Recipe for a glamorous and elegant bedroom

What is elegant and/or glamorous is undoubtedly subjective, but I think that the desired effect is pretty similar.  I imagine most people's response to elegance  would be opulence, comfort, and luxury.

After living in NYC, I see space and privacy as the ultimate luxury.  Even if your space isn’t huge, create the illusion of it by carefully planning out the room’s layout, make sure furniture is a correct scale, and think about the negative space in the room as much as you do the positive.  Leaving an area empty or sparse can create a feeling of opulence!


Think texture and surface!  Mirrors, furs (only faux for me!), silks, and velvets...all of these are typically classified as elegant because of they don't play it safe...they proudly flaunt their texture, sheen, etc...

via Country Living

via Pinterest via Ambition Bliss

Buy high and low.  I'm sure you've heard it before, and it's because it works!  Even if you buy your bedding, lamps, and chest of drawers from Habitat,  be sure to include something that will stand the test of time, and can be passed down for generations, like this David Gundry sofa.  It's craftsmanship will be apparent, and such pieces often have details that less expensive furnishings wouldn't (like those fab tassels!)

via Houzz

Indulge in a bit of the impractical.  A sumptuously dark room, delicate white, outrageously pink - including a touch of the impractical adds elegance because it says, "hey, I can afford to indulge my whims and I get what I want!" - even if a gallon of navy paint only cost $25, and you bleach your white duvet when you accidentally spill your morning cappuccino!

via Rue Mag

via Houzz

Flaunt what you've got. If you're lucky enough to have a home with gorgeous architectural elements, letting them take the spotlight and keeping other objects and elements sleek and clean will create an elegant space without having to spend a fortune on luxury furnishing and soft goods.

via Pinterest via Designed for Life.tumblr

via Houzz

This post in partnership with Webbs of Crickhowell

Announcing the winner of the $75 Wallpaper for Windows gift certificate!

Reader sunny091!  Congrats!  Please contact me at ashley[at]decorologyblog[dot]com with your contact information, and to claim your prize!  Thanks to all who entered!

Winner was chosen at random by random.org

Last day to enter the Wallpaper for Windows giveaway, and gorgeous window eye candy!

Today is the last day to sign up for your chance to win a $75 gift certificate to use at Wallpaper for Windows, so hurry over to this post to enter. In the meantime, here are some absolutely gorgeous spaces made more gorgeous through the use of leaded or decorative glass.

Some of these looks could easily be replicated by using designs from Wallpaper for Windows!

I don't know if I could live with the mint cabinets long-term, but I still think this kitchen is adorable!

Very cool, unique kitchen

Reminds me of the homes in Spain!

Wallpaper for Windows or other decorative glass treatments are ideal for the bath, where extra privacy is desired.

All images via Houzz

An elegant home in white and beautiful antiques.

Rue Magazine's latest issue features a dreamy home tour of the mother of Sacramento Street's Caitlin Flemming.  Sometimes I hear the word "flea market" and visions of over-cluttered spaces fill my head.  Not this home.  A handful of beautiful antiques create a base that is tasteful and elegant base for flourishes of carefully edited flea market finds and cherished travel momentos.

The home's aesthetic is also kept crisp and clean by white walls, which act as a canvas for mother Julie's treasures

What do you think of this home?

Read the article in rue's Feb/Mar 2013 issue.

Beautiful Bedroom Inspiration

One of my favorite feelings is walking into my bedroom for an afternoon nap (unfortunately this doesn't happen very often) to see that I've made the bed beautifully and everything is arranged just so.  Okay, so maybe it's not as chic as these bedrooms below (fiance's "home office") is in our bedroom...

via Adore Home Mag

via Southern Living

via Covet Garden

BUT no matter how gorgeous the bedding and how beautiful the room is looking, once I lay down on the mattress I'm a little disappointed.  It's on the old, small, and firm side for me.  Mattress shopping is daunting though, so it always helps to do your research on how a mattress company manufactures their product.  Once thing I am realizing when doing my research though, is that materials and craftsmanship matter.


Of the two mattresses below, I'm sure you can tell which is going to give you a better nights sleep and be more durable.

The natural luxury mattress of wool, horsehair and coir? (Above: Mattress from 1907 )

Or a standard mattress of foam? (Mattress from Ikea)

Another really, really important factor for me is the sustainability practices a company uses, and this is what makes a product really worth the extra cost for me.  Look for company policies like those of 1907  this:

- Selecting locally sourced materials

- Using renewable and biodegradable sources

- Any plastic used is recyclable, and waste appropriately recycled.

So, even though a beautiful, glamorous bedroom may not showcase a mattress.  A beautiful, glamorous and restful bedroom does!

disclosure* this post in partnership with 1907

Announcing another great giveaway, a $75 gift certificate for Wallpaper for Windows

I think today's $75.00 gift card giveaway features a pretty unique product - Wallpaper for Windows. I'm sure you have a window where privacy, too much direct light, or cold is an issue.  It doesn't even have to be a window - it can be a shower door, a skylight, or just a mirror that you may want to decorate.  I definitely had an apartment or two in NYC with a view, ie. brick wall, I would have liked to change.

Here are just a few ideas for very cool looks you could achieve with  Wallpaper for Windows:

I love the leaded glass look.  I would use the Wallpaper for Window's  "Monterey Sun Stained Glass"  film above to create a look like these below:

via Houzz via Jeremy Kohm photography

via Apartment Therapy via Country Living

Wallpaper for Window's  "Allure Frosted" Privacy film could be used to create a look like the one in the eclectic bathroom below:

via Houzz 

Or use the Wallpaper for Window's  "Atlantis" stained glass window film (above) to replicate this look:

via Apartment Therapy

You could even add an antique, one of a kind feel to cabinet fronts and glass furniture doors!

via Houzz 

Sort of sheds a whole new light on window film, doesn't it?
More awesomeness about window film?  It's made in the USA, uses NO adhesives, but static cling instead.  It helps bring down energy costs by insulating your windows, and filters sunlight to help reduce furniture fading.

So, how do you enter for your chance to win a $75 gift certificate to Wallpaper for Windows?

Just leave a comment below or email me at ashley [at] decorologyblog [dot] com sharing how you would use window film in your home, or your favorite design. Make sure you leave your name and contact info!

Earn an extra entry by liking them on Facebook (optional). IMPORTANT: If you like them on facebook, leave a second comment letting me know.

The contest will close on February 15th at 12 AM EST.  I will announce the winner around 12 PM EST on Feb. 15th.

To comment on this post (scroll to the bottom of this post and right above "Labels" you will see a number followed by the word "comments." Click on the word "Comments." Or, you will see a link, "Post a Comment," which you click on to comment. If you receive posts in your email feel free to respond to the email noting that you'd like to be entered in the drawing.

Announcing the winner of the set of Change of Art frames!

By a random draw, by Random.org, "The Cape on the Corner" won a set of 3 frames in her choice of brown, white, or black.  Congratulations!  PS: Check out the winner's cool blog "Cape on the Corner"

Thanks to all who entered this very popular giveaway!  If you didn't win, you should still check out Change of Art - the frames are eco-friendly, awesome, and AFFORDABLE!  I will also be announcing another great giveaway tomorrow, so stay tuned!