How to make your storage stylish!

Merry Christmas to you and your family... I hope everyone had a fun-filled and safe holiday!
 

Back to biz over here. Although I LOVE Christmas the amount of stuff my family accumulates in one single day is both silly and sinful at the same time.

The days after a holiday and in particular Christmas has me asking how am I ever going to get back to neutral? It's a crazy disorganized mess over here. And I'll be honest I like my churches gothic, my wine red and my house somewhat organized.

 

So I thought maybe there are some others out there who feel the same way so I thought I'd gather a few stylish storage options out there for us who want to get it together before the new year hits us:)

And actually whether you celebrate Christmas or not the new year is a good time to get organized. Am I right? 

So after you do the
 

 

 

Take note of what you have left to put away and
you'll need to buy some of these for storage



wisteria



Serena and lilly

joss and main

 

 

West Elm

 

 

here

Target

 

serena and lilly
 

Baskets of Africa



overstock

overstock


Best way to increase storage space? Go up!
So you will most likely need ....SHELVING

My fave - the IKEA Expedit
If you 've never used --- you must. Here is what they look like

 

 

Here's how you can make them stylish  and functional...

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To quote the Beastie Boys... She's crafty...

 

 

On it's side used as a window seat .... I would add a cushion of course:)

 

 

As a part of your kitchen banquette

 

 

 

And I'm pretty sure you can get this whole look at IKEA

 

 

 

 Need some ideas on how to store all of those decorations? You can read this post here from Organize and Decorate Everything.

 

Last but not least you may want to read this pretty awesome article with some great organizational tips.

 

You can read it here

P.S. My Christmas purge this year may include a call to 1 800 got-junk.  Anyone ever use this service before?? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading!! xoxo

GO EAGLES!!! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!





 

How to set a simple holiday table...

Are you hosting a holiday fete?

 

You are? Perfect. This post will be right up your alley.

 

You're not?

That's ok --me either:))

But if I were, I think I'd choose a simple table setting. With all the crazy stress of shopping, wrapping, baking, and kids jumping out of their skin I think I'd like to sit down to a calm, serene, non-fussy table.

 

All of these table settings can be created by heading to your backyard or local supermarket. Easy, right?

 

You could print out sheet music from your computer on card stock with your favorite Christmas songs and place them under your plates and add fresh greens cut from your garden.

.

Too cumbersome?

How about heading to your backyard and clipping a few evergreens and placing them under a vase or drinking glass turned upside down.

 

 

Or heading to the supermarket buying greens and purchasing a few chartreuse Christmas balls and scattering them around your table.

 

Eddie Ross

While your at the supermarket you could pick up some fresh rosemary and fashion the sprigs into little wreaths with some green wire tied with a twine bow.

 

Let's face it we'll all be going to the market one more time why not go to Trader Joes, Whole Foods or Wegmans and pick up a few live topiaries or lush wreaths and create the tablescapes you see below.

 

 

 

And last but not least, how about these two simple settings?

Cut greens in champagne flutes.

 

Cut Greens tied with twine and cinnamon sticks.

 

Would you like some more simple hosting tips?

 

Well your in luck! Abby from Abby M. Interiors wrote a great post on simple entertaining. It's a MUST read!

 

 

You can read her tips here!

 

Speaking of simple yet pretty .... these crisp white panels were just installed in two different client's houses one with a lavender and chartreuse green trim.

 

 

They are living in the same house as these fab stools!

 

 

 

The other with a navy and white greek key trim.

 

These are sharing the spotlight with this awesome setup

Serena and Lilly racing stripe chair SO amazing in person:)

 

Adoring them both!!

 

And I had to share my newest loves. How about these two little pretty bedside lamps from Restoration Hardware kids?

 

$179

 

 

 



only $59

Well there you have it! Last post before this holiday business begins!!

So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and your families! Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe 2014!

Thanks so much for reading!! xoxo
 

My dog broke my computer, black trimmings and client updates

And we're back.

 

 I went radio silent for a bit last week because my 70 pound golden doodle was lounging on the sofa next to my computer and stretched his legs and BAM! Computer hit the floor smashing my screen. 

Oh well, luckily the screen was covered by a two-year warranty I have absolutely no recollection of purchasing but must pat myself on the back for having the foresight to do so. I really do surprise myself sometimes:)

Anyhoo, I've got lots to get too...
 I know I should be obsessing over holiday decorating and gift-giving.

 But I'm not.  

So I thought I'd share my current obsession ...  black trimmings and I'm not talking for the tree.

All images via pinterest

I know I've touched upon this subject in my last post.

 But I'm thinking a  great way to dabble in this rich and glam black paint thang is to start with one room and paint out the windows (they have to be wood with wood inserts), french door or trim in one room and see what you think. Like we learned in kindergarten just a dab will do.

But, I'll betcha a million dollars you'll love it. I know it's scary but it's just paint, right? I'd love for you to take the plunge in your own home and send me pictures of your project. I have a few clients who are almost convinced!!! Hoping to share their progress in the new year.

Speaking of clients....

I've got a big WOW factor planned for this big, empty indigo blue wall!
I first saw this artwork on Calling it Home's blog and have been dreaming about using it ever since.

Four of these babies on either side of the window.

HELLO MAJOR IMPACT!!!

You can buy these prints or other fabulous ones from the amazingly talented Jennifer at the Pink Pagoda's etsy shop here.  Once they're
 hung I'll share!

One last client update .... You know I 've been singing the praises of Crypton fabric for clients who have small children, muddy dogs and messy husbands.

I just went to check on the progress of a family room where we covered two chairs in a greyish linen crypton fabric and there has been red wine,  baby spit-up and messy, grimy snack-filled hands all over these chairs and guess what???

They look brand new!!

Here's a looksie. Now we 're doing some MAJOR construction in this room so I won't share the whole room pics yet but here's a sneak peek.

Here's the awesome crypton chairs -- do you see that drink table in between from Bliss studio?? 

here

It's a fabulous, sturdy and stylish brass table for those of you with small kids. It's heavy and won't tip over like a garden seat and wont break like a glass table yet it's stylish funky and modern!

The yellow paint will be replaced with

 

DRAMA!!!!

Benjamin Moore's Chelsea grey - a deep rich grey paint. Who knows we might even go crazy and paint the trim the same color in high gloss. If not we're going with a crisp white!!

We are installing built-ins on either side of a window painted white or grey with this sconce above the shelves.

 

These sconces will go on either side of the fireplace in brass.

 

 

 

 

This Flush mount will light up the ceiling

 

 

 

 

 

All available from Circa Lighting.

This ikat fabric will make an appearance by way of a few pillows mixed in with some grey leopard ones.

Beacon Hill

And the fabric to the far right will serve as trim on the neutral curtains.

This table in a dark rich wood



restoration hardware

And this classic sofa

will be paired with these ottomans.

Thoughts, questions, concerns??

I think I may want to move in after I get finished with this space.

Want help getting this look for your home or need some of that crypton fabric in your house?? Shoot me an email!

Thanks for reading!!! XOXO
Happy Shopping and Decorating and when your done please come by and do my house!!