Project Monday

Book Shelf Styling

New year, new ideas, wanting to change things up.  

Do you ever look around and think, 'how did 'that' get to look like that?

It was after reading a few of my 'go to' blogs that I enjoy that I started looking at the bookshelves in my family room and thought; those need help. I did what most do and started dropping things on them.

This is what I looked at...

First off, I'm not crazy about bookcases flanking a fireplace. I painted them the same as the walls (SW Crushed Ice) to help them blend in. There's no getting around the 'box', and wires and cords are one of my biggest pet peeves. I acquiesced to the MR's desired to mount the television over fireplace a couple of years ago. 

I removed everything and started over.

I used to do commercial display and our homes should reflect us not look like a store. Odd numbers are good for grouping, try to find things that are meaningful to you and your family. The plate on the stand is commemorative of when I played my 'cello in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles celebration when I was in my 20's. The antlers are all from the MR's hunts.

Bring different textures and elements into your displays, for example glass, metal, iron, etc.  Short and tall, hard and soft. I am not good with keeping plants alive but these natural dried hydrangeas work well as I'm not crazy about silks or fake. I'm also a nut for clocks.

I do like to add a few photos to my shelves.  

The Sid Dickens tile in the middle is part of my collection hung on a different wall. (another post!)

World Market has fragrant mixtures of potpourri's like this.  I got the silver/pewter basket at the Paris Flea Market years ago. It has found rest in many different places in our home.    

A couple of years ago I changed out the silver knobs for these from Anthropologie.  

Another place for fun knobs is World Market or Hobby Lobby.

Thank you Mary Ann at Classic Casual Home

and

Sherry Hart at Design Indulgence 

for the inspiration!

♥

Moore Designs is ready to help you make your house a home!

E-Design services available.

Project Monday - All Time Favorite

Black Doors

I was really surprised to see that this post generated the most traffic on my blog ever! Crazy.

I would love to have tall beautiful doors with a gorgeous finish but it's not so right now. July of 2011 I decided to paint all of the interior doors in my house black. You can see the details here.  It took me a week and several coats but I was very happy with the results.  I found great inspiration on Pinterest, here are a few that got me to get to it!

source

source

source

As I said in the original post I tried a Behr paint that is sold as a primer/paint all in one. I used that in my bedroom which has a total of 6 doors including entry, bath and closets and built-in vanity that I also painted. 

After 2 1/2 years the doors had chipped quite a bit. I just re-painted with the Sherwin Williams Black Magic All Purpose Enamel (green label), that I used on all of the other doors in the house plus two vanities. The paint is a little spendy but well worth the extra $$$.

Paint - the best 'face-lift' for your home.

Before

After

And after again...all walls are SW Crushed Ice.

 The Sherwin Williams paint has not chipped and still looks great. I will say that the black shows all dust and hand prints so lots of wiping down comes with the great look!

Even if you are not in your 'forever' home as we aren't, go ahead and make your nest uniquely yours.  If you don't own and rent, most landlords/homeowners are happy to let you paint if you pay for it and they approve color etc.  Being a military wife for many years I always made our house a home and left them better than when we got there, the rented ones too!

♥

Moore Designs is ready to help you make your house a home!

E-Design services available.

My Own One Room Challenge

I told you a few weeks ago that several blogger/designers were doing a ORC and I decided to do my own along side of them. That way I could get my rear in gear to finish up a bed and bath that I had started in the basement and get to another bed and bath that have been torn up for a while, both in my own home.

Before - bedroom 1 in the basement

Who could forget the main water-line cover-ups eyesore?

After

paint - SW Crushed Ice

fabric covered frame to cover water line holes

custom pillows

West Elm - headboard, duvet, sheets and curtains

Artwork done by my eldest son his senior year in high school.

Mirror - Ballards

lavender - love the fragrance

Bath in basement - before

go here for more

After

paint- SW Oyster White

custom painted shelf

mirror- HomeGoods

new fixture

Now -  to what needed the whole challenge to get myself off my duff.

Bath - before

go here to see all the details!

paint - SW Oyster White

new fixture

custom framed the mirror and painted

painted the vanity

I love a small lamp in all my baths, this one is reminiscent of my 'cello playing days.

Since this bath is quite small, I kept the shower curtain neutral to not make it seem smaller. 

So blessed to have Grandma's furniture with beautiful wood carvings, just needed a bit of an update.

I had an ikat pillow for inspiration initially but changed my mind.  Imagine that?

I changed it several times before I finally landed on what would be.

I tried putting the bed on the wall between the windows but ultimately put it back against the back wall.  One dresser removed from the room to open the space. 

paint - SW Crushed Ice

matlesse - Garnet Hill

euros - Pottery Barn

pillows - custom (still waiting on one)

curtains - custom

lamps - HomeGoods

My budget on this room got a wee bit out of hand as we had to replace the box-spring and mattress.  There was quite a 'dip' in the old set.

Painted table, will feature on Project Monday

next week.

Attached mirror removed, this one found at World Market.

Ultimate goal is to have a piece of granite or silestone cut for the top of this dresser which one day be used in a powder bath.

I am glad these two projects are finished, next will be my office. :)

♥

Do you have a room or two hanging over your head?  Call MD, we'll pull it together for you! Don't let distance be a barrier, MD can design for you via the web. 

Room Redesign

One of my friend's (C.A.) has a lovely home and her own sense of style.  Her dining room is the first thing one sees when entering the home but for one reason or another it never got 'done'. She had purchased a huge (6 feet across) round farm table but wasn't sure how to pull the room together.  She asked if I minded tossing some ideas around...what designer doesn't love that?

Around the table were a variety of chairs that she had put slip covers on for unity, while she was waiting on some French chairs she found on Etsy. She is a great shopper!

She inherited some drapes from the previous owner...

...and a very pretty chandy.

My first suggestion was to neutralize the walls and to her good fortune, SW Rice Grain (one of my favorite neutrals) matched her trim quite nicely.  She did keep the dark ceiling.

This door on 4 legs which she had in another part of the home fits the French theme well and perfect the room.  It's great to be able to 'shop the house' for treasures. Here you can see one of the French chairs.

We had a lined burlap table skirt made and she got the glass cut.  The birdcage was green and all I had to say was 'how about making it creamy' and she was on it and did a great job!

C.A. fell in love with the Restoration Hardware mirror which is a beautiful addition.  She also found the sconces which frame the room nicely. I meet at her house for Bible study and it was fun to hear the other ladies comment on how much they loved her dining room!

I think she did quite nicely, don't you?

♥

Do you need help making your house a lovely home?

Contact MD for design services!

Blue Decor - Is it You?

I am not partial to blue decor personally but many clients are. 

What about you, what do you gravitate towards or what colors make you happy?

I thought I would put pictures out for your perusal. I would love to hear what you have to say about each room's styling, colors, balance or anything else you see positively or negatively. 

I can't wait to hear your take on these images and the styles (or lack thereof) of decor!

Images from House Beautiful