Thursday, March 29, 2012

When life gets hectic, it's the little things..

Phew...sorry for the neglect this week! I have a lot of major deadlines this week..my average bedtime the past two weeks has been 3 AM. Anyway, I figured I'd take time today to post some eye candy, not only to inspire you, but also to give me a much needed break from my current projects. Here are some little (and big) pleasures to indulge in if you can...

a peaceful soak

a meal enjoyed without TV and catching up with those you live with but don't necessary get to talk to everyday!


A beautiful place to read...

The piece you've had your eye on for ages and finally get to bring home


Little details that make life beautiful

What makes your life beautiful?

via 1. Mag 91, 2. Design Interior, 3. TradHome, 4. Adore Home, 5.  ?

Monday, March 26, 2012

Fresh bedroom inspiration

I think it's hard to go wrong with white and blue
via Target print ad
 
The owner of this bedrooom quotes "I was a lot more beige once upon a time but a trip to Australia stopped all that."  I love it when a recent trip spurs you to make changes in one's everday life!


3 above via Heart Homes mag

The bedding in the photo above, and the photo below, along with the graphic rug, create a very fresh and modern feeling to these bedrooms.


2 above via Adore Home

Friday, March 23, 2012

Shabby Apple discount code and the winner of the $75 gift card

Congratulations to Joanna!  Joanna was chosen by a random draw.  Joanna, please contact me at ashley [at] decorologyblog [dot] com with your address so I can get you your gift card.

If you didn't win but still have your heart on something from Shabby Apple, they have been kind enough to give everyone a 10% off discount when you use the discount code:   decorology10off  

The discount code expires April 19th

The glamorous interiors of Schuyler Samperton

It is always such a treat when I'm introduced to an interior designer whose work I haven't seen before. It doesn't happen very often, which is why I'm really excited to share with you Schuyler Samperton. She's an LA based designer with a cool modern twist on traditional decorating. I'm sure some of you do know her work - and even if you've seen it before, I imagine it's just as beautiful to look at the second..., third..., fourth time around...

Pops of pink and turquoise balance out the visual heaviness of the dark wood beams

I would never think to put together that rug that table, with those curtains and that striped chair.  It's a very unexpected blend, and I like that it looks like the furnishings and decor was collected over time as opposed to items purchased just to match.




The two below images are from the home of model Carolyn Murphy, which was featured in March's vogue!


Those wood floors are heaven!


Do you like Schuyler's style? Go to Schuyler Samperton's site to see more.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Luxury Bedroom Wish List

The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the house,  not only for it’s obvious function as a place to sleep or store your clothes and shoes, but the role it plays a private haven or sanctuary away from everything else ( remember when you were a teenager!).Ultimately a bedroom should be relaxing, comfortable and a little self-indulgent, after all it’s your bedroom and need reflect only your tastes and personality, with maybe the exception of your partner if applicable! But just for the sake of self-indulgence here are the top 5 contemporary furniture essentials for the perfectly luxurious bedroom….


The Walk in Wardrobe
It's hard to imagine any woman who hasn’t fantasied about a custom fitted walk in closet to house all of her clothes and shoes, equipped with full length mirrors and a dressing table (yes I’m thinking Sex & the City style!) Although many of us may not have the space to have essentially what is a bedroom within a bedroom; a great alternative is fitted wardrobes with customized accessories to organize all your things along with mirrored sliding doors to make the most out the space available.

via Ivy and Piper
via Chico Deco
via Design With Christine

King-sized Upholstered Bed

I used to think King-sized beds were unnecessary. But now, I find myself liking more and more space to stretch out when I sleep. And nothing is more luxurious than a fluffy upholstered headboard.





An over-sized floor length mirror.
A generously sized mirror casually leaning against the wall adds an instant sumptuousness to any space.  It's a great way to reflect candle light, and add some romance.  It's also the best way to make sure your look is pulled together before leaving for the day!



Flueless Fire
I grew up with a fire always going in the winters, so I'd be happy with any fireplace. But, there is nothing like a flueless fire to warm up a contemporary bedroom and provide a fantastic focal point.  Not only do they keep the room pretty toasty the glass protector in front never gets too hot to touch making them a health and safety dream!


Appropriate Bedroom Lighting

There's nothing I dread more than harsh and cold overhead lighting.  The bedroom, more than any other room in the home, demands dimmer, warmer lighting.  If you have an overhead fixture, it must be on a dimmer switch.  In fact, I'd like every light switch in my home to have a dimmer switch.
Since your be is often the focal point, it's especially important that your bedside lamps, whether matching or not, be beautiful and give off soft light (though still provide enough light to read by).

Vanity 
Another glamor girl must have, a vanity, or dressing table, makes your otherwise dreary morning routine feel a little more like pampering. Make sure your dressing table has ample storage options for cosmetics, whether through the use of drawers or pretty baskets or containers, a luxe chair or stool, and a mirror.  This is one place where you want to make sure you have access to good lighting.  Strip lights or bulbs along the sides of the mirror are better than overhead.  It helps to place your vanity near an outlet so you can use your hot tools or other electronics while getting ready.


What are your must-haves or on your luxury bedroom wishlist?


All images via gomodern.co.uk unless otherwise noted.
disclosure*: This post was sponsored by Go Modern

Monday, March 19, 2012

A 1940's Suburban in a modern traditional style with just the right amount of color

I particularly like this house tour because it's not over the top or a complete interior design fantasy.  I can see real people living here. The house is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and inhabited by a New York couple.  The interior design is by Lindsey Coral Harper.

This entry is like a breath of fresh air.

The kitchen floor is painted.  Harper says:  "
The floor was stained a deep, dark brown, and it brought the whole room down. I suggested we do a large geometric design, because the kitchen is so large — it's a 20-foot-long rectangle. The bold graphic breaks it up so it doesn't feel so big. We kept the pattern clean and simple because the ikat on the sofa is so busy."


A tip from Harper I've never heard before, but one that makes a lot of sense, if you are going for impact that's not too over the top:

"You can only have one showstopper in a room. In the foyer, it's the wallpaper; in the living room, it's the curtains; in the dining room, it's the chandelier; in the kitchen, it's that acid yellow color. It's like a dinner party — you can only have one great storyteller. If two people are vying for attention, it doesn't work."


Love this bedroom.

What do you think of this house... a good balance of color?

via House Beautiful

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Update your wardrobe for Spring with this awesome giveaway from Shabby Apple!

How awesome are the folks from the Shabby Apple?  They are generously offering one lucky Decorology reader a $75 gift card to use on anything on their site! Below are a few things I really love:



 Such a classic silhouette in a really fun print.




 this suit is cute and glam all in one.

To enter the Shabby Apple giveaway, first go to Shabby Apple on facebook and "like" them.  Then, come back to this post and leave a comment sharing what you might use that $75 for from Shabby Apple

The giveaway will close on March 22nd at 6 PM EST. Good luck!