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Sophisticated Reading for Kids

sharon — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:30:42 +0000

Decorating a kid’s room can be very difficult. You want the room to be age appropriate but also be well designed. Kids books are an easy way to accomplish this. Well designed books can be a great way to add in color, artistic style and sophistication to a room. With the variety of books out there, you can find the perfect covers to suit your tastes from modern, vintage, classic and colorful. It is a great way to introduce design to your children as well. But make sure they aren’t so precious that you don’t want your child to handle them.

The book pictured, And Then…, is great for many reasons. The blue is very rich looking, the cover design is whimsical but classy and it has an activity that really engages you and the child. Inside this “book” you’ll find the beginnings of stories. You read them to your child and come to a portion that says, ” and then…” and your child can let his active imagination run wild and create the rest of the story. Not only will the book look great on a display shelf or styled on a dresser, but the kids will love the activity of creating a story with you.

*Available from E Madison

Decorative and Useful

sharon — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:30:18 +0000

When you buy a new decor piece for your home do you think of all the possible ways you can use it? Often we see an item for what it is but don’t explore unique ways of adding purpose. For instance, these gorgeous amber jars with antlers would be amazing displayed on an open bookshelf. But what about displaying your necklaces from it? Think of how the afternoon sunlight in your kitchen would make the amber glow and it would make a great spot to secure your rings while washing dishes. Sick of finding your daughters hair accessories all over your house? Hang them on these antlers for a fun display in a bathroom. Take a minute today to look around your house and see if you can re purpose something you already own in a new way.

Easy Updates

sharon — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:30:13 +0000

I’m beyond excited for the extra hour of sunlight that comes with Daylight Savings Time! Instantly the house is brighter and it seems like spring is here in full force. Here are some quick tips to make your home feel even more like spring!

-Aromatherapy :: Beautiful smells are a quick way to make a home feel inviting and warm. While winter calls for spicy, vanilla notes, spring is all about floral and citrus scents. A reed diffuser or large candle can easily add a scent to your home. And don’t just think about the main rooms in your home. Bathrooms and closets need spring updating too!

-New fruits and vegetables are just coming in to season. Make them easy to get to by displaying them in a decorative bowl on your kitchen counter or dining table. Let their vibrant colors be an organic way of adding pops of color to your room.

-Consider changing out the pots you have your houseplants planted in. There are tons of 0ptions available (many of them very inexpensive) and it is a very easy update for your decor.

-Spring is all about fresh flowers. Your local farmer’s market will have great deals on beautiful blooms or grab some the next time you are at the grocery store. Fresh flowers make your room feel extra special.

How will you update your rooms for spring?

A Beautiful Life

sharon — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:30:30 +0000

How gorgeous is this horn bottle opener?! If I had this is my kitchen, I would smile every time I opened a bottle. Our lives are so busy and filled with anxiety and chaos. Shouldn’t our homes be filled with beautiful things every where we look? I’m not saying that you have to get rid of all your stuff and buy new or that you need to buy a new couch because it is prettier than the one you already have. But if you see something that you are truly drawn to, think about taking it home with you. Often we stick with pieces that we have had since college or even our weddings (I’m almost 10 years in). Tastes and budgets change. While the $3 metal store-bought bottle opener was fine for your first apartment, your home would certainly feel a little more grown up and sophisticated with beautifully designed accessories. Buying things that make you happy help to make your world more feel more beautiful. Items like this also make for great hostess or housewarming gifts because they are things that people normally don’t buy for themselves. Look for small items, like the bottle opener, when you are away on vacation. Not only will the item be pretty to look at, but it will also invoke cherished memories of your travels.

*Horn Bottle Opener is available at E Madison

Spring Has Sprung

sharon — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:30:07 +0000

Spring is upon us! After a chilly winter, I am certainly looking forward to warmer weather and longer days. I am also really looking forward to lighter colors for spring. We often talk of “pops” of color in interior design. But that doesn’t have to mean big, bold colors. Pastels are the perfect way to bring in color to a room while maintaining a breezy feel. Perfect with metallics and prints, pastels can easily be added to your decor. What is your favorite spring color?

Feeling Spring

sharon — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:30:49 +0000

We are in the midst of a cold spell in California right now but the beautiful blue skies are helping to remind me that spring is just around the corner. I am craving the warm sun and how the light makes my house brighter. How amazing would it be to change out all your furniture each season? I would totally have these white chairs for spring. They look amazing with neutral tones and feel so fresh.

Throw pillows are an easy way to add some pizzaz. Look for a striking pattern that catches your eye or a nice pop of color. I’m pretty sure I need to hold off on the all white furniture until my boys go to college.

Are you looking forward to spring? How do you update your decor?

Whisper White by Dunn Edwards

sharon — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:15:35 +0000

You always see in design magazines that the designers have “go-to” colors that they like to use in their interiors. I decided to check in with Courtney Ellis Dever to see what color is her favorite. Whisper White has her heart. This soft white helps rooms feel bright and airy, works really well with accent colors and has a great contrast against white baseboards. And lucky for us it is readily available!

The One Item Every Good Hostess Should Have

sharon — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:30:31 +0000

You may not think of yourself as a “hostess” or one who likes to throw elaborate affairs but just by opening the door to your home to friends, you are one. That is not to say that you have to have a big arsenal of items at the ready to cater to your guests or that you need to jump through hoops to make their time in your home something they will never forget. Having a few key pieces will add to your confidence and allow you to pull off even a last minute, casual but classy visit.

-Cute cocktail napkins are something that can be easily stored in your pantry. You wouldn’t want to have to hand your dearest pal a paper towel with her iced tea would you?

-Having a platter on which you can serve cheeses, cookies, dried fruits and nuts or anything else that your heart desires is also something simple to have on hand. There are no hard and fast rules for what it should look like but it should reflect your home -in style, color, formality, etc. I’m certainly not going to bring out a sterling silver tray for my guests as they are sitting on the futon in my living room. It just wouldn’t be right. But a nice, modern white tray would look more at home.

-There is one piece, the tiered server, however that I think every good hostess should have. A tiered server is a multi level accessory that can be used in a wide variety of ways. This gorgeous piece is both decorative and functional. Imagine it set with fresh fruits, chocolates and other small sweets for having the ladies over one afternoon. It could be styled as a coffee bar with all kinds of yummy mix-ins and toppings for an after dinner treat. A full breakfast spread with bagels, sweet rolls and bacon could all be placed on this efficient piece. And that is just the start! Remember that the tiers do not have to hold the same items and they can also be mixed with edible and non edible items. How magical would this look on a coffee table covered in lit white votive candles? And think about it in terms of holding fresh flowers and you have an absolutely out of the box and stunning pop of color for the room. I’ve also seen this type of item used for displaying curated collections. The effect is stylish and creative.

A tiered server would make a terrific hostess gift. Now tell me, do you have a tiered server? What is your favorite way to use it?

Potted Succulents for the Home

sharon — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:30:57 +0000

I LOVE succulents. They seem to be pretty trendy right now. And I’m ok with that. They are visually interesting and I am totally drawn to them. They are relatively inexpensive and are pretty hearty. A lot of folks use them in a really minimalistic way, using one variety of plant at a time. The overall effect is modern and architectural. And while I love that look, it is not something that would work with everyone’s home decor. Potting a variety of succulents is one way to make them seem more at home, well, in your home.

First note the shell bowl that this arrangement is set in. Amazing right? What an insanely cool look. Instantly elevates it from a traditional potted plant to a conversation starter. Choose a pot or vessel that is complimentary to the rest of your home decor but don’t be afraid to take it a step further and take a risk. Secondly, note the variety of plants used. By mixing the varieties in heights, colors and textures, it achieves a more traditional look. Succulents can seem rather stark and desert-y. Grouping them softens the overall look a bit and, with the right pot, would fit in to homes with a more classic look.

And now I’m going to tell you a secret. The succulents shown above are faux! These are perfect for my home where I want a little green here and there but don’t want to, or have the time to, pay a lot of attention to something. A quick dust and they are good to go!

All arrangements can be found at E Madison Home!

How to Make Your Throw Pillows Guest Ready

sharon — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:30:01 +0000

Throw pillows are an instant way to enhance or update the look of your room. Just by choosing a particular fabric, size or shape, you can make your decor more traditional or contemporary in feel. But how do you keep them looking crisp and not sloppy? Of course furniture is meant to be used. But that often means the pillows become flat and crumpled.

Quick Tip :: Before guests arrive fluff your pillows by picking them up one at a time and give them each a gentle shake. Set them back on the couch or chair in their designated spots. With the side of your hand (pinky side) give each pillow a firm “chop” to put a slight crease in the pillow. It keeps the pillows looking styled and sitting up nice and straight, similar to how we are when greeting a guest. It takes just a minute to do all the pillows and instantly finishes a room. The toys on the floor? That’s another story…