Loving the effect of a good piece of black and white abstract in any space. Whether your style be eclectic, modern, romantic or rustic it always pumps it up a notch. Get inspired .... grab a brush and make one of your own!
xoxo
Ariana
1.31.2012
1.24.2012
banquette snapshot
We're working on a banquette area for a client's new home right now and I have fallen in love with this image. The combination of the white tufting, rattan chair, gray farm table and punchy blue accents creates such a cozy little nook. Perfect inspiration!
via Design Chic
*Ali
1.23.2012
color inspiration: navy and white
A couple of our recent clients have expressed a lot of interest in a chic preppy look and their love of navy... and we definitely share their admiration for the deep blue color. Navy has such a classic, sophisticated appeal and makes everything else around it pop. I came across some photos of navy done oh-so-right and just had to share...
via Brabourne Farm
via Decor Pad
via Phoebe Howard
via Rue Magazine
via Nantucket Youth
*Ali
1.22.2012
style it up
So, after a space is relatively finished - furniture is in place, art, rugs and window treatments are selected - our job of styling begins. For some, this can be a daunting task. Here are a few tricks of the trade to help make polishing off a room a little easier.
Rule#1: Always have at least one living thing in each room (people and dogs don't count.) It's fun to put something branchy and natural in an entry. It brings the outside in and adds a little life to the room.
Rule #2: Layer objects on side tables to create a lived in look. One really graphic pattern mixed with whites and pastels creates interest.
Rule #3: Be aware of scale in your space. Not every area needs something dramatic or large. Just a small touch of love does the job.
Rule #4: Decorate using the functionality of your space as the inspiration. An office should have books and magazines, a kitchen can display canisters of food and a nursery looks great using toys as decor.
Rule #5: Bookshelves... ok, here we go. The challenge is to make them look interesting and collected rather than cluttered and messy. The best way we have found to do this is by grouping objects together and limiting your color palette. Below gold, white and blue is the color palette repeated on every shelf.
An example of a few "rules" together. Live objects, using a limited green/yellow color palette, taking direction from functionality, layering objects and being aware of scale.
xoxo
Ariana
1.20.2012
how to make a good bed
So it might seem like a no-brainer, but making a nice bed is essential to having a good-looking bedroom. We often get stuck in the same routine with the way we make our bed. Here are some fun ways you can dress up your own space with simple changes.
xoxo
Ariana
Easy breezy white pin-tuck West Elm Duvet and Euro's with a patterned throw at the bottom.
White bedding and quilt with graphic shams.
Very understated light grey quilt and shams, throw near feet and 12 x 21 patterned accent pillow. Stacking standards behind Euro's creates a nice backdrop for accent pillows.
A million textures of white and tons of throw pillows. I just want to dive in.
My personal favorite these days.... knit throw and pillows. Very relaxed and understated.
For the rich and famous...luxe silk pillows and duvet. 3 Euro's, 2 standards and 2 accent... and let's not forget the mohair throw.
xoxo
Ariana
1.15.2012
1.12.2012
guest blogger: cara from lilac & grey
When Ali and Ariana asked me if I wanted to do a guest post "swap" I was more then excited! I knew right away that I wanted to post something to tie together fashion and interiors. While searching the runway photos on style.com for a recent post I did, I noticed lots of mint greens, pinks, yellows, and tangerine. I also noticed that large floral prints are making a big splash. If I had to describe my personal style for fashion and interior design- I would say it would be a happy mix of modern and vintage.
To me, floral prints are very chic and lady-like; but in most cases, wearing floral prints could be very daring. I love how Ece Sukan, editor at large for Vogue Turkey mixed this flowy floral print dress {which looks like it could be vintage} with a very modern clutch.
When using floral prints in your home-especially if it is a chair or sofa- you need to be mindful to pair it with something modern like this bed above- otherwise you could risk it looking to "granny."
Mixing floral patterns could be extremely chic if done correctly. Be sure to keep the color scheme throughout, and keep the wall color neutral.
If you really want to be bold, opt for a floral wall-covering or mural. This works best in bathrooms or for one wall in a bedroom.
Thank you Ali and Ariana for giving me the opportunity to guest post here at The Elegant Abode!
{Cara Gardner is a New Jersey based Real Estate and Lifestyle Consultant. When she is not with clients she can be found on her blog Lilac and Grey sharing inspirational ideas about interior design, fashion and behind the scenes info about real estate.}
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