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.

Gorgeous gorgeous - wallpaper from Amy Butler

Gotta love this wallpaper from Amy Butler! I especially like the way she puts color palettes together. SO, so pretty. What do you think?

(click on an image for a larger view)


so pretty!





I really like this pattern in the "Field" palette


If you like what you see - it's available for purchase at Graham & Brown, or check it out on her site.

Wallpaper I LOVE!

Wallpaper is by no means a new "trend." It's been back in style for a few years now. That's why I'm surprised I've just now discovered Studio Nommo - which has a gorgeous collection. I have designer Ashley from *i'm smitten* to thank. She designed one of my favs, the "Foxy" wallpaper.

The card from *i'm smitten* that was reinterpreted into wallpaper.



the wallpaper

Below are some other designs from Studio Nommo that I like


I've been liking feathers a lot lately


This one's titled "Things on my desk" Great for a home office!



Love the pomegranates!

You can also design your own wallpaper by uploading a photo or illustration to their site. See more at Studio Nommo

If you liked the Foxes in Trees illustration, see more at *i'm smitten*

Inspirational wallpaper, rug, and textile patterns from the father of arts and crafts, William Morris

Just a tiny blurb about William Morris from Wikipedia:
"William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was an English architect, furniture and textile designer, artist, writer,socialist and Marxist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement."

If you're not familiar with his work I'm sure you'll love it. His patterns are meant not to display geometric genius, but to honor nature. "He did not see the merits of a wholly geometrically inspired design and remained convinced through most of his life that nature was the only solution to a good design." - via The Textile Blog"


I love seeing work in progress

A Morris carpet detail

above images via The Textile Blog


via Easy Web


Love this one!
via Creatively Different Blinds

via Met Museum

If you like his work a lot of gift shops and boutiques sell products with his patterns on them. You can find stationary and office supplies with his patterns here.

via Victoria and Albert Museum Shop


I will definitely be remembering these fabrics!
via Quilter's Palette

Inspiration to go bold with color and/or pattern

I'm probably a bit braver when it comes to pattern than color - even though I love color so much - especially the jewel tones that are so abundant right now. I think I run into issues choosing a color - so I always fall back on neutrals, grays, or whites. The more I seek out bright colors and patterns, however, the easier it is to imagine using them in my apartment.

Blue and white is possibly my favorite palette - and I love the white chair with the bold blue flower motif.


If your mixing patterns - especially with a wallpaper pattern - make sure the scale of the wallpaper pattern is unique - no other object should have the same scale pattern. Notice that the scale of the rug pattern is larger than the wallpaper.
via BHG

The blue and pink make for instant romance. The headboard is actually a really affordable DIY - mirror tiles from Ikea.
via Sunset Magazine



via House Beautiful

via Domino Magazine

Wallpaper divinity! Which is your fav?

I was so excited when I got a little surprise "e-troduction" in my inbox last week from Elli Popp. Their wallpaper is so luscious. I think my favorite design is Esmeralda's Reverie...but it's so tough to choose!

Oh yes, all orders place before the end of April get 20% off!


Foxy flowers?

Esmeralda's Reverie?

Crazy Ostrich?

Just Around Midnight?

Haiku?

Dede?

Butterfly Valley?

Marlene?

Bebe Palm?

Bebe?

Baroquette?

Most of these patterns come in 3 color options, and you can see those and more patterns at the Elli Popp site.

I'm liking wallpaper more and more these days...