Getting neutrals right

A room in neutrals can be a beautiful, restful thing.  Done wrong and your left with an overly vanilla and drab eyesore.

Here are neutrals that have it right:

The black drapery hardware, iron canopy bed, and thick black frame all add just enough contrast to create some depth in the space.

Leopard or other animal patterns are a way to do neutral but still add a lot of interest.

Mixing textures is another surefire way to add dimension to a space that has a lot of color in the same value.

Another example of mixing texture - the sisal, metal console table, iron lamp, and wood chests.  If all of these pieces were in wood, you can imagine how the space might look more drab.

1-3. Country Living, 4-5. Interiors Porn, 6. Lonny

A peaceful, gorgeous home that's elegant and casual

I am really crushing on this living/room foyer right now.  It's so light and airy, but still sophisticated.  During hectic times, the no-fuss approach seen in this space is really grounding.  The space is by Alison Royer of the Belmont Design Group.  All photography by Ashlee Raubach.

Drooling over this foyer!

...and those chairs

Had this vase been a hard edge crystal, it would add to the formal feeling of the space.  I like the organic, rustic glass vase - it adds a more relaxed feel.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Happy Holidays

I'm heading over to my parents' farm for the holidays tomorrow, so I'll talk to you guys next week.  I wish everyone a wonderful, wonderful holiday - filled with loved ones and yummy treats!

via Country Living Mag

A fresh spin on Christmas decor...

I was so excited when I saw photos of this home for the first time. It's so fresh and coastal, but somehow still manages to be festive and feels like Christmas. The home is a barefoot style cottage in Florida.

The chair was a flea market find, now reupholstered in a modern coral print.

I didn't know there were fireplaces in Florida...

Okay - I love this banquette. It's custom made in faux-ostrich vinyl that's super kid-friendly

Woolen stockings didn't scream beach cottage, so the kids used buckets in lieu of stockings

If you can, use accents from your own backyard.  They don't look like everyone else's decorations, and they're free. This owner took cuttings of pine from her own property. Don't have property? Take a walk in a park and see if there are any fallen pine cones you can gather.

I adore how she did up her stairs with mercury glass candle holders and jumbo pine cones.

The bedroom color palette is so serene.

Does this home still feel holiday spirited to you?

via Southern Living December 2011

House tour: A lovely Swedish home in black and white...

This home is so pretty - I definitely have some home envy going on. I could never be so disciplined though, as to only buy things in black and white. I'm bad about that - If I like it, it could serve a purpose, and I can afford it, I buy it. I worry about it fitting in (and sometimes not) later.

I'm digging the birch(?) branch!

How about you?  Are you good at sticking to a color palette in your home or do you stray?

via Hus & Hem