Vignettes and Random Spaces

I'm organizing my images again - making room for inspiration! This little vignette would be simple to re-create. Formula:

Dramatic, bright wallpaper
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Antique wood framed mirror
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Painted black chest
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Flowers, candles and other accessories
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White umbrella holder filled with eBay umbrellas
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Blue striped rug
=
Nice spot to stash your keys, mail drop, great place to store gloves, scarves, dog leashes, flashlights, etc. in the chest of drawers, and a nice welcoming spot for you and your guests.

The art of arrangement really stands out in this vignette.

I like the idea board in this office space.

I really like this chandelier. The straw bags filled with straw hats is a cool idea. Near a pool or in a bathroom you could use the same idea but filled with fluffy white towels instead.

Oh - this is so pretty...

photo - Preston Interiors

I like the colors in this photo. I would like to re-create this look somewhere in my home.

photo - Caroline Eclectic

I like this foyer. The chair and the pillow add the perfect pop of color against all the neutrals.

photo - Point Click Home

Perfect symmetry - but not boring. Blue and brown are so pretty together.

This Nate Berkus space is masculine but still pretty.

I saved this one because I love to see wonderful jewelry on display. I can't tell what the necklaces are displayed in - is that glass or plexi-glass? You could create a similar look using a glass candlestick inside a glass hurricane candle holder. The necklaces could be draped around a short candle and dangle down the side of the candlestick. The bracelets could stack over another glass candlestick. The mirrored countertop makes everthing sparkle.

For all you folks in apartments, this one's for you. These floating shelves (or rails) are in every catalog and even Target. They are great for diplaying photos, art, and small objects. They are simple to hang, simple to move, and give a lot of visual punch. Easy.

photo - Design Elements

Another punch-y idea...these bright orange shelves give big impact for little money. Paint what already have bright orange or bright turquoise or bright yellow OR order similar shelves from West Elm or Z Gallerie. I've seen them there.

photo - Desire to Inspire

The next two photos have been everywhere on the net. The color combo is pretty and the whole look is an easy copy.

In this photo the walls and furniture are blue and the floor is brown but it's still just as appealing. The touch of zebra helps, too.

I like the large mirror in this foyer. Actually, I like everything in this foyer. I like how they hung the picture over the mirror - using it as a sort of picture railing.

photo - House Beautiful

collection of glove molds is nice with the modern art above it.

Ok - I can put file these photos away now. I feel better.

HGTV Green Home 2009

HGTV's 2009 Green Home is located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, which is not too far from where I live. The home features green products, design, and outdoor spaces. Check out these photos from HGTV's website.



The exterior of the home features native, low maintenance, and drought tolerant landscaping. The home has wide overhangs for optimal cooling. On the website there are photos of the vegetable garden in the back yard along with the compost and the rainwater collection systems.



I like how they showcased this pop of color in the foyer.




The dining area is open to the living room and also opens up to the back porch.






Another shot of the dining area...

I like the color combination in this lounge area. The orange really pops against the dark cabinets. There are two beverage refrigerators on either end of the long cabinet. This area could definitely be used as a bar for entertaining.
I love the huge bird print as well as the large planters. The scale of this room is nice.

This area is located on the back side of the foyer wall. Through the door is the master bedroom. This room doesn't do much for me. I do like the matching mirrors and tables in the background, though.

I like the wall of tile in the kitchen and the long, dark cabinets.

I like the hood above the stove. It makes the less expensive appliances look beefier. I would rather have seen a glass top range with a separate built in oven below. I found out not long ago that, overall, electric ranges are more energy efficient than gas. That is probably why they chose to use electric appliances instead of gas in this "green" home.

I noticed a neat design trick. Look at the door to the pantry. See how they added a false transom to the top of it to make it seem taller? It looks more substantial than a simple door. Now, go back to the dining room photos. They did the same thing on the sliding doors.

Nice colors in the guest room. I like the fabric covered bedside tables. All kinds of things can be hidden behind the fabric. The glass on top protects the fabric from stains. This is a low cost decorating idea.
The child's room is bright and cheery and TINY! Cute bed, but I hope she doesn't have plans for sleepovers...

The children's bathroom is nice. I like more mirror space, though. Maybe it would have been better to place this mirror on top of a mirrored wall?

I like the lines of tile in the bathtub/shower area and the super, soft pink walls.



This bathroom is the hall bathroom. I love the tiled wall. Since this bathroom will be used more as a powder room, the small mirror doesn't really matter. I like the brown and blue combination.

This is the sitting room. I heard on the news this morning that there are over a million alligators in Florida. Because of the drought, they are more active than usual right now, so dog walkers and joggers - BEWARE!! I digress...

Anyhoo- nice gator prints on the wall.

The master bedroom is soothing in soft blue and the turquoise keeps it from being boring. I like how they swept the drapery panels to either side of the windows.

There are identical mirrors flanking both sides of the door leading to the master bath. Notice the door trick again!

The master bathroom...

The screened, back porch area has a cute, little daybed.

Check out the HGTV website for a complete virtual tour of this year's GREEN home!

House Tour #3

While out in Texas this summer, I had the opportunity to visit the new home of friends, Jim and Julianne. The home sits atop a mountain in East Texas. Yes, there are mountains in East Texas.

The posts on the porch are made from rough hewn timbers. There is a lap pool to the west of the home. Notice the lack of fussy landscaping. Instead, the native grasses come right up to the porch so that the home fits seamlessly into the natural landscape.

Upon entering the home, there is a flagstone floor and waxed beams that echo the feeling of the beams on the porch. The uncovered windows bring in natural light so the need for electric lighting in the daytime is minimal. I like how they used the various colors and styles of area rugs on the wood floor.

There are fireplaces on both ends of the expansive living room. Love the longhorn - perfect!

Check out the vintage wagon wheel light fixture. There are small horse statues all the way around it. The owners are in to horses so the fixture fits them perfectly.

The kitchen is my favorite room. I like the metal ceiling. It adds a whole new texture to the space, much better than drywall.

Another neat feature is the old door leading to the laundry area. The stained glass window above the door adds height to this wall so that it blends with the surrounding cabinetry and doorway.


Again, the clock above the pantry door adds height to this area.


The wine storage next to the fridge is a clever use of extra space.



I love the open shelving in the corner.







What a great evening filled with good food and fun with friends. Thanks, Jim and Julianne!