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Thursday, July 30, 2009
My Mother-in-law just moved into a new place and was really excited to decorate it in a "Cottage Victorian" feel. She has had all of her china collections in storage for a long time, so in this redesign we added alot of her favorite pieces.
I am notorious for getting started on a room and forgetting to take the before pictures! (Actually I am so excited to get going---I just get going!)
Originally this space was white and we added a soft gold on the wall. I started rearranging the furniture and then took the photos --- so most of the furniture is already placed. But you will get the idea about how accessories can really change the feel.
In the AFTER you can see how the curtains really soften the space (there are some lace fringe curtains in between the panels) The tablecloth with fringe, the pillow and throw on the chairs really add the Fabric element.In the corner is a large protruding air conditioning and heating unit. We placed a green plant on it hoping that it will not be as noticeable.
You know I love lamps . . . and hers really reflect her style.
BEFORE
AFTERUnder the clock is a padded chest, (ideally this would be a great spot for a small settee)
But since we are decorating this space with what we have already, we covered it and added a couple of pillows. . . and I think it works!
(Notice her little yorkie taking a nap.)
A shelf in a grouping on the wall, with a few hanging items makes for a great "unit".We added a few items that she loved and it really brought her personality to the space.
BEFORE the little china hutch was full of all kinds of items.
Don't these lamps add to the personality of the room? (Yes---the cord on the swan lamp is very distracting, I fixed it after I took the photo!)
We chose just a few items to display in the hutch and now you notice what is there.
I love the pitcher and water basin.
BEFORE
AFTERThe two chairs with a round table make for a nice conversation area.
We made a small grouping on the wall of a teapot and a couple of teacups, along with a family picture.
She was thrilled with the results, and now has a room that really reflects her personality.
Make your space out of things you love and things that are useful!
p.s. check out Melissa's Beautiful Life, and Julia'a Hooked on Friday's.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
These 3 bathrooms are the same room just decorated differently.
Take a look at the elements that give it that cozy feel.
Fabric on the windows, and towels.Lighting---I love how they added lamps in the bathroom.
Natural elements, each bathroom has flowers or green plants.
Notice how they each have accessories that go with
Notice how they each have accessories that go with
the theme of the room.
all photos are from bhg
Now go see what you can do to make your bathroom more COZY!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
This powder room has a number of accessories that make it feel cozy.
Notice the natural elements
The towels on the rack and in the basket bring in the softness of fabric.
When you do a bathroom add:
Natural elements
Towels
Other accessories that tie in the color or theme.
And you will have a cozy powder room!
The powder room sign, the green plant
and the basket on the back of the toilet create a nice unit.
The clock ties in the theme of the room on the other wall.
Notice the natural elements
The towels on the rack and in the basket bring in the softness of fabric.When you do a bathroom add:
Natural elements
Towels
Other accessories that tie in the color or theme.
And you will have a cozy powder room!
I am participating in two blog parties today --- Go and take a look.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thank you so much to all of you who took the quiz ---
You all know your stuff!
Notice the table --- we decorated it with three main items:1.Pot of Flowers (natural element)
2. A Lamp (lighting)
We put books under the lamp to raise it up so that the tree main items on the table would be at different heights.
3. Tile plaque (accessory)
Okay, on with the answers to the Quiz!
1. First thing we did, was move the TV to the large wall. It balanced out the weight in the room with the window and the furniture.2. Next we brought in a chair from the living room that had a nice texture and pattern that went well with the outdoorsy theme we had going in this room. And it was different but still looked good.
3. We put the furniture in a U shape at an angle, it created a more welcoming feel.
4. We took the sub woofer (Big black box) and covered it with some fabric and it became the side table to the chair.
5. We added fabric by hanging curtains --- they were originally in the master bedroom, but when she got new ones they went to her son's room he did not really like them there. So we just took the rod with the curtains and sat it right on top of the little birdhouses that were already there! Notice in the BEFORE above the window. It was great ---No Hardware Needed!
We also added a throw blanket, we put a small rug just to give the idea of what a rug would be like, ideally you want at least a 5'x9' rug for that space.
6. Natural elements --- We found a little pine tree in the basement and it went great next to the chair that had pine trees in the print. We also added the pot of flowers on the end table and the little green plant on the TV.
7. Lighting --- The two lamps were in the master bedroom. If you look close they are little tree branches with a little nest on each one. Perfect for the theme of the room! The lighting so added warmth to the room.
8. Accessories --- We added a few accessories around the room. Making a grouping or a "Unit"above the TV helped to create a nice focal point. See how we put a grouping together that was not just rectangular framed art. It is nice to find three dimensional items to hang on the wall
9. See the touches of RED, flowers in the pot, and the simple pleasures sign.
Now --- you do not have to do ALL of these steps, you can do one or two and your room will feel better.
But if you want the overall COZY feel then do all of the steps.
Overall --- I think it is a very COZY place to hang out!
Take a few of these ideas and change up your family room.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Today we are going to have a little quiz!
So fun huh!
I just want to know if what I have been sharing is helping you to see things a little differently.
Okay, you tell me ---
What made the difference in this Family Room transformation?
BEFORE
This is kind of like "I Spy".
AFTER 
Let me know what you see---I will give you the answers in my next post.
Have Fun!
It's time for blog parties, take a look at Hooked on Friday's and Beautiful Life.
.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I love to use clocks as an accessory in a room.
They are useful.
They come in all sizes and colors.
They have every kind of style.
You can put them on a shelf or a table . . . or hang them on the wall.
Clocks add a round element to a space--- which is so nice when there so many square and rectangular shapes.
You can add color to a room with clocks. So when you are decorating a room
Remember to Consider . . .
Clocks
They really Cozy up the space!
Check out Hooked on Friday's and Beautiful Life this week.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Last week I shared with you what a great job my friend did on Redesigning her Living Room.
Well, today I want to show you what she did with her Master Bedroom.
BEFORE
AFTER
Now, she was in the market for some new furniture, so when I came over and talked with her it was during the before shot. She purchased some new pieces of furniture, then with a few ideas about accessories she then knew what to shop for:
Lamps, Natural Elements, and Fabric.
BEFORE
AFTERShe changed out the navy curtains with some sheer white,
which softened the window.
BEFORE
Doesn't that feel Cool and Refreshing! The two chairs that are on each side of the end tables where from
her grandmother and meant alot to her.
Notice the pattern on the pillows, and the touches of green.I love the green reeds on the night stand.
The picture above the bed has a quote from a poet that her husband loves, so that adds a personal touch to the room.
Look how nicely the dresser, along with the mirror creates such a great focal point.
And along the top of the dresser she did a wonderful job putting together the lamp, flowers and frame.
Clean and Simple . . . yet it feels so COZY.
It really works doesn't it!
Now if she can do it . . . so can you!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
When you are ready to buy furniture . . . Remember that two Chairs and a Sofa are so much more versatile than a Sofa and a Love Seat.
You do not have to match --- In fact it can be quite interesting to have
Different pieces that do not match.
Notice the . . . Chairs
Chairs . . .
Different CHAIRS, but they work!
This is where you can take the chair your grandma gave you and the one from a yard sale and create a wonderfully "Cozy" space.Remember. . . ADD a few Chairs to the MIX!
(these photos are from bhg)
Check out Hooked on Friday's and Melissa's Beautiful Life.
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