Personal Style: Lovin Some Gray

This dress's bottom ruffle is coming off in about 8 places. Nothing a few safety pins couldn't handle. I'm handsewing a dress refashion and it's taking me forever, and I really wanted to wear this dress so the safety pins had to do. It's thrifted, it's maternity, (no I'm not pregnant), but it fits like a normal empire waist dress. Plus, gray is my favorite color, so I spiced it up with well, more gray.

Earrings can be purchased here.

dress: motherhood maternity, thrifted
sweater: jc pennys (?)
belt: off a NY& co skirt
bag: thrifted
shoes: steve madden
watch: fossil
earrings: metal roses (the larger version), made by me, jeweled ambrosia

Linked to Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday

Inspired Color: Grey and Pink

Not surprisingly, I've been attracted to grey again. But instead of my yellow/gray fascination, it's come to pink and flesh tones pairings. A perfect summery treat for the ladies and gents such as myself, who shy away from loud colors and keep to the shadowy confines of familiar and flattering gray, whilst grabbing pops of pinks. Interestingly enough, florals also start to show up when I gravitate toward this color combination.

grey zen garden desk organizer by karolinefelixDream

grey mist ruffled tulle cuff by karolinefelixDream 

pink and black house

starlight by the dreamy giraffe

vanilla layer cake, buttercream frosting and sugar spray recipe by bakerella

the home of Jane Atla. I am just loving this chair. All boringified revamped in doilies, paint and embroidery.

I don't know who makes these epic floral tights, but I am quite desperate for a pair. Any ideas?

grey  bow detail, ted baker dress. I could probably wear this every day.

 the white house for moooi by marcel wanders via mocoloco.

Inspired Design: French Gray Interiors

 leafy168 blog (via)

Sipping a cafe au lait and eating a croissant in a small cafe with a single candle as table decor near the Champs Elysee or gazing out on Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower are quintessentially French.  If May in Paris is not in your future, you can still live a life inspired by French style and beauty in your own home. 

We're in love with French Gray inspired interiors right now. The French have a way with gray that makes it feel romantic and chic, never dull or boring. French gray can range from dove gray to a blue gray and is almost always paired with warm, creamy white for a classic French feeling.

Here are some of our favorite French gray interiors we hope will inspire you too:

Jessica Lagrange Interiors (via)

We adore the the French-like wingback accent chairs near the fireplace, as well as the matching floor lamps in this living room we spotted in Jessica LaGrange Interiors via Design Shuffle. The creamy gray walls balance the warm neutral furniture pieces, keeping the room feeling light and airy.

Dwelement Home Design (via)

This monochrome gray kitchen is French Country chic gorgeous! We like the white and brown accents from the pottery.  The lighter cabinets keep things from feeling too dark or heavy.

Pleasant Living (via)

Gray walls can go quite nicely with all neutral-tone furniture, just like in this casual living room. Check out the chandelier, candle holders, and wall art right above the accent table. All of these items looks like it came from a Parisian specialty store. So chic and unique!

Busybee (via)

The tufted headboard in this bedroom is so romantic.  Soft gray walls and crisp white and neutral tone linens create a soothing, calm environment perfect for sleep.

Decor Pad (via)

This room demonstrates all the key elements of a French Gray inspired room: soft gray walls, cream and warm wood furniture, a sparkly vintage style chandelier and vintage mirror. What makes it one of our favorites is the blue sideboard.  It's a nice spot of color. Don't be afraid to add accent colors in soft hues -- light pink, moss green, silvery blue, pale yellow all work well with gray.

*Content provided by Arcadian Home Decor, a site that specializes in top quality home decor items at extremely affordable prices. Go visit them today!

Personal Style: Elegant Wench

Another odd shirt tuck rescue. I adore the cut and ruching on this top, though when untucked it looks like a poofy maternity shirt. So, I took my favorite assymentrical, raw edged jersey skirt and high waisted it. I always thought I was too short (at 4'11") for this, but now, I have to say, this is one of my favorite and most comfortable dress styles now. Even though it looks a bit pirate wench like, I love it.

 I kept accessories minimal, just my handmade metal roses earrings, black belt, and my favorite red lipstick.

Concerning my legs. As my sister would say, "I'm not pale, I'm angelic." Really, I used to be obsessed with tanning. But now, even though I love a little glow, I am just fine with my pasty white self. In some countries in a much different era, the milky complexion was considered a mark of royalty, as only the laborers were tan from hard work in the sun.

 I did a sort of a side chignon... a loose bun. I just put my hair in a low side ponytail, pulled at the crown for some height. I took about 4 sections of hair, and wrapped each one up and secured with a bobby pin. Probably used about 5 pins total. Similar to the cinnamon bun tutorial.

 shirt: thrifted/ skirt: thrifted/ belt: ny &company/ shoes: steve madden/ earrings: me (jeweled ambrosia)

*linked to Rule Breaking Monday.

Inspired Color ~ The Beauty of Green

Green and pink striped house ~ credit?

Yes, green and gray are my two all time favorite colors. And though I have done posts on chartreuse with green accents, I can't believe I've never done a post about gray and green. They are both such soothing colors, and green can be warm or cool, depending on how it is used and looks amazing with both cool grays and warm creams. Though it is often seen as springy or Christmas-y, I believe it makes an amazing seasonal transition color into the fall. Saying good-bye to greenery and hello to golden landscapes. It really marries the two together, adding a richness in a way no other color can. Blues seem to be the color of the moment, but has anyone though to entertain, a lovely shade of green?

 Eclectic Interior Design Group~ Keep it (art arrangements) Tight

I love how each photo here has some element of pattern as well, from simple stripes on a throw or the bottom of drapes to damask bedspread, or a trellis wallpaper, it's so refreshing to see these patterns.

 

Coastal Living ~ Green, gray, white and aqua striped damask bedroom

 

Coastal Living~ Green dining room

Horse Art ~ Taylor Howes

Coastal Living ~ Gray and white striped dining with green accents

Soft Yellow Accents

I meet a lot of people that are scared of yellow. But, it is a very versatile color that could transform any room! Using a soft, creamy version in small doses may give your room a hint of sunshine and whimsy. It may be your missing link! So, try it out with some flowers, a small figurine, a frame, a few pillows or a chair. You may be surprised at the impact it can bring. And if you don't like it, no harm done, just slipcover the pillows or use spray paint to change the color on any figurines you find.

In liz of say yes to hoboken's room above, she does it perfectly. I have been eyeing that artwork for a while now too from artists kiki and polly and tushtush's naomi print.

Brooke of playing grown up turned this boring folding screen into an amazing turquoise headboard with lots of sanding and a few coats of paint. Typography pillows from urban outfitters. Love the yellow paring, it really brings a subtle warmth to the room. Any other color would change the look entirely, making it stark and bold.

 Cheap wall art from Tidy Mom. She hung a square of burlap on the wall behind a pretty frame, painted a paper mache letter and nailed it to the wall. Easy! The creamy, pale yellow roses add a sweet touch of sunshine to the aqua walls and dark wood. I love the tri balance of the turquoise, the wall, the bird figurine and the mason jar holding the pens.

 

Christie Chase made these unique and cherry tables for a friend's patio. She started off with some rather interesting vases, added two plywood circles with gorilla glue, then sanded and painted them. Design Sponge shows Christie's gorgeous, yellow and gray home here. The following two images of her rooms are perfect.

The frame wall isn't overbearing when the size of the prints are surrounded by light mats. I love the wall color! It really adds sophistication to the room. The yellow and gray pillows add that soft touch of floral and color.

I could live in this picture. Her guest room is cozy and functional. Yellow and green accessories can be changed at any time and the room will take on a whole new meaning with it's white, gray and natural bones.

This room's bright chartruese wall paint won't work everywhere, but is perfect here. Softened by the white furniture and grand fireplace mantle, the color is brought through the room with an accent pillow. The zebra print rug and black geometric prints work because the furniture lines are clean and modern. domino

This ruffled white table cloth with lemony yellow chairs and flowers are the epitome of sweetness. If lemon meringue pie could be a room, this would be it. The ruffles are even brought in with the plates, cake platter and even the striped straw creates an almost ruffled illusion! indoor sweets picnic table from country living

Love yellow interior inspirations? Visit subtle sunshine here, the influence of color here  sfgirlbybay's yellow bit road here,  simple and true accessory ideas here and orange vs yellow aqua lovers here

White, Black, Gray & Paint

dining room ~ in the fun lane

One day, coming up soon (as in before it gets too hot), I would love, LOVE to paint my wood furniture. We have an armoir, tv stand, kitchen table with 4 chairs, large desk with hutch and two dressers.We would let the boys stay at grandma's for the weekend (okay, maybe 2 weekends) and just do a paint marathon for 2 days straight! I love the suggestions on Shabby Chic Furniture on preparing the wood, to use water and sugar soap to clean the furniture as regular cleaner can keep the paint from sticking. Holly of In the Fun Lane has some of the best painting advice out there.

black table  via Veranda

 dresser painted black over a red glaze ~ bhg kids rooms

I am considering going black with the kitchen tables and chairs. There is a large burn hole from a small fire on the table that will need to be filled and layers of wax from small details. Reading this advice forum on redoing kitchen tables make me balk, so we'll see...

 white hutch ~ in the fun lane

white night stand end table ~in the fun lane

But what about the rest? I have a find love of all white distressed wood ever since I grew to love antique malls and seeing the vintage pie safes in all of the layers of peeling paint, some with even 4 or 5 different colors peeking out from underneath!

my house of giggles gray hutch makeover

gray painted captains bench ~ life in the fun lane

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

But, the more I see grey, the more I grow to love it. It's not to light, not to dark, it has an urban county chic appeal and can pair most any color I choose to decorate with.

Maybe, I will do a mix of white, grey and black. What do you think? Do you mix and match your furniture? Do you prefer light or dark? I like how she keeps some of the natural colors with the painted pieces.

white dresser with caster feet and natural wood chair ~ in the fun lane

white dining room with natural chair ~ in the fun lane

As a note, I love natural wood and stain, especially mid century modern pieces,  but trust me, none of our furniture is lookin so hot for that right now, though I do think that maybe a few chairs would look neat! I do need to get two more for the ends of our table anyways...