The Art of Buying Original Art

Buying art can be a little more complicated than just falling in love with a piece and hanging it up! You may find that when you bring home that "gotta have it" piece that it doesn't fit in the space you want it in or it isn't great standing on it's own. 

Here are a few hints to help with the buying process:

via houzz

If you can, visualize it before you buy it. Go shopping knowing what size wall you are trying to fill so you can get a feel for what size of piece of art you are looking for. Pick out a few colors that you know will work great in the room and if you have a specific color you are looking for bring an item that matches it so you can tie it all together.

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Buy local to support your local artists! Not only does this give the art you bring into your home a story worth telling but you are supporting your neighbors. It will give you another reason to love it!

via apartmenttherapy

Remove the anxiety around pricing and realize that you can find a great, good size piece of art for under $1,000 but even for $100. If you have a budget you need to stick to then keeping within that price is important but finding that perfect piece could be as simple as $50 and be priceless to you.

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Use the tools you have! Now with the power of mobility we can take a picture of our space and bring it with us art shopping or take a picture of that piece and bring the picture home to see it works where you want it (not all places will allow that). There are also places online that will take a photo of you room and place pieces of art in it to see if it's a perfect match.

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There is no better way to make your own than an original piece of art that provides originality and a great story when hosting your friends. If you are looking for ideas of places to shop there's an awesome place called Vango that makes this process so much easier! When in doubt, remember the golden rule: buy what you like. 

Contain Yourself (and the necessary clutter in your home with these clever storage ideas)

While spring cleaning has yet to begun at my house, and likely won't this year with my wedding in May (yikes!), I thought I'd share with you some fun ideas to contain the chaos you'd like to keep in a way that doesn't affect your home decor.

via bhg

Matching baskets are fantastic! Especially ones with label options to help you remember what you have stored inside. It keeps this bookcase clutter free but makes it possible to not have to store a ton of things behind closed doors.

via etsy

Picking similar styles, all see through containers at the bottom and baskets at the top make this cabinet look so well organized. Clear canisters also help remind me if I'm running low on something.  I also love the pop of color with the labels.

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via inmyownstyle

Not everything is going to fit in the same size containers and if keeping everything matching is too much of a commitment for you, you can mix it up a bit and it still look great. Just try and use similar sizes and shapes to create a cohesive look.

via twotwentyone

I love the mix of three colors here. Using pops of color is great but I love how this one is minimized to two color options and scattered throughout the storage.

Inspiration for mixing and matching bedding

I love mix and match bedding, and can't wait to pick out the linens for our bed once our wedding is over and we have time to focus on decorating.

I love unexpected mixes like the leopard pillows with the ikat pillow.
via Pinterest via Heart Deco

via designstories

If you doubt your ability to mix patterns, start off with one color in different patterns, and add one accent pillow in another color. A monochrome palette will be foolproof.

via sarahmdorsey

via elementsofstyle

via Pinterest via  Indulgy
If you have an upholstered headboard in a non-neutral color, you will need to consider it when selecting your bedding.

via  Indulgy

New bedding and linens is probably one of the easier ways to make a big impact if you are looking for a change.

Ideas for using pattern in your decor (especially if you're afraid of it)

While I'm transitioning my house from winter to spring, I keep seeing all these fun prints I want to incorporate in my home decor. Here's a few that have caught my eye:

via pinterest

I love to mix and match accent pillows and since these are the easiest and most budget friendly way to change up the colors in your home, they are on the top of my list.

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A pattern in neutral colors like the checkers on the floor means you don't have to be married to one color palette. You can swap out different accent colors through out the year.

via theglitterguide

Don't be afraid to go bold! This rug is eye catching and I like that it stands out a little since rugs tend to hide behind the rest of the home decor. 

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I love the look of these chairs. Between the studs and pattern only being on the back side. It give sit a glamorous yet fun look to it.

via Heidi Claire via MadeByGirl

The entryway is a great place to try a little pattern because there isn't a lot of space to be overwhelmed.  It also creates impact right from the start since it's usually the first area of your home someone sees.

Cozy but still stylish - living rooms and dens

I thought I'd bring you some inspiration today to go along with this windy rainy weather. It makes for a great day to curl up on the couch or in a big comfy chair with a good book! Hope you enjoy:

via pinterest

via refinery29

via pinterest

via Angie Hranowsky

Sunwood Blinds

Inspiration: Using color in the bathroom

If you need a little change in your decor, the bathroom is a small, less intimidating space to start.  Sometimes I get my fix just by changing out my shower curtain and bath mat. Or, you could brighten up your bathroom with some color. Since most bathrooms are the least amount of square footage in a home, it's an easy weekend makeover that won't leave you regretting the time you spend.


via designsponge

There are so many way's you can liven up a room. Paint, tile, curtains, rugs, wall art, and accessories are some options you can start with!


via decorchick

You can start small with a spot of color by painting your cabinets and accessorizing to match! Or simply choose one wall to paint if you are afraid it might be to overwhelming to paint the whole room a bright color.  I can't decide if I like this peach or not - I'd have to see the rest of the room.  I love the rug though!


via prepaganda

Go wild with a wallpaper, stencil design, or maybe even stripes! Pick a color that makes you smile every time you walk in the room.


via bhg

Can't choose one color? Find two that work great together and keep it simple with the rest of the accessories. Let the paint color be the decor..

Gray and yellow are two of my favorites.


via Elle Decor

Nervous about a big change? Stick with the accessories! You can still brighten up your bathroom and your day with a little accessorizing.

Bright and easy spaces

Here are some rooms I am loving these days. A touch of color, great windows, natural light, and a feeling of ease and comfort that makes you want to stay for a while.

via Crate and Barrel

The foliage in this bright office provides the pop of color.
via Covet Garden

via House Beautiful

via southernliving

via houzz

Have Fun with Lighting

I have a love/hate relationship with lighting. When it's done right, I love it. When it's done even a little bit wrong, I hate it. Let's not even get into how much most of it costs. It's easy to let lighting be an after thought when we're mostly so focused on furnishings and room layout. A lot of the time I have trouble even considering lighting until most of my room is put together. The good news is is that there is an endless selection of lighting styles out there to find a piece that not only matches your space, but can really take center stage and make a positive contribution to the room. You can make it a talking piece of your space or use it to add a little color!

via houzz

If you are starting from scratch and need to locate all of your lighting fixtures, there are tons or retailers online and with showrooms to find what you need. One example is homebase lighting. Homebase is a leading home enhancement retailer selling amazing finds for your home and garden. I particularly love their Habitat Lighting section!

I'm a sucker for lighting in unexpected places - like this chandelier over the island.

via House Beautiful

Between the options of ceiling fixtures, floor lamps, decorative lamps, pendants, and outdoor lighting the options can make the task of choosing daunting.  That's why I allow my room to make the decision for me.  Of course, if you find a lamp or fixture you absolutely love,  the room will follow.

Of course, your lighting doesn't need to scream either, a chic little piece can do it's job well in the background.
via Lonny

There are a few things to consider when selecting your lighting, like how much natural light is in the room, how much light you'll need at night, and where you will need direct lighting and ambient lighting. If you already have enough light in the room adding a fixture or lamp for decorative features can be a little more flexible. 

via BHG

You can really go dramatic in the dining room because you don't have to worry about people hitting their heads!
via Adore Home

Don't forget to be a little creative! You can get get a hollow glass lamp and fill it with something fun or meaningful. This gives you complete control of the final look and style for your space. Just because you need a little light in a room doesn't mean it has to be purely utilitarian - make it something worth looking at too!

via houzz

This post is in partnership with homebase.co.uk

Vanity Eye Candy!

Every Monday could use some eye candy to start us off, right?! Lately I've been scoping out ideas for bathroom vanities.  Ours is soooorrrryyyy. It's chipping and cheap looking and I hate. Vanities are one of those things that should look great, because they are such a focal point of a bathroom, but also be functional because most of us need all the storage we can get in our bathrooms.

HELLO beautiful backsplash!

2 above via BHG

Finding the perfect vanity for your space is more than just picking out the style. Measure out how much space you have and find something that looks amazing but also fits in well with the rest of the room.  Consider what you will need to store in the vanity, and what you will be using it for.  Modern Bathroom is a great resource for finding a vanity that suits your needs.

via houzz.com
Love the dark walls contrasting with the white and seriously considering this for our master or guest bath.

A little character in your choice is good! Even though most vanities come in white, brown, or black, mixing it up with a nice color can make any bathroom have a little more personality. A toned down color like the one below really makes this bathroom clean and crisp but also adds a little something extra to the space.

This gorgeous weathered piece adds character and beauty.
via BHG

via houzz.com

Carrying a material throughout, like on the vanity top and floor as seen below, always adds a luxe and elegant look in my opinion.

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful
LOVE that mirror!

this post is in partnership with modernbathroom.com

Beauty from Domino - Rooms in a neutral palette

Our beloved Domino is gone - but luckily I snagged all the images I could before the website went under. Here are some gorgeous interiors showing neutral done right. Enjoy!

Kathy Ireland's bathroom

I love grays like the one in this bedroom




ADORE this entryway. What a nice view to enter and leave the house to.


via Domino