CREATING A COZY CHALET

Creating a warm and cozy cabin, home or room that feels authentic can be easy and affordable with a few simple tricks. Take is from the Swiss cabin recreation in Aspen, CO...

1. Use some form of animal taxidermy. I don't mean it has to an actual taxidermy head mount - but you can find antlers which are natural for buck's to lose, cardboard replications, even paper mache forms on etsy, and place them in small groupings. They create presence, but not overwhelmingly so.

2. Use prints and patterns in muted colors that compliment the overall palette. Plaids, basic stripes, even simple not tacky winter scenes can give a room that little jolt it needs to feel like a cabin - rather than your average everyday living space...

3. Use rustic/recycled wood and other local fibers. It will give the place a feeling like the bones of the home have been there for many, many generations - thus holding much character.  It brings a space down to earth, and creates a feeling that welcomes people in.  Instead of your average fabric basket for holding items - think woven. Even if your fireplace doesn't work, fill a great wicker basket with some firewood just for effect.

4. Paint a neutral color palette. Think white not cream, beige, and gray. These colors lay the base for easy design. You can pair other natural elements as well as prints on blankets and bedding well with these choices, and they also reflect the nature of the outdoors brought in...

5. Use cozy textures. Think sheepswool rugs easily and affordably found at Ikea, Linens, and ultra soft cottons jersey knit sheets anyone? Make choices that instantly say "warm" when someone snuggles up to read a book, sip coffee, or watch a movie.

photos via house beautiful

DIY DEER HEADS

Deer heads, antlers, and other resemblances of taxidermy have been quite the trend the past few seasons. There a so many fantastic options to choose from, everything from the real thing, to contemporary resin pieces, and fun decoupaged finds on etsy...

They are perfect for rustic corners of the house... truly bringing the nature in.

They also manifest a quirky flair even in the most girly of spaces...

But, alas, sometimes taxidermy, resin, and cardboard simply isn't for everyone...

Thats when Danielle took it into her own hands and sent Jenny over the The Little Green Notebook this fabulously stylish DIY...

[via] pinterest, the little green notebook

A COCKTAIL PARTY DIY

I think we all love a brilliant DIY project, I certainly do!

But, I just might love a great cocktail party even more!

These super cute invitations by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. look easy, 

and are sure to make a great impression!

SIMPLY BORDERED + CLASSIC

I'm loving these simply bordered curtains...

It would be easy to transform any curtain with a variety of simply colored ribbons...

There are classic, and add a touch of color to any space.

[everything leb]

CHIC AND BRIGHT IN WHITE

Ever since I got rid of my white slipcovers for my sofa cushions, and replaced them with a darker, more pet friendly color... I have missed them so very much. With the summer months ahead, and all the white popping up around the blogosphere... my pining has only grown worse. Its so chic...

so elegant...

so easy and inviting...

and yesterday... I caved!

[ via ] decorpad, sofa saavy

In the little bit of downtime I had, I ran right out... picked up as much white cotton duck as I could find and got hard to work on a slipcover, I'll share when I'm done!

Wanting a Watermelon Room

This simple, fun, and perfectly punchy room has been on my mind with summer around the corner. It's so light filled and bright, and the color of pink borders being overly feminine and just right. I knew this room might be an easy re-creation, so hopefully those of you wanting to revamp a room in time for summer guests, this will give some inspiration! 

These lovely shades of coraly-pink would all work for painting these furniture items. I love all of them, but I think I personally, would go for "lipstick"! For under a little more than $400, you can buy all the necessary furniture, and all you have to do is set aside an afternoon to paint it!

To finish the room off, and give it a little pizazz, I love these hammered metal lamps, or silver mercury glass lamps, HomeGoods has a wealth of options tight now. As for bedding, soft white pin-tuck from west elm is sweet, and organic. Finally, to add that extra punch, a soft apple green throw casually tossed on the bed! This one from Crate and Barrel is only $30!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Happy Weekend! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, I can't wait to see you back here next week! I wanted to leave you with this beautiful image. Dreamy isn't it? 

Oh. And P.S... you know those outdoor chairs I said I wanted to makeover...

 

what do you think?

Dining Room Do-Over

Yesterday, one of my readers commented asking what she could do with her dining room.  It has all white walls which she can't paint, but still wants to make it seem decorated. As a renter, I completely sympathize with this, and I think it is something that lots of people stuggle with. While I focused my energies on creating a great dining room, these ideas could be transferred to any space in a home.  

And just because white isn't always bad... heres a pretty white dining room to get us started!

If you want a colorful room, but have a boring dining set already. Try painting your table a muted color, and your chairs something brighter. Chairs are generally cheaper to replace than a table, this way you can keep the table and replace the chairs if and when you feel like it. If you have a set that you like, then keep it just the way it is and create your look around it!

Bringing the outdoors in is always a great way to bring life into a room, not to mention vases are a great space filler and design accessory.  This lovely table is one of my favorites! The luscious full vases with towering branches is so beautiful. This would be a great centerpiece for the room.

If you want a more classic look, than go for a unified look with matching frames and similar photos, or photos that have all been printed in sepia or black and white. To bring some color and or texture into the room go with a menagerie of frame fillers and or frames. 

 

If photo collages aren't your thing, but collections are, maybe you would be more inclined to displaying them in your dining room after these inspirations

     

Or... if you really are dying for the wallpapered look. Try a wall decal. They are easy to put on, and just as easy to take off. The best part? No one will know they are stickers! Byrdie graphics on Etsy has tons of wall patterns to offer. 

 If you have windows, create depth and coziness in the space with some great curtains. 

If your space is smaller, and not many options apply to you, work from the ground up with a unique floor covering that is thin and easy to clean.

Finally, consider the lighting.  Lighting is generally easy to install and uninstall and can make a huge impact on the room!

[ via ] absolutely beautiful things, ikea, google images, decorpad, lonny magazine

A DIY Weekend...

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend and are looking forward to a new week! This weekend I was busy picking at my home as I have guests coming in the next couple weeks, also because there were a few little projects I saw on Little Green Notebook that I have been eyeing! I feel a little uneasy sharing my unperfected spaces with you, but I know some of you out there could probably use a little inspiration for a corner of your home, so..  nevertheless, here they are!

T.V. electronics before:

T.V. electronics after:

(a perfect corner for a little bar!)

This bathroom is just a powder room, and was seriously lacking any style, and storage. Since I can't paint this apartment, I've been using fabrics as my color. This sink skirt is perfect for hiding a few unsightly items, and giving the bathroom a little style.)

These projects were so easy! If you follow Jenny (from Little Green Notebook's) steps, you will have this skirts/slipcovers finished in less than an hour! While I sewed mine, the slipcover over the electronics would be an easy no-sew project too, simply create a top piece instead of attaching everything by velcro. If you have any questions, email me!

Winey Monday

Happy new week! I hope you all had a wonderful, romantic, fun, sweet, valentines weekend!

One of my readers asked me if I had any ideas on what to do with left over wine bottles and corks. We all have them, and I thought that there were probably more than one of your wondering what you could do with these items other than recycling them! So, here are a few ideas, let me know if you try one!

[ via ] point click home

These are really kind of cool, and how fun would they be to use at a wine party or tasting for your other beverage offerings. I found this easy 3-step process that uses tea lights and cold water for cutting the bottle!

[ via ] design fetish

Using the same process from above, you could cut off the bottom of the bottle and make these pretty lanterns!

Looks pretty simple. All you would need is a large clamp from the hardware store, and a little patience to carefully place the corks together. I have friends that did this, and they look great!

Finally, one of my favorite center pieces. It's quite different, but really sets the mood!

If you don't have perfect bottles, or want them to all look cohesive as one color, you could pick up some high lacquer spray paint from Home Depot and paint them to fit your desires!