I am starting a new series called, Why This Works. Every Friday, I will highlight a beautiful space and talk about why (I think) it’s perfection! Maybe the colors are intriguing, the style is unique or the room’s design just works so well! I am kicking off the series with a beautiful living room from the wonderful Lonny magazine.

The interior design is by Lisa Sherry shown in Lonny. I think this room works because it is fun, whimsical and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I love the use of color in the bold patterned rug and seating. The circular seating mounted from the ceiling is modern and different, and it works so well paired with traditional style drapery and simple sofa. The designer uses one focal wall with the gorgeous print wallpaper, then juxtaposes that with a creamy white on the rest of the walls. The very modern, arched task floor lamp looks great paired with the traditional tripod base lamp. The graphic pattern and bold colors are there, but the designer shows great restraint in how she uses them.

In my opinion, this space works! What are your thoughts?

It’s Wednesday and time for the series, If My Blog Was A Room… where I pose the challenge to think of your blog as an actual space. What would that space look like? I am so excited to have Jane here from her amazing blog, Modern Jane. Her blog is a daily read for me- she has great design style and has beautifully transformed her home. Here is Jane’s great blog header:

And here is what she came up with! Take it away, Jane-

Hi all! I’m Modern Jane and I was so excited when Amber asked me to participate in this series because it gave me something to really think about. At first I took a look at the colors and design of my blog because I think it certainly reflects my personal style. I love shades of white, grey and blues and I like things to feel clean and crisp. I also thought about the content of my blog… what interiors inspire me, what style I’m drawn to and make makes a house a home for me.




Here is what I came up with!

Now I wish my blog was a room and that it was mine! Thanks so much for having me Amber!

Thank you so much for being here, Jane! I love all of the gorgeous images you chose. They definitely all had me at hello! Stop by Jane’s blog– you’ll be so happy you did!

I am always drawn to interiors that think outside the box, in a creative way. Whether it’s with an unexpected color pairing, creative thinking or just plain gorgeous- I have always found it fun to see amazing decor. A great source for this type of inspiration is through all of the wonderful on-line magazines that wow us with unbelievable interiors. I always know I am in for a treat when I get on the computer and check out these creative images! Today, I am highlighting some of my favorites from Rue magazine. These images are from past issues and have always caught my eye! 

Some fun things happened last week, that I wanted to share with all of you! One of my favorite blog buddies, Carrie from Hazardous Design, passed on a blog award to me! Thanks so much, Carrie! She writes a great blog about design and renovating her beautiful home. She’s funny, talented and has a great eye for design. Definitely stop by and check out her blog. The award is the Liebster blog award, which recognizes and gives love to the blogs that have fewer than 300 followers.

And I get to pass this award on to 3 other wonderful blogs! So, here goes- 

About Last Weekend
Ashley White Interior Design
Hello Newman’s

Stop by and check out these talented ladies!

I also won the Waverly fabric giveaway from Cassandra’s amazing blog, Coco + Kelley. I was one of 5 lucky winners, and I received the gorgeous fabrics in the mail this week! I am so excited about the colors, and I have been busy thinking about how to best use these gorgeous fabrics. I want to make some pillows, and maybe also frame some of the fabrics, for easy art! What do you think? 

I love the colors! These beauties will probably make it into our family room and living room! More to follow, on that! When making the pillows, I think I might add some extra linen fabric in a coordinating color for the reverse side, to make the fabric last longer. And also add some piping too- to give them an extra bit of pizazz. How fun!

And another exciting thing to announce, is a new blog design will be coming my way!! I have had so much fun working with Thais from House 09. She has been so patient, as I write with so many questions, ideas! I cannot wait to share her talents with the new blog design! A big thank you to the great blog, J&J Home, for telling me about House 09!

A great week, to say the least! And here’s to another- Happy Week Ahead!

As you may know from previous posts here and here, I recently completed some design boards for a reader looking to spruce up some spaces on her first floor. So far, I have shown you the entry and living room designs. Now, on to the den! This space is directly off of the living room, with double doors leading into the space. So when thinking about this design, I knew I had to carry the colors in from the living room, since the rooms almost act as one. Not only did I want to use similar colors as the living room, but also allow the furniture pieces and art to be interchangeable, in case she wants to move things around in the future. (I love to go “shopping” in my own home, moving things around from room to room. It almost makes you feel as if you really did go out and buy new pieces!) For the den, she was looking for a kid friendly space with added storage. She wanted this room to be a gathering place where they could spend most of their time together. The den is also off of the kitchen, so this room would be a great play area for her toddler. Here are a couple pictures of the den now:

I recently received an e-mail from a reader, in search of some new design ideas! She was looking for some changes to her living room and den, to match the gorgeous dining room remodel she recently finished. There is more on her inspiration image and dining room furniture here. I continue this week with the living room design. As I stated in my last post, she was looking for beach inspired colors, along with pops of color in the furniture and accessories. Here is a snapshot of her living room now:

I love the wood floors and all the room’s natural light from the big window! Behind this photo is the entry into the house, with a staircase and doorways leading into the dining room and kitchen. I completed the entry’s design here. Across the wall of windows are double doors leading into a den. With all of the rooms exposed in some way, she was looking for a better flow with color and furniture selections. Here is what she was looking for in this room: she wanted to keep the existing tv cabinet, lighten up the walls with a blue/gray/white color and add colorful furniture and accessories. With a toddler in the house, she was not looking for a coffee table at this time. So, here’s what I came up with!

I tried to keep the room’s overall look light and airy, by suggesting the walls and baseboards be painted Paper White (1590) in an eggshell finish by benjamin moore. (Which is the design board’s background color!) On the tv cabinet wall, I suggest painting two, wide horizontal stripes in Sterling (1591), the next darker color on the swatch. These stripes will be in a semi gloss finish and give the wall some added interest and depth. (This wall is opposite the chain link stenciled wall I spoke about here.) On this wall, I also suggest she purchase two large, rectangular mosaic mirrors and hang on either side of the tv cabinet. (This is on the bottom right of the design board.) With a toddler, I wouldn’t suggest she lean the mirrors against the wood floors at this time. I suggest she purchase the same chenille/jute rug as in the entry, but in a 5×8. It’s a soft and durable material on little feet! The main seating in the space will be this comfortable sofa in a flax color. This sofa is smaller than her existing sectional and will help with ease of flow in the space. The chic, affordable pillows on the sofa will add pops of color to the space. In front of the sofa is this beautiful ikat ottoman, which is a great alternative to a coffee table. On the ottoman is a sturdy tray, for placing sippy cups! When it’s naptime and the adults have free reign of the space, this beautiful vase can be out for show, while also incorporating a pop of color. Flanking either side of the sofa will be two of these floor lamps. They can be placed about 6 inches behind the sofa on either side, to keep out of child reach. On either side of the couch, she can purchase 2 natural wood side tables at a great price! The chosen drapery for this room is a pretty floral, which ties the inspiration colors together. She has 8 ft. ceilings, so I suggest she purchase this drapery in 96in. and hang to the ceiling. It draws your eye up, giving the illusion of a bigger space. To add extra depth to the window, I suggest she also hang woven shades onto the window casing. Since these shades come with long cords, I suggest always securing the cords out of reach of children. The clock is a fun accessory and can be hung to the right of the door leading into the kitchen. (Not seen in the living room photo above.) The sailboat pillow is a nod to the beach inspired theme in the space, and is a great deal! I suggest she purchase 2 wing back chairs and place opposite the couch, a couple feet in front of the double doors leading to the den. To me, this style of chair is reminiscent of coastal inspired living! The pillow on the chair brings a pop of color into the space. In between these chairs, I suggest this fun side table in a shiny green finish. It can easily be moved out of the way when not in use, but also have safe, rounded curves when in place. So there you have it! My interpretation of beach inspired living with pops of color for fun!
Check back later this week, as we move on to the den!   

If you would like some design ideas for your home, e-mail me at [email protected]. I would love to work with you!