Everyday Living

A Blue & White Delight

~ Decorating

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”
‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10

If you’ve been following the blog for any length of time, you have probably noticed that I occasionally like to freshen up a few of the vignettes around our home!  Seasons’ change usually initiate the shuffling around of items, but this time, I decided to go with blue and white–a classic that stands through all seasons!  The definitive pair always looks fresh and it is a palette that works with just about every other color!  The golden hues of my hand-rubbed walls seemed to be a perfect backdrop for the oriental-themed vignette.  I simply moved a few things and…voila! A new look!  You can see our romantic Valentine inspired foyer here!  The oriental lamps have moved from the foyer to a guest room back to the foyer! Carolyne Roehm’s book “A Passion for Blue and White” was the perfect choice to use as the foundation for a small vignette! The miniature tea set was a gift from my friend, Kathy many years ago.  She finds the most unique items! The bejeweled clock is a tiny box for trinkets! The violin box is one of my favorites! I waited patiently for the lamps to go on sale many years ago!  Finally snagged them at one half off!  The shades are so different and were what caught my eye! Cobalt blue votive holds a lovely scented candle! A vintage Johnson Bros cup and saucer! I particularly like this vase with the monkeys! Detail of the lamp! Peacock feathers were placed in the vases next to the lamps. Feathers always add a little drama! “Whenever you place any color next to blue and white, something magical occurs:  All of a sudden, the focus sharpens and the visual field has clarity and power.” 
Carolyne Roehm

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl,  Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Hom


Be Our Guest!

~ Decorating

 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”
Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭26-27

Don’t you look forward to a little get away?  I always love it when I arrive somewhere and it feels inviting!  Whether it be a fabulous resort or someone’s home, the atmosphere can just announce “Welcome-we have been expecting you!!!”  We all have overnight guests in our homes at some time or the other…so, how do we extend a warm welcome and make them feel comfortable during their time with us?  I have often read that you should sleep in your guest room(s) to make sure that everything is inviting and that all the creature comforts have been provided!  This guest room is small with only a twin bed, but there is a large writing desk and chair that provides a great place to read and relax!  Come take a look…we invite you to be our guest!!  What guest would not love being served breakfast in bed!! The twin bed is an antique with a rich patina and is outfitted with a custom canopy.  I have a love of fabric and have used different patterns and textures in this guest room!   The floral fabric is the primary one with a peach stripe as a secondary!  Solids, plaids, animal prints, and a touch of toile add rich layers to the sage colored walls!  The large neck roll pillow is great for your feet or for propping your neck while reading!  The top of the duvet is a Schumacher floral fabric and the underside is a peach stripe with a fluffy down comforter inside!  A light breakfast of coffee and a blueberry muffin is served on a wicker tray along with the morning paper and a current magazine for leisurely reading!  I love to fill a basket with water, fruit, chocolate, shortbread cookies, and chips, in case our guest gets the late night munchies!  A scented candle is always a nice touch in a guest room!  Books are stacked on the desk for reading or just thumbing through!  The old hand-painted tool box contains a sewing kit and a few items that a guest might need.  I like to furnish toiletry items-we all need a little pampering, occasionally!   A small florentine tray holds soap, bath salts, and hair products!  Fresh flowers say you are special and we are glad you have come!  A magnolia bloom welcomes our guest!  Three travel books and a book by a Pulitzer Prize winning author that is a professor at the University of Alabama provide reading for a guest that might have a longer stay! The writing desk has a distressed top and a beautiful antique finish.  The sheep painting offers a calm and serene scene!
 A floral needlepoint pillow contrasts with the velvet animal print on the chair!  Have you noticed I like color and pattern?! This room is definitely a feminine space!  How do you welcome an overnight guest?

pam-closingLinking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl,  Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home

 

Dreaming Blue

~ Decorating

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth”
Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭17-18‬

 Having served in the interior design field for many years, I have heard so many differing opinions about how to decorate the most private space in our homes…the  bedroom.  It is not just a place to sleep – it is where we dress, often read, perhaps drink our first cup of coffee , and wind down after a long and tiring day.  It is the space in our home where we should feel free to decorate as we wish!  My clients have run the gamut in their preferences for their bedrooms.  Some want to use vibrant colors with lush window treatments and bedding, others prefer a romantic cottage feel with floral fabrics, and still others have a need for soft and soothing hues.  Today we will showcase the latter. When I think of a calming bedroom, I imagine soft shades of blue mixed with hues of white! IMG_8569This is a guest suite (could serve as a master) that I designed in a client’s home over ten years ago.  It has a soft and dreamy aesthetic…from the beautiful curves of the iron bed to the creamy silk window treatments to the luxurious custom bedding.  It might be hard for a guest to leave these comforts!
IMG_8570 Beautiful cabinetry that houses books, collectables, and a TV sit opposite the bed. Sitting in front of a large window is a beautifully painted chest with the perfect accessories on top-particularly the Venetian gondola by Lladro!  Between the bookcase and chest is a comfy chair and ottoman!  IMG_8571You might think the walls are papered, but they are hand painted. Tall matching lamps flank the bed with differing bedside tables.  On the right is a small writing desk and chair, perfect spot to journal and enjoy a cup of hot tea!  The left side of the bed has a skirted round table!

The following bedrooms are from my Pinterest Board “Beauty Sleep”. You can go to the original source by clicking on the picture.  Follow here: Beauty Sleep

I will always love a poster bed.  The sitting area in the bay window, the drop-dead gorgeous chandelier, and the lovely shade of robin’s egg blue combine to make this an elegant room! Design by Cullman and KravisThis ethereal bedroom with its whitewashed ceiling, canopied bed, lovely fabrics, and French doors offers a serene respite!
A smaller bedroom, but no less beautiful, with twin beds and a sweet floral fabric draping the windows! What a perfectly delightful room- dressmaker details on the bedding and window treatments!  The bedside table catches my eye along with the lamps and their blue shades! This bedroom would be at home at the beach, in the mountains,  or anywhere, for that matter.  Casual elegance!So I admit this  bedroom had me with its four-posters!  The window fabric, bedding, and the pale blue bedside chest combine for a delightful room!  Design by Tobi FairleyWhat is not to love about this bedroom?  A guest room with twin beds is a great option if you have more than one guest room.  You can see a guest room that I designed using twin beds here: A Breath of Fresh Air!  The patterned carpet plays wonderfully well with the wallpaper and canopy fabric! Designer:  Cathy Kincaid The chandelier is the obvious showstopper, but the matching pair of chests run a close second!
A bedroom that is slightly bolder in its approach.  The wall color is a medium shade of brown (latte describes it for me) with blue canopy and window treatments.  My personal favorite in this space is the leopard carpeting.  A tip:  think of leopard as a neutral!   I think this bedroom is charming! The French stone mantel and fireplace with club chairs and ottoman would make it impossible to leave for work.  Note the desk and clock, antiques, I presume!  The bench at the foot of the bed is an ideal spot for putting on your shoes or stacking books and magazines.  I have a love of fabric and this pattern is subtle and calming! Miles Redd, a designer known for mixing it up with color and styles, designed this bedroom!  Note the contemporary mixed with traditional and the pop of yellow for the lamp bases! Collage2

If you could choose your perfect bedroom retreat, what style and colors would you select?  After all, we can dream!!

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl,  Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Horn