Bringing Twigs and Bark Inside

Thanks to all that voted for the Fall decoration of your choice. Twigs and Bark won with 57% of the vote. Here are some items you could use this Season in your home...

Below: branch pillar candle holder $17.19 & bark bowl $49.95 at Target

Below: Rattan pumpkins $19-29 & birch pillar candles $15-69 at Pottery Barn

Below: decorative willow balls $1.50 & wooden acorn $2.95 at Pier1

Bedroom Makeover

Before (Above): This bedroom was bland and lacking style. The large windows were bare and the dark molding was distracting. I wanted to create a soothing retreat with soft colors and fabrics, a place to relax and be surrounded by beautiful things.

After (Below): A custom upholstered headboard in white velour adds luxurious texture and is a soft place to lean against. The sea foam color of the bedding contrasts against the bright white. Silver framed coral prints add glamour and shine. Simple white panels soften the windows and draw attention to the high ceilings. Pops of aqua and a small zebra print area rug adds unexpected whimsy to keep the room from being too serious.

Sisal 101

I've come across a lot of interiors with sisal rugs lately. Once used heavily in beach decor, sisal rugs are now making an entrance in land-locked homes too. These textured rugs are made from dried fibers from agave, also known as the cactus. They can be used in rooms with busy patterns on the fabric and furniture, anchoring the space. Or, they can be used in soft, neutral spaces adding texture and visual interest to a tone-on-tone palette. The fibers can be dyed in a range of neutral shades, from light sand to dark chocolate.

Sisal rugs get a bum rap when it comes to care and maintenance. However, most people aren't aware that the sisal fibers are static-free and do not attract dirt. Vacuuming is the best way to clean sisal rugs. Water will stain sisal, so it is best not to place rugs in the kitchen, bathroom, or outdoors. If you do spill something on a sisal rug, blot it and dry with a hair dryer. Also, Crate and Barrell sells a dry removal product called Host to remove spills and stains.

(photographs from Better Homes and Gardens)

Mirror, Mirror, Off the Wall...

(designer Lisa Epley's home)

I'm obsessed with leaning mirrors. I've been coveting the Mongstad mirror at IKEA for months. It's dark, sleek, over-sized, and only $99.99. There is something about placing an extra large leaning mirror in a room that excites me, maybe it's the scale, or the reflective quality that it adds to a room. It seems you can't go wrong with one of these, they come in all sorts of styles and finishes. Plus, no nails needed.

(left: designers Kevin Carrigand & Tim Furzer in Elle Decor, above right: designer Lori Graham in Metroplitan Home)

Mid Century Drab to Fab

I purchased this 3 drawer chest from the Salvation Army for $14.99. It was a brown veneer mess, but I could see potential in the clean lines and sleek legs. Thinking I could give it a new life, I took it home and gave it a good cleaning.

I have another chest similar in size with mirrored drawers, painted in a sea foam green. I took one of the drawers to a Benjamin Moore dealer and had a quart of paint custom matched.

I primed the piece using KILZ spray paint, and then applied two coats of the custom BM color. Instead of buying new hardware, I spray painted the existing knobs with a metallic silver paint.

Finally, I sanded and stained the legs with an espresso stain, transforming this Salvation Army find for a total of $55.

Window Treatments: 101

Why you should have window treatments:

• Light Control: You can control how much light filters into your home and what time of the day it does.
• Sound Absorption: Fabric treatments will absorb noise from the outside. The more fabric you have, the more absorbing the treatment becomes.
• Insulation: This is key especially if you live in an older home. The window treatments will block drafts and prevent them from giving you the chills.
• Privacy: A well thought out treatment can ensure that you and your family have privacy during the day and night.
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  Design Element: A window treatment can add more texture and color to a room as well as highlight or de-emphasize windows.

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Window Treatment Styles:

Roman & Roller Shades: Simple & sophisticated. Fabric or woven woods.

• They are great to use for rooms with moderate to low privacy needs as they are mostly kept pulled up.
• Shades can be lined for a semi-opaque or black-out affect for light control or night-time privacy.
• Can be mounted above a window frame to give the illusion of a taller window and ceiling. Can also be mounted inside the window frame for a minimal look.
• Shades can be paired with panels for a more substantial look.
• Can be found in ready made selections at department stores or custom ordered via Hunter Douglas.

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Shutters: Can be tailored to any design style. Custom look and worth the price.

• Shutters are made of wood or composite materials, depending on your climate and budget needs.
• Varying louver sizes allow more or less light to enter as well as maximize or minimize views.
• Shutters can be tailor made for arches, circle, bay, corner, and angled windows as well as sliding glass & french doors.
• Can be paired with panels to soften the window.
• Available at Hunter Douglas and most large home repair stores.

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Stationary or "Dummy" Panels: Any decor style & Most Windows

• Mount above the window trim to give the illusion of a taller window and ceiling.
• Add color and/or texture to any room.
• Can be placed over bay or multiple windows to create a unified look.
• Provide minimal light & privacy coverage but do cover drafts.
• Add multiple pairs to a window to create a fuller look.

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Draperies: Full and Maximum Coverage.

• Similar to the stationary panel is style, but has ability to close for maximum privacy and light control.
• Draperies can "stack" to the left, right, or both sides opening in the center.
• Ease of use, typically draperies slide open with rings or a traverse rod.
• Mounting the rod past the width of the window trim can keep the stack of fabric from covering too much of the window. The fabric stack will instead cover some of your wall.
• Fabric can be sheer, semi-opaque, opaque, or lined with black out lining.

images via BHG, Cheryl Tague Design, Country Living, Country Living, House Beautiful, and DC Window Automation.

2, 4,6, 8...Why it's Fun to Decorate!

1. Of course, the room has an animal print in it. The zebra mirror is awesome.
2. White panels and a box valance lined in black trim is very sleek.
3. An oval upholstered ottoman acts as a cocktail table with a tray on top.
4. Speaking of cocktail tables, check out the matching pair of glass-top.
5. An extra long sofa with bouillon fringe - what?
6. A gold etagere to store and display adds glimmer
7. The kelly green wall color "pops" against the white molding
8. And the graphic rug...have never seen anything quite like it.

image via HGTV