Colour Inspiration Fall is here, you can feel it in the air. The mornings are cooler and darker and the nights are drawing in. It's that time where we start to think about our new fall wardrobe and making our homes cozier and warmer. The change in the seasons is always a great excuse to mix things up and bring in new colours and textures. The inspiration for this change is out there in the farmer's markets, the cornfields, on the trees and the falling leaves. Working in a paint store and as a decorator I am seeing rich, royal purples, pumpkin oranges, deep chocolate browns and vibrant teals and perfect plums on our colour charts. The colour of the year for Benjamin Moore is Vintage Wine and at this time of the year especially it would be perfect for a dramatic bedroom or dining room. Spend lazy mornings in bed or sit over a great meal and a glass of wine (or two!) with good friends. Colour can help create a lifestyle we desire! VINTAGE WINE- 2116-20 by Benjamin Moore Don't let the cold dampen your spirits, choose a new colour, add some warmth and texture! Take a look at these spaces and take something from them and make it your own... Make a big or small change- colour on the walls or on furniture. How about a rich, worn leather ottoman,plush velvet cushions or a mohair throw. Check out great stores like Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrelor Restoration Hardware add a new piece or go to town and change the whole space!
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Today while day dreaming through one of my favourite blogs (besides mine of course!) Apartment therapy I came across a really interesting use of milk crates. I remember using them for albums, god I'm old!! They have always been popular student furniture, but after seeing this cool idea I thought why not see what else is out there. There is always someone with their creative juices flowing coming up with something new and unique or just re-inventing an old and well used idea. It never ceases to amaze me what is out there in designland!
I discovered something new this week. When recently re- doing my daughters room yet again, we used chalkboard paint on her closet doors. I had used this type of paint before and covered a whole wall, but when it came time to paint she wanted to switch things up and still have somewhere to write messages. I used a Benjamin Moore product in black, some brands do offer different colours but we decided to stick to the traditional chalkboard look. We used several different kinds of chalk even "dustless" in our search for something that worked well but didn't make a huge mess. Until this week we were unsuccessful, but then we found CHALK MARKERS! My daughter had heard of them through teachers at school and she found them available at De Serres a great art store here in Ottawa. We took a trip out and picked up some neon colours and they were even on sale! They work really well, they are bright and clear and precise for writing and drawing and they don't make DUST everywhere! Here are the products we used....... There are so many places and ways to use chalkboard paint not just in the expected way on a board or wall. Take a look at these ideas and maybe come up with something of your own. One idea I had years ago was painting picture frames and framing first day of school pictures and chalking the date on them. I did this as a gift for a friend. Bring out the inner child in you- chalk it up!
While out shopping recently with a good friend and my faithful blog follower Kelly we saw a gorgeous headboard in linen with great nail head detail. This is one of those trends that can be seen on classic pieces of furniture like sofa's and beds but now also on side tables, dressers and used in art to add unexpected detail. I found examples in all my magazines like House & Home and Elle Decor as well as on websites for stores like Restoration Hardware. This detail is said to have started in the 17th Century in France with Louis XVIII on the carved wooden seating but was also popular with the old Dutch, Spanish and English. It was not only a decorative detail but was practically used to conceal the edges where the leather or fabric joined. Check out these pieces of furniture and fabulous rooms showcasing nail heads..... This detail can add style and definition to almost anything and is a DIY project waiting to be done! look below at these simple but effective examples.
Not long ago I posted about craft rooms and their storage. I had decided to move my scrapbooking supplies upstairs and make use of my office. I made some small changes nothing too drastic as I wanted to keep the basic look of the room the same. The only items I purchased were a second shelf unit from IKEA to match one I already had for my design books and two fabric covered boxes from HOMESENSE. Then I used found items from around the house for more storage. Here are the ideas I used and the finished room. If you need storage look around you, many things can be re-purposed, you don't always need to SHOP, I can't believe I just said that!
There is something on my current wish list which of course is ever expanding and changing! It is this cool pair of bookends from Chapters, while coveting these I noticed more owls in other likely and unlikely places. I decided to check it out and see what else is out there. While back to school shopping with my teenage daughter I saw a fab owl necklace which will be coming home with me next time when I'm not buying the latest outfits to go to school in! Owls were very popular in the 70's and have made a comeback and are popping up all over. When I created my home office while working on my interior decorating course I found a cute silver owl to put on my desk hoping to make me feel wise!Well I did pass so maybe it was my good luck charm! Anyway I still have a soft spot for these kooky birds and maybe you will too when you see these fun examples of this trend. Take a peek! So there it is another of my favourites I wanted to share.
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