an elegant halloween

Halloween isn't only for kids. Here are some ideas for Halloween decor with an elegant touch.

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Happy Halloween!

xoxo

Ariana

laid back plaid

As the air gets crisper and cooler I've been finding myself gravitating toward warm, rustic plaids for different accessories.  I have always liked the look of plaids for clothing but not necessarily for the home… all that is now changing.  Whether it's for an accent pillow, throw blanket or even upholstered chair, plaid adds a hint of country which speaks to me as super cozy.  Just make sure to pair it with more modern items so that your space doesn't end up looking "granny".

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~Ali

illuminating your kitchen

The right lighting is crucial to make any space spectacular and in a kitchen, it can make or break the room.  While recessed lights are simple and brighten the room as a whole, task and ambient lighting make the biggest impact both visually and functionally.  They will direct light where you need it most and make your prepping and cooking a whole lot easier.  But don't just throw in a few pendants and call it a day - have fun with your choices and get creative!  Below are some examples of kitchens with lighting done right.

Some people think of sconces only for a living room or above a bathroom vanity, but they can be placed strategically over the kitchen sink or next to a large stove as an alternative 

or addition to recessed lighting.  

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Under counter lighting helps illuminate perimeter countertops while in-cabinet lighting 

adds a special ambiance to the room.

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This kitchen uses beautiful flush mounts in replace of recessed lighting.

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These gorgeous gold pendants are the perfect proportion for this room.  A mistake we often see made in kitchens is dinky pendant lighting over the island.  Make sure you choose something that will visually fill the space and also give your island the amount of light it deserves.

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In-kitchen dining is another place you shouldn't skimp on lighting.  A pendant or chandelier grounds the area and makes it look like it belongs there.

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Have a great weekend!

Ali

reclaimed bath vanities

We are totally inspired by an amazing reclaimed bath vanity we just came across . Loving the new trend to take old furniture and use it as a vanity table in a powder room or master bath. The best way to make it functional is to have your contractor retrofit the top with marble. Below are some examples.

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xoxo

Ariana

fall is here

Fall is here. Love this time of year! I get very excited about the beautiful changing leaves, the chill in the air and the desire to get cozy at home with the kids. Here are a few tips to make your home feel ready for fall.

Get some beautiful urns from your nursery and fill them with orange mums.

Get a shag rug to warm up a space and add the cozy factor you will crave in the winter months. 

Spray paint pumpkins and gords and incorporate gold colored glasses and plates at your next dinner party.

Change out pillows and duvets to reflect the season. Its an inexpensive way to update your home and keep if feeling fresh.

Get a new Moroccan area rug. They are warm and inviting, yet sophisticated and timeless.

Enjoy fall.

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http://www.pinterest.com/TheElegantAbode/pins/

Check out for more inspiration. We are love Pinterest!!

xoxo

Ariana

white on white

We always get complemented on our clean and simple look. Sometimes the best way to freshen up your space is to just go white. Below are some examples of white rooms done really right.

via Pinterest

xx

Ariana

trunk love

We love it when furniture can serve more than one purpose.  Especially when the second purpose is storage - who doesn't need a little more storage in their home?  That's why we love a good old fashioned trunk!  They add an old world feel to any space while providing a hiding place for a ridiculously large magazine collection - or whatever else needs hiding.

Here's one of the living rooms we've done in the past:

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And a few more inspiring trunk uses:

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*Ali

porch sitters

The weather is warming up... time to go outside and take a few minutes a day to just kick back and relax!  I've been looking around for some new seating to create the perfect outdoor living space and thought I would share some of the fun things I have found.  (I am not recommending these together for a "look" - not at all).  More of a mixture of different pieces I thought were interesting and beautiful during my search!

Sourced from: 1. Serena & Lily 2. Terrain 3. Ballard Designs 4. Horchow 5. Horchow 6. Terrain 7. RH

Now go outside and relax!

*Ali

color inspiration: purple & green

It's Spring!  Let the colors outside of your house speak to the design inside of your home.  Purple and green go naturally together.  They don't compete, they just complement one another.  So, why not use them to bring a little bit of color into your space.

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All in moderation, though, please.  We do not recommend going and painting an entire room purple or green and then filling it with like colored furniture.  It's best to take an otherwise neutral palette and play it up with these beautiful colors.  Here are a few examples of the combo put together in fun, yet sophisticated ways.

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*Ali