Anther great reader question this week, and one I’ve had a couple of times before.  My mantra has always been if you don’t like an old tired piece of furniture you own, then paint it!  Lots of people share that idea and want to reinvent their furniture with a coat paint but like Mina, they get stuck on deciding what color to choose. 

“I would like some advice on some pieces of furniture for my bedroom. I am new at this and really don’t know where to start.  For my bedroom I’d love some color mixed with black, grey, and white.  I want to mix in new pieces of furniture (like a headboard) with old/repainted night stands and an old chest.  What color do you think I should paint them?  Should I brush paint or spray paint? Any thoughts or ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.”  ~ Mina

The answer is completely subjective and depends on so many factors, your favorite colors, the space itself, and of course the style of the piece of furniture. I like to think of it this way.  If you’re looking for a piece that will harmonize with other players in the room then choose a classic or more neutral color, like cream, gray, or black, and then pull color into the space with your wall paint, textiles, and accessories.  But if you’re looking for a showstopper, or one that will be a focal point and be more dominant in the space, then by all means, choose a brighter color.

There’s a great source of inspiration for painted furniture and a site I absolutely love. I wrote about Somerset Bay two years ago, and I find their entire collection so inspiring, every color is spot on.  

Take a peek at a few of their classic neutrals …

Read the rest of this entry »

The home office has felt a little chaotic for the past month and I’ve been desperate for some smarter storage in here.  Enter the famous and affordable IKEA Expedit shelving unit!  Two as matter of fact, one on each side of the credenza.  I’ve always liked this unit for its universal appeal, clean lines, and modern style plus you can’t beat the price! I was surprised at the quality too, these units are sturdy and very heavy.  Impressive IKEA, most impressive!

This unit has been popping up in so many different stylish spaces for years, both the larger square and the skinnier version …here are a few more of my favorite spaces using Expedit shelving!  

Family Room Expedit via BH&G

Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever wondered how to decorate with those antiques you’ve inherited?  Those precious pieces beloved by a grandmother or aunt that have been in the family for decades and now belong to you? It’s a question I received last month from a reader and one many people have struggled with. 

Today Courtney from Courtney Out Loud is back with his monthly contribution and the topic of the day is decorating with wood antiques, specifically those vintage pieces handed down from previous generations. Please welcome back Courtney and his artful analysis on how to decorate with antique wood furniture:

“Mixing antique and modern furniture styles helps create an individualized and multilayered room that reflects the owner’s unique taste and personality. However, many people adhere to one specific style when decorating their homes. This approach is great if you are truly passionate about a particular era or genre of design, however, for the majority of homeowners they tend to be at a loss when they happen to inherit a family heirloom. How do you incorporate it into your home’s personality and style?  Case in point, Kate received this email from a reader seeking help:  

"My mom has a vintage buffet that I convinced her to hang onto. I want to use it in my home, but how do you incorporate vintage pieces with your regular decor, without making it feel like grandma’s house?"

Great question! Exactly how do you incorporate vintage and antique furniture into your home without having it feel too dated ?  Don’t fret because it’s as easy as following one of these six simple rules.

1) Determine Your Design Focus  A room filled with nothing but antiques can quickly make your home feel dated and more like a museum.  Unless you are purposefully going for a "boho" look, then you need to decide the primary style of your space – modern, traditional, contemporary – whatever it may be. Making the decision on what style will dominate the room will allow you to make conscious choices on what types of antiques will work with your aesthetic.  You can then begin to layer in vintage and antique pieces that suit your particular design focus and also add character.

Scot Mecham Wood 

Judith Balis via HGTV

The two rooms above are perfect examples of how to choose a design focus yet still incorporate antiques and vintage pieces seamless into a room without overpowering the space.  The antiques are combined with more modern pieces to achieve a balanced “collected over time” look. 

      

Read the rest of this entry »

G’day all!  I’m so excited about the Tablescape Link Party I announced yesterday, so I couldn’t wait to share some inspiring ideas with you!  Setting a table is so much fun, because the table is that place where people gather to do two of the very best things in life: eat and talk.  Eating and talking, talking and eating, really does it get much better than that?   I don’t think so.

I rounded up a bunch of inspiration for you and some tips for setting a stylish table with ideas for all of the upcoming holidays, so here we go!

Choose the Classics.  You can’t go wrong when you opt for the traditional palettes we associate with each holiday, whether it’s the warm amber hues of Thanksgiving, the blues and whites of Hanukkah, or the classic red and white of Christmas.

Williams Sonoma

Martha Stewart

House to Home

Pinterest

Read the rest of this entry »