Inspired Interior: Bedazzled

I love browsing craigslist. I find real gems sometimes... In this case, I found a lot! I see potential, creativity and personality here, some really neat pieces of furniture too, great job, Sammy! I also see that someone got a little carried away with a bedazzler. I wonder if we know when we have gone too far? Sometimes, it's good to question that, I suppose. I would have loved to see the creativity here of the gems used in a large scale piece, like a large art piece or the entire screen wall or coffee table or a chandy dripping with jewels... as opposed to a little bit speckled everywhere. What do you think? Interestingly, I'm totally inspired now to take one huge item and just craft jewel the living heck out of it. I do have colorful ones for sale here, maybe I need to add clear ones to the mix? All this furniture, and accessories, with diamond trim (including a bedroom I didn't show), is available for $4,000.

 

 

Inspired Interiors: Classic Living TV Room

 

I got lucky when I came across bryn alexandra's post. She showcases a home she was working on that is very similar in concept to what I am trying to achieve. A tv room, with separate nooks and seating areas, storage solutions, gray couches and a huge square ottoman (ours if a coffee table about the same size), that has a classic, modern feel with some pizazz. The flooring is also very similar to ours.

Plus, I want to hang my curtains higher to give this room height, since the room is long and narrow with low ceilings. But then the crtains would be too short. I was toying with the idea of sewing a black edge on the bottom, and her design realizes that look for me in a setting that is similar to mine.

I love the use of blues, blacks and grays with neutral whites. Even though this post is a few years old, it is still a classic styling that gives me some great ideas. She has has some good ideas on getting started along with some 'progress' photos of this room to see how it came together.

Homefront: Moved In

We are moved in! Still unpacking, but we are here... and there are some interesting set of design challenges we have. Our living area is basically, one very long, narrow room. So, I can make two living spaces out of it, but I can't come up with a configuration that doesn't feel awkward. We have the tv seating area which is in the back of the space, than this other area in the very front of the room that contains my computer hutch (it's at the outlet on the long wall in the below photo). So, basically everything you see in these photos is open for a seating area. I thought a pair of wingback chairs would make a nice addition.

I got these two wing back chairs on craigslist... the fabric is in worse condition than I thought... and not exactly my style, but the deal was too great for a matching pair to pass up. Still trying to get them smelling clean and fresh though. I looked online for slipcovers, but all wing back slipcovers I find are for t-cushions. Now I'm thinking of trying my hand at upholstering or making a slipcover, probably jumping on the drop cloth bandwagon, since I already have a few. I would love to redo these, and my office chair in a matching fabric, since my computer hutch will share a living space with this seating area. It's going to be an interesting set up for sure. But first, we must finish unpacking!

I've been looking at a lot of design ideas for utilizing awkward and small spaces, creating a pretty/practical home, marrying two seating areas together and conquering the intimidating room, and have come across some neat solutions I will review soon. But better Homes and Garden's "What is Your Design Style" quiz caught my eye, and kind of gave me a starting point. I thought their answer sounded very much like me, I would love to hear what it says about your style and if it matches you!

Your Design Style is: Polished Casual

"You love to mix and match your favorites from several styles, so Polished Casual is the best way to describe your look. Crisp, fresh, and always comfortable, this approach anchors itself in neutral, subtle hues and furniture that isn't fussy but isn't slouchy either. Pair your clean-lined sofa with a dark leather wing chair or a weathered metal table—anything goes, but simplicity is key."