Traditional Living Room design by Dc Metro Kitchen And Bath Erin Hoopes

The fireplace is really the focal point of this room, I like how the neutral colors in the rest of the room let it shine. 

Traditional Living Room design by Seattle Architect Paul Moon Design

Ooh, I love these chairs.  Dark wood pieces work well, while not overtaking this space. 

Traditional Living Room design by Chicago Interior Designer Michael Abrams Limited

A different scheme - greys - provides a softer look.  I love each and every pillow on that couch! 

Traditional Living Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Niki Papadopoulos

Now I'm off to catch up on e-mails and some client projects - enjoy your day! 

A little link love - 

Kate of Dabble in Chic is hosting a virtual Stella and Dot Trunk show!  Read her post about her favorite picks - here and shop her show here.  Amazing new pieces for the Fall 12 line were just added!

relaxing

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I love summer Sundays.  I love them even more when I'm down the shore and staying for a few more days.  After spending the morning on the beach, I'm relaxing insde with some homemade iced tea and a good book with the ceiling fan on.  Am I the only one who instantly feels more relaxed when there is a ceiling fan involved? 
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I'll be blogging from the beach tomorrow =)

going glam

I'm currently working on a client project that I've dubbed "going glam".  Here current style of decor is mostly traditional and now that she's entering a new phase of her life, she wants her home to reflect that!  This is where we came up with "going glam" because everything is going glam..she is, her bedroom, living room, bathroom, office.....
I'm really excited about this project and the possibilities.  We are mainly starting with a blank canvas - keeping a few key pieces.  While completely redoing a space from scratch (or multiple rooms in this case) can sometimes be overwhelming in the beginning, it's the projects I find most rewarding.
As always, to get the project started, we are pulling inspiration.

Eclectic Bedroom design by Dallas Interior Designer RSVP Design Services

Eclectic Home Office design

Contemporary Bedroom design by Miami Architect DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers Miami, FL

Traditional Bedroom design by New York Interior Designer Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC

Eclectic Living Room design by Kansas City Interior Designer Nichole Loiacono-Young

Contemporary Dining Room design by San Francisco Interior Designer Amoroso Design

Now the fun begins!  On to piecing these together!  

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to enter to win a watercolor!  See below!

Watercolor Giveaways!
Halle from Classic Glam Blog is giving away one of my ombre watercolors!  Enter HERE!

Colette from Frugal Finds is also giving away one of my watercolors!  Head over here to enter!