Inspired Room: Bedroom at Tiffany's

Have you seen Enchantresses 3 bedroom reveal? The room is based off of a vinyl decal made in the Tiffany style logo (decal made by Vinyl Silhouettes), but altered to reflect the name and details of her little girl, Emmy. The white wall scones with black candles add that perfect touch.

The blue walls are a strong color, but perfect and balanced with the white and black painted furniture and the airy sheer white curtains to let in plenty of light. The black and white polka dot bedding is perfect in this space.

And don't you just love the little play corner, with the mirrors, vinyl wall sticker chandalier, chalk board and zebra print rug? The pink chairs and little white shutters add a nice amount of cheery color as well.

It's definitely charming, diva-lishious and super sweet all at the same time. What a lucky girl!

Of Bunnies and Women

rabbit ceramic scupltures ~ iktomi

Bunnies are not exclusively Easter related. I tried to find "holiday neutral" ones that pulled at my heart strings, though it was admittedly tough to narrow down all of the sweetness. I love them all and would have a rabbit menagerie if I could! The great thing about little figurines and pieces of art, is they can be easily placed in little vingettes around your home, for a simple touch of quirkiness in a place that could use some character without overloading it. Which is your favorite? Do you prefer vintage or handmade? Art or function?

rabbit vintage figurine ~ blueberry shoes

two of a kind bunny print ~ the black apple

rabbit at dusk acrylic painting print ~ linda norton

hand embroidered bunny ~ hare and drum

bunny rabbit fine art photography ~ squid art

bunny baby customized name wall plaque ~ junx murphy designs

bunny pale shabby pink cast iron figurine ~ monkey and squirrel

bunny pink iron wall coat hanger ~ happy bday to me

adorable vintage wooden bunny ~ noodle and lou vintage (I adopted him, yay!)

vintage 1940's bunny rabbit candles ~ desert nana

vintage bunny light bulb cover ~ brayton cottage

Pops of Muted Color

pickles... how to make it here

I thought I would be in spring time color mode by now, but given we just had several inches of snow fall (in Texas) no less, I'm still not feelin' it.  Easter pastels, (I can't believe I'm saying this) let's wait a few more days.  But, pops of colors in muted, unforced tones are an excellent transition for me.

I love the above wreath, covered in wool felted balls. You can make your own from a kit, or purchase premade balls or learn how to do it from pickle's instructions (and while your at it, make that wonderful curtain as well!). The sewn mini colorful garland decorating the moose skull is also lovely.

johnny & stacie sfgirlbybay

The home of johnny and stacie, is a bit of perfection to me. It's open, not overly cluttered but a distinct sense of creativity and wonder resides here. Which is no wonder given that it is located in an artistic warehouse turned residential space. The backdrop of the neutral colors, beams and bones of the home and furniture allow for chamleon growth in both color and decor choices over the natural course of living in the space. We can create similar vibes with our homes if we so choose.

this pink dinosaur painting speaks to me.

Besides, how could a home with a swing in the living room not be wonderful?

Living in such a naturally colorful space would perhaps make one dress in similar muted colors, as though the fashion osmosis has seeped in to your mind by simply walking through the door.

curry necklace by urban legend

What a lovely necklace. The combination of it's elegant drape and muted colors work perfectly with the black and white printed blouse and lovely ruffle edged muted lime green shrug! And that's saying a lot from a fellow jewelry designer who primarily wears grey (and who also, loves Indian curry).

Sweet Treats: A Fanciful Twist Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcake Recipe

So many interior design posts lately. Love them, and have plenty more to come, but I believe a cupcake post is in order. Really, if the whole world could just sit together and eat cupcakes merilly, wouldn't it be such a lovely place, as friendship and the desire to serve and help each other magically took place?

Vanessa, of A Fanciful Twist never ceases to ignite my imagination. Her lovely storytelling is simply wonderful as well as her lushious photography, full of magic and sparkles. Her famous Mad Hatter Tea party, full of whimsical details is on the horizon, (here, you can see 2008 and 2009* and some blogger parties here), and read the delightful little introduction to this year's party here (in which I plan on atteneding this year).

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Do you not just love the shape of her cupcake? Her secret? Using extra tall cupcake liners! I've never seen them in stores, have you? Here is the recipe she uses, and her special notes on making the cupcake and icing:

the cupcake and the bee postcard set for sale in her shop

"I used this Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcake recipe right here. Two important notes are that, I increased the buttermilk to 1 scant cup (instead of 2/3 cup) after reading the reviews about dryness - And I only cooked mine for 16 minutes. Perfection!"

♥ Ingredients ♥

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar, plus

2 tablespoons sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1. Beat butter and all the sugar on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and beat on high speed until well blended.

2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. With mixer on low speed, add one third of the flour mixture, followed by a third of the buttermilk – repeat, alternating in thirds. When all the flour is incorporated beat mixture on medium speed just until well blended.

4. Fill paper-lined or buttered muffin cups (1/3-cup capacity) about three-fourths full with batter (about 1/4 cup in each).

5. Bake in a 350° oven until tops spring back when lightly touched in the center, 16-20 minutes. Cool on racks 5 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely.

6. Decorate with your favorite frosting.

♥Frosting♥

"My frosting invention is rather fluffy cheesecake like, but much more mild -

I took one stick of room temperature softened salted butter, 1 cup of sour cream, and 1/4 Tsp. of Vanilla and mixed them together with my hand mixer. I had 1 cup of powdered sugar waiting, that I added little by little to the already mixed sour-cream, butter and vanilla mixture.

I didn't use all the sugar for my mixture. But, you should add it little by little, tasting it until the frosting is to your likeness. I don't like mine very sweet. Note also that this cupcake recipe is very sweet on its own."

peace offering cupcake for the mad hatter

Cherries, sprinkles, fairy dust and whimsical dress-up costumes are optional.

Mantel DIY Headboard

Apartment Therapy (how to with pictures)

I love old antique firplace mantles, as you can see in my previous post about mantle decorating! As one who frequents antique malls, I run across them regularly. Some are quite inexpensive, others are pretty costly.  Whatever your budget, you can find one that meets your needs. Here are a few examples as well as links to how to's on these projects. Foam, batting, fabric, staple gun or nails, nail studs and paint are a few of the easy supplies needed to make a mantel headboard of your own.

Chicago Home Mag

Traditional Home Magazine via House of Turquoise

Maison Reve via Marley & Lockyer

Sunset (plus other headboard ideas)

Apartment Therapy

Mew Paper Arts (how to with pictures)

Blue Creek Home (how to with pictures)

Niesz Vintage Headboard (how to)

Martha Stewart (how to)

A Fanciful Twist

Coastal Living

Gail's Decorative Touch

Southern Living (how to with pictures)

Mantel Decorating

i love four logs 

Pink, black and turquoise, love this. Very Alice in Wonderland with the artwork and eclectic vibe. The scale and slightly off symmetry of everything is just perfect.

I love Spring decorating, and I love decorating my mantle, but I don't quite feel it's ready yet to take out the Easter decorations. The Easter box is here and ready to go, but maybe I'll hold off for another week. In the meantime, my mantle has lots of white, some aqua and soft pastel green to make the transition.

My transitional Spring time Mantle

There are some wonderful ideas out there, whether you prefer to decorate by the seasons, or by what you love. If your style is shabby chic, vintage inspired, retro, mid century modern, colorful kitsch, contemporary, traditional, eclectic, a little bit country gothic... there is an idea for everyone here.

The wallpaper, pink rug and the whites with the wood floor are all lovely. The simple touch of the framed neutral colored art above the mantle and flowers are not overwhelming, but still charming. ~inspiration for decoration

Apartment Therapy + decorating tips love the unique shape of the brass vase, candles and the oval mirror. The symmetry is lovely and so are the colors. Look at the little square tiles on the fireplace, love it!

My two fav colors with aqua, is yellow & orange. This room has it all. Simple, colorful. ~Shop Ursula

Add a piece of mantle art! You should see the before, flip through the slideshow here... what a huge difference some color and a little update can make! I know this transformation is pretty large and intensive, but you can paint the bricks white (I've done it and loved it), slipcover your couches and pillows, change out a few accessories, or even paint a few pieces to match, paint your walls, simplify what you have and that's really all. It sounds more than it really is. -Better Homes and Gardens

One of my favorites, The brass wheat scones are a theme we love too. I usually hang my mirrors horizontally, but the vertical style allows for taller vases on a narrow ledge and adds drama. ~Elle Decor

Copper mantle sfgirlbybay is lovely and rich. The mid century modern sunburst mirror and fawn figruine is adorable. The soft pink flowers in the aqua watering can... simple and lovely ~homebug

analisa's white fireplace is simple and gorgeous with it's minimal accessories, and bazaar style features a modern funky shaped mirror with retro art and deer figurine. Love the aqua and red.

Techinacally a Christmas mantle, due to the bleached bottle brush trees little fawn and tree, but her husband's homemade wood scrap wreath and paper flowers can be year round! ~rock paper scissors

Ornate, beautiful and still homey with the clean lines of the black iron bed and unfussy bedding. Love the aqua and white with a modern romantic touch. I love the open space on the mantel, I do that too.

One ornate white fireplace mantel with a gallery frame wall, lovely! Mariu de Andre's Home Elle Decor UK

Shabby white and slender brass letter V feels so elegant together, and the pop of pink flowers is perfect.

The firelace houses a quilt rack for a cozy reading nook. Love this artistic home library. ~sfgirlbybay

If you don't have a formal mantle, install a wooden shelf and call it done! The vintage and antique mirrors and silver vessels piled together adds some pizazz to the room without being distracting.

A simple vinyl sticker or painted design looks great as a centerpiece when it is a neutral color and has soft lines. Small grouping of photos, flowers and special momentos are a perfect intimate addition to a mantel without feeling too staged or showy. The neutral color scheme is cool and casual.

I love these mirrors, the fact she uses them in alternating gray and white and they fit the space perfectly just astounds me. It's a big focal point, but simple vases and a stack of books add minimal decor so it isn't too overwhelming. Mommy Suprise Contemporary Mirror Mantel

One of my favorites! The crystal garland, curvy white vintage dresser mirror, white button wreath and all sorts of haberdashery and candelabras are lovely and chic. The roses add softness. ~Golden Paws

This feels Country Gothic to me, the huge mirrored window pane and sconses are gorgeous. Look up at the branch inspired chandelier and wooden beams! Alicia Wardenss, Better Homes and Gardens

I love the grey, detailed mantle with the simplicilty of the brass candlesticks, pencil profile sketch, white bud vases and the greenery cuttings. Staged, but cozy and inviting. ~decorology

Typography fans gather 'round! We have a bingo spinner, blocks and all sorts of vintage letters and numbers. The ornate mantle feels at home here, and it's elegance is muted with the colorful rust.

Twice Remembered Mantel's has an assortment of frames, a single letter and topiaries.

julie's super kitschy nick knack mantle is like a shrine of wonderment and and marky1969's fireplace is unique and eclectic. Dramatic black with floral tiles and mustard wallpaper in a bold white flower pattern, they keep it simple with a single white vase with flowers and tall, slender white candlesticks.

This is one crazy mantle! It has everything one needs to feel at home in their quirky little abode. This is the no holds barred style, hey, and if it makes you happy, it makes me happy! Apartment Therapy

Layla, used a vintage headboard to emphasize her fireplace. I love her mantle decor, simple, elegant but maximum style, as usual at The Lettered Cottage.

Even more mantle styling inspiration goodness can be found at Matters of Style, and at Little Green Notebook. Some amazing ones there. Tomorrow... turn  that mantle find of yours into a cozy diy headboard.