Global Design: Greek Isles

This month we are traveling to the Greek Isles.

 What better way to start off the summer with cool blues and whites! 

This design styles takes is cues from the beautiful surrounding waters. They inject stone, wood  and lots of plaster into their homes to bring the outdoors in.
Notice in the images below how each room shows off these design elements.  

Simple and clean lines make up this room but the real showstopper is the ceiling!

Adding fabric to the bed surround gives an outdoor feel in this bedroom.
But here again, a  "WOW" ceiling idea! Easy to recreate in your own home. 

It's all about simplicity in this dining room.
Even though they have rustic furniture, they bring in mirrors for sparkle and of course the crystal chandelier.  

This is a more modern approach to Greek design.
But the biggest factor in this room is the arch. This is typical to many designs in the country. 

This family room holds several design elements of Greek design.
The stone fireplace, the smooth stucco built-in benches, and of course the beams on the ceiling.

Another modern approach to Greek design. I love the steal bar stools and light pendants.

This bedroom beams with romance. The fabric draped ceiling, the all white palette,
and to top it all off, a FABULOUS VIEW!

I hope you enjoyed this journey to the Greek Isles. Do you have a FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT from this style? Please let us know in the comments below!

HAPPY DESIGNING,
Christa

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Pictures Sources:

momoy.com

http://blog.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com

http://marie-amourfou.blogspot.com

http://www.decoholic.org

blogcatalog.com

http://indiehome.blogspot.com

youbookit.com

Parisian Design: Room Inspirations

Heading to Paris for our next stop while in France during our Global Design Series!

Many Parisian rooms feature lots of details, accessories and high glamour. 

I have selected a few rooms that have the style but that are a bit paired down.

I like to design my clients homes to "LIVE" in, not just to "look pretty".

I think these rooms are a perfect example of just that concept. 

Tell me your favorite room.

blog.french-quarters.com

www.makingmagique.com

www.booked.net

donayredecorating.wordpress.com

www.hookedonhouses.net

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I hope you enjoyed this trip to Parisian Designed homes. 

Which is YOUR FAVORITE?

Stayed tuned as I share some products

you can buy to achieve this look in your own home.

As always, HAPPY DESIGNING!

Christa

French Country Design: Products You Can Buy Now!!

Do you want MORE products to buy to help you create 

a French Country Look in your own home? 

Here are some popular stores, online and catalog sources just for you.

Overstock: Verdone Vanity and Wall 1-Light $47.99

Overstock: Provence Antiqued French Side Chairs 387.99 for 2

Home Depot: Nourison French Country Chocolate $99.00 

Pottery Barn: Queen Anne Upholstered Chair $249.00 

Pottery Barn: French Stripe Drape Starting at $79.00

Pottery Barn: Windham Settee Bench $349 



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French Country may be inspired by antiques but many stores and online shops too, can offer this look for less! So choose where to spend your money. Sometimes, you might spend a little more if you are hunting in vintage shops but if you love it, it is worth it. Then fill up the rest of your space with great finds!

Creativity is sometimes the best resource. 

HAPPY DESIGNING!
Christa

                                                       

Scandinavian Design: Products You Can Buy!

As part of our GLOBAL DESIGN SERIES, we want to help you achieve the looks we are showcasing. 

This month we are featuring the countries of Scandinavia.

If you missed our inspirational rooms, check out our blog post. 

Here are some great Scandinavian inspired products you can find online or in your local stores. 

Overstock 'armless ruffed chair steel' $170.99 

Crate & Barrel  'Kelby Pillow' $29.95

Ikea 'Stockholm floor lamp black' $119.99

Crate & Barrel  'Kelby Pillow' $29.95

Target 'Decorative-Damask-Square-Toss-Pillow-Gray-Yellow' $25.99 

Crate&Barrel Olin Black Rug $19.99-299.99

Overstock 'Verenda contoured leveled display cabinet' $188.99 

We hope you will try out this great look for your home. Let us know what product you like best!

Thanks for your comments and HAPPY DESIGNING!

Christa

Grass Rugs

Nothing says SPRING more than fresh green grass. So I thought I would find a few rooms that could bring that inspiration into your home.

Some of the looks are more modern but others are still very traditional. It is not only the type of material in the rug but also how it is used to create the effect of "grass" in your room.

Check out these really cool ideas to bring spring grass into your space. 

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This idea is used outdoors but you can use the concept inside as well. 

A great way to add softness to concrete, tile or even wood flooring!

This is truly a way to bring the outdoors in!

I love all the different tones of green used in this bedroom design.

Bringing a real tree in the room helps add to the overall effect plus the really cool "grass looking" rug. 

What an amazing work space below. This will get your creative juices flowing for sure!

You can achieve the rug look by visiting your local carpet store,

choosing a green carpet and have them bind it in a round form. 

And take note of the custom "rock stools".

You can use the same idea as above to "get the rug". But this inspiration is in a children's room. 

I can think of so many themed rooms  to use this rug idea.

How simple yet fabulous is this room?

Just by adding a green rug in this dining room with neutral colors gives you instant outdoor feel. 

Do you want to wake up your closet? 

Here is a wonderful solution....go green and feel like you have transported yourself every morning.

And yes, I know we'd all love to have the closet too!

Are you inspired now? I think this is a fun and whimsical way to freshen up your room.

For not a lot of money, you can create a natural look in your own home.

HAPPY DECORATING!

Christa

Let me know which room design in your favorite?

Picture Sources:

1. www.chaplank.com

2. www.thekurtizband.com

3. www.constructiondigital.com

4. www.faenation.com

5. www.housetohome.co.uk

6. www.billbarr.wordpress.com

Tween Rooms for Boys

Do you have a boy that is a TWEEN? 

Designing a room for them can be a scary thing. 

I recently had a fan from my Facebook Fan Page that was in need of some design ideas for her son. She did not want the typical themed room ideas such as surfing, skateboarding or sports. So I surfed the web to find some inspiration to help her create a room that can grow with her son and be pleasing to her as well. Have your son give you his input on favorite colors and ideas. You never know...this could be a new bonding experience for you both! 

Stay simple. Try a bold stripe around the room. Add a huge monogram letter, this one is done in metal. Use a quilt with color blocking. Pull the rooms colors from the bedding.

GO BOLD with COLOR!
This example uses red but you can choose your son's favorite. If it is too bright, try to compromise on a hue that you both can enjoy. Paint the walls, bookcases and use lots of accessories to fill up the space. 

Color is the main idea here. Try sources like IKEA to help you design the room. 

Play with stripes. Nothing is more classic than this idea for a boy's room.
Start with the bedding  to help in selecting the color scheme. 

Add a bold graphic. Check out this tutorial from Design Mom on how to achieve this cool look.

Why not bring wood into the room.
You can use slats from wood pallets or even install wood flooring on the walls! 
Then just add a few pops of color and you have a room that can be used for years for your son.

I hope you all have been inspired to try something new out for your tween boy's room.
Please let me know your favorite design!

Happy Designing!
Christa

Picture Sources:
1. www.designdazzle.blogspot.com
2. homedesigns-superiority.blogspot.com
3. www.designdazzle.blogspot.com
4. theglobeandmail.com
5. coolmompicks.com
6. http://justagirlblog.com/tween-bedroom-boys-room/

Neutral colors for your home this spring

Spring is such a wonderful time to change things up a bit. After cold winter months it seems everyone is ready to welcome new and fresh color into their lives and home.

I love looking at nature for inspiration. It truly is a work of art to see all the colors in flowers, trees and grass. But look at some other items you might not think about...such as the color of the sky, moss growing on a tree, mushrooms, and even tree bark. These are neutral colors you can use as the base of your room design and then add your pops of color to make it come to life.

Here are some neutral color inspirations to bring spring and nature into your home.

 I hope these neutral color schemes will help you get started in bringing nature inside. I know many of you are afraid of color so I hope this will help you stretch your design ideas!

Happy Decorating!

Sources for pictures: 

1 & 2. www.homeklondike.com
3. www.decoratehomeinterior.com
4. www.freshbump.com
5. www.homedesignpics.com
6 & 7. http://usedcar-sale.com/interior-design-ideas/romantic-spring-home-interior-decorating-ideas.html
8 & 9. www.houseofanais.com
10. www.higginshomes.co.uk

Purple and Green Design

A fresh color scheme to add to your home is purple and green! And spring is the perfect time for you to find great items in the marketplace and online. 

These to colors work so well together. They are analogous colors as they fall next to each other on the color wheel. They are both considered cool colors so they will add a sense of  calm and relaxation. Depending on the intensity of the color will determine how your space will make you feel.

Here are some inspirational rooms to either calm you or bring your room to life!

As you can see, purple and green work so well together. From rich, bold colors to softer tones too. You can mix these two colors up in so many different ways. I hope these rooms inspired you to try out this great color scheme!

HAPPY DECORATING!!!

Let me know YOUR FAVORITE ROOM in this post!

Sources for Pictures:

1. unknown

2. www.theestateofthings.com

3. www.homedecorbook.com

4. www.decorpad.com

5. www.zimbio.com
6. www.homeart.com