Category Archives: Design Ideas

Our New Piano: Piano Styling and Décor

Posted on by

0


Recently, we received a wonderful gift from my Mother-in-law, Cindy, a piano. The piano was her pride & joy for the past several years. She was ready to pass it on to the next generation and in the process buy an upgraded instrument. This new development was not a completely unexpected addition to our home, we did not expect for it to happen for a few more months. You see, Cindy had been looking around at new pianos off and off for a few years and hadn’t found anything that spoke to her. When we got word of her new purchase we were a bit surprised; however, after seeing the new piano, we completely understood. It is stunning!

Delivery day was very soon thereafter and it would be a mixture of happiness and sadness for Cindy. While her beloved old piano would be departing to its new home with us, a brand new masterpiece would be moving in! The old piano was welcomed into our home with excitement, mostly from me. We had made space in our small townhome for the new-to-us item the previous evening. Ever the level thinker, Geoff was concerned about the logistics of having such a large piece of furniture enter our already brimming home. Meanwhile, I was on cloud nine…


(Cell phone photo from delivery day)

I always wanted to play an instrument proficiently. Two instruments always stuck out in my mind, the piano and the guitar. As children, piano lessons were common among my friends. Very quickly, I realized/decided three things: I would probably make a gawky and comical teen pianist, the guitar looked and sounded cooler, and if I were to learn the piano, I would want to learn on the real thing. In the end, I took guitar lessons and lacked the commitment and will power needed to make something of it.

With an additional 15 years under my belt, I am far more optimistic about the prospect of learning an instrument. I don’t have much in the way of down time these days, but a few major things have changed. I have the maturity to stick with something, a greater appreciation for a variety of music and now… a piano!

The second most exciting thought about our new piano was that I would be able to decorate it!

I had a few general ideas in mind and scouted out other ideas on the web.

I loved the Idea of a grouping of artwork above the piano with a few lamps on top.


Via Emily A Clark


Via Right Up My Alley


Via Shades of Blue Interiors

The laid-back feel of layered artwork leaned against each other accompanied by fresh greenery is also very appealing.


Via Lonny


Via The 36th Avenue

Ultimately, I’ll probably go for something in between…


Via Design Sponge


Via Love The Tompkins


Via Two Thirty Five Designs


Via One Kings Lane


Via Bo Bedre

And although our piano is an upright, grand pianos deserve an honorable mention, to say the least! These were a few of my absolute favorites. (I see a library complete with rolling ladder and grand piano in my future… or at least in my dreams)


The Menil home
via Flipboard


Via Vogue


Via Jonathan Legate


Via Marika Meyer Interiors


Via tumblr

Do you play or own a piano? How would you incorporate a piano into the décor of your home?

Southern California Wedding Inspiration – Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Posted on by

0

Hi there! Hopefully November is treating you well so far. I can’t believe the Holiday season is just around the corner?!

Now I probably have you thinking of stockings, snow, and decking the halls… but let’s forget those things for a moment and slink away to southern California. Allow your mind to wander towards mild temperatures, rolling hillsides, palm trees and sunshine galore! Pretty great, huh?

Well this week, I was approached by Fairmont to do a design for a Southern California style wedding. Of course, I immediately said yes!! I have loved doing Friday Floral posts in the past and incorporating ideas for weddings. Plus, who doesn’t love looking at/designing wedding décor? Fairmont has asked me to show you some of the gorgeous wedding venues, hotel accommodations, and pristine vistas they have to offer in the So-Cal region.

After perusing their website, I was drawn to the stunning architecture of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar location in the San Diego area. This luxury resort is nestled in the Del Mar area just north of San Diego. They offer beautiful accommodations and the amenities are enticing to say the least.

And now, I can’t wait to show you my ideas!


Photo credits left to right: Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Protea Bouquet, White Anemones, Protea, Scabosia Pods, Pink Garden Roses, Hedera, Place Setting, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Sashed Chair, Centerpieces, Seaglass Vases, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Vintage Plates, and Table Runner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the ceremony design, I’d love to see clean, polished furnishings that will allow the venue to be a focal point.

Next, a gorgeous array of unusual florals such as protea and scabosia can be mixed in with traditional, feminine florals like anemones, garden roses and assorted greenery. Oversized vases on tall white pedestals will provide height and drama.

Afterwards, I would have a cocktail hour inside one of the spectacular ballrooms and move onto the lawn for an outdoor evening reception.

A classic dance floor would be placed in front of the beautiful arch steps and surrounded by tables.

On the table tops, simple linen tablecloths would be accented by silver/grey table runners. Gold chairs sashed in a rich silk would encompass the tables. Centerpieces would have an array of florals in seaglass vases. A layered place setting with turquoise and gold accents would await the guests along with the evening’s menu.

Last, candles and string lights will provide ambiance as attendees enjoy the sunset over picturesque landscape and dance the night away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That, my friends, is how I would do a Southern California wedding.

This was such a fun post and while design related, it was a welcomed change of pace.


I’ll see you back again soon!


Four Favorites – Halloween Edition 2015

Posted on by

0

Can you believe Halloween is only a few short days away?!

For today’s Four Favorites post I wanted to feature Halloween décor that I think is absolutely adorable. There’s still time to run out and grab some cute clearance items.

Personally, I have never been into super spooky Halloween décor or even costumes. So usually I don’t go big on Halloween specific decorations. These are just too fun not too share!


1) Sticky Pumpkin Face Kit – Paper Source

A super cute alternative to pumpkin carving and a great way to decorate smaller pumpkins

2) Halloween Luminaries – World Market

I could see these being a great addition to a front porch or front walk.

3) Mummy Owl – World Market

World Market has several mummy animals right now but I think this little owl might be the cutest. What a cute/not too scary accent!

4) Candy Corn Garland Kit – Paper Source

This could be a fun activity with kiddos to use on the mantel or above the front door for trick-or-treaters.

So bust out a fun bowl of treats and have a very Happy Halloween this weekend!


Fall Décor Home Tour

Posted on by

0

Have you picked out the perfect jack-o-lantern pumpkin yet? Indulged in any pumpkin spiced treats?

I haven’t gotten around to either yet, but have been reveling in the autumn season so far! We have had a beautiful burst of fall like weather in Texas. For once, it has been slightly less hot and humid out and we have made a concerted effort to get outside and soak it all in!

I’m so excited to show you some of the new Fall décor around our home this season. So let’s start with the front door. I still love to use my Chevron Burlap Wreath in autumn, but this year I have added purple mums, begonias and a few straw pumpkins. I love the added warmth of these inviting floral touches.


Moving on to our Entry. In past years I hadn’t done much decorating in our Entryway. Maybe change out a few branches in the tall vase next to my mirror, but that’s about it. This year I decided to spread the orange/pumpkin love and incorporate aqua/turquoise with a hint of red.


I draped our entry table with linen and added a bit of the Ming Dragon in Aquatint from Robert Allen’s Dwell Studio line. This fun print pulls everything together perfectly!


Last year’s decorations in the living room can be seen here. And as you can see, I went a little pumpkin crazy. Pumpkins from edge to edge. This year I am using my apothecary jars, a few of my milk glass pieces, and some other fall colors like plum and green.


Thus far, I’ve styled the apothecary jars for both Christmas and spring. They have been a great addition and I’ve enjoyed coming up with new ways to adapt their décor for the coming season.


Meanwhile, incorporating multiple natural elements such as artichokes, pomegranates, and acorns along with the usual pumpkins reminds me of harvest.

That’s all for now, but be sure to check back soon for some of my favorite fall décor across the web.

How have you styled your home for the autumnal season?


Overwhelmed to Audacious

Posted on by

0

Upon arriving at home last Friday afternoon, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Geoff and I sat down to relax for a moment, but I could not quiet my mind. All the things I should be doing right now: laundry, dishes, dusting, playing with my son instead of turning on a show and supplying his favorite snack, watering my plants, checking work email, and the list goes on…

“I need to clone myself… three times,” I said to Geoff. He nodded, knowing the feeling, but I wasn’t kidding. I need one duplicate to be a good wife, housekeeper, cook and attempted gardener. One to devote more time to my son with more moments building with Legos, talking about monster trucks and doing educational crafts or games. One to work harder at the office, have days without distraction, get everything ordered, status updates, floorplans complete and installs perfectly scheduled. And the last one to be creative. Sketching, sewing, gathering inspiration, decorating, growing my blog and thinking towards developing my own design business.

But the truth is: I just can’t do it all.

In the world of “super-moms” that tell you how to “have it all” I am just one person… One.

~~~

Flashback to the beginning of the week:
I knew it would be a busy one. I had stayed very late the previous Friday to feel like I had a grip on my workload come Monday morning. And yet… it was an insane week. I trusted a vendor would come through for an install… and that didn’t. Could I have done anything more to change the outcome? No. Did I beat myself up over it? Yes. Did I get flack it? Yes. And I am not good with criticism. It’s not that I am confrontational or rudely defensive. It’s that I internalize failure and mistakes… deeply.

~~~

Flashback again to the previous Saturday:
I went with a sweet friend to the simulcast of Beth Moore. It was my first time hearing Beth speak and it was a blessing, to say the least. The central theme was being an Audacious believer; having the “guts” to live with intrepid boldness. The moment that affected me the most that day was when she spoke about making time to be with God. Time to pray, immerse in the Word and make Him a priority. Specifically, she said something to the effect of, “Don’t say you don’t have time. Because your family, your relationships, and our Lord are work losing 45 minutes of extra sleep!”

Lightbulb Moment.


As a family, we have made a commitment recently to get to church and stop saying to ourselves, “Maybe next week.” That day I made a personal commitment to have a quiet time with the Lord each day No.Matter.What.

I’ve been reading from the 365 day devotional book, Jesus Calling, and doing 10-15 minutes of prayer. I have done this each day this week… except for Friday morning. Christopher woke up super early, my routine was altered and life got in the way.

~~~

Back to Friday afternoon: I am sitting with Geoff feeling Overwhelmed (with a capital O). And then I realize that I haven’t read my devotional. My heart was heavy about it… not with guilt, but I felt like God was telling me to read it.

As I did, the words leapt off of the page. It was as though each and every sentence and passage were written for me in that moment. The scriptures of that day are below:

“But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:29

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Then came the real tears. Isn’t it astounding how our Savior can speak through the words on a page directly to our hearts?!

I wanted to share this with you because I know that ALL of us have these moments! Nonetheless, the Lord is there to comfort us saying, “Why did you want to carry this alone? Cast these burdens upon Me, accept the peace that only I can provide, and wait patiently for My discernment and direction.”

How blessed are we to be children of God?! Let’s live for him and be Audacious!