Friday, September 30, 2011

Mantel Dressing - Autumn

Now that the front veranda is all spiffed up for Fall and the bedroom has transformed into a warmer, relaxing palette, I though it was about time to complete the mantel with a warm seasonal welcome.

 I am often asked about how to dress up a mantel so I thought I'd capture the step by step action of putting this one together.  There's also a few pics of a few other Autumn touches around the room. Hope it inspires you to get to work on your own ;)












Before- A blank canvas...


After- A warm welcome!

Start with a basic vase...




  I added some "Twilight twigs" so my mantel will have some sparkle and shimmer at night....

                                        


I added some basic silk flower branches in a vibrant orange/rust  for a pop of colour....



A round lantern adds another shape to the mix for more interest...


A  candle picks up the same colour tones as the flowers....


A few faux pumpkins are tucked into the lantern ...


A few real mini pumpkins are added to the mantel...



A couple of white ceramic pumpkins( I found at a local grocery store for $6 /each) are added to either side of the mantel....


To add more interest and balance, a pair of  white ceramic birds are tucked  in by the pumpkins....


A berry garland tucked in amongst all the pieces adds wonderful texture and another burst of colour....



A sweet owl garland adds softness while spelling out the season....
Voila.....the mantel is complete! :)





A few Reese's Pieces in an apothecary jar add colour and fun on a scrapbook paper lined tray, on the end table...


A mosaic glass bowl becomes a great coffee table piece with the addition of a candle holder, some  rattan spheres and some fall beaded garland.






Hope you all have a truly wonderful weekend! Perhaps you'll find some time to do some Fall decorating in your own homes. Whatever you do....enjoy!! :)

~Katrina


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Simple touches to give your bedroom a fresh feel....



For the past couple of weeks I've been using some of my spare time giving my home a fresh feel for Fall. I just love to change things up for the seasons....sometimes with seasonal specific decorations but often times just by adding a few new accessories and by rearranging items I already have, around my home, to give each room a new look.


Here's how I took my Master Bedroom from summer cool and fresh to Autumn cozy and serene.....


Before:The Spring/Summer look...






After: Cozier for Fall and Winter

Duvet covers...


One of my favourite bedding options is a duvet. I just love how you can easily change out the cover to create a new look without taking up much closet space. I also love that when I travel and see a great deal on a  new duvet cover set, it doesn't take up much space in my suitcase either ;) This brown paisley duvet set is one I've had for 4 or 5 years now. I still love it as much as the day I found it (on clearance of course!)




The bird prints are replaced with a round mirror I found at Walmart for $39. It was black when I bought it but a quick coat of brushed silver spray paint and it gives it the much lighter look I was going for and coordinates with the silver lamp bases....



Accessories....


On top of the dresser is a great place to group favourite photos, candles, flowers, etc. Don't be afraid to layer the look and add a variety of heights and texture for interest. The runner here is actually 2 placemats just laid together.  I came across a set of 4 on clearance at Homesense for $11 and just had to have them.....I love the print and texture that coordinates perfectly with my duvet set. I used the other 2 placemats on each of my nightstands...




On my chest of drawers I used one of my existing seagrass trays and pics and accessories I already had...



If you look close at the corner of the above pic you can see I added a ribbon band around my lampshade to bring in another pop of the warm bronzy brown colour....


Mirrors....


My spray painted mirror....:)



Lampshades.....


I changed out the turquoise lampshades with these warm caramel colour ones.....I shopped my own house for these....."borrowed" them from the downstairs office and replaced the office ones with some taupe shades I already had. When I'm shopping I always try to find a neutral lampbase I love , because it's then sooo easy to change out the shades :)






Pillows...

I also like to switch the pillows from room to room in my home. This brown and gold one used to be on my foyer bench but now looks wonderful on the bedroom chair...




.

 I adore this filigree patterned pillow....another Homesense find from earlier this summer....













This bedroom is now all cozied up for Autumn and all it took was some repurposing of items I already had and $50 for a new mirror and placemats.....not bad for a new look! :)


Do you like to change things up for the season? I'd love to hear how! Please leave a comment below :)




                                                   ~Katrina

              

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Give your home more space with smart storage solutions!



Just about everyone I speak with these days seems to have the same wish for their home-more space! No matter how much we have, it seems we always need more. Of course getting rid of the many things we have but don't truly need is always the best way to start. But what if you've done that and still don't have the space you need? That's when it's time to get creative with the space you do have. Here are some great ideas that should help:



 Office in a chest  
Don't have the space to dedicate a room as an office? No worries....this chest at the foot of the bed in a 
guest bedroom, is a great substitute! Holding everything from files to pens, pencils, thumbtacks and even a bulletin board- it provides a hidden office that you can easily access when you need it.  A small console table in conjunction with this and voila!...your office is complete! 

                                                                 Martha Stewart image


                                                     Hidden Kitchen storage

If you're fortunate enough to be planning a kitchen remodel, make sure to make use of every inch of space. The toekick drawer is one of my favourite tricks that many cabinet makers are doing today. A perfect place to store anything from cookie sheets to childrens art supplies/small toys (easy for them to get to!)....


                                                                            BHG.com



                                                      

                                                             Playroom storage


A Playroom is a room where you will definitely want to make use of every inch of space with multifunctional items. Here, two simple storage ottomans fit perfectly under this desk to provide extra storage for toys while doubling as seating for 2! A great place for friends to do craft projects or play games....


Seaside Interiors


Garage storage
Just when you think you've completely run out of space in your garage- just look up!  There are lots of square feet to be utilized on the garage ceiling... Just click the link below the pic for the DIY steps...

                                                                   Craziestgadgets.com



  


                                                    Short on drawer space?

Came across this great idea from chicaandjo.com, through Pinterest. Use 12x12 scrapbook paper organizers to vertically store items such as wraps, cutting boards etc. in your cupboards, freeing up much needed space in your kitchen drawers......

                                                                       chicaandjo.com





                                                      Great storage solution

Check out this great DIY PVC Bin Storage Organizer.....This is something I bet my hubby would love! ;)  How perfect is this for basement/garage storage.... you can easily access the Bin you need without having to move all the rest!  Just click on the link below the pic for all the instructions and a video. I bet my lego addicted son would even like to help with this project! :)



                                                                            Studio 5





Do you have any storage ideas you'd like to share? Leave a comment and let us know....we'd just love to hear your ideas! :)

                                                          ~Katrina

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Add instant character and charm to your home with terrific trimwork...


I am a firm believer in the power of trimwork. There is no better way to add architectural interest and character to your home. It can enhance any style from traditional to contemporary. Here are some inspirational images I compiled from Houzz.com with ideas for how to incorporate trimwork into your home....give it a try, you won't be disappointed!

traditional staircase Stairs
Love the full wall panelling around the stairway....
traditional hall by It's The Little Things...
Great combination of panelling on bottom and painted stripes on the top of the wall, adds interest to a hallway....
by It's The Little Things...
traditional kitchen by Dillard Design Group, LLC
If you are fortunate to have high ceilings, a coffered treatment can look amazing!
by Dillard Design Group, LLC  
traditional living room by Witt Construction
Love the combination of white built ins/ fireplace with the coffered ceiling in this living room...
by Witt Construction
traditional entry by Blue Tangerine Art
This all white, ceiling height panelling can really make for a welcoming entryway that will draw your guests in. It also provides the perfect backdrop to make your art pieces really stand out.
by Blue Tangerine Art  
traditional kitchen by Gast Architects
Painted beadboard can be an inexpensive and practical backsplash option...
by Gast Architects
kitchen by Tara Seawright
Don't forget the backs of your pennisulas/ kitchen islands....a little detail work can really make them shine...
by Tara Seawright  
traditional kitchen by Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers
Bookcases backed in beadboard adds a country fresh charm....
by Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers
eclectic bathroom by Donna DuFresne Interior Design
Beadboard can also look amazing as a tub surround or even as a ceiling treatment as in this beautiful bathroom. So much more cozy and interesting than a basic ceiling...
by Donna DuFresne Interior Design  
traditional family room by S.A.N Design Group, Inc.
A window seat with hidden storage, gets all dressed up with panelled styled trimwork....
by S.A.N Design Group, Inc.
modern living room by Jamie Beckwith
There are many options when it comes to panelling. If you're looking for something a little different, try this "stacked" panelling look...gorgeous!
by Jamie Beckwith  
contemporary bedroom by Smith & Vansant Architects PC
Doors can add so much character to a space. Check out these beauties, they instantly give a fresh and modern feel to this bedroom.
by Smith & Vansant Architects PC




Do you love trimwork as much as I do? How have you used it in your own home? Leave a comment and let me know...

                                                            ~Katrina