Decorating with Vases

Vases are one of those pieces that never seem to disappear out of decor rotation. Although the materials change (wood, metal, ceramic, glass) as the styles change, there’s a reason why vases are so beloved. It’s because they are versatile, can be affordable, and are easy to find. Here are a few ways you can bring them into your decor, and use them to maximize your usable pieces, no matter the season! 

SOURCE: PEXELS.COM

1. Invest in good neutral pieces: I know I sound like a broken record, with my love of neutral items, but it’s my secret to stretching a decor budget a little further, and still being able to fill a space without it looking “cheap”. Clients who come to me have a wide range of budgets, from Target to Anthropologie and West Elm, and I like to be able to suit them all!

2. Invest in a range of pieces that are high-end and budget, so you can mix and match them. You can sneak in a few Target or Amazing items, if your core pieces are beautiful and impactful. If you are looking at some more dramatic items from Anthro or another higher-end retailer, look for ones that you’ll be able to use for years, and that are well-made. Something like these large wicker style floor vases are over $300 for the pair, but they’ll work just about anywhere.

3. Don’t be afraid to DIY: If you are a handy type, you can DIY really nice vases from Goodwill or thrifting with paint, and spackle for texture. Chalk paint works well for this project, and it’s very easy. Be sure to choose vases with good shape and structure, for the best results. When you DIY a project, you definitely want to make sure it still looks nice and not like a classroom craft! This is a great tutorial on making vases look trendy and more updated.

4. Use them paired with other items: You know the age old adage of using items in trios still holds true. Often placing some (not all) items in your home in trios can give a balance look to places like the coffee table or the mantle. Vases are a great way to add height or greenery to a simple wall or space that needs the eye drawn upward.

5. Find a good space to store them when not in use: If you have young children, you know vases are likely to be knocked over or bumped! If this is your season of life, consider putting your more expensive or special vases up higher or storing them until you’re out of the toddler years! It helps to have a safe place for breakable decor, like a higher shelf in the garage or home, for when it’s not in use.

Your local thrift store, decor store, or upscale home store will have vases galore! Tune back in for more tips on incorporating decor at any price point, and let me know if you’d like to schedule an appointment with us to consult on your home! 

Cozying up in Your Home Office

Whether by choice or not, many of us are working from home these days. Although it comes with its own challenges, one of the small perks is that you can make it a space that you truly love. Making a cozy, livable space where you can work is something important as we head into the colder months, where there is a lot less natural daylight, and where we are in front of our screens even more. Here are my best tips for making a workspace that you may not want to leave!

source: Pexels.com

-Decide on a calming color palette: While bold red might sound fun and bohemian, it may not be something that you can look at for hours and days at a time. Soothing tones like white, beige, grey, blue, and even blush can be more palatable for a place where you’ll need to be sitting for long lengths. Calming colors can create a cozy feeling even in a small space, and can also make a space seem larger.

-Invest in some quality organization: A chaotic, cluttered space will always seem smaller and more frantic. TJ Maxx and Home Goods have tons of plastic organization that is also pretty, and can get all your papers, files, cords, and other necessities in order. If you don’t have an actual office and are sharing it with a bedroom or common area, consider organizing other parts of the room so you can concentrate without distractions like laundry heaps or junk drawers.

-Get blue light glasses: These are not only good if you get migraines or headaches from screen time, but they are also super cute. They can become part of your “at home” wardrobe. While we are on the topic, one thing that helps as you work from home is to get some polished but comfy clothes. Nicer items than just pajamas, and things that can be seen in public (no, not those ratty t-shirts from college!), but nothing too stuffy that would be uncomfortable after a few hours. We love the Barefoot Dreams line from Nordstrom, which are pricier, but they still look put-together.

-Surround yourself with things you love: Your favorite scent, a beautiful candle, pretty books, fresh flowers…these are all touches that will ground you and make your office feel like it represents you and your personality. Anthropologie always has the best candles, and anything with just a touch of spice (like cloves) will also freshen up your desk or table and keep it from smelling musty.

Working from home has it’s perks, and having a sweet little home office is just one of them!

The Basics of Decorating a Mantel

If you’re someone who is lucky enough to have a mantel in your house, you are likely looking forward to decorating it for the upcoming holidays. However, it may seem daunting to get the proportions and heights right, especially when you want it to look right with the rest of the room. There is a little bit of a science to the placement of things on a mantel, in order to get the most aesthetically pleasing result, and one that you’ll not constantly be wanting to rearrange every time you look at it (because really, who has time for that?!). The mantel can be a centerpiece of a room, and one your eye is instantly drawn to…when it’s done right! Here are some easy steps to getting your mantel ready for the holidays, and all those photo ops that you’ll want in front of it:

Source: Pexels.com

-Start with the anchor piece: Your large focal point can also be called the “anchor”. It can be something like a mirror, a large art piece or canvas, or something similar. Ideally, it will be the right proportion of space above the mantel ledge, and will be something neutral that doesn’t need to be changed with every season. Some pieces we love are things like windowpanes (these ones) for something that can easily work with any seasonal decor. Another neutral idea is to place an oversized clock above the mantel.

-Add items to even out the space: The best way to make sure your mantel looks just right is to think about textures, layers, and height. The items on either side of your anchor piece should be similar in size, although they don’t have to be identical. Candle holders/pillars, narrow windowpanes, shutters, or vases are all great options to start with. Again, if you want to make these neutrals like cream, black, or brown, they will be easily morphed into your seasonal arrays.

-Get holiday or season specific: Now is the fun part, but you don’t want to get too cluttery. Add just 2-3 additional items to your mantel to celebrate the season or holiday you want to highlight. For Thanksgiving, this could be some simple branches or leaves, or a small bouquet of wheat sheaves. If you’re decorating for Christmas, consider a simple banner or letters, or a little bit of sparkle (ornaments or candles). There should always be space between your items, so that it’s not a giant clump of decor…you want them to be appreciated and able to be viewed!

-During the rest of the year: When you don’t have a themed display to put together, it’s always a safe bet to include greenery or simple artwork, and always layer! A larger piece or mirror can be placed in the back of the mantel arrangement, and you can layer a smaller canvas or family photo slightly overlapped in front. This will lend depth and interest to your space.

Still stumped on how to make your mantel fit your current space? We would love to help! Contact us today to schedule your consultation for design, event planning/decor, or more!

Welcome Spring!

Spring is always a time of personal inspiration for me. The fruit trees are just beginning to blossom, and I spy bold tulips sprouting up. I have been outside, elbow deep in the dirt, trimming my roses and also soaking up some much-needed sunshine! I wanted to share some of the things that I have my eye on, and that are inspiring me in this bright and cheery season:

-I am obsessed with all things blue and woven right now! I spotted these basket pendant lights at the Surf Rider Hotel recently in Malibu, and fell right in love. I love the beach vibe, and the simplicity of the design. You may also enjoy the whole gallery of the beautiful hotel, which you can find HERE!

Source: Surfrider Hotel Gallery

-Everything blue: I am loving the blue-grey tones and the dusty blue colors that have found their way into the spring Pottery Barn and Anthro catalogs. This is a gorgeous new rug that I spotted at Anthropologie, and it’s an indoor/outdoor one that would be perfect for a patio space. 

-The Serena and Lily wallpapers come all so many gorgeous prints and textures, and I have begun dreaming up where I might include them! Here are some of my favorites: 

Priano Wallpaper 

Wentworth Wallpaper 

Fairfax Wallpaper 

Source: Jolie Paint Inspirations

-Blue is also a great color to paint a piece of furniture to freshen it up, like a dresser or a table base. My favorite type of paint is Jolie paint, which is known for it’s beautiful and lasting pigment. They are priced similarly to other matte paint brands, and they are well worth it for the finishes and quality that truly last for years! Their French blue and Slate colors would be a perfect addition to any refinish work. 

-The last way that I invite Spring into the home is with pretty baskets! Not only can they be used to organize papers and hide clutter, they can also group together pretty pieces like mason jars and florals/greens (I buy mine at Trader Joes), and decorate a countertop or island space .

Trend Watch | Faux Windowpanes

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?