All About the Accessories

Accessorizing or styling a home is definitely the bringing-it-altogether component of a room. Styling is what gives character, personality, quirk, and depth to a space. It takes a space to the next level. Unfortunately, styling is what scares a lot of people or at least leaves them at a stand still. Clients often tell me that they have a hard time bringing a room together. The good news? There's nothing to be scared of. Chances are, you have a lot of items around your house that you could use. The more random and unique, the better! Here are a few quick tips when styling:

1 | Choose items that represent you, have meaning, or that you love.

2 | Remember the tall, medium, short, layer, layer, layer rule. Check out this post for more deets.

3 | Take your time. This is the hardest one for me. I have a tendency to want to hurry and "finish" a room. But, at the same time, I want to love the items in it. Don't buy items to fill a space, buy items to make a space represent you and your aesthetic.

image source unknown

image from Frog Goes to Market

image from Style at Home

My New White Bowl

Me:  I think I want to paint this bowl white.

Jeremy:  Snarf.

Me:  Why do you always laugh when I tell you that?

Jeremy:  You want to paint everything white. Why don't you just buy white?

Me:  I didn't want white when I bought it.

Jeremy:   Didn't we just buy that?

Me:  Yeah, about three years ago.

Jeremy:  Really? Where was it?

Me:  Umm, in the living room, on the table, in the bedroom...I've moved it all over.

Jeremy:  Hmmm.

Me:  My question is, do you think I need to prime it?

Jeremy:  No.

Me:  That's all I really wanted to know.
Husbands just don't understand.

[so cheap, so easy]: DIY Urchins

Who doesn't love a super posh, shiny, spiky ball thingy? I know. They're pretty amazing. Aaand cheap. Aaand easy. I have pinned quite a few of these throughout the year or years, or however long Pinterest has been around, but I have yet to make one. I need to get on that. I feel like I'm totally missing out. I have included three different pictures with three different links and tutorials. On your mark, get set, go!

image & tutorial from Curbly

image & tutorial from Craft & Couture

image & tutorial from Full House

[so cheap, so easy]: Duct Tape Tray

Ummm, have you seen this little stroke of genius? A shoebox lid. Covered in duct tape. Very. Chic. Duct tape. Why didn't I think of that?  The original post is from Megan at Honey We're Home, so check it out. As for me, I'm off to buy some duct tape...and I should probably get a shoe box...with some shoes in it. You should, too.

image from Honey We're Home

How to Create a Vignette

When I design a room, I start with the big things: the rug, furniture, window coverings, lighting, etc. The last step is the styling. Styling is what pulls a room together and gives it personality. (Think of it as the jewelry, scarves, and killer stilettos of an outfit.)

Vignettes are a great way to style a room. Every room in your house probably has a vignette or two (or three), whether you know it or not. A vignette is just a display or arrangement. Whether or not design rules exist is debatable, BUT there are definitely certain arrangements, layouts, and designs, that are more visually pleasing. Here's one easy way to create a vignette:  think tall, medium, short, layer, layer, layer.  I actually don't think about "rules" when I design, but when I think of my own house or clients' homes, I find that I've subconsciously used this formula again and again, just because it looks right! Of course, there are several ways to create a vignette, but this way is a great place to start, and it always works!

image from Lilypad Cottage

image from Better Homes & Gardens

image source unknown 

image from Apartment Therapy

Linking up at

Mom on Timeout

[kreyv of the day]

image from Me & Alice Photography

[so cheap, so easy]: DIY Ladder

Know what's easy to make? A ladder. Know what's even easier to make? A ladder that is never going to be stood on. Know what's even easier than those two things? Watching someone else make a ladder that is never going to be stood on. That Mr. Hubs...he sure likes to roll his eyes at my DIYs, but as much as he doesn't like to get involved, he can't resist cutting things. He also loves burning things, but I haven't found a way for that particular skill to benefit me.

Linking up at

Imprintalish

The Dedicated House

Fluster Buster

Loving Ladders

I've been loving ladders for a while now. Here's why: 1| They're versatile. You can hang blankets, towels, magazines, or nothing from them. 2| They add character to a space. Even if you go out and buy a ladder from Pottery Barn, it looks like it has a story behind it. (You know, kind of like the apothecary table Rachel bought from PB, but told Phoebe it was from the "swap meet" from the days of Yore?) My last reason: 3| They're easy to make in any size. And because of that, I have one. I'll show you tomorrow. I kind of love it! 

P.S. Does anyone else have, Go My Son, Go and Climb the Ladder stuck in their head? If you didn't, I'm sorry that I put it in your head...make your people proud of you, ooooh, oooooh...

image from The Veda House

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Decor Pad

Best News I've Heard All Day

So there I was just perusing through Facebook when I stumbled upon a West Elm post that mentions their Salt Lake City store. What the what? I had to read it twice. Then three times. Salt Lake--that's where we're moving! (If you missed that announcement, you can see it here.) I am so excited, and to celebrate, I am posting my favorite items from West Elm: my pintuck duvet cover and my rocking bird. Oh wait. Those are the only two WE items I own (and some cloth napkins, but those don't count). I've got some catching up to do. 

image from West Elm

image from West Elm

I'm not the only one who's excited...

Meant to Be

One day while perusing through Target, I ran into this adorbs, coral pouf by Privet House. It was love at first sight. I knew it would be perfect for Stella's big girl room. However, it was $80--not bad for a pouf, BUT I'm really trying to stick to my budget this time, so I said good-bye. So, there I was a couple of weeks later, walking through Target again, minding my own business, taking the long way to the pharmacy. And there it was. The pouf: fifty-percent off. Fifty percent, people. Fifty. I rarely get a good deal. I was so excited that I bought the beloved pouf. And two matching pillows. And maybe a few other things...because let's be honest, good deals are reason to celebrate.

image from Target

image from Target

[so cheap, so easy]: Bottle Bud Vases

The hubs and I had a St. Patrick's Day party this year, so of course, we supplied plenty of brew for our guests (Root Beer and Diet Root Beer, not to mention the non-shot rainbow jello shots). I know, we run with a pretty crazy crowd! At the end of the night, as I was cleaning up, I started throwing away all of the empty bottles. (Of course this was before our guests were gone--I can't help it.) Then, I changed my mind, and I pulled them all back out of the trash (again, in front of people). Inspiration can't stop me from digging through the trash, people. It cannot. Just me and some time with a trusty can of high gloss, white spray paint, and I now have myself nine vases. (I must not have dug to the bottom of the trash to get an even dozen.) You know what? I kind of love them! Plus, doesn't it just feel good to upcycle?

The Call of the Wild

This may shock a few of you--not the fact that I am really digging using antlers as decor, but that antlers hit a little close to home. My dad is an avid hunter. Avid. In fact, I would dare say that hunting is to dad as interior design is to Jamie. Sorry I had to pull out the analogy, just needed to make a point.

Anyway, as a kid, I would go hunting with my dad a lot. We would go on horseback (technically mules, but I don't think muleback is a word). I never had any luck deer hunting, instead I just got beat up by riding through crazy terrain while I froze my behind off. (Unfortunately, my behind came back.) Now, here comes the shocker. Wait for it, wait for it...

When I was fourteen, I shot a cougar. Can you even believe that? Me neither, but I did. It was a good bonding moment for my pops and me. I will always remember that experience, and he will too, because it's mounted (full body) in his basement where it will stay forever.

image from Decor Pad

image from Scandinavian Retreat and Femina DK

image from House Beautiful

image from Z Gallerie

Five Must Haves for Entries

I'm going to start saying the word foyer like foy-yay rather than foy-yer. It makes me sound fancy. I should add vozz instead of vase. It will really help me get back to my French roots. (I took one year of French in seventh grade. Would you like me to sing Bon Aniversare et Toi? Let me know.)

My boy, Nate Berkus (yeah, we're pretty much besties...he just doesn't know it), says these are the five must-haves for a welcoming entry.

(1) Use a tray for keys, wallets, etc.

image from The Nate Show

(2) Add a lamp or chandelier

image from Domino

(3) Use mirrors to create a "window" in a dark entry

image from Decor Pad

(4) Use a console table

image from Decor Pad

(5) Choose a natural fiber rug for durability

image from Apt Dweller

[so cheap, so easy]: Covered Books

I absolutely love the idea of covered books. I actually covered some of my own the other day with some really great handmade (or so they say) wrapping paper from World Market. It was almost like a papyrus with designs on it. Of course, I haven't taken pictures of them, yet. I got a new camera, but for some reason, the expensive camera didn't turn me into an awesome photgrapher. What's up with that?

What I really love is a book covered in fabric. I love every single pattern in the Real Simple picture. But, really, you can cover a book in anything: wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, newspaper, paper bags, fabric, etc. All you have to do is measure your paper to size, leaving enough width to be able to fold and tuck in the front and back cover, cut, and wah-lah, covered books.

image from Real Simple

image from Ohdeedoh

image from Everything Fabulous

Shopping Antiques

First and foremost: people, did you not see the awesome giveaway on the previous post? You better get to it! Remember, leave a comment for each entry telling me which item you completed.

So, speaking of antiques, I kind of felt like one the other day. (Technically, an antique has to be at least 100 years old, but just go with it.) I found a radio station called something like gen x radio. I pretty much knew every word to every song. They play everything from Sublime to Wallflowers, to Destiny's Child to Boyz II Men (A, B, C, bee, bee dee). Sorry. I couldn't resist. Anyway, I was thinking, "Geez. I'm only 30, (I was only 30 when this happened. Can't say that anymore.) and this is an oldies station." I mean, I guess I've been out of high school for thirteen years and college for ten. How in the heck did that happen? Yeah, I don't know either. Regardless, the music is pretty rad, and I'm going to start calling it the vintage station, because vintage is totally in.

Here are Nate Berkus' tips for shopping antiques:

(1) Create a Focal Point on a Wall

image from Canadian House & Home

(2) Create an Instant Collection with Inexpensive Finds

image from HGTV

(3) Create Homemade Art with Vintage Frames and Fabric

image from Timeless N Chic (etsy.com)

(4) Secondhand Wicker is Inexpensive and Adds Warmth

image from Cal Finder

[so cheap, so easy]: Hanging Letters

You know some of my best friends are Mod Podge and sticks, right? Add a little bit of ribbon and some letters, and you've got yourself a little party. How cute are these? I'll tell you. They are very cute. And, how cute would they be in a nursery? So cute.

You can pick up letters at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. (We all know we're not spelling out the words, "love birds" for a nursery, right? Just checking.) While you're there, select some scrapbook paper and ribbon. And, if you haven't ever used Mod Podge, you should really acquaint yourself with the stuff. It's life changing.

image from Style Me Pretty

image from Ohdeedoh

Are You a Collector?

I've never been a collector. The reason? I throw everything away. Even when I was little, I would get rid of the things I didn't want in my room. When I came across something I didn't want, but wasn't quite ready to throw away, I'd give it to my little brother. He had a lot of "little treasures" in his room. In fact, last time I was in Utah, he and his wife went through some of his things that were still at my mom's house. We had a good laugh at some of the things he's hung on to. I wonder if I had anything to do with his need to keep things.

I want to start a collection. I love to entertain and would love a great collection of white serving ware. It's on my list of things to do as soon as I have enough room. (The list is rather lengthy.) I also love really old bottles. One method of making a collection look clean and streamlined rather than cluttered is color. I love the look of these collections. What do you collect?

image from 6th Street Design School

image from James Cleary Architecture

image from French Larkspur

Ceiling Medallions as Wall Decor

I was originally going to post this in the [so cheap, so easy] series, and while this concept fits under the "so easy" category, it may not always be "so cheap". Ceiling medallions can range anywhere from seven to one hundred dollars and up. If you're anything like me, the medallions that you would like best, would inevitably not be the seven dollar ones. It's just life, people. I do, however, think some people with that gift of finding deals could probably create this look for a reasonable price. And, if you try to justify think like I do, you would know that it's still a good deal considering the price would be cheaper than a large piece of art. You with me? Thought so.

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Nuestra Vida Dolce

image from Better Homes & Gardens