Decorating with Vases

Vases are one of those pieces that never seem to disappear out of decor rotation. Although the materials change (wood, metal, ceramic, glass) as the styles change, there’s a reason why vases are so beloved. It’s because they are versatile, can be affordable, and are easy to find. Here are a few ways you can bring them into your decor, and use them to maximize your usable pieces, no matter the season! 

SOURCE: PEXELS.COM

1. Invest in good neutral pieces: I know I sound like a broken record, with my love of neutral items, but it’s my secret to stretching a decor budget a little further, and still being able to fill a space without it looking “cheap”. Clients who come to me have a wide range of budgets, from Target to Anthropologie and West Elm, and I like to be able to suit them all!

2. Invest in a range of pieces that are high-end and budget, so you can mix and match them. You can sneak in a few Target or Amazing items, if your core pieces are beautiful and impactful. If you are looking at some more dramatic items from Anthro or another higher-end retailer, look for ones that you’ll be able to use for years, and that are well-made. Something like these large wicker style floor vases are over $300 for the pair, but they’ll work just about anywhere.

3. Don’t be afraid to DIY: If you are a handy type, you can DIY really nice vases from Goodwill or thrifting with paint, and spackle for texture. Chalk paint works well for this project, and it’s very easy. Be sure to choose vases with good shape and structure, for the best results. When you DIY a project, you definitely want to make sure it still looks nice and not like a classroom craft! This is a great tutorial on making vases look trendy and more updated.

4. Use them paired with other items: You know the age old adage of using items in trios still holds true. Often placing some (not all) items in your home in trios can give a balance look to places like the coffee table or the mantle. Vases are a great way to add height or greenery to a simple wall or space that needs the eye drawn upward.

5. Find a good space to store them when not in use: If you have young children, you know vases are likely to be knocked over or bumped! If this is your season of life, consider putting your more expensive or special vases up higher or storing them until you’re out of the toddler years! It helps to have a safe place for breakable decor, like a higher shelf in the garage or home, for when it’s not in use.

Your local thrift store, decor store, or upscale home store will have vases galore! Tune back in for more tips on incorporating decor at any price point, and let me know if you’d like to schedule an appointment with us to consult on your home! 

Spring Favorites

“If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.” — Audra Foveo

The glimpses of Spring have arrived, and I couldn’t be happier to see blue skies, and all those pretty blossoms everywhere! Here on our little farm, we are all thrilled to be outside more, and leaving behind the cooped up winter doldrums. I have been diving headfirst into honing our gardens…one of my favorite parts of Spring. Here are a few of my recent favorites as we head into this beautiful season:

Source: PhotoMix via Pexels.com

-Pretty gardening items: New gardening themed items are such a practical gift or decor idea. I especially love when things are pretty and they serve a purpose. This adorable indoor watering can is the best example; you can use it for herbs or succulents, and it looks beautiful at the same time. And these pretty gloves from Anthro are just $14 and will freshen up even a job like pulling weeds!

-White greenhouse from Little Cottage Company: This is certainly an investment item, but if you love to garden and need a dedicated space to plant, grow, and enjoy the greenery, a true greenhouse is an excellent option. It will look stunning in your yard or on your property, and will provide years of lasting enjoyment! The Colonial Gable greenhouse is just so aesthetically perfect, and would accent any outdoor space. 

-Plants and Roses: The David Austin roses are some of the prettiest and most gorgeous varieties especially the Albrighton Rambler. The shade is the palest pink, and I wish I could grow a few acres of them so I can fill my whole house up! :) I also have been growing some herbs like Rosemary and Sage, which are not only practical for cooking, but also perfect as a garnish. There’s no better way to set a pretty table than adding fresh herbs to everyone’s plates (and it smells heavenly!). Lastly, if you’re looking for a festive treat to serve your guests in this weather, try this recipe from Southern Bite:

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup firmly packed basil leaves

• 6 cups water divided

• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice 6 to 8 lemons

Instructions

• In a medium sauce pan, muddle the sugar and basil together with a wooden spoon. Add 2 cups of water and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until all of the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow the basil to steep in the syrup until cool. Once cool strain the simple syrup into a pitcher. Add 4 cups of water and the lemon juice. Stir well. Serve over ice with a garnish of basil and lemon.

The Basics of Decorating a Mantel

If you’re someone who is lucky enough to have a mantel in your house, you are likely looking forward to decorating it for the upcoming holidays. However, it may seem daunting to get the proportions and heights right, especially when you want it to look right with the rest of the room. There is a little bit of a science to the placement of things on a mantel, in order to get the most aesthetically pleasing result, and one that you’ll not constantly be wanting to rearrange every time you look at it (because really, who has time for that?!). The mantel can be a centerpiece of a room, and one your eye is instantly drawn to…when it’s done right! Here are some easy steps to getting your mantel ready for the holidays, and all those photo ops that you’ll want in front of it:

Source: Pexels.com

-Start with the anchor piece: Your large focal point can also be called the “anchor”. It can be something like a mirror, a large art piece or canvas, or something similar. Ideally, it will be the right proportion of space above the mantel ledge, and will be something neutral that doesn’t need to be changed with every season. Some pieces we love are things like windowpanes (these ones) for something that can easily work with any seasonal decor. Another neutral idea is to place an oversized clock above the mantel.

-Add items to even out the space: The best way to make sure your mantel looks just right is to think about textures, layers, and height. The items on either side of your anchor piece should be similar in size, although they don’t have to be identical. Candle holders/pillars, narrow windowpanes, shutters, or vases are all great options to start with. Again, if you want to make these neutrals like cream, black, or brown, they will be easily morphed into your seasonal arrays.

-Get holiday or season specific: Now is the fun part, but you don’t want to get too cluttery. Add just 2-3 additional items to your mantel to celebrate the season or holiday you want to highlight. For Thanksgiving, this could be some simple branches or leaves, or a small bouquet of wheat sheaves. If you’re decorating for Christmas, consider a simple banner or letters, or a little bit of sparkle (ornaments or candles). There should always be space between your items, so that it’s not a giant clump of decor…you want them to be appreciated and able to be viewed!

-During the rest of the year: When you don’t have a themed display to put together, it’s always a safe bet to include greenery or simple artwork, and always layer! A larger piece or mirror can be placed in the back of the mantel arrangement, and you can layer a smaller canvas or family photo slightly overlapped in front. This will lend depth and interest to your space.

Still stumped on how to make your mantel fit your current space? We would love to help! Contact us today to schedule your consultation for design, event planning/decor, or more!

Welcome Spring!

Spring is always a time of personal inspiration for me. The fruit trees are just beginning to blossom, and I spy bold tulips sprouting up. I have been outside, elbow deep in the dirt, trimming my roses and also soaking up some much-needed sunshine! I wanted to share some of the things that I have my eye on, and that are inspiring me in this bright and cheery season:

-I am obsessed with all things blue and woven right now! I spotted these basket pendant lights at the Surf Rider Hotel recently in Malibu, and fell right in love. I love the beach vibe, and the simplicity of the design. You may also enjoy the whole gallery of the beautiful hotel, which you can find HERE!

Source: Surfrider Hotel Gallery

-Everything blue: I am loving the blue-grey tones and the dusty blue colors that have found their way into the spring Pottery Barn and Anthro catalogs. This is a gorgeous new rug that I spotted at Anthropologie, and it’s an indoor/outdoor one that would be perfect for a patio space. 

-The Serena and Lily wallpapers come all so many gorgeous prints and textures, and I have begun dreaming up where I might include them! Here are some of my favorites: 

Priano Wallpaper 

Wentworth Wallpaper 

Fairfax Wallpaper 

Source: Jolie Paint Inspirations

-Blue is also a great color to paint a piece of furniture to freshen it up, like a dresser or a table base. My favorite type of paint is Jolie paint, which is known for it’s beautiful and lasting pigment. They are priced similarly to other matte paint brands, and they are well worth it for the finishes and quality that truly last for years! Their French blue and Slate colors would be a perfect addition to any refinish work. 

-The last way that I invite Spring into the home is with pretty baskets! Not only can they be used to organize papers and hide clutter, they can also group together pretty pieces like mason jars and florals/greens (I buy mine at Trader Joes), and decorate a countertop or island space .

Best of Target Decor under $50!

Springtime and summer is filled with extra expenses: camping, extra snacks, and sports camps, just to name a few. So when it comes to sprucing up little decor pieces around my house, I love to keep it budget-friendly in this season. As a mom, I think we all know how often we do a "Target run", so I wanted to highlight some of their very adorable and affordable pieces. They have a brand new line called Opal House, and of course, some awesome Magnolia inspired items. Ready? Let's go!

Opal House is very trendy, and has a boho/Anthropologie vibe. Some pieces are a bit trendy and cheap looking for my personal style and taste, but there are some true gems in the collection as well. These cute mugs would make darling teacher gifts, and they look just like Anthro for only $6 per mug. We also love their serving dishes, which are all under $20, and have a boho summer feel that's perfect for hosting friends on your back porch.

Hearth and Hand by Magnolia is a little more my speed, and I always have to zip by the aisles quickly, so everything doesn't land in my cart! Here are a few favorites: This steel punched tray is just $35 and it can go basically anywhere in your home! We think it'd look awesome on your dining table, or serving drinks on the patio. It'll also wipe clean and be useful year round because of the natural color. For your table or mantle, you'll also love this darling vase. The edged lip is classic and timeless. 

When it comes to a versatile item, if you have $35, check out this adorable Threshold pillow with timeless ticking stripes. It's not made of outdoor fabric, but you could put it on a settee that's under cover in case of rain. We also think it looks great piled up with floor cushions around a fireplace, or on a bed that's a neutral palette. This white eyelet pillow has great texture, and of course, you know I love all things cream and white! I hope these ideas have given you inspiration on how to add some spring and summertime flair to your space without going over your budget or spending very much money!

Stay tuned to our blog for the best money-saving and inspiration tips!