xx

Don't You Just Love Summer?

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Lemon Place Cards

Country Living photo: Alexandra Rowley

I definitely do! You may have noticed that my blog posts are rather sporadic lately. Part of that is life in general, and part of it is summer!

I actually have a lot of ideas and some great posts started that I think you'll really like if I can just sit down and pull them all together. I'm not going to stress about it though because summer flies by way too quickly! I plan on enjoying every minute of it and I hope you all do the same. I WILL be posting but if I disappear for brief periods, just know that I'll be back! :-)

House Beautiful photo: Victoria Pearson

I recently purchased the turquoise version (that color isn't on-line for some reason) of this pom-pom scarf at Old Navy and I love it! It's a large square and my friend and I, of course, immediately noticed that it could also be used as a colorful summer throw for a table... (It also comes in green and neutral)

Speaking of brightening things up for summer, I talked in my Decorating with Throws post about the idea of using a throw to disguise a chair when you want a new look but can't afford a new chair. This image from BHG.com is a good example of that concept and also shows how you can brighten your look for summer by not only covering the center of the chair (or sofa) with a colorful throw,

but
- adding bright throw pillows,
- freshening up your artwork with some colorful images and
- adding colorful books (still love the idea of using them for a side table)
- and bright or light accessories.
These are all low-cost/low-commitment changes that can be swapped out by season.


Another image from BHG.com. The valance and the roman shade are nice, but I think it's a fun idea, especially for summer, to add the bud vases above...

Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend! :-)

Coastal Living Photo Susan Mauney

Large Impact vs. Small Accessories - Have a Plan

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Amanda Nisbet Design

Thank you for all of your kind, supportive comments on my previous post. Some of you had questions and, if your e-mail is linked to your profile, I'll respond in an e-mail because, quite honestly, that is all the blog time I want to devote to that problem. I'm getting out-of-town guests today, so it probably won't be today but I'll do it as soon as I can. As for that other thing at the beginning of my posts - sorry. Ugly necessity. Moving on...

I'm a big fan of both area rugs and window treatments because I think they can go a long way toward softening a space, adding texture and color (or pulling colors together) and making a room cozy. I've seen people spend a lot of time and effort trying to make a room feel "right" without them, when if they would have just added them the room would have been complete. Sure, there are definitely rooms that can do without them but, in more cases than not, at least one of these is what a room needs.

Coastal Living Photo: Tria Giovan, Stylist: Heather Chadduck

I've run across a variety of people over the years who don't have either in their space because it's just not in the budget. What I've found really interesting, though, is that some of these same people have a BOATLOAD of small accessories. Some are displayed, but many are just stashed in closets, bins, or wherever. You know, those absolutely adorable or inexpensive little things we all run across when we're out and about and just have to have but have no clue where we're going to put them. Sometimes we almost feel compelled to buy them because they ARE so inexpensive! I mean, who would pass up a deal like that? :-)

Southern Living Designer Paige Schnell/Tracery Interiors
Photo Laurey W. Glenn/Robbie Caponetto

If there are any of you who have that same dilemma (missing window treatments/rugs/large acessories, but more than your share of small accessories) here is a suggestion. Analyze your space and determine where you still need small accessories and what you need. Not the specific item, necessarily, but generally what would work as far as size, etc.. Make a list and keep it with you when you shop. Every time you bypass one of those absolutely to-die-for little accessories that isn't on your list, take that amount of money and piggy bank it toward window treatments, rugs or a larger accessory that would make a bigger impact in the room. Depending on how many little accessories you normally buy, you might be surprised at how quickly your little cash stash multiplies. Once you've grown your cash stash, you can purchase these items fairly inexpensively at a variety of sources and, as we've seen all over blogland, there are DIY options as well.

pointclickhome.com Designer Monelle Totah/Photo Simon Upton

I know that making a plan for accessorizing takes some of the fun and spontaneity out of the process, BUT if you're on a limited budget and really looking to make an impact in your space, and you DON'T have an area rug or window treatments, or you're missing LARGER accessories, why not forego the instant gratification of the small accessories for the delayed gratification (and much bigger impact) of the larger items? (I'm getting super good at these run-on sentences, aren't I?)

Just saying it's something to think about... What do you think?

Window Treatments - Dip Dye?

homesandgardens.com

The window treatment in the photo above has been dip dyed to create the band of color that you see on the bottom. Have any of you heard of this or tried it? This one looks nice, but I think if I tried it I would finish the border between the white and the color with some type of trim. Interesting no-sew idea for adding color. Yes? No?

homesandgardens.com

Thought I would include this photo too as an example of adding some color and texture to window treatments while still keeping them light by just adding a band of the fabric of your choice at the top and bottom keeping the rest of the curtain in a white, more sheer fabric to allow the light to filter through. Another option would be to just add the darker fabric at the top or bottom only for an even airier look. Probably stating the obvious, but it's also a great way to add length to curtains that are too short.

Have a great weekend!