Deliciously chic and glamorous eye candy!

I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off these past few days preparing for my baby sis's baby shower, being a freelance web designer, trying to unpack and get settled into our new home, and wiping up puddles of puppy pee-pee.  Right now I just need some gorgeous eye candy to remind me that all my hard work CAN and WILL pay off!

This is actually an office! I love the look - and that wallpaper would look great in my home office!

Canopy beds always say luxe to me.

Gold, cream, gray, and a touch of pink...and horses...what else could a girl want!?!

all images vie Rue Mag Oct.

Another great giveaway to adorn your walls!

Enter for a chance to win this very cool world map mural from Wallpapered. I've actually been looking for something just like this so we have a constant reminder of all the awesome places we've traveled to over the years. It's over 6.5' long and 3' tall. It would also look great in a study, library, home office, or kid's room! To win, just use the widget below to "Like" Wallpapered on Facebook, and leave a comment sharing where your dream vacation would be!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Here are some other goodies:

The preview tool on the Wallpapered site is really cool and allows you to move and zoom in on the image.

They have pieces from artists and designers, like Elisabeth Olwen, who gets inspiration from her mother's house.

They also have works from the masters, like Manet.


Good luck to everyone - don't forget to share where you'd go on your dream vacation!! The contest closes at 12 AM EST on May 31, 2013.

Quietly stunning: Dining rooms with glowing repose

I've been having a huge dining room crush lately, and I think it's because I don't have one, and it's not likely that our first home will have one either. These dining rooms also reflect the style I've been loving lately - not too shabby, not too chic, but a lovely mix of clean, sensible design with a touch or two of glamor.

This dining room is quiet and peaceful, but the pink sofa adds a little wink.

A sunny spot to eat breakfast is the best!

I want those chairs so bad!!! Anyone know of something similar thats affordable?

The white "leather" bench is actually faux leather vinyl - great for kids (or me!).  This owner recommends Grain de Cuir by Nobillis.


1. via BHG, 2. via Lonny, 3. via Laura Ashley Advertisement, 4. via Interiors Porn, 5. via Lonny, 6. via Southern Living.

Important steps to take before remodeling and redecorating

Decorating has never been more popular. The plethora of magazines, television programmes and websites dedicated to DIY stand testament to that.

Visit your local hardware store any day of the week and you will see people browsing the aisles and seeking inspiration for that big decorating project. But before you go ahead and pick up that paintbrush, just give a little extra thought and consideration to what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Planning is probably the most important part of the job. This is also involves planning against anything that could go wrong and cost you extra money.

Avoiding Problems
There are perhaps two reasons for choosing to undertake your own decorating job. You derive great pleasure from something which is all your own work or you simply cannot afford to employ a professional to do it for you. My boyfriend and I personally LOVE building and creating things for our home. We take a lot of pride in it, but it does tend to take us awhile to finish it up. 

This is also where your forward planning is important. Before you start to consider decorating your home yourself, check that your home insurance is up to date and that your buildings and contents insurance cover you adequately. This means that you have a policy that will pay for rebuilding your home and for the replacement of all your clothing, furniture, white goods, trinkets and treasures. In short, your home and everything you have in it. Failure to do this could result in your being seriously out of pocket, so it is of paramount importance to check the figures. We never take on projects of that scope, as we just rent right now, but if you are planning on taking your kitchen down to the studs, for example, you really want to make sure you are protected should something go wrong.

Of course, if you do choose to hire a professional, they will be covered by public liability insurance, so if anything goes wrong you and your home are covered. But to avoid having to make a claim after redecorating, ensure that you are careful and remove all items of value which could get broken or damaged. Cover carpets and furniture which cannot be moved with thick dustsheets. Plastic-backed ones are a good choice as any spillages do not go through them. I am guilty of using only an old sheet to cover things when painting, but I've learned the hard way that paint goes right through a sheet.

Be particularly careful about using blowtorches to burn off paint from wood, especially in confined spaces. Keep a wet rag and bucket of water near to hand to cool down any hotspots. Smouldering wood can ignite and, ultimately, your house could burn down. If you are working in the bathroom or anywhere where there is water present take great care in using electrical appliances. Water and electricity definitely do not mix! Aside from blowing every fuse in the house, your life could be at risk, so keep them apart.

Your insurance company is there to help and advise you. Check the paperwork and ensure you are covered so that any disasters are paid for. If you follow these simple tips you can enjoy giving your home a stunning makeover. Just a little planning can avert financial disaster should the worst happen.

 Below is some inspiration if you need a little nudge to start planning that redecorating/remodeling project...

Decorative trim, moldings, and a sophisticated paint job can make a huge impact.

via BHG 

If remodeling makes you nervous, start small.  Some easy to install shelves can make greatly improve a space in much need of storage.

via BHG

Outdoor improvement projects include just as much planning, thought, and  protection as indoor projects.

via BHG

Built-ins can be a worthwhile investment when carefully planned out.

via BHG

A custom kitchen is probably the most rewarding home improvement project you can undertake.

via Traditional Home


 *disclosure: This post is brought to you in partnership with Churchill 

Fresh and beautiful bathrooms for summertime

In the winter, my bathroom is where I go to enjoy a long hot bath after being out in the cold. In the summer, the bathroom is where I go for a cool, refreshing shower after a hot sticky day.

To create a cool retreat, it helps to keep your summer bathroom as clutter free as possible.  Keep  reflective surfaces clean, as well as and lighting fixtures (Make sure they all have working bulbs, as well).  Since there are more hours of daylight in the summer, it is especially important to keep lighting bright and as close to outdoor light as possible.

Keep colors bright and cheery, or choose simple, crisp whites.

Update anything scented in your bathroom from spicy or musky to light scents, either floral or clean.  Heat activates scent, so you don't want to overdo it.

1., 2., 3. via BHG, 4., 5. Traditional Home

Sanctuaries fit for dreaming

eclectic and elegant.  love the print over the fireplace
via Architectural Digest

pull the sheers around the bed and escape
via Sweet Home Style

small, but perfectly furnished and decorated for unwinding.
via House of Fifty

via House of Fifty

via Interiors Porn
 

Above and below are the same bedroom. Chic peacock wallpaper on one wall and exposed brick on the other.

2 above via Lonny mag

The Height of Chic: Spaces that make you say "Oh, la la!"

I had the honor this week of writing a guest post for the fabulous Julie of Belle Maison and Modern Chic Home.  Below is the post:

Every girl needs a little glam right?  Even though I work from home, I still try to put on a little make up or some gorgeous shoes from time to time. The same goes for your abode – neglect it long enough and it shows.  Even if the glam you give your home is small, it can go a long way – and you and your space will look and feel fabulous for it

A little (or big) pop of bright color in an otherwise “sensible” room screams style and class.

There are two handy tricks for making a space look luxe in this room.  The large gallery canvas adds edge and sophistication, as do the matching sconces.

A wallpaper or paint job that combines matte and gloss finishes adds instant elegance.  Even a room with basic furnishings will look stunning.

You can’t go wrong with a little touch of metallic either, like these gold dipped goblets and the table base…  

{IMAGE SOURCES: ; IVY & PIPER MAG; DECOR PAD; HOUSE OF FIFTY, Lombok, ADORE HOME MAG}

See the original post on Belle Maision

Random bits of gorgeous....

via OhPopsi blog

2 above via Llamas Valley

via Decor Pad

via Jayson Home and Garden
You only have a few more hours to enter to win the beautiful Calliah necklace from Stella & Dot...read more

Wallpaper Murals - What do you think?

I'm sure you've seen them before - wallpaper murals, where just one wall is wallpapered in an overall pattern of image.

I think wallpaper murals, like the one above, can look really charming in boutique hotels - especially if it's relevant to the destination.

 

They can also make small spaces, like this small dining room, really special and unique.  Just make sure you really, REALLY, like the graphic, and that it's something you can live with for a long time if need be.

I think that the best application for these murals is as childrens wallpaper.  A baby's or kid's room is a great place to get fun and creative.  I still remember the wallpaper in my bedroom as a little girl, and it can be really fun for the kid, and a great way to allow him/her to express themselves.  Along with the ADORABLE image above, here are some more really cute options for a nursery or child's room.  I found these cute designs on the OhPopsi.com .

So cute!

They have thousands of wallpaper murals in many categories. 
It was neat to look through the places and landmarks category - and I think a lot of the murals would appeal to world travelers...

...old Paris (I'm reading The Paris Wife right now, so I have Paris on the brain...)

This is a photo of the Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, the city where Chris and I lived!

What do you think of wallpaper murals ?  Is your vote yay or nay?

disclosure*  This post is sponsored by OhPopsi.com