It’s the beginning of summer, and I feel the need to make everything around me light and bright, but I’m finding myself increasingly drawn to the drama of dark painted walls.  When it comes to painting a room an intensely dark color like chocolate or charcoal, I confess I haven’t taken the plunge because I fear the dreaded cave effect that may occur.  Oh, I’ve tried samples on the wall, but in the end I opt for the lighter hue. 

I especially love high contrast in design, juxtaposing the crisp white against the dramatic dark.  An intensely deep hue, balanced with plenty of light, conveys sophistication and elegance – two feelings I absolutely adore in a space.   Here are some intense walls that I’m drawn to these days.  Fancy that, in the middle of June. 

  Burnham Design

 Lonny Magazine

     House Beautiful

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So I’m knee deep in the middle of sprucing up my son’s room.  Poor thing -  I never ever really decorated his room when he was born due to 1) exhaustion and 2) ongoing remodel.  But don’t feel sorry for the lad, he had some cute plaid linens when he was still in the crib.  And pale blue walls.  Yay, I did something. 

Anywho, I recently painted his room a very bold color and am still waiting on a few accessories but I’m impatient when it comes to decorating around my house and I can’t sit twiddling my thumbs to wait for a few accessories, no sirrrrreeeeee  ! 

I have now turned my attention to the living room.  I’ve never really featured this space because it’s a little hum drum too traditional for my changing taste.  Yes, I’m feeling the need, the need for some ooh la la moderne décor.  I’m inspired to start a makeover, just needing to figure out how to do it in a cost effective way !  ‘Diamond style on a dime’ – that’s what I always say.   Hey, that rhymes.

So here are my inspiration photos, and you’ll spot our living room as it is way down below.  Notice the colors I’m drawn to are this cool blue and warm gold mixed with cream to lighten and brighten up the space.  I’m terribly addicted to this color medley right now.  I must have it. 

Loving these botanical prints with moss velvet gold leaf settee. 

 Liz Williams

Here’s what I say to this turquoise lamp.  “Hello lover.”

Thibaut

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There’s something about nature in bloom in April that gets everyone thinking and talking about color.  I confess, with spring in the air and summer on the horizon, I’m looking around my house for ways to inject pops of color here and there as well. 

So as you know from yesterday’s musings about thrift store hunting, like many of you, I have an addiction to fixing up furniture.  The other day I stumbled across a company called Somerset Bay that uses color on their pieces in the most incredible way and I was completely inspired.   Brace yourself, because these colors will have you wanting to run to the paint store to refinish one of your own in a similar fresh spring shade.       

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The Special Interest Publications by Better Homes & Gardens are one of my all time favorite go to resources for DIY ideas.  Today, I thought I’d pass along some of the ideas from my inspiration files that I think are completely fabulous. 

Enjoy ! 

How cool is this idea to wallpaper the drawers of a dresser with a little decoupage ?

Sew a half dozen sheer napkins together for a cafe curtain, and add charm with mismatched flatware as curtain hooks !

Add a pop of color to your pantry by sewing kitchen towels into basket liners. 

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Sometimes I feel like talking about upholstered headboards in blog land is a little bit like saying, “Hey, did you hear?  Tiger Woods is lyin’ cheatin’ philanderer.” 

It seems everyone has talked about upholstered headboards and how much we all love them.   And let’s face it.  Upholstered headboards are FAB-U-LOUS.   Every retailer from Jonathan Adler to Tar-jay has one for you to ogle over. 

Then I got to thinking.  There are a lot of upholstered headboards out there with really amazing curves.  Here are a few dramatic shapes that really inspire me, and I think perhaps could be recreated with careful execution with a jigsaw.  Much of the piping and trim is tricky, but these curves certainly inspire me to get jiggy with my jigsaw again. 

Elizabeth Dinkel Designs

Calico Corners

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