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Urban Farming and Family | Lifestyle and Family

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Nothing comes between a girl and her roo...

The words “Urban” and “Farming” might not seem like words that go together, but today, I want to share the details of what urban farming is, and why it works for our little family! Though we live in a city, we are able to grow produce and also raise chickens (and two roosters!). I love giving my kids the experience of having a farm and our own piece of land, while still living in close proximity to the city and amenities. 

Photos by Olivia Leigh Photography

If you’re thinking about urban farming, or hoping to begin this lifestyle yourself, keep in mind that you don’t have to start a large farm, or grow all your own food (though that is a really awesome benefit). In fact, the very definition of urban farming includes simply growing any sort of vegetables or raising animals.  Our property is just over an acre and we have managed to landscape in mostly edible plants.  We lined our driveway with peach trees, planted a mini vineyard, an herb & strawberry garden all in our front yard.  Our backyard we have planted Olive trees, a mini orchard, pumpkin patch and 2 vegetable gardens.  This season we also added a citrus grove.  We shall see how it does here in our Southern Oregon climate.

During the first and second world wars, many people grew their own food and helped the nation overcome desperate food shortages. Today, most people grow food, or pursue urban farming to have organic options, or to know where their food is coming from, free from GMO’s or harmful pesticides. In 2012, New York City opened their very own rooftop garden! The ideas behind urban farming center around community, resourcefulness, and a healthy lifestyle! There is something really beautiful about getting your hands in the dirt and growing vegetables and raising animals, especially for children. I love the fresh air and satisfaction of my very own garden.

I've also found a "new love" for our family pet chickens. I AM the crazy chicken lady (at least I am not the cat lady!).  We have 2 boys..Sweetie and Rosie (yes, both are roosters).  Sweetie has been packed around for 2 1/2 years by my now 11 year and Rosie is our blind rooster that you will often find me packing around.   He loves to stand by my side as I weed the garden!!

 

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Summer Must Haves | Trend Watch and Inspiration

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I love summer! With my innate love of whites, creams, neutral tones, and pretty textures, summer naturally lends itself to my personal style. It’s also the perfect time to add in pops of color and with the ample natural light, everything is brighter and cheerier. Here are our picks for practical, lifestyle pieces to make your summer style perfect!

Woven Market Baskets: I love the large market baskets I’ve seen around. You can use them at the farmer’s market, store blankets in them in a living room, or toss them onto your patio to hold clutter. This one from Etsy is one of my favorites! They also come in a variety of sizes, which makes them very practical as well as cute!

White linen: White linens are a quick way to add instant style and polish to any space. Whether you opt for a tablecloth, cloth napkins, or placements, they are not only pretty, but also environmentally friendly and easy to toss into the wash to clean. We like these easy pieces from The White Company.  They are light with a subtle texture.

The perfect summer tart: No party is complete without a beautiful, easy dessert. This beautiful lemon tart is a cinch, and you can follow the easy recipe here from Martha Stewart. A rustic, beautifully cooked tart is the perfect dessert to impress your friends and provide them with the perfect finishing touch to a home-cooked meal!

Rustic Lemon Tart and other Meyer Lemon Recipes via Martha Stewart

The cutest little berry basket in ceramic is the best table topper, ever! Add a tiny pop of color into a white table setting with these darling little berry baskets from Crate and Barrel, cast in sturdy ceramic. They are washable and hold more than just berries....we’ve seen them filled with flowers, lemons, leaves, and baked goods...You could group three or four of them together for a larger impact. 

What’s your favorite summer must-have?

Business Spotlight | Minery Rentals

Today, I’m so delighted to share with you a brand new venture, offering Southern Oregon and the surrounding areas exclusive access to incredible furnishings! "Minery Rentals was born out of a strong design to see more luxury, modern and unique world traveled treasures to the Rogue Valley and surrounding areas. We love well-traveled pieces that come with a story, but our priority is rooted in quality as well. We’ve had a huge response from the local community, and are so thrilled to be involved in the wedding industry on an even deeper level, as well as events, home staging and styled photo shoots.”, explains owner Betsy Tomasello, who launched the curated and unique brand in 2015. 

Photos by Olivia Leigh Photography

The rental inventory is available to anyone, and the target audience includes weddings, special occasions, corporate marketing events and conferences, and staging real estate properties. “We have a wide range of clients, and welcome inquiries for any type of rental need”, continues Betsy, "and we are happy to ship our items to pretty much any area. Just drop us an email with your event details for a custom delivery quote."

"We strive to make everything as simple and easy as possible. Clients can schedule a private warehouse viewing or stop by during one of our open houses to pick out their items. And, we are constantly updating our website to allow clients the ability to browse all of our inventory online as well! Reservations made in house or via email at mineryrentals@gmail.com just need a 50% deposit and a signed rental contract to reserve the items”, she adds. 

The rental service fills a void that was needed in Southern Oregon for beautiful, unique and high-quality pieces. Minery Rentals has a huge range of decor items including tabletop pieces, natural wood consoles, the highly coveted vineyard chairs, and a mix of high-end Restoration Hardware pieces, including some of their beautiful chandeliers.  

For more information,  please visit their website here. 

Hosting the Perfect Farm to Table Dinner Party

What better way to usher in summer sun, longer nights, and warmer temperatures than hosting a beautiful farm to table dinner? Gather up your friends and some good wine, and make it happen! We recently styled this gorgeous spread, and have a few tips for you as you plan your own!

-Be flexible: When working with local produce and farm-to-table recipes, you have to have a loosely planned menu in case an ingredient doesn’t pan out. Be flexible and keep your mind open to last minute changes.

-Prepare as much as you can ahead of time:  Mason jars and other glass containers can hold dressings, drinks, and other side items that you want to prep early on. You want lots of time with your guests, and fresh food is why you are there!

-Don’t forget seasonal drinks! We love the idea of a basil lemonade, or fruit infused waters to add some extra flair to your menu. Large glass drink dispensers look beautiful wreathed in greenery and filled with pretty waters!

-Send your guests home with goodies! We whipped up some little preserve jars with mini wooden spoons, and tucked them inside strawberry containers for a reusable favor. Other ideas would be recipes (especially for the foods you served that evening), glass jars, pretty dishtowels, or soaps from local artisans.

-Lastly, set the mood! Beautiful lighting and styled decor (of course we love the look of ample greenery, crisp whites and linens, and simple glass cups with twine and burlap mixed in) can help make your guests feel at home and welcome. If you’re interested in professional styling, give me a call!

How to Use Chalk Paint | Trend Watch

photos from palettepaint.com & amyhowardhome.com

You guys! We have found the coolest paint ever! Painting things has been fun for a long time, so we get that we are not game-changers here, and this is not a particularly new trend, but this paint is pretty amazing. Meet “One step paint” from Amy Howard (available at Ace Hardware and here)

We love the Luxe Grey and Spa White colors for well, just about anything, but the brighter pops of color will look amazing against neutral decor, too. Best of all, there is virtually no prep reguired (other than gently cleaning your surface). You can bit sanding, priming and stripping farewell, because this stuff truly is one step. It even adheres to fabric, which opens up a world of possibilities (chairs, cushions!), as well as formica, metal and wood. On the Amy Howard website, you can find a whole bunch of transformations and ideas. 

photos from Amy Howard Home and  themilldesignandhome.com 

The Amy Howard blog has an excellent tutorial on painting fabric to make a custom floorcloth here, and we have found some of the best Pinterest tutorials on using chalk paint below:

How to Paint Cabinets (video)

How to paint fabric (video)

How to wax and distress projects

Chalk paint for beginners

Have we given you some inspiration?? It’s just about yard sale season here in my corner of Oregon, so I might be heading to get myself some paint to bring some of those worn out pieces I find back to life!

Incorporating Beautiful Lighting into Your Home

The other day, I was thinking about how much of a difference that quality, beautiful lighting makes in your home. It can change the whole feel of a space, and add warmth and style in a way that even furniture cannot. I love quality lighting pieces, and some of my favorite pieces come from Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn. I know we often talk about affordable pieces here on the blog, and those two retailers are definitely not known for being the most affordable. But lighting is one of the areas I personally believe you need to invest in pieces that can withstand the test of time!

This Rope Filament Collection from Restoration Hardware is stunning. The sturdy piece will last and last, and will overcome changes in decor and paint to look beautiful for years. The classic styling will pair well with a farmhouse style decor for contrast, and with pretty neutrals and whites. You can find it here.

You can also make a big impact with key, smaller pieces like this table lamp from Restoration as well. The vintage mercury glass base pairs well with modern pieces, as well as multiple furniture finishes, making it another piece that you can easily use for years.

Pottery Barn is slightly more affordable, especially if you may want to change your decor before several years have passed. I love this six arm chandelier piece that has a rustic charm. You can use it indoor or outdoor, and it is beautiful and classic. It would pair best with items close to the “Fixer Upper” style we have been showing you recently.

This pretty piece would be right at home in a bedroom or sitting room, with it’s intricate inlay design. The subtle texture is not overpowering, but also adds interest to the surroundings. I’d love to see it with neutrals and pretty rustic wood furniture. 

Making Your Outdoor Space More Cozy | Trend Watch

With crisp Spring weather peeking out from behind the clouds in my area of the country, I’m getting excited for warmer days and spending time outdoors. Although I love creating indoor spaces and relaxing rooms for families and businesses, I also love making outdoor spaces inviting and fun.  Here are some great, curated pieces, as well as where to find them. By drawing inspiration from these items, you can make your personal outdoor space inviting, relaxing and practical. 

Start with solid furniture pieces

I love the look of this Pottery Barn chair, but the price tag can be a bit hefty, especially if you want to seat a number of guests in your backyard or patio. I also like this Target option, which is well under half the price, though it is lighter color and has a slightly more rounded design. Don’t overlook places like vintage resale shops, Goodwill, and online special sale sites like Wayfair and Zulily for other great pieces.

Mix High and Lower End Decor for an Eclectic, Affordable Look

Target also has a whole collection of Farmhouse-inspired decor this year, for their outdoor collections, and it’s really beautiful! With pops of color and light teal, it manages to be affordable but not look too cheap. I love this pillow, which falls at less than half of Pottery Barn’s cute pillows. You can mix and match high end and low end pillows for a great look that is more affordable. 

Target also has a huge collection of wooden trays, and canvas seat cushions to add some flair to your space, so don’t forget to check there. Rugs, lanterns and umbrellas can add color and texture and ultimately, make even a concrete patio more inviting and warm.  A few strands of twinkle lights can also add a fun ambiance.

Look for inspiration:

I love drawing inspiration from places like Pottery Barn, West Elm, and other high end decor stores. Although this image has a few more modern elements than I normally veer to (I love the more french styles and farmhouse/shabby chic), you can see the way the rug and varied wood textures really pull the look together. This would look great in a small or large space and still feel intimate. (Image via West Elm, furniture and decor via West Elm), you can shop the look here. Pinterest is also a great way to visualize how an outdoor space might be best set up.

And, don’t forget that I’d love to come help you style whatever area of your home needs a polished touch. Give me a call today!

Paris Dreaming | Styled Shoot

Images by Anna Grinets Photography

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Just the mere mention of Paris evokes elegance from a bygone era, elegance we hoped to channel for this stylized shoot that took place in the heart of the romantic city. We set up at the historic Grand Salon of the Shangri-La Hotel in France. The beautiful room, with it’s gilded decor and luxury feel was the perfect place for a bride to ready herself for her big day. Her gown (a lace number by Claire Pettibone) was flattering and perfect, and was a true work of art. To achieve a classic French bridal look, hair and makeup artist Marina carefully added neutral tones and a chignon to our already-stunning bridal model. 

In addition, we are featuring florals by Estelle Preston, who used some of France’s most beautiful flowers, like garden roses in quiet blush tones. Everything was rounded out with polished and elegant details, like a custom invitation suite, and a trousseau box which was a traditional place for a bride-to-be to keep her favorite heirlooms. Backed by the views of the city, and the Eiffel Tower, this Parisian shoot swept us away to romance. 

Photography: Anna Grinets Photography
Design & Styling: Terrie Day, Allure With Decor
Gown: Claire Pettibone
Shoes: Emmy London
Flowers: Estelle Preston
Model: Clara Eon
Venue: Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, France
Makeup and Hair: Marina G Makeup
Candles:
Gold Wreath & Napkin Rings: Pretty in Paint
Tiara & Bracelet: Joyfolie
Stationary: Plume Calligraphy & Design (www.plumecalligraphy.com) Trousseau box: Trousseau & Co (by Joy Proctor Design) 

Sparkle and Shine | Featured on Ruffled | Weddings

A romantic field tucked in the heart of the Applegate Valley, made for the perfect backdrop for this sparkle-filled styled shoot. I styled this gorgeous, gold-hued shoot with Rebecca Masters Photography recently (scroll down for full list of vendors). The bridal model wore a stunning, sequined Badgley Mischka gown, and layered a delicate tulle skirt over it from BHLDN, that gave her the versatility of two gorgeous looks with just two pieces. The vineyard shoot featured touches of the woodland outdoors (like the moss tucked in around the cake), with rustic pieces like the table and chairs. Then, I added subtle hints of gold to accentuate her shimmering gown, and to elevate the wood pieces. The overall look was elegant but grounded.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY:

REBECCA MASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

EVENT COORDINATION AND DESIGN:

ALLURE WITH DECOR

FLORAL DESIGN:

BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE

VENUE:

RED LILY VINEYARDS

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

JANICE MOON ARTISTRY

WEDDING CAKE:

TAYLOR MADE CAKES

RING BOX:

THE MRS. BOX

RIBBONS:

FROU FROU CHIC

WEDDING INVITATIONS:

KELSEY MALIE CALLIGRAPHY

Celebrating Love Month | Decor and Holidays

No matter how you choose to celebrate love month, it’s always fun to freshen up your space with Valentine themed decor! We are drawing inspiration from some of our favorite weddings today on the blog, and helping you find pieces to add into your holiday decor. 

Remember this farmhouse style, blush themed affair? We loved it so much, and we think you can bring some rustic touches into your house with just one cute piece! These cute glass jars are adorable, and you can tuck just a few little pink roses inside to create a rustic look! And, you can swap out flowers or stems to create a look for every holiday (we think evergreens and berries would be perfect for Christmas).

We are also still inspired by this wedding by the river, where gold and pink made bride Nicole’s wedding dreams come true. Gold is making a total comeback on the design scene, where once people deemed it too “dated”. Now, delicate gold can accompany blush or pinks for a cute valentine’s theme any time of the year. To incorporate some gold tones, try this gallery set from Pottery Barn, with it’s pretty gilt edges, it’s a subtle and elegant way to add some shimmer to your space.

How are you adding in pinks and apricot to your decor? We’d love to see your inspiration photos, or decor!

Crater Lake Resort | Creekside Wedding

Are you ready to cozy up in a cabin in the woods? We are! In fact, the chilly temperatures of winter and the beauty of the pacific northwest were what inspired us to put together this incredible session. We layered sprigs of evergreens with cheeky buffalo plaid and rustic wood to piece together the table settings. With the perfect fire stoked and waiting in the cabin, and antlers and pinecones scattered throughout, we just couldn’t get enough! This charming rustic wedding ceremony took place on the creek at the Crater Lake Resort, and every guest was invited to stay in cabins rented by the lovely couple. All throughout the decor and the ceremony, there were heartfelt touches of beauty and personality, like the artisan, cable-knit blankets that the bride’s mother made by hand, or the vintage glasses from her grandmother. The couple had an outdoor creekside ceremony,Are you ready to cozy up in a cabin in the woods? We are! In fact, the chilly temperatures of winter and the beauty of the pacific northwest were what inspired us to put together this incredible session. We layered sprigs of evergreens with cheeky buffalo plaid and rustic wood to piece together the table settings. With the perfect fire stoked and waiting in the cabin, and antlers and pinecones scattered throughout, we just couldn’t get enough! This charming rustic wedding ceremony took place on the creek at the Crater Lake Resort, and every guest was invited to stay in cabins rented by the lovely couple. All throughout the decor and the ceremony, there were heartfelt touches of beauty and personality, like the artisan, cable-knit blankets that the bride’s mother made by hand, or the vintage glasses from her grandmother. The couple had an outdoor creekside ceremony, followed by a heart-warming (literally) reception and s’mores celebration by the bonfire. After they said “I do”, the guests released wishing lanterns into the night sky...it almost set the trees ablaze, but was simply stunning!  This was the perfect day, and all the kisses, candlelight, and comfort made me want to stay forever!

 

Home Trends for Tweens | Bedroom Decor Style Watch

Ah, the tween bedroom! That difficult stage where little kid decor doesn't make the cut, but it's not

 

quite right to transition into neutrals and subtle tones! Not to mention the costs of outfitting a room your child may outgrow rapidly; we are here to show you affordable, attractive and fun places to shop to make the most of your budget and the tastes of your pre-teen. Meet the tween room, and our techniques for decorating it to suit these transitional years:

First, always get the input of your pre-teen. Though you may cringe at their choices, like a zebra and hot pink themed room, or camouflage everywhere, helping them invest in the room will make it a place they want to be. Perhaps you can incorporate a zebra print pillow, or a subtle animal print lamp rather than a whole wall covered in the theme. We love Pottery Barn Teen for items both parents and their spunky kids can enjoy, and decor that you will love having in your home.

 

Check around for similar pieces that won't break the bank: This bright and cheery quilt is so pretty, and something that is both fun but also aesthetically pleasing. With pretty white linens, it can be the focal point for young lady's room and can move easily into a teen room. If the $169 price tag is too steep, consider choosing a bright and beautiful throw pillow selection from the pricier store, and opting for a fun, colorful quilt from somewhere like Target. This affordable chevron quilted cover comes in four solid colors and could be matched with Pottery Barn throw pillows.

Get your hands dirty (and enlist the help of your kid!) DIY projects are only rising in popularity, and you can find a litany of awesome items for dirt-cheap at places like Yard Sales and Goodwill. By using correct paint and primer (we recommend asking an experienced DIY'er rather than doing random projects off Pinterest), you can turn outdated items into affordable pieces that your child will feel attached to because they had a hand in creating them. Some good ideas for DIY's are: lamps, frames that can be turned into chalkboards or artwork displays, wooden chairs, and trinket items like jewelry boxes and mirrors.

No matter what you choose, we can help you put it all together. As one of Southern Oregon's premiere interior designers, we do projects of every size, including teen bedrooms, and if you have a vision but aren't sure how to execute it, we would love to help you. Contact us today at 541-301-6374!

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Decor Trend Watch | Bathrooms

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                                                   Left : Natural White Oak Plank Flooring | Middle:  Pottery Barn Holden Bath Accessories | Right: Terrie Day's Master Bath

When you're decorating your bathroom, you have to consider who will be using it (should it be kid friendly? Great for guests?), in order to choose the best and most stylish accessories that will work for you. We went to one of our favorite stores, Pottery Barn, which we love for their classic, tasteful stylings, for the best in new bath decor!

Stripes, always timeless, set the stage for a classically styled bathroom. The charcoal and white curtain, when paired with crisp whites and dark wood, is beautiful, and would be beautiful in a guest bathroom. The simple look requires little upkeep, and will stay nice for years without major renovations to the style. The curtain would look beautiful with additional white accessories like these.  

For a children's bathroom, where items will take more wear-and-tear, you can still find stylish and pretty decor that will withstand toddlers and kids! For girls, we LOVE this shabby-chic inspired ruffle curtain from Pottery Barn. We would add in some simple bath mats to absorb bath time splashing, and maybe even this adorable footstool for those little ones reaching the sink! For the little guys, or a unisex bathroom, we would love this navy henley stripe shower curtain that would polish up any family bathroom.

For the master bath, a place of refuge and peace (hopefully!), we would choose this pretty, delicate grey and cream pattern curtain. Paired with pewter accessories and all-white linens, it would feel like a day at the spa! Grey is so soothing, but you could add in pale blues or teal greens to add some color and life to it, if your bedroom is also neutral hues. West Elm also has some gorgeous candles, similar to Anthropologies, that would work well in a soothing bath environment. This scent is amazing!

We would love to help you put together a bathroom you love! Contact us today for more information (please bear with us as our website undergoes changes). 

a beautiful Christmas to you

During this time of year, it’s easy to get nostalgic, but I always do anyways!  I feel so thankful for the many friends and clients who have crossed my path this year. I still find it amazing that I’d be honored to enter into your lives and your homes to help make them special, beautiful, and practical for your family.  YOU truly are the greatest gift imaginable. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for allowing me that privilege. 

From my family to yours, we wish you a beautiful Christmas and a very, very happy new year!

Decorating a Dorm Room | Trends to Watch

Dorm rooms are notorious for being ugly, stocked with immoveable furniture, and dingy walls. But there are now so many cute ways to decorate your dorm room, that ugly is so yesterday. We ran to one of our favorite retailers, Pottery Barn of course, and found the best dorm decor that is functional and fabulous.

 

These solid colored bins with piped edges are ON SALE (hooray!), and they are a great way to store things under a bed lifted up on risers. You need all the storage you can get, and these sturdy boxes hold a ton! They come in a ton of bright colors, but we like the neutrals for a streamlined look. Large ones can hold clothes, sports equipment, and books, while the small ones can stow power cords and DVD's. Snag a few extra for binders, papers, and documents!

 

This amazing little caddy attaches to your bed, and can hold slippers, papers, books, or even shoes like flats and sneakers. It's a space saving way to store flat-type  items. You can find these here.

 

We know this bedding set looks a little luxurious for a dorm room, and we are pretty sure it is a bedroom pictured, not a dorm! But, it's gorgeous, and it will surely last you four years with it's high quality and washable features. It comes with matching shams, but you could swap those out for something more affordable from Target in a solid navy. We also like the clean, chic look of this one. 

Want more dorm room ideas? Stay tuned to our blog!

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Trend Watch | Faux Windowpanes

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Have you seen the fun faux windowpanes popping up in decor lately? They’re so cute, and I’ve been dreaming up ways to incorporate them into my styling. I noticed them on HGTV’s Fixer Upper recently, where stylist Joanna Gaines used them to liven up one of her renovations. She always has great taste, and I’ve seen her add them in, mixed with greenery and other accents to work with the distressed wood. With this trend, you can do anything from a subtle photo frame with a windowpane style, to a full, vintage window with the glass removed. 

You could use a simple photo frame like this floating windowpane one from Target like this one (for under $35!) to bring a subtle touch of the french inspiration to your home, or you could scour salvage yards for real vintage windows and bust out the glass panes. Make sure, if you find old windows at thrift stores or yard sales, to watch for shards of glass and splinters. Sand down rough edges and make sure it’s safe before mounting with heavy duty hardware!

You can also incorporate them into wedding or event decor! It takes a bit more planning and effort, but they can be hung as a beautiful backdrop for photos, or for a styled birthday or baby shower. Make sure you hang them from a strong beam or support so your guests don’t end up with one on their heads! Lastly, you can try a faux window as an alternative to a headboard! I saw this recently, but the example did not use a vintage window (I don’t think that would feel very nice to lean up against!), but they had a custom one made that looked like a windowpane. 

How would you use this trend?

French Inspired Shabby Chic | Looks from Chairish

We were inspired by these chic looks from Chairish! If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a savvy new way to shop and purchase vintage and restored pieces of furniture and decor. They have some really unique pieces, and we had a hard time narrowing it down! But, given my love of shabby chic, french inspired decor, I decided to design a Shabby Chic look with some of my favorite pieces. I am always inspired by french decor; as they are always intentional and particular about the pieces they choose. There is a luxury and glamour in the minimalistic feel of most french designs, and that’s why I chose the pieces I did. The chairs and ottoman have a interesting texture appeal, and the tufting is sophisticated.

The provincial style sideboard adds a feminine flair, and the soft hues of the rug pulls the look together. This look would be perfect for a bedroom, or sitting area, and the antlers add a modern touch and a bit of an eclectic feel, and keep with the shabby chic look with a distressed finish. You could even split the pieces up with more modern decor and use them to add visual interest.